Image from NAPCP.com
Linda De Los Reyes recently did what many of us have been dying for – a review of “fashion forward” camera bags, for the National Association of Professional Child Photographers (NAPCP). That’s right, a camera bag that you can match with that summer dress or even your office wear.
From all time favorite Shootsac, practical The Joy Bag, to more eye-catching Epiphanie and Jill-e Designs; read Linda’s review on how she uses them and for what occasion in NAPCP’s blog post HERE.
FAHRENHEIT, a contemporary arts magazine, have listed their top 5 women photographers in the field of artistic and documentary photography. Amongst them includes Naomi Goggin and Susanna Majuri.
© Susanna Majuri. Photo from FAHRENHEIT Magazine.com
Check out the other photographers on FAHRENHEIT here.
While most ladies are busy checking the latest bag to swoon after on Fashion Week, we at Chiq Clicks are peaking to see what’s in the bag. In the photographer’s bag that is.
The fabulous Katy Winn, a veteran Getty Images Official Fashion Week photographer, gives us the low down on what she packs to wrestle with other photographers “in the pit” during that eventful 7 days. Find out her choice of lenses, CF cards and how she makes the best out of available light in this 2-part Youtube video.
During the much anticipated Angkor Photo Festival 2010 in November, the first ever Asian Women Photographers’ Showcase was held. 15 of Asia’s most promising women photographers in the field of photojournalism, documentary and investigative visual story-telling, displayed compelling images of life through their lens.
Curator of the showcase, Yumi Goto, proposed to do it because “in Asia this kind of work being produced by female photographers is still not very recognised and I think it is important for us to do such a showcase.”
She added,
What is most interesting to me is that if you only looked at the images, you can’t really tell if men or women produced them. Originally, I had expected to see work that appeared feminine, but in the end, I really didn’t feel any influence by gender at all. Perhaps, this means that it really doesn’t matter if the person taking the photo is a man or woman.
Below are the works from each photographer with a summary of their project.
© Burcu Goknar (Turkey)
Night Shift by Burcu Göknar, Turkey
Just as the women of their family have done for generations, the two sisters in Burcu Göknar’s story have worked as belly dancers in Istanbul nightclubs since they were eleven years old. To bring home enough money to support their family, they perform in five or six different venues every night, returning home with the sunrise. Gradually, their lives have diverged; one is now a celebrity who dances on TV, while the other continues to dance in nightclubs.
© Gali Tibbon (Israel)
Echoes of Christian Jerusalem by Gali Tibbon, Israel
Thousands of pilgrims from across the world flock to Jerusalem to retrace the last steps of Jesus, walking the Via Dolorosa that ends at the Holy Sepulchre, built on the site where Jesus is believed to have been buried and resurrected. A kaleidoscope of colors and shapes, Gali Tibbon’s photographs offer a rare glimpse into the inner workings of the church, home to six ethnic Christian denominations.
© Isabelle Eshraghi (Iran)
Women of Isfahan, Ten Years Later by Isabelle Eshraghi, Iran/ France
Born in 1964 in Iran, Isabelle Eshraghi and her family immigrated to France when she was three, and did not return until 1996. Regular trips to Iran since then have allowed to her to compile a long-term project, and in this essay, she examines what has changed there in the last ten years through the daily lives of these women. Her intention is to show through their faces and gestures the essence of their femininity. Although some behaviour has changed along with a new way of consumption, the future is still uncertain.
© Jean Chung (S.Korea)
Korea’s Forgotten Women: Comfort Women for the U.S. Army by Jean Chung, South Korea
After being treated as pariahs for decades, some elderly women have begun speaking out about their experiences as prostitutes in camp towns constructed around American military bases in South Korea. Through their testimonies, it has emerged that “Comfort Women” were not just provided to the Japanese Imperial Army as sexual slaves, but also to American military servicemen from the 1960s to 1980s. Part of the lowest social strata, these retired, semi-enslaved prostitutes now live alone in shanty houses, surviving on government welfare checks and collecting recycling.
© Mariam Amurvelashvili (Georgia)
Prison by Mariam Amurvelashvili, Georgia
Since 2005, Mariam Amurvelashvili has been documenting the conditions in Georgian prisons. Ortachala prison was notorious for its poor living conditions, housing ten times more prisoners than it was built to contain. In 2006, it was destroyed and replaced by a new facility where each prisoner has a bed, good food and hygiene, medical care, a library, and visiting hours. These improvements ensure that the prisoners, no matter what their crime, retain their human dignity.
© Mery Agakhanyan (Armenia)
The Life of Peasants in Armenia by Mery Agakhanyan, Armenia
The life of a peasant in Armenia is a hard road, unchanged for decades. They have no power, no choice, and no hope of securing a better station in life as the months and years pass. Their faces reflect ancient memories, filled with fatigue and exhaustion. The soil is as tired as the farmers, and they merge together into one arduous life.
© Huiying Ore (Singapore)
We Are Farmers by Huiying Ore, Singapore
Up until recently, a typical household in Singapore had several generations living under the same roof. Huiying Ore grew up with a hundred extended kin living and working together on a farm. Rapid industrialization and the resulting rural-urban shift has since changed that lifestyle, and now, most Singaporeans live in compact high-rise apartments which house on average four people. Her family fought to stay together, relocating their farming business and re-establishing it. Currently, three generations continue to work on the farm – a vanishing way of life in Singapore. This project documents the struggle as they toil on the land, and explores their hopes and dreams.
© Poulomi Basu (India)
To Conquer her Land by Poulomi Basu, India
In September 2009, India’s first ever group of female soldiers in The Border Security Armed Force were deployed on the infamous India-Pakistan border. Poulomi Basu spent time with these young women at boot camp, in their homes, and on their journey to the border, documenting their transformation from woman to soldier. By following women from different parts of the country, castes and social backgrounds, she brings to life not only the challenges and struggles of ordinary Indian women, but also how these women face the reality of being a soldier.
© Rena Effendi (Azerbaijan)
Oil Village by Rena Effendi, Azerbaijan
In Azerbaijan, Soviet-era industrialization programs and the economy’s heavy dependence on the oil sector have attracted people to the capital, Baku, in search of work. Nearly four million people, half of the country’s population, now live in Baku, which is imploding through overpopulation and urban decay. Communities in the city and the suburbs – called Oil Village – live dangerously in makeshift homes, abandoned factories, and oil fields. Living in inhumane conditions for two decades, the air they breathe, the water they drink, and even the playgrounds where their children play are contaminated and hostile. And yet, life goes on.
© Saori Ninomiya (Japan)
Ano Basyo Kara: From That Place-The Voice of Being by Saori Ninomiya, Japan
Saori Ninomiya has long wanted to join the cause of raising awareness about the suffering of rape victims – in part because she was raped herself, but also because she felt a deep need to do so. She believes that healing takes place during the process of photographing.
© Shiho Fukada (Japan)
End of Labor Town: Dumping Ground of Old Men in Japan by Shiho Fukada, Japan
Once a thriving day laborer’s town in Osaka, Kamagasaki today is home to about twenty-five thousand people, mainly men, of whom about 1,300 are homeless. This “welfare town” is considered a dumping ground of old men. Alcoholism, poverty, street death, suicide, TB and most of all, loneliness prevail here. They have no family ties, and live and die alone as outcasts from the mainstream “salary man” culture. Japan’s economy, once the world’s second largest, is deteriorating rapidly; it is now difficult if not impossible for the greying men of the construction industry to find work.
© Suruchi Dumpawar (India)
Sites of Terror by Suruchi Dumpawar, India
Suruchi Dumpawar’s body of work documents the sites of a series of bomb blasts that shook Ahmedabad in Gujurat, India, on 26 July, 2008, killing forty-nine people and injuring more than 150. She explores the tenacious link between landscape and memory through the medium of photography and text derived from newspaper reports of the blast. Her work is a reflection on a horrifying past seen in the rather ordinary landscape of the present, thus commenting on the banality of terror itself.
© Tatiana Plotnikova (Russia)
Russia: Alcohol Abuse by Tatiana Plotnikova, Russia
The per capita consumption of alcohol in Russia is among the top ten highest in the world, and the problem continues to grow. The Balashov Narcological Clinic in the Saratov region is one of many clinics scattered all over Russia that treats alcoholics. Many patients have already experienced the terrible torture of delirium tremens but cannot stop drinking, as very often, entire families drink habitually, from generation to generation.
© Wenjing Wang (China)
Form and Home: Young Generation in Beijing by Wenjing Wang, China
Growing up under the one child policy amidst the recent frenzy of economic growth in China, the new generation has different values on life, wealth, and their future. At the same time, faced with an ever-changing environment, they also feel confused and solitary. Wenjing Wang photographs each person standing and lying down to represent the contradiction between what society demands of the youth and their own self-awareness.
© Ying Ang (Singapore)
The Heartland by Ying Ang, Singapore
In a rapidly modernizing China, the rural heartland and its inhabitants are often overlooked. A skewed demographic of mostly the very old and very young in villages contrasts with the city-centres’ ever-growing populations of unemployed youths. Like communities who have lost their young men to war, this toothless and infant-dominated population is left to fend for itself amidst a swathe of cross-provincial issues like climate change, water pollution, and the rising cost of land. Ying Ang photographed her family’s homestead on Hainan Island, where seven generations of blood relatives live and continue to do so.
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If you would to exhibit The Asian Women Photographers’ Showcase, you may contact the curator Yumi Goto: g.youme[at]gmail[dot]com.
For more information on the showcase, check out:
Your mother might have told you that, “the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach”. What she forgot to add is, “your stunning photos of your cooking would steal a great many more hearts!”
Food is an excellent photography subject. Good food usually looks appetizing and for most types of food, it stays still long enough for you to set up the photo.
Chiq Clicks is happy to bring you Haniela’s top 10 tips on taking better photos of food. Haniela’s an excellent baker and photographer (of course!) and like many of us, found her passion for photography through Flickr.
Whether you’re a foodie warrior out to snap a photo of every meal you take to share on Facebook, or a serious chef/baker wanting to document your creations, Haniela’s simple tips below will turn your nice photos into stunning ones.
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1. CAMERA – LENS
Camera
With camera you basically have 2 options :
Lens
Quality lens is really must. As they say glass matters the most.
Good lens doesn’t have to be expensive, Nikon 50mm 1.8 or 50mm 1.4 are really good choices to start with, they are prime lenses (no zoom) but offer a great sharpness of the image. I know it has no zoom, but with food it really works great, and I’ve used it on some outdoor portraits as well.
I also use Nikon 17-55mm f/2.8, this one sits on my camera on most days. It offers excellent optics and sharpness is great throughout out the range. I just love it.
I also work with Nikon 105mm f/2.8 AF Micro, it is a beauty.
It really comes down to what you are the most comfortable with and what you can afford.
2. TRIPOD
Tripod is a very important part of your gear. Personally I can’t do without a tripod, it is must for me. Tripods are made from variety of materials, from the cheapest: plastic aluminum, basalt, and carbon fiber are the most expensive ones. Depending on your budget and your needs get a tripod that will be able hold your camera.
I’ve tried few brands, I like Manfrotto brand and most days I use the Gitzo, that is an expensive carbon fiber tripod. But if you do nature and wildlife photography where lots of hiking is involved, you better get yourself something that is light. I’ll never forget that 6 hours hike I took with a super heavy tripod on my shoulder which gave me a bruises and blisters. That heavy tripod was sold and replaced with a carbon one and I’ve never looked back.
If you are using point and shoot, you must definitely use a tripod when taking food photos.
3. LIGHT AND LIGHTING
I’ve been using mainly natural light when taking food photos, though I’ve tried studio lights as well. I’m still on a learning curve about these. I would love to try a strobe sometime soon as well.
Usually I try to shoot in the middle of the day or early afternoon. Pay attention to the strength of the light as it changes throughout the day. For example, early afternoon light can deliver a nice bright light but it also can be very strong producing harsh shadows in your photos.
When taking photos indoors I recommend to test the light in your house during different times of the day. The best place is by a large window or opening, with the light coming in diffused by a white curtain, or you can use a white bed sheet. I use a white diffuser.
I also have 2 skylights in my kitchen, so when I need it I have light coming from above.
I actually prefer sunny days over cloudy ones, as with sunny days I get to play more with the light as it has more direction and casts shadows. Of course there are times, when there is just too much light.
4. REFLECTORS
I love reflectors, they are vital to food photography and they are so much fun.
I bought a kit of reflectors, with gold, black, 2 white diffusers, silver and a lightly golden one. You can make simply table reflectors by using card stocks from a craft store. Use silver or if you want warm it up a little use a gold one.
In the shot above (donuts in the cage), I used mirrors and aluminium foil pieces placed on the table and ran the mirror from the left through a glass jar.
Get Inspired. I have a lot of magazines with food photos and I try to understand how each shot was taken, where was the main light, etc. I love Arthur King Flour’s catalogue, it is full of great photos which I try to pick up on the lighting tricks from. Even though they are using all studio lights and I’m doing all natural lighting, I think it applies to both, just the way you get there is a little different.
Example 1: I directed a reflector to run the light just across the top of the white part to make it really shine.
Example 2: A very simple demonstration of how white diffusers works (I have to say even though my cake threw a very harsh shadow it was a pretty impressive one too).
Example 3: We just picked winter squash and before I cooked it I wanted to snap a picture. Well it seems I can’t just go and snap a picture anymore!
Originally I wanted to shoot it on the table, but then my eye spotted the bench and I thought, hmm, that could be interesting and it certainly was. You don’t see what preceded this shot, but the squash collapsed several times before I was finally able to secure each one of them. At the end I was praying so it would stay like that for at least a minute or so, so I could take some pictures. As you see I positioned the smallest ones in the front and I tried to arrange leaves there too so it wouldn’t look so bare.
5. CAMERA SETTINGS
The settings I normally use are:
6. PROPS – BACKGROUNDS – STYLING
When using a fabric, I try to keep it simple. Solid colors seems to work the best and then you can add little color with your props or a small napkin. I bought a lot of small fabric pieces to accent my photos at a fabric store, or you can find really nice kitchen towels at a dollar store too. I always look for props.
I don’t really have a preference of what color I like best. Obviously white looks great but when I take photos I usually try different backgrounds until I find one that fits the best for the subject. I’m still growing my fabric collection.
As for the props, Ikea has a wonderful selection of different bowl, jars etc. I love my weekend visits to garage sales. Especially now in the Fall there are so many of them. You can find really unexpected things there. Just keep your eyes open for little things that can add character to your photo. I love how food looks on a white plate but since nothing is set in stone I try different colors as well. Again, look at magazine food shots, or cookbooks. I find styling to be challenging, I learned that less is more.
Example 1: Use of a simple prop. Knife bought at a flea market ($2)
Example 2: Flower matching the napkin color adds a nice touch.
Example 3: I used a cut out parchment heart and a ribbon to make it more interesting. Background is satin red fabric. Perfect for Valentine’s Day.
Example 4: I lined the smallest box I could find ( I think it used to be a small jewelery box) with pink tissue paper (Victoria Secret).
Example 5: I had this shot in my head for a while, I planted some grass into a pretty green container and voila, it made a perfect Easter Egg Photo prop.
7. PREPARATION AND MY LITTLE HELPERS
I usually set my table before I have food ready and I test the light so I know what to expect later. I usually iron few backdrops just to have a few choices.
My tools include tweezers, paper towels, cotton swabs, glycerin, vinegar – it does magic on plates, I use it make them really shiny and spotless, spring clamps, painter’s brush to remove crumbs, sometime I use tape to pick up crumbs if I can’t get there with the brush. I use all kind of little helpers.
Example 1 (right): Aluminium foil & glass pebbles – The cookies wouldn’t stand on its own even after trying aluminium foil balls, little tubes, etc. So what I did was I placed few glass pebbles inside of the alluminum foil and made shapes, don’t ask what shapes they were just some shapes, in such fashion so they wouldn’t be showing through when shot at table level, but they would hold the cookie up. I balanced each cookie and this is the photo that came out.
I really wanted Flying Halloween Witches….and I think I got them. 
Example 2 (below): Paper towels – I love them, I use them to support cookies on a plate as cookies – they just keep sliding and sliding, it is nearly impossible to place them on the plate without some kind of support.
I used few paper towel pieces in these shots to keep the cookies from sliding into the dish.
Example 3: Parchment paper – I used parchment paper pieces in these Raisin Bread photos. The reason why I decided to use parchment pieces was very simple, I used a fabric background with a very natural feel and since I knew I’d be moving the bread around a lot.
I didn’t want the fabric to get all dirty from the raisins that were all over this delicious bread, they’re very soft and they would definitely dirty the fabric. I cut out rectangle pieces of parchment paper and placed them underneath of the breads. It worked wonderfully.
I photographed this bread for my friend Bread Artisan Maker Rachel from Mangez Brioche, she entered her bread into a Bread Contest, and her bread based on photos and her formula was chosen to go into the final round and she will be attending a bake off in Kansas.
Addition of a simple prop as stalks of dried wheat made it look more interesting.
I was very pleased with how I was able style this shot. I love the DOF here.
8. SHOOTING STYLE
Practice Practice Practice
I like to do a little research, study food photos in magazines and in cook books. Then when I’m ready to shoot I always try different angles, but generally the closer you can get better. Shoot the whole set up from from above, at standing level, at table level and don’t be afraid of exploring and have fun with it. Get closer with a macro lens, or wide lens.
Example 1: Here I shot the whole set up from an angled position from above and the second shot is a close up.
Example 2: Using the same prop, a gorgeous antique scale, two different angles can give you totally different perspectives.
Example 3: From above.
Example 4: Shot at table level.
Example 5: Get Close.
9. ERASING AND FORMATTING MEMORY CARD
I do the both. I shoot a lot and it seems like memory cards need a little boost after they’ve been all filled up. Once you download your pictures to the computer, back them up and then format your memory card in your camera not in the computer.
I didn’t believe it, but I did a little test, I deleted all my images on the memory card and I checked what is the available number of photos I can take, and it was a rather small number so I formatted the card and voila, number jumped up.
Formatting improves the performance of the memory card.
10. FILE FORMAT AND EDITING
I shoot in raw and my online photos are mainly PNG.
I use Capture NX for editing and converting photos and then Corel Paint Shop Pro for adding watermarks, text and such.
The beauty of Raw format is that in the software application you are able to work with the photo like you would in a darkroom, you can still go in and adjust exposure, correct the white balance etc.
I keep my editing to a minimum, usually it involves adjusting the contrast, boost of color and if needed, color control point.
Article originally posted here.
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If Haniela is not outdoors hiking to waterfalls, the self-taught photographer can be found baking and sharing her delicious recipes and delectable photos on her blog. Keep up with her on her:
Blog – www.hanielas.blogspot.com/
Flickr – www.flickr.com/photos/haniela/
Facebook – www.facebook.com/pages/Hanielas/
Category : Recommended reads
Time.com salutes women soldiers from all around the world with a strong photo essay that shows rarely seen images of women soldiers on duty, some of which taken by amazing women photographers such as freelance photojournalist Alissa Everett and the inspirational Lynsey Addario.
A female soldier carried her infant on her back (Mushake, Congo) (©Alissa Everett)
No longer relegated to the home front, women like Chief Warrant Officer Jesse Russell of the U.S., above, now serve in critical combat situations (Helmand Province, Afghanistan) (©Lynsey Addario)
Check out the photo essay here.
*photos from Time.com
For days you want make a fashion statement, here are ten really cute photography themed tees for ladies.
1. Nature Photography from Threadless, perfect for nature lovers!
2. In the Eye of the Aperture from Threadless, let light into your day!
3. My Lover from Threadless.
4. Photographer from Threadless. If all our cameras had legs, we wouldn’t need tripods!
5. Polaroid land camera from filmmonsters (Etsy).
6. Seagull camera shirt from vital (Etsy).
7. Lady Lotus Rolleiflex camera t-shirt from ladylotus (Etsy).
8. What The Duck: Camera On from Cafepress. Who does not love What The Duck?
9. WTD “Mind Over Matter” Single Panel from Cafepress, featuring an all time favorite strip from What The Duck
10. The Camera Made Me Do It from Forever21. Although it seems sold-out on most websites, you might still be able to find it at a local Forever21 outlet.
Category : Recommended reads
Joey L, a Canon user, raps about his star-crossed romance with a Nikon girl in this hilarious music video.
A sample of the chorus from the song goes like this:
Ohh Ahh Polish my lens girl
oooahh polish my lens girl
ohh-ahh polish my lens girl
dont leave a thumb print on that lens girl
(lyrics via Mahalo.com)
Ladies, what do you think of this video? Love it? Hate it? Let me know in this poll below.
(via What The Duck)
© Diana Bodea
The work of 30 superbly talented women under the age of 30 is featured in the online 30 under 30 women photographers exhibition. Their work celebrates femininity, innocence and gives viewers a blast of youthful energy in this often, male-dominated field of photography.
“30 Under 30 goes against the current vision of the photography, based on the dictat of the men and the most experimented and exceeds it. It is obvious that its initiative, more innovative, more altruistic, younger and more feminine can be only voluntary. It will nevertheless become inescapable because it answers a more and more strong request of the expert and / or amateur society which needs a new breath of youth and sensualism” -30 under 30-
© Miss Aniela
The featured photographers includes the likes of Natalie Dybisz aka Miss Aniela‘s artistic self-portraiture work, Selina De Maeyer‘s soulful portraits as well as illusive wilderness shots by Mylene Bressan.
© Selina De Maeyer
The diversity of style and subject in the exhibition opens up a myriad of questions and debates on women in photography and further embellishes women’s growing significant contribution to photography and art.
“…see it as you will, but sustain an open mind, take your time in relishing the imagery and bearing in mind the different experience of every artist involved”
-Miss Aniela-
© Katie Shapiro (left) © Snjezana Josipovic (right)
© Magdalena Pardo
© Meryem Yildiz
The exhibition is a collaboration between PHOTO BOITE, PORTFOLIO2 and The Artbox. Check out the 30 under 30 women photographers online exhibition here.
Are you an infant/ toddler photographer? A proud parent of your little angel? Or know anyone who has a baby you’d like to decorate with an adorable hat? We’ve got just the thing for you.
Posh Little Tutus is sponsoring one of their best products, the Lavender Wishes Infant Daisy Prop Hat specially for ChiqClicks’ readers. It’s soft, stretchy and blooming with dozens of lavender daisies!
WIN it by just dropping a comment on this post telling me what you think of the hat.
You can earn extra entries (to make your chances of winning higher) by:
As a special bonus - all entries stand a chance to win this gorgeous ChiqClicks exclusive silver Camera Charm Necklace with an elegant clear Swarovski crystal accent.
Contest ends on 30th August 2010 (CLOSED)
Check out Posh Little Tutus‘ range of great photo props for infants and toddlers here.
Additional notes:
* Participants can be male or female (we love ALL our readers, Chiqs and Diqs)
* Winners will be chosen randomly using the Randomizer
* Winners will be announced on this blog.
* Winners will be emailed for their shipping address. If he/she does not respond within 1 week, a new winner will be chosen.
* Winner of the Lavender Wishes Infant Daisy Prop Hat will be have the item shipped to him/her by Posh Little Tutus
* Winner of the Camera Charm Necklace will have the item shipped to him/her by ChiqClicks from Malaysia via registered mail.
Interested in sponsoring a giveaway? Drop me an email at editor[at]chiqclicks[dot]com
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