You might think that an epic view will result in an epic photo, but often, it’s the elements within the view that matter more. This helpful video tutorial features that bit of wisdom along with lots more.

Coming to you from Joshua Peg, this insightful video shares four valuable tips for improving your photography. The first tip is about recognizing that a stunning view isn’t enough. Think about the photos you admire; they likely focus on a specific subject rather than just the horizon. When scouting locations, find something within the view to serve as your subject. This approach ensures your photos have a focal point and aren’t just wide, empty landscapes.

The second tip emphasizes simplicity. Often, you might feel the need to include many elements in your photos, like wildflowers, sunsets, or buildings. However, cramming too much into one frame can make the image cluttered. Peg suggests taking the obvious shot. Experienced photographers often capture the most straightforward, pared-down images because they know these tend to be the most effective. Simplicity in photography can lead to more compelling and visually pleasing results.

Additionally, Peg touches on the importance of consuming other photographers’ work. This can inspire you and introduce new perspectives into your photography. If you find yourself in a creative rut, looking at how others approach their work can provide fresh ideas and motivation. Analyzing your photos and breaking down the thought process behind them can also be beneficial. That’s just the start, so check out the video above for the full rundown from Peg.

WESTPORT — Young photographers have a chance to showcase their budding talents in the annual “Young Shoots Photography Contest” sponsored by the Westport Farmers Market.

Photographs taken at the weekly farmers market from June 20 through Aug. 3 can be submitted for the competition in age categories of 5 to 9 years old, 1o to 14 years old and 15 to 18 years old.

Winners in each age group will receive cash prizes and an opportunity to attend an art class at MoCA CT, according to program organizers.

For more details about the contest and how to submit entries, click here. 

The program is co-sponsored by the Artists Collective of Westport.

An exhibit of Young Shoots contest entries is planned at 6 p.m. Aug. 21 at Gilbertie’s Herbs and Garden Center, 7 Sylvan Lane.

Hosted at Art Basel fair in Basel, the conversation celebrated the launch of Rabanne and Dazed’s ‘Arts Factory’ initiative

Creative production studio Florence welcomes filmmaker and photographer Louise Palmberg to its esteemed roster of talent. With roots in hospitality and the restaurant industry, Louise’s films are replete with layered textures and tasty imagery that engages audiences on a multi-sensory level.

Born in Sweden and now based in New York, Louise grew up with European restaurateur parents, catalysing her love of culinary experiences. Her hospitality-based clients range from popular global brands to one-of-a-kind family-owned restaurants. Like a well-plated dish, Louise thinks through every detail, personalising each project and reflecting a unique approach to reaching a client’s goals while creating seriously appetising films in the process. 

Louise helmed many campaigns for top food, beverage, and hospitality companies like Tanqueray, Aperol, Fever Tree, Aldi, Uber Eats, Chipotle, Nespresso, Grey Goose, and Guinness, among many others. She’s directed various brand partnership spots like Vogue x Starbucks, Vanity Fair x Don Julio, and Bacardi x Academy Awards, creating visual stories about how these two entities connect through stylised shots. Louise’s photography work has also been featured in high-profile publications such as The Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, Vogue, and Eater New York. 

“I’ve always been interested in their roster and the work they produce because of its high quality,” remarks Louise on joining Florence. “I deeply believe in collaboration, sharing resources, and taking care of each other, especially because we work in an incredibly intense industry. It turns out that everyone at Florence and I share those beliefs, which hit home for me. They appreciate and encourage my hybrid career as a photographer and live-action director. I’m often asked to incorporate stills and motion in my projects, and I foresee this becoming a bigger trend in the future. I’m excited to work with a company prioritising a more integrated approach.”

Matt Griffo, executive producer of Florence, elaborates, “I met with Louise to discuss her potentially coming on board, and in our conversation realised we were so aligned on artistic and personal principles that she was an obvious fit for Florence. We’re thrilled to have such a talented photographer and commercial director on board. Louise has a deep love for what she does, and she’s always ready to try new things and grow. I’m excited to see what she creates next, and I’m thankful she’s chosen to do it at Florence.”

Photo: Iris Photography

We see the world through our eyes, but it turns out there’s a whole world to see within our eyes. Photographers like Mitchell Zeer, founder of Iris Photo, are placing the spotlight on our mesmerizing orbs. Through macro photography, high-resolution images of our irises (the colored circle around our pupils) are transformed into otherworldly deserts and galaxies.

Irises are unique for each person, just like our fingerprints. On account of this, they are beginning to be used for identification and security purposes. However, its this distinctiveness that makes iris photography so intriguing. And unlike fingerprints, they are much more aesthetically engaging. In fact, each of our two irises are unique from each other as well. We typically distinguish between eyes by color: brown, blue, hazel, grey or green. Yet the base of all irises is blue. The amount and type of melanin added to it determines which color the irises appear. A lot of eumelanin equals dark brown eyes, whereas just a slight hint of pheomelanin adds a yellow tint, causing green eyes.

These macro photos enhance the eye to such a degree that the colors seem to separate so you can see the blue and the melanin layered above it as two different colors. Zeer’s photographs also demonstrate that eyes of the same shade can look drastically different. The muscles and fibers of the iris create unique geographies that are then made more distinctive via the roughly 16 genes that determine melanin levels. Despite seeming like a complicated task, photographing the eye and printing art prints takes only 10 minutes at Iris Photo, a process that has been perfected since its inception.

Iris photography first became popular in Europe starting in 2012 when German photographer Felix Mayrl originated the process. Zeer, who had studied photography and psychology, opened his business in 2019. “We believe that every pair of eyes tells a story, a narrative of depth and individuality waiting to be captured,” Iris Photo states. “Our passion lies in the artistry of preserving these tales, transforming them into stunning pieces of high-gloss artwork.” Now, the Aussie company is opening franchises around the world with its first American outpost in Miami.

To keep up to date with new eye-catching additions, you can follow Iris Photo on Instagram.

Mitchell Zeer and Iris Photography take high-resolution photos of eyes that look like something from outer space.

Photo: Iris Photo

Photo: Iris Photo

Photo: Iris Photo

Photo: Iris Photo

Photo: Iris Photo

Photo: Iris Photo

In only a few minutes, irises are turned into highly personal and unique art

Photo: Iris Photo

Photo: Iris Photo

Up to 79% of the world’s population has brown eyes, and less than 1% have gray eyes.

Photo: Iris Photo

Photo: Iris Photo

Photo: Iris Photo

Photo: Iris Photo

Iris Photo also occasionally edits their iris photographs to more directly depict galaxies or explosions.

Photo: Iris Photo

Photo: Iris Photo

Iris Photo: Website | Instagram

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Iris Photo.

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Stunning Macro Photos Pay Homage to the Frozen Beauty of Winter

Older Pixel Devices Receive Photography Boost

The latest update for Pixel smartphones has brought significant enhancements to older models such as the Pixel 6, 7, Pixel Fold, and even the Pixel Tablet. Users can now manually select the preferred lens from wide, ultra-wide, or telephoto options, providing greater control over their photography experience. This feature is exclusive to Pixel 6 Pro, 7 Pro, and Pixel Fold devices, while standard Pixel versions retain the automatic lens selection setting.

Streamlined Photography Settings for Pro Users

Within the revamped Photo Settings interface, a new toggle resides under the “Pro” tab for manual lens selection. Furthermore, users now have the convenience of choosing between saving photos in JPEG format only or JPEG+RAW. While the ability to save in RAW format isn’t novel, the repositioning of this setting from the previous location under Settings to the Photo Settings menu offers a more intuitive experience.

Optimized HDR+ Technology for Picture-Perfect Moments

Furthermore, the HDR+ mode has been refined to capture images at the most opportune moment. Now, when users tap the shutter key, the device detects when the subject’s face is in focus and captures the image when they are smiling. This feature enhancement is available on Pixel 6 series, Pixel Fold, and the Pixel Tablet, ensuring users can effortlessly capture candid moments with optimal clarity.

Additional Facts:
– Google Pixel devices are known for their exceptional camera capabilities and often receive software updates to enhance photography features.
– Google’s computational photography technology, including HDR+ and Night Sight, has set a standard for smartphone photography quality.
– Third-party camera apps are available on the Google Play Store that offer advanced manual controls and features not included in the stock camera app.
– The Google Camera app, exclusive to Pixel devices, is highly regarded for its user-friendly interface and impressive image processing algorithms.

Key Questions:
1. How do the enhanced photography capabilities on legacy Pixel devices compare to the latest Pixel models?
2. Are there any limitations to the manual lens selection feature on older Pixel devices?
3. What impact do these updates have on the overall user experience and satisfaction with Pixel smartphones?

Key Challenges:
– Compatibility issues may arise when implementing advanced photography features on older hardware, potentially affecting device performance.
– Balancing software updates that enhance camera capabilities with the need for overall system stability and smooth operation.
– Addressing user concerns about privacy and data security in relation to advanced camera features that may utilize AI and machine learning algorithms.

Advantages and Disadvantages:
Advantages:
– Enhanced control over photography settings allows users to customize their shooting experience according to their preferences.
– The inclusion of RAW image saving option caters to professional photographers and enthusiasts who require maximum editing flexibility.
– Improved HDR+ technology enhances the quality of photos taken in challenging lighting conditions, ensuring better results for users.

Disadvantages:
– Legacy devices may not fully support certain advanced features, leading to a potential disparity in user experience among different Pixel models.
– Increased complexity in camera settings may be overwhelming for casual users who prefer a more straightforward point-and-shoot experience.
– Larger RAW image files require more storage space, potentially impacting device storage management for users with limited capacity.

Suggested related link: Google Store

AN ill-timed gust of wind left one wedding guest red-faced — especially when she realized just what the professional photographer for the event caught on camera.

The snapper was told to delete the reception picture — and he understood why when he saw it.

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Hawaii-based wedding photographer Kris Labang has seen his fair share of bridal fiascos.

Speaking to The U.S. Sun, he recalled an awkward guest encounter with The U.S. Sun that he kept private between the two of them – until now.

EMBARRASSING ANTICS

Labang was working at a wedding reception attended by one of friends — and while he was shooting “really wide shots” of the festivities, something unexpected happened.

All of a sudden, he said, he felt an extremely hard yank on his arm.

“You better delete that! You did that on purpose, didn’t you? You f**Ker!” the friend yelled at him.

The 46-year-old was so confused by her behavior that he asked her what he did.

She told him to look at the last photo he took and the results were surprising.

“I reviewed my last photo and apparently a huge gust of wind hit just as she was walking by,” he explained.

Unfortunately, her dress blew up to reveal her “period panties.”

Labang said this was an “isolated incident” that concerned only the two of them.

He jokingly added that he used it as “blackmail material” for a few months.

“Although no one saw, she was pretty embarrassed that I had that photo,” the photographer admitted.

GROOM GAG

That wasn’t the only embarrassing situation he had dealt with while shooting.

Another time while he was taking wedding photos for a friend, a groom pulled out a sex toy when fetching the garter.

The bride was very outgoing, not seemingly like the type to get embarrassed easily, but her face went bright red super fast and she was not laughing.”

Kris Labang

He explained that this wasn’t the first time he had seen a groom pull out something unexpected during this tradition, but he felt like this one took the cake.

“The bride was very outgoing, not seemingly like the type to get embarrassed easily, but her face went bright red super fast and she was not laughing,” he said.

Labang thought it was “not just a gag,” and what made matters worse was the “huge” size.

GUEST FAUX PAS

When it comes to bashful guest behaviors, Labang said that people are “very laid back in Hawaii with a “very small town mentality.”

“I would dare say a little country, even in the city,” he said.

There are few things that turn heads or cause a stir at weddings, but he shared several that he has seen.

For example, coming to weddings in jeans and slippers is common, according to the photographer.

“Even though there is a clear dress code in the invites, no one really cares though,” he added.

Another common occurrence is when some people get “tunnel vision” when taking pictures on their phones.

As a result, Labang said they get so excited they don’t see him taking a photo right behind them and often just jump in front of a good-looking shot.

I always make fun of people when readjusting the balance of people in a group shot because it’s usually one-sided.”

Kris Labang

“They then turn around only to see me with my camera up, staring at them, and then run away,” he said.

Labang isn’t too upset by it and added that it “gets a lot of laughs for the oversite.”

Just like people often jump into good photos, sometimes there aren’t enough people in it.

“I always make fun of people when readjusting the balance of people in a group shot because it’s usually one-sided,” he explained.

Labang revealed that guests normally surround either the male or groom in a photo and are not equally distributed in a group shot.

“I will say things like, ‘Wow, you guys really don’t like the groom huh?’ when they are all clustered around the bride’s side,” he said.

Following his remarks, they rush over to not make the groom or bride feel bad.   

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Street photography is one of the most popular and accessible genres to get into. So, it’s not surprising if your photography journey started out through this route. However, whether you’re currently still new to it or a little further along, there may be a handful of subjects and techniques that you probably haven’t considered yet.

In the video above, UK-based photographer and filmmaker Nathan Miles lists down five things that you likely haven’t explored when you’re out shooting in the streets. It’s easy to just point your camera at anything that catches your eye, and to be fair, anything could be interesting or snap-worthy with the right approach or technique. Still, these out-of-the-box ideas may help increase your chances of getting better street photography images.

Some of the things on Miles’ list, like colors and street art, could be pretty obvious for most street photographers. However, he also suggests a number of approaches to these common subjects and techniques that you may have missed.

Or maybe, you don’t usually add visual elements like reflections or abstracts into your street photos. But try incorporating them into your compositions to bring a new dimension into your photos. They may just be what you need to level up your work!

Which of the things on the list are you most keen to try for your next photo walk? Share your thoughts in the comments below and let’s start a discussion!

The Mississauga Library invites teens and young adults (12-24) to celebrate our city’s 50th anniversary by sharing photos that show their love for the city.