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Cultural Icons Before They Were Famous: Photographer’s Work Goes on Show

4 May 2026 at 13:44

On the left, a man sits among colorful paint bottles and tools in a messy studio. On the right, a shirtless man in a fur hat poses with one hand on his face against a white backdrop.

A new exhibition presents more than 700 photographs by British documentary photographer Janette Beckman, capturing influential figures in music, street culture, fashion, and activism -- often before they became widely recognized.

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The Oscar Must Go to a Human for Performances and Writing, Says Academy

4 May 2026 at 13:31

Four people in black suits hold up Oscar statuettes in front of a red and white patterned background, with only their hands and arms visible.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has issued fresh guidance on who or what can win an Oscar, stressing that human creativity must be front and center if a performance or writing is to win one of the coveted awards.

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Kase’s AF 150mm f/5.6 Reflex Lens Embraces Wacky Donut-Shaped Bokeh

4 May 2026 at 12:37

A black Kase Reflex 150mm f/5.6 AF camera lens with a Z-mount, shown upright against a plain white background. The lens features visible switches and branding on its body.

Kase, arguably best known for its filters, also makes lenses. While some of these are normal, like the AF 85mm f/1.4 portrait prime, others are a bit unusual, like the manual focus 200mm f/5.6 reflex (mirror) lens. Kase's newest lens is yet another reflex prime, but this time it comes equipped with autofocus.

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FAA Warns of Criminal Fines Up to $100,000 for Drones Near World Cup Stadiums

4 May 2026 at 11:16

A black quadcopter drone with a camera hovers in the sky, its propellers spinning. The background features a blue sky with a few white clouds.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has designated all FIFA World Cup stadiums and event spaces as strict “No Drone Zones” and says it will impose criminal fines of up to $100,000 for flying aerial devices near them.

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Photography Lessons From ‘The Lord of the Rings’

3 May 2026 at 13:30

A large bird of prey with outstretched wings hovers above tall, golden reeds in a field, with a blurred green background suggesting trees or vegetation.

Just as Tolkien did in "The Lord of the Rings," photographers encompass cultural, historical, and personal viewpoints in their work. However, as in that book, a complex interaction exists between the photographer's intent and the viewer's interpretation of the image.

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What Event Photography Is Really Like Behind the Scenes

3 May 2026 at 12:01

A lively, elegant party with guests in formal attire watches a performer singing on stage under an ornate chandelier and frescoed ceiling, bathed in dramatic, warm lighting. Musicians play brass instruments in the background.

Early morning. Black t-shirt, dark blazer. I’m dragging heavy bags down from my apartment just outside Stockholm, heading to a taxi waiting outside. In twenty minutes, I’ll be at Stockholm Waterfront, where three intense days of shooting are about to begin. And I love it.

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The Hidden History of a British Female Photographer Turned Soviet Agent

3 May 2026 at 11:00

A black and white photo shows a woman with a camera and a man in a trench coat and hat, reflected in a mirror with "37%" written on it, in an urban setting.

A major new biography explores the life of Edith Tudor Hart, a pioneer photographer in 1930s London who became a Soviet secret agent and had a hand in the history of the notorious "Cambridge Five."

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  • Addressing ‘Creative Loneliness’ Bruce Percy
    As much as I think that landscape photography is a lone pursuit, it often conflicts with the need for feedback about our work. Learning to take photos is one thing but learning to interact with others, to find connections and build a creative network is often overlooked, but just as vital. [Read More]
     

Addressing ‘Creative Loneliness’

2 May 2026 at 13:15

A dramatic, dark landscape with rocky hills and a prominent jagged peak in the background. Foreground features scattered stones on a stark, shadowy plain under a moody, cloudy sky with light breaking through.

As much as I think that landscape photography is a lone pursuit, it often conflicts with the need for feedback about our work. Learning to take photos is one thing but learning to interact with others, to find connections and build a creative network is often overlooked, but just as vital.

[Read More]

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