LA JOLLA, CA — Patch reader Lola Watson captured this sunset photo at La Jolla Shores.
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The winners of the MPB Scottish Portrait Awards in Photography 2023 have been announced, showcasing talented young photographers, skilled amateurs and established professionals.
David Gillanders from Glasgow has been crowned the winner in the black and white category with his portrait ‘The Makers – Alastair. E. Blain, artist & poet’.
The work is part of an ongoing portraiture project depicting Scottish people with an infectious passion for what they do, whose lives are devoted to the pursuit and perfection of their craft.
Ruaridh Fraser, also from Glasgow, has won the new colour category with the portrait ‘Vanilla in the Kitchen’.
The image captures an intimate moment between brothers during the juvenile budding stages of drag, set against a timeless domestic backdrop.
Each winner also received a total of £2,000.
This year the awards welcomed guest judge, the internationally renowned photographer Albert Watson OBE, who personally reviewed every photographic work entered before choosing ‘Summer’ by Nina Davidson as the winner of the SPA Albert Watson Portrait Prize.
Open to anyone over 16-years-old, born, living or studying in Scotland, regardless of experience, the Scottish Portrait Awards has quickly established itself as a barometer of contemporary Scottish art practice.
It aims to give visibility to a mix of well-established artists as well as newcomers across a diversity of styles.
The exhibition spotlights artists and photographers telling the stories of our time.
Presenting the awards in photography, Simon Murphy, chair of the photography panel, said: “One of the most exciting things for me about this competition is the opportunity it gives those new to the medium to have their work displayed alongside some of Scotland’s best and most experienced practitioners.
“What matters is the power of the portrait, and everyone has the capability to produce a memorable and meaningful image whether it’s a meticulously crafted portrait or a simple captured moment that exudes joy and energy. Expanding the exhibition to include categories for colour and phone photography makes the competition even more relevant and accessible.”
On learning of winning the new MPB Scottish Portrait Award in Black and White Photography, David Gillanders said: “To win and for your work to be recognised is incredible. One of the great privileges about being a photographer is that you get to meet so many incredible people and walk in their shoes a little bit to try and understand them.
“Alastair, my sitter is a remarkable character, incredibly distinctive and fascinating to speak to – he makes his own paints, he tans his own leather, he is one of those characters who after meeting him, you just keep thinking about him. I always like to try to make portraits of people that show more of their character rather than my style as a photographer. What you see is a portrait of Alastair – who he is, surrounded by his work, a very proud man, very distinguished, very hard-working, and incredibly passionate about what he does.”
In response to being selected as winner of the new MPB Scottish Portrait Award in Colour Photography, Ruaridh Fraser said: “It means so much to be recognised by the Scottish Portrait Awards in this way. My brother had just started getting into drag.
“We decided that my parents’ retro kitchen would be a great setting for a photoshoot as it would become a timeless backdrop, just as my brother, in his drag, was timeless and not pinpointed to a particular moment in time.
“The film came out very dark because it was set to the wrong settings but this added to the image, bringing in all these other colours. It was a lot luck and chance but it worked out really well.”
Receiving the new Albert Watson Portrait Prize, award-winner Nina Davidson said: “It’s beyond words. I am very touched to be the first winner of the Albert Watson Portrait Prize. I entered the award on a whim so for this very striking photographer to recognise my work is humbling.
“Photography has always been a part of my life from being very young. It is a way of focusing on the good things, the little snippets in life, the beautiful moments I share with my family.”
Jaime Prada has collected the MPB Young Photographer Award and £500 prize plus an MPB voucher worth £250 with their poignant work ‘Chosen Family’.
Of the work Simon Murphy (chair) said: “This is an intimate moment bathed in orange light captured by young photographer Jaime Prada. Although the photographer is present, an affectionate, undisturbed moment reminiscent of a film still has been skilfully captured.”
Jaime Prada, originally from Madrid and now living in Edinburgh, said: “I saw the exhibition last year and it spoke to me. I have always focussed my work on the human experience and very raw representations of human emotions, so this year, I threw my hat in to the ring.
“I focus on making sure queer people see themselves represented in my work. I try to make sure that people know there is someone like them. Every picture I take represents queer joy and tenderness. This picture is a self-portrait of my fiancee and myself. The picture was taken with a makeshift tripod out of books and a camera bought through MPB.
“It was the first picture demonstrating how I wanted to work in the future – projects that take on the beauty, intimacy and warmth of our chosen families. It is important my presence in the awards is represented by this picture because it is of my chosen family, the beginning of a new chapter in my life.”
Chris Close has won the Scottish Arts Club Members Prize for Photography with his portrait ‘Professor Higgs’.
Chosen from over 280 entries, the new SPA Phone Portrait Photography Award has been won by Alliyah Enyo with her entry ‘so very very far far far away’.
This year, free entry to the awards was once again offered to photographers and artists living in Scotland who receive any form of income support or Universal Credit.
The Scottish Arts Trust Bursary Fund, established in response to the cost-of-living crisis, aims to enhance opportunities for artists who require assistance to enter the awards.
The Scottish Portrait Awards 2023 exhibition is free and launches at the Scottish Arts Club, Edinburgh from September 9 to 30 before travelling to Kirkcudbright Galleries, Dumfries and Galloway from October 14, 2023 to January 14, 2024 and to the Charles Rennie Macintosh Gallery at the Glasgow Art Club from January 19 to February 29, 2024.
Entries to take part in the MPB Scottish Portrait Awards 2024 will open January 1 to April 30, 2024 and will again include the MPB Scottish Portrait Award in Photography (colour); the MPB Scottish Portrait Award in Photography (black and white) as well as the SPA Albert Watson Portrait Prize in photography and the online SPA Phone Portrait Photography Award.
The winner of the Sutherland Independent Scottish Portrait Award in Fine Art, and £5,000 prize will be announced on Friday.
For those in search of the Earth’s most wondrous natural spectacles, there are few geological tapestries like the American Southwest anywhere else on the planet. From the enchanting crimson canyons of upstate Arizona to the towering mesas of Utah and the serene vistas of New Mexico – this region is brimming with the miraculous beauty of nature.
Eons of geological processes have sculpted this breathtaking corner of the world, and various subregions have their own unique stories to tell, too. In this blog post, we are embarking on a journey through the natural wonders of the American Southwest. We’ll find out how these majestic canyons and mesas formed and unlock the hidden secrets while exploring the dynamic features of these remarkable landscapes.
There is no question why they call it colorful Colorado as dappled light and dreamy clouds drift over the top of the San Juan Mountains outside Ridgway, Colorado. Fine Art Limited Edition of 50.
History of the American Southwest
The American Southwest largely owes its stunning landscapes to a complex interplay of geologic and tectonic processes that have unfolded over hundreds of millions of years. These natural processes have created some of the most unique and striking features on the planet. Perhaps the greatest factor shaping this region’s distinctive geology is the fact that much of it was once submerged beneath an ancient, shallow sea.
Millions of years ago – during the late Paleozoic and early Mesozoic eras, to be precise – large portions of what we now know as the Southwest were covered by vast, inland seas. The Sonoran Desert, for instance, was once a part of this seabed. Over time, the accumulation of sediment and the remains of decomposing marine organisms formed thick layers of limestone and shale, which today comprise the rock formations of the arid, desert landscape.
As tectonic plates shifted and collided, the Southwest experienced several dramatic upheavals. The formation of the Rocky Mountains to the north played an important part in shaping the region for a number of reasons. The uplifting of these mountains caused the Colorado Plateau, which includes the Grand Canyon, to rise and tilt, exposing the sedimentary rock layers that had been accumulating for millions of years.
The Grand Canyon itself is another example of a beautiful natural feature that owes its existence to the passage of time. The Colorado River, carving through the plateau for around a cool six million years, has slowly exposed the intricate layers of rock that now line the canyon walls. This geologic time capsule displays countless layers of rock dating back nearly two billion years, providing scientists and enthusiasts a titillating opportunity to study Earth’s geologic history.
The extraordinary geologic diversity of the American Southwest can be attributed to their origins as ancient seabeds, massive shifts in tectonic forces, as well as the erosional prowess of wind and water. Nowhere else on earth offers such a concentrated display of geological marvels – from the vivid rock layers of Zion National Park to the surreal hoodoos of Bryce Canyon, and the iconic monoliths throughout Monument Valley.
At the end of the day, it’s the harmonic convergence of geological history and the relentless work of natural forces that have shaped these gorgeous landscapes, making the American Southwest an unparalleled showroom of our planet’s cataclysmic history.
A weathered sandstone cliffside becomes a bolt of lavender silk beneath the evening light at Factory Butte, Utah. The folds and furrows of the rippled face chart the path of desert rains as they traverse the striated chronicle of the rock. Fine Art Limited Edition of 50.
Nevada Landscape Photography
While the bright lights of Las Vegas immediately come to mind for many when you mention Nevada, the state is made up of much more than deserts, cacti and the city of sin. Home to the Great Basin and Mohave Deserts, Nevada’s landscape is also marked by ancient lakebeds and expansive salt flats. Nevada also boasts the iconic Sierra Nevada mountain range, with its jagged peaks and glacial-carved valleys.
The Silver State’s geologic treasures also include active fault lines, such as the Walker Lane, and hot springs, which is evidence that many of the geologic forces that shaped this region are still at work to this day.
The colorful sandstone formations of Valley of Fire State Park and the world-renowned geothermal wonders of the Black Rock Desert are also captivating destinations for geology, nature, and photography enthusiasts alike.
My two personal favorite photography locations in Nevada are Valley of Fire State Park and Red Rock Canyon National Conservation area. Other locations that are popular with photographers include the Black Rock Desert & High Rock Canyon. Great Basin National Park, located in East-Central Nevada, is a popular destination for astro (or night photography) due to dark skies. On the border of Nevada & California, Lake Tahoe is not only a popular tourist location, but a top choice for natures photographers as well.
Cloud shadows flow across the face of the scarred peaks of Colorado’s Maroon Bells Wilderness. Glimpses of jade boulders on the lakebottom are seen through the veil of gold radiated by the autumnal aspens on the shore. Fine Art Limited Edition of 50.
Colorado Landscape Photography
Colorado’s hallmark – the Rocky Mountains – stretches from New Mexico to British Columbia, Canada, showcasing towering peaks, glacial valleys, and abundant mineral deposits. Colorado shares the Colorado Plateau with the rest of the Southwest, featuring iconic red rock formations as seen in Arizona and Utah.
Colorado’s high plains, deep canyons (like the Black Canyon of the Gunnison), and diverse ecosystems are what set this state apart from others in the region. Colorado’s alpine landscape and varied geologic formations add to the richness of the American Southwest’s geological wonders.
As a lover of both the mountains, and the crisp air and beautiful changing colors of autumn, Colorado is my favorite state in all of the American southwest. Colorado is simply packed with amazing landscape photography possibilities. I could spends weeks in the area between Telluride & Ouray, to Ridgway via Last Dollar Road alone during autumn. Crested Butte and Aspen, with the iconic Maroon Bells are also must see destinations for nature and landscape photography. If you haven’t seen Colorado in the fall, you really need to move it to the top of your list.
The bleached trunks of a grove of quaking aspen stand like the columns of a Hellenic ruin near Aspen, Colorado. Wreaths of golden leaves crown the neat pillars and their colors are reflected in the meadows of grass below. Fine Art Limited Edition of 50.
Arizona Landscape Photography
The Sonoran Desert, the Grand Canyon, and the mesmerizing red rock formations of Sedona – Arizona has a lot to offer. The Sonoran Desert dominates southern Arizona, peppered with the iconic saguaro cactus which can be found nowhere else on earth.
The Grand Canyon also sees close to five million visitors per year and is one of the most photographed landmarks in the world. People from all over travel to experience the sheer vastness of nature’s creations firsthand, and for good reason. The landmarks, the cacti, the blistering heat, and incredible biodiversity – the American Southwest is truly something to behold.
Aside from the Grand Canyon, some of my personal favorite places to photograph are the incredible slot canyons of Page, Coal Mine Canyon and the otherworldly lunar landscapes of White Pocket. Even Horseshoe Bend, as overrun and photographed to death as it is, should be a quick stop on your list if you have never seen it. Some nature photographers like to trash talk heavily trafficked locations but the truth is that they are popular for a reason. Many of these photographers only talk down these locations AFTER they have already visited the area themselves. 😉
A plume of dust, stirred by the swirling winds of a sculpted slot canyon are caught in a lone beam of sun penetrating the maze. Flashed to blinding white, the dancing motes become an eerie inferno, yawning out of a portal to another world. Fine Art Limited Edition of 100
Utah Landscape Photography
This state is renowned for its intricate, multicolored sandstone formations, best epitomized by the dramatic spires and arches of Arches National Park and the incomparable Bryce Canyon.
Monument Valley’s iconic buttes and mesas gloriously exemplify the region’s rocky terrain. Indeed, Utah’s geological masterpieces are deeply intertwined with the broader Southwestern themes. The state’s natural treasures are a testament to the extraordinary forces that have helped shape this precious corner of the globe.
Utah is one of the most geologically diverse states in America and as a result hosts a wide variety of amazing landscapes for any nature photographer. My personal favorites include Zion National Park, Factory Butte, Canyonlands and Bryce Canyon. Other popular locations include Capital Reef National Park, the Utah Badlands, Arches National Park and located on the border with Arizona, the iconic Monument Valley, where I was fortunate enough to witness and photograph an extremely rare tornado back in 2015.
Transform your space with Aaron Reed’s luxury fine art photography print, The Window, from his Panoramic Wall Art collection. Order yours today! Fine Art Limited Edition of 100
New Mexico Landscape Photography
New Mexico is a study in contrasts, featuring both high desert plateaus, expansive sand dunes in White Sands National Park, and the rugged peaks of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Its landscape bears evidence of volcanic activity, with the Valles Caldera and the Malpais lava fields offering incredible views.
The state’s rich history, influenced by its Native American, Spanish, and Wild West heritage, is etched into its geology, making New Mexico an enthralling destination for both natural and cultural exploration.
While New Mexico is the one state on this list I have not visited personally, other popular photography destinations include the Bisti Badlands & Shiprock. For those looking for less trafficked and unique photography opportunities, New Mexico may be just what you are looking for!
A false snow of satin white sand is draped like a fur mantle before the nebulous blue of a faraway mountain range. The ordered lattice of waves and troughs which cover each dune impart the appearance of a giant bed of coral. Fine Art Limited Edition of 50.
Nature Photographers Playground
Because the region features flora and fauna that cannot be found anywhere else in the world, and because of the diverse landscapes and vibrancy of Southwest, many photographers simply cannot resist the siren’s call. With iconic natural wonders like the Grand Canyon, Antelope Canyon, Monument Valley, and Arches National Park, these landmarks offer instantly recognizable subjects for photographers seeking to capture the beauty of the natural world.
The region’s clear, high-altitude areas provide excellent lighting and atmospheric conditions for capturing landscapes and night skies. There are several dark sky sites throughout the Southwest that draw astrophotographers in addition to nature photographers.
From the deserts of Arizona and Nevada to the lush forests of the Colorado Plateau, the Southwest provides an amazing range of differing terrain, each with its own visual appeal and photographic opportunities. And for those who are seeking solitude and unspoiled landscapes, the Southwest has vast expanses of wilderness where photographers can connect with nature and share truly unique and awe-inspiring images.
Golden light from the early morning sun illuminates a forest of beautiful aspen trees at the peak of autumn in Telluride, Colorado. Fine Art Limited Edition of 50.
The desert sun shines down through an iridescent portal in one of Antelope Canyon’s famous slot canyons. Over the eons, the solid rock has begun to take on the shape of the wild rivers which have carved their way through it. Fine Art Limited Edition of 50.
A tattered ladder of torn timbers bears the cantilevered weight of an old mill outside Carbondale, Colorado. Beneath the clouded sky, canary bursts of fall aspens adorn the tranquil glades beneath the snow capped Rockies. Fine Art Limited Edition of 100.
Branches like arteries stretch in every direction providing the nutrients of life to the leaves of this Aspen tree in Ridgway, Colorado. Fine Art Limited Edition of 50.
Ron Shuller’s Cincinnati Drone Services , a business owned and operated by Ron Shuller in Cincinnati, OH, is providing drone photography for varipurposes. Ron Shuller is a certified FAA Part 107 drone pilot with many years of photography experience. The aerial drone photography has varibusiness purposes and Ron offers drone photography for commercial real estate, construction progress, groups of people, digital architecture enhancement, digital sky swaps, and dusk and night photography. He can also provide drone video services for real estate films, construction progress films, and industrial films.
One of the important applications of the drone photography services offered is for commercial real estate. Ron Shuller explains,“Aerial photography provides a unique property perspective, allowing potential buyers to see the property and its surroundings from a bird’s-eye view, capturing attention and making the property stand out among the vast number of real estate listings. Drone photography showcases the property’s location in relation to its surroundings, such as nearby amenities, landmarks, parks, or bodies of water. It enables the clear visualization of the property’s features, such as the size and layout of the land, landscaping, gardens, swimming pools, or other unique selling points.”
The aerial drone photography business has recently received a five star review from a satisfied customer. In this five-star review of Ron Shuller’s Cincinnati Drone Services , Mary R. said,“Ron was very accommodating with scheduling needs. The first visit was accompanied by a down pouring rain storm but he was kind enough not to charge extra for the second trip. He presented a beautiful aerial photo that is being used as the primary photo. His rates are very reasonable. I would highly recommend.”
Aerial drone photography can also help with commercial and industrial construction projects. Aerial images are taken at regular intervals to show how a particular construction project is making progress. Ron Shuller takes aerial photos from variangles every month to enable the customer to see the project in its entirety, while allowing them to see varidetails.
Drone photography can also be useful in capturing images of large groups of people either outdoors or indoors. This offers a number of advantages compared to conventional photography techniques. First of all, a drone would be able to capture a broader area without the need to have rows of people stand on a higher surface. Second, drones can be used to capture unique angles and perspectives for the large group of people, providing perspectives that would not have been possible with traditional photography. Drones can also provide the advantage of being a cost-effective and safe way of capturing photos from dangerlocations.
Meanwhile,“digital architectural enhancement” can be provided where advanced editing methods can be applied on drone photographs to enhance the visual aesthetics and overall appeal of the architectural structures and their surroundings. Ron’s expertise is in digitally enhancing building exteriors, such as roofs and parking lots.
Ron Shuller can also provide digital sky swaps where he replaces a dull looking sky with a more attractive and dramatic one to enhance the photograph. Replacing the dull sky with a more dramatic and vibrant one can instantly boost the overall aesthetics of the image.
Ron Shuller’s Cincinnati Drone Services was established by Ron Shuller, who has 50 years of experience in photography. He quickly learned and mastered how to be a drone pilot, enabling him to obtain a Part 107 commercial pilot license from the FAA and launch his aerial photography business. He started learning about photography in college at the University of Cincinnati when he worked for the college newspaper and he was tasked with photographing popular entertainers performing concerts at the Music Hall and Cincinnati Gardens. Later on, he got involved in wedding photography, which kept him occupied for decades until he got attracted to aerial drone photography.
Those who are interested in aerial drone photography services can check out the Ron Shuller’s Cincinnati Drone Services website or contact them on the phone or through email.
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For more information about Ron Shuller’s Cincinnati Drone Services, contact the company here: Ron Shuller’s Cincinnati Drone Services Ron Shuller (513) 543-1808
Ron Shuller’s Cincinnati Drone Services Cincinnati, OH 45236
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IMPERIAL BEACH, CA — Patch reader and local photographer Paul Gallegos captured this photo of seaweed at Imperial Beach.
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If you have an awesome picture of nature, breathtaking scenery, kids caught being kids, a pet doing something funny or something unusual you happen to catch with your camera, we’d love to feature it on Patch.
We’re looking for high-resolution, horizontal images that reflect the beauty that is San Diego County, and that show off your unique talents.
Send your photos to [email protected]. Be sure to include photo credit information, when and where the shot was taken, and any other details about what was going on.
Some aspects of life often escape our notice as problems until an inventive solution emerges. They seamlessly blend into our routines or we simply adapt to them over time. It’s remarkable how people worldwide are constantly innovating to address these unspoken challenges, revealing that there’s usually a simpler, more efficient way to do things. Comfort in our habits doesn’t always equate to convenience.
Who could have foreseen the need for a chair equipped with a bag holder, a necktie that doubles as a phone screen or eyeglasses cleaner, or a biker jacket featuring signal and brake lights? Initially, some of these innovations may appear inconsequential, prompting you to think, ‘I don’t need that in my life.’ However, upon closer examination, their impact becomes impossible to overlook. These are just a few examples, and we have more ingenious ideas in store for you. Each one is bound to elicit a ‘That’s a good one’ response. Hopefully, these inventive solutions will become widely accessible, enriching the lives of many.
Scroll down and enjoy yourself. All photos are linked and lead to the sources from which they were taken. Please feel free to explore further works of these photographers on their collections or their personal sites.
#1 “This highlighter has a clear part to show you what you’re highlighting.”
Image Source: Reddit
#2 “This store has a winter simulator for testing out winter clothing.”
Image Source: Reddit
#3 “My local dentist has a ceiling ‘Where’s Wally?’ for patients during appointments.”
Image Source: Reddit
#4 “This store lets customers choose whether they want to be bothered by the staff.”
Image Source: Reddit
#5 “My avocado has a color chart on the sticker, so you know when it’s ripe.”
Image Source: Reddit
#6 “My local library has dozens of different cake pans to check out.”
Image Source: Imgur
#7 Creative Solutions – The Rolling Bench
Image Source: Yanko Design
#8 “Rental car in Ireland has dashboard sticker that reflects in the windshield to remind you what side of the road to drive on.”
Image Source: Reddit
#9 “This restaurant sells fries in paper cones – and the tables have diamond shaped holes that hold the cones.”
Image Source: Reddit
#10 “This tie is made with a microfiber lining so you can clean your phone screen.”
Image Source: Reddit
#11 Pet Pooping Station At The Airport
Image Source: Reddit
#12 “This vending machine gives your money back if your item does not drop.”
Image Source: Reddit
#13 “This toilet paper has a smaller roll inside that you can take on the go.”
Image Source: Reddit
#14 “My son’s homework has a barcode that when scanned takes him to an instructional YouTube video posted by his teacher related to the lesson.”
Image Source: Reddit
#15 “This bikers jacket has signal and brake lights.”
Image Source: Reddit
#16 “Beijing commuters use recycling for subway fare payment.”
Image Source: Ocean Great Ideas
#17 “This Japanese toilet has a privacy button which plays music so no one can hear you use the toilet.”
Image Source: Reddit
#18 “This chair has a purse/bag holder.”
Image Source: Reddit
#19 “This drinking fountain has a catch for dogs.”
Image Source: Reddit
#20 “My daughter’s first grade classroom has desks with pedals so kids can move while learning.”
Image Source: Reddit
#21 “In Seoul, the gas pumps hang from the roof.”
Image Source: Reddit
#22 “This elevator has buttons you can press with your feet if your hands are full.”
Image Source: Reddit
#23 “This bin that lets you vote for things with cigarette butts in Edinburgh.”
Image Source: Reddit
#24 “This car won’t let me listen to music unless I put my seatbelt on.”
Image Source: Reddit
#25 “This picnic table has seating for adults, a high chair and a kids table all in one.”
Here are the winning photos of the Bird Photographer of the Year 2023. With over 23,000 images entered into the competition this year, Bird Photographer of the Year is pleased to present the winners. Celebrating bird life from around the world, these images comprise some of the most incredible bird photos in the world taken by talented photographers, whilst also raising vital funds for partner charity Birds on the Brink.
“The 2023 Bird Photographer of the Year competition has revealed its champions, with Jack Zhi from the United States emerging as the grand winner, securing a prize of £5,000 for his remarkable photograph capturing a peregrine falcon in a fierce encounter with a sizable brown pelican.
Zhi’s quest to capture this extraordinary moment was a four-year journey. He reflects, “I dedicated four years of my life to capturing this elusive spectacle of a female falcon engaging large brown pelicans with astonishing speed and agility.”
He adds, “What I adore about this image are the eyes of the pelican – wide with surprise and tinged with fear. The action unfolded in the blink of an eye, but that unforgettable moment is etched in my memory forever.”
Scroll down and inspire yourself, Check their website for more information.
You can find more info about BPOTY:
#1 Overall Winner and Bird Photographer of the Year 2023: ‘Grab the Bull by the Horns’’ by Jack Zhi
During the breeding season, a female Peregrine Falcon fiercely protects her young, attacking anything that comes near the nest. For four years, I attempted to capture these rare moments of her attacking large Brown Pelicans with incredible speed and agility. The high-speed chase made it challenging to capture a close-up shot with a long lens. The falcon’s precision was amazing as it struck at the pelican’s head.
Taking the title of Bird Photographer of the Year, our Overall Winner is ‘Grab the Bull by the Horns’ by Jack Zhi. It features a female falcon attacking a brown pelican with great speed and agility. Zhi wins the top prize of £5,000 and the prestigious title. His image also won Gold Award in the Bird Behaviour category.
#2 Young Bird Photographer of the Year 2023: ‘Blue Hour and Red Moon’ by Anton Trexier
Blackbird singing in the dead of night. Blue atmosphere and red moon. Getting up before sunrise allows you to experience the magical awakening of animals. The blackbird is one of the first animals to awaken.
Our Young Bird Photographer of the Year is 17-year-old Anton Trexler with his image ‘Blue Hour and Red Moon’. Trexler wins £300 in vouchers for camera equipment.
#3 Best Portrait – Gold: ‘Glistening Green’ by Nicolas Reusens
#4 Best Portrait – Silver: ‘Parenting Goals’ by Thomas Vijayan
#5 Best Portrait – Bronze: ‘Coming Storm’ by Jake Levin
#6 Birds in the Environment – Gold: ‘Sunflower Paradise’ by Mateusz Piesiak
#7 Birds in the Environment – Silver: ‘The Dance of the Shadows’ by Clément Cornec
#8 Birds in the Environment – Bronze: ‘Staring at the River’ by Stefan Gerrits
#9 Bird Behaviour – Gold: ‘Grab the Bull by the Horns’ by Jack Zhi
The shortlisted nominations for the Abbey Road Studios Music Photography Awards 2023 have been announced, featuring musicians from Stormzy to Billie Eilish and Harry Styles.
Since the awards were launched last year, there has been a huge increase in the number of entries, with 14,000 images from 30 countries submitted.
Rankin, the renowned photographer and film director who is the awards’ co-founder and head judge, said: “The quality and standard of imagery for the 2023 entries is really impressive — it’s as strong across the board as the 2022 winners.
“It meant that there was not as much debate in the judging session, as there really wasn’t a bad picture. I’m beyond thrilled with the winning images and can’t wait to see them revealed at
It’s an art fair week in New York City, which means Uber prices will be surging and high-heeled feet aching all across Manhattan well into Sunday. This season marks the debut of newcomer PHOTOFAIRS, which focuses on photo-based and digital artworks from fifty-six galleries across the world. The fair runs at the Javits Center from September 8 through September 10, with VIP previews starting tomorrow. Director Helen Toomer came to the fair having previously directed IFPDA Fine Art Print Fair, PULSE Contemporary Art Fairs and Collective Design Fair. She recently caught up with Observer to talk about her latest endeavor.
Helen Toomer, director of PHOTOFAIRS New York. Casey Kelbaugh
Why does New York need another art fair?
New York is the center of the global art world and the pulse of what’s next in contemporary art. Yet there is this rapidly evolving area of contemporary art, where photo-based practices and new technologies are intersecting, that has no dedicated platform to explore it. There is so much exciting work happening in this sphere, as well as a growing audience for it, that it needs its own devoted space and platform to support and continue driving it forward. PHOTOFAIRS New York is not just bringing a new dimension to the art fair landscape in New York but also to the arts ecosystem overall.
Where does photography fit in the modern world, where the average person consumes an insane amount of photos on social media daily?
Photography is a language I never tired of and one in which we are all visually well versed. That means that photography and image-making are absolutely core to our culture, so we can’t understand the story of art making without the story of photography.
Photography and digital works don’t tend to be collected in the same way other art is. How does your fair hope to market these mediums to collectors browsing others at the Armory Show?
Some of the most exciting artists working today are multidisciplinary in their approaches, engaging in photo-based practices or new technologies in some form. Photography and new media simply cannot be ignored in our understanding of the past, present and future of contemporary art. Anyone interested in contemporary practices can find something at PHOTOFAIRS New York to pique their interests and deepen their engagement with contemporary art overall.
That said, over the past several years, there has been a growing trend toward collecting both photography and digital art, particularly with up-and-coming generations of collectors. So there is already a devoted audience for the intersection of photo-based and digital practices that PHOTOFAIRS New York offers.
You’re the founder of Upstate Art Weekend. How has the upstate scene changed since the pandemic? What’s the interplay between the city and upstate at this moment?
Upstate has always been a beautiful haven for creatives, and that was amplified by the pandemic. What was also amplified during the pandemic was the fundamental need to reconnect with people and art again in the safe arena of nature, which is in abundance in the Hudson Valley and Catskills.
The interplay, for me, has always been the proximity and the exchange. When I lived in New York, I traveled upstate to escape and unwind. Now I live upstate and I come back to New York to refuel and engage with the ever-changing magic of the city. It is the best of both worlds, for which I’m extremely grateful.
SEE ALSO: Does NADA Foreland Indicate the Growth of an Upstate Art Market?
You’ve directed several fairs at this point. What’s the hardest part of the job?
I love this job! To be able to oversee and craft a convening of this scale is a challenge and a gift. You’re wearing lots of different hats and your hands are in every aspect of the fair, from programming to operations, partnerships, collector and museum relations, marketing—just about everything. It’s incredibly fun and stimulating working with so many different galleries, artists and partners.
Are there any booths or programs for PHOTOFAIRS’ initial edition that you’re particularly excited about?
I’m very excited for every aspect of this inaugural edition, from the solo presentations to our talks, projects and partner booths. It’s a joy to be able to work with old and new colleagues to provide a spotlight for them and their artists in New York City. This is also especially tricky to answer because I know how much care each gallery and partner has put into their presentations for our launch edition. I’m excited to see the dialogue created between the works in the fair, which you really need to experience in person. Come visit!
The latest cameras pack in higher resolution for both video and stills, and while we happily invest in the latest camera kit, when it comes our computers we usually leave them until they run out of space, become so slow that we have to turn them on before going on a shoot or don’t switch on at all.
Today Samsung has announced the Samsung 990 PRO 4TB SSD, essentially a hard drive that will give your computer a new lease of life. This new large capacity drive utilises NVME and while this technology has been available for a while, the fact that this offers 4TB at a reasonable price makes it very exciting.
The Samsung 990 PRO 4TB SSD offers next-generation speed and reliability with a huge capacity that makes it suitable for use as a true working hard drive. This means you can take your 4K video files directly from your Nikon Z8 and get editing without worrying about bottlenecks or running out of space.
Blistering Speed for Unmatched Performance
At the heart of the Samsung 990 PRO 4TB lies the eighth-generation V-NAND technology coupled with the Pascal controller, offering sequential read and write speeds of up to 7,450MB/s and 6,900MB/s, respectively. These speeds ensure that your workflow remains smooth, whether editing high-resolution photos or processing 4K videos.
Specifications:
Sequential Read Speed: 7,450 MB/s
Sequential Write Speed: 6,900 MB/s
Random Read Speed (QD32, Thread 16): 1,600K IOPS
Random Write Speed (QD32, Thread 16): 1,550K IOPS
Thickness: 2.57 mm (Single-sided)
Power Efficiency (Sequential Read/Write): 1,380/1,319 MB per watt
Expansive 4TB Storage
If you’re a photographer or videographer and regularly deal with large files then you’ll know that running out of storage is a nightmare. The Samsung 990 PRO 4TB SSD provides the solution with its capacious 4TB storage. Now you can store all your high-resolution images, extensive video projects, and more in one place without worrying about running out of space.
Optimized for Video Editing
Video editing demands fast and reliable storage, and the 990 PRO delivers just that. Its performance is not only impressive in benchmark tests but also in real-world applications. Render times shrink, and editing becomes a an easy process without long pauses as you wait for the computer to catch-up.
Ultimate Power Efficiency for Extended Shoots
One big advantage is the new power management that sees Samsung’s new Pascal controller, which has been built on a low-power architecture. This new structure enhances the SSD’s power efficiency by up to 50%. This means longer battery life on your laptop or camera, I’m part way through the test of this SSD at present and it’s already proving effective used in an external enclosure with minimal power draw from the machine.
Reliable Thermal Control
When working with high-performance gear, heat can be an issue. The 990 PRO addresses this concern with a nickel-coated controller and a heat spreader label for effective thermal management. Samsung’s Dynamic Thermal Guard technology ensures that the SSD’s temperature stays optimal, even during prolonged use.
Upgrade Your Photography Gear
For photographers using ultra-slim laptops, the 990 PRO 4TB is a game-changer. Thanks to its single-sided M.2 form-factor, upgrading to high-performance, high-capacity storage has never been easier.
The Samsung 990 PRO 4TB SSD is a great storage solution for photographers and videographers. With its speed, massive storage capacity, power efficiency, and thermal control.
