Monthly Archives: May 2020

Teleport: Photo Series By Cristóbal Carretero Cassinello

Teleport: Photo Series By Cristóbal Carretero Cassinello

Teleport it´s a photographic work that will make us dream at the speed of light, it will make us accomplices of the great Argonaut journey of matter through space-time, described in Albert Eninstein’s equations of general relativity. Wormholes that lie in apparent invisibility, will reveal to us a new temporal reality, a pulse to reason and man’s chimerical search for coinciding parallel universes in the past, present and future.

Teleport: Photo Series By Cristobal Carretero Cassinello

Teleport: Photo Series By Cristobal Carretero Cassinello

Teleport: Photo Series By Cristobal Carretero Cassinello

Teleport: Photo Series By Cristobal Carretero Cassinello

Teleport: Photo Series By Cristobal Carretero Cassinello

Teleport: Photo Series By Cristobal Carretero Cassinello

Teleport: Photo Series By Cristobal Carretero Cassinello

Teleport: Photo Series By Cristobal Carretero Cassinello

Teleport: Photo Series By Cristobal Carretero Cassinello

Teleport: Photo Series By Cristobal Carretero Cassinello

About Cristóbal Carretero Cassinello

Cristóbal Carretero Cassinello. Ferrol. La Coruña. Spain. 1976.

He has lived in Almería (Spain) for more than 25 years, professor of economics, expert Excel instructor, graphic designer, web designer and photographer. Diploma in Business Studies from UAL 2005 and Bachelor of Business Administration and Management (ADE) from UMH in 2019.

In 2017, he was selected for PHOTOESPAÑA DESCUBRIMIENTOS 2017, his photographs have been published in prestigious international competitions such as the Magnum Photography Awards 2017 (USA) of the Agency ‘MAGMUN PHOTOS’, Chromatic Awards 2017 (USA), Lensculture Street Photography Awards 2017 ( USA), LensCulture Emerging Talent Awards 2017 (USA), Lensculture Street Photography Awards 2018 (USA), LensCulture Exposure Awards 2018 (USA), LensCulture Art Photography Awards 2019 (USA) and Lensculture Street Photography Awards 2020 (USA).

He has been a finalist in the ‘4th Fine Art Photography Awards 2017’ (USA), ‘International Photography Grant 2017’ (UK), ‘International Photography Of The Year 2017’ (USA), ‘5th Fine Art Photography Awards 2018’ (USA) , ‘III Certamen Signo Editores’ 2018. Madrid (Spain), ‘Chromatic Awards 2018’ (USA), ‘Chromatic Awards 2019’ (USA), ‘Chromatic Awards 2020’ (USA) and ‘Los Angeles CineFest’ (USA).

His photographs have been published in the ‘World Street Photography 5 Book’ (Wsp5) 2017, in ‘Best of PhotoVogue 2020’ in VOGUE Italia, on the cover of the American magazine ‘Street Photography Magazine’ (USA). March 2019, her work has been published in ’Musée Magazine 2017’ (USA), ‘Float Photo Magazine 2017’ (USA), ‘Photograpize Magazine 2018-2020’ (USA), Nocsensei. New Old Camera 2020. Milan (Italy), ‘Xataka Photo’ 2020. Madrid (Spain), ‘Cultura Inquieta’. 2020. Madrid (Spain), Spokesperson Diario (Mexico), La Voz de Almería (Spain), Diario de Almería (Spain), La Vanguardia (Spain) and has publications in the online editions of the magazines ‘VOGUE’ (Italy) and ‘National Geographic’. (USA).

Recently selected for PHOTOESPAÑA DESCUBRIMIENTOS 2020 and is a jury member of the Royal Photographic Society of Madrid.

Teleport: Photo Series By Cristobal Carretero Cassinello

You can find Cristóbal Carretero Cassinello Anat on the Web :

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

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Commercial photography trends to watch for in 2021

Commercial photography trends to watch for in 2021

This September, Pew Research revealed that more than half (51%) of Americans expect their lives to remain changed in major ways even after the COVID-19 outbreak is over. The virus has transformed the way we socialize, study, work, and connect with others, and many of these changes are likely to carry over into 2021.

As a result, photography and marketing will continue to evolve to suit our changing values, lifestyles, and needs. Commercial stock photography looks different than it did just a year ago, and heading into the new year, tracking the news and staying up-to-date with emerging trends will be an essential part of building a timely, relevant portfolio. Below, we discuss five defining movements and ideas to keep in mind as you plan your upcoming photoshoots.

Sustainability

The sustainability movement helped reshape 2020, and it’ll continue to evolve as we head into the new year. Research from Getty Images reveals that, even during the COVID-19 crisis, searches for sustainability and sustainable living continued to trend; advertising campaigns highlighted environmentally-friendly transportation like bikes and electric cars, while photos of people enjoying the outdoors saw a 766% increase in related searches.

Meanwhile, 92% of consumers surveyed by Getty Images are deeply concerned about at least one environmental issue, while 81% expect businesses to be environmentally aware in all their advertising and communications. Interestingly, while visuals of pollution, plastic waste, and wildfires continue to be in high-demand, buyers are also searching for photos that represent hope and show what we can all do to make a difference.

This idea is supported by the fact that 96% of people feel their actions (recycling, donating, and buying ethically) can make a difference, according to a recent survey from Futerra. The same survey revealed that 88% of people want brands to help them make a difference in improving their environmental and social footprint.

Regenerative agriculture is also trending, as evidenced by the fact that 3 million people in the UK ordered a vegetable box or ordered from a farm directly for the first time since the pandemic began.

“Incorporating sustainable elements within your commercial photos can be as easy as swapping out single-use items for reusable alternatives like bamboo toothbrushes, travel mugs, and reusable shopping bags,” the 500px Content Team tells us. As you make changes in your own life by avoiding wasteful packaging, using less water, or decreasing meat consumption, remember to incorporate these choices into your photoshoots as well.

female hand holds a sparkler on the background of a decorated by Alla Morozova on 500px.com

Diversity

Here’s another movement that will continue to reshape the commercial world in 2021, with research from Google showing that 64% of consumers took some sort of action after seeing an ad that they considered to be diverse or inclusive. As with sustainability, the public wants to support brands that back up their statements about making the world a better place, and that extends to the photos they use in marketing campaigns.

A young woman taking a picture, Kaitlyn by Samantha Pierre on 500px.com

According to Getty Images, two-thirds of consumers say it’s important to them that the companies they buy from support diversity of all kinds, with 33% saying that, in the last two years, they have boycotted a brand that went against their values. 57% have been affected by bias in their everyday lives, making the call for inclusion in advertising even more powerful.

A young woman getting ready for a party, Danielle by Samantha Pierre on 500px.com

“Photographers should put serious consideration into their choice of models and how they present them,” the 500px Content Team says. Collaborate with the people you photograph, and help them tell their stories truthfully and authentically. Even better, ask for their input when creating titles and keywords for your photos. This isn’t a trend; it’s a long-overdue push for a more just and equal society.

Kat II by Natta S on 500px.com

Technology

Even before the pandemic, public attitudes toward technology had already started to transform our visual landscape. A 2019 survey conducted on behalf of the Charles Koch Institute, for instance, found that American confidence in technology spanned generations, geographic areas, and even political affiliations, with one-fifth of respondents having used telemedicine, 75% saying technology makes them more productive at work, and 84% saying that technology has improved their connections with family and friends.”

Of course, the COVID-19 crisis has only deepened our relationship with technology. According to a recent study from IBM, 44% of American consumers surveyed have tried or would like to try placing an order via mobile app, with 46% ordering online with curbside pickup, and 30% virtually trying on an outfit. What’s more, data suggests that 67% of patients say that telemedicine visits were good or better than traditional in-person appointments.

Sanjana G., India by inahuppers on 500px.com

“The major shift in technology over the past year is the craving consumers have for optimistic tech—technology that helps us socially, medically, or in any other way a person may need,” the 500px Content Team explains. This idea that tech plays a role in our everyday lives, from our healthcare to our shopping experiences to our communications with friends, can easily be part of a commercial lifestyle photoshoot, whether it’s a FaceTime video concept, a virtual get-together, or a casual work-from-home session.

Mental health

As reported by the National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI), one in five U.S. adults experience mental illness every year, and at least 8.4 million people in the U.S. provide care to an adult with a mental or emotional health issue. Amid the ongoing pandemic, a recent survey from the American Psychological Association raised alarms about a national mental health crisis.

?hristmas at home by Denis Ganenko on 500px.com

Still, despite the fact that many of us experience these challenges every day, the media doesn’t always portray mental health accurately and authentically, and these depictions can have serious consequences. While there has been progress in many ways, research shows that much of the TV and film we consume continues to stigmatize and trivialize mental health issues, while the majority of these stories leave out underrepresented groups.

Brands have a role to play in ending stigma and normalizing conversations about mental health. Fortunately, this fall, companies ranging from Asics to Dave stepped up to the plate to honor World Mental Health Day. Like diversity and sustainability, this is more than a trend; it’s a call to action.

It’s up to today’s photographers and marketers to steer clear of stereotypes (no “head-clutcher” photos) and represent mental health in a real, nuanced way. As we outlined in this article on mental health in commercial stock photography, we need more positive, realistic depictions of people managing their mental health, whether it’s through seeking therapy, spending time with loved ones, or practicing self-care.

Young people standing outdoors in town. Coronavirus and safe distance by Jozef Polc on 500px.com

The new normal

Amid the COVID-19 crisis, the transitions we’ve experienced throughout our daily lives have also altered the world of advertising, with 73% of advertisers having modified or developed new assets since the start of the pandemic, according to data from June.

In terms of commercial photography, we’ve seen demand for images depicting life at home; over on Getty Images, for example, searches related to video calls, video conferencing, virtual meetings, remote working, and conference calls rose by 2,000% from March 2019 to March 2020, while searches for home-schooling visuals went up a whopping 9,000%.

The focus on managing the pandemic will continue in 2021, with 44% of Americans saying that the COVID-19 vaccine will be the topic they’re most interested in reading and hearing about. A survey from the USC Center for Public Relations further reveals that 22.6% say social distancing will be the primary behavioral change Americans hope to make in the new year, with 37.1% hoping to spend more time with family and 45.7% hoping to improve their health and fitness.

hairdressers ,haircut ,hairstyle time by All Nea on 500px.com

Whether it’s showcasing new workout trends or incorporating themes relating to social distancing, commercial photography will continue to have a defining role in how we visualize the “new normal” in 2021. Going forward, think about ways to illustrate everyday life and activities in the modern world, from grabbing a cup of coffee with friends to shopping or staying active at home.

The 500px Content Team tells us, “The differences between what these activities looked like a year ago versus today is dramatic, and updating your commercial Licensing portfolio to reflect these changes keeps it fresh and relevant.”

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The Winning Photos Of Nature Photographer Of The Year 2020

The Winning Photos Of Nature Photographer Of The Year 2020

Nature Photographer of the Year is a Nature Photography contest that celebrates the beauty of nature photography.

While traveling is not on the table at this point in our pandemic lives, looking at nature photography can also provide a form of mental escape. Various studies have shown that it has soothing effects and helps our brains that are on their way to 2020-induced overdrive to calm down.

But luckily, the annual Nature Photographer of the Year (NPOTY) has just announced its winners of the 2020 competition. The judges chose from 19,547 images submitted from over 95 different countries, which made it a record for this competition.

The winner of the contest became an Italian nature photographer, Roberto Marchegiani, who impressed the jury with a mystical image of a giraffe titled “Jurassic Park.” “This image has a fairy-tale quality that goes far beyond a wildlife document,” Magdalena Herrera, director of photography for Geo, France, and the chair of the jury praised the winner.

So let’s take a look at all the amazing winning photographs that show the spellbinding nature around us as seen through the lens of the artists.

You can find more info about Nature Photographer of the Year:

#1 Category Mammals: Highly Commended, ‘Heavenly Showers’ By Neelutpaul Barua

“I was driving along the meandering forest tracks in Lake Nakuru National Park (Kenya). Black ominous clouds loomed and rain became imminent. I was in pursuit of the well-known tree climbing lion pride in the national park when I chanced upon this lion resting behind a dead tree. I prayed it walked up the dead tree and provided some unique photo opportunities. As I waited patiently, it started to drizzle and the drizzle soon turned into a heavy shower. I feared the lion might continue to stay behind the dead tree, sheltered from the rain. Time and light were both running out. While rain adds drama, it also depletes the natural light especially under the canopy in a woodland forest. To my good fortune, patience paid off and there was a brief window of opportunity when the king took to his throne, allowing me to capture a rather ethereal moment.”


#2 Category Man And Nature: Highly Commended, ‘Newspaper’ By Wei Fu

The Winning Photos Of Nature Photographer Of The Year 2020

“This photo was taken in Lopburi, located in Thailand. This place is known for hundred to thousand crab-eating macaques running in the city.

I was looking for the moment to capture a playing monkey. All of a sudden the strong wind brings a newspaper to the monkey’s face. It looked like a monster running on an iron bar, I quickly took this funny photo.”


#3 Category Black & White: Highly Commended, ‘Birch Columns’ By Kirsi Mackenzie

The Winning Photos Of Nature Photographer Of The Year 2020

“This photo was taken in Finland. In preparation for the summer season, a crowd of birch trees sets off from deep in the forest to assume their seasonal postings throughout the Finnish landscape. Simplicity and tranquility create a Zen-like mood.

I converted this image to black and white to emphasize the texture. The absence of color allows concentrating on lines and forms without any distracting elements.”


#4 Category Man And Nature: Winner, ‘Hope In A Burned Forest’ By Jo-Anne Mcarthur

The Winning Photos Of Nature Photographer Of The Year 2020

“As the Australian climate fires raged, I knew that it was a story that I had to document. Specifically the stories of the animals, both domestic and wild, who were suffering and dying as a result of the fires. When the decision was made, I was on a plane less than 24 hours later.

Flying in over Australia, I could see a continent smothering in smoke. I spent two weeks working very long hours with a wonderful team to gain access to the burn sites, the rescues, the veterinary missions. It was an honour and pleasure to partner with the organization Animals Australia, who were instrumental in providing access to where I needed to be.

This photo was taken in Mallacoota, Victoria. Interestingly, this is the very small town where my father, an Australian, was raised. I even met one of his childhood friends, who was helping provide space for wild animal feed which was being delived to animals in the area who were at risk of starvation during this catastrophe.

When I saw this Eastern Grey kangaroo and her pouched joey, I was abut 100 feet away from where I knew I’d be able to get a fantastic photograph. Any photographer can imagine how long those moments were, as I walked slowly to the spot I knew I needed to be, in order to get this shot. I walked slowly and she watched me. I prepared my camera with the settings I wanted and finally reached my spot. I took a few photos. Then I had time to crouch down and take this photo, the one I had envisioned. Then…she hopped away into the burned eucalyptus plantation. She was one of the lucky survivors. An estimated 3 billion animals died from these cataclysmic fires.”


#5 Category Mammals: Highly Commended, ‘Golden Light With Impala’ By Artur Stankiewicz

The Winning Photos Of Nature Photographer Of The Year 2020

“I was on a photographic safari to Mana Pools National Park in Zimbabwe. One of my goals was to try and capture shots of wildlife in the early morning light of the so-called ‘Blue Forest’.

One morning, while driving slowly in search of an interesting subject, we noticed an incredible golden light breaking through the canopy a few hundred meters in front of us. We quickly parked our vehicle and got out to photograph the spectacle of light. We soon noticed a male impala moving into the scene. As I started shooting, another vehicle drove by, stirring up a cloud of dust to add even more dramatic effect to the image. There was a little time to think, as the light changed quickly, so I anchored my monopod with the camera and snapped several photos before the ‘elusive impala’ moved away. That particular morning was one of several highlights of my visit to Mana Pools.”


#6 Category Mammals: Runner-Up, ‘Splash!!!’ By Antonio Leiva Sanchez

The Winning Photos Of Nature Photographer Of The Year 2020

“I photographed the Lesser Mousse-eared Bats from a small colony established in my home range in Sucs, a small town in an agricultural area in Spain. I observed that they sometimes dove into a small pond next to the access to their refuge, so I decided to photograph that moment.

For this, I used the technique of High Speed with flashlights combined with continuous light, a complicated photographic technique that would allow me to capture the trails produced by water splashes. After several nights of frustrated attempts, reframing and adjustments, I got the final image I was hoping for.”


#7 Category Plants And Fungi: Runner-Up, ‘Enchanted Forest’ By Kevin De Vree

The Winning Photos Of Nature Photographer Of The Year 2020

“Lamington National park is a fairytale forest teeming with waterfalls, gigantic old trees and wildlife. Taking in all this magical beauty, I wondered when the ancient trees would start talking and if the fairies would appear. With many trails flooded due to heavy rains, this waterfall and its moss covered surroundings look lush and green. This fungi stairway captures the magic of this century old, semi-tropical rainforest.”


#8 Overall Winner: ‘Jurassic Park’ By Roberto Marchegiani

The Winning Photos Of Nature Photographer Of The Year 2020

“I took this photo in Nakuru National Park, Kenya. To have a better chance of finding good light I went on a deliberately organized safari during the rainy season. Just before sunset my friends and I noticed a group of giraffes passing in front of the forest. With a long lens (600mm) I found a magnificent glimpse into the forest that stroke me a lot. So instead of taking pictures to the giraffes passing by, I kept my post still hoping for a glimpse of the giraffes walking past at that point. The angle was narrow, there was a lot of vegetation in the foreground that could damage the image. So I used an aperture as wide as possible.

In the end, I was rewarded by my stubbornness: the giraffes passed exactly in the right place. The scene reminded me of a Jurassic landscape, with a herbivorous dinosaur in the same position as the giraffe”


#9 Category Birds: Highly Commended, ‘Lone Egret Among Fall Colors Of The Cypress Swamp’ By Rick Beldegreen

The Winning Photos Of Nature Photographer Of The Year 2020

“I spent a week kayaking the Atchafalaya Basin of Louisiana, USA. I was there to photograph the beauty of the cypress swamp in fall colors. It did not disappoint. The morning that this image was taken, the sky was overcast with occasional light rain. This made shooting at higher shutter speeds from my kayak difficult.

As I kayaked this lake lined with brilliantly colored orange and red fall colored cypress trees, I could see the occasional Great egret (Ardea alba) flying about looking for fishing locations. The birds appeared cautious as I attempted to paddle closer, usually flying off even though I was still several hundred yards away. I gave up on any chance to photograph a bird fishing with the backdrop of the colorful foliage and shifted my attention to finding a bird perched in the trees. When I finally noticed an egret land high in a cypress tree, I began paddling towards it. So as not to frighten the bird, I kayaked across the lake in a zig-zag pattern, making sure never to paddle directly towards it. It was striking to see how the bird stood out like a white beacon in a sea of orange and red.

It quickly became apparent to me that the image I was looking for on this morning was one of a majestic lone egret in the distance standing tall among the massive cypress trees.”


#10 Category Animals Of ‘De Lage Landen’: Winner, ‘The Apocalypse’ By Bart Siebelink

The Winning Photos Of Nature Photographer Of The Year 2020

“This photo is taken in Friesland, a northern province of the Netherlands. During winter a spectacular cloud of murmurating Eurasian Starlings (Sturnus vularis) gathered. Just after sunset the sky was teeming with zillions. Giant flocks swirling and shapeshifting rapidly as Sparrowhawks and Peregrine Falcons dive through them.

A friend who lives there invited me over to witness the scene. I stood there in awe, immersed in this massiveness of so much non-human life.

This picture conveys my most memorative moment. It is taken during the last minutes before the starlings fall in. For just some fleeting moments the clouds reach their max density and blacken the sky. All this while hovering so close over the fields that the horizon could be caught into the frame as scale reference. Resulting in this apocalyptic impression.”


#11 Nature-Photography-Contest-Npoty-2020

The Winning Photos Of Nature Photographer Of The Year 2020

“After spending few days in Borneo, I got this frame stuck in my mind. Firstly, to get this shot, I selected a tree that was located in the water so that I could get a good reflection of the sky and its leaves on the tree on the water surface. It created a mirror effect that made the photo look upside down. Then I climbed up on the tree and waited for hours. This is a regular path for the orangutans to cross to a small island on the other side. I was sure to get this frame if I would wait patiently. Hence I waited and waited for a long time and finally, I got this beautiful frame. This frame confuses the viewer at the first glance and that makes the photo unique. It was indeed a tough task but the end result paid it off in double fold.”


#12 Category Yought 10-17 Years: Highly Commended, ‘Evening Walk’ By Giacomo Redaelli

The Winning Photos Of Nature Photographer Of The Year 2020

“I made this picture on a very late evening in Sardinia. I had already passed many sunrises and sunsets, hidden in my pop-up hide, together with a couple of stone curlews I had spotted some days before. I always enjoyed my time watching them.

One evening, while I was filming the male hunting, I spotted the female appearing from the tall grass. I decided to take some photos. However, when I looked into the viewfinder I remained breathless. She was bringing her little one for a walk, and was coming exactly towards me. I had never seen their baby before and, as far as I know, it’s anything but common; this made me feel extremely lucky and happy. The sun was setting and the sky was turning red. I was trying to reach the shutter botton with my fingers, moving in slow motion, in fear of scaring the birds. When I felt the shutter button under my finger pressing, I had a sigh of relief. I finally got my picture.”


#13 Category Fred Hazelhoff Portfolio Award: Winner, ‘Border Wall Project’ By Alejandro Prieto

The Winning Photos Of Nature Photographer Of The Year 2020

“The nearly two thousand miles long US-Mexico border traverses some of the continent’s most biologically diverse regions. This fragile ecosystem is home to a diverse population of mammals, reptiles, birds and plants. Many species migrate between the biomes in the south and north of the continent. They will be especially affected if the US government implements its plans to erect a wall at the border with Mexico. This border infrastructure would not only restrict the local movements of wild animals but also fragment their habitats and interrupt the traditional migration routes they have always used.

An image of a wild jaguar is symbolically projected on to a section of the US-Mexico border wall. Jaguars have disappeared from the US in the last century, mostly due to habitat loss and control programs intended to protect livestock. The construction of a wall will mean the extinction of this species in the US since there are only a few individuals left.

This photo from a camera trap shows a bobcat that has just crossed the fence dividing the federal states of Sonora (Mexico) and Arizona (USA). Apex predators like wildcats are among the first species to disappear when humans tear natural landscapes apart, which leads to impoverished ecosystems with impacts on animals and people alike.

A camera trap captures two wild turkeys as they cross the fence that separates Arizona (USA) from Sonora (Mexico). These fences are permeable for wildlife, but the US government plans to build a solid wall there, which will affect not only the movements of mammals but also that of some bird species such as pygmy owls and wild turkeys

This photograph was taken at Tijuana, Mexico. There are already more than 650 miles of separational infrastructure along the border between Mexico and the US. These walls and fences cut through fragile ecosystems, separating areas populated by more than 1500 plants and animal species, 93 of them listed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as critically endangered, endangered or vulnerable.

The border region is home to several species whose survival depends on an unfragmented ecosystem stretching from the US to Mexico. Thus far, an extended network of national parks, archaeological monuments, as well as wilderness and nature reserves protects important wildlife habitat and cultural resources on both sides of the border. This photo shows a wild hare next to the border wall near San Pedro River in Sonora, Mexico.

A young mountain lion was captured by a camera trap crossing from USA to Mexico in San Bernardino Mexico.

The wall proposed by US president Donald Trump at the US border with Mexico cuts through one of the most diverse and biologically rich regions of North America. Der US Fish and Wildlife Service has warned that this impermeable barrier, associated human activities and bright light at night will negatively affect many endangered species. Here, a roadrunner approaches the border wall at Naco (Arizona)

Coyotes photos. First, a dead coyote lies besides the border wall near Nogales, Arizona. Second, a coyote looks through the bars of the wall at Coronado National Park in Arizona USA.

Wall construction. The beginning of construction of the border wall at Organ Pipe National Monument a natural protected area in Arizona, USA.”


#14 Category Black & White: Runner-Up, ‘Black Walnut’ By Franka Slothouber

The Winning Photos Of Nature Photographer Of The Year 2020

“Last spring I discovered an arboretum in my hometown Amsterdam. I never would have guessed it, but cemetery ‘De Nieuwe Ooster’, which I had been visiting before occasionally to photograph birds, turned out to be an arboretum too.

The moment I knew this, I started to visit the graveyard on a regular basis. Very easy, by bike, carrying a few camera’s and lenses in the back. Just looking around in order to get familiar with the trees. This black walnut tree struck me as particularly beautiful. The shape of its leaves, the structures of the trunk, I simply loved it.

I took this photo with the the widest wide-angle lens in my possession: a 14mm, trying to capture the features I described above by pointing the camera (handheld) up to the crown, creating a sense of depth.

Because of its graphic appearance I decided to process this photo in black & white, to emphasize the shapes and structures of the tree.”


#15 Category Black & White: Highly Commended, ‘Caught In A Blizzard’ By David Gibbon

The Winning Photos Of Nature Photographer Of The Year 2020

“In March 2020 my wife Louise and I took a group of photographers to the very remote Hornstrandir Nature Reserve in the far north-west of Iceland. We sailed across the Atlantic Ocean to reach our destination and spent five days in a rustic cabin as we followed the blue morph Arctic Fox. We experienced some extreme weather and, on this particular day, gale force winds and heavy snow made for a true Arctic blizzard. In fact, visibility became so bad it was a total whiteout and was difficult to see anything.

As temperatures dipped to -22 with wind chill, I watched this female Arctic Fox as it struggled to stay upright. The winds battering its body while the cold saw ice forming on its face. Although Arctic Fox are built to withstand extreme cold, these kind of conditions make it tough for them to find food and each winter the mortality rate hits a peak as some perish.

To capture the emotion and textures in this scene I converted the image to black and white, and I used a narrow aperture of f/22 to bring the heavy snow into view in the background.”


#16 Category Black & White: Winner, ‘Constellation Of Eagle Rays’ By Henley Spiers

The Winning Photos Of Nature Photographer Of The Year 2020

“A school of uniquely patterned spotted eagle rays (Aetobatus narinari) passes beneath me on an unforgettable dive in the Maldives. Like most divers, I have always found these rays to be especially spellbinding, but also highly elusive!

Towards the end of the dive the school of rays passed me underneath and this was one of those rare moments of huge admiration and immense inspiration. I could visualise the image I wanted and, whilst the rays glided effortlessly, I swam my heart out trying to keep up and unlock the desired camera angle. The rays continued forward and deeper, giving me just a few moments to capture this frame. Scientists have just recently confirmed that the stain pattern of each ray is a unique identifier, the equivalent of a human fingerprint.

I love how black and white reinforces that uniqueness, keenly displaying the distinctive stain pattern, as well as the subtle shading differences between each individual.”


#17 Category Animals Of “De Lage Landen”: Highly Commended, ‘Red Deer In Oostvaardersveld’ By Andius Teijgeler

The Winning Photos Of Nature Photographer Of The Year 2020

“Several mornings I’ve been to the Oostvaardersveld in the Netherlands. One of the public hides is ideally located for backlight photography in spring and summertime. This specific morning it was slightly foggy. While I was focused on the area of the sunrise, I kept looking to the right as well. Suddenly I saw a Red Deer entering the first island through the water. I quickly changed position and started taking pictures. The distance is quite far, but still I did not want to zoom in fully. The surrounding was so beautiful that I concluded it should play a great role in the picture.”


#18 Category Birds: Highly Commended, ‘Storm Brewing’ By Oscar Diez

The Winning Photos Of Nature Photographer Of The Year 2020

“On the coast close to the town of Livingston in Guatemala large numbers of birds are concentrated. These great egrets, which are also being called ‘Egretta alba’, benefit from the remaining fish that fishermen throw into the sea. In the late afternoon, a strong storm formed in the background, providing a great contrast between the white of the herons’ feathers and the darkness of the sky.

This picture was made with a wide angle the 16-35mm. To get the viewpoint at the same level as the water surface, this photo was taken with an underwater housing.”


#19 Category Animal Portraits: Winner, “I Can Pass?” By Adriana Claudia Sanz

The Winning Photos Of Nature Photographer Of The Year 2020

“Frogs are commonly associated with tales of witches and curses, and this makes us look down on them. Children are told: “if you touch a frog, your hands will be covered in warts …”. This creates a sad myth generation after generation that promotes its contempt, abuse and annihilation that this especies. Today around the world, the number of frogs is decreasing alarmingly and that must change. These beautiful beings, so important in our ecosystems, must be dignified. Through photography I seek to dignify them, that they look almost human, that their image impacts, that people fall in love with them. In my photo, my frog just shyly appears on the scene, even in fear of being destroyed, hoping that we will finally start loving it. We must love all living beings, they are all masterpieces of nature that must be respected and loved as much as we love ourselves.

This photo was taken in october, in Misiones (NE of Argentina), one night in spring when they planned to mate. The Missionary Monkey Frog (Phyllomedusa tetraploidea) is a tree frog that moves very slowly. This female carried the male on her back, that made her even slower. It only took a flash to illuminate her slightly as she moved very slowly through the vegetation. This allowed me to generate a climate of intimacy, mystery and fragility where I show her scared and afraid of being seen.”


#20 Category Other Animals: Winner, ‘Nature’s Pitfall’ By Samantha Stephens

The Winning Photos Of Nature Photographer Of The Year 2020

“Northern Pitcher Plants (Sarracenia purpurea) have evolved to be carnivorous to survive in bog environments that lack nutrient-rich soil. These plants trap invertebrate prey (such as moths and flies), in their bell-shaped leaves that fill with rainwater. But recently researchers at the Algonquin Wildlife Research Station discovered a new item on the menu for a particular population of these plants in Algonquin Provincial Park: juvenile Spotted Salamanders (Ambystoma maculatum)! This is the first account of Northern Pitcher Plants regularly capturing a vertebrate prey. These juvenile salamanders are a massive source of nitrogen compared to the plant’s typical prey, and researchers continue to investigate what this ecological interaction means for both the plants, and the salamanders.

On the day I made this image, I was joining the researchers for their daily survey of the plants, as I had done many times before. When we found this pitcher with two salamanders trapped simultaneously, both at the same stage of decomposition and floating on the surface of the fluid, I knew it was a special and fleeting moment. When we returned the next day, both salamanders had sunk to the bottom of the pitcher.

Thank you to the Algonquin Wildlife Research Station for continuing to recognize the power that visual storytelling has to communicate science and for facilitating my work, and to researchers Patrick Moldowan and Amanda Semenuk who graciously continue to let me follow them as they work on this study.”


#21 Category Natural Art: Highly Commended, ‘Sound And Vision’ By Alessandro Carboni

The Winning Photos Of Nature Photographer Of The Year 2020

“I had the privilege to visit Alaska for the first time in 2015. Since then I felt in love with its unique natural environment: Alaska became a lifetime project. Every year I try to spend time through the wilderness seeking for an intimate way to portray its beauty. This picture represents one the most intense moments I could remember during my life. It was September 2015, when after two weeks waiting I had been lucky enough to experience an amazing mix of extraordinary elements, which I will never forget: the impressive display of the autumn colours at their top and the first snow of the season.

During the following travels to Alaska I have never again seen such suggestive moments, despite the fact the opportunities were not lacking. This is the reason why I consider photography a great opportunity for all of us. Every time is a different story. Nature has always something precious to tell us, if only we would listen.

The Alaskan project has been in development since 2015 in collaboration with a colleague; months of fieldwork, careful evaluations, in-depth studies on the territory, meditation and organization have been the key to photograph and share some of the most impressive landscapes of planet Earth.”


#22 Category Underwater: Highly Commended, ‘Big Blue’ By Paul Goldstein

The Winning Photos Of Nature Photographer Of The Year 2020

“This image was taken in the East Coast of Trincomalee Sri Lanka. I have guided several wildlife tours to Sri Lanka in the past but my colleague in Colombo had mentioned this East Coast swimming tour to me and it became a staple for a few years. The subjects are super-pods of sperm whales and the occasional blue. There are days with no whales and you are many nautical miles from shore looking for distant blows. It is a long and often hot quest but with small boats and very good local guides.

You also need to be a strong swimmer, something I had trained for, as well as most of my clients. It is critical to be sensitive in the water. Too much splashing and bubbles scares the cetaceons and this is exactly the reason that no oxygen tanks are permitted, fortunately. That morning we first spotted this Blue whale and during the second dive I was determined to get something special in front of my lens.

There is something humble, enchanting and also terrifying about such a huge mammal the size of six double decker buses, when it passes below you. But I pulled myself together, took a deep breath and followed it down. Not easy when the camera housing is acting as a life jacket! My ears were protesting as were my lungs and I pointed the rig down and squeezed off a couple of images as the leviathan dropped vertically into 3000 feet of deep blue.

Just being in the water with whales is something close to maritime witchcraft, but when it is a Blue it takes some recovery time, in this case physically and mentally!”


#23 Nature-Photography-Contest-Npoty-2020

The Winning Photos Of Nature Photographer Of The Year 2020

“This image was taken in east Finland. Every early summer some small, unremarkable brown and green flowers develop distinctive white bristle-like seed-heads that resemble tufts of cotton. I planned my photography project to be there at the right time for the bloom. Peak flowering lasts only two weeks a year and varies from year to year depending on the weather.The bears in this area are pretty shy and afraid of people so they are mostly active at dusk and dawn. I spent a few days laying down in a tiny claustrophobic one person hide, hoping for something to come out to an open wetland.

One evening I was fortunate to witness a beautiful family of mother and triplet Eurasian Brown Bears stepping out of the forest and playing in the beautiful golden light. When one of the cubs got tired of playing he left his siblings and sat down to rest in a special way with his leg lifted up.

He seemed enjoying the moment watching the beauty of his environment while the golden rays of the sun painted the forest in gold. I liked the way he was sitting with his back to me like someone who has no worries in the world and shooting from this angle tells his story with the environment in an unconventional way.

As photographers we are often fixated on photographing the animal looking at us and not away from us. So it is good to try and think out of the box sometimes. There is always a surprise in a bear and I think this is why so many people including myself feel a special connection with this animal and a strong need to protect them in order to make sure they stay on our planet for good.”


#24 Category Animal Portraits: Runner-Up, ‘Contact With The Dwarf Minke’ By Craig Parry

The Winning Photos Of Nature Photographer Of The Year 2020

“Capturing that moment when the dominant Dwarf Minke makes eye contact with you is truly humbling and an overwhelming experience. It took over 2 hours to develop trust with this particular Minke, he would swim past at a distance over and over and finally came so close to me at a slow pace that he almost completely stopped in the water column to check me out. This allowed me to capture this captivating portrait and I am extremely proud of this image.

The image was captured on the Ribbon Reefs which are a part of Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. I documented the Dwarf Minke migration the previous year and this helped me understand their behaviour and temperament allowing me to visualise this picture. Visualisaton has always been a big part of my success as a nature photographer allowing me to capture unique and abstract images.”


#25 Category Landscapes: Runner-Up, ‘Electric’ By Joshua Cripps

The Winning Photos Of Nature Photographer Of The Year 2020

“Stirling Falls, New Zealand is a marvelous sight in a marvelous country. Located in Milford Sound, it’s a waterfall that plummets 500 feet to land directly on the ocean’s surface. When the conditions are just right, the water falling from the sky impacts the rocks at the base off the cliff and ricochets outward, creating a marvelous display of patterns and textures. The only way to reach the falls is by boat, and that creates a number of significant challenges for photography.

The first challenge is that you have a very limited amount of time to shoot. Due to the cruise schedule in Milford Sound boats stay at the falls for only 3-5 minutes. This means you have to get your camera completely set up and be totally ready to shoot when the falls comes into view, which means taking test exposures and getting the settings perfect BEFORE you arrive at the falls. How to know what settings are the right ones? Simple: trial and error.

I visited Stirling Falls by boat a number of times before I figured out the right combination of settings that would allow for movement in the falling water, while maintaining detail in the patterns on the ocean. Also, depending on the wind and water when you visit, you may not see any patterns at all.

The second main challenge is that you have to shoot from a moving boat. You can’t use a tripod to do a long exposure or perfect your composition. You have to act fast, shoot handheld using VR/IS, and shoot a lot of frames. Hopefully one will come out great.

The final challenge is dealing with spray from the waterfall. Every few frames you have to wipe the front of your lens or your image will be a smeary mess. After visiting the falls numerous times over a six year period, everything came together for me on a recent visit and I was able to create this image.”


#26 Category Other Animals: Runner-Up, ‘Take Care’ By Yuhui Hu

The Winning Photos Of Nature Photographer Of The Year 2020

“This photo was taken in Guangdong Gaoming Lutian Nature Reserve in China. In the early summer, insects have entered the breeding season. An Ono spider is hiding under the green banana leaves. The baby is just like the emerald-colored baby. The green little life and the banana leaves merge into a green world.”


#27 Category Other Animals: Highly Commended, ‘A New Immersion’ By Ruben Perez Novo

The Winning Photos Of Nature Photographer Of The Year 2020

“The photo is taken in an area of the Sor river in Coruña, northern Spain. It is a female Calopteryx Virgo, the females of these damselflies are characterized by laying their eggs inside the leaves that are underwater.

I was in the middle of the river photographing them while they mated with the males. The females were perching on the leaves that came to the surface of the water to lay their eggs. I was surprised when I saw they were embedding their eggs on the leaves were moving along the leaf. They dind’t stop until they were completely submerged underwater. The calopteryx remained for a few minutes down while they continued to lay their eggs. I was impressed with the amount of time they can stay underwater while laying and then can get out and fly without any difficulty. That females lay their eggs in rivers is a sign of cleanliness and purity of that river.

To take this photo I was in the river with a tripod and camera. The lighting is totally natural, the sunlight filtered through the dense foliage of the trees that surrounded the river which made the light very soft. The greatest difficulty was finding the appropriate shutter speed to get a small movement of the river water to be appreciated. I was making sure the damselfly’s wings did not moved. I had to take care of all of these things while the female Calopteryx Virgo was moving around the leaf laying its eggs.”


#28 Category Black & White: Highly Commended, ‘Red Deer In White’ By Kevin Berghmans

The Winning Photos Of Nature Photographer Of The Year 2020

“The photo shows two red deers at the Veluwe at a rare moment in the Netherlands, during heavy snow fall. The photo was taken in a period which I mainly focused on Western Red Deers (Cervus elaphus). That particular day was the perfect moment. After a few hours of waiting, they appeared on the scene, and it was a photographic opportunity that I couldn’t miss.”


#29 Category Plants And Fungi: Winner, ‘Dead Forest’ By Radomir Jakubowski

The Winning Photos Of Nature Photographer Of The Year 2020

“This image was taken in the National Park of Bavarian Forest. This year is the 50th birthday of the national park. I’ve visited this area for fifteen years now. Around 25 years ago the inect bark beetle killed big areas of this forest. In the last fifteen years I saw how the forest change from a dead to a more living forest. I took this image during an autumn morning. The height of the fog was perfect, it only covered the forest. So the shape of the dead trees were coming out of the fog.”


#30 Category Landscapes: Winner, ‘Il Bosco Incantato’ By Stanislao Basileo

The Winning Photos Of Nature Photographer Of The Year 2020

“One winter morning in January taking advantage of the spectacle of the frost I went for a walk along the river Po looking for particular situations. At one point I was observing a spectacular situation created by many branches of larches falling to the ground completely covered by frost. It seemed to me an ‘Il bosco incantato’”

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male dysfunction

Male Dysfunctions And Fear

Male dysfunctions and fear, virility, machismo, social changes in women and men.

For some time now, in consultation Dr P K Gupta, sexologist in Delhi, has observed the changes that society is undergoing with almost no power (or wanting to) do anything to remedy it.

Our society is getting rid of centuries of macho dictatorships and this is having consequences for genders and orientations, I want to imagine that in a future time all this will find its comfort zone and we can live without so much alteration or dysfunctions our lives and our sexuality.

All religions have generated an abysmal difference between men and women, they have relegated the different orientations to obscurity.

At some point in history, the man decided to make women invisible, reduce her to an inferior being and thus for centuries he believed he was doing things well because everything he did was supported by the prevailing ideologies (directed 100% by men too) . I will never understand what caused this process but of course something had to do with the man’s fear of the woman, his condition of being a reproductive relegated him to a working bee.

In the current process of social change, women and men are freeing themselves, slowly and with pain, but the path to freedom is true that it does not hurt even if you lose everything in it.

However, in consultation at sexologist clinic in Delhi if part of that pain that I comment appears, current men, the younger and not so young generations, because from those separated at forty-something down, everyone is finding that the supposed freedom that should be for to arrive is still far from appearing and has been chained to fear.

Fear because among other things men do not talk about our problems and our doubts, “it is not going to be that the other knows that I am inferior to him”, it is not going to be that the other thinks that I am a softie, that I have feelings and especially that I feel like I don’t know.

Fear of this curse of being forced to be virile, especially when being virile is defined in quantifiable terms (two balls, 20 cm, 3 without removing it, it does not take a slap, etc …). To be virile, social tactics have been imposed on men since time immemorial, courage is one of them, having it means being a true man, as if women when they do everything that being a woman has meant until now did not require high doses of value.

Thus, almost childish themes have been designed to play with courage: confrontations with the other, for whatever reason, today the absolute idiocy of sticking with the opposing team until killing, killing or dying by the horns of an animal wild, playing with AIDS in brothels or on the street without using a condom, because that is how I show that I am a tough guy. In fact, we observe how parties appear that only defend these acts and become enemies of the advance towards freedom of women and men tired of so much useless and completely uncertain demo.

Fear of not being as “man” as the porn actor on duty, porn attempts to adapt to its new status as an educator of an educated society through a globalized screen, many young people today know more about BDSM than how their parents They have made them.

All this chaos, which I hope does not become as eternal as machismo (30 centuries) is leading to the subject that I work on many very different dysfunctions: sexual phobias, aversions, erectile dysfunction, lack of desire, dissatisfaction, premature ejaculation, hundreds of separations without much justification, unwanted loneliness, depressions, anxieties and a long etcetera.

It goes without saying that women are also contributing and suffering to this chaos because to be one you have to worry about reading many new theories and proposals that if you do not know them only make you the victim of change. The man in his flight backwards increases his violence against them and this is unfortunately very evident.

A Happy end: well-directed information solves all this, in some cases short but essential sex treatment in Delhi will be required. Unfortunately sex education becomes difficult without political involvement and we already know what matters to them, for the moment they stop suffering and go to the best sexologist in Delhi who work with it.

Urban exploration | The essential guide for photographers

Urban exploration | The essential guide for photographers

One January night, Mark O’Neill braved -20°C temperatures in search of forgotten places hidden within a frigid, silent landscape in Serbia. Above the mountain plateau was a crystal clear sky. He discovered this airbase (pictured above) by chance, and much of it had been destroyed in the Kosovo War, during the 1999 NATO bombing of Yugoslavia.

It was cold enough to freeze his beard, but he continued on. “We managed to reach the hardened aircraft shelters before we found the red tape warning us of all the land mines,” Mark says. In the end, he brought home this long exposure of that unforgettable night beneath the stars.

These are the moments that drive urban explorers to the ends of the earth, into abandoned buildings and underground caverns, across rooftops and tunnels. Urban exploration, or “urbex” for short, has exploded in popularity in recent years, with everyone from archaeologists and historians to photographers setting out to find manmade, architectural ruins in cities around the globe.

Urbex photography comprises several subgenres, including those who document abandoned buildings (houses, hospitals, schools), mines, power plants, amusement parks, and more. What unites them all is a shared passion for the overlooked and untold, buried just beneath the surface of our cities. Read on for our guide to getting started, and find inspiration in some incredible photos from the 500px community.

Waterpark Sunset by Lukas Rodriguez on 500px.com

Lukas Rodriguez photographs the Lake Dolores Waterpark, an abandoned water park in the Mojave Desert. First opened in the early 1960s, it’s been abandoned more than once throughout the decades, though it could be transformed into a roadside playground in the coming years. For that reason, this picture of its graffiti-adorned ruins serves as a valuable time capsule of a place on the brink of transformation.

Safety first

Of course, urbex poses risks, sometimes serious ones, and your safety is more important than any photo. It’s a dangerous genre, so exercise caution. Travel with a friend or colleague, and when you go, tell someone where you are going and when they can expect your return.

Ask other explorers and photographers who have visited that spot before you for their advice, and in the beginning, shadow a professional to learn the ropes. There are active, vibrant communities of urbex photographers all over the world; don’t go it alone.

Here’s where research becomes invaluable; do some digging about the temperature, air quality, and hazards of your location. Different places will require different gear and precautions; take a few weeks or days to plan out every detail. Prepare yourself for any surprises or concerns that might come up when you’re on the scene.

Abandoned buildings, for instance, are often unstable. Mines and tunnels might have contaminants or fungi and oxygen can run low deep underground. Many areas will require helmets, along with a headlamp and other gear, like a mask or respirator. Places with asbestos or bird droppings can permanently damage your lungs. Avoid going out in the rain, as fragile structures often become even more dangerous when wet.

Hell's Heaven by Kaleb Jordan on 500px.com

Kaleb Jordan photographs the abandoned City Methodist Church in Gary, Indiana, a massive Gothic Revival landmark left behind following the decline of the steel industry. In 2019, the church was given a historic marker; plans to transform it into a ruin garden are underway.

Pripyat Hospital by Iain Bolton on 500px.com

Iain Bolton photographs the ghosts of Pripyat Hospital in the Chernobyl exclusion zone; before the disaster, Pripyat was home to 50,000 people, schools, shops, cultural centers, and more. Before the evacuation, the hospital treated people ill with radiation sickness.

On passe sa vie à dire adieu à ceux qui partent, jusqu'au jour où l'on dit adieu à ceux qui restent by Rudy Barret on 500px.com

The French photographer Rudy Barret discovers an old, abandoned house, captioning it with a single line: “We spend our lives saying goodbye to those who leave, until the day we say goodbye to those who stay” [translated from the original French].

Legal matters

Some urban exploration is legal, and some is not. Before you go, research the location in-depth and see if you can request permission from the owner to enter; it’s not only good practice, but you also might learn more about the structure and its history in the process. Look for legal options and avenues.

Breaking and entering is a no-go in the urbex community, though many choose to enter through open doors or fences. The first rule of urban exploration is doing no harm; don’t steal anything, vandalize the property, or leave anything behind once you leave. If you’re ever approached by security, be honest and explain why you’re there and what you’re doing.

In side UFO by YUTO YAMADA on 500px.com

Talented urbex photographer Yuto Yamada finds his way into the Buzludzha Monument in the mountains of Kazanlak, Bulgaria, also known as “the UFO,” where urban explorers have made regular pilgrimages since the 1990s. It hasn’t been open to the public since the fall of the Soviet Union; the main entrance has been sealed ever since. Now, it’s under 24-hour guard to prevent people from venturing inside.

Gear and equipment

As we mentioned, your gear will vary based on your location, but in almost all situations, you’ll need the best boots you can find and a torch or headlamp. You might also need a tripod for your camera in low light conditions, a lens cloth for moisture, and protective clothing appropriate for the conditions you plan to face. You might want to leave your most expensive gear at home if there’s a risk of damaging it. Some urbex photographers never head out without a wide-angle lens, either, especially if they’re headed for narrow or tight spaces; bring a few options.

let me entertain you by Stefan Baumann on 500px.com

The photographer and urban explorer Stefan Baumann reveals the interior of a disused theater in Austria, currently under renovation.

Local research

Online, you can find tons of faraway places worthy of discovery, but chances are, there are hidden gems sitting undiscovered in your own backyard. Starting in your city can help for a few reasons; first, you have access to the library and historical society archives, so you can dig deep to find interesting spots.

Second, you can form a group with other local photographers and explorers, who can help you discover new places. Your neighbors will be another resource, especially ones who have lived there for decades; ask around to see if they remember anything about the city before you got there.

You can also connect with local historians and preservations. Finally, browse Google Earth or Street View for locations close to home; you might be surprised at what you find, especially if you live close to a former industrial area.

What happened here? by Daniel Schmitt on 500px.com

“What happened here?” the photographer Daniel Schmitt asks while visiting Maison Kirsch, a farmhouse in Luxembourg, believed to have been abandoned by its owners in the 1960s. Dating back to the 18th century, it used to be a brandy distillery, hence the name “Kirsch

Never Stop. by Leon Beu on 500px.com

Leon Beu uncovers a domestic memory in a forgotten kitchen in Albania.

Protecting your sources

One thing you’ll notice about the urbex community is that they don’t give away their locations willy nilly, and with good reason. These spots can quickly become popular and overcrowded with explorers and tourists, and that has serious consequences for both the integrity of the location and public safety. Inexperienced explorers are more prone to accidents, and not everyone follows the “leave no trace” principle. If you share your location, do it only with people you trust.

Luckily, once urbex photographers see you’re serious and conscientious, many will be willing to let you in on some of their secrets. It can help to join a forum or social media group dedicated to the craft, but remember to be considerate and follow the rules. If someone doesn’t want to share a location with you, respect that and move on.

Place where you want to be by Simon Alexander on 500px.com

Teufelsberg in Berlin, photographed here by Simon Alexander, is a former listening post and NSA spy station, abandoned following the fall of the Berlin Wall. “I love this place so much,” Alexander writes. “Next time, I’ll catch golden hour.” Today, the full story of Teufelsberg’s history remains unknown; reports from the station during the Cold War will be classified until 2022.

Interested in photographing life in your city, including the people who populate its streets? Read our complete guide to street photography next.

Not on 500px yet? Sign up here to explore more impactful photography.

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The Last Farmer In Usselo Captured By Jeroen Nieuwhuis

The Last Farmer In Usselo Captured By Jeroen Nieuwhuis

Boer Gerrit (Farmer Gerrit), 75 years old, is about the last farmer in Usselo, the Netherlands, to do it the old-fashioned way. There used to be 80 around the area, now he is the last one. He knows exactly why he kept doing it the same way for all those years.

“The others all want to be big, bigger, crazier.” Not him. He has less than twenty cows with his son Erwin. Seven days a week he starts milking the cows at 6 AM and again around 5 PM in the afternoon. In between, he does other jobs around the farm and keeping everything clean. “I am an old-fashioned farmer,” he says.
Grow, expand, to 200 cows? Never! We’ve had chickens. At first, it was like this: the farmer received 20 cents per egg and the shop girl 5, now it is the other way around. The shop girl gets 20 and the farmer 5. If the farmer wants to keep that up, he has to build extra.”

The images below are a look at the everyday life of Gerrit, his son Erwin and his wife Annie. Unfortunately, this old-fashioned way of farming will die out when these old farmers pass away. Therefore I felt the responsibility to document this way of life for future generations, to show how old farming was done.

Boer Gerrit: The Last Farmer In Usselo Captured By Jeroen Nieuwhuis

Boer Gerrit: The Last Farmer In Usselo Captured By Jeroen Nieuwhuis

Boer Gerrit: The Last Farmer In Usselo Captured By Jeroen Nieuwhuis

Boer Gerrit: The Last Farmer In Usselo Captured By Jeroen Nieuwhuis

Boer Gerrit: The Last Farmer In Usselo Captured By Jeroen Nieuwhuis

Boer Gerrit: The Last Farmer In Usselo Captured By Jeroen Nieuwhuis

Boer Gerrit: The Last Farmer In Usselo Captured By Jeroen Nieuwhuis

Boer Gerrit: The Last Farmer In Usselo Captured By Jeroen Nieuwhuis

Boer Gerrit: The Last Farmer In Usselo Captured By Jeroen Nieuwhuis

Boer Gerrit: The Last Farmer In Usselo Captured By Jeroen Nieuwhuis

Boer Gerrit: The Last Farmer In Usselo Captured By Jeroen Nieuwhuis

Boer Gerrit: The Last Farmer In Usselo Captured By Jeroen Nieuwhuis

Boer Gerrit: The Last Farmer In Usselo Captured By Jeroen Nieuwhuis

Boer Gerrit: The Last Farmer In Usselo Captured By Jeroen Nieuwhuis

Boer Gerrit: The Last Farmer In Usselo Captured By Jeroen Nieuwhuis

Boer Gerrit: The Last Farmer In Usselo Captured By Jeroen Nieuwhuis

Boer Gerrit: The Last Farmer In Usselo Captured By Jeroen Nieuwhuis

Boer Gerrit: The Last Farmer In Usselo Captured By Jeroen Nieuwhuis

Boer Gerrit: The Last Farmer In Usselo Captured By Jeroen Nieuwhuis

Boer Gerrit: The Last Farmer In Usselo Captured By Jeroen Nieuwhuis

Boer Gerrit: The Last Farmer In Usselo Captured By Jeroen Nieuwhuis

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

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Why Irish Women Love the Pilgrim Jewlwelery & Watch Range |

Why Irish Women Love the Pilgrim Jewlwelery & Watch Range

Ireland is a country filled with rich history and culture. Irish inhabitants are usually associated with St. Patrick’s Day, the green leprechaun, and a four-leaved clover. The world definitely has a misconstrued view of the country and its inhabitants. One thing is for sure when you visit the country – Irish women have an exquisite sense of style and fashion.

More specifically, they love wearing pilgrim style jewellery and watches. Not green tights and big bulky hats like many outlanders might have guessed. In September 1620, Pilgrims who were seeking religious freedom left the shores of England on a voyage to freedom. They took a detour around Cape Cod and later in December landed at Plymouth Harbor. This group of people were unique in that they didn’t follow any written rules. Check out this link for more information on Pilgrim history: https://www.history.com/topics/colonial-america/pilgrims.

It’s because of their unique style and viewpoints that they broke away from traditional English dresses and jewellery and created their own. Today, many modern Irish women love to wear jewellery inspired by this small group of people. One might wonder whether it’s just the beauty of the pieces that attract Irish women, or does the true love stretch a bit deeper?

Let’s look at the reasons why women love the Pilgrim Jewellery and Watch range.

It Fits Perfectly into a Bohemian Style

Irish women who love to wear boho style clothing love Pilgrim jewelry. This is because it features colors, motifs, and designs that fit in with the Boho-chic vibe. Combined with a throw, loose curls, and open-toed sandals Pilgrim jewelry and watches fit the bill perfectly.

Colors usually range from earthy browns, bronzes, and oranges to golds and yellows.

What it Represents

With the world becoming even more colder by the day, people are in a great need for finding something that they actually feel connected to. Many millennials are opting for unique pieces that are custom designed rather than buying a load of duplicate pieces from a wholesaler.

Pilgrim jewellery represents the journey the historical people went on. It’s a symbol for looking for something new. A means to live a different life than that put forward by a society. It’s a representation of someone who loves going on adventures and finding new ways to live and look at life.

Pilgrims wanted to break free from what society was telling them to believe. They broke free by jumping on a ship and escaping. Many Irish women might feel a bit trapped because of how the world perceives them. Wearing jewellery that represents something authentic and different is a great way of expression and breaking out of the mould.

pilgrim jewellery

It’s Versatile

Whether you are looking for a bulky ring or a dainty necklace, this type of jewelry can be found in many different types. Rings and bracelets are designed to be stacked with other types of jewelry or to be worn as individual statement pieces.

They can be dressed down for a casual day out at the market or dressed up for a formal dinner with work. No matter what the occasion, they are versatile and will fit in with any event.

Furthermore, Irish women have even been seen wearing Pilgrim inspired jewelry to their own weddings in the countryside. This is because the pieces also obtain a rustic, earthy, and natural feel.

Handmade

Irish women are known for their authenticity and originality. It’s because of this fact that they love unique pieces that there aren’t loads of. An Irish lady will rather pay a few extra pounds for a handmade piece of furniture or clothing than buying a bunch of cheap replicas.

One thing about Pilgrim jewellery is that it’s handmade with care and passion. Almost all pieces are uniquely designed and created using different types of metals. Having a choice between silvers and golds are any girl’s dreams because it makes the outfit possibilities that much greater. Read this article for more information on metals used to create unique pieces.

There you have it, Irish women aren’t just all about green shirts and clovers, they hold a special beauty that is enhanced by their favourite pieces of jewellery.

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Julia Wimmerlin announces the winner of the “Harmonizing Colors” Quest

Julia Wimmerlin announces the winner of the “Harmonizing Colors” Quest

We teamed up with the talented 500px Ambassador, Julia Wimmerlin for a Quest that asked the 500px community to submit their best harmonizing colors images.

Inspired by painters like Van Gogh and Matisse, this Quest was all about focusing on colors that achieve visual harmony. The result? An amazing selection of eye-pleasing and colorful photos, that made selecting the winners a rather difficult task.

A message from Julia:

Color combination can make or break a photo, so I was very excited to see the creative takes on color management from 500px photographers across different photographic genres. I was blown away by the quality of submissions and different universes they allowed me to visit. Needless to say, choosing the winners was extremely difficult, and I had to use both an emotional and logical approach to narrow down to the winner and the runners up.

First Place Winner

Photo by Roberti Di Patrizi

This image could have been just a regular street shot with an interesting stranger if it was not for the color harmonization and grading. Any train station has a lot of conflicting colors with signs, travelers’ clothes, and luggage all contributing to the cacophony of color. What I love in this photo is that by removing the distracting colors and creating a dramatic complementary teal and orange theme, so very popular in low key cinematography, Robert created an intense movie scene with a strong narrative. With the colors setting the mood the impression is intensified by the posture and eye contact of the protagonist moving directly towards the viewer. A great way to turn a documentary recording into a personal work of art!

Runners Up

only lovers stay alive by Aks Huckleberry on 500px.com

Photo by Aks Huckleberry

I love this delicate story playing with concepts of fairy-tales and contemporary storytelling. Despite being subdued, color plays an important role in the narrative. Since it’s a staged shot we can assume that colors were chosen for a reason and have a particular meaning, with red being the color of passionate love and seduction, blood, and anger whilst purple/lavender/lilac representing caring, spirituality, mystery, and daydreaming. It’s a very clever twist on tradition where one would imagine a man to be standing behind the red and behaving more actively with a woman daydreaming in lilac. The remaining colors present in the natural scene were adjusted to suit the chosen color palette.

Baywatch by Dom Piat on 500px.com

Photo by Dom Piat

This double split complementary color harmony is very aesthetic and combined with a great composition makes this image an absolute delight to look at. I assume that the colors of the scene were already close to the final version we see here but masterful tweaks, playful adjustments of hues, and selective saturation made this photo a true art piece that stood out for me amongst other graphic shots.

?? "?????????" by Anastasia Mazureva on 500px.com

Photo by Anastasia Mazureva

A fantastic example of how complementary color harmony of blue and yellow can accentuate strong graphic composition. By eliminating all other colors (most probably greens, green-yellow, cyan, magenta) and by aligning all the blues to the same tone, Anastasia achieved a very impactful minimalistic image. Beautifully done!

NEW ADAM’S APPLE (II) by Inna Mosina on 500px.com

Photo by Inna Mosina

This triad color harmony of teal, magenta, and yellow is absolutely exquisite to convey the message of mystery, femininity, and expectations. A very beautiful conceptual shot!

Mist. Watcher. Runner by Anastasiia Zapselska on 500px.com

Photo by Anastasiia Zapselska

Another great example of using teal and orange to achieve a cinematic effect and turn a beautiful street shot into a bigger story.

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A Sequence Of Real Or Imaginary Photographs In Dream

A Sequence Of Real Or Imaginary Photographs In Dream

Phantasmagoria: A sequence of real or imaginary photographs in dreams captured by Erik Witsoe.

Erik Witsoe is a Seattle photographer based in Warsaw, Poland. His approach to photography is largely inspired by cinema which you’ll find reflected throughout his portfolio. His work has been featured in the pages of many magazines, books, and articles as well as the subject of exhibits and printed works. His photo-book “Okiem przybysza” won Third Place in Poland’s National Review of Books, in the category of books on Tourism. When not busy shooting life’s details or chasing down a tasty pizza, you can find him hanging out with his fiancée Agnieszka and their two cats, Louis and Luna.

Phantasmagoria: A Sequence Of Real Or Imaginary Photographs In Dream

Phantasmagoria: A Sequence Of Real Or Imaginary Photographs In Dream

Phantasmagoria: A Sequence Of Real Or Imaginary Photographs In Dream

Phantasmagoria: A Sequence Of Real Or Imaginary Photographs In Dream

Phantasmagoria: A Sequence Of Real Or Imaginary Photographs In Dream

Phantasmagoria: A Sequence Of Real Or Imaginary Photographs In Dream

Phantasmagoria: A Sequence Of Real Or Imaginary Photographs In Dream

Phantasmagoria: A Sequence Of Real Or Imaginary Photographs In Dream

Phantasmagoria: A Sequence Of Real Or Imaginary Photographs In Dream

Phantasmagoria: A Sequence Of Real Or Imaginary Photographs In Dream

Phantasmagoria: A Sequence Of Real Or Imaginary Photographs In Dream

Phantasmagoria: A Sequence Of Real Or Imaginary Photographs In Dream

Phantasmagoria: A Sequence Of Real Or Imaginary Photographs In Dream

Phantasmagoria: A Sequence Of Real Or Imaginary Photographs In Dream

Phantasmagoria: A Sequence Of Real Or Imaginary Photographs In Dream

Phantasmagoria: A Sequence Of Real Or Imaginary Photographs In Dream

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

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How to help buyers easily find your commercial photography

How to help buyers easily find your commercial photography

In the last few years, Google Images has implemented multiple changes to help photographers sell their work through the search engine, from adding image rights metadata to specifying Licensing information for potential buyers. Heading into 2021, search engines remain one of the most important ways for photographers to market and promote their images, but many still overlook the significance of SEO (search engine optimization).

SEO is a complex, multi-billion dollar industry, but for photographers, it’s relatively straightforward. Without relevant keywords, titles, and more, your marketable work could get lost in a sea of content; on the other hand, optimizing your images can boost your discoverability and help you get your work in front of the right buyers. Here are four simple steps you can take to give your licensable photos a competitive edge and increase your portfolio’s chances of surfacing in image searches.

Use concise, descriptive titles

Search engines rely on bots to scan and discover content relevant to search queries, but they’re much better at recognizing words than they are at identifying pictures. For that reason, the titles of your images are essential when it comes to surfacing your content; according to Getty Images, titles are one of the most heavily weighted factors for search engines.

young woman in a linen dress and straw hat sits on a viewpoint in the by Roma Black on 500px.com

Titles should be literal, straightforward, and descriptive; include concrete, concise information about the who, what, where, and why of your image. Don’t be afraid to get specific either; for the image above, “Young woman among wildflowers in the mountains at sunset” works well as a title because it pinpoints the location, time of day, and age of the subject.

Getty Images recommends touching on the primary and secondary subject of your photo; tangential subjects aren’t relevant enough to be included in your title. Their test data further reveals that the optimal length for image titles hovers around 40 to 60 characters, though anything longer than 55 characters will be truncated with ellipses in search results.

Finally, remember to use unique titles for each photo; while images from a single shoot might share general similarities, titles are one way to get granular and specific about the activities, scenarios, and emotions that make up individual pictures. If you’re uploading the same image to multiple commercial stock photo distributors, give it a unique title on each platform to maximize its chances of being found.

Portrait day with Luciana by Adriana Samanez on 500px.com

Add descriptions

Descriptions aren’t weighted as heavily as titles, but they can prove invaluable; research from Getty Images suggests that files with unique 50-word descriptions receive 8% to 15% more search engine traffic than files without descriptions and those with shorter or longer descriptions.

In your Licensing portfolio, descriptions give you the chance to go into more detail about the image than you would in a title; for these, you can mention factors like time of day, season, location, image style (aerial, flat lay, etc.), and much more. This is also a place where you can take advantage of your conceptual keywords and describe the mood, feeling, or idea behind the image. Make a list of some terms buyers might search when looking for an image like yours, and include the most relevant details in your description.

Focused man with a camera in desk writing laptop by Andres Rashti on 500px.com

Apply relevant keywords

When it comes to SEO, keywords are king, so don’t skimp on this part of the process. Whether you’re uploading images to your website or a stock agency or distributor, it’s a good idea to add 10 to 30 relevant keywords to your photos. Ideally, these keywords will include a mix of literal terms—who, what, where, and why—and conceptual terms that capture the feelings or ideas conveyed in the image.

Most stock agencies and distributors have a keyword suggestion tool; these are helpful to start, though you can pick and choose which ones to keep, add your own, and remove any that aren’t relevant to the image. Additionally, there are tons of online resources for generating keywords, from Keyword Tool to ahrefs and beyond.

Portraits by Estelle Couturier on 500px.com

It’s also good practice to start compiling your own list or spreadsheet with your most commonly used keywords and ideas for future shoots. You can always browse top-selling images on 500px or Getty Images for inspiring keywords to implement in your own work. When keywording your files, you can include details like time of day, background color, location, as well as the number of models, their ages, what they’re doing, and more. You can also incorporate some of these trending keywords for a timely twist.

While it’s important to include a variety of appropriate keywords, from literal to conceptual, remember to avoid “spamming” your files with too many or unrelated keywords. Keyword spamming makes for a bad user experience, and search engines are getting better at detecting it.

Working from home by Oleksandr Boiko on 500px.com

Share your work

500px and Getty Images market and promote the images on their platforms, but today’s commercial photographers also serve as their own PR professionals. One of the best things you can do for your Licensing portfolio is to get it out there and in front of people; share your newly uploaded shots on your website and all your social channels, with links to where people can buy your images.

For more visibility, add trending hashtags related to relevant and enduring commercial themes like environmental sustainability, wellness, and technology. It can help to use a tool like Display Purposes to generate unique and popular hashtags for your work. Other tools like Iconosquare and Planoly can also help you schedule your social media posts, so you can plan out your week in advance.

While SEO can seem daunting, it’s an integral part of building a commercial photography portfolio, especially in a competitive market. “Optimizing your content to be found simply means including as much important information related to your photo in all available fields,” the 500px Content Team explains. It all boils down to finding a metadata workflow that suits your schedule and business needs; fortunately, today’s image management tools and AI capabilities make the process simpler and more efficient than ever. You spend time making your photos the best they can be, so it makes sense to give them an advantage using SEO.

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