Take your pleasure seriously. Charles Eames.

Sometimes in the society that we live in, we lose ourselves and forget about what makes us happy. Most people are trying to keep up and are always tired. Having to work, clean up the house, do chores and find some time to relax and eat before the next exhausting day that will drain the life out of their bodies. Most people don't have the energy to do what they really enjoy because the only thing that remains is their tired mind and body. We don't even have the time to think anymore because we simply don't have the time to think about anything else other than "what needs to be done". And sometimes thinking about "what needs to be done" limits us from enjoying a day off, our vacation - our lives. Having time to ourselves and taking our pleasures seriously doesn't only have to do with always having fun. It also has to do with keeping our mind in a healthy stage so that we can think about other things and stop occupying our minds with all the useless information we receive from our surroundings. So that we are able to make decisions that are best for us. This is one of the main reasons that I started this blog. Because I really want to keep up with finding new information through research about photography since it is one of the things I really enjoy doing and love so that I get inspired. Whatever it is that gives us the fuel for life and makes us look forward to a new exciting day is what we should keep doing more in life. Because that will also be what we do best and keeps us healthy. 

-found on tearingdowndoors.tumblr.com

some inspiration-nature photography on pinterest

Remember what's important.

You are still alive. Use up your time with what you think is worth using it up on. 

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Searching for the Afghan Girl

-Steve McCurry, Afghan Girl, 1984. Peshawar, Pakistan.

Steve McCurry is an extraordinary photographer. He has captured photographs of war, stunning portraits and landscapes that make you wish you where there. He is travelling the world and capturing photographs that are one of a kind. Most people have already seen his work. But the most known portrait that he captured is "Afghan girl". Even people who don't buy a national geographic magazine, and are not familiar with the photographer or his work have seen this specific portrait. The photograph was shot in December 1984 and it was featured on the cover of the National Geographic Magazine in June 1985. At the time the photograph was shot the girl in the photograph was 12 years old and whats interesting is that the story of the Afghan girl does not stop there. A National Geographic team along with Steve McCurry went on a mission to find the "Afghan girl" in January 2002 when she was successfully found (her identity was confirmed by John Daugman using Iris recognition). She then saw her famous portrait for the first time and is now known by her name: Sharbat Gula. 

-Steve McCurry, Sharbat Gula, 2002.

The documentary of the "Search for the Afghan Girl" is very interesting to watch and follow the crews journey but also discover the Afghan girl not only through photographs but also through exploring her world in a very small way. 

Steve McCurry's photographs are not just beautiful images. They offer us an insight to civilisations we most probably didn't ever experience, in a unique way. It helps people understand the world and can be the reason for someone to see a change in their own world.

-her story can be found on wikipedia.

-documentary playlist (and links: 1-2-3-4)

-Steve McCurry website.

I hope you enjoy ☺

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Double Exposure

Dan Mountford has done an amazing series of double exposure photographs combined with some digital art. 

-link to Dan Mountford's website

These photographs can be created right there in the camera with no photoshop involved. Some digital cameras have the capability of shooting a double exposure image but since this is a technique originated in film photography, a 35mm camera can give you access to do that too. 

Sara Byrne is another photographer who created some double exposures images (using a digital camera). The photographs that she created are very unique and provide a very creative and different point of view. She also has a video where she explains how she created these images and shows us how to achieve that.

-link to Sara and Dylan's website

-vsco for Sara Byrne's double exposures

-link to the video

 ⤵ 

this photo won the FearLess Award

Enjoy! ☺

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Cate Wnek

Cate Wnek is a photographer whose photos worth a million words. The point of view of the photographer really is a very important factor to think about when taking a photograph and by studying the work of other photographers that inspire you can make a difference in your own work. Research is very important and it can really transform a photographers work.

link to Cate Wnek website

I hope you find this inspiring!

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Irving Penn (1917-2009)

Irving Penn

Picasso, Canned, 1957

Irving Penn was one of the most influential photographers of the 20th century. He worked and is very well known for fashion photography. He took many portrait photographs using original ideas that give each portrait a different character. As extraordinary his work is in every aspect of photography, the tools he used in order to create these photographs are also very authentic.

Irving Penn

Marcel Duchamp, 1948

For creating some full body portrait photographs, Irving Penn constructed a background in a studio made out of two walls connected to create a tight corner, and took photographs of people standing in the corner creating a great effect and an unusual photographic image.

Irving Penn

The empty plate, N.Y., October 14, 1949

His compositions of still life photographs are extraordinary and it is very interesting to see how he used to set up the objects in these photographs. It gives the viewer an insight to Irving Penn's point of view and his vision about his photographs.

There are countless articles dedicated on Irving Penn and worth a read. His work is a great example of how to have a different point of view and perception. Since his work is expanding in a very large scale and has to be given extra attention, I will be mentioning him in other posts in the future as well, but each time focusing on a specific field.

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Levitate-

Levitation photography is an intriguing concept and usually these photographs are very interesting and fun to look at. 

Each one of these photographs can have a concept pr they can just be based on creativity and fun. Either way, all these photographs create a different reality to the one we define as "the true reality".

Natsumi Hayashi - wed.06.22.2011

本日の浮遊

Today's Levitation

Natsumi Hayashi is a photographer who lives in Tokyo and created levitating self-portrait photographs (one for everyday). She actually provides all the details in her website on how she created her levitation photographs. So, for anyone who is interested in recreating their own - similar styled - levitation photographs : here is a link.

Her concept for each photograph she creates is unique and even though someone would think that photoshop was involved in the process, or any other tricks, I'm amazed to say that these photographs are original. Even though it's as difficult as taking more than 200 jumps before the perfect shot, it still worths giving this a try.

-link to Natsumi Hayashi's website

Giuseppe Lo Schiavo - from the levitation series

Another photographer playing around and experimenting with the concept of levitation photography and has created very beautiful photographs in the process is Giuseppe Lo Schiavo. An italian photographer who made up a new idea and a completely different perception for levitation photography. I will be mentioning again this artist, but for the time being, enjoy these surrealistic scenes. 

-link to Giuseppe Lo Schiavo's website/levitation

levitate!

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British Journal of Photography

February 2013 volume 160 issue 7809

In this post I am excited to talk about a magazine called "British Journal of Photography". I find photography magazines to be very inspiring and also very pleasant to read. But this one in particular draws my attention a little bit more than the other magazines because I find it to be very pleasant to read and it gives me great inspiration. The photograph cover is by Lorna Freytag and it is for the Wild Child photobook.

The article: "Report: Children's photobooks" (p. 36-44) talks about children's photobooks (as the title mentions) and it provides an insight for children's photobooks which are educational and entertaining at the same time composed of smart photographs. These photobooks really capture the readers attention and are very interesting for all ages.

Another article in this magazine that captured my attention is the one called "Historical Correction" by Maxine Helfman This self-taught photographer created these photographs with the aim to use them in order to "pose questions" and "to create a tangible source of dialogue". She addresses real issues of society that changed during time only to take different forms.

Hope you enjoy :)

link to the British Journal of Photography magazine

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