Meet the 500px Global Photography Awards Technical Category Winner

The 2022 500px Global Photography Awards serves creatives working with photography and provides them a chance to showcase their skill and be rewarded for it. The second edition of the competition consisted of six categories: Technical, Storytelling, Commercial Content, Documentary, Fine Art, and Landscape. Today on the blog we’re talking with the winner of the Technical category, Mary Bel, as she walks us through the BTS of her winning image and more.

Hi Mary Bel, please introduce yourself.

I am pretty much a self-taught photographer from Orlando, Florida. Although I learned photography in college, I learned the basics on 35mm film, and developed my own negatives and prints in a darkroom. Now, that technique is more for enthusiasts and purists. So, when the world evolved to digital photography, it took me a while to come around, but I made the adjustment.

As a single mother of two, I turned to photography as a way to find solace, peace, and as therapy. At that time, I used myself as the subject of my work and practiced my technique in the form of self-portraits. I quickly realized that there was something special in using myself as the subject of my work, so I became less afraid to experiment. This led to me giving myself permission to really practice, try new techniques, experiment, and mess up without fear or embarrassment.

I have always had a great deal of admiration for old master painters. My favorite era is the Baroque, and Caravaggio is my favorite artist. So, my self-portraits have a painterly, illustrative, and conceptual feel to them. After a few years of self-portraits, I felt comfortable enough to photograph models, and apply my painterly aesthetic to them with the lighting I use, the modifiers, the models I select and the set design. It is all intentional and with purpose.

The winning image: “Remember Who You Are”

We would love to know more about your planning process. How did you prepare the set for “Remember Who You Are”?
I photographed this portrait in the living room of my home. Since it was a beauty shoot, I didn’t need much space. I used a paper backdrop by Savage Universal, the color was cocoa. I feathered the light to create some separation between my subject and the background. So, I allowed just a small hint of light to hit the background.

How did you choose your model for this shot, and did you factor in her look when setting up the studio?
I intentionally picked this model, because I have seen other portraits of her that were the total opposite of my style. I really thought her features would stand out, if I kept all the other elements minimal and in the same tone. I also loved that the model has a slight androgynous look, her short hair and beautiful cheekbones were what really caught my attention.

This was important to me because her look can really be relatable and fit so many various looks—it can be high fashion, couture, yet rural and grunge, and still can look regal. As a Latina photographer, this model reminded me of my heritage, additionally African American, Caribbean, and women and men from all over can identify and relate to her in some way.

What was your lighting setup? There are such interesting lines, shadows, and highlights within the image we’d love to know how you brought the to life.
I also intentionally gave the portrait a bit of depth, by creating intentional shadows, so the image has slight highlights, lots of midtones, and shadows.

Can you walk us through your editing process for this image?
The editing for this portrait was very meticulous. I wanted the skin to be as smooth as possible, without removing too much of her natural textures. My favorite technique to accomplish this is Dodge and Burn. I adjusted the saturation and blending of the makeup with a very light color grading, and luminosity masks to really make the makeup pop. Since she didn’t have much in terms of heavy, bold, or graphic makeup, whatever makeup she did have, I wanted to be subtle yet dynamic.

When you look at this image what do you hope it communicates to viewers?
When I look at this image, I hope to communicate that there is strength in those that are repressed. There is beauty in those that have an unconventional look. There is relatability in those who you might think is different from you. I also hope to relate that, just like the beauty of this model is eccentric, so are you. We are all special and valuable because inner beauty is found in everything and everyone.

We’d love to know more about who you are, as a photographer and as a person! Tell us a random fact about yourself that people don’t usually expect.
I am the first in my family to get married, get a divorce, graduate from high school, the first to earn a bachelors degree and a masters degree, and I am the first to own a home in my family.

I absolutely love brussels sprouts, honey BBQ chips, and wearing costumes.

How do you plan to keep developing your photographic practice?
Photography is not only my hobby, it is my job, my career, my passion, and my means of therapeutic release.

It is so incredibly satisfying to work on a personal project (like my self portraits) and express myself, and what I have learned, through visual means—like images. I also have learned so much about myself, in the process of learning photography.

When I am bored, I take photos of myself, I practice and develop different editing techniques. I play with lighting, and I absolutely love to sculpt, mold, and control light.

In my spare time, I lead photowalks, teach photography through KelbyOne.com, and constantly have creative play days where I can experiment and just have fun being creative.

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11 tips for better black and white street photography

Black and white street photography has a long history, dating back to the 1930s, when Henri Cartier-Bresson roamed the hidden corners of Paris and Walker Evans and Helen Levitt rode the New York City subway.

In the following decades, even as color photography began to dominate—first in advertising, then in fine art—pioneering street photographers continued to shoot in black and white for its timeless quality and effortless simplicity. Nearly a century later, many still do. In the last five years, Lomography, CatLABS, Fujifilm, and Kosmo Foto all announced new (or revived) black and white films.

Without the distraction of color, a moment can be distilled to its essence or core. Whether you’re just starting out with street photography or considering a fresh approach, working in monochrome can teach you to see your surroundings in a new way.

Save in RAW format

This one’s for digital photographers: shooting in RAW format will give you the freedom and flexibility to edit/finesse your shadows and highlights when you convert to black and white in post-production.

If you use an electronic viewfinder (mirrorless cameras have these), you can set it to show black-and-white preview images as you’re shooting—but you can still save the RAW color files for later. This approach can be helpful when training yourself to “see” in black and white.

Seek moments of contrast

When you remove color, your work becomes all about light, so look for scenes with plenty of contrast between light and dark (and with gray tones in between). While most photographers avoid the hard sunlight of midday, these conditions can be an asset for artists shooting in black and white. In Japan, Y Uzen used shadows to creative effect when photographing a cat around noon.

Try visiting a location during different hours to see how the light—and subsequently, the contrast–changes throughout the day. At the golden hour, the shadows will get softer but also longer. At nighttime, streetlights and illuminated storefronts can create a pool of light, while allowing the rest of the frame to fall into darkness.

Experiment with reflections

To add interest to a photograph without color, consider using reflections in your surroundings. This photograph by Benny van den Bulke feels like a modern twist on Henri Cartier-Bresson’s iconic Behind the Gare Saint-Lazare; instead of jumping over a puddle, however, the subject in this picture steps over a toilet leak.

You can also use windows to create double-exposure-like layers within a single frame, à la Vivian Maier, who often photographed her own reflection. While on a boat, for example, the Istanbul-based photographer Emir Bozkurt used reflections to capture the interior and exterior scene at the same time.

Geoffrey Black, on the other hand, used the reflection from a shiny car to incorporate the lines and patterns of a nearby building. In doing so, he created balance and repetition between the foreground and background.

Embrace textures

Without color, texture—along with light—takes on a new layer of significance. Keep an eye out for environments with interesting details. In this photograph by John Harper, the texture of the ground helps capture a sense of place in the cobbled streets of Bath in the UK.

Consider your composition

When you remove color, the composition of your frame itself arguably becomes even more important, so keep the “rules” in the back of your mind. In the photograph above, made in the NYC subway, Aaron Sheldon incorporates two techniques: first, the main subject, the woman, is contained within a “frame within a frame” formed by the parting doors. Her eyeline also falls directly along one of the “golden ratio” lines, creating a sense of harmony and balance.

Meanwhile, in Nigeria, Koyejo Ogunmuyiwa uses the frame formed by the bus windows and the leading lines created by people’s arms to guide our eyes to the main subjects in the portrait above.

Play with silhouettes

Bold silhouettes take the idea of contrast to another level, so consider shooting a dark subject against a bright background. This technique can be particularly effective for minimalist street photographs, where lines and graphic elements take center stage, as in this photograph from an airport by Nina Papiorek.

Use blur to your advantage

Black and white street photography has a gritty, “imperfect” quality, so don’t be afraid to lean into that by incorporating motion blur, as Henri Cartier-Bresson sometimes did while photographing figures in motion, such as bicyclists. Decades later, Aaron Sheldon slowed his shutter speed to 1/49th of a second to capture the motion of this commuter on a train platform.

Change your vantage point

To create interest in a black-and-white photograph, look for higher ground, and capture the street from an unusual perspective. It can be a bridge, stairs, or anything else you can find. Meiu Kai used this technique to capture the full effect of the late afternoon shadows when photographing pedestrians from a high-angle view.

Be patient

In street photography, patience is everything. It often boils down to finding the right location and waiting for the right subject to enter your frame, so do some scouting around your city. The ideal spot won’t have too many distractions, but it’ll have enough activity to increase your chances of spotting that perfect subject. Pascal Müller stopped in this spot after noticing the lovely contrast created by the diagonal shadows; he waited until these businessmen came into the frame before pressing the shutter.

Finesse in post-production

While most of the work is done in-camera, a few thoughtful edits can elevate an already-great photo. Introduce a touch of contrast using the curves tool, or consider guiding the eye throughout an image by making certain areas darker (“burning”) or lighter (“dodging”). Keep an eye on your histogram as you edit to ensure you’re not going too far and losing too many details.

Try film

We started this article with a tip for digital photographers, but black and white and film photography go hand-in-hand. Especially right now, as we’re experiencing a color film shortage, black and white emulsions can be a wonderful way to get started in film photography.

Plus, you can develop your black-and-white film rolls at home, saving money on processing and learning something new in the process. Using a variety of formats and styles—film and digital, black and white and color—will help you to expand your horizons and find an approach that works best for your vision.

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Meet the 500px Global Photography Awards Fine Art Category Winner

The 2022 500px Global Photography Awards serves creatives working with photography and provides them a chance to showcase their skill and be rewarded for it. The second edition of the competition consisted of six categories: Technical, Storytelling, Commercial Content, Documentary, Fine Art, and Landscape. Today on the blog we’re talking with the winner of the Fine Art category, Elena Paraskeva, as she tells us more about the image.

Hi Elena, please introduce yourself.

Believe it or not, my masters was in finance, and my career in the US was first as a Director of Analytics and then as a Marketing Executive for Nestle Waters.

I am completely self-taught, never attended a single workshop, and fast-forward a decade later, my work is currently on exhibition at the European Parliament in Brussels.

I am a dedicated Adobe Instructor, teaching thousands on my process, and I’m a judge for some of the world’s most esteemed photography competitions including for the Florida Museum of Photographic Arts.

The winning image: “Keeping the Distance”

What made you gravitate to this style of photography—pushing the boundaries of representation and creating work more conceptual in nature?
I consider myself to be a complex person, and as such, I want my interaction with the viewer to take place in a more complex, contextual space where the meaning and intention is not directly available to grasp. A more involved conversation of the minds needs to happen for the unraveling of the original idea to be attained.

Can you tell us how you planned and executed the shoot for the “Keeping the Distance” image?
The particular image is part of an 8-image series that has been featured extensively in magazines around the world. The project was actually created right after our lockdowns ended. It was a surreal time if you think about it, the fear, and the need to distance ourselves was so intense, we all went through a never-before-seen level of social deprivation. The project explores society’s awkward attempts at re-integration, using humor and color.

There are so many elements within this image. Was it a challenge working with so many elements of color, props, and models?
I have a process when I create a series, and it all starts with me writing down the storyline and the message. I then scout for locations and take pictures of each frame within this location. Once I’ve honed in on the specific frames, I elaborate on the composition, writing down the poses, the props, the clothing, and, of course, the specific lighting to be used. Everything is predetermined way before the day of the shoot, nothing is left to chance. In that sense, it is easy on the day of the shoot, I know exactly what I’m going for.

Do you have a favorite image on your 500px Profile and why?
I’m always more emotionally connected to a series rather than individual images, because of the intrinsic message behind them and the time investment. But If I had to choose an image or two, I’d say the “Cubist” (I & II) because they are so representative of my conceptual style and sensibility.

All photographers have their preferred gear. What is yours, and what tools did you use to create “Keeping the Distance”?
I’m a Nikon photographer, so all my gear (camera and lenses) is Nikon. I don’t have a favorite lens to be honest, because I find that each lens has its own value depending on the type of shoot involved. If I’m doing a fine art portrait, I use a longer lens, but if I’m doing a fashion shoot, I use a wide-angle one, and I actually love the distortion.

This particular series was environmentally based and all the elements in the frame needed to be in focus, so I used a wide-angle lens mounted on my tripod. Lighting was the same for every image in the series, as I like to have light-cohesiveness, and since it was a harsh and very bright day, the goal was to use the sun as the main source, and the strobes as the secondary source that got rid of the harsh shadows. For this reason, I used large octaboxes for even coverage.

Framing and taking the shot is only a sliver of what it takes to make a strong image. The other equally important part is editing, how did you use editing tools to elevate your image?
This is very true, editing plays a significant role in my work. For this particular series, I used Photoshop to merge all the different exposures I created for each scene since I was working with a single model. I also played with color to make sure that the color-blocking I envisioned would be the same for each image. Color grading for me is the last step of the process and it is what separates a good image from a great image!

When submitting your work to the awards, how did you select from your diverse portfolio and decide on the best images? Curation can be a struggle for creatives so do you have any tips on how to be selective and intentional when it comes to submitting your work to competitions?
It all comes down to which competition you are submitting to. Research past winners to see what the competition gravitates towards. Is it realism, rawness, documentary-style photography, or very stylized, pop, colorful, or surreal imagery?

For example, the Lensculture and Sony competitions require very different imagery from say the ICA, Chromatica Awards, IPA, FAPA etc. The first competitions love and appreciate more documentary style photography and current issue-based imagery, whereas the latter award the unexpected and the more technically based.

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A guide to creating abstract photography that sells

In the world of Licensing, there are certain genres and content types that are considered evergreen content. Evergreen content is content that sells again and again, without becoming outdated or stale in the commercial industry.

In order for a photo to sell multiple times, it typically has the potential to fulfill a variety of needs. In this guide, the 500px Licensing team will cover the many ways Licensing Contributors can incorporate abstract photography into their commercial portfolios. Abstract photography is a broad genre and can be as simple as a close up of a texture, or more intentional such as long exposure capturing light trails.

The 500px Licensing team has seen abstract photography used in various ways by content buyers. From overlaying texture onto creative assets to background graphics for print or online media, abstract photography has the potential to suit a variety of needs.

Below we will cover four ways to capture abstract photos and make your portfolio more salable—with stunning examples from the 500px community.

Textures

Although it seems simple, textures are a great way to add salable content to your commercial portfolio. Textures are often used by graphic designers as overlays onto existing content, or to add drama to backgrounds.

Snapping photos of textures that you see in your daily routine can help build out your portfolio. Look for interesting textures on buildings, surfaces in your own home, or in nature to help you get started. Form a habit of looking for textures on your shoots and taking a few shots of things you find interesting to build up a database more quickly.

When shooting textures there are a couple of things to keep in mind.

1. Make sure you shoot your photos in a high resolution format. This will allow content buyers to crop or use the photo in a large format if needed.

2. Get as close as you can to fill the frame. If you see an interesting design of a leaf, then get close enough to fill the frame. You may need to consider using a macro lens. Check out this very detailed guide on macro photography, which covers the basics of shooting macro.

3. Good lighting is key. Light is essential in capturing great texture within a photo. Hard light will typically yield strong shadows and more pronounced texture.

4. Experiment with your settings. ISO, aperture, and shutter speed should be adjusted correctly depending on your available light. However, always keep in mind that your goal should be a sharp image that is not blown out in order to capture your textures. Play with your settings, and take multiple shots to learn what works and what does not.

5) Keep it sharp. When shooting textures, you should always aim to have your photos sharp. This will make for a better quality photo. Beware of too much noise in your photos. Noise will turn off content buyers.

BONUS: The 500px team always wants to inform you of trending and selling content. Paper textures are trending hot right now, and we see that content buyers are always on the hunt. Consider this in your next shoot.

Cropping your environment

Cropping your environment can result in amazing and unique abstract shots.
Use the principles of design to capture a photo that is perfectly balanced and interesting in composition. This will help you stand out to image buyers.

Taking photos of architecture and the urban landscape is a great way to practice your composition techniques. We have seen many talented photographers from the 500px community transform everyday scenes into visually stunning abstract shots. Take inspiration from shape, texture, and color to inform your direction.

Take a look at these shots from the 500px community for inspiration.

Long exposure

Long exposure photography is a fun way to experiment with light and create beautiful and unique photos.

Long exposure can add abstraction to a variety of genres. Night photography is a great way to capture abstract shots that are full of contrast and vibrant colors. You can also incorporate long exposure in landscape photography. Waterfalls or misty mornings can be completely transformed into beautiful mysterious scenes, that border the line of abstraction, by making the scene look otherworldly. They can be used by content buyers for backgrounds in graphic design or screensavers.

Check out these photos for inspiration.

Drones

Drone photography is an excellent way of capturing perspectives that we do not see on a daily basis. The scale of drone photography can allow you to capture some really unique and breathtaking abstract shots.

Here are some of our favorites.

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Meet the 500px Global Photography Awards Documentary Category Winner

The 2022 500px Global Photography Awards was created for the photography community to provide them a chance to showcase their skill and be rewarded for it. The second edition of the competition consisted of six categories: Technical, Storytelling, Commercial Content, Documentary, Fine Art, and Landscape. Today on the blog we’re talking with the winner of the Documentary category, as he walks us through the BTS of his winning image and more.

Hi Caleb, please introduce yourself!
I wasn’t your brightest student but I aced my art class since kindergarten and it wasn’t till I got my first iPhone that I found the love of my life, photography. I was taking photos of everything and anything I found interesting but the passion that burnt within wanted more. I started taking professional photos in 2019 but faced a whole bout of challenges because it’s not easy to break out as an established professional photographer from West Africa, Ghana. I pushed through and fed my passion with work. Initially, I shot high-end fashion, weddings, editorials, and documentary photographs. But then I realized through prayer and consistency that I had an innate passion for capturing and relishing the stories of others through my lenses. I focused mainly on documentary photography and did my best to guide others to understand specific people through my lenses.

The winning image: “Growing Through the Cracks”

What attracted you to the documentary genre of photography?
Documentary photography is about storytelling, and I relish stories—especially stories that need to be told as much as they need to be heard. My interest in capturing the stories of other people from diverse demographics and ecosystems, particularly the minority whose lives could use the spotlight, may have ignited from an aesthetic experience I had while working on a challenging project I was given during an internship with a photography firm.

What was the atmosphere like when creating the shot “Growing Through the Cracks”? Any memorable moments?
The atmosphere was inspiring, it was truly surreal. The setting empowered me to tap into my creativity as soon as we got there, and since I met the models there for the first time in person, that contributed to the excitement and anticipation.

I had already visualized what it was going to be like. Finally, I was going to tell a story I had romanticized for a while. This was my opportunity to create a beautiful picture with the enigma (maybe where I’m coming from). I was so carried away during the shoot, I damaged my batteries after sitting in seawater without noticing.

What gear did you use to create the winning image?
The gear that I used to create the winning image is my Canon EosR, TAMRON 24-70 mm, Ad 600, and a softbox from Alzo.

What was the energy like on set, and did you feel like you got THE shot straight away?
The energy was priceless. The day of the shoot happened to be the first day most of the models had met someone like them in person. We had already broken the ice and created rapport virtually. Seeing each other in person was ecstatic. Everyone put in 100, with an attitude that felt like they were owning the moment. It was so serendipitous, it fostered new ideas and great shots. Many shots felt like “THE” shot.

The image is quite high contrast with very cool tones. Was this an intentional choice when editing, and if so, could you share with us your thought process when editing and refining the image?
Having visualized and envisioned the resulting photographs, I only had to conjure a magic I’d already seen in my mind. This entailed the color selections, the locations, and the mood. I wanted an archaic, timeless, and classical look—something outside the popular. But, I still had to keep the contrast to allow viewers to interact with the photos from a contemporary perspective.

What message do you hope that “Growing Through the Cracks” conveys to viewers?
I hope that “Growing Through the Cracks” will convey the need to accept the peculiarity of life and creation to my audience. Anomalies are inevitably woven into time and as we continue to discover the boundless occurrences happening to life as we know it, some of these discoveries are going to be within ourselves as humans. Yet, that shouldn’t make us cower or fold up away from each other, but seek understanding while we continue to esteem each one of us as human. We should show the grace we demand of others. Yes, it is said that we fear what we do not understand, but we should strive to see the beauty in the patches. My image is set to create awareness of vitiligo, and help viewers see beauty in the unusual.

What attracted you to the 500px Global Photography Awards in the first place, and how did you decide on what images from your portfolio you would submit?
First of all, I came across 500px on Instagram through a friend—Melinda—who shared the link with me. Also, I was fascinated by the way 500px acknowledged creatives worldwide. I must say this motivated me into taking the next step. I decided on selecting “Growing Through the Cracks”, because it was a recent project that I was planning a solo exhibition on but wanted to expound with more perspective. I didn’t know I was testing the waters with a masterpiece.

Has winning a global award and earning the title of “the photographer of the year” in a talented community instilled you with new confidence in your practice? Are there any other new projects our community can expect to see from you in the future?
Winning the global award and earning the title (photographer of the year) in this community has instilled some confidence in my practice for sure, and I am eager to show more projects after this. I actually have a long list of them—complete ones, and the ones on the drawing board. The community can expect something exceptional.

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Meet the 500px Global Photography Awards Landscape Category Winner

The 2022 500px Global Photography Awards was created for the photography community to provide them a chance to showcase their skill and be rewarded for it. The second edition of the competition consisted of six categories: Technical, Storytelling, Commercial Content, Documentary, Fine Art, and Landscape. Today on the blog, we’re talking with the winner of the Landscape category, Karol Nienartowicz, as he tells us more about the winning image.

Hi Karol, please introduce yourself.
I have been photographing in the mountains since 2003. I like to travel around the mountainous regions of Europe, and the world. I’ve visited over 45 countries on four continents with my camera, and I am a licensed mountain guide currently living in Krakow, Poland.

Since 2016, I have been professionally photographing mountain landscapes. I have had many exhibitions, and publications in all leading opinion-forming media, mountain, and travel periodicals. I have won awards in national and foreign competitions, and had many TV appearances. I am the author of mountain guides for photographers. In 2018, my debut book about photography in the mountains, “Mountain Photographic Expeditions”, was published, and in 2023, the monumental album “Mountains”, which summarizes twenty years of photographic work in the mountains, will be launched.

The winning image: “Selfie on the Ridge”

What made you gravitate to landscape photography?
I became interested in mountain photography when I went on a mountain trip for the first time in 2003. I grew up in the mountains—in the Karkonosze Mountains in Poland—but I went there very late, when I was 18 years old. I took my camera with me for the first trip, and it stayed that way. When I started, I used the USSR-made analog apparatus. For many years I photographed the mountains a lot, and finally, in 2016, I became a professional mountain photographer.

Can you tell us how you managed to get such a striking shot on Maly Koscielec Ridge?
Maly Koscielec is a lesser-known mountain in the Tatra Mountains in Poland. Although it is not too high, it is famous for its perfect view of the sharp peaks of the High Tatras. I always take pictures from this peak to the south—towards the view of the high peaks.

But this time, it was different.

I climbed the summit at night when it was completely dark, foggy, and snowing. My goal for this trip was night photography. I waited for the brightening that was predicted in the weather forecast. But first, the mists had disappeared in the north and the highest peaks were still in the clouds. That’s why I started shooting in that direction. This photo was not planned, I took it using the conditions found on the spot.

The view of the snow-covered ridge, along with the lights in the valley, was amazing. I took a few photos at this location, but it seemed boring because there was one element missing that would attract attention. I immediately realized that I needed a human figure to show the scale of the place.

Since I was alone, I had to pose for the photo myself. The man in this photo is me. This is not a typical self-portrait, but you can call it that. I set the camera to the interval shooting function and went to the edge of the ridge. Although it seems very far in the photo, I only really walked 30-40 meters. The wide-angle lens did the rest.

The strength of this photo is in the frame and the unique moment—the man standing on the edge always looks dangerous and mystical. But not only that, I think this moment is special. Most people cannot be in the high mountains in the middle of the night in winter. The mood of winter nights in the high mountains is always amazing. I tried to capture in a photo the atmosphere of the horror of the place, and the cold that accompanied me during the seven hours that I spent in this place.

What was the biggest challenge you faced during that shoot?
The biggest problem was that the photo was created as an experiment. I’ve taken photos in the intervalometer mode before, but never in such difficult conditions. The camera took the pictures by itself, and I couldn’t control them because I was a model. I had to walk about 40 meters along a dangerous ridge during a high avalanche danger. I had to stand still for 30 seconds while posing. I took a few shots because not all of them were successful.

What do you hope your audience feels/experiences when viewing this photo?
I think the effect has been achieved and I’m happy with it. The high-mountain winter landscape, and the little man on top of the ridge, always evokes a certain sense of respect for the mountains. In addition, the effect of the lights in the valley adds to the drama.

What is your favorite time of the day to shoot to get the best light? And why?
I usually shoot during sunrises and sunsets, when the light is at its best. I also really like the “blue hour”, which is the time before sunrise or after sunset.

During my recent trips to the USA and Peru, I took most of the best photos at this time. I was very surprised that there were few photographers at that hour. As the sun went down during the Delicate Arch session in Arches NP, everyone left, and I was left alone. Meanwhile, only 30 minutes after sunset, this place showed its most beautiful face, when the whole landscape turned red.

But I’m not tied to only shooting for one part of the day. I also take a lot of photos in the middle of the day, because I walk a lot and I can’t be in all places during sunrise or sunset.

Does your gear vary greatly depending on where you are shooting? And what gear did you have with you to create the winning image?
In my opinion, the equipment is not important—the photographer’s eye, good ideas, and choosing the right place are more important.

I don’t have much equipment, because I’m a mountain photographer and I have to take everything with me. For this reason, I slimmed down my set to one camera body, 2-3 lenses, and a drone.

I currently use a Canon 5D Mark IV with 16-35mm f/4 and 24-105mm f/4 lenses. The winning photo was taken with this camera and a 16-35mm lens.

How did you use editing tools to elevate your image Selfie on the Ridge?
I did the standard editing in Adobe Camera RAW, and the final touches in Photoshop. Since I’ve been working in photography for 20 years, I have my own editing style, but there’s no big secret. I use the simplest operations that Camera RAW allows. Much more important is that I feel what tool to use to achieve the effect. It’s hard to describe in words.

What attracted you to the 500px Global Photography Awards, and how did you approach the submission process to make sure you were submitting your best work?
500px is the place where I grew up as a photographer. Here, for years, I admired better people than me. I have a sentiment for this site, even though the number of users has decreased. I participate in most of the 500px theme contests, so I also entered the 500px Global Photography Awards to test myself and win a nice prize. I’m glad I did.

Do you have any exciting projects on the horizon?
This year I am celebrating 20 years of work as a photographer, and on this occasion, I am publishing a book—a monumental album with photos of mountains on 450 pages. Its title is simply: “Mountains”. In addition, I’m planning further photographic trips to new places. The world is big and interesting, and I would like to see it and photograph it.

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Submit to our Quests challenges to test your skills and win exciting prizes.

The post Meet the 500px Global Photography Awards Landscape Category Winner appeared first on 500px.

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Women in Photography Photo Walk

In recognition of Women’s Month, the Women in Photography Photo Walk event was held on March 25th in Orlando, FL. The event welcomed more than 50 guests to network and foster an encouraging atmosphere for female photographers. Although the event attracted a diverse crowd of supporters of all genders and ages, it focused on empowering women to pursue their photographic dreams without fear. Attendees had the chance to hone their skills under the tutelage of fellow photographers as well as access giveaways and educational materials sponsored by 500px, Sony Alpha Female, and Narrative App. By encouraging social activities such as a photo walk around the city, this inclusive environment served to remind aspiring top-tier female photographers that they should dare to conquer the world with their creative brilliance.

At the Women in Photography Photo Walk, Angela Perez and Mary Bel shared their expertise and discussed their professional journeys. The event began with the two photographers offering up valuable advice to those in attendance. They spoke about their art and past achievements as women in the industry, impressing attendees with their commitment to forging a supportive network. 

After gathering, participants set off on a photo tour of Orlando, capturing street scenes while learning from seasoned professionals. During the tour, our attendees had a chance to learn about our sponsors. Notable mentions include 500px, an online resource for photography; Sony Alpha Female, which provides funding for female photographers; and Narrative App, designed to help photographers tell stories through photos.

Rather than just being informative, this event was also uplifting – bringing together like-minded people in an environment filled with educators, sponsors, and most importantly: communities of support. Women have come far in the field of photography – events like this only increase our drive to recognize and celebrate these accomplishments. Women are joining forces by sharing their knowledge – this is what introduces true growth in any profession. 

Through workshops, discussions, and networking opportunities, attendees of this event were able to learn from each other and gain inspiration to continue pushing boundaries and breaking glass ceilings in the photography industry. It was evident that the support and encouragement shown at this event will have a lasting impact, not only on individuals but on the industry as a whole. By coming together and sharing their experiences, women are creating a community that encourages and celebrates diversity and creativity in photography. The event featured discussions on topics such as the intersectionality of race and gender in photography, the challenges and benefits of starting a photography business, and the importance of representation in the industry. This interactive workshop allowed attendees to learn and practice their existing photography skills, focusing on lighting and portraiture techniques. With discussion about important topics in these fields, attendees were able to leave with an enhanced level of knowledge related to lighting and portrait photography. Attendees were able to gain hands-on experience and learn new skills from experienced professionals. 

Networking opportunities allowed attendees to connect with like-minded individuals and establish valuable connections in the industry. The sense of community and support was palpable throughout the event, with attendees sharing their work and offering feedback and advice to one another. 

Overall, the event was a powerful reminder of the importance of creating spaces and opportunities for women in the photography industry. By coming together, sharing knowledge and experiences, and offering support and encouragement, women are breaking down barriers and paving the way for future generations of female photographers.

The entire Women In Photography Photowalk Crew led by Angela Perez and Mary Bel in Orland Florida on March 25th 2023.

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Spinal Cord Injury in Denver

Recovery from a spinal injury frequently involves a long and challenging process that varies greatly depending on the severity of the injury and the individual’s overall health.

Here is a general overview of the typical course of recovery for an accident victim with a spinal injury:

Acute Phase: This phase typically lasts for a few days to a few weeks immediately following the injury. During this time, the individual is likely hospitalized, receiving treatment to stabilize their spine and health, such as surgery or medication. The victim will also undergo imaging tests, such as MRI / CT scans to determine the extent of the injury and develop a treatment plan.

Rehabilitation Phase: Once the individual is stable, they will begin a rehabilitation program. This will involve physical and occupational therapy, and other forms of treatment to help improve mobility, and strength. The goal is to help the individual regain as much independence and quality of life as possible.

Long-Term Recovery: Spinal injuries may have long-lasting effects, so the individual may need ongoing support and care to manage their condition. This may include ongoing physical therapy, pain management, and other treatment to help improve quality of life.

The course of recovery for an accident victim with a spinal is often a long and challenging process. With the right care and support, many individuals are able to regain some level of function and independence and lead fulfilling lives.

If you or a loved one has suffered a spinal injury as a result of someone else’s conduct and fault, contact my office immediately for a free consultation.