Winter is a great time for street photography at night, said Faizal Westcott in his latest video above, and we don’t see why not! Depending on the side of the world where you are, this time of the year means you don’t have to worry about the sun setting so late into the night. However, if it’s your gear that’s stopping you — a fast lens, to be exact — he also said you don’t actually need it.

To prove his point, Westcott went for a night photo walk with a Fujifilm X-T5 paired with a 50mm f/2 lens. “This is by no means the fastest lens out there,” he said. He also noted that most photographers have this misconception that a really fast lens is necessary to get the best night photos. With all the bright light sources in the city, there’s practically no need to shoot wide open at f/1.4. Also, if you’re thinking about shooting portraits at night with flash, you’ll be using a smaller aperture anyway.

Finally, shooting at night can indeed give you a different perspective on places you’re already familiar with. Look for pops of color, dramatic silhouettes, and interesting shapes. If you’re looking for a reason to go on a night photowalk, hopefully, Westcott’s photos will inspire you!

Check out more of our street photography and night photography articles for more ideas and inspiration!

The Summerland Community Arts Council will host an exclusive photography workshop series, led by photographer, educator and certified animal tracker Heiko Ryll.

The workshop series is intended for beginners and enthusiasts, providing an opportunity to elevate photography skills while immersing themselves in the nature of Summerland.

Starting at the Ryga Arts and Cultural Centre, participants will venture into the landscapes of Summerland and its surroundings.

Ryll has a decades-long career as a photographer. He has blended his passion for capturing moments with a dedication to imparting knowledge.

His keen eye for detail and an understanding of light and composition have earned him acclaim in artistic and educational circles.

He also serves as a certified animal tracker and hiking guide, allowing him to explore nature’s beauty firsthand and share it with others.

Workshop dates are Feb. 17, March 16, April 20 and May 25 from 1 to 3 p.m. Participants will meet in the lower level of the Ryga Arts and Cultural Centre, 9525 Wharton St. and then head out on a leisurely photo walk, exploring hidden gems, lush gardens and stunning vistas.

Workshops are $20. Register online at https://summerlandarts.com/products/the-art-of-photography-workshops or in person at the Summerland Art Gallery.

The 24-year-old photographer discusses his background, shooting from the hip and why generations continue to flock to New York City

Before submitting his entry to the Waukegan Public Library’s January photography contest depicting winter, Caden McFadden, a student at the Christian Life School in Kenosha, snapped approximately 50 photos with his new camera.

Looking at squirrels gathering food in the middle of winter around his Waukegan home, Caden took a walk into the neighborhood. He had a number of pictures already and his mother, Meghan, had a suggestion.

“We were taking a walk in a park in our neighborhood and my mother said, ‘You should take a picture of that tree and the sunset,’” Caden said. “I liked it best and (other) people said it was the best.”

Judges at the Waukegan Public Library liked Caden’s sunset picture depicting squirrels’ nests and snow-covered roofs in Waukegan best as well, as it recently took first place in the library’s winter photography contest for its creative depiction of a winter scene.

Rosario Colin, a children’s reference associate at the library who helped organize and run the contest, said Caden’s photo showing a variety of winter elements at once was a contributing factor to his winning effort. He wins a $25 gift card for his effort.

“He captured nature and wildlife, which was very impressive looking up at a tree and seeing the squirrels’ nests,” Colin said. “It was easy to see all this in the shot.”

During a visit to the library in December, Caden said he saw a poster for the contest, told his mother about it and decided to start taking pictures for the contest. He did not look for just one. He took a lot, with a focus on squirrels.

With a month to take pictures and select the right one to enter in the contest, he said he decided to seek counsel from family and friends. He took the initial array of photos and created a form on his computer so he could share all the photos and get opinions.

“We set up a Google Form so our friends and family could vote,” Caden said. “It showed all the pictures. I kept adding pictures. After a while, we saw a lot of people loved the squirrels.”

Patience was part of Caden’s effort, too. He said he stood 30 feet away from the squirrels. He used a zoom lens to get close-up pictures. Meghan McFadden said he patiently waited for the right moment as he held his camera.

After taking the sunset picture he eventually entered, Caden said it was his favorite. As people kept voting on his Google Form, there was consensus and he uploaded the eventual winner to the library’s website.

Each year, Colin said the library looks for a different type of contest to get young people involved. In the past, the youngsters submitted written work, and last year it was a “mini canvas.”

“The goal is to find all different media of art for the kids of Waukegan,” Colin said. “Most kids have a camera at their fingertips with their phone, so this was something accessible to a wide range of families.”

With the contest open to all third through eighth graders in Waukegan, Colin said, “Hopefully some kids will discover a hidden talent.”

Caden said he plans to continue working on his photography, combining it with his technology skills. He is already into film editing. He hopes to take a class offered in the high school at Christian Life in digital photography.

In scenarios where you don’t get a second chance at capturing that photo, such as a proposal or a first kiss moment, you need trustworthy and high-quality equipment. In this article, we discuss the best equipment and tools for wedding photographers.

The wedding industry is one that demands photographers to be knowledgeable, creative, and excellent at planning ahead. With experience, a photographer will know exactly what they need to pack in their kit bag ahead of the big day. When you are just starting out, you may benefit from the knowledge of a seasoned wedding photographer to help with the essential purchases that lie ahead.

Essential Equipment for Proposals, Engagements and Weddings

Which Camera Should You Buy?

Photographing proposals, engagements, and weddings demands a thoughtful selection of equipment to ensure you can capture every moment with precision and creativity. There are a wealth of camera makes and models out there, and it can be difficult to decipher which ones are best suited for your needs. Personally, I shoot with the Nikon D850, which is a strong and solid full-frame DSLR that fits a wide range of needs across various genres of photography. It is a fantastic all-rounder that performs excellently in low light with its wide native ISO range, making low-light wedding venues a breeze.

Now, prepare yourself for this expensive piece of information followed by a way to mitigate some of that cost. Once you decide what type of camera body you want to invest in, you will need to buy two identical camera bodies to practice as a wedding photographer. The reasons for that are many, but the most important reason is that if something goes wrong with your camera during a wedding, you have been contracted to cover the whole wedding, and cover it you must. A camera is a huge investment, and having to purchase two camera bodies will make a serious dent in your budget. However, you can consider buying a gently used camera body from MPB to mitigate some of that initial outlay. You can opt to buy both or just your backup camera secondhand, but whatever you decide to do, MPB has got you covered with a generous returns policy and a 6-month warranty on every purchase. This gives you peace of mind so you can get on with the important business of serving the needs of your clients.

Proposals

If you have ever been booked to photograph a proposal, you will know the anticipation and excitement that comes with being on the inside of such an operation. It is a thrilling spy-like experience that involves intricate planning, crucial timing, and the ultimate discretion to keep the secret. To achieve top stealth mode, you will need to invest in a long lens that enables you to capture the action and crucial reaction. The Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II iis perfect for this scenario with its fast aperture and telephoto zoom to compose the perfect shot. If a client has a budget that allows, or the location calls for it, invest in a drone to capture the moment from a unique bird’s-eye perspective, giving your clients images that will immortalize just how special that moment was. The mini-sized yet mega-capable DJI Mini 3 Pro is user-friendly, allowing users to get to grips with the drone quickly, leaving you to concentrate on creating those perfect cinematic moments.

Engagements

Engagement parties are happy and high-energy events that call for capturing movement and a little bit of magic. There are two more items to add to your kit bag which are my go-to for engagements or any evening events. The Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 35mm f/1.4G with its fast focus and wide aperture will ensure that you don’t miss a beat on the dance floor. Capturing movement and light trails is a fantastic addition to help tell the story of the event, and to do this while still ensuring your subjects are sharp, you will need to invest in a speedlight and practice the technique of shutter drag to freeze your subjects while capturing the movement of light. The Profoto A1 AirTTL-N Duo Kitprovides excellent on- or off-camera lighting control. With up to 350 flashes per charge, this pair of mini flash heads will provide you with a multitude of lighting options to cater your lighting design to the demands of the dance floor.

Weddings

The big day has come around, and you will need to ensure you are bringing your A-game when it comes to glass. You can’t go wrong with a prime lens for those all-important bridal portraits, to capture the intricate details of the dress, and the excitement of the bride illuminated by the morning light streaming in through the window of the bridal suite. The Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.4G lens is a fantastic tool for this scenario, a new and improved incarnation of the Nikkor line, with Nano crystal coating to reduce ghosting and flare often found in this shooting scenario.

There is no lens I have found stand up better to the demands of the day than the 24-70mm focal range, and the Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM Art lens really fits the bill. It is sharp across the entirety of the zoom range and has quick and sharp autofocus to cover wide-angle shots and close-up moments. If you absolutely had to choose only one, you could shoot an entire wedding with just this lens. This lens will do the heavy lifting from bridal prep through to the speeches and first dance.

An item not to be forgotten in any of the above scenarios would be a sturdy tripod which is lightweight enough to carry with you throughout the day. The Manfrotto 190X Tripod is designed with advanced engineering to ensure strong and resilient performance for years to come. The 3-section legs can be released at speed in just one movement to ensure that you don’t miss the moment. This is a fantastic design for wedding photographers.

Equipment Under Warranty with MPB

Investing in the right photography gear means that you can approach each wedding with the confidence that can only come from being prepared and having the right tools for the job. Buying from MPB adds another layer of assurance, with the generous six-month warranty on all purchases, including those through trade-in.

What items are in your wedding photography wishlist?

Feb 09, 2024

Erin Gilmore Photography to Return as Official Photographer for 2024 USEA American Eventing Championships presented by Nutrena Feeds

Leesburg, Va.—February 9— The United States Eventing Association, Inc. (USEA) is thrilled to share that Erin Gilmore Photography will be returning to the 2024 USEA American Eventing Championships (AEC) presented by Nutrena Feeds as the Official Photographers of this year’s event. The 2024 American Eventing Championships take place Aug. 27-Sept. 1, 2024 at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky.

“As photographers, our hearts beat faster along with yours when we raise our camera lens to capture you entering the Rolex Arena, when you cross the finish line out on cross-country, and when you salute on centerline after a flawless test,” said Erin Gilmore. “Erin Gilmore Photography is honored to be the official photographer of the 2024 American Eventing Championships, and we can’t wait to memorialize your best achievements competing at the top of the sport of three-day eventing.”

“We are very happy to have Erin’s team join us again at the Kentucky Horse Park for the 2024 AEC,” shared USEA CEO Rob Burk. “The team at Erin Gilmore Photography never fail to capture all of those special moments at every competition, and we know they will provide the best photographic memories possible to all of our competitors at this year’s championships.”

Prior to establishing Erin Gilmore Photography, a successful business covering sport horse events in the three-day eventing hub of Area II and beyond, Gilmore covered international equestrian sport around the world, with career highlights that range from multiple Olympic Games to working with international equestrian brands and clients. In 2023, Erin Gilmore Photography served as the Official Photographer at the USEA AEC, Morven Park, The Maryland Horse Trials, Live Oak International, and the Upperville Colt & Horse Show.

Private Photographer Clause

In an effort to better regulate and maintain horse and rider safety during competition, and out of respect for the partnership with the 2024 AEC Official Photographer, the USEA will be implementing new freelance photography protocols during the 2024 AEC. No private photographers will be allowed onsite during the 2024 AEC. Any private photographers found to be promoting private photography services or soliciting clients prior to or during the event will be asked to leave the competition immediately. Only credentialed media outlets will be granted photography passes for the 2024 AEC.

With the understanding that family members will want to capture memories of their loved ones during the AEC, personal camera usage is allowed. For safety purposes, those taking photos for personal use are not allowed inside any of the arenas, including during prize-giving ceremonies. We ask that those with personal-use cameras please respect credentialed media and photographers by being aware of their positioning and to please avoid areas that may be in the way of the area that the photographer is shooting. If at any time personal-use photography becomes a safety hazard or comes into conflict with that of a credentialed media person, personal photographers may be asked to relocate.

Credentialed Media

Applications for credentialed media personnel will open up on Aug. 1, 2024, and will remain open through Aug. 21, 2024.

In order to be eligible to receive press credentials, you must:

1. Be an adult of legal age and a reporter, editor, or photographer associated with or on assignment for a recognized publication, news service, newspaper, website, radio, or television station;

2. Or be a Media Professional providing media services to professional riders during the event. These individuals should be prepared to submit a list of clientele along with their application for credentials and will not be permitted to sell/distribute images taken at the AEC to competitors outside of their clientele.

3. Submit the official AEC press credential application during the credentialing period and be approved.

About the USEA American Eventing Championships (AEC)

The USEA American Eventing Championships (AEC), presented by Nutrena Feeds, is the pinnacle of the sport at the national levels. Held annually, the best junior, adult amateur, and professional competitors gather to vie for national championship titles at every level from Starter to Advanced. This ultimate test of horse and rider draws hundreds of combinations from around the country to compete for fabulous prizes, a piece of the substantial prize money, and the chance to be named the National Champion at their respective levels. In fact, the 2021 AEC garnered over 1,000 entries and now stands as the largest eventing competition in North American history. The 2024 USEA American Eventing Championships presented by Nutrena Feeds will be held Aug. 27—Sept. 1 at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky. Click here to learn more about the USEA American Eventing Championships.

The USEA would like to thank Presenting Sponsor: Nutrena Feeds; Advanced Final Title Sponsor: Adequan; Platinum Level Sponsor: Bates Saddles; Gold Level Sponsors: Capital Square, Horse & Country, Parker Equine Insurance, Smartpak, Standlee; Silver Level Sponsors: Auburn Labs, The Jockey Club, Kerrits; and more!

This week, readers will find Harwood Union basketball pictures from Poppy Woods, Warren, a Harwood senior. She is well known for her Harwood sports photography and will be sharing her work with The Valley Reporter going forward. She’s been a photographer her whole life, influenced by her father and grandfather. 

You can find more of Woods’ photography on instagram at https://www.instagram.com/poppywoodsphoto/