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Sanjoy Sengupta – real life through photography passion

30. 01. 2019.Educations, Photo notes, Galleryadmin

Sanjoy Sengupta

(GMPSA, BPSA, EFIAP, LRPS, GPU CR4, cMoL, SSS/B, Hon. PESGSPC, GMUPHK, MIUP, MFMPA, Hon. FSWAN, FICS, EUSPA, GPU HERMES, RISF10, MERIT-ER-ISF, BEPSS, FPSI, FFIP)

Background:

Indian photographer living in Muscat, Oman.

Began photographing in late 1990’s, self taught, influenced by the arts community.

A traveler by passion and a Chemical Engineer by profession working in Oil and Gas surface facility design, capturing memories of travelogue since late 90s. Developed skill to photograph people, culture, tradition and architecture, while touring extensively across Europe and South East Asia.

Achievements:

Images are displayed in various photo exhibitions in UK, Dhaka, Bangladesh, Nagpur, India and also in Kolkata, India by various photography organizations and clubs. Images are shared by Nikon Middle East and Africa, and various photographic associations in Social Media.

Continuously participating in worldwide photographic competitions (Salons) since 2015 April, for Professional and Amateurs under the patronage of Federation De Photographic Art, Brussels (FIAP), Photographic Society of America, USA (PSA), Image Sans Frontiere, France (ISF), Image Colleague Society, USA (ICS), Global Photographic Union, Italy (GPU), International Union of Photographers (IUP), Master of Light (Canada) etc.

Currently having 5000+ acceptances from 85 different countries organizing Salons under FIAP, PSA, GPU, ICS, IAAP, ISF, MOL patronages, with more than 1000 different Titles and 200+ awards. Awarded pictures are displayed in organizing countries in their photo exhibitions.

Participated in various worldwide photo competitions for amateurs and professionals, some of the achievements are listed below:

– Silver Medal in Architecture category from px3 France, 2016
– Salon Diploma for ‘Camel race’ by Life Press Photo, 2016
– Honorary mentions for ‘Weaver of Vigan’, ‘Road to Eternity’, ‘Teamwork’ and ‘Camel Race’ in Moscow International Foto Awards, 2016
– Honorary Mention for ‘Camel Race’ in ‘ISA Mostra’, a Photo competition conducted by The Nagpur photo Club, India and judged by Padamsree Sri Raghu Rai, 2016
– Honorary Mention for ‘Teamwork” in a photo competition, organized by Udaan School of photography and World photographers club, 2016 for best candid moments.
– Certificate of Merit for ‘Camel Race’ in SAAP National photo contest, organised by State Photojournalists Association of Andhra Pradesh, India (SPAAP) in Oct, 2016.
– Honorable Mention for ‘The Façade’ under category – Architecture, Buildings in ‘Neutral Density Photography awards, Nov, 2016
– Honorary mentions for ‘Camel Race’ and ‘The Façade’ at Tokyo International Foto Awards, 2016
– Honorable Mention for ‘The Grand Mosque’ at Monochrome Awards 2016, International Black and White photography contest
– Sri P. Seshubabu memorial best sports award with cash prize opf INR 3000/- for ‘Kick Boxing’ at 2^nd National Photo Salon, organized by State Photojournalists Association of Andhra Pradesh, India (SPAAP) in Oct, 2017.
– Two Honorable Mentions in Travel/people and in Architecture category in ‘Neutral Density Photography awards, Nov, 2017
– FIAP Best Author at Konya Culture and Tourism Directorate, 11^th International Photography Competition, Turkey, Nov, 2017.
– 3^rd prize in portrait category in BFPA international Photo contest, Bangladesh, Dec, 2017
– 3^rd Prize in Sports and two Honorable mentions in Chromatic International Photo awards 2017.
– Finalist in the Seventh edition of HIPA ‘The Moment’, 2017 in general category.
– 1^st Prize in travel section of competition arranged by Andhra Pradesh photo journalism association, Hyderabad, india in 2018.
– 3^rd prize in china travel category from China National tourist office in New Delhi in 2019.

Publications:

“The Winners takes it all”, an article on traditional Bullfighting in Oman was published in ‘Lens Culture’ Magazine, 27^th issue, Dec, 2016 (https://issuu.com/israeliartmarket/docs/lens_magazine_issue_27_lowrz, page 40)
“The world thru my lenses”, my travel story published in ‘Lens Culture’ magazine, issue 24, Sept 2016 (https://issuu.com/israeliartmarket/docs/lensmagazine24low, page 82)
The world thru my lenses, a travel story published by World Photographers club.

Distinctions:

2015, Oct – Awarded distinction Artist-FIP (AFIP) by Federation of Indian Photography, FIP
2015, Dec– Awarded distinction Artist-PSI (APSI) in Travel Category from Photographic Society of India, PSI
2016, Feb – Awarded distinction Crown 2 from Global Photographic Union, GPU, Italy
2016, Mar– Awarded Distinction Aphrodite for portfolio works by Global Photographic Union, GPU, Italy
2016, April – Awarded distinction Reconnaissance-ISF4 (RISF4) by Image Sans Frontier, ISF, France
2016, May – Awarded distinction PPSA by Photographic Society of America, PSA
2016, May – Awarded distinction Artist –ICS (AICS) by The Image Colleague Society, ICS, USA
2016, May – Awarded distinction Fellow of UPHK (FUPHK) and Associate of UPHK (AUPHK) by United Photographers Hong Kong
2016, June- Awarded distinction Merite for portfolio works by Image Sans Frontier, ISF, France
2016, June – Awarded distinction Excellence-FMPA (EFMPA) by Federation Multicultural Photographic Art, FMPA, USA
2016, June – Awarded distinction Artist-USPA (AUSPA) by United States Photographic Alliance, USPA
2016, Aug – Awarded Honorary Fellow Swan (HON. FSWAN) by Swan Photo Club International, USA
2016, Sept – Awarded Honorary Membership to Pascal English School and Greek School Photographic Club (Hon. PESGSPC)
2016, Oct – Awarded Bronze exhibitor (BEPSS) of The Photographic Society of Singapore.
2016, Nov – Awarded distinction EPSA by Photographic Society of America, PSA
2017, Jan – Awarded distinction Fellowship-FIP (FFIP) by Federation of Indian Photography, FIP
2017, Jan – Awarded Artist FIAP (AFIAP) by Federation international de Photographic Art, France
2017, Feb – Awarded distinction Crown 3 from Global Photographic Union, GPU, Italy
2017, March – Awarded distinction Reconnaissance-ISF6 (RISF6) by Image Sans Frontier, ISF, France
2017, March- Awarded distinction ‘Renowned Exhibitor-Merite (ER-ISF) by Image Sans Frontier, ISF, France
2017 Apr – Awarded distinction ‘Honorable IUP’ (HIUP) and ‘Elite IUP’ (EIUP) by International Union of Photographers (IUP), China
2017 Apr – Awarded distinction cMoL* by Master of Light (MOL), Canada.
2017, June – Awarded distinction BPSA by Photographic Society of America, PSA
2017 July – Awarded distinction Licentiate of RPS (LRPS) from Royal Photographic Society (RPS), UK
2017 Oct – Awarded distinction MPSA by Photographic Society of America, PSA
2018 Jan – Awarded distinction Fellowship – PSI (FPSI) in Travel Category from Photographic Society of India, PSI
2018, April– Awarded Distinction Hermes for portfolio works by Global Photographic Union, GPU, Italy
2018, May – Awarded distinction Fellow –ICS (FICS) by The Image Colleague Society, ICS, USA
2018, June – Awarded distinction Excellence-USPA (EUSPA) by United States Photographic Alliance, USPA
2018, June – Awarded distinction Master – FMPA (MFMPA) by Federation Multicultural Photographic Art, FMPA, USA
2018 June – Awarded distinction ‘Master IUP’ (MIUP) by International Union of Photographers (IUP), China
2018, June – Awarded distinction Reconnaissance-ISF10 (RISF10) by Image Sans Frontier, ISF, France
2018, July – Awarded distinction Master of UPHK (MUPHK) and Grand Master of UPHK (GMUPHK) by United Photographers Hong Kong
2018 Sept – Awarded Grand Progress Award by Pascal English School and Greek School Photographic Club (GPA.PESGSPC)
2018 Dec – Awarded distinction Crown 4 from Global Photographic Union, GPU, Italy
2018 Dec – Awarded Excellence FIAP (EFIAP) by Federation international de Photographic Art, France
2019 Jan – Awarded SSS-Blue (SSS/B) by Sille Sanat Sarayi , Turkey
2019 Jan – Awarded distinction GMPSA by Photographic Society of America, PSA

Membership:

Member of Photographic Society of America (PSA), USA, since 2015
Member of Image Sans Frontier (ISF) , France since 2015
Member of Royal Photographic Society, London (RPS), UK since 2016
Life member of Photographic Society of Oman (PSO), Oman
Life member of Photographic Society of India (PSI), India
Life member of Federation of Indian Photography (FIP), India, country representative of FIAP
Life member of Image colleague Society (ICS), USA since 2016
Member of Global photographic Union (GPU), Italy since 2016
Member of United photographers, Hong Kong (UPHK), Hong Kong since 2016
Member of United States Photographic Alliance (UPSA), USA since 2016
Member of Federation Multicultural Photographic Art (FMPA), USA since 2016
Member of Photographic society of Singapore, Singapore since 2016
Member of International Union of Photographers (IUP), China since 2017
Member of Master of Light (MOL), Canada since 2017
Member of Sille Sanat Saray (SSS), Turkey since 2017
Life Member of AndhraPradesh State Journalist Society, India, since 2018.

Judging of Photo Salons:

Acting as Judge for various International photo salons under patronage of FIAP, PSA in Color, Mono, Nature, Photo travel and Photo journalism sections.

Histogram Photo Circuit, India (PSA 2017/394, FIAP 2017/531-532-533)
Singur photo festival, India (PSA 2017/397, FIAP 2017/064)
Photo Carnival International salon (PSA 2017/213, FIAP 2017/071)
Sun Shadow 1st International Circuit (PSA 2017/373, ICS 2018/133SP)
Bangladesh Salon, Bangladesh (PSA 2018/485, FIAP 2018/537)
Photon Circuit, Bosnoia and Herzegovina (PSA 2018/485)
5th Salon Singdunum 2019 by Serbia PHOTO Association, Serbia

Gears:

Nikon D4S and D700 DSLR Camera Bodies, with 14-24mm f2.8, 24-70mm f2.8, 70-200mm f2.8, 105mmf2.8, 24mm f2.8, 35mm f2, 50mmf1.4, 200-500mmf5.6 Nikon Lenses, Lucroit Hitech and Singh Ray Filter system, SB910, SB800 and SB700 Speedlite, Manfrotto and Mefoto tripods with Benro Ballhead and Wimberley Gimbal head.

Websites:

www.flickr.com/sanjoysengupta www.500px.com/sanjoysengupta

follow me on facebook / instagram : sanjoysengupta

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Marcel Van Balken – magical moments of imagination

15. 11. 2018.Educations, Photo notes, Galleryadmin

Marcel van Balken MFIAP EFIAP/d2 MPSA

Marcel van Balken is a self-taught photographer from the Netherlands . As a photographer he is interested in specific themes and conceptual photography.

He believes in working thematically with an absolute preference for surrealistic and creative photography.
Marcel moves as a photographer ideally in the field of surrealism and magic realism.

He prefers to create photographic images inspired by everyday reality combined with his own imagination.

He enjoys to show his images in international Exhibitions and has over 6,000 acceptances in international Photographic Exhibitions, including more than 750 Medals and other awards. His photography has been published all over the world in photo magazines & books, on calendars, on television and the internet.

More than 750 awards/prices and 6.000 acceptances
More than 500 publications of artwork worldwide
More than 75 exhibitions all over the world
More than 25 times jury-member of international salons

Honours
•   MFIAP (MASTER Fédération Internationale de l’Art Photographique) – 2018
•   MPSA (Master in Photography Photographic Society of America) – 2018
•   EFIAP/d2 (Excellence Fédération Internationale de l’Art Photographique DIAMOND) – 2018
•   EFIAP/d1 (Excellence Fédération Internationale de l’Art Photographique DIAMOND) – 2017
•   EFIAP/p (Excellence Fédération Internationale de l’Art Photographique PLATINUM) – 2014
•   EPSA (Excellence in Photography Photographic Society of America) – 2011
•   EFIAP/g (Excellence Fédération Internationale de l’Art Photographique GOLD) – 2009
•   PPSA (Proficiency in Photography Photographic Society of America) – 2008
•   RISF-3 (Reconnaissance level 3) Image sans frontier – 2008
•   EFIAP/s (Excellence Fédération Internationale de l’Art Photographique silver) – 2006
•   EFIAP/b (Excellence Fédération Internationale de l’Art Photographique bronze) – 2004
•   Honorary Member Fotokring Uithoorn – 1998
•   EFIAP (Excellence Fédération Internationale de l’Art Photographique) – 1997
•   Ehrenloge Deutscher Amateurfotogafen (ELDAF) – 1997
•   AFIAP (Artist Fédération Internationale de l’Art Photographique) – 1994

PSA Liaison Officer Netherlands
PSA Country Membership Director Netherlands
FIAP Liaison Officer Netherlands

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Ovi D Pop – art light experiment

31. 10. 2018.Newsadmin

Ovi D Pop
EFIAP/b, EAAFR, ELITE IUP

I was born in Oradea on the 9th of April, 1973. I have been a photographer for over 20 years. I prefer portraits, nudes, aerial and street photography.

I had managed to issue six illustrated editions of the Bihor County monography, which contain about 1.000 photographs, illustrating the most representative sites in the county. I also issued six editions of the Travel Guide Book of Bihor County, two editions of the Oradea Mea album, Comitatus Bihoriensys album, many postcards, pocket books, which reflect his photographic activity.

In 2013 my photographic activity took a turn towards artistic photography and I managed to become a EAAFR (The Association of Romanian Artist Photographers) artist and E.FIAP/b artist (Excellence of the Fédération Internationale de l’Art Photographique), managing to obtain 430 prizes (102 gold medals/1st place/trophies, 35 silver medals/2nd place, 39 bronze medals/3rd place, 347 diplomas and honorable mentions) in 43 countries like Andorra, Greece, Ireland, Croatia, Cuba, Finland, Sweden, Montenegro, Slovakia, Ukraine, Serbia, Bosnia and Hertegovina, India, China, Hungary, Dominica, USA, Kosovo, Georgia, Bulgaria, Austria, Australia, Belgium, Macedonia, Egypt, Panama, Spain, Italy, Slovenia, Russia, Azerbaidjan and Romania.

I had several individual photography exhibitions in Oradea, Cluj Napoca, Valea lui Mihai, Hajduszoboszlo (Hungary) – 2013, 2014, Bruxelles – 2013, 2014, Cernăuţi (Ukraine), but also group photography exhibitions in Cluj Napoca, Bucharest, Szeged, Budapest, Bratislava, Kosice (Slovakia), Cernăuţi and Ujgorod (Ucraine), Chişinău (Moldavia), Kolkata and in Shenzen (China).

From 2016 I started the first authorized Photo School in Oradea with the authority of the Ministry of Work and the Ministry of Education from Romania.

Look at the photo gallery of his works, the most interesting and very specific way in which he sees the world around him !

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Normante Ribokaite – inner world of miracles

29. 09. 2018.Educations, Photo notes, Galleryadmin

Normante Ribokaite was born in Dusetos, in 1968. The artist is one of the photographers of the Dusetos Art Gallery group (Zarasai Region, Lithuania).

The artist has participated in group shows held both in Lithuania and abroad.

Awarded in the International Photography contests FIAP, PSA, MoL, IAAP, GPU, UPI: at Serbia, Makedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro,Croatia, Romania, Bulgaria, Slovenia, Singapore, USA, Switzerland, Ukraine, Belarus, Armenia, Egypt, Georgia, Finland, Turkey, Hungary, Russia, Azerbaijan, Australia, Japan, India, Tanzania.

The gold medal of San Francisco International Exhibition GALLERY PHOTOGRAPHICA – 2013 (USA).
Awarded of the 1st Edition of the Romantic Landscape FIER Institute Initiatives 2013 (Australia).
EX ARTE EQUINUS – 2013 Director’s Award (USA).
Gold medal at the 71st, 74 st, 76 st Japanese International Photography salon Competition (2011, 2014, 2016 ).
The winner of Lithuania wildlife competition “Amber serpent” (2011, 2012, 2013).
Awarded at the exhibition-competition „Earth Day“ (2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017 ) – Utena, Lithuania.
A member of Photographic Association Master of Light (cMoL)Was also granted a diploma established by the Union of Lithuanian Art Photographers for her works displayed at the exhibition „Horse in Photography“ (2008, 2010 ) – Dusetos Gallery of Art, Lithuania. Since 2009 the artist has been a member of the club of photographers of nature Green Umbrella (Lithuania). Has organised nineteen personal photography exhibitions. Lives and creates in Dusetos ( Zarasai Region, Lithuania).
BRONZE EXHIBITOR (BEPSS) THE PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY OF SINGAPORE

Moreover, the photographer was granted the Honorary Diploma established by the National Photography Art Foundation for personal shows of artistic photography displayed successfully in Lithuania, in 2000-2006.

Enjoy the Normante deep sensitivity and inner mystery of magic artistic world!

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Dao Tien Dat – life with photography

07. 07. 2018.Photo notes, Gallery, Newsadmin

Dao Tien Dat was born in Binh Dinh province and now he’s living in Quy Nhon city, Binh Dinh province, Vietnam. He ’s joined photography since 1998.

He is a Member of the Executive Board of Vietnam Association of Photographic Artists, Chairman of Binh Dinh Branch of Vietnam Association of Photographic Artists.

His titles: ESVAPA, EVAPA (Vietnam), EFIAP/p (Europe), EPSA, SAWIEP, Hon.EFMPA (USA), Hon.FPI, Hon. LIFETIME Member of PERSONA-Internatiol (India), Hon. PESGSPC (Cyprus), Hon. FPSBP, Hon. EPSM (Malaysia), RISF2 (France), AFF (Poland), A.CPE ( Romania), etc…

He won nearly 1300 national and international awards (at 60 countries and territories).

He was 13 times ranked in Top Ten Overseas Exhibitors in “Who‘s Who in Photography” by Photographic Society of America (PSA) including:

-3 times ranked No.1 of Small Monochrome and Small Color Prints in 2010, 2013;
-3 times ranked Top 2 of Electronic Imaging Division, Small Monochrome Prints in 2010, 2011, 2012;
-Top Five of Small Color Prints in 2012;
-3 times Top Six of Photo Travel Prints, Small Color Prints, Small Monochrome Prints in 2010, 2011, 2013;
– Top Seven of Small Monochrome Prints 2009;
– Top Eight of Photo Travel Print 2013;
– Top Ten of Large Monochrome Prints 2006.

He has been a judge of many international art photography contests:

ISF World Cup 2008 – France
1^st UPI International Exhibition of Photography 2011- Sweden
The 6^th International Artistic Photo Contest in Vietnam 2011 (VN-11)-Vietnam
Ireland Exhibition 2015 – Ireland
The 8^th International Artistic Photo Contest in Vietnam 2015 (VN-15)-Vietnam
Photo Magic 2016 – Bosnia and Herzegovina
Grand Photo Salon Bosnia 2016 – Bosnia and Herzegovina
Ireland Exhibition 2016 – Ireland
INFINITY 2017 – Bosnia and Herzegovina
The 9^th International Artistic Photo Contest in Vietnam 2017 (VN-17)-Vietnam
Three Country Circuit 2017 (Salon Montenegro)
Photon Circuit 2018 (Salon Montenegro)
Digitalna Foto Arhiva Circuit 2018 (Salon Ireland)
CONTRAST 2018 – Bosnia and Herzegovina
Shadow Hunter Circuit 2018 ( Salon DOBOJ- Bosnia and Herzegovina).

And he has been a judge for many national photo contests too.

Look at the Dao Tien Dat’s picture gallery and enjoy the truly magical photography art.

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István Kerekes – the unique photography handwriting

17. 05. 2018.Photo notes, Gallery, Newsadmin

Kerekes István (1977),

teacher, freelancer artist photographer. So far he has won more than 1500 prizes and awards in international and national photo competitions.

In 2017, he was the world’s youngest who received for the achievement in the field of art photography, the Excellence FIAP Diamond2 distinction (EFIAP/d/2) bestowed by FIAP (International Federation of Photographic Art).

When he get this honor it was only six photo artists with this distinction in the world.

His most famous work is a portrait entitled Yelena, which has set an absolute unique record result in the history of Hungarian photography of all-time, having won over 320 awards in 44 countries on 6 continents.

On the 3rd International Salon Reflection 2018 by Serbia PHOTO he won a prestigious award – GRAND PRIX Salon Award for the highest number of accepted photographs.

We re congratulate him especially for that!

Please, look at the gallery of images and enjoy the moments of truly photographic art and fine balanced perfection of his artistic work!

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A Beginner’s Guide to Minimalist Photography

16. 07. 2017.Educations, Photo notesadmin

By Mike Jones

Minimalism is splitting the world in two. Love it or hate it, it’s a style with a very defined outline, one that has its roots in in the painted arts of the 20th century and that continued to branch out in other domains. These days, minimalism is especially present in design, fashion, and photography.

A simple scout around websites such as Twitter and Tumblr will be sufficient to tell us how we’ve gradually distanced ourselves from most things that are complicated and detailed.

But why is minimalism photography so controversial? It’s because of how deeply layered it is. At first glance, it doesn’t look like much thought, effort, or artistic skill goes into capturing a single empty vase on a likewise empty table, right? But as we all know it, the simplest of things can be the most beautiful. And the simplest of things can also be the most difficult to create.

There are hidden meanings, messages, and emotions and, when we really think about it, it’s a lot more challenging to try and tell a story through a single object. As a result, minimalist photography is quite the risky thing and you are essentially always treading between failure and success.

Here are a few general outlines, tips, and mementos that you need to make good use of in order to get the best of what minimalist photography has to offer.

Understand the Phenomenon

We need to understand something before we actually pick it up and start twisting it as our own.

What is minimalism? It’s a movement that started growing curtsy of 20 th century artists who relied on simplistic compositions to introduce a new and unique style. Their simplicity strived from the reduced number of elements in their compositions, elements such as shapes, textures, and colors.

As a result, minimalism creates a whole new perspective and allows artists to share with the world open-ended messages. In other words, every viewer takes out of the work of out whatever it is that they understand and whatever meaning and sentiment they best resonate with. This kind of openness ensures the possibility of having your creation appreciated by a vaster majority of people, but it comes with a clear price.

There are other people who aren’t exactly fond of the openness provoked by minimalism, considering it to be lazy and in lack of a clear direction. If the message isn’t there, then the artist didn’t know it, and the work ended up getting them to scratch their heads. It’s a blade with two sharp edges, really.

Make Some Cuts

The key word for minimalism is simplicity. This means, you should avoid stuffing too many elements in one photo and you should always focus on a single subject of your focus. And this is where you begin. Minimalist photography is, most of the time, all about opportunities. Inspiration can strike us when we’re running to the grocery store if we suddenly spot a streetlight that looks like it could make a beautiful capture from a certain angle.

Whatever it is that gives you this influx of inspiration – this is your subject. Focus on it, don’t try to overthink the possibilities and all of the other elements that might “strengthen” the subject and emphasize it even better. The best emphasis is when there are little to no other elements to distract you.

But if said streetlight has a bird climbed on top of it and if there is also a building behind it, this is when you’ll need to make some decisions. You’ll need to cut out some of these elements and trying to determine which one has to go might just be one of the most complicated parts of minimalist photography.

Textures, Shapes, Colors

As mentioned before, minimalist photography isn’t just about focusing on a single object and trying to determine the best angles for it. Important elements in this movement include colors, textures, and shapes, all of which can be pitted one against another, assuming they’re part of the same category, of course. These concepts will be of crucial importance to you when attempting to start your own commercial photography portfolio.

Putting together in a photo two contrasting colors is one of the best ways to achieve a minimalist photography on the first try. To be able to move to more difficult and ambiguous subjects, you’ll need to be able to truly understand the mentality and the philosophical edges of minimalism. We recommend studying the photo you’ve taken and trying to ask yourself what kind of emotions the contrast brings out.

Another important element is texture. Ideally, you want the viewer to be able to actually feel like they can graze their fingers across the photograph and feel the texture. For example, take the clear difference between a sandy shore and the soothing surface of water. One element, however, needs to dominate over the other to avoid making the photograph feel too crowded.

Draw the Line

Lines are huge assets for any artist, photographer, painter or what not. When you properly use them, you are able to direct the viewer’s eye to the focal point of your photography. Horizontal and vertical lines can completely change the appearance of a photograph when they’re strongly accentuated.

They can create a feeling of isolation, of separation, of loneliness, and they can greatly aid you in case you want to cut out some extra elements and shift the whole focus to the primary subject.

This is a trick for the eye. It’s a form of deluding and misleading viewers into seeing what you want to see by having them follow a line into the pointed direction. Lines that start in the center of the composition and stretch toward the edges will create the illusion of an open space, giving your subject the appearance of a much smaller and insignificant object. Alternatively, lines that all gather towards the middle will blur out other elements and will empower the focal point.

A Storyteller’s Work

We can sit here all day and talk about illusions, tricks, color contrasts, and textures, but, at the end of the day, it’s still photography. And if a photographer wants to tell a story, the minimalism in the frame shouldn’t pose a problem. If you want to add a meaning behind your shot, this is when the human element comes in.

It’s certainly difficult to try to build a story around an inanimate object, but place a human in the shot and, suddenly, there is a whole new level of depth to it. Take dull elements such as a deserted alley and photograph the silhouette of a person walking on the street. Experiment with shadows, light, lines, and other elements and be ready for quick reactions in case the environment provides an unexpected opportunity.

Refresh the Rule of Thirds

You don’t need to position the subject in the very center of the photograph for it to grab the viewer’s attention. You can easily add a surprising level of dynamism to the simplicity of a photo by brushing up on your knowledge regarding the rule of thirds. And in case you’re not sure of what that is, without diving into details regarding splitting the space in three grinds, it speaks of what happens when your focal subject is not in the middle.

This is a way to avoid boredom given the fact that, from a psychological stand point, we are tempted to look at the middle of a photo the instant we lay our eyes on it. We look to the center, we see something, and then we’re done. With the rule of thirds, however, we look to the center, we see nothing, and then our gaze swipes across the photo until it finds the actual subject of focus.

To summarize, there are a few key things worth memorizing:

Keep things simple.
Pay attention to composition.
Use strong lines.
Use the rule of thirds.

Mike Jones

Mike Jones is a Boston University graduate, with an MS in Mass Communication. He is a full-time writer, passionate about entertainment and photography and also a contributing editor for Virtual Photography Studio.

Tomasz Okoniewski – photography passion

04. 07. 2017.Photo notes, Gallery, Newsadmin

Tomasz Okoniewski – a historian, journalist, a great enthusiast and promoter of photography which is his passion. He has been interested in the art of image for many years and his hobby has been treated more seriously since 2007.

His favorite subject is the landscape of neighborhood and the reportage of daily life. In his opinion, photographing the landscape teaches him how to see the world in a different way, to look at things previously unnoticed. Painting views of morning light is one thing, but the most important subject will be the man and his/her emotions.

Tomasz Okoniewski holds the AFIAP photo title as well as the AFRP title (i.e. the Artist Photographer of the Republic of Poland) and the AFF title (i.e. Fotoferia Artist).

The author is a member of the RCKP Krosno Photoclub, an honorary member of the Fotoferia Club (Club Artist Fiap), a member of the Photoclub of the Republic of Poland and one of the organizers of an online group named FotoKrosno. His works have won prizes and awards in many national and international photographic competitions. His achievements have medals “for photographic creativity” – the Photoclub Creators Association of the Republic of Poland and awards of the biggest international federations – patrons of photographic salons such as FIAP, PSA, IAAP, GPU / UPI, ISF, MoL, IUP, ICS and many domestic associations. Tomasz Okoniewski is also the winner of prestigious competitions such as IPA, ND Awards, IPOTY, TIFA, FAPA, and Monochrome Photography Awards. In total, his works have been awarded in 36 countries around the world.

Individual exhibitions of works by Tomasz Okoniewski have been organized in many galleries and internationally presented in more than 50 countries. In 2016, the Minister of Culture and National Heritage awarded Tomasz Okoniewski with “The Badge of Honor – Meritorious for Polish Culture”.

Look at the small gallery, part of his artistic work:

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Viesturs Links Forever Magic

02. 07. 2017.Photo notes, Gallery, Newsadmin

Viesturs Links was born in 1956,in the capital city of Latvia – Riga.

He first studied photography in the photo club “VEF” but a year later he finally had a chance to join the legendary photo club “Riga”, where he also began to participate in photo exhibitions. The first serious breakthrough was in 1982, when he received the FIAP bronze medal and cup for the best portrait on 13th Salon International Art Photography competition in Macon. He also receives the title of AFIAP.

In 1986 his break from photography began, during which he did not even own a camera. It lasted until 1999, when his daughter Alice was born, and he had to buy the cheapest camera to take pictures of her. And then he began to photograph actively again and send photos to exhibitions.

In 2016 Viesturs participated in 107 different exhibitions and received more than 200 awards, including the 13 FIAP gold medals and 19 PSA gold medals.

Currently he is working as a lecturer in Latvian Culture College. Viesturs is father to three daughters and a son. His youngest children – Alice and Christopher– are his unfailing models, who constantly appear in his works and are also featured in this particular exhibition.

For a photo entitled Autumn of the Patriarch, in the Creative Photography section at the 3rd International Singidunum Salon 2017, he won the Special Chairman Choice Award.

© Viesturs Links, Latvia, Autumn of Patriarch

Take a look at the photo gallery of this unusually gifted and above all extravagant artist and experience rarely seen magic of the particularity of his specific attractive style:

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No more Fukushima – an exhibition of photographs – Ryuichi Hirokawa

08. 11. 2016.Photo notes, Newsadmin

Organized by the Association for the preservation of peace, culture and education SOKA

Under the patronage of Her Royal Highness
Princess Elizabeth Karadjordjevic

Ryuichi Hirokawa

From Chernobyl I think about Fukushima

“When I started covering the accident in Chernobyl, I thought about how much radioactivity was uncontrollable. I believed that human wisdom can not overcome all the tragedies. But now I realized how such an idea devoid of any sense.

The amount of our guilt is stunning because we put the power to decide on life and death
our children in the hands of scientists and politicians who want to protect nuclear potential due his interests. I visited three years after the Chernobyl accident and I saw that many things are hidden. Everywhere I could see that the disease is very advanced. In Belarus and Ukraine, many doctors and ordinary people are reported to various diseases, especially cancer of the thyroid gland in children who asked for help.”

We have the ability to create different “future”. From now on, only depends on us whether we have the time to make a different choice or not. We have no more excuses.

Just hesitation himself is become sin. We must put an end to the implanted opinion that people in Fukushima accident is never happened – just so that we would make new nuclear power plants. We should not allow children to return to the towns infected by radiation, just because we have exported nuclear power abroad. We have to completely change direction in order to protect human beings.

Ryuichi Hirokawa (1943 – ) is a Japanese photojournalist, war photographer, civil activists. Chief editor of the monthly magazine photo DAYS Japan. He is a member of the Japanese Association for the Study of the Middle East, the Association of Japanese photographer, Photographic Association of Japan, Japan Visual Journalist Association (JVJA), etc. The founder of the home for abandoned children in Palestine and the Fund for assistance to children in Chernobyl. He has received numerous awards from the Japanese photographic associations, journalists’ associations, the Ukrainian government for special Merit, etc.

Daisaku Ikeda, The President of Soka Gakkai International

“Many people expect that nuclear energy becomes a dominant source of energy in the future. However, as a number of accidents that occur around the world confirm, nuclear energy generates a series of innumerable dangers. The accident at Three Island Miles in the United States launched a number of reactions in the world. Shortly after, radioactive spills leads to official confirmation that similar events have already occurred in Japan in the past. All such incidents are, indeed, the results of human error. But in man’s nature to sin and the ability to repeat the same mistakes in the future are enormous. Dialogue with Dr. Aurelia Peca, founder and first president of the Club of Rome, “Before it’s too late” October in 1984.

“Until we overcome certain quantitative border, wastes non-nuclear energy sources are not fatal, regardless of their safety. On the other hand, the smallest amount of nuclear waste is potentially fatal. For this reason the development and application of nuclear energy, no matter how much goes to peaceful purposes, should be subjected to the most minute analysis. Restoring the use of nuclear waste can be allowed only in the event of an absolutely safe and bullet-proof method of governing the same. Until then, however, I feel it would be better to stop the application of nuclear waste and stimulate modern science to expand research on energy sources that do not produce toxic waste and can be recycled, so there is no danger of their release. “Dialogue with Rene Juigom. “Dawn after dark” in 1980.

Little Voices from Fukushima is a documentary film dedicated to Japanese mothers and children living in the post-meltdown world of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant disaster. In the course of telling their stories, Director Hitomi Kamanaka takes us to Belarus, where we learn from mothers who experienced the Chernobyl nuclear disaster 28 years ago.

On March 11, 2011, massive earthquakes hit the Tohoku area in northeastern Japan and caused the catastrophic meltdowns at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power. However, large numbers of families including children are still living in contaminated areas. The reasons they have not left are various: lack of the financial resources necessary to relocate, for example. Or, they may be the victims of government failure to provide appropriate instruction about the need for evacuation.

Director Hitomi Kamanaka realized that the people living in Belarus, still suffering the aftereffects of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, had valuable lessons to offer. We stand at a turning point: we live in a time when all people face the problem of radiation exposure, and we who are adults have a special responsibility. To learn from the experiences of the people of Belarus can provide important knowledge for survival and for finding hope for the future.

The message of the film director Hitomi Kamanake

In Rokas countryside is the base for processing nuclear fuel. In its center there is power in which is processed spent nuclear fuel. This is the latest factory for the production of plutonium.

If this project continue to operate, Japan will enter into a new era of nuclear energy. How are we supposed to look at this? We are at a crossroads and we are forced to make a choice.

Meet Director: Hitomi Kamanaka
She is a Japanese documentary filmmaker and media activist who has been working on nuclear power and radiation issues for two decades. Studied at the National Film Board of Canada and then worked as a media activist at Paper Tiger in New York. After returning to Japan, she directed many documentaries for TV. Her fourth film, HIBAKUSHA – At the End of the World, was released in the US. A frequent guest speaker at events throughout Japan, especially after Fukushima, she has traveled widely to present her major work, Ashes to Honey —Toward a Sustainable Future.

The Exhibition Program

17:11 .2016. (Thursday)
17:00 Opening Ceremony showrooms House of Trade unions (up to 22h)
18: 00-20: 00 Film “Small voices from Fukushima,” Hall 2

18:11. 2016 (Friday)
08: 00-22: 00 Exhibition of photos – Hall of House of Trade unions
18: 00-20: 00 Film “Rhapsody in Rokas village,” Hall 2

19:11 .2016. (Saturday)
08: 00-22: 00 Exhibition of photos – Hall House of Trade unions
12: 00-14: 00 Film “Small voices from Fukushima” – Hall 2

20:11 .2016. (Sunday)
08: 00-22: 00 Exhibition of photos – Hall House of Trade unions
14: 00-16: 00 Film “Rhapsody in Rokas Village” – Hall 2
Entrance free