Portfolio: Gustavo Lacerda

Gustavo Lacerda is an incredible Brazilian photographer. His latest project "Albinos" is at Catherine Edelman Gallery in Chicago, Illinois until January 4, 2014. A monograph on Albinos should be ready soon  and we can't wait to see it!

All about photo asked him a few questions:

AAP: Where did you study photography?
I did not study photography in a formal way, at an art college. While in college I studied humanities and philosophy, studing journalism I attended several courses of photography and fine arts from the fine arts department of my university (UFMG) and I also did some workshops with great artists like Luis Gonzales Palma and Joachim Schmidt for example. But my true learning at the beginning was when I worked with a teacher's aide in the fine arts department. At this time I had free access to all photographic collection of the college. I remember that I spent my afternoons seeing all slide collection... Robert Frank, Atget, Dorothea Lange, Diane Arbus, Duane Michals, etcetera, etcetera... I'm also so grateful to the photographers that teached me a lot when I was an assistant.  

AAP: What or who inspires you?
Art and people in general... I appreciate diversity, I especially like Antoon Van Dyck, Vermeer, Degas, Edward Hopper, Julia Margaret Cameron, Baudelaire, Fernando Pessoa, João Guimarães Rosa, Sergei Eisenstein, Mario Peixoto, Frida Kalo, Berenice Abott, Robert Frank, Richard Avedon, Robert Mapplethorpe and Patti Smith, Diane Arbus, Win Wenders, Michelangelo Antonioni, and so many others... 

AAP: Favorite(s) photographer(s)?
Ow, there are a lot! From the current days, Mary Ellen Mark, Stefan Ruiz, Stephan Shore, Sally Mann, Rineke Dijkstra, Alec Soth, Hiroshi Sugimoto and so many others. 

If you want to discover Eugenio Recuendo 's full portfolio and interview: Click here

Artistic Development Workshop with Sally Gall

PhotoNOLA is pleased to present a two-day workshop with Sally Gall, Artistic Development Workshop with Sally Gall: Professional Practice & Planning for Fine-Art Photographers. Gall will explore formal and technical issues, editing, career opportunities, exhibition venues, commercial applications, and other topics geared towards the work of each participant. Limited to twelve students, the intimate workshop will provide a rich opportunity for each student to refine and solidify their photographic goals, in terms of both personal expression and career concerns. The class is open to anyone past the beginning stages of photography. 

The workshop will take place at the International House Hotel

Friday, December 13 and Saturday, December 14, 2013

Workshop fee: $250 

More information and registration:Here

Richard Renaldi Workshop: Strangers in New Orleans

PhotoNOLA is pleased to present a two-day workshop designed for photographers wishing to hone their portrait making skills. The Richard Renaldi Workshop: Strangers in New Orleans offers an intimate opportunity to study with a contemporary master. Through a combination of slide presentations, portfolio sharing, location shooting and discussion, participants will explore technical and conceptual aspects of street portraiture. Renaldi will lead an afternoon shoot on the streets of New Orleans, teaching students to become more comfortable with approaching and photographing strangers. The class is limited to ten participants. 

The workshop will take place at 1128 St. Roch Avenue (formerly Homespace Gallery)

Friday, December 13 and Saturday, December 14, 2013

Workshop fee: $395. 

 

More information and registration: Here

Portfolio: Eugenio Recuendo

Eugenio Recuendo is a famous Spanish fashion photographer who has a special connection with the town of Paris in France where he had his first solo exhibition and many of his work done.

All about photo asked him a few questions:

AAP: Do you have favorite pictures or series?
I’ve hated all of them at one point or another for not being loyal to what I expected them to be like; and all of them are favorites because there is something from me in all.

AAP: What kind of gear do you use? Camera, lens, digital, film?
It depends on each cases. Now more digital, Canon and with Hasselblad; always old ones and which treat the image with honesty. That is why I like old ones, ones that have a less forced definition.

AAP: Do you spend a lot of time editing your images? For what purpose?
It depends. It's all in the take. After that it's all a question of taking out defects and over all working on the texture and what it looks like in the end.

AAP: Favorite(s) photographer(s)?
A lot of them. For example I love Paolo Ventura.

AAP: What advice would you give a young photographer?
Shoot and shoot. Above all to shoot what you feel; not what is in fashion.

If you want to discover Eugenio Recuendo 's full portfolio and interview: Here

Magnum Workshop Austin at The University of Texas at Austin

December 9 - December 13, 2013

Don't miss the opportunity to follow a workshop with Magnum photographers Chien-Chi Chang, David Alan Harvey, and Constantine Manos.

More information: Magnum Photo Event

Event: Monthly Instant Camera Walk

The IMPOSSIBLE project organizes every month an Instant Camera Photo Walk.

You just need to bring your favorite Polaroid camera and walking shoes and join them.

No Polaroid cameras in your closet? Free loaner cameras are available (along with plenty of advice).

No reservations necessary. More information

Next dates:
- San Francisco Sun, October 27th 2013

Young and talented photographers.

We feature the work of extremely talented emerging photographers.
Emerging? Well not so much because you have probably already heard of them but they are still in the emerging category because they are not quite as fanous as the photographers you see in the National Museums around the globe.

Read the full article: HERE

Event: Surviving Sandy

To commemorate the one year anniversary of Hurricane Sandy—and the resiliency of New York City’s arts community, which was hit especially hard by the storm—the Dedalus Foundation, the Brooklyn Rail, and the Jamestown Charitable Foundation join with Industry City Associates to present a nearly 100,000 square foot exhibition entitled Come Together: Surviving Sandy, Year 1. The exhibition will take place at Industry City, a hub of creative manufacturing and innovation in Sunset Park, Brooklyn. Centered on the work of artists directly affected by Sandy, the exhibition will also feature work inspired by and referring to the storm, along with work by artists who were invited to participate in the spirit of solidarity. In addition, the two-month exhibition will include musical performances, poetry readings, film screenings, and other cultural events.

Industry City has been involved with Hurricane Sandy relief since Sandy hit. At the time of the storm, Industry City Associates donated the use of 18,000 square feet of space to volunteer conservators who worked on the recovery of hundreds of works of art.

Our list of exhibiting artists include established and emerging artists from the New York area and beyond. The more than 200 artists involved include those who were victims of Sandy and those who are showing in solidarity. Check out our complete list of exhibiting artists here.

Visitor Info: On view October 20-December 15, 2013 at Industry City: 220 36th Street, Sunset Park Brooklyn NY More info

Portfolio: Nicolas Dhervillers

Nicolas Dhervillers is a French photographer who is inspired by painting, theater and cinema and it shows in his work!

All about photo asked him a few questions:

How long have you been a photographer?
10 years, but not a Photographer, maybe an artist is more correct, in a way. 

What or who inspires you?
History of art in general

How could you describe your style?
It is a mix between the painting spirit (about the white page), the cinematographic light and the pose of theater.

What are your projects?
Retrospective exhibition in Netherlands.

If you want to discover Nicolas Dhervillers's full portfolio: Click here

And if you are in Paris France don't miss his solo show "Hommages" at School Gallery 81 rue du Temple 75003 Paris which starts today! More info

Photo Contest: Capture Inspiration Photo Retreat Contest

WHO: Anyone in the continental United States who is 18 years or older can submit a video, up to 2 minutes long, stating how this retreat would help you personally and in your art.

WHEN: January 3-5 (travel dates Jan 2-5)

WHERE: Los Angeles, CA

WHAT: Capture Inspiration Photo Retreat: 2 1/2 days of learning practical tools to find inspiration, gaining new perspectives on your own photography, learning image compositing, editing, and shooting, along with the ins and outs of storytelling. We will take risks, support each other, and be present in the moment to enjoy our time together.

HOW: If you are chosen, your airfare, travel to and from the retreat, workshop attendance fee, and meals during the workshop will be covered. You will be traveling January 2, 2014 to Los Angeles International Airport and leaving from the same airport on January 5, 2014.

Please EMAIL a LINK to your video (you can upload it anywhere [youtube, vimeo, instagram, etc]) to contest@brookeshaden.com. Deadline is Oct. 20th.

More info:  All about Brooke Shaden

Event: NYC Photowalk

The Photo Walk will begin in Times Square and end around the Chrysler Building with stops along the way at Radio City Music Hall, St. Patrick's Cathedral and other beautiful and iconic NYC locations! 

Participants will have a chance to win a Fuji XE1 with 18-55mm lens, a G-technology G-DOCK ev and everyone will receive a Special Surprise Giveaway just for attending. The winners will be announced live during the Photo Walk.

More info and registration: NYC Photowalk

Auction: The Photo Review Benefit Auction

On Saturday, November 9 at 7 PM, The Photo Review will hold its 2013 Benefit Auction at the university of the Arts, Hamilton Hall, Broad and Pine Streets in Philadelphia.

The event will feature an international slate of photographers as well as a host of Philadelphia artists. Beginning and experienced collectors alike will have the opportunity to bid on work by such historic masters as Berenice Abbott, Albert Arthur Allen, Eugène Atget, J. P. Ball, Édouard Boubat, Brassaï, Bruce of LA, Edward S. Curtis, Frantisek Drtikol, Frank Eugene, Heinrich Kühn, Janine Niépce, Marc Riboud, Aaron Siskind, W. Eugene Smith, and Paul Strand.

Among the contemporary photo stars whose work will go on the block are Mario Algaze, Renate Aller, David Armstrong, Abe Aronow, Andrew Borowiec, Bill Burke, John Paul Caponigro, Carl Chiarenza, Mark Cohen, Frank Hallam Day, Chris Earnshaw, Brian English, Larry Fink, Steve Fitch, Fran Forman, Phyllis Galembo, Lois Greenfield, Henry Horenstein, Joelle Jensen, Michael Kenna, Robert Glenn Ketchum, Elliott Landy, Janelle Lynch, McDermott & McGough, Ryan McGinley, Joe Mills, Jeffrey Milstein, Bill Owens, Lynn Saville, Diana Schoenfeld, Stephen Shore, Aline Smithson, Jack Spencer, Catherine Steinmann, Sam Taylor-Wood, George Tice, Hiroshi Watanabe, Bruce Weber, and Frederic Weber.

Featured local luminaries include Susan Abrams, Theo Anderson, Andrea Baldeck, Will Brown, Randl Bye, Charmaine Caire, John Carlano, Jack Carnell, Paul Cava, Paula Chamlee, Dominic Episcopo, Vincent David Feldman, Susan Fenton, Alida Fish, Judy Gelles, Lonnie Graham, David W. Haas, Catherine Jansen, Lydia Panas, Wendy Paton, Amie Potsic, Stuart Rome, Laurence Salzmann, Bruce Sheftel, Tom Shillea, Michael A. Smith, Daniel Traub, Sarah Van Keuren, Al Wachlin, Jr., Christine Welch, Stephen Guion Williams, and Kimberly Witham.

In addition, a broad range of 19th-century and vernacular photographs is up for bid.
A silent auction, concurrent with the live auction, will feature photography equipment, restaurant meals, museum memberships, theater tickets, books, etc.

More details: The Photo Review Auction

Retrospective: Klavdij Sluban in Paris, France

If you are in Paris don't miss the exhibition "After the darkness: Klavdij Sluban, a retrospective (1992-2012)" October 12, 2013 - January 12, 2014 at the Musée Nicéphore Niépce

Musée Nicéphore Niépce
28 quai des messageries
71100 Chalon sur Saône

Can't go? Check out his work: All about Klavdij Sluban

NEWS: ICP Symposium

Don't miss the symposium "What is an archive?"

Organized by ICP, What Is an Archive? will examine what expectations scholars, curators, and online visitors bring to physical versus online archives and how their use differs.


Where?:
Kimmel Center for University Life
New York University
60 Washington Square South
Room 914

It is free but reservations are recommended:  Tickets online

Contest: International London Creative Competition.

If you want to have a chance to win £2,000 hurry the deadline is October 15.

Want to participate? Check out all the details: LICC

Portfolio: Tim Franco

Tim Franco is French-Polish photographer who lives and works in Shanghai since 2005.

His projects Vertical Communism, Spaces and Billion show the mutation of Chinese cities and the consequences of massive constructions. All about photo asked him a few questions:

When did you realize you wanted to be a photographer?
There is not a precise moment. When I was young, I loved writing stories, then my passion became music. I always wanted to share my ideas and vision of things through some mediums at the end it became photography.

How could you describe your style?
Photographers tend to be classified, put into boxes, commercial photographer, photojournalists, artists etc…. I never really know how to classify my work. What I love is telling stories, document facts with an artistic esthetic to it. I also enjoy working on creative commercial assignments. I always try to stay simple in the esthetic and subtle about the story.

An idea, a sentence, a project you would like to share?
One of the main project I worked on for the past year is about one particular city in China called Chongqing. Since 2009, I am going there quite frequently, at the beginning for some press assignments since the city have seen lot of interesting political stories and turmoils but also because it fascinates me. Both from an esthetic point of view and from its stories. This giant megapolis has been forcly populated with countryside people and has now a very hard time to deal its urbanization.

"I personally see Chongqing as a macro representation of the whole China. With its tumultuous political history and its growing social pressure for managing farmers coming into urban areas for a better life, all of it pushed by a constant need of investments and fast modernization, I wanted to portray this view of a growing china, far away from the common views of eastern cities such as shanghai or beijing. From a photographic point of view, I have decided to shoot the people in their environment. But I have decided to take a step back, using medium format film camera, I want to transmit the feeling of scales that the city and china in general is facing. Urban Scales, Social Scales, the country's biggest problem is now to find a way to link some extremes the highly rich to the very poor, the extravagant to the meaningful. Vertical Communism is a portrait of chinese a megapolis full of contradiction, trying to keep up with its unpredictable modernization."

 

Want to read more? Check out the full interview and portfolio: All about Tim Franco

Marilyn Monroe and photography

Norma Jeane Mortenson, as indicated on her birth certificate but baptized as Norma Jean Baker was known as Marilyn Monroe. She was born on June 1st 1926 in Los Angeles.

When Norma Jean was working in the factory of her first husband James « Jim » Dougherty, she was noticed by military photographers. It is David Conover who took her first shot for a military advertisement campaign. Her carrier was launched...

 

Marilyn Monroe in the 50's

Between 1944 and 1962 (the year of her death) she worked with many photographers who captured her incredible sex appeal but also her fragility. Some of these images are iconic, others less known to the general public.

Check out in this video the work of masters of photography who worked with her on our YouTube Channel

Portfolio: Cally Whitham

Cally Whitham is a photographer from New Zealand. She discovered photography at a very young age following her father in the countryside. He sketched nature for his paintings while she took photographs. The influence of painting  is still very strong in her approach to photography.

When we asked her if she spent a lot of time editing her images, she replied: " Yes I do. The initial photo is just a part of the process in creating an image. Post production is the place where the image and the vision I had come together. I don't photograph reality but rather create a potential or ideal reality and that potential is added in post production."

Want to read more? Check out the full interview and portfolio: All about Cally Whitham

Portfolio: Lee Jeffries

Lee Jeffries is an English photographer who takes incredible black and white portraits of homeless people. His understanding of depth and light equals the emotion we feel looking at these faces marked by the passage of time and sufferings.

All about photo asked him a few questions:

How long have you been a photographer?
About 5 years now.

Do you remember your first shot? What was it?
My first street photograph was a young girl homeless girl in London. The story is all around the net now. My first real photograph was the woman praying in Rome. That's where the artistry began.

What or who inspires you?
Emotion. People. Empathy for the suffering of others.

How could you describe your style?
My own. If it looks good to me then I'm more than happy. Much more than that though...i have to feel an image. I throw it out if I dont.

What kind of gear do you use? Camera, lens, digital, film?
Digital. Old beat up Canon 5d mark 1 

Do you spend a lot of time editing your images?
Some take 5 minutes...some take longer...much longer. Depends on my mood. If I'm particularly into an image emotionally I will linger for hours listening to classical music over all the details.

Favorite(s) photographer(s)?
James Nachtwey, Stephan Vanfleteren

Want to read more? Check out the full interview and portfolio: All about Lee Jeffries

11th ANNUAL LUCIE AWARDS ANNOUNCE IPA COMPETITION FINALISTS

The results are finally here! Check out the list of the winners.

INTERNATIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR

 cash prize sponsored by ATEDGE

Advertising Category: Fabrizio Cestari

Architecture Category: Frank Meyl

Book Category: Mark Edward Harris

Editorial Category: Brooks Kraft

Fine Art Category: Yixiu Guo

Nature Category: Nalda

People Category: Joel Redman 
Special Category: Michael Hitoshi

 

DISCOVERY OF THE YEAR

Advertising Category: Koji Tajima, Japan

Architecture Category: Akira TAKAUE, Japan

Book Category: Patricia Dinu, Italy

Editorial Category: Massimo Barberio, Italy

Fine Art Category: Arman Zhenikeyev, Kazakhstan

Nature Category: Patricia Dinu, Italy

People Category: Carlotta Cardana, United Kingdom

Special Category: Yun Chen, China

 

DEEPER PERSPECTIVE PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR

cash prize sponsored by American Society of Media Photographers

Maysun

Ebrahim Noroozi

Polly Chandler

Souvid Datta

Gloriann Liu

Karolina Jonderko

 

MOVING IMAGE PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR

Keith Lanpher

Eric Kruszewski

John Huet

David Oliete

Samanta Sollima

Carson Davis Brown

 

 

 

Don't miss also the 2013 Lucie Awards Gala at Carnegie Hall in NYC on October 27, 2013!

Here are the 2013 Honorees

Humanitarian Award 

Lisa Kristine All about Lisa Kristine

Achievement in Fine Art 

Arno Rafael Minkkinen

Achievement in Fashion 

Victor Skrebneski
   
Visionary Award 

Benedikt Taschen

Achievement in Photojournalism 

John H. White

Achievement in Documentary 

Li Zhensheng  All about Li Zhensheng

Photo Contests

There are so many photo contests and portfolio reviews that it is really difficult for a photographer to find the competition that is right for him/her. We have created a listing of contests (but only the interesting ones!) on our website All about photo. If you are a professional or an amateur it is really easy to find the contests that are right for you. Furthmore, we have decided to launch a Facebook page called Photo Contests so that you can receive the latest information on your wall.

We hope it helps!

Most beautiful fine art nudes in black and white

The official date for the birth of photography is considered to be 1839 when the invention of Daguerre and Niepce was presented to the French Academy of Science. But when was taken the first nude photography? Nothing is certain because most of the plates that were found are anonymous but Mr Lerebours, a French optician claims to have taken the first artistic nude  in 1841.

What we know for sure is that it worked really well. Painters used them instead of live models for their paintings while moralists criticized their existence. But it is not until Steichen and Stieglitz that nude photography became works of art in their own right. Artistic nudes became more and more experimental in the open light. Brassaï, Rudomine and Krull used the body as the main subject for their complex images. It took time but nude photography was no longer taboo.  Nudes from Man Ray, Kertesz, Weston, Bellmer and many others, are now considered masterpieces. Here are a few:

 

The Prayer 1930, Man Ray

 Distortion #40 1933, André Kertész

 Girl under wet silk, 1936-1937, Erwin Blumenfeld

 1936 Charis Wilson, Edward Henry Weston 

Here is a video with the most beautiful fine art nudes in black and white:

 

 Want to see the full article? Check it out on All about photo

Framing and composition tips

The principles of visual art are the rules, tools and guidelines that artists often use to organize the elements of art in their work. Of course, not everyone follows these rules but most of them does because it is more pleasing for the human eye. Let's take a look at some of these principles and a few other tips to take better shots.

- The Golden Ratio and the Rule of third 

 

In mathematics and the arts two quantities are in the golden ratio if their ratio is the same as the ratio of their sum to their maximum. Many artists have proportioned their works to approximate the golden ratio—especially in the form of the golden rectangle in which the ratio of the longer side to the shorter is the golden ratio—believing this proportion to be aesthetically pleasing.

We use this ratio to draw imaginary lines on a rectangle image. The lines cut the image in 3 vertical and 3 horizontal identical parts. (red lines on the image) If the subject is in the middle of the image it seems too static. It is always better to try to place your subject on one of these imaginary lines or intersections. Move your subject away from the center to achieve a visual balance.

- Give your subject space on the side that he is looking

 

 

For portraits do not put the eyes in the center of the image (also follow the rule of thirds) and compose your portrait so that the subject's eyes are positioned 1/3 of the way down from the top of the frame. It is better if you keep the eyes in the upper third. To help you do that try to place the neck in the center.

Also give your subject some room to look into. If the subject is looking in one direction (or if his head is pointing in one direction) it is best to place him on the opposite side of the frame.

- Vertical or horizontal?

 

Spontaneously we take "landscape" images (horizontal) because the images seem more balanced and more accurate in comparison to our vision. Our eyes scan space from left to right. It is the obvious choice for landscape images and all the actions that require width.

For portraits we usually use "portrait" or vertical framing. But because a vertical framing is called "portrait" everywhere doesn’t mean you have to use it when shooting portraits. Change your framing for every shoot to add variety to the type of shots you take.

Shoot vertically to enhance tall objects or to accentuate height. Shoot horizontally to accentuate width.  

- Use diagonals and leading lines 

 

 

When we look at a photograph our eyes are naturally drawn along lines. The use of lines can help direct the viewers attention to a specific part of an image. They can be straight, diagonal or wavy, intentional or unintentional. They affect the way we view the image, dragging us towards the subject or leading us away from it. Lines should enhance your composition not the opposite.

Most of the time they start at the bottom of the frame and guide the eye upwards and inwards, from the foreground to the background of the image to guide your eyes toward the main subject. The roads are a good example of lines that can help us achieve that. They give us a feeling of motion. 

 

- A few tips about lighting

 

 

 

Lighting is very important and can be sometimes tricky. Here are a few quick facts to help you.

* Check where the lights come from if you want to avoid dark pictures. The sun for example should be in your back or on the side but not just in front of your lens unless you want to make a special effect.

* The broader the light source, the softer the light. The narrower the source, the harder the light.
Hard light comes from a source that's small compared to the subject. In this case it casts hard shadows and has high contrast.
Soft light falling on the subject from a source that's large compared to the subject, wraps light around the subject, filling shadows and lowering contrast.
A large source will wrap light around a small subject filling shadows and lowering contrast. A small source will direct light onto a large subject creating hard shadows and high contrast.

* Diffusion makes the light source broader and therefor softer. Think about clouds or fog. We usually use reflectors to diffuse harsh lights but you can also use a white fabric.

* Light gets dim fast when you move it away. The rule says that light falls off as the square of the distance. You can use it to vary the light of your background.

* Front lighting de-emphasizes texture but lighting from the side, above, or below emphasizes it. Which means that if you want your model for instance to have less wrinkles, keep the light close to the axis of your lens.

* Light has a temperature. Depending on the time, sunlight can be warm or bluish. You can modify the white balance of your digital camera to play with the tone of the light. If you are using film, filters are a good option.

* Shadows create volume, play with the light, try different things.

* If you don't have enough light, your subject will be blurry if it moves. Use a tripod and increase exposure time. Don't hesitate to play with shutter speed.

  

 

Want to read more tips? Read the full article on All about photo 

Portfolio: Clay Lipsky

Clay Lipsky is a fine art photographer who lives in Los Angeles and also works with Aline Smithson as an Art Director for LENSCRATCH.

All about photo asked him a few questions: 

How long have you been a photographer?
From a very young age I have enjoyed taking photos, but I never pursued it seriously. Within the last five years I have rediscovered the medium and enjoying exploring its many paths while also making up for lost time.

What or who inspires you?
I can find inspiration anywhere. Living in Los Angeles provides endless opportunities for creative exploration, from the city to the desert and along the coast.

How could you describe your style?
My career as an art director/designer heavily influences my photography. Much like in graphic design, I enjoy exploring different looks. Overall color and composition are very important to me and will vary greatly depending on what best suits the concept and subject matter. In general I like to find ways to tell stories through images that are cinematic and stylish, like one frame movies.

An idea, a sentence, a project you would like to share?
Photography is becoming more and more vilified in public spaces. It is not unheard of to be harassed or detained for simply taking photographs and documenting the world around us. Often this paranoia is fed under the pretense and illusion of public safety. Information is power and photography is not a crime. "Those who sacrifice liberty for the sake of security deserve neither" - Benjamin Franklin

 

Want to read more? Check out the full interview and portfolio: All about Clay Lipsky