Many of the video interactions start the same way:

“Hey. Excuse me.”

What happens next is a short exchange between two strangers in Portland and it leads to an impromptu portrait session. That’s the concept behind the social media account @palebluewave.

The account has more than 85,000 followers on Instagram and exhibits on-the-spot photo shoots of people around the city. It also features photography of landmarks like St. John’s Bridge.

“I went downtown and started taking photos and they were very bad,” said Ryan, the photographer behind the account. “But yeah, I started that day and then literally, I’ve been doing that probably five to six days a week downtown for six months.”

If audience is any judge, the practice has paid off. The first few portraits got a couple dozen likes but more recent ones have gotten thousands.

Ryan said he started the account after an injury destroyed his quality of life. As he started healing, he instituted a daily walking routine.

“I was kind of seeing everything with fresh eyes,” he said. “The smallest things while I was on these walks would bring me a ridiculous amount of joy. Like a squirrel chasing another squirrel, that could make me just feel amazing.”

With that mindset, he decided to nurture the creative side of his life that he said he neglected for 15 years and started working on his photography.

“This whole thing for me has been freedom,” he said. “Just going out on the street with no expectations, very little photography background and doing whatever I want. I have no agenda. I have no one telling me what to do.”

When Ryan’s out taking photos, he has a GoPro running that captures his interactions with Portlanders. In the moment, he typically explains to someone that their hair or shoes or jacket looks nice and asks to take their photo. In some videos, people appear surprised and flattered to be noticed on their commutes, going about their day.

“People just don’t usually go around complimenting. You don’t see that a lot,” he said. “So that’s what I’m complimenting, is the thing that drew me to them.”

Ryan said most of the time people say yes and he recognizes that’s a big leap of faith on their part. A lot of the people he approaches are looking at their phone screen or are using earbuds and might be disconnected from the moment.

“To be able to break through it, it feels great,” he said.

For Ryan, walking around and looking for potential portraits can be meditative. He can spend two to three hours in observation mode. And even as his account grows, garnering likes, comments and followers, there’s really only one opinion he cares about: the stranger he photographed.

“If I get a comment from that person and they’re like, ‘Wow, that was awesome.’ Then I’m like, OK, I did my job,” he said. “If they like it, that’s what feels great.”

Ryan spoke to OPB “Think Out Loud” host Dave Miller about the social media account. Listen to the full conversation:

Editor’s note: We’re only using Ryan’s first name to maintain his privacy.

Berlin-based photographer Angus Green’s debut photo book captures one friendship group’s ‘international chaos spiral’ over two years

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Robust Creative Solutions

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This new addition to their services will provide couples with high-quality and professional documentation of their special day.

MEYERTON, GAUTENG, SOUTH AFRICA, January 29, 2024 /EINPresswire.com/ — Robust Creative Solutions Expands Services to Include Wedding Photography and Videography

Robust Creative Solutions, a leading provider of creative services, is excited to announce the expansion of their offerings to now include wedding photography and videography. This new addition to their services will provide couples with high-quality and professional documentation of their special day.

With years of experience in the creative industry, Robust Creative Solutions has established a reputation for delivering exceptional results to their clients. The decision to expand their services to include wedding photography and videography was a natural progression for the company, as they saw a growing demand for these services from their existing clients.

The team at Robust Creative Solutions is dedicated to capturing the most precious moments of a couple’s wedding day. Their skilled photographers and videographers have an eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, ensuring that every moment is captured beautifully and authentically. From the pre-wedding preparations to the ceremony and reception, they will be there to document every special moment.

“We are thrilled to announce the addition of wedding photography and videography to our range of services,” said Ty Burness CEO of Robust Creative Solutions. “We understand the importance of capturing the memories of a couple’s special day, and we are committed to providing them with stunning visuals that they can cherish for a lifetime. Our team is excited to bring their expertise and creativity to the world of wedding photography and videography.”

Robust Creative Solutions is now accepting bookings for wedding photography and videography services. Couples can expect the same level of professionalism, creativity, and attention to detail that the company is known for. With this expansion, Robust Creative Solutions continues to solidify its position as a one-stop shop for all creative needs.

For more information about Robust Creative Solutions and their services, please visit their website https://ro-bust.co.za/ or contact them via email info@ro-bust.co.za or phone 0762091248 Follow them on social media for updates and to see their portfolio of work.

Ty Burness
Robust Creative Solutions
+27 76 209 1248
tyler@ro-bust.co.za
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This Weird Mexican AMC Brochure Looks Like ’70s Yearbook Photography: Cold Start – The Autopian

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Hanes-Gonzalez is adamant that boxing saves lives more than it damages them, explaining that for many in Mexico City boxing offers the only way out, instilling discipline and dedication in those training. “Boxers learn about putting forth effort. It’s an individual sport, but you represent your neighborhood, your gym, your coach. Boxing gives a sense of pride, of belonging…to be a good boxer you need to be a good person in the ring and outside it.” 

He was constantly aware of needing to represent his subjects honestly. “I didn’t want to do this project and have the boxing community be like, ‘That’s not who we are.’ It’s very easy as a first generation Mexican American to cling to the cliché of what Mexican culture is. It’s how it’s marketed to us: all Mexicans love tacos! Tequila! Mariachis! That stuff can all become very stereotyped.” Avoiding cliché was key. “People told me that when they saw my photos they realized, for the first time, how unique their everyday was. They were like ‘Oh! I see what you see!’ That was humbling for me.”

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Mark DeJohn

SOUTHBAY, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES, January 29, 2024 /EINPresswire.com/ — DeJohn Photography Celebrates Over 15 Years of Capturing Precious Moments and Expands Santa in the Sand Experience

DeJohn Photography, a leading photography studio established in 2005, proudly announces its continued dedication to providing exceptional photography services to clients in Los Angeles and beyond. With a stellar reputation for excellence and a growing list of high-profile clients, DeJohn Photography has solidified its position as a trusted and sought-after photography studio.

Since its inception, DeJohn Photography has been recognized for its commitment to capturing timeless memories. In 2014 and 2015, the studio was honored to be voted Southbay’s Best Photographer by the esteemed Daily Breeze publication, a testament to the exceptional talent and skill of founder Mark DeJohn and his team.

DeJohn Photography has worked with esteemed clients, including the City of Redondo Beach, Disney, LA Kings, Target Corp., and renowned artist Justin BUA. These collaborations have allowed DeJohn Photography to showcase its versatility and ability to capture the essence of each unique project.

Mark DeJohn is also the principal photographer for the film The Blind Archer, Los Angeles, California shoot division, and is proudly featured this month at The Don Hughes Museum.

DeJohn Photography excels in professional photography, and the studio also believes in giving back to the community. Mark DeJohn and his team have generously volunteered their services to organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, The Paul George Foundation, and Dream Street, using their photography to make a positive impact on the lives of others.

In addition to its extensive portfolio, DeJohn Photography proudly introduces its unique Santa in the Sand experience. Created by Mark DeJohn as a more personal and engaging alternative to the traditional Santa visit, Santa in the Sand combines a heartwarming Santa encounter with a family portrait shoot. This innovative concept has captivated clients, including notable figures such as Erin Andrews, current and previous LA Kings players and their families, and the Riley Family, USC Head Coach.

DeJohn Photography specializes in various photography services, including family portraits, weddings, maternity, and boudoir photography. With their creativity, technical expertise, and commitment to customer satisfaction, the studio continues to exceed expectations and create cherished memories for every client.

As DeJohn Photography celebrates over 15 years of capturing priceless moments, they look forward to the future with enthusiasm and a continued commitment to excellence. For more information, please visit www.DeJohnPhotography.com and www.santainthesand.com or contact Mark DeJohn at (310) 692-5675

About DeJohn Photography:
Established in 2005, DeJohn Photography is a renowned photography studio based in South Bay, California. Led by founder Mark DeJohn, the studio specializes in family portraits, weddings, maternity, and boudoir photography. With a passion for capturing emotions and creating lasting memories, DeJohn Photography has garnered accolades and served a diverse clientele, including high-profile individuals and organizations. In addition, the studio is proud to offer the unique Santa in the Sand experience, blending the magic of Santa Claus with unforgettable family portraits. For more information, please visit www.DeJohnPhotography.com

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Mark DeJohn
DeJohn Photography
+1 310-692-5675
dejohn.photography@gmail.com
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Matthew Leifheit discusses his new magazine Matte – a New York-based platform that aims to create a space for fresh visions and voices

Celebrity tattoo artist Kat Von D scored a resounding victory in the copyright infringement trial over her unlicensed use of a photograph of Miles Davis for a tattoo she inked on a client.

On Friday, jurors in a Los Angeles federal court took less than three hours to unanimously rule that Von D did not infringe on photographer Jeff Sedlik’s copyright when she used his famed 1989 image of jazz musician Davis as the basis of a tattoo on her friend Blake Farmer — that she inked free-of-charge for him.

The jury ruled that Von D’s reproduction was not similar enough to Sedlik’s portrait of Davis that she needed to have paid permission from the photographer and

The eight jurors decided that Von D’s tattoo — well as her planning sketch and four related social media posts — were not “substantially similar” to Sedlik’s copyrighted portrait of jazz legend Miles Davis at the center of the trial and therefore did not violate copyright law.

Following the four-day trial, the jury also found that three other social media posts made to Von D’s personal and business accounts that also referenced the photo qualified as “fair use.”

‘This Case Should Never Have Been Brought’

“It’s been two years of a nightmare, worrying about the outcome. Not just for me but for all my fellow tattooers and all the people who have been fans of people they’ve gotten tattooed,” Von D told reporters after the verdict according to Rolling Stone.

“I knew that if we didn’t fight this that I just think it would have done so much harm to an industry that has struggled for so long to do good things and be a good example of art in this world.”

“This case should never have been brought,” Kat Von D’s lawyer Alan Grodsky added.

“It took the jury two hours to come to the same conclusion that everybody should have come to from the start: That what happened here was not an infringement.”

However, Sedlik’s lawyer Robert Allen told reporters that the photographer plans to appeal the verdict.

“Obviously, we’re very disappointed,” Sedlik’s attorney said.

“There are certain issues that never should have gone to the jury. The first, whether the tattoo and the photograph were substantially similar.

“Not only are they substantially similar, but they’re strikingly similar.”

The trial was the latest battle in what defines “fair use” of copyrighted material following the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent ruling on The Andy Warhol Foundation v. Lynn Goldsmith case.

In May last year, America’s highest court held that Warhol’s portraits of music icon Prince was not fair use of Goldsmith’s copyrighted photo, and ruled that Warhol’s work shared the same commercial purpose as the original image photo of Prince.

Image credits: All photos via court documents.

In the age of instant gratification and social media dominance, smartphones have become our go-to tools for capturing life’s precious moments. But who says stunning photography requires bulky DSLRs and expensive lenses? With a little know-how and some clever hacks, your smartphone can transform into a powerful creative device, capable of producing captivating images that rival those taken with professional equipment.

Smartphone Photography Hacks: Capture Stunning Photos Without Fancy Gear

Mastering the Fundamentals:

Before diving into creative hacks, let’s revisit the photography basics. These pillars will serve as the foundation for your smartphone photography journey:

1. Composition:

• Rule of Thirds: Imagine a grid dividing your frame into nine equal squares. Place your subject at the intersection points or along the grid lines for a more balanced and pleasing composition.

• Leading Lines: Use natural elements like roads, fences, or rivers to draw the viewer’s eye into the frame and towards your subject.

• Negative Space: Embrace empty space around your subject to create a sense of breathing room and emphasize its importance.

2. Lighting:

• Natural Light: Whenever possible, prioritize natural light for its soft, flattering qualities. Golden hour, just before sunrise or sunset, is a photographer’s golden time!
• Diffused Light: Avoid harsh sunlight that creates unwanted shadows and blown-out highlights. Shoot through clouds, leaves, or a sheer curtain for softer illumination.
• Play with Shadows: Shadows can add depth and intrigue to your photos. Experiment with different angles and light sources to create interesting shadow patterns.

3. Editing:

• Embrace Apps: Free and paid editing apps like Snapseed, VSCO Cam, and Lightroom Mobile offer powerful tools to enhance your photos. Adjust exposure, contrast, white balance, and apply creative filters.
• Selective Edits: Don’t edit the entire image! Use tools like brushes and gradients to target specific areas for adjustments, leaving others untouched for a natural look.
• Presets: Presets can be a great starting point, but remember to tweak them to fit your specific image and avoid the over-edited look.

Smartphone Photography Hacks:

Now, let’s get creative! Here are some handy hacks to elevate your smartphone photography game:

1. Manual Mode:

Ditch the auto mode and explore your phone’s manual settings. Adjust parameters like ISO, shutter speed, and aperture for greater control over exposure, depth of field, and motion blur. This opens up a world of creative possibilities!

2. External Lenses:

Clip-on lenses like wide-angle, macro, and telephoto can expand your phone’s capabilities. Capture breathtaking landscapes, intricate close-ups, or distant subjects with ease.

3. DIY Hacks:

• Reflector: Use a white piece of paper or cardboard to bounce light onto your subject and fill in shadows.
• Diffuser: Soften harsh sunlight with a translucent fabric like tissue paper stretched over a lens ring.
• Tripod: A mini tripod ensures stability for low-light shots or long exposures, minimizing camera shake.

Showcasing Stunning Smartphone Photography:

These incredible photos taken with smartphones demonstrate the power of these techniques and hacks:

• Minimalist Landscapes: Capture the grandeur of nature with clean compositions and muted tones.

• Dramatic Portraits: Use selective focus and warm lighting to create impactful portraits that tell a story.

• Macro Magic: Explore the hidden world of tiny details with macro lenses or DIY close-up techniques.

• Creative Long Exposures: Turn flowing water, moving cars, or starry skies into dreamy abstractions with slow shutter speeds.

Remember:

• Practice Makes Perfect: The more you shoot, the more you’ll hone your skills and discover your unique style. Experiment, break the rules, and have fun!
• Don’t Be Afraid to Edit: Editing is an essential part of the creative process. Use it to enhance your photos, not mask imperfections.
• Find Inspiration: Follow talented smartphone photographers on social media and draw inspiration from their work.

With a little dedication and these helpful hacks, your smartphone can become your gateway to a world of stunning photography. So, grab your phone, step outside, and start capturing the beauty that surrounds you!

Bonus Tip: Share your amazing smartphone photography with the world! Use relevant hashtags on social media to connect with other enthusiasts and showcase your talent.

Smartphone Photography Hacks: Decoding the Magic Behind Stunning Shots

In our hyper-connected world, smartphones have become the ultimate pocket-sized studios, empowering us to capture life’s fleeting moments with ease. But transforming these snapshots into captivating images that hold our gaze and ignite emotions requires more than just tapping the shutter button. It’s an intricate dance between understanding the fundamentals of photography and injecting innovative hacks to push the boundaries of what our little rectangles can achieve.

Beyond the Basics: Unpacking the Composition Arsenal

While mastering the rule of thirds, leading lines, and negative space is crucial, let’s delve deeper into the composition toolbox. Embrace symmetry and patterns for a sense of order and harmony. Utilize foreground elements to frame your subject and add depth. Experiment with unusual angles to break the mold and challenge the viewer’s perspective. Remember, composition isn’t a rigid set of rules; it’s a guiding force to orchestrate a visual symphony.

Lighting: From Master Painter to Smartphone Sorcerer

Natural light reigns supreme, but understanding how to harness and manipulate it elevates your game. Golden hour’s warm glow bathes your subject in a dreamy aura, while diffused light through clouds or foliage softens harsh shadows. Don’t shy away from playing with shadows as they add texture and drama. Unravel the science of shutter speed and aperture to control light sensitivity and blur motion for dynamic effects.

Editing: From Captured Pixels to Storytelling Palette

Editing isn’t a cover-up operation; it’s the final brushstroke on your photographic masterpiece. Leverage apps like Snapseed and Lightroom Mobile to adjust exposure, contrast, and white balance for a polished look. Selective edits reveal hidden details and enhance specific areas without affecting the entire image. Remember, subtlety is key. Over-editing can turn your photo into a digital Frankenstein’s monster.

Hacks: Weaponizing Your Smartphone Arsenal

Now, let’s unleash the full potential of your smartphone with some ingenious hacks:

• Manual Mode: Ditch the autopilot and take control of ISO, shutter speed, and aperture. It’s like learning to drive stick shift – challenging but rewarding!
• External Lenses: Macro lenses reveal a hidden world of intricate details, while telephoto lenses bring distant subjects closer. Wide-angle lenses? Panoramic landscapes, here we come!
• DIY Diffuser: Tame harsh sunlight with a tissue paper diffuser for softer, more flattering illumination.
• Tripod Magic: Steady those shaky hands with a mini tripod. Low-light shots and long exposures become a breeze.

Showcasing the Power of Creativity:

These stunning smartphone photographs paint a vivid picture of what’s possible:

• Minimalist Landscapes: Breathtaking mountain ranges captured with clean lines and muted tones evoke a sense of awe.
• Dramatic Portraits: Selective focus and warm lighting highlight piercing eyes and soulful expressions, drawing the viewer into the story.
• Macro Magic: Dewdrops clinging to spiderwebs or the intricate veins of a leaf reveal a hidden world of wonder.
• Long Exposure Poetry: Silky waterfalls or streaking city lights become mesmerizing dreamscapes with slow shutter speeds.

Unlocking Your Artistic Fingerprint:

Remember, practice is your passport to photographic bliss. Experiment, break the rules, and embrace the journey of discovery. Find inspiration in the works of acclaimed smartphone photographers, but don’t be afraid to carve your own artistic path. Share your creations with the world, using relevant hashtags to connect with like-minded individuals and build a community.

The Takeaway: A Symphony of Light and Story

Your smartphone is not just a device; it’s a gateway to capturing the beauty that surrounds you. With a blend of technical know-how, creative hacks, and a passionate spirit, you can transform fleeting moments into lasting memories that sing, whisper, and roar with emotion. So, grab your phone, step into the light, and start composing your own photographic symphony!

Smartphone Photography Hacks: Unleash Your Inner Photo Maestro

Ready to transform your smartphone from a pocket accessory to a powerful creative tool? Let’s dive into some essential tips and tricks to capture stunning photos, even without fancy equipment.

Composition Mastery:

• Rule of Thirds: Imagine your frame divided into nine equal squares. Place your subject at the intersecting points or along the grid lines for a balanced and pleasing composition.
• Leading Lines: Use natural elements like roads, fences, or rivers to guide the viewer’s eye into the frame and towards your subject.
• Minimalism: Embrace negative space around your subject for a sense of breathing room and emphasize its importance.

Lighting Wizardry:

• Natural Light: Prioritize soft, flattering natural light whenever possible. Golden hour, just before sunrise or sunset, is your ally!
• Diffused Light: Avoid harsh sunlight that creates unwanted shadows. Shoot through clouds, leaves, or a sheer curtain for softer illumination.
• Shadow Play: Shadows can add depth and intrigue. Experiment with different angles and light sources to create interesting shadow patterns.

Editing: The Finishing Touch:

• Embrace Apps: Free apps like Snapseed, VSCO Cam, and Lightroom Mobile offer powerful tools to enhance your photos. Adjust exposure, contrast, white balance, and apply creative filters.
• Selective Edits: Don’t edit the entire image! Use tools like brushes and gradients to target specific areas for adjustments, leaving others untouched for a natural look.
• Presets: Presets can be a great starting point, but remember to tweak them to fit your specific image and avoid the over-edited look.

Smartphone Photography Hacks:

• Go Manual: Ditch the auto mode and explore your phone’s manual settings. Adjust ISO, shutter speed, and aperture for greater control over exposure, depth of field, and motion blur.
• External Lenses: Clip-on lenses like wide-angle, macro, and telephoto can expand your phone’s capabilities. Capture breathtaking landscapes, intricate close-ups, or distant subjects with ease.
• DIY Hacks:
  • Reflector: Use a white piece of paper or cardboard to bounce light onto your subject and fill in shadows.
  • Diffuser: Soften harsh sunlight with a translucent fabric like tissue paper stretched over a lens ring.
  • Tripod: A mini tripod ensures stability for low-light shots or long exposures, minimizing camera shake.

Remember:

• Practice Makes Perfect: Experiment, break the rules, and have fun! The more you shoot, the more you’ll hone your skills and discover your unique style.
• Don’t Fear Editing: Editing is an essential part of the creative process. Use it to enhance your photos, not mask imperfections.
• Find Inspiration: Follow talented smartphone photographers on social media and draw inspiration from their work.

With dedication and these helpful hacks, your smartphone can become a gateway to stunning photography. So, grab your phone, step outside, and start capturing the beauty that surrounds you!

Bonus Tip: Share your amazing smartphone photography with the world! Use relevant hashtags on social media to connect with other enthusiasts and showcase your talent.

Back in the 90s, Lanre Fehintola was a talented photojournalist who got hooked on heroin and crack while photographing addicts in Bradford. He started dealing, served time in prison, but never gave up on photography. “It saved my life,” he says in this raw, affectionate documentary directed by his friend Leo Regan from more than 25 years of footage. It’s Regan’s third film about Fehintola – and it’s easy to see what keeps him coming back. As a young man, Fehintola had such life force, such energy; a personality of extremes, he was self-destructive and sensitive, completely intoxicating.

This film begins with Fehintola in the present day, processing his recent diagnosis of lung cancer. Doctors have given him six months to live. “It is what is, Leo” he grins at the camera, charisma still cranked up past 10. Back in the 90s, the pair of them were young idealistic reportage photographers knocking around London. They took Robert Capa’s mantra to heart: “If your photos aren’t good enough, you’re not close enough.” Fehintola went back to Bradford where he grew up to photograph addicts. Naive or reckless, with no fear for his own safety, he started taking hard drugs – for research purposes, he says. “I never intended to become an addict.”

The truth feels more complicated. Fehintola was raised by strict parents; a troubled kid, he ended up in a children’s home, where he fought against racism and authority. The story of his life unfolds unfiltered. Fehintola is very good company – even when he is going cold turkey in his flat. It’s 1999 and he asks his mate Errol to keep guard while he detoxes, to stop him giving into temptation. A few days in, he’s pacing round the living room, begging to get out and score; at one point he even threatens to call the police, which has him and Errol giggling. It’s a warmer, gentler film than it sounds on paper.