Photography has changed a ton since 1949. The DSLR came and went. Computational photography changed the way we think about creating images. Film cameras became ultra-chic fashion accessories. The really important photography stuff, however, hasn’t changed, especially when it comes to composition. I stumbled across this video in a Facebook group for film camera repair (yes, it’s exactly as nerdy as it sounds), and I was mesmerized by it. Take 10 minutes and have a watch.

The video itself is perfectly retro. The audio track is a little messed up in a very aesthetic way. The narrator’s voice sounds as if he should be describing the technological wonders found inside the home of the future. But the information is still shockingly relevant.

It covers topics like balancing the subjects, leading lines, and framing the subject with objects in the environment. This is the old-school stuff that I learned right at the beginning of my photography adventures, and I always appreciate a refresher. Some of the photo examples are also just really excellent. Look at this killer shot of a cat hanging out in some pipes.

It also covers some topics I feel get lost in a lot of photographic education today. For instance, when considering balance, higher contrast makes objects feel “heavier” and allows for smaller subjects to balance with larger, lower-contrast objects. That’s why the smaller, higher-contrast arm in this photo can balance with the larger, lower-contrast leg even though there’s a size disparity. This is the kind of photographic nerdery I truly love.

Even if you’re already feeling confident in your composition skills, this video is worth a watch if only for the nostalgia. It might also give you a little bit of old-school inspiration to get out and take some photos. If you’re eager for more old-school photography instruction, you can go check out NASA’s guide to film photography.

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In a contrast study, this week’s theme examined light—and lack thereof. While darkness often carries a negative connotation, its presence brings essential balance. Without it, splashes of sunlight wouldn’t be so spectacular. This week’s Photo of the Day winners submitted thoughtful reflections on the duality of light and dark, from silhouetted figures to reverend rays.

Want to be featured in a future gallery? Weekly themes are posted Sundays. To enter, you can upload your submissions to our Flickr pool, tag them on Instagram and Twitter, or join/upload them to our (NEW) Photos of the Day Facebook group.

Lead image by Robert Lalancette. See more of Robert’s work here.

Afternoon pause

Ah, Paris in August. In the third arrondissement, no less. (It’s one of my favorites). Eloge.de.l.ombre on Instagram perfectly captures a summer Paris afternoon when the Parisians have fled and quiet descends. I can picture myself there already.

The monk

Yasser Alaa Mobarak photographs a monk at the Shechen Monastery in Kathmandu, Nepal finding respite in the gentle shade of a tree. The dappled light hits his face as he looks out calmly—I love how patchy light can convey the best feeling on a warm day. 

Stranger things

The haze of a night sky photoshoot gone awry gives Gary Gustafson’s image a supernatural feel.

“My grandsons wanted to see me photographing the night sky. The fog came in and cut it way short, so this turned out to be my favorite of the night,” Gustafson shares.”

Midnight dinner

A meal in solitude—Annsley Bangkas captures the quiet ritual of a meal after a long day.

“Eating alone in my hotel room after watching pro tennis just outside Bangkok; fried rice and Coke from the street vendor; my friends already asleep,” Bangkas writes. 

Absolute monarchy

Streams of light illuminate the ornate trappings of Versailles, as shot by Raj Bose. The contrast of light and shadow adds to the mystery and grandeur. 

“What I like about this composition is the depth of field created by the doors—it is like a frame of a frame. This effect is enhanced by the shadows on the floor,” Bose explains. 

The celebrants

Hank Gans’ photo instantly recalled the tableau vivant—a painting that blends art and theatrics. The perfect composition and stark contrast of light and dark give it a Norman-Rockwell meets Carravaggio flair.

The post Let there be light: Reader-submitted photos of light & shadow appeared first on Popular Photography.

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Minimalism isn’t just about B&W, though it will often define the style. This year’s winners of the Minimalist Photography Awards showed that whether it’s a monochromatic scene or vibrant tableau, less is more and you don’t need an elaborate set to capture a compelling shot. 

Related: How to create striking abstract architectural photography

About the Minimalist Photography Awards

In its fourth year, the Minimalist Photography Awards drew 3,400 photographers from 43 different countries, who entered work into 11 categories: Abstract, architectural, conceptual, fine art, landscapes, long exposure, night, open, photomanipulation, portrait, and street photography.

“Minimalist Photography Awards is a nonprofit association, powered by B & W Minimalism magazine and founded by Milad Safabakhsh, which aims to recognize, reward, and expose talented photographers all around the world and introduce them to the professional photography industry.”

The jury includes gallery owner Jennifer Kostuik, cinematographer Rob Hardy (of Ex Machina, Annihilation, and Men), art collector Sashaku, photographer and collector Peter Molick (“pixelpete”), and the founder and president of Minimalist Photography Awards, Milad Safabakhsh.  

The overall winner receives a $2,000 cash prize and the designation of Minimalist Photographer of the Year. Additionally, their work will appear in the “Best in Show” exhibition. The winner, along with the first, second, third, and honorable mention winners, will also be published in an online gallery and in the annual Minimalist Photography Awards book. If they so choose, they can also sell their work as an NFT on Foundation.app. Here are some of our favorites from the contest.

Related: Best black and white film

Minimalist Photographer of the Year 2022

The ultimate title of Minimalist Photographer of the Year went to Daniel Dencescu of Germany and the series, “Forms of murmurations.” In it, Dencescu captures a dazzling dance of starlings against an empty sky.

“There’s certainly something mesmerizing in how these birds move—a vast, impromptu choreography, each bird part of something vastly bigger than themselves,” Dencescu writes. “The colossal organic shapes that form have an inherent beauty, but here we see many unexpected coincidences. Photographed all my murmurations series against a flat, cloudless sky the resulting images are undiluted. Sparse and beautiful, letting place for a lot of interpretations. The dawn cream color palette for my calligraphic photographs is based on the works of surrealist painter René Magritte and the master Irving Penn. I have spent more than 200 hours on the field chasing and photographing the starlings, all of the scenes are real.”

Conceptual category 

Jacob Mitchell took second place in the conceptual category with the series, “EMPTY SIGNS.” This particular image conveys the melancholy of what was and the relentless American optimism of what could come. 

“The EMPTY SIGNS series explores places that once had names,” Mitchell explains. “When I first started the series in 2018, I didn’t overthink it; there is an abundance of them where I live, so I decided to shoot them. Everything from fast food restaurants, sporting goods stores, and hotels are all just forgotten. The signs are giant decaying monuments which show the crumbling of capitalism in America.”

Portrait category

“Doki Doki” by Hector Palacios took third place in the portrait category. I loved this series because it showed that minimalism doesn’t mean the absence of color. In fact, simplicity can pack a vivid punch.  

Long exposure category

The title of Long Exposure Photographer of the Year went to Martin Annand and the image, “Huts…” The fog creates a dreamscape, where reality and imagination intertwine in the gentle, hazy reflections.

Architecture category 

In “Union and intersection,” second-place winner Michael McLaughlin explores complementary structural and architectural details. What drew me to this photo was the intense blue curvature punctuated by a harsh red line. 

Photomanipulation category 

Inge Schuster took third place for her series, “Landscape,” which examines the haunting beauty of nighttime solitude. 

Fine-art category

Fine Art Photographer of the Year Natalie Christensen gave me Slim Aarons vibes with her sunny poolside images bursting with pops of color. 

“I came to learn that the presence of a pool was a distraction from how impermanent things actually were,” Christensen writes, recalling her childhood. “Underneath, there loomed an impending sense that everything could be lost. Stable could quickly become unstable, and suddenly we were in over our heads. Yet the pool was always seductive. There was a comfort in the stillness of its waters, albeit a calm that couldn’t be trusted.”

How to enter the Minimalist Photography Awards

The early submission deadline is April 27—check the website for next year’s schedule. Participants must pay a fee of $15 to submit one image, $25 for a series, and $10 per additional image. The final deadline is June 5, and prices increase by $5.

The post Less is more: See the winners of the Minimalist Photography Awards appeared first on Popular Photography.

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Summer is a time when light is abundant: Early sunrises and late sunsets, the gentle afternoon sun that dapples between leaves and branches, long shadows. Whether you shoot in color or monochrome, light is a study to behold. How does it shape our way of seeing? How does its absence change the landscape? In a quest for answers, this week’s Photos of the Day theme is light and shadow.

Related: How to take pictures in bright sunlight

This week’s theme

For this week’s Photo of the Day challenge, we want to see your best images that interpret the idea of light and shadow. And all forms of photography are welcomed. Show us the abstract or the scenes right in front of you. Maybe it’s a shadow self-portrait or the colorful way an innertube filters the light by the pool. Perhaps it’s the way the sunset streams through the sprinklers on a warm evening. Possibilities abound.

How to enter

To submit, use #popphotooftheday on Instagram or Twitter, or submit to our Flickr pool or Facebook group. If joining the Facebook group, please answer the membership questions and agree to the group rules.

There are no limits on how many images you can enter, but be sure to tag/upload only your very best shots. We can’t wait to see what you’ve got!

More info

For more info on Photos of the Day, including the official rules, head here.

The post A game of tones: Show us your best photos of light and shadow appeared first on Popular Photography.

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We’ll admit, we’ve been pretty spacey around here lately—but not in the actual sense of the word. Between the James Webb Space Telescope’s first enthralling images and a rare planetary alignment, we’ve been spoiled by photographs that are out-of-this-world. And that’s why a theme about sky and space seemed fitting. This week’s winners rose to the challenge and delivered stunning photos of Harvest Moons, galaxies splashed across the sky, stormy clouds, and more. 

Want to be featured in a future gallery? Weekly themes are posted Sundays. To enter, you can upload your submissions to our Flickr pool, tag them on Instagram, or join/upload them to our (NEW) Photos of the Day Facebook group.

Lead image by Delfino Ramirez. See more work here. 

Sunset in Kennebunkport

It’s stormy in New England tonight; clouds roll through, a dying sunset fades over yonder. Dennis Racicot photographs a truly tempestuous Maine evening.

Shadows to the edge of night 

David Stilwill captures the wonder and serenity of a cold winter night, inviting the viewer to tread through the snow and chase the stars, while the comforting glow of home fades into the darkness.

The sky above the dunes

It’s no wonder why pioneers found the West so alluring. Cash Turner photographed this scene at sunrise, when the dunes stand tall and mysterious, shrouded in mist.

Dragon’s post

Joe Marfia takes us to Fort Rock in central Oregon, where a “dragon” of stars majestically crests above a rock formation. Talk about dazzling.

Lunar eclipse progression 

To create this image, Raymond Choo combined several images shot over 90 minutes during a lunar eclipse. The result is a beautiful display of the many faces of the moon.

Petrie Island, Ottawa

Some photos just fill you with awe. And a Harvest Moon rising over the last of fall’s vibrant display? Paula Gallagher Brown captures nature’s melancholic last song before winter. 

Milky Way

If this really is his first photo of the galaxy, then Richard Kinley totally nailed it.

The post Just look up: Reader-submitted sky and space Photos of the Day appeared first on Popular Photography.

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Last week was monumental for folks who like to gaze into the heavens—both within the space community and outside it—with the release of the James Webb Space Telescope’s first images. From the majestic Carina Nebula to a lively dance between galaxies, the images even moved one physicist to tears. With all the intergalactic happenings, it’s only fitting that this week’s challenge is all about the sky and space. 

Related: See all of Hubble’s observations in one photo

This week’s theme

For this week’s Photo of the Day challenge, we want to see your best images of the sky and space. Film, digital, instant, B&W, color, sepia, what-have-you. It’s all welcome. Show us your favorite sunrise or sunset, a smattering of stars, a Harvest Moon. After all, the sky is often a metaphor that represents endless possibilities, so don’t be afraid to get creative. 

How to enter

To submit, use #popphotooftheday on Instagram or Twitter, or submit to our Flickr pool or (NEW!) Facebook group. If joining the Facebook group, please answer the membership questions and agree to the group rules—this is in effort to prevent spam. We will decline your request if you do not agree to the group rules. 

There are no limits on how many images you can enter, but be sure to tag/upload only your very best shots. We can’t wait to see what you’ve got!

More info

For more info on Photos of the Day, including the official rules, head here.

The post Sun, moon, and stars: Show us your best photos of the sky appeared first on Popular Photography.

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At PopPhoto, it’s Bird Week, and to kick things off, our Photos of the Day theme is all about…you guessed it, avian life. Birds have and continue to be a favorite subject amongst our readers, so this week, we want to see your best bird images.

Related: The year’s best urban wildlife photography

This week’s theme

Show us your favorite photos of feathered friends. Whether you’re capturing golden eagles or mallard ducks, all bird species are welcomed, and so are unconventional perspectives. We love a classic bird in flight shot (who doesn’t?!) but we’re also challenging you to think about the subject differently. Is there a particular detail that’s worth highlighting? Could the image be enhanced by photographing a group en masse? Delight us with the creative and unexpected. 

How to enter

To submit, use #popphotooftheday on Instagram or Twitter, or submit to our Flickr pool or our Facebook group. If joining the Facebook group, please answer the membership questions and agree to the group rules.

There are no limits on how many images you can enter, but be sure to tag/upload only your very best shots. We can’t wait to see what you’ve got!

More info

For more info on Photos of the Day, including the official rules, head here.

The post Birds of a feather: Show us your best avian photography appeared first on Popular Photography.

Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.

The Milky Way floats over the Oregon coast while rushing seawater plays a soothing song into the night. A compendium of nebulae in capricious colors. These are just some of the images shortlisted for the 14th annual Astronomy Photographer of the Year awards, hosted by the Royal Observatory Greenwich in London.

The jury parsed through over 3,000 images from 67 countries, selecting 36 shortlisted nominees. Final winners—there are multiple categories and special prizes—will be announced on September 15th and showcased in an exhibition at the National Maritime Museum. Here are a few of our favorite contenders from the shortlist. 

Related: Best cameras for astrophotography

Oregon Coast

In a dazzling display of wonder, Marcin Zajac showcases the Milky Way over the Oregon coast. I love the way the starlight gleams off the water’s surface. All the more impressive is that the location is notorious for its summer fog—rendering this image extra special. 

Suburbs of Carina Nebula

Ignacio Diaz Bobillo gives new meaning to “cotton-candy skies.” Here, we can observe the nebula known as RCW 53c—a subject not often photographed. Bobillo created a bicolor, narrowband rendition with HOO color-channel mapping for otherworldly effects. 

The Starry Sky Over the World’s Highest National Highway

What’s more impressive, the galaxy floating overhead or the world’s highest national highway? Bring the two together with some dramatic lighting and it’s one majestic picture.

Electric Wizardry

The Northern Lights are spectacular on their own—but the reflection off the tranquil waters of a lake makes them even more ethereal and otherworldly. 

Arp 271: Cosmic Collision

Cosmic collision? Not quite. These spiral galaxies, known as NGC 5426 and NGC 5427, are projected to interact with each other for millions of years to come. It will be the dance of a lifetime. 

Inverted Minerals

Are you sure you know what the moon actually looks like? In a stunning twist, Noah Kujawski turns our idea upside down. The moon’s surface may appear gray to our eyes, but minerals in the soil reveal vibrant colors. With a little enhancement, the moon becomes something out of this world. 

Clouds of Hydrogen Gas

Swirling clouds lend a hint to the sun’s tempestuous surface, where gas quickly dissipates in the face of clashing magnetic field lines. 

Comet C/2021 A1 (Leonard)

According to the observatory, one of 2021’s best discoveries was Comet Leonard, which made its closest pass at Earth in December of that year. Armed with a robotic telescope, Lionel Majzik captured its streak across the sky in Namibia. The novelty? The comet may never be seen ever again. 

Pickering’s Triangle in Light-Polluted City

One of the finalists for the Young Astronomy Photographer of the Year prize is Zezhen Zhou. Zhou had to overcome the intense obstacle of light pollution in Shaoxing, China, to capture this image of Pickering’s Triangle. As dazzling as it is, only the brightest stars are visible.

The post Feast your eyes on these brilliant astronomy photos appeared first on Popular Photography.

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There’s nothing quite like a trip to the seaside. It’s something about the way the saltwater air teases your hair and flavors your sandwich, how the sun reflects off pastel umbrellas, and how the waves rumble in and out, taking with them the occasional sandcastle. This week, we asked to see your best photos of the beach and you delivered, taking us from Maui to Bermuda.

Want to be featured in a future gallery? Weekly themes are posted Sundays. To enter, you can upload your submissions to our Flickr pool, tag them on Instagram, or join/upload them to our (NEW) Photos of the Day Facebook group.

Lead image by Gordon Webster Photography. See more of Gordon’s work here.

Related: How to take good pictures in bright sunlight

Driftwood Beach

The only thing better than a Georgia peach is the state’s spectacular shorelines. Leigh Ann McDowell takes us on a tranquil journey to see Driftwood Beach at sunrise—no filters, no Photoshop.

Ruakaka Beach, New Zealand

Mike Bodnar offers a beautiful detail shot of an intricate seashell. With its delicate swirls, it lends a creative and abstract sense of place to this week’s theme.

Bermuda

Island life is calling in Nils Fierro’s idyllic image of a beach in Bermuda. Look at that sapphire and turquoise water. 

Lahaina, Maui

A reminder of the power of nature. Luke Schaftary captures the melancholy of a forgotten pier and the unrelenting passage of time. 

Santa Monica

Ryan Gabbard’s image (shot on a Rolleiflex and Kodak Portra 400, no less) gave me Wes Anderson vibes. Pastel lifeguard station, full sun…all it needs is a little symmetry and this could be a scene from The Life Aquatic.

Sunset at Dana Point Beach

I love sunsets on the beach. They always seem to last a little bit longer and are just a smidge more glorious. Mallik Kesavaraju’s picture brings to mind the gentle way the waves lap the shore as the din and chatter fade with packed-up picnics and surfers straggling home. Suddenly, it’s just you and the ocean in the twilight.

The post Everything’s just beachy: Our favorite reader-submitted Photos of the Day appeared first on Popular Photography.

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A little seaside air is the cure for just about anything. Squishy sand beneath your toes, playing tag with the waves, an afternoon ice cream under an umbrella, the shore is the perfect place to hit refresh and soak in the summer. So, this week’s theme is all about beach life.

This week’s theme

We want to see your best images of where water meets land. Film, digital, instant; B&W, color, sepia, and more are all welcome, and so are unconventional locales. If you don’t find yourself next to an ocean or sea, we’ll happily accept images of lakes, rivers, streams, etc., too. Show us the waves that lap the shore, the sandcastles, the surfers, sunbathers, picnics, and everything else that makes your beach trip special. 

How to enter

To submit, use #popphotooftheday on Instagram or Twitter, or submit to our Flickr pool or Facebook group. If joining the Facebook group, please answer the membership questions and agree to the group rules.

There are no limits on how many images you can enter, but be sure to tag/upload only your very best shots. We can’t wait to see what you’ve got!

More info

For more info on Photos of the Day, including the official rules, head here.

The post Surf’s up: Show us your best images of the beach appeared first on Popular Photography.

Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.