Culture | Popular Photography https://www.popphoto.com/category/culture/ Founded in 1937, Popular Photography is a magazine dedicated to all things photographic. Fri, 22 Dec 2023 16:57:06 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.2.2 https://www.popphoto.com/uploads/2021/12/15/cropped-POPPHOTOFAVICON.png?auto=webp&width=32&height=32 Culture | Popular Photography https://www.popphoto.com/category/culture/ 32 32 The Star Wars Lightsaber was based on a camera flash handle https://www.popphoto.com/news/lightsaber-graflex-flash-handle/ Thu, 04 May 2023 20:55:44 +0000 https://www.popphoto.com/?p=191770
Graflex camera nd flash handle
DigitalRev In-Focus

An antique Graflex camera and flash handle became the basis of Luke Skywalker's infamous lightsaber.

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Graflex camera nd flash handle
DigitalRev In-Focus

We love when nerdy things collide here at Pop Photo, and that is precisely what happened with the creation of perhaps the most iconic movie prop of all time. As the video below from DigitalRev In-Focus explains, George Lucas wanted the props in the Star Wars films to look used in order to suggest a sense of history. He didn’t want shiny new objects in his films. They also had a very limited budget when filming those initial movies. The low budget required they get scrappy—literally—in how they created props.

As a result, set decorator Roger Christian would browse antique and junk stores for items to use as props. He was in a tiny camera store in London’s West End and asked if they had anything that he might find interesting. The owner took out a dusty box of antique camera goods, which included a 1940s Graflex camera with a three-cell flash gun. A lightbulb went off for Christian. The flash handle became the base for Luke’s lightsaber.

It took only a few modifications to create the legendary weapon. The actual “blade” portion of the weapon involved painting a tube with blue projector material and adding a light, which made it glow. Luke’s was one of two lightsabers that Christian designed. The entire thing took only $15 to build, though it sold in 2012 for $250,000. That makes it one of the most expensive movie weapon props ever sold. It even beats out Ghostbusters props. And that number is likely even higher now since it was featured so prominently in Episode 7.

Lightsaber handle design
The flash handle from the Graflex camera fit the concept for the lightsaber perfectly. DigitalRev In-Focus

Of course, there is a downside to cameras becoming pieces of sci-fi legend. Camera collectors have had difficulty getting their hands on Graflex flash handles since so many were bought by Star Wars prop collectors and cut up to become lightsabers. A genuine original Graflex can cost thousands of dollars at this point. And camera collectors say that valuable antiques are getting destroyed in the process. Whether you agree that history is being destroyed or are all about your genuine lightsaber props, we think this clash of photography and pop culture history is a fun one.

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The Funny Pet Finalist photos will give you all the feels https://www.popphoto.com/news/comedy-pet-photo-awards-finalists-2023/ Tue, 18 Jul 2023 16:45:02 +0000 https://www.popphoto.com/?p=193275
A dog falls in a pile of leaves with a goofy expression on its face.
"We tried to get a dreamy autumn photo of Milo - instead of lying a bit on his side he rolled around like crazy. His family loves this shot because it shows his personality better than any other picture". Kerstin Leichtenmüller / Comedy Pets

These adorable pet photos are sure to bring a smile to your face.

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A dog falls in a pile of leaves with a goofy expression on its face.
"We tried to get a dreamy autumn photo of Milo - instead of lying a bit on his side he rolled around like crazy. His family loves this shot because it shows his personality better than any other picture". Kerstin Leichtenmüller / Comedy Pets

It’s no secret that our furry (and sometimes not-so-furry) friends bring smiles to our faces. The Comedy Pet Photo Awards aims to celebrate just that. Submissions come from people all over the world to show off their pets doing goofy or extra cute things. The 25 finalists for this year’s contest have been announced, with images that are both silly and heartwarming. There are dogs launching themselves into the air, cats doing, well, cat things, and even a very hungry tortoise. You can check out some of our favorite finalist images below, but be sure to head to the site to see them all.

The founders of this pet photography contest also run the highly popular Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards. They began the pet contest, in part, to “promote positive awareness of animal welfare issues and celebrate the incredible and valuable contribution that pets can and do have on our lives.” The winners of the 2023 Comedy Pet Photo Awards will be announced on August 11th. Should you want to help choose a winner, there is a People’s Choice Category as well, and you can vote at the contest website.

2023 Comedy Pet Photo Awards finalists

A life changing event

A kitten gets ready to pounce on another kitten.
“Alex is the shy one. Max is the playful one. Together they form a lethally cute duo. I had more fun taking photos of these two than during my most adventurous wildlife photography trips.” Michel Zoghzoghi / Comedy Pets

Barking

A dog leaps in front of people sitting on a bench in a park.
“In March 2019 I was sat in the Union Sq New York dog run when I spotted a lady with a pink bag on her hand (to keep her hand clean) throwing a ball to her dog which was sat down facing her. The dog then launched itself and flipped in mid air to face me and snap! As you can see the lady with her hand on her head was as surprised as me and I think she is saying phew! I have searched in vain via the NY media to find the owner so that I can send her a copy. No joy so I am hoping this Pet Comedy competition can help me find the mystery woman and her leaping dog. You never know!” Chris Porsz / Comedy Pets

The big boss

A black and white cat sits in front of a harbor.
“Big Boss is the Boss around here. He is gentle and kindness just big.” Kenichi Morinaga / Comedy Pets

When digging gets serious

A black dog has his head buried in the sand at a beach
“Shadow was digging holes as normal at the beach, when all of a sudden he was showing off his new technique! Luckily the camera was at the ready for this crazy position!” Sophie Boynton / Comedy Pets

Victory

A cat stands tall on its rear legs.
“Perfect landing pose, right?” Kazutoshi Ono / Comedy Pets

The three greys

a woman blends in with her two long-haired dogs.
“Karin and her two dogs. Don’t they all look almost the same? …” Klaus-Peter Selzer / Comedy Pets

Football free kick

A group of cats surrounds and looks at another on its hind limbs.
“The pressure of football and waiting for free kick.” Kenichi Morinaga / Comedy Pets

The first outdoor walk

A tiny ferret yawns while in a green field.
“Tiny happy ferret Boudicca (only 2.5 month old!) enjoys her first outdoor walk.” Darya Zelentsova / Comedy Pets

Oscar

A Afghan greyhound's fur blows in the wind in front of a black background
“Yes, his name is Oscar. He is an Afghan greyhound and is very pleased with himself.” Lana Polyakova / Comedy Pets

Keep your eye on the ball

a dog leaps across a field trying to catch a ball
No caption was submitted. Gill Woodcock / Comedy Pets

Edgar’s dandelion

A tortoise eats a dandelion flower
“Beautiful Edgar’s favourite food are the leaves and flowers of dandelions. Here she is seen taking her time to savour the flavour.” Jonathan Casey / Comedy Pets

Who are you?

A large dog puts its nose up to the nose of a tiny mouse
“Our cat Lilly played with a mouse, we saved the mouse and our dog Amy was fascinated by the mouse” Udo Krauss / Comedy Pets

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How to delete a comment on Instagram https://www.popphoto.com/how-to/how-delete-comment-on-instagram/ Fri, 25 Feb 2022 05:51:00 +0000 https://www.popphoto.com/?p=162356
Instagram comments displayed on a cellphone screen.
Deleting Instagram comments can help foster the type of community that you want. Abby Ferguson

You should be deleting comments more often from your Instagram.

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Instagram comments displayed on a cellphone screen.
Deleting Instagram comments can help foster the type of community that you want. Abby Ferguson

Instagram can provide wonderful opportunities for photographers. It can help us show work to new people, see new perspectives, and gain inspiration. However, it can also open people up to criticism, negativity, and spam content. Luckily, you have the power to at least somewhat control the comments on your posts with help from filters and the ability to delete comments. You also can delete your own comments on the posts of others, should the need arise. Read on to find out how to delete a comment on Instagram and why doing so could make your Instagram account a much better place.

Why you should delete a comment on your post

You likely have heard that engagement on Instagram is valuable, and any interaction is good, but that’s not the whole story. The quality of that interaction matters. While deleting every single comment could impact your engagement and, therefore, who sees your posts, deleting harmful ones now and then will have no real impact.

Before diving into the reasons to delete, it is first necessary to clarify the purpose of your account. If you use your Instagram only for casual life updates for friends and family, then you don’t have to worry about potential clients stumbling into a toxic comment section. Likewise, if you like to drive conversation and debate on your page, you will want to weed out different types of comments than if you are selling products. Don’t be afraid to curate your posts according to the goals and purpose of your account to foster the best community for your audience.

Spammy comments

If you have an Instagram account, you have almost certainly experienced your fair share of spam comments. They seem to be an unavoidable, though constantly fluctuating, aspect of the app. It could be trying to get you to pay for promotion through some page or telling you that you won a free iPhone. You should delete these comments whenever you see them. For business or creative accounts, spam comments can take away from the professionalism and authority you may have, which is not something you likely want. It can make it look like no one is monitoring the account, which undercuts its authority.

Inappropriate, offensive, or hateful content

Comments with sexist, racist, homophobic, or any other hateful or offensive language should get deleted as soon as possible. Not only could it reflect poorly on you or your business, but more importantly, it fosters an unsafe environment. Don’t be afraid to report accounts that make these kinds of posts, either, so they can’t spew bile in other comment sections.

Trolling comments

Trolling comments may overlap with the other two types of comments mentioned above but are worth mentioning as a stand-alone category. Trolls are out to rabble-rouse, so leaving their comments up could drive a rash of follow-up comments that dissolves into nothing more than arguing and hurtful words. Delete or hide these comments.

Negative comments

Deleting negative comments falls into a gray area that comes down to the type of account you’re running. For business accounts, you may want to use negative comments (within reason) as a chance to respond professionally and publically address any issues. Your response could win over people on the fence about your brand and even help you gain new loyalists. And it shows that you stand by your brand and are willing to take feedback and improve.

However, if you have a creative account or only use Instagram casually for sharing bits of your life, there is no sense or need to put up with negativity. So go ahead and hit delete in those cases.

Instagram comments displayed on a cellphone screen with the option to delete.

How to delete a comment on Instagram

Once you’ve decided what types of comments go against your policies, it’s time to learn how to delete them. You can now delete comments on both the mobile and desktop versions of Instagram. But no matter which version you are using to delete comments, you will first need to be logged in to your account.

Deleting a comment on the desktop version:

Step 1: After logging in on the desktop version, go to the post with the offending comment. 

Step 2: Find the problematic comment and click the three dots underneath next to “Reply.” 

Step 3: A window will pop up in the middle of your image with the option to delete. Tap delete to remove the comment.

On an Android phone:

Step 1: Tap on a comment or the comment word bubble to go to the comment summary page. 

Step 2: Long press on the comment until it is highlighted, and a bar pops up at the top of the app screen with a thumbtack, exclamation point, and trash can. 

Step 3: Tap on the trash can to delete. 

On iPhones:

Step 1: Tap on a comment to go to the comment summary page, 

Step 2: Swipe left on a comment.

Step 3: Tap the trash can to delete it.

How to delete an Instagram comment on someone else’s post

You can only delete a comment that you wrote on someone else’s post, not one by another person. You can report comments by others, but that is all. Luckily it is easy to walk through how to delete your comment on Instagram. To delete your comment on someone else’s post, you follow the same process as outlined above, depending on your device.

How to hide a comment on Instagram

If deleting a comment is too final for you, you also have a few options for hiding comments. Hiding comments can be a good option for trolls, as they won’t know that their comment is hidden (it is still visible to them) and thus it won’t add fuel to the fire.

If you have a problematic Instagrammer on your page, you can hide their comment and all future comments from them. To do so, follow the steps below:

Step 1: Long-press the offensive comment 

Step 2: Tap the exclamation in the top right corner.

Step 3: Tap “Restrict.” 

Restricted users will still be able to comment and see their comments, but it will be grayed out on your end until you click to see and then approve the comment. Others won’t be able to see their comments at all until you approve them. You can also restrict users through their profile page. 

Another option for hiding comments is more preemptive. Instagram allows you to filter comments that its algorithm deems offensive. You can also set up custom filters with words or phrases that you don’t want on your page. For example, if you are sick of the spam comments about winning something, you can create a filter to hide comments automatically that say, “Congratulations! You’ve won!” To filter content, do the following:

Step 1: Go to your profile.

Step 2: Tap the three lines in the top right corner and click Settings.

Step 3: Tap Privacy.

Step 4: Tap hidden words.

Step 5: Choose the appropriate options for your needs. You can toggle on “Hide comments” and “Advanced comment filtering.” Scroll down slightly to create a custom words and phrases list for filters. 

How to edit a comment on Instagram

Unfortunately, Instagram does not support the ability to edit comments at this time. You have two options if you make a typo or want to change your comment for other reasons. You can delete your original comment and post a new one or reply to your own comment with whatever updates you want to make.

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This interview with iconic war photographer James Nachteway is brutal, essential https://www.popphoto.com/news/james-nachtwey-anderson-cooper-interview/ Mon, 08 May 2023 16:25:19 +0000 https://www.popphoto.com/?p=191816
James Nachtwey and Anderson Cooper in Nachtwey's studio holding a print
Nachtwey makes large prints of his work in his studio. 60 Minutes

The 75 year-old photographer has made incredible images in horrible war zones for decades.

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James Nachtwey and Anderson Cooper in Nachtwey's studio holding a print
Nachtwey makes large prints of his work in his studio. 60 Minutes

A quick warning before you dig into this video: James Nachtwey’s war photographs can be incredibly hard to look at. The 75-year-old photographer has created some of the most powerful, brutal, and visually striking war photography from conflicts around the world. He has spent decades trying to show audiences the horrors that come with war, earning countless awards along the way. He recently sat for an interview with Anderson Cooper to look back on his career and discuss some of his most powerful work. It’s worth watching if you have the stomach for it.

Nachtwey considers himself an anti-war photographer. He has strived to shine a light on atrocities happening around the world. His incredible skill and understanding of the photographic process stand in stark contrast to the brutal and often horrifying subject matter of his images. His book Inferno is now almost impossible to come by, but it truly represents some of the most powerful photojournalism I have ever seen.

During the interview, we get glimpses into Nachtwey’s photographic process. While most of us will (thankfully) never have to shoot in war zones, his approach to storytelling and meaningful composition apply broadly to the photographic craft. For instance, he talks about his emphasis on subjects’ hands and eyes because they’re often the most expressive parts of the people and the final image. He’s a legend for a reason, and it’s fantastic to see him still creating work at 75 after years of literally getting shot and injured by bombs while out in the world with his camera.

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Laugh it up fuzzball – the year’s funniest pet photos https://www.popphoto.com/inspiration/funny-pet-photos-contest-winners/ Sat, 24 Sep 2022 19:00:00 +0000 https://www.popphoto.com/?p=187098
Dog loving a stream of water in a grassy field.
Nilo's Love for water. Winner of the Dog category.
“Nilo is an adopted puppy about 10 months old. He was hit by a car and was barely saved. Now recovered, he has just discovered water for the first time. His capers and pirouettes show his passion for water. Love at first sight". Jose Bayon

The Comedy Pet Photography Awards are back with a fresh set of winners. Disappointed you will not be.

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Dog loving a stream of water in a grassy field.
Nilo's Love for water. Winner of the Dog category.
“Nilo is an adopted puppy about 10 months old. He was hit by a car and was barely saved. Now recovered, he has just discovered water for the first time. His capers and pirouettes show his passion for water. Love at first sight". Jose Bayon

What’s better than funny pet photos? How about an entire photo contest dedicated to our comical companions? Well, the Comedy Pet Photography Awards are back with a fresh set of winners for 2022. And the photos do not disappoint. From sassy alpaca to spastic pups, this gallery has no shortage of personalities.

About the Comedy Pet Photography Awards

The Comedy Pet Photography Awards are a UK-based competition, open to all. Founded in 2020, the competition’s mission is to, “promote positive awareness of animal welfare issues and celebrate the incredible and valuable contribution that pets can and do have on our lives.” And each year, they donate a sizable chunk of cash to one or more pet rescue charities.

Related: A selection of the year’s best nature photos

The overall winner of this year’s competition, Kenichi Morinaga, took home a £2000 (USD $2172) cash prize. In addition, he gets the honor of deciding which animal welfare organization the competition will make a £5,000 (USD $5424) contribution to. And, apparently after much thought, he chose the UK-based Cat Welfare Group.

Category winners, meanwhile get a Comedy Pet Photography Awards goody bag and bragging rights. Now, on to the photos!

Overall winner & Cat category winner

Two cats head butting each other.
Boom Boom. “Cats are bumped on the wall suddenly. It was like a cartoon, boom boom. Such a funny moment.” Kenichi Morinaga

The Cat category and overall winning image definitely has a cartoon vibe. It’s as if these two were chasing one another, Tom and Jerry style, only to collide, head-on, leading to two exaggeratedly compacted bodies. I fully expect an accordion to play in the moments after this collision.

Horse category winner

Goofy horse with a big smile.
Happy Horses. “Happy mother and her 3-day-old son Monty” Radim Filipek

Radim Filipek took home the top prize in the “Mighty Horse” category. And gosh darn are those some jovial equine. Mamma, on the right, seems to be really laughing it up and having a good time, (though a Crest Whitening strip couldn’t hurt). And, crikey, Monty is a big boy for just three days old!

Other Creatures category winner

Smokin' Alpaca “He looks like he is smoking a cigar.”
Smokin’ Alpaca. “He looks like he is smoking a cigar.” Stefan Brusius

Personally, this is my favorite image of the bunch. That expression, the single tooth showing, and the long stogey-looking stick dangling from the mouth all give this alpaca a most humanlike quality. In fact, I’m pretty sure I encountered this guy playing blackjack at an off-the-boardwalk casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

Junior category winner

A cat stuck atop a tall hedge.
Jack the Cat stuck in the hedge. “We had gone out for the day and came home to find our kitten Jack had got stuck in the hedge!” Freya Sharpe

Cats are curious creatures and occasionally, their instincts get the best of them. That appears to be the case for Jack the Cat here. Poor fella is stuck at the top of the hedge! Hopefully, his rescue didn’t require a visit from the fire department. Either way, Freya Sharpe took home the top prize in the 16 and under category for this one. And it sounds like Jack is made it down safe and sound.

Pets who look like their owners

A person and dog who look real similar.
Dave and Dudley “This is my friend, David, and his dog Dudley. During the early days of Covid, David and I took advantage of a beautiful day and we were out shooting pictures. Dudley was so excited when we got back that he threw his front paws around David’s shoulders and I snapped this picture. They both look like they could use a good haircut, but it was Covid….so who cares….” Judy Nussenblatt

The more I look at this image, the more I see the resemblance. They say couples who grow old together start to look like one another. Perhaps the same is true of pets?

People’s Choice

dog dashing through the snow with a funny face.
Dashing through the snow. “Carter was on a Euth list in California. We flew from Chicago to Cali rescue him. This was his first time experiencing snow. As you can see he could believe was missing out all these years!” Marko Jovanovic

The people have spoken and their favorite image is this fantastic snap of one goofy, happy, recently-rescued pup. Between his story and that face, how could Carter not bring a smile to yours?

Comedy Pet Team Favorites

A dog sitting in the drivers' seat of a car.
Chauffeur Dog. “This is what I saw when I stopped at the traffic lights. At first I thought the dog was really driving!” Mehmet Aslan

Finally, the folks who run the contest picked a favorite and they chose well. While the image title suggests that this proper pup is a chauffeur, I see them more as the cool guy, rolling up in a fly red whip, ready to steal yo’ girl or guy. Pup just needs some Tom Cruise-approved aviators.

Submit your own funny pet photos

Got some funny pet photos of your own? Details for next year’s contest have yet to be announced but keep an eye on the contest website for updates.

The post Laugh it up fuzzball – the year’s funniest pet photos appeared first on Popular Photography.

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Depeche Mode fan throws a roll of film on stage, band mails it back full of photos https://www.popphoto.com/news/depeche-mode-fan-throws-film-on-stage/ Thu, 22 Sep 2022 03:59:04 +0000 https://www.popphoto.com/?p=186653
Photos of Depeche Mode shot by the band on a fan's roll of film
A collage of the photos Depeche Mode mailed back to fan Brian McDonnell. Courtesy of Anne McDonnell Lawrence

The behind-the-scene snaps of a young and up-and-coming Depeche Mode have never been shared until now.

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Photos of Depeche Mode shot by the band on a fan's roll of film
A collage of the photos Depeche Mode mailed back to fan Brian McDonnell. Courtesy of Anne McDonnell Lawrence

It pays to be bold, in photography and in life. That’s how one lucky music fan ended up with an entire roll of behind-the-scene shots of his favorite band, a young, up-and-coming Depeche Mode. And it all started with a gently tossed roll of film and a note. Here’s how it went down.

Related: 45 portraits of iconic rockstars ‘flipping the bird’ now up for auction

No cameras allowed

The year is 1983 and the relatively new British electronic band, Depeche Mode, is set to play Ulster Hall in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Brian McDonnell, a huge fan of the band and a young photography enthusiast, is stoked. Unfortunately, the venue has a strict “No cameras” policy. So, instead of sneaking one in, Brian comes up with the innovative plan to throw a roll of film on the stage with a polite message requesting snaps. He also includes his return address.

Photo of Depeche Mode shot by the band on a fan's roll of film
The roll is filled with candid moments. Courtesy of Anne McDonnell Lawrence

At the time, Brian has no expectation of Depeche Mode following through. But, much to his surprise, they did just that.

The resulting images, shared for the first time earlier this month, show a legendary band on the cusp of greatness. And the candid and behind-the-scenes nature of the moments, many snapped in the band’s green room, makes the photos all the more special.

Why we’re seeing the Depeche Mode film photos now

Sadly, Brian McDonnell passed away 20 years ago at the age of 37. And, up until recently, these images had only been seen by a small handful of folks. That all changed when they were rediscovered by Brian’s sister, Anne McDonnell Lawrence, who shared them with the Facebook Group, Belfast Concert Photographs 1980s.

Anne found the shots stashed in an envelope while looking through photographs of their late mother. Shortly after she posted them online, a Twitter account belonging to the music venue Belfast Empire shared them with its 14.2K followers. The story was subsequently picked up by the BBC, which reached out to Anne for comment. Incredibly, she recalls the night of the Depeche Mode show well.

“I remember him telling me he was at the concert and he had brought a film for a camera with him—he wrapped his name and address around it and asked them to take photos and send them back to him. He never thought he would even get a response. I don’t know how long after, but he got the film sent back to him.”

She also recalls how devoted her brother was to the band and how much it meant to him when he received the photos back.

The wrap

So what’s the takeaway? Certainly not to pelt the next band you see with celluloid (or memory cards), especially given the price of a roll these days. Nope, instead, the takeaway is to think outside the box and be bold. Do that, and maybe, just maybe you’ll be pleasantly surprised. That said, the next time you are told “No cameras allowed,” I challenge you to come up with a creative workaround (that doesn’t break the rules).

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Here’s your chance to own a 1988 Kodak NASCAR https://www.popphoto.com/news/kodak-nascar/ Tue, 20 Sep 2022 21:41:59 +0000 https://www.popphoto.com/?p=186526
Kodak 1988 Nascar
Bring a Trailer

The Oldsmobile Delta 88 is an heirloom of the film era. More importantly, it comes with a fly set of matching Kodak pit crew uniforms for you and your friends.

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Kodak 1988 Nascar
Bring a Trailer

Show your enthusiasm for film photography with this legit 1988 Oldsmobile Delta Kodak Nascar. It comes (nearly) ready to roll, decked out in bold Kodak yellow paint and decals. You also get a whole bunch of vintage Kodak memorabilia and swag, including matching pit crew uniforms—just imagine you and your pals showing up to the local photo walk rocking those—a Kodak car cover, maps of race tracks, and more.

The Kodak NASCAR is currently up for bid on the site Bringatrailer.com with no reserve. As of writing the top bid is $11,000.

About the 1988 Kodak NASCAR

Kodak 1988 Nascar
The car sports a four-speed manual transmission. Bring a Trailer

According to the listing, the Kodak NASCAR was “built by Hutcherson-Pagan Enterprises and is said to have been refurbished sometime during previous ownership. Power is from a 358ci V8 paired with a four-speed manual transmission, and the car features steel bodywork finished in a #4 Kodak livery.”

This is a legit retired NASCAR, complete with a roll cage, a single fixed bucket seat, a fire suppression system, and more. The listing also notes that the car sports disk brakes, a rear spoiler, and polished wheels.

Kodak 1988 Nascar
The lot comes with plenty of Kodak NASCAR memorabilia, in addition to the car. Bring a Trailer

Related: Your next electric vehicle battery could be manufactured by Kodak

The racing team Morgan–McClure Motorsports picked up the Kodak sponsorship in 1986 and soon after signed driver Rick Wilson, who would go on to drive this particular model.

Since its heyday on the circuit, the car has had a bit of work done. And in its current state, it’ll likely need some elbow grease before cruising the track again. The seller notes that in addition to some areas of cracking body filler, “the engine has not been started in several years, and [he] advises that the gaskets and piston rings be checked before any attempt is made.”

What you get if you win

Kodak 1988 Nascar pit uniforms
Forget the ’88 Oldsmobile, I want these awesome pit crew shirts for bowling night. Bring a Trailer

The lot also comes with a spiffy set of pit crew uniforms, various extra parts (including a spare seatbelt), an extra set of wheels and tires, a car cover, and of course, the bill of sale. You also get other Kodak NASCAR memorabilia including racing flags, maps of various tracks, paperwork related to actual races, and a supercool February 1987 issue of Stock Car Racing with this exact car on the cover.

The wrap

As mentioned, the current high bid on the Kodak NASCAR is $11,000 with five days to go. No word on how high the bidding could go but given the lot appeals to a combination of camera nerds, NASCAR fans, and automotive geeks, we suspect it’ll climb up there.

The car is located in Westfield, Indiana, and will need to be picked up (bring a trailer). If you do win it, please give us a shout, info@popphoto.com.

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‘Virtual photography,’ once obscure, is now on the rise https://www.popphoto.com/news/flickr-virtual-photography/ Sat, 17 Sep 2022 10:00:00 +0000 https://www.popphoto.com/?p=186298
Flickr is embracing virtual photography
Flickr

In a nod to the genre's growing popularity, Flickr is adding a new category for images captured in video games and virtual platforms.

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Flickr is embracing virtual photography
Flickr

Flickr announced this week that it will be adding a new category to its platform: virtual photography. “Photographs” captured in video games or other virtual platforms like Second Life will now have a place on Flickr alongside other photos, illustrations and artworks, and screenshots. It’s a big sign that the once-niche genre is on the rise. 

What is virtual photography?

As modern video games have become more visually impressive and photorealistic, developers have added photo modes to let players show off the beauty of the world around them. This has created an increasingly popular photographic sub-genre called virtual photography (or just video game photography). 

Related: ’35mm’ is a photography-themed videogame set in a post-apocalyptic world

Some games, like Horizon Zero Dawn, The Last of Us Part 2, Spider-Man: Miles Morales, and Red Dead Redemption 2, enable the player to pause the game, position the camera anywhere, adjust camera settings like the depth of field, and even pose the character how they like. It allows for a huge amount of creativity, and it’s what separates virtual photography from simple screenshots. 

What does this mean for Flickr users?

Until now, virtual photography didn’t fit neatly into any of Flickr’s categories. Virtual photographs aren’t really photos, nor are they quite digital artworks or screenshots. 

Flickr created the new virtual photography category with two types of works in mind: video game photography and “content shared by the Second Life community.” Although users are free to categorize their work how they like, the virtual photography category is now a handy option for video game photographers as it allows their work to be found, shared, and seen for what it is.

In its announcement, Flickr highlights the fact that virtual photographers will now be able to search the site to see video game photographs from other artists, without having to look at “real-world photography or other art and illustration”.

A genre on the rise

Flickr’s announcement isn’t the only bit of big news for virtual photography this week. Ubisoft has just announced a new in-game photography contest and exhibition called PHOTOMODE. Players can enter virtual photographs from “any Ubisoft game that features Photomode” including Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, Far Cry 6, and Steep.

Related: Someone hacked a Game Boy Camera to shoot with Canon DSLR lenses

Like any other photo contest, there are multiple categories including Portrait, Outdoors, and Action, and some pretty cool prizes. The top 20 entries will get fine art prints of their work and will be displayed in a gallery exhibition in New York, while the three overall winners will also receive an invitation to the exhibition opening and an MSI Raider laptop

You can enter from now until October 16. The winners will be announced in November. 

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Update: Federal judge deems Arizona’s ban on filming law enforcement unconstitutional https://www.popphoto.com/news/arizona-bans-filming-police/ Tue, 12 Jul 2022 19:24:05 +0000 https://www.popphoto.com/?p=178434
A line of motorcycle police in Phoenix, Arizona.
A line of motorcycle police in Phoenix, Arizona. Chris Polk/Getty Images

Media outlets and First Amendment advocates fought the bill and it appears they've won.

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A line of motorcycle police in Phoenix, Arizona.
A line of motorcycle police in Phoenix, Arizona. Chris Polk/Getty Images

This article has been updated, it was originally published on July 12, 2022.

In the last several years, smartphone videos have been instrumental in exposing police misconduct and violence—in some cases, even leading to indictments. So when the Arizona state legislature recently passed House Bill 2319—making filming the police a lot harder and the consequences more severe—it drew criticism and concern.

Now, in a fresh turn of events, a federal judge has halted enforcement of the new law’s parameters. The preliminary ruling by the U.S. District Court Judge John Tuchi set a deadline of one week for any party (i.e. Arizona police agencies) to come forward defending House Bill 2319, which was originally going into effect on September 24. It was signed into law on July 6 by Governor Doug Ducey.

“We are extremely gratified that Arizonans will not have their constitutional rights infringed and their ability to record the police criminalized by this law,” KM Bell, ACLU attorney, told the Associated Press.

Ultimately, Judge Tuchi sided with First Amendment advocates and media representatives who argued the law violated constitutional guarantees.

“There wasn’t anything in the law that said the person recording has to be interfering with law enforcement or harassing officers or otherwise doing something that would create a danger or a distraction,” said attorney Matt Kelley, who represented news organizations protesting the bill. “All it prohibited was simply standing there, making a video recording. And since that’s an activity that’s protected by the First Amendment, this law was on its face unconstitutional.”

The details of Arizona’s police filming ban

Related: Grand Teton cancels wedding photo permit policy

Sponsored by State Rep. John Kavanagh, a former New York police officer, the law, signed by Governor Doug Ducey, makes it illegal to film law enforcement personnel within eight feet of their activity, whether or not a verbal warning has been issued. Punishment for violating the law is a class three misdemeanor, which could mean a fine or jail time. 

“I’m pleased that a very reasonable law that promotes the safety of police officers and those involved in police stops and bystanders has been signed into law,” Kavanagh said. “It promotes everybody’s safety yet still allows people to reasonably videotape police activity as is their right.”

riot police
The new law could potentially make it more difficult to hold police accountable for misconduct. Getty Images

Related: ‘Ansel Adams Act’ moves to restore photographers’ rights 

There are a few caveats that critics say make the bill convoluted, though. For example, the bill notes that should the encounter take place in an “enclosed structure” where the minimum distance cannot be maintained, filming is allowed as long as the law enforcement officer determines that it is safe and does not interfere with any proceedings. 

Additionally, if you’re the subject of a law enforcement encounter (including a vehicle stop), the bill allows you to film, provided that, again, it does not interfere with “lawful police actions.” 

Original concerns from First Amendment advocates

According to NPR, this bill passed just one year after the US Department of Justice launched a far-reaching investigation into the Phoenix police department’s potential use of excessive force. The National Press Photographers Association filed an official objection in February, along with an open letter signed by major media outlets and First Amendment advocates, including BuzzFeed, The Associated Press, The New York Times, The Atlantic, and the Society of Professional Journalists.

“Governor Ducey has made it a crime for someone to film law enforcement if an officer is less than eight feet from them—chilling the use of the public’s most effective tool against police wrongdoing in violation of our First Amendment rights,” American Civil Liberties Union of Arizona staff attorney K.M. Bell told Insider. “By limiting our ability to record police interactions, this law will undoubtedly make it even more difficult to hold police officers accountable for misconduct.”

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A closer look at some of Queen Elizabeth II’s favorite cameras https://www.popphoto.com/news/queen-elizabeth-ii-cameras/ Fri, 09 Sep 2022 03:38:59 +0000 https://www.popphoto.com/?p=185312
The queen taking a picture at the Royal Windsor Horse Show.
The queen taking a picture at the Royal Windsor Horse Show. May, 1982. Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images

From a golden Rollei 35 to a prolific Leica M3, the late queen loved photography, and these were some of her favorite models.

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The queen taking a picture at the Royal Windsor Horse Show.
The queen taking a picture at the Royal Windsor Horse Show. May, 1982. Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images

Queen Elizabeth II passed away today at the age of 96. One of the most photographed humans of the 20th century, her own passion for photography was no secret. The late British monarch was often documented with a camera in hand. In fact, images of her chatting up photographers and inspecting camera gear are plentiful.

To celebrate her life and passion for image-making, we’ve gathered together some of our favorite shots of Queen Elizabeth II, the photographer. Each shows her rocking a different camera, from a golden Rollei 35 to a vintage Kodak home movie camera—these are just some of the standouts from her royal collection.

Note: We couldn’t find any images of the late queen shooting with a digital camera—perhaps she was a film fanatic through and through? Let us know if you come across one, info@popphoto.com.

Leica M3

Close-up of British monarch Queen Elizabeth II, in a pale red, feathered, felt hat and a wool cape, as she holds a Leica M3 camera while attending an equestrian event, Windsor, England, circa 1975.
Close-up of British monarch Queen Elizabeth II, in a pale red, feathered, felt hat and a wool cape, as she holds a Leica M3 camera while attending an equestrian event, Windsor, England, circa 1975. Photo by Derek Hudson/Getty Images

When it comes to the late queen’s favorite camera, we won’t speculate. But she was most often spotted handling a silver Leica M3 with an accessory lightmeter mounted on top. And for good reason, the M3 is an absolute classic, not to mention, a workhorse. And while trendy celebrities may tote Leicas these days for clout, Queen Elizabeth II was rocking one—and actually using it—decades prior. That’s a true icon.

Leica M6

Queen Elizabeth II seen holding her Leica camera.
Queen Elizabeth II seen holding her Leica camera as she watches Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh compete in the Driven Dressage element of the Carriage Driving Competition at the Royal Windsor Horse Show in Home Park on May 17, 2002 in Windsor, England. Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images

At some point, though, it appears her majesty traded in the Leica M3 for a more modern Leica M6, which offers a built-in lightmeter, among other upgrades. Perhaps the move was simply a means to simplify her kit? After all, the two cameras share the same basic design. If so, there’s something oddly relatable about that.

Gold Rollei 35

Queen Elizabeth ll takes photographs with her gold Rollei camera during a visit to the Badminton Horse Trials with Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh on April 26, 1974 in Badminton, England.
Queen Elizabeth ll takes photographs with her gold Rollei camera during a visit to the Badminton Horse Trials with Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh on April 26, 1974 in Badminton, England. Anwar Hussein/Getty Images

Related: I’m obsessed with the Rollei 35 and haven’t picked anything else up in months

This is by far my favorite camera from her majesty’s collection (that I know of). Not only is the Rollei 35 famous for its design but to have it dripped out in gold is beyond legendary.

For those unfamiliar, this is one of the smallest 35mm film cameras ever made, and though it can be cumbersome to use (delicate fingers are a must), it’s capable of absolutely terrific results—truly a camera lover’s camera.

Canon Sure Shot Tele 80 

Queen Elizabeth II taking photographs of her unseen husband, Prince Philip, competing at the Royal Windsor Horse Show carriage driving dressage.
Queen Elizabeth II taking photographs of her unseen husband, Prince Philip, competing at the Royal Windsor Horse Show carriage driving dressage. May, 2000. Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images

I must admit, this is an unexpected one. The above image was captured in May 2000, during an era when digital photography was just starting to give film a run for the money. However, as we now know, the late queen seemed keener on celluloid than silicon. So, rather than grab a state-of-the-art, 3-megapixel Canon Powershot G1, her majesty opted for a more humble Canon Sure Shot Tele 80 film camera.

Rolleiflex TLR

Queen Elizabeth II carrying a Rolleiflex camera at Badminton Horse Trials, United Kingdom, circa 1965.
Queen Elizabeth II carrying a Rolleiflex camera at Badminton Horse Trials, United Kingdom, circa 1965. Stanley Bielecki/ASP/Getty Images

Queen Elizabeth II wasn’t just a 35mm photographer, she also dabbled in medium format. And honestly, I can’t think of a more enjoyable medium format camera to shoot with than a Rolleiflex twin lens reflex (TLR). These are wonderful machines to handle, on par with Leicas, and owning one is a testament to any photographer’s excellent taste in gear.

Kodak 16mm cine camera

Queen Elizabeth II filming the arrival of the escort ship HMNZS Black Prince, while in the South Pacific en route to Fiji, aboard the SS Gothic during the coronation world tour, 11th December 1953.
Queen Elizabeth II filming the arrival of the escort ship HMNZS Black Prince, while in the South Pacific en route to Fiji, aboard the SS Gothic during the coronation world tour, 11th December 1953. Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Related: Everything you need to know to get started with Super 8 film

Finally, a movie camera: Though stills were clearly the late queen’s passion, she was also apparently fond of moviemaking. Here she is in 1953 shooting with the suitably named Kodak Royal, a 16mm, spring-motor-driven cinema camera.

And here’s another photo of her from 1965 with a different cinema camera. Always on the cutting edge, it’s cathartic to think about the late Queen of England nerding out on the latest tech and upgrading her kit accordingly, not just as a stills shooter but as a video enthusiast too.

From one camera nerd to another, Rest in Peace, Your Majesty.

Note: An earlier version of this article misidentified the format of the queen’s cine camera as 8mm.

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