Suki Dhanda, whose work has been a brilliant feature of the Observer for 25 years, took this photograph of teenage girls in Whitechapel, east London, in 2002. It is included in a new book, Shining Lights, celebrating the work of Black female photographers in Britain. The picture was originally part of a series commissioned by the British Council focusing on ideas of community. Dhanda had already been working on a project with Bengali girls and used the commission to extend that work. The girls in the picture reminded her, she says, of the competing pressures she’d experienced growing up in Slough, with Indian heritage, to conform to both the expectations of her family, and the desire to be a British teenager no different from any other.

“I was looking at the life of this one girl in particular,” she says, “and how she developed her identity. She would wear Nike trainers and jeans, but also the hijab. I was interested in how that seemed to give her a confidence to go out with her friends and help her feel safe.” This was in the months after 9/11, when there was a focus on the integration of Muslim communities in Britain; these girls, it seemed, playing pool, while gesturing toward the values of their parents, were feeling their own way toward what that meant.

Dhanda herself had long since worked out that dilemma. Her parents couldn’t really conceive of a career in arts or media, so she took herself off to Plymouth to study photography before starting work in London in the 1990s. She found the sense of belonging and freedom in the city that she had been looking for. And did her parents acknowledge that this was a career after all? “I think they did when I did a portrait of Tony Blair, when he was prime minister,” she says, with a laugh. “That made it seem like a proper job.”

• Shining Lights: Black Women Photographers in 1980s-90s Britain, edited by Joy Gregory, is published by Mack

In an ever-evolving tech landscape, anticipation builds as Apple Inc. gears up for its latest marvel, the iPhone 16 series, with the spotlight shining bright on the iPhone 16 Pro’s rumored significant camera upgrades. Amidst a flurry of speculation and unconfirmed leaks, tech enthusiasts and Apple aficionados alike are on the edge of their seats, eager to decode the truth behind the swirling rumors of a vertical camera orientation and other tantalizing features poised to redefine smartphone photography.

The Heart of Innovation: Vertical Camera Orientation

The buzz around the iPhone 16 Pro centers on a groundbreaking shift in camera design—a vertical orientation poised to take spatial video recording to unprecedented heights. This rumored redesign aims to align the cameras horizontally when the device is tilted on its side, mirroring the layout seen in the Pro iPhone models. Such an orientation not only promises enhanced usability but also marks a significant departure from traditional smartphone camera setups, potentially setting a new standard for mobile photography.

A Leap Towards Futuristic Functionality

Further stirring the pot of anticipation are whispers of the introduction of new, user-centric buttons—the Action Button and the Capture Button—across the iPhone 16 lineup. These additions, tailored for quick camera access, signal Apple’s commitment to enriching the user experience, offering convenience and efficiency at the fingertips of the user. Coupled with the supposed inclusion of the A18 chipset, up to 8GB of RAM, and the integration of artificial intelligence with iOS 18, the iPhone 16 Pro is shaping up to be a powerhouse of innovation and performance.

Between Rumors and Reality: A Grain of Caution

While the excitement is palpable, a note of caution hangs in the air. The source of these leaks, Majin Bu, suggests that the new camera module design might cater more to the aesthetic preferences and functionality desired by producers rather than confirming an official overhaul. Furthermore, the design has sparked a mixed bag of reactions on social platforms, with some users drawing amusing comparisons to a fidget spinner. Such divergent views underscore the speculative nature of pre-launch buzz, reminding tech enthusiasts to temper expectations with a healthy dose of skepticism until official announcements are made.

In conclusion, as the launch date of the iPhone 16 Pro draws nearer, the tech community remains abuzz with speculation, hope, and a dash of skepticism. The rumored vertical camera orientation, alongside innovative features such as the Action and Capture buttons, signifies a potential leap forward in smartphone technology. However, until Apple Inc. lifts the veil on the iPhone 16 series, the tech world waits with bated breath, hopeful yet cautious about what the future holds for mobile photography and smartphone technology at large.

Jeddah, Saudi Arabia – The Visual Arts Commission, under the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Culture, is proud to announce the winners of the second edition of the Kingdom Photography Award, a competition that invited aspiring and seasoned photographers to submit a series of images under the theme “We Tell Stories.”

The winning artworks will be displayed alongside the work of professional photographers at ‘AlHasa Hassana,’ an exhibition held at Hayy Jameel in Jeddah from the 11th of February to the 2nd of March. The exhibition, open to the public with free admission, is a celebration of visual storytelling that showcases a diverse array of narratives captured by talented photographers in Saudi Arabia through their own lenses.

After careful assessment from a panel of local and international experts, five entries were chosen for their ability to capture the beauty, diversity, and unique perspectives of Saudi Arabia. The expert panel included Ghada AlMuhanna, Hussain AlMoosawi, Mick Moore, Mohammed AlFaraj, and Tanvi Mishra. Each winning artist will receive a cash prize and vouchers valued at SAR 40,000.

Antonia Carver, Director of Art Jameel, said: “We are thrilled to collaborate with the Ministry of Culture and the Visual Arts Commission to host Kingdom Photography at Hayy Jameel, and to have the opportunity to feature and work with such dynamic photographers and curators. As Jeddah’s home for the arts, Hayy Jameel nurtures the broadest community of creatives. We have long had a special mandate to support the active photography community in Saudi Arabia, and look forward to opening our space for makers and image-makers, including a specialist darkroom, at Hayy Jameel this year. We thank the Commission and our collaborators and wider community for their constant support and spirit of collaboration.

The winners and their work include:

• Abdullah Alshaikh:
  • Series Title: I’m from this Land
  • Location: Al-Ahsa Oasis
  • Artist Statement: In the heart of Al-Ahsa Oasis, Abdullah Hussain Alshaikh’s series traces the intimate journey of farmers and the 2.5 million date palms that define Al-Ahsa.

• Amnah Alhaik:
  • Series Title: The Women from Al-Qatif
  • Location: Qatif
  • Artist Statement: Amnah Ibrahim Alhaik’s lens captures the urban landscape of Al-Qatif, focusing on the daily rituals of women, both young and elderly.

• Nather Alsyf:
  • Series Title: Ibrahim Almilad – Life in Colors
  • Location: Qatif
  • Artist Statement: In the heart of Qatif, Nather Abd Rab Alrasool Alsyf introduces us to Ibrahim Almilad, a 65-year-old artist living on a small farm adjacent to a graveyard.

• Mohammed Al Jerabi:
  • Series Title: Saudi Symphony 
  • Location: Riyadh
  • Artist Statement: Time and the art machines together created the ultimate sound of war and its most powerful language, merging with time to become the language of battle and a joyful canvas.

• Zuhair Altraifi:
  • Series Title: Ain Al-Jawhariya (Al-Jawhariya Spring)
  • Location: Al-Ahsa
  • Artist Statement: Zuhair Ahmad Altraifi’s series captures the essence of Ain Al-Jawhariya, a once vibrant underground spring in Al-Ahsa.

Congratulating the winners, Dina Amin, CEO of the Visual Arts Commission, stated, “We are thrilled to unveil the remarkable narratives captured by the winners of the Kingdom Photography Award. These visual storytellers skillfully depict the essence of Saudi Arabia, with each series telling a unique tale. The exceptional artworks presented through the Award demonstrate the importance of such initiatives in providing a unique platform for discovering new talent and growing the visual arts sector in KSA.”

Accompanying the exhibition will be a series of activities, from insightful panel talks to hands-on workshops, all set against the backdrop of the diverse and captivating works on display. For additional details about the exhibition and its program of events, visit: https://engage.moc.gov.sa/tkpa/exhibition/

About the Visual Arts Commission:

The Visual Arts Commission is one of 11 sector-specific commissions under the Ministry of Culture. Founded in 2020, it is leading the development of the visual arts sector in Saudi Arabia. The Commission is working to nurture the talent of art enthusiasts, practitioners, and professionals in the Kingdom, and support the production and exhibition of artwork in all its forms, locally and internationally.

To learn more about the Visual Arts Commission, please visit www.visualarts.moc.gov.sa/en and the commission’s page on Twitter @MOCVisualArts and Instagram @visualarts_moc

About the Ministry of Culture:

Saudi Arabia has a vast history of arts and culture. The Ministry of Culture is developing Saudi Arabia’s cultural economy and enriching the daily lives of citizens, residents, and visitors.

Overseeing 11 sector-specific commissions, the Ministry is leading a cultural transformation to develop an abundant ecosystem that nurtures creativity, unlocks the economic potential of the sector and unleashes new and inspiring forms of expression.

Find the Ministry of Culture on social media: Twitter @MOCSaudi (Arabic); @MOCSaudi_En (English) | Instagram @mocsaudi

For media inquiries or further information about The Kingdom Photography Award, please contact:

Khalil Dagher

Z7 Communications

Senior Account Manager

Khalil@z7communications.com

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Black tip reef shark swims with other fish in a lagoon in Cocoon Lagoon in the Maldives. The Republic of Maldives has more than 1,100 species of fish colorfully populating its pristine, warm waters, which have an average temperature between 79 F and 93 F year-round. Sentinel photographer Shmuel Thaler captured these underwater photos with his iPhone 15 Pro Max using a protective ProShot case. The Maldives is a country and archipelagic state in South Asia in the Indian Ocean named after the main island and capital of Male, and the name may derive from the Sanskrit word “maladvipa” meaning “garland of islands.” The Maldives’ 26 atolls make up the smallest country in Asia with a land area of 115 square miles and is home to about 521,000 people. Including the sea, the territory spans roughly 35,000 square miles and stretches across the equator in the Indian Ocean southwest of India and Sri Lanka. With the promulgation of the Maldivian constitution in 2008, Islam became the official state religion and land ownership and citizenship are restricted to Sunni Muslims. (Shmuel Thaler – Santa Cruz Sentinel)

Mastering the art of photography in urban environments can be a game-changer for photographers looking to expand their skill set and portfolio diversity. This fantastic video highlights the unique advantages of shooting in big cities, emphasizing how varying light conditions and urban chaos can significantly enhance a photographer’s ability to capture compelling images.

Coming to you from James Popsys, this enlightening video shares Popsys’ personal revelation that big cities are the ultimate playground for photographers aiming to improve their craft, regardless of their preferred subjects. He argues that the structured chaos, alongside the ever-changing conditions of a city, presents a wealth of opportunities for photographers to practice and refine their skills. Popsys points out that, unlike natural landscapes, cities offer consistent elements like straight lines and uniform shadows that can be used to a photographer’s advantage, especially during challenging light conditions like the harsh midday sun or the flat light of an overcast day.

Popsys further delves into the ethical considerations of street photography, sharing his thoughts on what subjects he deems appropriate to capture. This raises an important dialogue about the responsibilities of photographers in urban settings, adding depth to the technical discussion. Additionally, he highlights how diverse lighting conditions, from golden hour to nighttime, provide unique challenges and opportunities in cities that can’t be found in natural settings. By embracing these conditions, photographers can continue shooting and learning, regardless of the time of day or weather, making cities the perfect classroom for rapid skill development. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Popsys.

Former Terrace resident Brandon Broderick has been named Canadian Geographic’s 2023 Photographer of the Year. The 37-year-old Windsor-born photographer has called northern British Columbia his home for more than a decade.

Broderick started photography early in 2006 when he was in college. After getting his first camera in 2007 he was intrigued by capturing landscape photos.

“I am more focused on wildlife now, but I still enjoy taking landscape photos,” Broderick told The Terrace Standard.

A job search landed Broderick in Terrace as he had been fascinated by the north in all the years he lived in Ontario.

He stayed in Terrace for almost 11 years before moving to Tumbler Ridge in the northeast.

“Terrace is such a beautiful area, the scenery and the land definitely help in an abundance of subjects for sure,” he said.

“Terrace has everything that you possibly want as photographer and has fewer people than Vancouver. There were some days when I could be out and not see someone for hours. It’s perfect.”

Broderick was a runner-up in the landscape category in 2022 with a photo taken in the Nass Valley.

In 2023, he focused on trying to get as many different photos of animals and landscapes.

“It paid off,” he said. “I really wanted to win the whole thing this year.”

He didn’t think he could win, instead thought he was a finalist with two wildlife photos in the wildlife category.

“Just being a finalist is an honour, but winning the grand prize felt unreal,” he said. “I was blown away when I opened the email and it was quite a morning for sure.”

Broderick’s family was always supportive of his passion, because he said they never had to worry about him as he always had a full-time job.

“It’s hard to make a living out of it, waterfalls and bears cannot pay me.” Broderick said. “Nowadays anyone with a phone or a camera calls themselves a photographer and gives their stuff for free which underserves a lot of us who try to do this as a job.”

It has taken Broderick almost 15 year of practice and patience to finally make a name for himself to gain the trust of various companies to pay for his photos.

“It’s been a long journey and I’m not making lots of money,” he said.

To cut his expenses Broderick prefers to shoot on secondary highways most of the time, as there are certain areas on the coast that need permits.

Spending a few days with a guide can cost thousands and thousands of dollars, a tricky proposition because there is no guarantee wildlife will cooperate.

Touching upon weather, Broderick likes to be out there when its raining or snowing, as it adds another dynamic to the photo.

He also does not use bait or animal calls.

“It’s all just done by finding the animal and trying to get that animal to allow me to spend a few moments with it,” he said. “If an animal walks into the bush, then that’s the end of the photoshoot.”

Broderick tries to watch the animals, especially bears, from a distance and gauge their mood before trying to approach them for a photo.

There have been times when he drove for eight days or 5,000 kilometres of driving. Lots of podcasts and music help when he is inside the vehicle, but when he is out there waiting for the animal, glancing at or listening to the nature helps.

“A lot of times when you hear a squirrel making a call, it’s usually alarming you of something else in the area,” he said.

Knowing his gear has helped him a lot as sometimes the moments are so quick that the animals don’t give him enough time to sit back and fumble with the controls and settings.

“I spent so much time using it that I can now operate my camera with my eyes closed,” he adds.

Broderick’s advice for photographers is simple — “get out there and spend time outside, try to find stuff, and keep trying.”