Today’s episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast is sponsored by SouthPark Community Partners, an independent nonprofit organization whose mission is to lead SouthPark’s advancement by driving economic vitality, creating memorable experiences, and ensuring an extraordinary quality of life.

You might be surprised by how many brides still flip through the glossy pages of wedding magazines to gather inspiration for their big day, says Charlotte-based wedding photographer and videographer Robert Burns II.

But as with many types of publications, bridal magazines are increasingly moving to digital formats — swapping that satisfying page-turn with a swift click. Burns recently ventured into the world of digital publishing himself, with his new annual bridal publication, BRIDE Magazine.

With over 15 years of experience in photography and a decade specializing in weddings, Burns has seen big shifts in the bridal industry, from where couples are getting married to what they want out of photos and videos on the big day.

On this episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast, Burns talks with the Ledger’s Cristina Bolling about:

• What inspired him to launch a digital magazine.

• Wedding photography and video trends, from drone photos and video highlight reels to quick-turnaround images couples can share before their honeymoon.

• Common mistakes couples make while planning for their big day.

• The “hyper-personalization” trend of inserting small, meaningful details into weddings that reflect the couple.

We hope you enjoy the conversation with Robert Burns II.

To learn more about Robert Burns II Photography & Videography and BRIDE Magazine, visit RobertBurnsIIWedding.com.

The Charlotte Ledger Podcast is produced by Lindsey Banks.

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Dr. Rand Rudland, a seasoned explorer of medical frontiers and ecological wonders, will present a carefully curated collection of his photographs and projects on June 28 at the Friendship Center in Vanderhoof.

Rudland will be in town to attend the reunion event at Nechako Valley Senior Secondary (NVSS). Born in Fort Fraser, Rudland attended high school at NVSS before pursuing medical studies at the University of British Columbia and McGill University. He practiced medicine in remote locations across the globe and then retired on the Sunshine Coast, where he practiced for 35 years.

During his time off, he worked with the Northern Medical Unit of the University of Manitoba, providing fly-in medical services to many remote Inuit communities across the central and eastern Arctic and the shores of Hudson Bay, while taking advantage of the locations for his photographic pursuits.

His career included stints as a ship’s physician aboard ecotour ships navigating the icy waters of the Antarctic Peninsula and the Arctic Circle. These voyages on vessels like the World Discoverer and the Kapitan Khlebnikov offered him opportunities to photograph elusive wildlife and pristine landscapes in places such as South Georgia, the Falkland Islands, and Wrangel Island.

Beyond his medical practice and maritime adventures, Rudland’s curiosity led him to explore remote corners of the globe. He undertook natural history tours to diverse destinations such as Japan, Papua New Guinea, the Aleutian Islands, and various Pacific sub-antarctic islands.

These expeditions were integral to his role as a naturalist and photographer, capturing everything from rare butterflies on the Sunshine Coast to polar bears in the Arctic.

Experiencing profound cultural events in remote islands, particularly in Melanesia, has been a deeply moving and memorable event for him, Rudland said. These encounters allowed him to immerse himself in the local traditions and cuisines of these cultures. Rudland captured these experiences in videos and will present them next week in Vanderhoof.

Additionally, photographing some of the world’s rarest bird species, often seen and documented only a handful of times historically, has been a driving passion for him throughout these years.

“Just finding the rarest of the rare species and being able to photograph them and document where they are, I think, has been really exciting,” he said.

As he prepares to reunite with former classmates and friends, Dr. Rudland eagerly anticipates sharing stories of his favourite wildlife encounters, cultural moments, and scenic landscapes.

He said his training as a wildlife biologist in forest ecology will influence many of his presentations. “Everything that I present will be sort of framed in the context of worldwide biodiversity that I’ve been able to photograph,” he said.

Asked about the best part of sharing these stories with people, he emphasized the importance of conservation. “I’ve become sort of a teacher at heart, and maybe I always was, but I always hope that people go away from my presentations having learned something about the fragility of our ecosystems, wherever those may be, and how important it is to protect them.”

In our busy, always-on world, the art of macro photography can be a balm for mental health. When you’re engaged in capturing the intricate details of flowers and insects, it’s harder to focus your attention elsewhere. For many photographers, macro enables them to escape their everyday stressors – on top of being a rewarding and creative outlet in itself.

Canon pro photographer Matt Doogue has been photographing close-ups in nature for over a decade and has found comfort by immersing himself in the beauty of the miniature world. Based in the UK, he has become something of a mental health speaker, and he regularly gives talks on how the slowness of the genre can create a sense of calm and concentration. With a profound respect for the natural world, Matt often describes what he does as photo therapy and credits photography with being a life-saver in his darkest times.

Macro may help with mindfulness, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy from a technical point of view. For a start, you’ll need a dedicated macro lens that’s capable of focusing at close distances. And even then, it can be very challenging to precisely focus on extremely small subjects and manage a shallow depth of field at higher magnifications. One technique that Matt uses to increase the sharpness throughout his images is focus stacking, both manually and using the latest automated stacking features in Canon’s EOS R5 and EOS R7 mirrorless cameras.

Discover how macro helps Matt to stay connected to the present moment, plus the technical skills he uses for the sharpest shots.

Matt Doogue

Matt has over a decade of experience shooting for the likes of National Geographic and BBC Earth. He’s a dedicated conservationist and uses his social platform – plus school outreach visits as a teacher – to raise awareness and support for environmental issues. Matt is an advocate for mental health awareness and support, having struggled with his own health in the past. His upcoming book, The Complete Guide to Macro Photography, will be released in July 2024.

A longer version of this interview originally appeared in Issue 214 of PhotoPlus magazine. Click the link below to see our latest special subscription deal!

As well as the best macro lenses, you might want to check out the best cameras for macro photography to really maximize your macro work.

Invaluable advice on why photographers, particularly those more advanced in their careers, should reconsider the practice of spontaneous, unplanned test shoots in fashion and beauty photography.

Test shoots can be a valuable tool for photographers in order to test lighting designs, familiarize yourself with directing portrait subjects, experiment with new techniques, and building a diverse portfolio. Even so, test shoots arent always the best idea for photographers. Drawing from her extensive experience, photographer Kayleigh June cautions that as photographers progress through their careers, the lack of planning and purpose in test shoots can lead to subpar results and wasted resources.

One of the key points Kayleigh highlights is the need for careful planning and conceptualization. Unplanned shoots can actually have an adverse effect and result in mediocre images that do not add value to a photographer’s portfolio. In that case, what is the point of taking the time to do them? Its important to have a clear vision, and collaborate effectively with models, makeup artists, and stylists to ensure success. Without this, the outcome can be disappointing, leaving photographers feeling deflated and dissatisfied. 

Kayleigh June’s video serves as a thoughtful reminder to photographers to prioritize planned, purposeful shoots. This strategic approach not only enhances the quality of their portfolios but also preserves their passion and professional growth. 

The Community Digital Arts Hub (CDAH), is proud to present the “Identity through Photography” photo exhibition running from June 27th to June 30th at the CDAH Studio – 460 Ste-Catherine West, Suite 511.

The exhibit is the culmination of a series of photography workshops and features the artworks of immigrant, newcomer and refugee women/LGBTQ+ who participated. The workshops and exhibit were led and curated by Pantea Pezeshkan, an Iranian-Canadian photographer in residence at the CDAH since January 2024, thanks to a DémART internship grant from the Conseil des arts de Montréal.

Participants were encouraged to answer questions around their personal identities and unique experiences, using cameras to tell their stories. They were led through the process of creation, from introductory photography workshops to selecting final works to present. The exhibit will feature 6 artists: Parisa Akbarmalkeshi, Baran Asghari, Sona Javid, Sara Nayerabadi, Alma Perreault, Pantea Pezeshkan.

Please join us for our vernissage on Thursday June 27th from 5-8 PM to celebrate the artists. 

Date and Time

Thursday, Jun 27 , 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Event Registration

To register for this event please visit the following URL: https://forms.gle/SPEMqZjYmwFZgYSr7 →

Location

Mike Faist, the rising star known for his roles in “West Side Story” and “Challengers,” recently opened up about his experience working on the upcoming film “The Bikeriders” directed by Jeff Nichols.

Faist was drawn to the project for several reasons, including the opportunity to work close to his hometown in Ohio and to play the role of renowned photographer Danny Lyon.

Faist’s interest in photography was sparked by his “Challengers” co-star Zendaya, who encouraged him to explore the art form. This newfound passion proved to be serendipitous when Nichols offered him the role of Lyon, a photojournalist documenting a Chicago-area motorcycle club in the 1960s. Faist spent time with Lyon, learning about his life and work, and even documenting the “Bikeriders” set with his own camera.

The actor emphasized to the Hollywood Reporter the importance of maintaining a life outside of work, echoing Bryan Cranston’s sentiment about the need for fresh experiences to fuel creativity. Faist stated that acting should never feel like a job, and he only takes on projects that genuinely spark his interest.

Faist also shared an anecdote about working with Steven Spielberg on “West Side Story,” where he learned the value of “I don’t know.” He recalled a moment when Spielberg was unsure how to shoot a scene and confided in Faist that he hadn’t figured it out yet. This experience taught Faist the importance of staying open to possibilities and allowing answers to reveal themselves organically.

Overall, Faist’s insights offer a glimpse into his thoughtful approach to acting and his commitment to personal growth. He values authenticity, collaboration, and the pursuit of projects that resonate with him on a deeper level.

Iranian photographer Mohammad Nazari was in a bus station when he took this shot. “I was just leaving a religious ceremony in Zanjan, which is near the capital of Tehran, when I happened upon this scene completely by chance,” he says. “The glass of the bus station separated these two young girls – one with her hand outstretched and placed on the glass, the other turning to look at her. The presence of a girl without a hijab in a crowd at an ancient religious ceremony created an interesting contrast. The feeling I get from this photo is very strange.”

Nazari took the photograph on a mobile phone not out of choice but out of necessity. “My country is facing very high inflation, and cameras are very expensive, so it’s practically impossible for independent photographers like me to buy one,” he says. He instead relies on mobile phones, adding that because this model didn’t have a good enough zoom function, he had to get in close to his subects. He later applied some minor edits to the contrast and saturation.

While Nazari describes his image as falling within the social documentary genre, it predates the 2022 protests over compulsory hijabs sparked by the death of Mahsa Amini. “I would like others to see this photograph not just as political,” Nazari says, “but as art, too.”