Our seas and oceans are vast expanses of sparkling blue wonderlands, intricate in their appearances as well as characters. At a casual glance these endless watery realms appear lifeless, empty, the uniform expanse of shifting blues seems to be devoid of any activities except for the relentless crashing of their waves against the never-ending stretches of golden sand along their shores. Yet in the depths of this aquatic kingdom life blossomed for the first time on this planet, and ever since the single most potent force of nature – “life” itself has stayed true its origin by branching out deeper and farther into these watery realms than our conventional wisdom and knowledge would suggest.

This particular realization rocked me to my core when for the very first time in my life I dived into the depths, the hauntingly beautiful world of colorful coral reefs, shy hermit crabs and pink anemones, huge schools of fish, giant rays in its full glory appeared nothing short of an accomplished artist’s stellar piece of work. Countless documentaries and films by eminent underwater photographers and filmmakers for esteemed production houses such National Geographic or BBC Earth have projected this beautiful domain with unmatched excellence yet nothing comes even remotely close to the pleasure, the thrill, the ecstasy of witnessing this inexplicably beautiful world from close quarters.

Interestingly my interest in photography and my growing passion to know more about the underwater world steadily got intertwined as the years rolled by. With every diving session, my knowledge regarding the depths of our oceans and seas kept growing and so did my love affair with photography. And it all started in the Indian part of Andaman Sea.

An extremely popular tourist destination, the watery depth of Andaman Sea is an absolute delight for diving enthusiasts. It was love at first sight for me during my very first dive. Over the last four years, I have been to the Andaman Sea multiple times and performed scuba diving from the Indian part (Havelock and Chidiya Tapu) and the Thailand part (Similan, Koh Bon, Richelieu Rock). The mere mention of Andaman Sea evokes a strange feeling within me, which at the best can be described as a mixture of longing, bewilderment, awe, and reverence. This vast stretch of water body occupies a large part of the Indian Ocean while caressing the shores of multiple countries such as India, Myanmar, Thailand, and Indonesia among others.

This sea is blessed with everything that makes it comparable with some of the best underwater destinations across the planet. While pristine beaches, scenic views, volcanic islands jutting out of turquoise waters dominate the surface, the underwater world is a biodiversity hotspot, teeming with life in various shapes and forms. The plethora of life that exists in these waters is mind-boggling and the massive scale at which life thrives in these waters can only be fathomed by observing it from a close range. Vast stretches of coral reefs which also happen to be home to thousands of organisms, giant schools of fish teaming up to evade lurking predators, numerous creatures seamlessly blended with the surroundings by dint of their superlative camouflaging skills, ambush hunters lying still on the sea bed waiting for the unsuspecting prey, these waters are home to life in its most myriad and colorful form. This incredible world appeared straight out of the pages of any fairy tale and my resolve to showcase this world to others through my photographs kept growing stronger with every dive I made into these waters.

Tragically the scourge of climate change – arguably the biggest menace to plague this planet today, has affected the health of Andaman Sea as well. Rising seawater temperature affects each and every organism which is a part of this eco-system. A few sights on this planet can be more heartbreaking than witnessing a dead coral colony, lifeless, devoid of color – a tragic yet authentic depiction of the deteriorating health of the sea. To my utmost horror, such sights are becoming more and more common and it certainly doesn’t augur well for the entire eco-system. Such tragic sights made me more determined to contribute in my own way to safeguard the future of our seas and oceans. Through my photographs I would like to introduce this beautiful world to others, build a bridge between them and this world, a bridge that would bring us closer to this watery world rich in biodiversity, a bridge of love, faith and care. If we can achieve that it is my belief we would go a long way in protecting our seas and oceans and in the end if my photographs play even the miniscule role in achieving that, I would feel a sense of joy and content which I have never experienced before.

This photo story offers a few glimpses into the beautiful world that exists in the depths of the Andaman Sea. The sea hides much more in these depths, like a skilled enchantress it tantalizes us with these breathtaking glimpses in successful attempts to lure us into its depths time and again. There is no denying I have fallen prey to this wonderful addiction which will compel me to swim in these depths once again in the near future with the hope of unearthing more beautiful secrets from this treasure trove of nature.

About Samya Sengupta

Samya Sengupta was born and brought up in the city of Calcutta. Samya is a practicing CA. He is an adventurer, photographer, and a certified scuba diver. He has trekked across the Himalayas for more than two decades and dived across various circuits for the last 5 years. He is one of the few underwater photographers hailing from India.

He has carried out photographic assignments for various International Non-Profit Organizations. The Indian gallery and the theme poster of India at WTM London Fair 2013 were decorated with his photographs. The ‘Experience Bengal’ campaign of ITOC and Department of Tourism, West Bengal has featured many of his works. The first edition of Kolkata International Photography Festival (KIPF) 2019 has featured his photographs as part of the National Panorama – Contemporary Print Section. His photographs were also published and appreciated in various photographic forums.

Samya doesn’t want to confine himself to the usual genres but loves to explore the unexplored. His love for adventure sports and aspiration to witness the unknown had drawn him towards Scuba Diving, Underwater, Arial and Travel photography.

You can find Samya Sengupta on the web:

• Facebook
• Instagram

Copyrights:
All the pictures in this post are copyrighted to Samya Sengupta. Their reproduction, even in part, is forbidden without the explicit approval of the rightful owners.

Have you ever given someone your camera or even your phone to take a video only to realize they didn’t do it right? If you have, then you must admit the fact that it can be disappointing, especially if it was an important video for you. Shooting a video goes beyond clicking the record button, and if you have developed a liking for videography, then it goes without saying that you need to learn more about the same.

Shooting videos is fun and exciting; however, if you are a newbie, it might prove to be a daunting task. But hang on, it gets better! If you are starting a vlog, a YouTube channel, your new videography career, shooting videos for fun, this article is for you! Below are a few tips that will help you shoot quality videos.

1. Buy quality equipment

First and foremost, if you want to shoot nothing less of excellent video quality, be sure to buy the right equipment. Yes, it is possible to shoot using your phone for a start, keeping in mind that phones have also evolved tremendously. But, if you want to venture into professional videography, it is imperative to buy a video camera with advanced features. Also, you need to purchase camera accessories such as a gimbal stabilizer to help you capture motion videos. However, before buying any equipment, it is to your best interest to first go through the reviews. You can, for instance, read the Zhiyun Crane Plus Review before purchasing it. So much so, after going through the Zhiyun crane plus reviews and other equipment reviews, take your time and go through the manual. This will, in turn, help you have a better understanding of how they work.

2. Get the perfect lighting

Lighting plays a significant role in the quality of your videos. Poor or bad lighting can make your video skills look rather vague. And who wants to be called an amateur videographer? I bet you don’t. As such, be sure to find a spot with perfect lighting. It is at this point that you can play with angles as well as adjust some of your camera features to ensure that the lighting is perfect. Natural light is amazing, especially when you get the right spot. However, in cases where you do not get the perfect natural lighting, or even when you are shooting at night, you can use light bulbs.

3. Practice! Practice! Practice!

It is with no doubt that practice makes perfect. Take your time to analyze the videos you take. You can start with short videos as you progress. You want to focus on the rule of thirds when making your videos too. Ensure that the main points of focus are well captured and well placed on the screen. Additionally, you can also learn from professional photographers. Fortunately, there is so much information available online where you learn so much- you want to take advantage of that.

4. Make sure you capture good sound

When you get the perfect lighting, the right equipment and accessories but have whack video sound, it makes your whole video useless. The moment people click to a video and find that the sound is poor, they most definitely click the back button. Therefore, always ensure that you set the sound settings prior to shooting your videos. Pro-tip, always do a sound-check before starting the actual filming.

Franck Pédersol is a French Photojournalist and Independent Photographer from Vizille Isère, France. Franck born in 1952, he got interested in photography at the age of 13. Franck always fascinated to capture factories, paper mills, weavings, forges, rolling mills, etc.

Thanks, Franck for accepting our invite. Please read on…

What is the subject of your report with these photos?

I have always been fascinated by factories, paper mills, weavings, forges, rolling mills. These places are the work of man, but dominate those who work there. The looks are hard, tired, the omnipresent, oppressive noise. Me, I knew that I was just passing, but at the time these workers sometimes stayed 40 years at the same station, in the same factory.

When did you start taking pictures and what was your first picture taken?

I started to get interested in photography at the age of 13. When I went to high school, I always went to the window of the photographer of my village, and I dreamed in front of these Kodak Retina and other Rolleiflex, and it is precise with this Kodak Retina that I made my first photos, that of a Maurice Bejart show, at the House of Culture of Grenoble. But if there is a picture that represents perfectly for me a summary of this period, it is the one made by Gilles Caron, a Daniel Cohn-Bendit goguenard, facing a CRS in May 1968.

Why did you start taking pictures?

By shyness, I was quite lonely (“a little lonely man who takes the man pressed by the arm and shows him the free and permanent show of everyday life” – Robert Doisneau) and photography allowed me to to get in touch with others, and behind the camera, I felt protected. And I am also very curious, photography has been and is the way to open doors and make me accepted in places, and environments sometimes not very open to external eyes: factories, hospitals, barracks, mines, police station, hospices, suburbs difficult, etc.

Was there a turning point that made you decide to start?

I always wanted to do this job, which for my parents was not one. To reassure them, I promised them to obtain a diploma, before getting into the job. I did not see myself working behind a desk or bending into a daily routine. And choosing this job was, first of all, choosing a way of life.

Are there photographers, journalists or other people who inspire you or influence your work?

Henry Cartier-Bresson, Dorothéa Lange, and Eugene Smith
first and foremost. But there are many photographers i like: Mary Ellen Mark’s, Bruce Gilden, William Klein, Bruce Davidson, Diane Airbus, Koudelka Joseph, Christina Garcia Rodero, Martin Parr, etc.

With what type of gear do you work? Can you explain a little bit?

I worked for a long time with Asahi Pentax. I dream of Leica, but I could not afford it. Today, I have a Nikon D800, most of the time equipped with a 35mm or a 50mm.

Do you have specific habits or things that you always? Or (if any) a special precaution that you take in your work?

I make sure not to “steal” the photo. It is necessary that my subject is consenting. With its subject, one must be in “co-production”.

Can you choose one of the photos that you will send and explain it technically (if it is relevant), give the context in which, when, why and how it was taken?

The picture of this woman in the middle of the looms, whose hard face reflects the working conditions … I still remember the noise, unbearable, which reasoned in my head hours still after my departure from the factory … This picture was made as part of an order for a regional magazine, in 1979. Asahi Pentax, 50mm, F / 2.8 Film Kodak Tri X pushed to 1600 asa.

What is your background? Have you studied photography?

I always wanted to be a photographer, which for my parents was not one. To reassure them, I promised them to obtain a diploma, before getting into the job. In fact, I conducted a parallel in Grenoble, studies of economics and my debut as an independent photographer … In 1970 I started to collaborate with regional newspapers, then with the agency FOTOLIB … En 1974, my master’s degree obtained, I devoted myself entirely to this profession, ensuring the regional correspondence of several magazines (L’Express, Le Nouvel Observateur, La Vie, etc.). My images were then broadcast by the Rapho agency. In 1985, I co-founded the photo library Médialp.

Is there a photo you dream of taking?

I noticed that on the whole of the images that I take every year, on average, only one fate really of the lot in my eyes: it is this picture which I dream to make … every year!

Do you know where your next mission or project will be?

I’m planning an exhibition. But to make this project a reality, I’d have to spend a little more time on it! Robert Doisneau (still him) said: “The photo for me is a hobby, my true passion is fishing! “. And I’m a bit like him.

You can find Franck Pédersol on the Web:

• Website
• Facebook
• Instagram

Copyrights:
All the pictures in this post are copyrighted Franck Pédersol. Their reproduction, even in part, is forbidden without the explicit approval of the rightful owners.

I am a Bardoli (Gujarat) based naturalist and nature photographer who love to photograph nature in the best possible ways like macro photography, landscapes, portraits, candid, wildlife and night photography.

My journey started when I joined N. G. Patel Polytechnic as a network administrator in 2004 and also joined an NGO “Prayas”. The basic attraction towards flora and fauna generated due to proximity to the forest covers of the Dangs which I frequented since my childhood. I believe that photography gives me enough satisfaction to express my views towards the protection of nature and its elements and also to bring awareness about the same in people.

You can find Hiren Joshi on the Web:

• Facebook
• Instagram

Copyrights:
All the pictures in this post are copyrighted Hiren Joshi. Their reproduction, even in part, is forbidden without the explicit approval of the rightful owners.

Thanks for all your beautiful submissions on our 121Clicks Facebook Group. Last week, we missed this post, so here we have posted from the last two weeks (5th August to 18th August) best photographs from our Facebook Group. Hope you guys will enjoy this collection.

You can join 121 Clicks Facebook Group and submit your photos. If you already joined this group, please invite your photography passionated friends.

You can check our last July 2019 galleries here:

• July 1st Week
• July 2nd Week
• July 3rd Week
• August 1st Week

Photo By: Abdul Munaff‎

Photo By: Aizad Fadzli‎

Photo By: Andres Cesar‎

Photo By: Dev-Rishi Das‎

Photo By: Bitu Chetia‎

Photo By: Hiren Joshi

Photo By: Shamsull Bakhtiar‎

Photo By: Protap Shekhor Mohanto‎

Photo By: Kazi Muhaiminul Islam Munaj‎

Photo By: Tanjil Rahman

Photo By: Zamrus Jadid‎

Photo By: Al Arafat Pervez‎

Photo By: Arindam Das‎

Photo By: Avismita Bhattacharyya‎

Photo By: Himel Abir‎

Photo By: Siddhartha Paul‎

Photo By: Utpal Roy

Photo By: Ajit Kumar Majhi‎

Photo By: Radha Swami

Photo By: Bitu Chetia‎

Photo By: Ayan Biswas

Photo By: Lalit Rohidas‎‎

Photo By: Abir Choudhury‎

Photo By: Goutam Maiti‎

Photo By: Meera V Nerurkar‎

Photo By: Keya Sengupta

Photo By: Mousumi Phukan‎

Photo By: Rabby Ahmed‎

Photo By: Radhakrishna Rao‎

Photo By: Robins Mathew

Photo By: Pankaj Narshana‎

Photo By: Elpi Juan‎

Photo By: Shahnewaj Jasim‎

Photo By: Prudhvi Chowdary‎

Photo By: Monowarul Kabir Milon‎

Photo By: Saiful Islam

Photo By: Shams Pranto

Photo By: Srabani Dasgupta‎‎

Photo By: Subham Sarkar

Photo By: Subrata Dey‎

Photo By: Sk Iftekhar Ahsan‎

Photo By: Ajit Kumar Majhi‎

Photo By: Arindam Das

Photo By: Joy Kumar

Photo By: Joyraj Samanta‎

Photo By: Keya Sengupta‎

Photo By: Mirza Alve Saharin‎

Photo By: Shams Pranto‎

Photo By: Sankalan Banik‎

Photo By: Manivannan Ramachandran‎

Photo By: Pabitra Mahato‎

Photo By: Sarasij Dasgupta‎

Photo By: Shankar Mondal‎

Photo By: Shyama Dev

Photo By: Subhabrata Roy‎

Photo By: Sk Iftekhar Ahsan‎

Photo By: Atanu Pal‎

Photo By: Koushik Sinha Roy‎

Photo By: Raufur Rahim‎

Photo By: Shyama Dev

Photo By: Ujjal Dey‎

Photo By: Somnath Mullick

Photo By: Tanjila Munia‎

Photo By: Soma Sarkar

Photo By: Hegde Arun

Photo By: Ashok Sikri

Photo By: Arijit Adhikary‎

Photo By: Nawas Sharif‎

Photo By: Nikhil Paul‎

Photo By: Sanjeet Tripathy‎

Photo By: Robins Mathew

Photo By: Nilanjan Pathak‎

Photo By: Rishabh Paliwal‎

Photo By: Namrata Vedi‎

Photo By: Ashok Sikri

Photo By: Shams Pranto

Photo By: Arun Saha

Photo By: Prashanth Pinha‎

Photo By: Sudalai Mani‎

Photo By: Suvam Saha‎

Photo By: Koushik Mohanta‎

Photo By: Suresh Kandukuri

You can check our last July 2019 galleries here:

• July 1st Week
• July 2nd Week
• July 3rd Week
• August 1st Week

You can join 121 Clicks Facebook Group and submit your photos to feature.

The river is the mother of civilization. Every river has its own characters. No doubt, the tiny word “River” carries a deep explanation of human philosophy and create itself as an authentic/significant phenomenon/figure of some basic natural outlook. A majority part of our folk culture emphasizes the riverine people of our motherland i.e. the land of culture.

All of the picture here is captured from Gorai river of Kushtia, Bangladesh. Even I couldn’t imagine a point-shaped beauty of the river without looking through the viewfinder. The aggregation of the river Gorai, people and their livelihood and something closely like these are brought to you with the help of my Camera.

About Jibon Malaker

This is Jibon Malaker from Kushtia, Bangladesh. I have completed my Graduation from Islamic University, Kushtia. I started my Photography Journey from the middle of 2017. To me, some of the people are still supporting me to continue my journey. They are Sob e Maher, Sujon Adhikary, Nabial Tonmoy, and Shams Pranto.

You can find Jibon Malaker on the web:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• NatGeo
• Flickr

Copyrights:

I live in Perth, Western Australia and when I picked up the camera 4 years ago, I found myself quickly addicted to street photography. We have amazing summers in Australia, and I have always lived near the coast, so I am currently enjoying exploring and capturing our Aussie beach culture. But Perth can also get very quiet in winter, so traveling is also an important part of my photography. This collection of images includes my favorite images from when I first experimented with the street, and include the most recent images from my summer series and recent travels.

Highlights so far include the good fortune of having images chosen for exhibition in New York, San Francisco, Paris, Italy, Sydney, and recently in Sofia, Bulgaria in a variety of group exhibitions. With my friend Julia Coddington, we have cofounded the group Unexposed Collective, an initiative that connects and builds the community of Australian women, non-binary and intersex street photographers; and I am grateful to also be a co-curator of the international street photography community, @womeninstreet.

You can find Rebecca Wiltshire on the Web:

• Website
• Instagram
• Unexposed Collective
• Unexposed Insgaram

Copyrights:
All the pictures in this post are copyrighted Rebecca Wiltshire. Their reproduction, even in part, is forbidden without the explicit approval of the rightful owners.

We live in a world that’s increasingly becoming digital. Most people consume digital content on business websites, blogs, social media platforms, etc. on a regular basis. So, there is a huge demand for professional photographers today.

If you are a professional photographer yourself and want to take your business to the next level, then you should seriously consider building a brand. An easy but quite effective step for that is creating a unique logo.
The following are some of the most amazing photography logos that you can check out for inspiration for your own design.

1. Jeff Sturgess

Created by: Moham MK

2. Michael Schmidt

3. Leo Bloom

Created by: Tailor Brands

This logo shows that simple logos can often be the most effective. As you can see, the main icon here is a camera shutter. It looks pretty basic but the choice of font and background color makes the overall design unique and attractive.

4. FotoMart

5. Baku Photography

Created by: MehmanMammedov

Here is something that many people don’t know- photographers are returning to film to enjoy a higher dynamic range and create images that look authentic and natural. So, a skilled photographer who is into old-school photography can use a logo like the one above. Note how it uses a light shade background visual to complement the foreground logo to provide some “bulk” to the overall design.

6. Janet Dorian

When you create a website for your photography, then you want everything to look perfect including the logo. The example you see above is perfect to illustrate this point. This is because it’s based on a simple whitecolor font and icon that look beautiful on the colorful background.

7. Pixlarte Studio

8. Shutter Muse

This is another good example of a photography logo which doesn’t use an apparent design that represents photography. However, this logo isn’t totally unrelated. The elephant icon represents strength and impact, which are the qualities that the photographer wants to highlight about themselves. So, in that way it makes sense and it also sends across subliminal messages.

9. MCLEMENTS Photography

Created by: Dedijobs

11. Third Eye

In this example, not only the brand name is catchy but the design is also quite interesting. The central icon is a combination of a human eye and a camera’s lens which is a pretty good choice. The designer also did a great job of sticking to minimalism in the design in terms of color palette, and that makes the logo really pop.

12. Pixjax

13. Rebel Lens Photography

14. Louise Cuppello Photography

Created by: Peppermint Moon

15. Palacios Photography

This is a good example that proves that good logos need to look nice even when they are in black-and-white. Since this logo is pretty simple and doesn’t rely on different kinds of colors, you can apply a greyscale filter and it will still look attractive.

16. Cipriano Palmer Photography & Cinematography

17. Hollins Films

Created by: Jay Design

18. Laura Johns Photography

The designer here took minimalism to a whole new level. As you can see, they focused on the initials of the photographer and added a simple twist to it to make it unique, and it works!

19. Logan Photography

20. T&J

This is an example of a lettermark logo. The initials of two photographers (Thomas & Jade) are combined together in an abbreviated form to make the logo easy to remember and attractive.

There you have it- 20 attractive logo designs that are sure to inspire you and give several ideas for your own designs. Which ones did you like the most? Let us know in the comments section below!

Digital cameras are constantly evolving, integrating more and more new technologies, and improving significantly on the older features. The technologies that we see in the present-day cameras were actually discovered for the first time many years ago, perhaps for entirely different purposes, however, becoming a part of the mainstream cameras later.

In fact, there are several different ways in which new technologies have changed our lives and how we capture various moments and experiences is certainly one of the most important of them. When it comes to digital cameras, the best is yet to come. Here in this article, we will acquaint you with some of the most promising and interesting changes you can expect in the digital cameras of the near future.

‘Ultra-Compact’ redefined

When we talk about ultra-compact cameras, they are generally the kind whose thickness is 1 inch or less. These small size cameras work very well because they fit easily into people’s purses or pockets. The cameras we’ll see in the future will redefine ultra-compact, perhaps being no more than 0.5 inches thick, and much smaller compared to the present day ultra-compact models.

This prediction is very likely to become true because if we see the digital cameras of 10 years ago, they used to be far bigger than the ones we see today. In addition, the high-tech components of these cameras continue to shrink with each passing month. With more and more travellers incorporating touchscreens, the camera size could soon be just about the size of the display screen, doing away with all other controls, quite like a smart phone.

Bye-bye shutter button!

Shutter buttons are soon going to be a thing of the past. Rather, we might see photographers simply using a voice command, or just winking to make a camera click a picture. If it’s about a wink, the camera could be built into the glasses of the person, or some other everyday item. If it’s built into glasses, aiming it will also be very easy. Such a camera could work quite like a hands-free mobile phone, where you can simply issue commands without having to push any button.

Zero light cameras

Cameras that perform very well in low light, or even no light, are definitely a part of the future plans. It’s the ISO setting of a digital camera that determines the light sensitivity for the image sensor. 51,200 is the commonly known maximum ISO setting for the present-day DSLR cameras. However, Canon unveiled ME20F-SH camera some time ago, that has a maximum ISO setting of 4 million, which is expected to make it work even in the dark. The cameras of the future are going to follow this model and offer excellent performance in low light or no light too!

Light field recording

It’s been a few years that Lytro cameras have been effectively making use of the light field technology, however, it is expected that this idea might become an integral part of the general photography very soon. When we talk about light field photography, it is essentially about taking a picture and later figuring out which part of it you’d like to have in focus.

Don’t miss to check:

• Understanding Aperture, Shutter Speed, ISO, & Light
• Understanding Metering Modes
• How to Get Perfect Exposures In One Shot
• 5 Common Photography Mistakes And How To Solve Them
• 7 Powerful Photography Tips for Amazing Photos

There was a time when photography was an extreme privilege. The first documented photo was taken back to 1825 by French businessman Joseph Nicéphore Niépce – View from the Window at Le Gras The photo captures the view out of his window. It is blurry, but that doesn’t change the fact that Mr. Nicéphore Niépce made a serious breakthrough.

Now we live in the most documented time ever – people upload millions of photos to Instagram and Facebook every day. The fact that future generations will be able to look at their ancestors’ moments of life is mind-blowing! Since we are leaving so many digital footprints in history, why not learn how to do it right?

Do you really want future generations to see your tasteless selfies and badly framed out photos from vacation? In the eyes of descendants, your documented memories will be far away from being as crucial as the work of Joseph Nicéphore Niépce.

There are a lot of reasons to learn photography. It can help you create memories, meet new inspiring people and see more beauty around you.

That’s how your life will change if you start looking at the world through your camera lenses:

Create memories

An American filmmaker Susan Sontag once said that taking pictures is like participating in another person’s mutability and mortality. Learning the dance of lenses and light can help you freeze moments in your life in the best possible way.

Furthermore, after months and years, photographs of your loved ones will have an incredible value. Wonderful group photos or close-up portraits can preserve both their image and spirit.

There are a lot of happy, noble and intimate moments in life we don’t notice. Photography can make you truly see them.

Tell stories

Professional photojournalists believe that one photo is worth a thousand words. It’s incredible how one shot can contain mood, idea, emotion, narration and the message at the same time. You can learn how to tell stories without using a single word.

There is no need to travel to the edge of the world to find a good story worth telling. Stories are everywhere we go – in the shops, parks, schools, and offices, outside our windows. Take your camera and go for a walk. Once you know basic photography composition rules and your camera’s settings, you will be able to capture stories both faster and better.

Taking photos of strangers on the street is a creative way to make new friends. You might capture their special moment and make their day a little bit better. But be careful – the famous portrait photographer Annie Leibovitz says that she always falls in love with people in her photographs.

Art therapy

Whether you are stressed or lonely, taking photos can help to clear your mind. Try practicing photography mindfulness – start living in the present moment! A lot of people escape from their present – they are busy thinking of their future or the past. Learning the art of photography is an excellent way to forget about your worries, stop for a minute and look around you.

Photography helped a Vietnam war veteran, Christopher Chaffee, to deal with post-traumatic stress disorder and depression. Taking photos in Spokane, Washington inspired him to start a camera club for veterans. Members of the club had pointed out that their hobby has helped them to overcome their fears like agoraphobia, and other post-war problems and traumas.

If you are going through difficult times at this point in your life, use photography as a form of therapy. It can help you unleash your creative artistic skills, pay more attention to what is going on around you and see the world a bit more objectively.

The process of walking around while keeping looking for situations and scenes to shoot can also be a kind of meditation.

Motivation to travel

Photographers nurture the child’s curiosity. They know that there’s an endless amount of amazing and inconspicuous places to discover. Learning photography can motivate you to travel and set up new priorities.

The best thing is those travel photographers are in demand. People do want to know what’s happening in other countries, what the daily life abroad looks like, what world’s darkest corners are… Not everybody has this incredible possibility to explore the world or even their own country. Try and keep practicing to become a person that can show others different unknown places and scenic views.

Express yourself

Photography can also help you express yourself – your needs, emotions, the way you see the world. You have unique perspectives and opinions, so why not to share them with others? It can also help you empower people to do the same. You can take your camera and have some ‘me time’. Don’t censor yourself and don’t be afraid to seem weird. Afterwards, you will be able to analyze your pictures on your own and discover something new about yourself. It can bring you a sense of higher self-awareness and encourage spiritual growth and personal development.

Opportunities to develop

As stated above, there is a big demand for good passionate photographers these days. People document everything they see and experience. Not everyone knows the art of taking great photographs. Talented artists are constantly wanted to help capture the most important moments of other people’s lives or document various kinds of events. With passion and photography skill you can always turn your hobby into a career. There are so many platforms where you can promote your work and yourself – Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, Flickr, Shutterstock etc.

All you need to do is to go online and present your masterpieces!

Connect with others

The art of photography doesn’t only open your eyes and mind, but it also helps make new friends. Once you become a professional photographer, you will be meeting people all the time. Not everybody feels confident in front of the camera. It is your responsibility to make people feel comfortable and relaxed.

You can join local photography groups, so that you can spend more time with other creative minds. If you already have some experience, try to volunteer for your neighbourhood and organize photography workshops.

The bottom line

Photography can help you develop a lust for life, learn more about yourself, connect with people, and see the world in a more honest way. To deliver the right message, you need to get familiar with your camera, learn composition rules and practice as much as you can. Remember – every time is perfect to start your photography adventure!

Don’t miss to check:

• Understanding Aperture, Shutter Speed, ISO, & Light
• Understanding Metering Modes
• How to Get Perfect Exposures In One Shot
• 5 Common Photography Mistakes And How To Solve Them
• 7 Powerful Photography Tips for Amazing Photos

My name is Cam Crosland. I’m a self-taught photographer based near London, England. Originally a Modern History & Political Science graduate and musician working as a software tester, I became hooked on Street Photography in 2010 and soon realised that I was in it for the long haul.

My philosophy in life is to squeeze every opportunity out of my circumstances by working with what I have, rather than focusing on what I haven’t got, and using ambient light was a part of that mindset. Back when I started, my opportunities to go out and shoot pictures were very limited, so I couldn’t afford to be picky about lighting conditions.

After many years of feeling out of control and overtaken by life’s events, things began to change for me and at the start of 2017 I began using flash as a way of taking control and being more pro-active in my picture taking, and at the same time celebrating a new-found zest for life… and thus the project “Fishing with Dynamite” was born.

Flash enables me to create pictures expressing the intensity with which I experience the world. Often the information flooding into my senses is a source of great delight but it also frequently brings me to the point of sensory overload. Flash is a tool which allows me to shed light on things both metaphorically and literally; it’s a way of highlighting not only details, colours and textures but also the gestures and interactions which grab my attention. It’s about energy.

You can find Cam Crosland on the Web:

• Website
• Instagram
• Facebook

Copyrights:
All the pictures in this post are copyrighted Cam Crosland. Their reproduction, even in part, is forbidden without the explicit approval of the rightful owners.

Julia Coddington is known for her strong compositions and ability to work with color, movement, and light. She is a fearless street photographer, able to work close to her subjects without alerting them to her presence. She is the co-founder of the Unexposed Collective, a platform for Australian women and non-binary street photographers and an administrator of the international @womeninstreet community.

Tell me something about you which nobody knows?

About 10 years ago I project-managed the construction of the largest skate park in the southern hemisphere.

Please share your childhood dreams, and funny incidents if you have any?

I grew up on a large farm and spent a lot of time on my own, riding my horse for hours, and dreaming about what I wanted to be when I grew up. Most little girls back then dreamt of getting married and having lots of kids. However, I was a tomboy who wanted to join the boy scouts and go on father and son camping trips, so I was a little different. My dreams were filled more with adventures and travels. Thanks to the foresight and insistence of my mother, I left the small country town I grew up in and went to university, and along the way, I have managed to fulfill some of those dreams.

What is your opinion about photography?

Almost since it’s an invention, photography has been an essential, but contested art form. It helps us to record history, but it also allows us to create and is just as important to society as art and music.

In the age of social media, we are saturated with photographs, and photography has reached a point where it now has to push beyond the boundaries to be ‘seen’. In street photography, we are seeing a move away from the traditional approach, and we are seeing less conservative and more experimental, edgy work.

Which genre of photography do you like/practice and why?

My genre is street photography but I like experimenting with documentary, reportage, and portraiture. I like street photography because it doesn’t require sophisticated and heavy equipment and you can do it anywhere. Also, as a woman, I can often be invisible which I use to my advantage, enabling me to get close and work without being noticed. It also allows me to become ‘one’ with a scene – moving around and within it.

Street photography also has advantages in terms of mental and physical health. It requires a lot of walking and moving and street photographers talk about getting into the ‘zone’ which, once reached, has a meditative effect. I’ve spoken to many people over the years who have found street photography to help address anxiety and depression.

Almost 90% of photographers find it hard to earn money out of photography. Do you have any tips that might help photographers earn money?

I’ve never really considered photography to be a means of earning a living for myself, and so I have no wisdom to offer!

Does a good camera play a major role in photography?

Everyone has a view of what a good camera is, depending on their needs and preferences. Whatever works for you is a good camera. They are so technically sophisticated and capable now and they are usually way better than we need them to be!

Share three names of the photographers who have inspired you.

Among many, Ernesto Bazan, Jason Eskanazi and Alex Webb.

Does social media like Facebook, Instagram, Google and sites like 500px, Natgeoyourshot help to get the attention of viewers?

I use Facebook, Instagram, and Flickr for promoting my work. Flickr is the best interface for viewing images but it is less user-friendly in other respects, and less popular than other platforms. Facebook is good for creating or growing a more interactive audience and community, and Instagram demands a lot of your time, so I don’t waste a lot of energy there – but it seems to be essential for growing an audience, especially for street photography.

Do you think that a quality workshop can change the mindset or point of view of any photographer and why? Is it helpful to attend workshops often?

I have taken workshops with photographers I admire and it has helped my development as a street photographer.

When you are starting, workshops can help jump start your journey. Even when you have developed more as a photographer, it is still important to learn from and interact with others, and get exposure to different ways of thinking and working, so you don’t become stagnant and repetitive.

Doing a workshop can help you take the next step, particularly if it pushes you outside your comfort zone or out of a period of stagnation and uncertainty, but you have to be prepared to go beyond what you are already comfortable with, otherwise, it can be a waste of time and money.

All that said, workshops can be expensive and not everyone can afford them. An alternative is to learn from your peers, and do lots of reading and looking at how others work. Peers that you admire and trust can help with constructive feedback. You can experiment together with different styles and travel together to places where you might not have the confidence to go alone.

If you can afford a workshop it can help you progress faster as well as to help you understand and question what and why you photograph.

What is the difference between a good photographer and a bad photographer?

A good photographer is disciplined, consistent, open to growth and prepared to push beyond their limits, shows only their best work, is open to learning and stay informed about developments in their preferred genres, is generous and shares knowledge and information, is non-competitive, encourages others, and is humble but quietly proud of their achievements.

What is the difference between a good photograph and a bad photograph?

It is so subjective. When I teach I show examples of what is considered (within the broad and popular conventions of street photography) to be ‘bad’ and ‘good’ photographs. My opinion is also based on what I have learned myself in workshops, from reading, looking at millions of photographs, and my personal aesthetic preferences.

It comes down to what works in terms of composition, light, and content (or subject matter), and a photograph’s ability to communicate something – to tell a story or to convey meaning.

Bad photographs are those that don’t hold a viewer’s attention or don’t convey any particular meaning.

A photo may not be a good photo on its own, as a single image, but in a series or a sequence of images, it may work well and have more meaning as part of a narrative.

What should our motto towards photography be – self-satisfaction or the viewers’ attention/satisfaction?

It’s about satisfying myself and being true to myself. I post photographs on social media for feedback and it is interesting to see how people react to each image. While it’s useful for that, I have taken a break and reduced my activity on social media this year as I was finding it a little too all-consuming at times.

What is meant by comfort zone in photography? Can it ruin your career?

My comfort zone is the familiar, the certain, the safe place. In photography, as in life more generally, if you don’t step outside your comfort zone you will settle for the easy route and just amble along.

The times I have dared to do something different are the times I have grown as a person. They have not necessarily always been good experiences but I’m glad they happened because I learned from them.

The same is true for photography. You often have to force yourself to step out of your comfort zone. This means daring yourself to do something different and in the process, learning from your mistakes or achievements and becoming a better photographer.

What is your opinion about documentary photography? Do you like it? If yes, why?

There are crossovers between documentary and street photography. My pool project is an example – the images are shot using a street photography perspective and aesthetic, but collectively they also document a place, a time and a particular social setting. However, I don’t engage with the subjects.

I hope to do more documentary work as I find the form more rewarding and challenging. It requires the photographer to develop relationships, to do more planning and to think deeply about ways to construct and present a story.

Light, decisive moment, content, ambiance, good gear according to you which is the most essential element in photography?

The photographer and their vision is the most essential element! For me, light is probably next, followed closely by content, the decisive moment (which is an aspect of ‘content’) and then ambiance. Good gear would have to be at the bottom of my list. You can be creative with the most basic of photographic tools.

If you were not a photographer then what it would be?

I would be doing something creative, as I have always done.

The concept and definition of photography is changing every day. What is your opinion about the future of photography?

More people than ever before have access to photographic tools and can produce technically competent photos. We are bombarded with countless millions of images on social media, a trend that is still increasing.

Most of those images are being made by people without any knowledge of the history and practice of photography. In spite of that, it’s a good thing that more people have access to the tools and can enjoy making photographs.

But away from the mainstream, perhaps there is a backlash. Some people are moving back to film. They find that by slowing down and limiting themselves to a roll of film, they become more thoughtful about the process, and have a more pleasant and calming experience.

Perhaps the future of meaningful photography is in its past?

Which food do you like the most? Does it help you to explore more?

Apples and almonds. I always carry them in my bag so if I’m hungry whilst out shooting it will help me stay out longer.

Do you have a message for young photographers?

Shoot as much as you can. Don’t try and keep up with the trends. Do what you like and try to find your own voice. Copy others if you want to, knowing that it is part of the process of finding your own voice, which will come in time. Be kind to others because you never know when you will encounter them again in life. Get more batteries, and back up your photos regularly.

Are you engaged to any project-based work? Please share (only if you feel free to share).

I have lots of little projects and one main project that I’m working on at the moment.

What is your big achievement in photography?

It’s yet to come!

According to you what is the best photography magazine?

I enjoy Eyeshot Magazine which focuses on street photography and features contemporary work. The editors make a concerted effort to reach out to new and emerging photographers and often feature women.

According to you name the two best Facebook photography groups?

As I’m an administrator of two Facebook groups – Women in Street and the Unexposed Collective, I would have to say they are the best two! There are so many Facebook groups and I only post to a few these days.

Kindly share top five Instagram accounts everybody should follow.

I am a curator on the following accounts (so I have to give them a plug):

• @womeninstreet
• @unexp_collective
• @lyrical_sp

I can recommend the following (street photography) accounts:

• @streetrepeat
• @streetizm
• @hardcore_street_photography
• @human_in_geometry
• @eyeshot_magazine

Individuals accounts:

• @elisa_tomiselli
• @vineet_vohra
• @chibsterr
• @luppolofrancesco
• @francesco.sembolini
• @aniakloskek

Share your goal in photography?

At the moment I’m at a crossroad. Although I identify as a street photographer I want to go beyond the street. My ultimate goal is to focus more on projects and storytelling – to stretch myself beyond the single image and to incorporate more depth and soul in my work. I truly admire street photographers who can do this. But I need time, patience and the confidence to immerse myself in a project, in a story. That cannot come soon enough.

You can find Julia Coddington the Web:

• Website
• Instagram
• Facebook
• Flickr

About Raj Sarkar

Raj Sarkar is a Street Photographer and Educator. He holds MBA Degree in Finance and Post Graduate Diploma in Computer Application. He is the founder of World Photographic Forum, Curator of APF magazine Street Photography and also a member of street photography collective called in-street. He loves exploring possibilities on street. His main object is to Freeze the emotions and actions of people.

He delivers the lecture on photography in various Colleges and institutions like IIM (Indian Institution of Management), Union Chappell school etc. He also conducts countless workshops on street photography. He also curates’ various exhibition and he has also been appointed as a judge in the various competition.

Raj is a recipient of various awards, recently he has won the International Puskar Mela Contest, Winner Wiplay Photo contest “India in Color”.Finalist of Garuda World Photo contest and HIPA and his work has been exhibited worldwide. He reviews various gadgets and camera including Fuji x camera for Fujifilm. His article has been published in all renowned magazine and websites in the world like Fujilove, Street Photography Magazine, USA, Viewfind, APF Magazine, Smart Photography, Better Photography, Asian Photography, Chiiz magazine, Saveus,121 clicks, National Geographic and more. Recently his photographs have been showcased in London Street Photography Festival and Indian Photo Festival.

You can find Raj Sarkar on the Web:

• Website
• Instagram
• Facebook
• 121 Clicks Interview

Copyrights:
All the pictures in this post are copyrighted Julia Coddington. Their reproduction, even in part, is forbidden without the explicit approval of the rightful owners.

Photography and creativity go hand in hand- there is no question about it. If you are a professional photographer, then you have to come up with new ideas and concepts to capture some of the most attractive and original photos all the time. But what if you are out of inspiration?

The following are some of the best inspirational ideas that you can use for your next photoshoot:

Heritage

There is nothing more fascinating than learning about your heritage. Maybe that’s why so many people in the world use DNA testing kits to learn where they have come from, and guess what? This information can be a good concept for a photoshoot too!

You can use your heritage as the foundation for your next photoshoot. For that, you can dress in the traditional attire of the region that you have your roots in. You can also add appropriate props in the frame as well. For instance, if you come from a Mexican background, then you can bring in some sombreros, or if your DNA shows that you are partially Japanese, then you can hold a Japanese parasol in the shoot.

Movie or TV Show

There is a lot of inspiration to draw from TV series and movies for photography. In fact, many photographers turn to them for ideas today. So, if you have a particular show or movie in mind, then you can create a photo inspired by that, or go one step further and create a series of photos that recreate some of the most iconic scenes. For example, check out this baby posing as Walter White from Breaking Bad. You can also have your own take on a scene and implement an original idea. For instance, you can bring together the characters or two popular shows into one scene. If done right, this can create a stunning effect.

Same Prop Everywhere

You may have learned how to use props in portrait photography and other forms of photography. However, there is also a simple but quite interesting idea for a photoshoot in which you can use the same prop in different photos. All you have to do is make sure that the prop is in all the photos but it’s not the main subject. There are many options for the props too which include an action figure, a hat, and even your pet Guinea pig.

Diners

If you want to shoot portraits with a new perspective, then you can just head to one of the finest old-school diners in your area with maybe 60s-inspired dress. Some of the things that you want to look for in the diner include neon lights, simple but attractive furniture, tiled floors, etc. If possible, you can also visit some of the famous retro diners that are actually worth a road trip!

Diners are full of life and personality which is why they make for an excellent location for a photoshoot. However, it’s important that you pick the location carefully. So, take your time with the research and prepare accordingly.

Ordinary Day Family Photoshoot

There is no dearth of family portrait ideas on the Internet. However, the best photos are the ones that aren’t meticulously planned. What you want are photos of your family members when they are being themselves i.e. in positions and environments that they are most comfortable with.

There are many concepts and ideas that you can work with for a family photoshoot. For instance, you can take the photos when your loved ones go for a stroll in the backyard or a nearby park, or when the kids do homework, or when the entire family is enjoying special moments chilling in the living room.

So, there you have it- some of the most amazing ideas that you work on to create interesting photos for your portfolio or personal use. Which one are you going to try first?

Don’t miss to check:

• Understanding Aperture, Shutter Speed, ISO, & Light
• Understanding Metering Modes
• How to Get Perfect Exposures In One Shot
• 5 Common Photography Mistakes And How To Solve Them
• 7 Powerful Photography Tips for Amazing Photos

They say that a single picture is worth a thousand words. And what if you have dozens of truly worthy pictures? Can you imagine what story they could tell? That’s what a slideshow is in a nutshell – a visually stunning medium to tell a captivating story. Try SmartSHOW 3D, a powerful slideshow maker compatible with Windows 10, to turn your otherwise still pictures into bona fide storytellers.

Making a slideshow is neither dull or tedious. This is the time when you can truly shine as a visionary, and SmartSHOW 3D is here to help you with its intuitive interface and a huge library of over 570 effects and templates. Learn how to make a slideshow on Windows 10 here:

1. Download and Start SmartSHOW 3D

Run the software. Either pick a blank project if you feel like you are in for some creative work, or choose “Slideshow in 5 minutes” if you are pressed for time. Here you can pick one of the many themed templates for your slideshow.

2. Add Your Pictures or Videos

Pick the best photos to add to the slideshow. Keep in mind that SmartSHOW 3D allows you to work with videos as well. Rearrange or shuffle the pictures on the timeline. Add pre-designed title cards to your project.

3. Play with Animation and Effects

Here comes the fun part. This slideshow maker comes with an enormous library of animation effects and transitions that are just as easy to apply as they are cool to look at. But why limit yourself to preset effects, when you can go full-on artist and create slide animation of your own? SmartSHOW 3D allows you to experiment with slides’ moves, rotation, dissolve and opacity effects to your heart’s desire, navigating you all the way.

4. Add Some Tune or Voice Comments

The slideshow is hardly complete without a score. SmartSHOW 3D comes with a library of 200+ royalty-free tunes that can compliment a slideshow of any theme. If you have a certain track in mind – the one that fits the slideshow best – import it to your project. Add some voice comments if you have something to say.

5. Share Your Creation

The pictures have been arranged, animation has been added, effects have been applied, and the mood has been set with music, that means your project is ready. Now it’s time to save the slideshow. Pick one of the presented formats depending on your needs – you can either choose the slideshow to be saved in HD, or as a video for a TV, a PC, or a mobile device. Otherwise, create a video to upload it straight to the Internet (for any major network).

Sounds too good and too easy to be true? Don’t worry, SmartSHOW 3D truly delivers on those promises and offers a trouble-free and fun experience. Follow those five easy steps to create a stunning slideshow and you’ll never go back to boring photo albums afterwards.

If photography is your trade, but you don’t feel fit to create a slideshow project of your own, use SmartSHOW 3D’s gorgeous predesigned templates. Whatever the theme is – a wedding, a baby shower, a Christmas celebration, or a memorable vacation – the software has got you covered. All you have to do is add your pictures, and in a flash you’ll have an astounding video collage that will please any client.

Whatever the purpose of your slideshow is – for business or merely for fun – SmartSHOW is here to be your best asset. As an easy-to-use, features-packed slideshow maker running on Windows 10, this software is the right choice when it comes to creating a visually stunning spectacle.

Don’t miss to check:

• Understanding Aperture, Shutter Speed, ISO, & Light
• Understanding Metering Modes
• How to Get Perfect Exposures In One Shot
• 5 Common Photography Mistakes And How To Solve Them
• 7 Powerful Photography Tips for Amazing Photos

I’m a street photographer from Istanbul, born in Ankara, in 1982.

I live in Istanbul where is a wonderful city for street photography and a very hard one for it, too. As a person who loves simplicity, I want to point to the fact that it is really hard to achieve. I’m trying to create art out of Istanbul’s streets and squares. I’m always on the streets in all my free times and all weather conditions.

As a lover of humor and comics, absurd, extraordinary and funny moments of life always caught my eye. These kinds of works in all branches of art, especially cinema and literature, always got my attention. Street photography became my greatest passion lately because, from my end, it is the closest path to express my perspective in photography. I try to observe the reality of street through humor, absurdism, and surrealism. Beyond a hobby, my most valuable way of expressing myself. Geometric components, comic-strange-funny coincidences, Juxtapositions and especially humor are the main themes in my frames/images.

I would like to briefly mention the photographers I am impressed with. Rather than names, I find Asian street photographers very impressive, especially Indian and Thai ones. I love the way they look at the world.

Greetings from Istanbul.

You can find Serkan Tekin on the Web:

• Facebook

Copyrights:
All the pictures in this post are copyrighted Serkan Tekin. Their reproduction, even in part, is forbidden without the explicit approval of the rightful owners.

Delighted and excited as we say that 121clicks have accomplished 9 meaningful years in the field of arts and photography. A few years back, We started with an upbeat passion towards photography and now we find ourselves with the same quest for knowledge with infinite possibilities. Future is definitely going to be exciting and challenging as well.

Earlier we used to conduct photo contests every month and we stopped that long back. As a team, we have decided to bring that back and here is the opportunity for all the passionate photographers.

Theme and Deadlines:

• Photo Contest Theme – Festival Essence
• Deadline – You can submit your photos by 25th Sep 2019
• Winners Announcement – 29th Sep 2019

Submission Guidelines:

• The photo must be in JPG format, the minimum size of 1600 pixels.
• Each participant can submit a maximum of 3 photographs through:
  • 1st image by posting in 121clicks FB group with hashtag #121clicksfestive
  • 2nd image by posting in the 121 Clicks Instagram account with the hashtag #121clicksfestive
  • 3rd image you can mail us to 121clickscontest@gmail.com
• The photographer should the original author of the submitted images. 121clicks will have every right to verify any of the images with the original raw or unedited jpeg files.

Winning Prize:

• $75 / Rs.5000/- for Winner
• $35 / Rs.2500/- for Second Winner
• $25 / Rs.1500/- for Third and Fourth Winners
• 15 Honorable Mentions
• All winners will feature in the 121Clicks Website

Terms & Conditions:

• COPYRIGHT: The photographer must be the sole author and owner of the copyright of photos entered in to the competition. 121clicks.com respects photographers rights and does not claim copyright for images you submit to this contest, you will retain full copyright in each entry. Whenever your image is published by 121clicks.com you will be credited. Failure to publish a credit due to error or oversight shall not be deemed a breach of this condition.
• USAGE RIGHTS: By entering this contest you agree that any winning image or runner up images you submit may be used by 121clicks.com solely for the purpose of this contest or future contests and no other purpose, these uses include; displaying the entries on the contest website, promotion of the contests and the photographers.

Happy Clicking!

Thanks for all the support and love. We look forward to your participation, folks!

– 121 Clicks Team

Andy Pariat is a 54 years old nature photographer from Meghalaya, India. Andy loves to travel and he has been photographing landscapes from the last 3 years. In his words about photography, “Photography to me is an out and out art form. While for many it is an important means of documentation, my feelings and dispositions lead me to treat it as an art form. It is a stress buster, a mode of discovering refreshing tranquillity within myself and free myself of tensions or worries.”

Tell me something about you which nobody knows?

Hi my name is Andrew D. Pariat, (Andy Pariat) I am 54 and I live in Shillong. I love taking photographs (a hobby which I have just pick up about 3 years ago). I always was an outdoors sort of person, and this led me to many lovely nooks and crannies of the beautiful state I belong to, Meghalaya, but before then I was just a visitor, not having been initiated into the beautiful art of photography. From the moment though I picked up a camera a few years back, photography has intrigued me and slowly as I kept learning, it has become an obsession.

I’ve been involved in photography for over three years now, and I have sincerely enjoyed every moment of it so far. What photography did was give me more than just a hobby, it has given me something to do and learn and it adds up to many hours of enjoyment. It also gave me creative fulfillment. It also gives me a reason to travel which I have loved doing, that is to explore new places. My interest mainly lies in shooting landscapes for that interests me most, and the rolling hills, numerous waterfalls, and water bodies around give me ready subjects. The best part is that apart from making photographs, photography has to help me make new friends, some are online contacts, some are people that I have met and some are people who are into photography and I am really happy that this hobby has let me connect with so many people.

What is your view about photography?

Photography to me is an out and out art form. While for many it is an important means of documentation, my feelings and dispositions lead me to treat it as an art form. It is a stress buster, a mode of discovering refreshing tranquillity within myself and free myself of tensions or worries.

Which genre of photography do you like/practice and why?

While there are many genres of photography, I am more inclined towards landscape photography. Primarily it has to be because I am outdoorsy person, preferring to be amongst nature and also because the state I am from i.e. Meghalaya is blessed with lovely landscape vistas ranging from small cascades to towering waterfalls, from undulating hills to sheer cliffs, to verdant grassland to dense jungle, from gentle rivers to forceful streams. I love to explore all these and being with a camera out there helps me feel the nuances of nature and at the same time appreciate the grandeur of it all. I am also indulging in a bit of macro photography, trying to see a world that we don’t usually notice and this has made me appreciate the beauty of nature all the more.

Almost 90% of photographers find it hard to earn money out of photography. Any tips that might help photographers to earn money?

I am not a commercial photographer and enjoy photography for the sheer pleasure of it. Though I am open to selling my work, which I have a few times, it is not my source of sustenance and is more of a hobby. I though believe, if one has got talent and perseverance, money can be made from photography, though making a living out of landscape photography in India will surely be difficult.

Does good camera play a major role in photography?

As they say, any piece of gear is as good as the person behind it. Still, good gear is required so that the scenes that one envisions in one’s head can be replicated inside the camera. I have though seen amazing level work by people who use basic cameras, and therefore I don’t think that cameras by themselves are very limiting. In landscape photography, a camera with a good dynamic range is important so that all details of lights and shadows can be captured while in wildlife photography, I believe burst speeds are essential, and in portraiture, the requirements of gear are entirely different. A good camera is always beneficial and so I try to use the best that I can afford.

Share three names of the photographers who have inspired you a lot?

I’ve been mainly inspired by a couple of photographers: Subhadip Choudhury & Debraj Chakraborty (I have been out shooting alongside with them and they taught me so much, and in my eye they are the best in what they do)Still looking for the third J, though there are a number of other photographers whose works I admire.

Does social media like Facebook, Instagram, Google and some sites like 500px, NatGeo your shot helps to get the attention of the viewers in larger aspect?

Facebook, Instagram, etc. helps me showcase my work to the outside world and interactions with the viewers on these platforms have helped me learn. These days social media is a must for outreach and the little appreciations that I have received in course of my photographic work have mainly been through the accolades I received for my work as viewed on social media.

Do you think that a quality workshop can change the mindset or point of view of any photographer and why? Should we attend a quality workshop frequently?

A workshop is definitely helpful in picking up skills provided the mentor is one who can pass on his skills to the students. A good mentor will definitely give good insights and bring about a fresh perspective on my work and also point out my weaknesses and shortcomings. Workshops are surely helpful for picking up new skill sets but as I said, it all depends on how good the mentor is at teaching. Good photographers do not necessarily mean good teachers, and the teaching ability of the mentor is what I required most in any kind of workshop.

What is the difference between a good photographer and a bad photographer?

A good photographer is one who always seeks to improve and is critical of his own work while a bad photographer is someone who is smug about his skillset and looks for no further improvement. A good photographer is also someone who understands the basic rules of art and their application in photography while a bad photographer does not have a clue about these and just knows how to press the shutter. If one doesn’t let one’s ego come into play, one can always learn, develop and become a good photographer.

What is the difference between a good photograph and a bad photograph?

A good photograph is one which attracts the viewer as if wanting to convey something, while a bad photograph is just a photograph, a snapshot. A good photograph tries to tell a story while applying the rules of art or even subtly diverting from the same, while a bad photograph is what I would call a photo without a soul, it doesn’t call out to the viewer to engage with it. A good photograph will obviously have technical perfection or strive towards it while a bad one will give two hoots for technique.

What should our moto towards photography- Self-satisfaction or viewers’ attention/satisfaction?

I would be lying if I said that I do not crave for viewers attention, what good is any visual art if there is no one to view it. Though I enjoy photography as it satisfies me, and the major impetus is self-satisfaction, but without viewer interaction and encouragement it does get a little bland at times. Viewers also act as critics and their critiques help me improve, so I would say it’s a mix of both, self-satisfaction and viewer’s attention.

What is meant by comfort zone in photography? How it ruins the carrier?

Comfort zone to me is one where the photographer stagnates, in his ideas and thought processes and how he portrays them by pixels. If one forgets to learn and progress, then it’ll definitely ruin their career. There are always new kids on the block with new thoughts, new ideas, who will definitely shoe you aside if you stagnate. So constant education and exploration of the self is required.

What is your opinion about documentary photography? Do you like it? If yes, why?

Documentary photography is important as the world is ever-changing, and it helps freeze moments of time, which can be referred back to. While I admire documentary photography, I have not consciously indulged in it, but I believe even that the landscape frames are shoot is also documentation of one kind, for there have been changes of the locations I have shot, both man-made and natural and these images help the viewer go back in time when the location was more pristine.

Light, decisive moment, content, ambiance, a good gear, according to you which is the most essential element in photography?

Light is most essential in landscape photography, for the character of light defines the landscape, but again, even light brings on those decisive moments and creates ambiance. For the type of photography I do, all the parameters stated in the question are required, though light will play the lead role.

Are you associated with any particular brand or brand ambassador if yes, specify?

I am not a brand ambassador for any brand. I though use Sony Cameras and Lenses and NiSi filters.

If you were not a photographer then what it would be?

I am an entrepreneur, and if I were not into photography I would be busy with my businesses. And I used to indulge in a lot of fishing in the wild in my youth, and probably would have still been out with my fishing rods and lines.

Concept and definition in photography are getting changed every day. what is your opinion about the future of photography?

With the pace of change of technology in photography, it would be foolish to predict the future of photography, but knowing that billions of photos are uploaded each day on social media, capturing moments is what humanity likes and that is sure to continue into the foreseeable future.

Which food do you like the most? Does it help you to explore more?

I am comfortable with the indigenous food of my own region. Since I don’t travel or explore in the context of food, it doesn’t help me explore more. I am comfortable with any kind of food so it doesn’t have any connection with my photography.

Any message for young photographers?

Don’t get comfortable. Seek, learn, try to improve your skills. There are so many good photographers out there to learn from. Try to understand why certain images appeal to you more and then figure out how it was done, the science, the art, the effort, it all will help to make you a better photographer. Get out of your comfort zone, try new things, you may not be very good at it but it’ll always help you get a new perspective into the work that you do.

Are you engaged in any project-based work? Please share?

Though not essentially project-based, I love shooting waterfalls and as there numerous ones in the region where I stay, I try to shoot them, sort of cataloging them for myself.

What is your big achievement in photography?

To have my work seen and appreciated by others. There is no bigger achievement than that, when people from across the country and from even around the world, stop by on my work on social media and leave a comment saying how much they like it. Nevertheless, I have won some awards, and those have been motivating and winning the Landscape Photographer of the Year in CAPA’18 was one big high point along my photographic journey.

According to you what is the best photography magazine?

There are numerous one, both offline and online. I would probably recommend Smart Photography for they showcase great photographers and also have segments relating to photographic and post-processing techniques which help readers a lot.

According to you name two best Facebook photography group?

Of the groups on Facebook I engage with, I have found the World Photographic Forum and Camarena Academy to be very good photography groups.

Kindly share top five Instagram account everybody should follow?

• #Wanderers.of.india
• #Blacktoner_5150
• # Michele_bavassano
• #waterfallsfordays
• #sentinelphotography

Share your goal in photography?

Photography keeps me happy and that’s my goal, to be happy with my photography. I want to keep learning for the world of photography is unlimited and there’s always something new to learn.

Role of a smile in photography- share your views?

A smile works both ways, a smile of a subject can light up a portrait of where the person is included in a frame, and a photographer’s smile can make everyone around comfortable.

You can find Andy Pariat the Web:

• Facebook
• Instagram

About Raj Sarkar

Raj Sarkar is a Street Photographer and Educator. He holds MBA Degree in Finance and Post Graduate Diploma in Computer Application. He is the founder of World Photographic Forum, and Curator of APF magazine Street Photography. He loves exploring possibilities on street. His main object is to Freeze the emotions and actions of people.

He delivers the lecture on photography in various Colleges and institutions like IIM (Indian Institution of Management), Union Chappell school etc. He also conducts countless workshops on street photography. He also curates’ various exhibition and he has also been appointed as a judge in the various competition.

Raj is a recipient of various awards, recently he has won the International Puskar Mela Contest, Winner Wiplay Photo contest “India in Color”.Finalist of Garuda World Photo contest and HIPA and his work has been exhibited worldwide. He reviews various gadgets and camera including Fuji x camera for Fujifilm. His article has been published in all renowned magazine and websites in the world like Fujilove, Street Photography Magazine, USA, Viewfind, APF Magazine, Smart Photography, Better Photography, Asian Photography, Chiiz magazine, Saveus, 121 clicks, National Geographic and more. Recently his photographs have been showcased in London Street Photography Festival and Indian Photo Festival.

You can find Raj Sarkar on the Web:

• Website
• Instagram
• Facebook
• 121 Clicks Interview

Copyrights:
All the pictures in this post are copyrighted by Andy Pariat. Their reproduction, even in part, is forbidden without the explicit approval of the rightful owners.

DejaVu is a street photography project inspired by Pop Culture, Social Media, Movie Posters, and Daily Entertainments we surround ourselves in daily real life and the interplay between reality and imagination, fantasy and the limitations, comedy, and attractions.

About Htet T San

Htet T San is an artist based in New York. She works with visual art, photography, and installation.

Her work explores ideas of identity, existence, memories, nostalgia, societal problems and human experience in a meditative and contemplative manner.

Recently, she has been combining the visual concepts of installation, video projections, and sculptural/material mediums with traditional darkroom and digital imaging techniques.

You can find Htet T San on the web:

• Website
• Twitter
• Behance

Copyrights:
All the pictures in this post are copyrighted to Htet T San. Their reproduction, even in part, is forbidden without the explicit approval of the rightful owners.

My name is Krisztian Kosa. I’m from Hungary, living in Europe. Originally I studied economy and HR management, but lately, I’m doing photography.

I bought my first camera three years ago only for documenting my path, but I realized soon, photography is more important for me than I’d have thought before. I use to call this activity ‘observing others real life’ or ‘immersing into my own subconscious one’. I think street photography is our reflection of imaginations onto the real world.

For me, being immersed in a state of mind while shooting on the street, that’s a kind of meditation, and this is why I keep more important the experience or the process itself, than the results in street photography.

I hope you enjoyed these photos and see you soon out of the comfort zone

You can find Krisztian Kosa on the Web:

• Website
• Facebook

Copyrights:
All the pictures in this post are copyrighted Krisztian Kosa. Their reproduction, even in part, is forbidden without the explicit approval of the rightful owners.

I was born and i live in the city of Kavala, Greece. I am a graduate of the Hellenic Open University in the direction of “Studies in Greek Civilization”, as well as a holder of a degree in Interior Decorations.

My first steps into photography were in 2009, when i attended a photographic seminar which organized by the Photoclub of Kavala, of which i am an active member until now.

From January 2017 i also am a member of the BULB Photo Collective (Bucharest Urban League of photographers for the Balkans), which is based in Bucharest, Romania.

I have attended seminars and workshops by prominent photographers such as: PlatonRivellis, EleniMouzakiti and PetrosKotzabasis.

In 2018 i was one of the finalists at the Miami Street Photography Festival.I participated in various group photo exhibitions held in Greece, Bulgaria, Italy and USA.

Please share your childhood dream and funny incidents if any?

Since I was young, I remember that I wanted to get involved with cinematography, something that eventually did not come true. One of the funny moments of my childhood was, that any action movie I watched on TV, I was trying to convey the film script to my childish toys and to embody the heroes of the project to my own scenario.

What is your view about photography?

Photography for me is a creative process that has as a starting point the internalized (esoteric) world of the creator and how he tries to express and commune all of his innermost thoughts and concerns to his surroundings through images. Elements (fragments) that compose the daily life, which are located either in the most familiar and intimate places or outside as a part of the complexity of the human activities, are the raw materials of which the photographer becomes a creator of a new world, a new reality, a substantially transformed one!!! All these elements free from their actual substance become a sum of hints, within lies the truth of the photographer himself and the code of his view of the world.

Which genre of photography do you like/practice and why?

From the very first moment I started photographing, this sense of unpredictability, often happening everyday on the streets of the urban environment and beyond, fascinates me immensely! The happenings, which taking place within a few seconds, combined with the varied human presence, create a scene that is interesting to me. I am certainly not limited to this kind of photographic approach, but that we call street photography is for me the main source of inspiration for my personal photographic search.

Almost 90% of photographers find it hard to earn money out of photography. Any tips that might help photographers to earn money?

I think I am not the right person to give such advice, since I have never been professionally involved in the art of photography, I am a passionate amateur.

Which photography agency you like and why?

If I had to choose an agency dealing with photography, I would probably choose the Magnum agency, with some of the world’s most important photographers.

Does good camera play a major role in photography?

In my opinion, the most important thing about photography is to learn to see. Once you practice this then you will also choose the appropriate tool to achieve your goal.

“A camera is a tool for learning how to see without a camera.” Dorothea Lange

Share three names of the photographers who have inspired you a lot?

Surely many photographers of the past inspired and continue to inspire us until nowdays. But I could not fail to mention the names of: Henry Cartier Bresson, Robert Frank, GarryWinogrand.

Does social media like Facebook, Instagram, google and some sites like 500px?

Almost all social media for an artist today, are a tool for presenting and promoting his work. Through this process anyone can see and study the work of many other photographers something that was previously impossible to do. All these contemporary methods should be use with caution, especially by the young people who are now starting their photo trip, because of the risk to become victims of misinformation and leading to wrong conclusions.

Do you think that a quality workshop can change the mindset or point of view of any photographer and why? Should we attend quality workshop frequently?

I believe that these workshops, which are being organized by prominent photographers and theoreticians, can help a photographer, especially the new one, to shape his photographic style. Beyond that, photographers should be focused on their personal work, by using all the knowledge they have received.

What is the difference between a good photographer and bad photographer?

I can not say with certainty that there are objective criteria that determine who is good or no good photographer. I’m sure that if you respect yourself as a photographer and you work intensively and consistently, the results will reward you.

What is the difference between a good photograph and a bad photograph?

In my opinion a good photograph has to hints more than it shows. This is the element that differentiates the work of each photographer.

“A photograph is a secret about a secret. The more it tells you, the less you know.” Diane Arbus

What should our moto towards photography- Self-satisfaction or viewers’ attention/satisfaction?

I think that the art of photography, like other forms of art, arises from our internal need to express ourselves. It is a fact, of course, that beyond the pleasure of this creative process, each artist also wants to share his work with other people. So express yourself and share your work with other people without it being an end in itself.

What is meant by comfort zone in photography? How it ruins the carrier?

I believe that it will be useful for every photographer, to have a personal approach and at the same time to be open to new experiments.

What is your opinion about documentary photography? Do you like it? If yes, why?

The documentary photography as a visual storytelling is one of the most popular and important elements in contemporary photography. It’s very interesting to me that a photographer tries through narration of a series of images to raises questions of the documentary role of the photograph today and offers alternative ways of seeing, recording and understanding the events and situations that shape the world in which we live.

Light, decisive moment, content, ambience, a good gear, according to you which is most essential element in photography?

I think that all the above elements should work in a photograph, in the right proportion and in balance between them. This is a decision that the photographer take, depending on the purpose he wants to achieve with his work.

If you were not a photographer then What it would be?

Most likely, i would like to engage with cinematography. I’m enthusiastic about images creation, making stories with them. Otherwise, cinematography and photography share many similarities.

Concept and definition in photography is getting changed every day. What is your opinion about future of photography?

Photography, like other forms of art, evolves over time and often changes form and content. We often see in contemporary art photography involved and other visual arts, applie new technologies that are developing rapidly, and generally photography seems to change her physiognomy and character. It is certainly difficult to predict the future of this instrument.

Any message for the young photographers?

The most important thing for a new photographer is to find what really interests him in photography and when he find it, must be work hard and persistently on it. For the best possible result are required photographic education and spiritual culture.

Are you engaged to any project-based work? Please share (only if you feel free to share)?

Generally, I do not usually working on a particular subject. I prefer to feel free when shooting and react instinctly, depending on the place I am. However, there are some photo series in my work, which occurred during the editing process.

What is your big achievement in photography?

There were two important moments until now. Firstly, was in 2017 when i became a member of BULB, a collective with some of the most talented photographers of Balkans. The other moment was in 2018, when i was one of the finalists of Miami Street Photography Festival (MSPF), one of the biggest street photography festivals in the world.

According to you name two best Facebook photography group?

It’s true, there are many remarkable facebook photographic groups that enable photographers to communicate and share their experiences about photography. Although I find it difficult, I would choose: APF Magazine Street Photography Group and second Street Core Photography (S.C.P.).

Kindly share top five Instagram account everybody should follow?

Balkan.Collective, Street Photo International, Hardcore Street Collective, BURN Magazine, Life is street.

Share your goal in photography?

My main aim is to evolve as a photographer as well as a human. In the future i would also like to have a solo exhibition and a publication of a personal photobook.

Role of smile in photography- share your views?

As usual, most photographers like a deadpan approach, to create more questions about their work. This practise allows a photographer to have a personal style, hiding the emotion which may be the result of a smile.

You can find Makis Makris on the web:

• Website
• Instagram
• Facebook

About Raj Sarkar

Raj Sarkar is a Street Photographer and Educator. He holds MBA Degree in Finance and Post Graduate Diploma in Computer Application. He is the founder of World Photographic Forum, and Curator of APF magazine Street Photography. He loves exploring possibilities on street. His main object is to Freeze the emotions and actions of people.

He delivers the lecture on photography in various Colleges and institutions like IIM (Indian Institution of Management), Union Chappell school etc. He also conducts countless workshops on street photography. He also curates’ various exhibition and he has also been appointed as a judge in the various competition.

Raj is a recipient of various awards, recently he has won the International Puskar Mela Contest, Winner Wiplay Photo contest “India in Color”. Finalist of Garuda World Photo contest and HIPA and his work has been exhibited worldwide. He reviews various gadgets and camera including Fuji x camera for Fujifilm. His article has been published in all renowned magazine and websites in the world like Fujilove, Street Photography Magazine, USA, Viewfind, APF Magazine, Smart Photography, Better Photography, Asian Photography, Chiiz magazine, Saveus, 121 clicks, National Geographic and more. Recently his photographs have been showcased in London Street Photography Festival and Indian Photo Festival.

You can find Raj Sarkar on the Web:

• Website
• Instagram
• Facebook
• 121 Clicks Interview

Copyrights:
All the pictures in this post are copyrighted Makis Makris. Their reproduction, even in part, is forbidden without the explicit approval of the rightful owners.