bwuphoto.com – Page 27 – Photography Collection From All Over The World

Free photography exhibit showcasing Mexican Heritage on display at JCC

[ad_1]

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — The Joan & Alan Bernikow JCC of Staten Island will be hosting a solo exhibit showcasing the work of award-winning photographer Irma Bohórquez-Geisler, PhD.

Beyond being an acclaimed photographer, Bohórquez-Geisler, is an educator, biologist, teaching artist, printmaker, professor, a cultural leader for Mexican-Americans on Staten Island, and the Founder, Artistic and Program Director of the annual Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) festival on Staten Island.

Some of Dr. Bohórquez-Geisler’s latest work will be on display for all to see in the solo photography exhibit, Mexican Heritage. The showcase features a carefully curated collection of thirty photographs, rendered in both black-and-white and color. The array of images are drawn from her ongoing photo documentary series of the local Mexican immigrant community, Simple Moments of an Emerging Presence.

“I just started taking photographs of the Mexican community and I see the photographs, and I realized that by showing the photographs, people will understand who we are, but also the Mexican people will have a sense of pride and self-esteem in our traditions and culture,” Bohórquez-Geisler said. “When I have photos in the community, people that didn’t know anything about the Mexican community will have the opportunity to understand who resides here in Staten Island.”

Each individual image offers a glimpse into the everyday lives of the local Mexican community. The photographs depict cultural traditions, and occasions that hold significance to those subjects captured in the photographs.

“By doing this, it has been positive for the general community to see who we (the local Mexican community) are, and to see that not only come here to live, but also we have a culture, we have traditions, we have a lot to share,” Bohórquez-Geisler said.

The photo exhibit is free to all and will be on display from Sept. 11 – Oct. 31, 2023. The photos will be available for viewing in Murray Berman Art Gallery, on the second floor of the Bernikow JCC. The gallery will be open the following hours:

Monday – Thursday: 6 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Friday: 6 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Saturday/Sunday: 7 a.m. – 4 p.m.

An opening reception will be held on Thursday, Sept. 21, from 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

This year, Staten Island Art presented Bohórquez-Geisler with the DCLA Art Fund Grant to further her work.

Dia de Muertos (Day of the Dead) Festival 2018 — This file photo from 2018 shows Irma Bohorquez-Geisler capturing the moment at the 26th Dia de Muertos (Day of the Dead) Festival, held at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel-Benedicta School, West Brighton. (Staten Island Advance/Derek Alvez)

Bohórquez-Geisler’s contributions have garnered her numerous recognitions over the years. In 2011, she was honored with a Proclamation from the City of New York for her work on “Staten Island Women Who Preserve History.” Additionally, she was also presented with the Gabriela Mistral, Julia de Burgos, Frida Kahlo Award, a tribute to her efforts in preserving and promoting Mexican values and cultural heritage for younger generations in New York.

The work of Bohórquez-Geisler has been featured by The New York Times Lens Blog in 2016. That same year she represented Staten Island at the annual City’s Photoville Festival Battle of the Boroughs. In 2021, she was one of the City of York artists to receive the City Artist Corps award. In addition, a selection of her photographic documentary series was showcased in the exhibition ‘Migration Stories’ at Wilmer Gallery. Her ongoing photography series was exhibited at New York City’s Photoville Festival during its 10th anniversary, and she was also a part of the Photoville panel, ‘Youth Artist Exchange—Looking Outward on 2021.’ Most recently, she was part of the Staten Island Art and Artists Connected juried exhibition ‘Yes, And’ 2022-2023 at the Staten Island Museum. Her work was also published in the online magazine F-Stop Photography Collective Exhibition in 2023.

[ad_2]

‘This is when nature gives us the best it has’: Georgina Hayden’s autumn recipes | Autumn food and drink

[ad_1]

For years, September’s arrival equalled a feeling of “back to school dread”. No more bank holidays and long summer evenings, sitting outside and lazily drinking rosé. I mournfully focused on the shortening days and reluctant need for a coat, clinging on to wearing cardigans for as long as possible in protest. But there is, of course, beauty in the change in season. And I have learned to celebrate my favourite thing this time of year has to offer, and that is its produce. To soften the blow, nature gives us the best it has. Sure, we have to temporarily say goodbye to mounds of strawberries, jersey royals and peas, but instead here come cascading beans, golden corn and stone fruits. Yes, we might need to actually start wearing closed-toe shoes again, but it’s OK, because with that comes cosier indoor dining and a bounty of leafy greens, darkening plump berries and sculptural, curvaceous squashes.

And this is what excites me after a summer of being sociable and eating out. I actually want to host again. To take advantage of what is abundant and to get back in the kitchen, because if it could speak, I’m sure my kitchen would tell me it has felt a little neglected over the last few months.

There is genuinely no better time to fall back in love with cooking, and these recipes are just a few of the ways that I will be welcoming the inevitable change in rhythm and energy that September brings.

Leek and kimchi soup with blue cheese croutons

The inspiration for this comforting recipe came from my favourite toasted sandwich (three cheese and kimchi) and a love for a crouton-topped soup. If you are imagining an inspired French onion soup, you are on the right track.

Serves 4
leeks 4
onions 3
garlic 3 cloves
olive oil 2 tbsp
unsalted butter 60g
sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
kimchi 200g
bay leaf 1
vegetable stock 1 litre
baguette 8 slices
gorgonzola 120g
mature cheddar 120g

Trim and slice the leeks, giving them a good wash in a colander to get rid of any grit. Peel and finely slice the onions and garlic. Place a large saucepan or casserole on a medium-low heat and add the olive oil and half of the butter, and all the sliced vegetables. Season with sea salt and ½ teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper. Sauté for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until everything has cooked down and is sticky and golden in colour. If your kimchi is made using quite large pieces, run your knife through it to shred it, then stir through with the bay leaf and vegetable stock. Bring to the boil, cover with a lid and reduce to a simmer for 15 more minutes.

When the soup is ready, preheat your grill to high. Butter the baguette. Coarsely grate the cheddar and slice the gorgonzola the best you can. Decant the soup between 4 bowls and top each bowl with 2 slices of buttered baguette, and then top with the cheeses evenly divided between the bowls. Pop the bowls under the grill for a few minutes, until the cheese is molten, bubbling and oozy.

Serve, carefully, straight away.

Roast chicken legs, plums and marsala

This is one of those gloriously straightforward dinners that is weeknight worthy but also elegant enough to serve to friends. Serve with crushed potatoes, or crusty fresh bread to mop up the sticky, gently spiced marsala baked plums. A bitter leaf salad would be welcome, too.

Serves 4
banana shallots 6
plums 350g
rosemary 4 sprigs
garlic 4 cloves
chicken legs 4
sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
unsalted butter 25g
marsala 175ml
star anise 1
cinnamon 1 stick

Preheat your oven to 180C fan/gas mark 6. Peel and halve the shallots. Halve the plums and remove their stones. Pick the rosemary leaves, and roughly chop. Crush the garlic cloves, still in their skins. Generously season the chicken legs. Place a large, ovenproof frying pan or wide, shallow saucepan over a medium heat and add the butter. Fry the chicken legs, skin side down, for around 6-8 minutes, until they are deeply golden. Remove the chicken legs and place on a plate. Add the shallots, chopped rosemary, halved plums and crushed garlic. Pour in the marsala, add the star anise and stick of cinnamon and season well. Bring to the boil, then nestle in the chicken legs, skin side up. Place the pan in the oven and roast for 45-50 minutes, basting once or twice, until the chicken skin is crispy and the base is rich and reduced.

Runner beans, preserved lemon and feta

This recipe works beautifully with any beans you can get your hands on, but I have a particular soft spot for runner beans. Make it ahead of serving, even the day before if possible, and it’ll reward you for the resting time. Serve on a paper tablecloth, with a generous dressing of peppery extra virgin olive oil and pretend you are on a Greek island.

Serves 4
runner beans 600g
coriander ½ bunch
garlic 2 cloves
red onion 1
pitted green olives 125g
ripe vine tomatoes 500g
preserved lemon 1
extra virgin olive oil 5 tbsp
tomato puree 1 heaped tbsp
sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
feta 1 x 200g block

Trim the runner beans, remove the strings and cut on the diagonal into 3-4cm lengths. Finely slice the coriander stalks, and roughly chop the coriander leaves.

Peel and finely chop the garlic and red onion. Roughly chop the olives. Finely chop the tomatoes. Halve the preserved lemon, remove and discard the middle, and finely chop the skin.

Place a wide saucepan or large frying pan over a medium-low heat and pour in 3 tablespoons of the olive oil. Fry the chopped garlic and onion for 10 minutes, until starting to soften, then add the chopped coriander stalks, chopped olives, preserved lemon and tomato puree. Fry for a minute, then add the chopped tomatoes and runner beans. Season generously with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, and top with around 300ml of water, so that the beans are just covered. Bring to the boil, then cover and simmer over a low heat for around 40 minutes, until the beans are tender. Remove the lid, turn up the heat and cook for a further 5-10 minutes, so that any residual water cooks away.

Serve by topping with the block of feta, drizzling with the last 2 tablespoons of olive oil and sprinkle with the chopped coriander.

Roasted squash with tahini and chilli crisp

The balance of spices and textures in this autumnal dish makes this an exciting side dish, but also bold and brave enough to be a great vegan main offering. The whipped tahini alone is an excellent dressing, and a great technique to have in your arsenal.

Serves 4
butternut squash 1 small, around 900g
olive oil 2 tbsp
coriander seeds 1 tbsp
cumin seeds 2 tsp
ground cinnamon 1 tsp
sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
tahini 125g
garlic 1 clove
lemon 1
extra virgin olive oil 2 tbsp
ice cubes 2
coriander ½ bunch
chilli crisp oil 3 tbsp

Preheat your oven to 180C fan/gas mark 6. Trim the butternut squash and cut in half. Scoop out the seeds, then cut the squash into long thin boats. You will end up with around 8 slices. Place in a large roasting tray and drizzle with the olive oil. Lightly crush the coriander and cumin seeds, and sprinkle over the squash with the ground cinnamon. Season with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper and rub all the flavours into the squash. Lay the slices of squash out in the tray, skin side down if possible, and place in the oven. Roast for around 45–50 minutes, until the squash is charred but also tender.

While the squash is cooking, make the tahini dressing. Place the tahini in a bowl or jug. Peel and finely grate in the garlic. Squeeze in the lemon juice, season generously with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper. Add the 2 ice cubes, extra virgin olive oil and 2 tablespoons of cold water and blitz with a stick blender until you have a pale, whipped tahini dressing. Taste and adjust the seasoning.

Spoon on to a serving platter. Finely chop the coriander and stir through the roasted squash, then transfer to the platter and place on top of the tahini dressing. Drizzle over the chilli crisp oil and serve straight away.

Almond and blackberry tosca cake

This autumnal Swedish tosca cake is perfect for fika (the Swedish term for a break in the day, accompanied by coffee and cake). The caramelised florentine style topping, damp sponge and tartness from the blackberries is a dream at any time, but throw in a dollop of creme fraiche and you have a fancy finish for a dinner party.

Serves 8-10
unsalted butter 250g
plain flour 130g
ground almonds 50g
baking powder 1 tsp
fine sea salt a few pinches
eggs 2 large
caster sugar 230g
double cream 110ml
vanilla extract 2 tsp
blackberries 100g plus extra to serve
flaked almonds 130g

Preheat your oven to 160C fan/gas mark 4. Grease and line the base of an 20cm springform cake tin. Melt 130g of the butter and leave to one side. Whisk together 90g of the plain flour with the ground almonds, baking powder and a good pinch of salt. In the bowl of a freestanding mixer, or large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs with 130g of the caster sugar until pale and light. Stir in cooled melted butter, 80ml of the double cream and the vanilla extract. Then fold in the mixed dry ingredients. Spoon into the prepared cake tin. Toss the blackberries with 10g of the plain flour, then evenly dot into the cake mixture. Place the cake in the oven and bake for 30 minutes.

When the cake is almost ready, place the last 120g of butter into a small saucepan with the remaining 100g of the caster sugar, 30g of plain flour, 30ml of double cream (equivalent to 2 tbsp) and a good pinch of the fine sea salt. Place on a medium heat until the butter has melted, and stir in the flaked almonds until you have a smooth pale caramel. Remove the cake from the oven after 30 minutes and evenly spoon over the almond caramel. Return to the oven, turn the heat up to 180C fan/gas 6, and bake for a further 25 minutes, or until the flaked almond caramel topping is a golden brown. You can check with a skewer, but the cake will be ever so slightly damp. Run your knife around the inside of the tin, leave to cool in the tin for 5 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack.

Serve with a generous dollop of creme fraiche and more blackberries on the side.

Georgina Hayden’s latest book is Nistisima (Bloomsbury, £26)

[ad_2]

How to use ChatGPT to learn photography

[ad_1]

This guide is designed to show you how you can use ChatGPT to learn photography. In an era where technology permeates every facet of our lives, the field of photography has also witnessed a transformative shift. Gone are the days when mastering photography meant spending hours in darkrooms or attending expensive workshops. While these traditional methods still hold their charm and efficacy, the digital age has ushered in a plethora of innovative learning platforms. Among these, ChatGPT, a conversational AI model developed by OpenAI, stands out as a unique and powerful tool for aspiring photographers. This comprehensive guide aims to explore the multifaceted ways in which ChatGPT can be employed to elevate your photography skills, from grasping fundamental concepts to mastering intricate techniques.

The Rise of ChatGPT as an Educational Tool

ChatGPT has evolved significantly since its inception, with each iteration becoming more nuanced and capable. It has transcended its initial role as a mere chatbot to become a versatile learning assistant. Its applications span a wide range of subjects, and photography is no exception. The model’s ability to provide detailed explanations, simulate creative brainstorming, and offer constructive criticism makes it an invaluable resource for photographers at all skill levels.

Laying the Groundwork: Understanding the Basics

Deciphering Photography Jargon

The world of photography is replete with specialized terminology that can be daunting for beginners. Terms like “aperture,” “shutter speed,” “ISO,” and “depth of field” are fundamental to understanding how to take great photos. ChatGPT can serve as a reliable glossary, offering not just definitions but also practical examples and analogies to help you internalize these concepts.

Navigating the Equipment Maze

The market is flooded with a dizzying array of cameras, lenses, and accessories, making it challenging to decide what to purchase. ChatGPT can simplify this process by offering tailored recommendations based on your specific needs, skill level, and budget constraints. Whether you’re debating between a full-frame DSLR and a compact mirrorless camera or wondering which lens would be best for landscape photography, ChatGPT can guide you through the decision-making process.

Skill Enhancement: From Novice to Pro

Step-by-Step Technique Guides

While hands-on practice is irreplaceable, understanding the theory behind various techniques can significantly accelerate your learning curve. ChatGPT can provide detailed, step-by-step tutorials on a wide range of techniques, from the basics like the “Rule of Thirds” to more advanced methods like “focus stacking” in macro photography. Each tutorial can be broken down into digestible segments, allowing you to grasp the nuances before you even pick up your camera.

Creative Challenges and Prompts

Every artist encounters creative blocks, and photographers are no exception. ChatGPT can act as a catalyst for your creativity by generating unique and challenging photography prompts. These can range from abstract themes like “capturing solitude” to specific technical exercises like “experimenting with high-speed sync flash.”

Feedback Loop: Refinement and Troubleshooting

Constructive Criticism Through Descriptive Analysis

While ChatGPT lacks the capability to visually assess your photographs, it can still offer valuable feedback if you describe your compositions in detail. Whether you’re struggling with framing, lighting, or color balance, ChatGPT can provide actionable suggestions to improve your work.

Problem-Solving and Technical Guidance

If you encounter specific issues like lens flare, chromatic aberration, or motion blur, ChatGPT can help you diagnose and resolve these problems. By discussing the settings you used, the environmental conditions, and any other relevant factors, the model can pinpoint the likely causes and recommend adjustments.

Beyond Photography: Networking and Career Development

Crafting an Impactful Portfolio

An impressive portfolio is your ticket to professional opportunities. ChatGPT can offer strategic advice on how to curate and present your work effectively. From selecting your most compelling pieces to sequencing them in a way that showcases your range and storytelling ability, the model can guide you through the entire process.

Staying Ahead of the Curve: Industry Trends and Marketing

The photography landscape is ever-changing, with new trends, technologies, and business models emerging regularly. ChatGPT can provide insights into the current state of the industry, tips for breaking into specialized fields like wedding or wildlife photography, and even strategies for effective self-marketing and brand building.

Summary

ChatGPT has emerged as a versatile and accessible tool for learning photography. While it can never fully replace the tactile experience of shooting photos or the nuanced feedback from a seasoned professional, it offers a rich supplementary resource for both beginners and experienced photographers. With its ability to explain, guide, critique, and inspire, ChatGPT is poised to become an integral part of the modern photographer’s learning journey. We hope that you find out guide on how to use ChatGPT to learn photography helpoful and informative, if you have any comments, questions or suggestions, please leave a comment below and let us know.

Image Credit: Aditya Wardhana

Filed Under: Guides

Latest Geeky Gadgets Deals

Disclosure: Some of our articles include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, Geeky Gadgets may earn an affiliate commission. Learn about our Disclosure Policy.

[ad_2]

Do look up! Here’s how to avoid light pollution and gaze at the beautiful untouched landscapes of our skies

[ad_1]

It’s not surprising that Ireland’s wild landscapes are beloved by outdoor enthusiasts the world over. Postcards of the emerald isle are adorned with rugged coastlines, lush green fields, and magnificent mountains. An escape to these landscapes is good for the soul – a chance to leave behind the straight lines, concrete, and uniformity of urban life, and to reconnect with the land that provides us with a home.

Finding that sense of place can be an especially moving experience. That feeling is something the night sky can offer on a cosmic scale – but only if you can see it. Sadly, many of us have never experienced a true night sky because of a very modern affliction – light pollution.

What is light pollution?

Light pollution occurs when excessive artificial light disrupts a natural environment. Artificial lights are of course a necessity of modern life, but all too frequently we use them more than we need to. On a day-to-day basis this problem can manifest as lights disrupting your ability to sleep, or bright streetlights actually impeding your night vision, but for stargazers light pollution means skyglow.

Skyglow drastically reduces the number of stars we can see by effectively ‘washing out’ the dimmest stars in the sky. This is particularly problematic in urban and suburban environments, but the effects of skyglow are so profound, even those of us living well beyond the boundaries of urban areas can experience their deleterious effects.

Dark Sky Hiking, Mayo. Picture: Davy Patton / Astrophotography Club Ireland

Dark skies in Ireland

Thankfully, the news is not all bad. There are still refugia where you can escape the overbearing effects of artificial light: beautiful, untouched landscapes where the night sky reveals its timeless beauty and we can even see the delicate, smoky, stream of stars that comprises our home galaxy – the Milky Way.

The news gets even better — the darkest of Irish skies are regarded as some of the best in the world. Kerry International Dark Sky Reserve and Mayo Dark Sky Park are both considered gold tier by Dark Sky International. And recently OM Dark Sky Park in Northern Ireland became the island’s newest internationally recognised dark sky place.

Georgia MacMillan of Dark Sky Ireland says Ireland is the perfect place for outdoor enthusiasts to start engaging with stargazing “I feel very lucky that I get to pair my love of hiking in beautiful landscapes with some of the most pristine dark skies in the world. It’s no secret that places like Killarney and Mayo are incredible by day, but by night they take on a whole other kind of magic.”

How to prep for a visit to a Dark Sky location

Prepare for a visit to a Dark Sky Place as you would for any hike, but with a few extra considerations. First and foremost is safety. Consider the unique challenges posed by a night hike and plan ahead.

Light: Bring a torch and batteries to ensure you can safely get to your intended destination. Using a torch will affect your night vision, so once you’ve reached your destination, turn it off and allow your eyes 20 minutes to fully adjust. Alternatively, you can purchase specialist torches that use only red light to guide your path without significantly impacting your night vision. Looking at your phone will impact your night vision too so keep it in your pocket unless it’s an emergency! Don’t forget to bring reflective clothing to ensure you can be seen safely.

Partner up: As with any hike, you want someone with you who can call for help if needed. It’s also very rewarding to share a stargazing experience with other people so plan ahead and call a friend.

Navigation: Stick to marked paths and take your time. It’s harder to navigate at night, so make your intended route a realistic one. Remote areas often have poor phone reception, so consider this before relying on an online map. That said, ensure your phone is charged, travel with a partner, and tell someone at home where you are planning on going. Scout your location by day so you can be more confident of your surroundings when you visit at night.

Location: Try to find a location where your view of the horizon is not obscured. An open field, or a coastal view are both great candidates. Avoid locations overlooking towns, cities, or other sources of artificial light. Finally, if you can’t find an area with panoramic views, prioritise a southern view. This gives you the best chance of taking in the planets and the Milky Way.

A truly dark night sky can be overwhelming the first time you see it. There are so many stars it can be difficult to find a frame of reference such as a familiar constellation. My recommendation on your first visit is to just take it all in. Try to appreciate the scale of what you are seeing, and the truly humbling fact that some of those stars no longer exist — they are just so far away the last of their light has yet to reach us.

If you do want to look for a particular target, I recommend the Milky Way. While it isn’t the best time of the year to see it, you should be able to see a ‘smoky’ trail of stars starting at the southwest horizon and moving almost directly overhead from 8.30pm throughout Space Week (October 4-10) Space Week is an ideal time to start exploring Ireland’s wonderful dark sky heritage.

Dark Sky Hiking, Kerry Picture: Davy Patton / Astrophotography Club Ireland

To learn more, and to find Dark Sky events near you, visit spaceweek.ie.
Space Week is when students, families, community groups and members of the public will come together with the space community, professional astrophysicists, the broader educational community, artists, hobby astronomers and space scientists to use the powers of creativity, critical thinking, science, technology, engineering and maths to focus on the wonders and realities of the Universe around us.
Rob O’Sullivan is a science communicator and outreach coordinator at MTU’s Blackrock Castle Observatory in Cork.

[ad_2]

iPhone 15 proves the key battleground in smartphone photography is character

[ad_1]

Apple’s iPhone 15 and 15 Pro lineup debuted on Tuesday, and both feature big improvements to the camera systems they boast. Apple has been putting a lot of focus on photography for the past few iterations of its main moneymakers, likely because changes in other aspects of the devices are relatively modest year-over-year.

The cameras on both the iPhone 15 and the higher-end 15 Pro line both got better this year, as expected, but Apple also introduced new features and options that highlight another trend which I’d anticipate all camera makers lean into even more in the future: photographic character.

There aren’t any flagship smartphones from major manufacturers that take bad photos anymore, and even among mid-range phones, high-quality cameras are increasingly becoming a given. Differentiation, then, lies in lateral moves and creativity — and more than ever, in making sure users can create a look that’s at least somewhat unique to them.

New to this year’s iPhone lineup is the ability to set a default focal length for the main camera on the 15 Pro, choosing from between 24mm, 28mm and 35mm equivalents. Photographers will recognize those as the most commonly preferred focal lengths for fixed lens cameras aimed at general use and street photography. They translate to a fairly wide-angle view, all the way to a tighter focal length typically associated with print photojournalism and documentary capture.

The ability to set these as the default is yet another step Apple has taken to make it possible to venture away from what the company chooses as the best “standard defaults” for the built-in Camera app.

Already, you can create your own photographic style by tweaking things like contrast and color to apply an instant visual effect to everything you take, and you can also opt to have the camera default to a RAW format that allows for much greater editing flexibility after the fact. New this year is an option to capture photos in Apple’s default HEIF high-efficiency format but at the max 48 MP resolution the sensor is capable of capturing, too.

A default focal length option might not seem like much, but changing the framing of your shot changes a lot about its character — in a way that’s less obvious than futzing with things like contrast and saturation, but that actually has just as much potential to give your photos a hard-to-quantify “quality” that others can identify and associate with you over time.

Photos for many people are just ways to freeze a moment they want to be able to look back on and recall, but the quality of memory is not static, nor is it neutral or uncolored by personality and perspective. Making it possible to inject photo capture with individuality and identifiable character is not just a nice-to-have for smartphone camera systems going forward — it’s where the majority of differentiation will occur, and could become the biggest selling point in a market where many of the other technical and performance problems are long-solved.

[ad_2]

Altun Mountains National Nature Reserve in Xinjiang

[ad_1]

This photo taken on Sept. 14, 2023 shows black-necked cranes at the Altun Mountains National Nature Reserve in northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. With an average altitude of 4,580 meters, the Altun Mountains National Nature Reserve covers a total area of 45,000 square kilometers and is a representative of plateau desert ecosystem in China. (Photo: Xinhua)

This photo taken on Sept. 14, 2023 shows a black stork at the Altun Mountains National Nature Reserve in northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. With an average altitude of 4,580 meters, the Altun Mountains National Nature Reserve covers a total area of 45,000 square kilometers and is a representative of plateau desert ecosystem in China. (Photo: Xinhua)

This photo taken on Sept. 12, 2023 shows Tibetan antelopes at the Altun Mountains National Nature Reserve in northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. With an average altitude of 4,580 meters, the Altun Mountains National Nature Reserve covers a total area of 45,000 square kilometers and is a representative of plateau desert ecosystem in China. (Photo: Xinhua)

This photo taken on Sept. 11, 2023 shows the scenery of a desert and snow mountains at the Altun Mountains National Nature Reserve in northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. With an average altitude of 4,580 meters, the Altun Mountains National Nature Reserve covers a total area of 45,000 square kilometers and is a representative of plateau desert ecosystem in China. (Photo: Xinhua)

This aerial photo taken on Sept. 12, 2023 shows Tibetan antelopes at the Altun Mountains National Nature Reserve in northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. With an average altitude of 4,580 meters, the Altun Mountains National Nature Reserve covers a total area of 45,000 square kilometers and is a representative of plateau desert ecosystem in China.(Photo: Xinhua)

This photo taken on Sept. 14, 2023 shows Tibetan gazelles at the Altun Mountains National Nature Reserve in northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. With an average altitude of 4,580 meters, the Altun Mountains National Nature Reserve covers a total area of 45,000 square kilometers and is a representative of plateau desert ecosystem in China.(Photo: Xinhua)

This aerial photo taken on Sept. 11, 2023 shows the Ayakum Lake at the Altun Mountains National Nature Reserve in northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. With an average altitude of 4,580 meters, the Altun Mountains National Nature Reserve covers a total area of 45,000 square kilometers and is a representative of plateau desert ecosystem in China.(Photo: Xinhua)

This photo taken on Sept. 14, 2023 shows the shazi spring at the Altun Mountains National Nature Reserve in northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. With an average altitude of 4,580 meters, the Altun Mountains National Nature Reserve covers a total area of 45,000 square kilometers and is a representative of plateau desert ecosystem in China. (Photo: Xinhua)

This photo taken on Sept. 11, 2023 shows the Ayakum Lake at the Altun Mountains National Nature Reserve in northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. With an average altitude of 4,580 meters, the Altun Mountains National Nature Reserve covers a total area of 45,000 square kilometers and is a representative of plateau desert ecosystem in China. (Photo: Xinhua)

This aerial photo taken on Sept. 12, 2023 shows wild yaks at the Altun Mountains National Nature Reserve in northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. With an average altitude of 4,580 meters, the Altun Mountains National Nature Reserve covers a total area of 45,000 square kilometers and is a representative of plateau desert ecosystem in China. (Photo: Xinhua)

[ad_2]

31 of the best astronomy photos from 2023

Iridescent Running Chicken Nebula with glowing gases and stars

[ad_1]

An unexpected and astonishing find located more than 2.5 million light-years from Earth took top honors at the Royal Observatory Greenwich’s Astronomy Photographer of the Year awards this week. Amateur astronomers Marcel Drechsler, Xavier Strottner, and Yann Sainty captured an image of a massive plasma arc near the Andromeda Galaxy, a discovery that has resulted in scientists looking closer into the giant gas cloud.

“This astrophoto is as spectacular as [it is] valuable,” judge and astrophotographer László Francsics said in a press release. “It not only presents Andromeda in a new way, but also raises the quality of astrophotography to a higher level.”

[Related: How to get a great nightsky shot]

While “Andromeda, Unexpected” captured the prestigious overall winner title, other category winners also dazzled with photos of dancing auroras, neon sprites raining down from the night’s sky, and stunning far-off nebulas that might make you feel like a tiny earthling floating through space.

Sit back and scroll in awe at all the category winners, runners-up, and highly commended images from the 2023 Royal Observatory Greenwich’s Astronomy Photographer of the Year honorees.

Galaxy

Overall winner: Andromeda, Unexpected

Runner-Up: The Eyes Galaxies

Eyes Galaxies and dust swirls in space — The Eyes Galaxies (NGC 4438) are the famous interacting galaxies in the Virgo Cluster. They’re small and require a large telescope to reveal their many components, such as the dust in the middle and the tiny flares on the left and right. Those tiny details have rarely been revealed on other amateur images. **Photo: Weitang Liang**

Highly Commended: Neighbors

Three galleries shimmer among stars — A deep-space photograph showing galaxies NGC 5078 and IC879, to the left, and NGC 5101 on the right. The detailed image captures the hazy dust of the galaxies clearly. **Photo: Paul Montague**

Aurora

Winner: Brushstroke

Runner-up: Circle of Light

Green aurora encircling a mountain and lake — A stunning photograph of a vivid aurora over Skagsanden beach, Lofoten Islands, Norway. The mountain in the background is Hustinden, which the aurora appears to encircle. **Photo: Andreas Ettl**

Highly Commended: Fire on the Horizon

Yellow pink and red aurora over a small building — New Zealand regularly has auroras, but due to its distance from the magnetic pole they are often not particularly vibrant for observers. With to the increased solar activity the region saw this year, the photographer was able to capture a highly colorful aurora over Birdlings Flat, New Zealand. **Photo:** **Chester Hall-Fernandez**

Our Moon

Winner: Mars-Set

Closeup of the moon with mars peeking out behind smaller — An occultation of Mars that took place on December 8, 2022. During the occultation, the moon passes in front of the planet Mars, allowing the astrophotographer to capture both objects together. The image shows Mars behind the moon’s southern side in impressive detail. ***Photo: Ethan Chappel***

Runner-Up: Sundown on the Terminator

Mars photo — The Plato Crater is an almost perfectly circular crater that measures 109 kilometes in diameter. This photograph was taken during a local lunar sunset in the last quarter, when approximately half of the moon’s face is visible from Earth. The image captures dramatic shadows moving across the moon. **Photo: Tom Williams**

Highly Commended: Last Full Moon of the Year Featuring a Colourful Corona During a Close Encounter with Mars

Full moon with an iridescent ring — A photograph of the last full moon of 2022 immersed in clouds. The colourful ring surrounding the moon is a lunar corona, which occurs when moonlight is diffracted though water droplets in the Earth’s atmosphere. Mars can just be seen to the right of the moon, appearing as a small orange dot. ***Photo: Miguel Claro***

Our Sun

Winner: A Sun Question

Plasma on sun's surface — A photograph of the sun with a huge filament in the shape of a question mark. Solar filaments are arcs of plasma in the sun’s atmosphere given shape by magnetic fields. The photo is a mosaic of two panels. **Photo: Eduardo Schaberger Poupeau**

Runner-Up: Dark Star

A large dark spot on the sun — A photograph of the sun turned ‘inside-out’. The photographer inverted the rectangular image onto polar coordinates to highlight the smaller prominences that occur on the edge of the sun. **Photo: Peter Ward**

Highly Commended: The Great Solar Flare

Solar flare closeup — The sun photographed moving towards its maximum cycle. A large solar flare around 700,000 kilometers long erupts to the left of the image. **Photo: Mehmet Ergün**

People & Space

Winner: Zeila

A shipwreck disappears in the fog under stars — The most northerly part of Namibia’s Atlantic facing coast is one of the most treacherous coastlines in the world and has gained the name the Skeleton Coast. The ship in this photo, Zeila, was stranded on August 25, 2008 and is still in a well-preserved state. The image shows the delicate colors of different star types. **Photo: Vikas Chander**

Runner-Up: A Visit to Tycho

The international space station against a crater on the moon — In this photo, the International Space Station has been captured in alignment with the Tycho Crater. While actually 1,000 times closer to Earth than the moon, this perspective makes it seem like the station is in fact orbiting our natural satellite. McCarthy travelled to the Sonoran Desert in Arizona to find the perfect position. **Photo: Andrew McCarthy**

Highly Commended: Close Encounters of The Haslingden Kind

A spaceship-like sculpture under a time-lapse of stars — *Haslingden’s Halo is an 18-meter diameter sculpture located in the hills of Lancashire. McGuinness took inspiration from the* Close Encounters of The Third Kind film poster to create her image. More than 150 images, taken over an hour and with exposures of 25 seconds each, were combined to show the apparent rotation of stars around Polaris. **Photo: Katie McGuinness**

Planets, Comets & Asteroids

Winner: Suspended in a Sunbeam

A blurry, colorful Venus — A unique view of Venus using infrared or ultraviolet false colour. By going beyond the visible part of the spectrum, a myriad of fine detail within the upper atmosphere of the planet is revealed. **Photo: Tom Williams**

Runner-Up: Jupiter Close to Opposition

Closeup of Jupiter's red spot — An image of Jupiter 30 minutes after it crossed the meridian. The Great Red Spot and many details of the turbulent atmosphere, primarily composed of hydrogen and helium gas, are clearly visible, including several smaller storms. **Photo: Marco Lorenzi**

Highly Commended: Uranus with Umbriel, Ariel, Miranda, Oberon and Titania

Distant photo of Uranus and its five moons — Uranus is so distant that light from the sun takes nearly three hours to reach it and makes it very hard to photograph. This photo was taken in optimum conditions, on a still night with no cloud cover, so the photographer was able to capture Uranus and its five brightest moons, from top to bottom, Titania, Miranda, Ariel, Umbriel, and Oberon. **Photo: Martin Lewis**

Skyscapes

Winner: Grand Cosmic Fireworks

Pink sprites fall from the sky — Sprites are an extremely rare phenomenon of atmospheric luminescence that appear like fireworks. An took this photograph from the highest ridge of the Himalaya mountains. **Photo: Angel An**

Runner-Up: Celestial Equator Above First World War Trench Memorial

Rainbow-colored star trails over a stone wall — Star trails above the preserved First World War trenches in Canadian National Vimy Memorial Park in northern France. Taken over five hours, the camera captured the rotation of the sky, revealing the colorful stars. **Photo: Louis Leroux-Gere**

Highly Commended: Noctilucent Night

Storm cloud reflecting over a pond and grassland — Noctilucent clouds are rarely seen around the summer solstice in Hungary, when this photograph was taken. The reflection on the pond below creates a perfect symmetry. **Photo: Peter Hoszang**

Stars & Nebulae

Winner: New Class of Galactic Nebulae Around the Star YY Hya

Red galactic nebula shines against a background of stars — A team of amateur astronomers, led by Marcel Drechsler from Germany and Xavier Strottner from France, were able to make an important contribution to the study of the evolution of binary star systems: on old images of sky surveys, they discovered a previously unknown galactic nebula. At its center, a pair of stars surrounded by a common envelope was found. On more than 100 nights, more than 360 hours of exposure time were collected. The result shows an ultra-deep stellar remnant that the team has baptized “the heart of the Hydra.” **Photo: Marcel Drechsler**

Runner-Up: LDN 1448 et al.

molecular cloud that looks like dust floating in space — A photograph of LDN 1448, which is close to the more spectacular and more often photographed NGC 1333. Quintile chose to photograph the lesser-known molecular cloud to explore the fascinating dust in this part of the sky. **Photo: Anthony Quintile**

Highly Commended: The Dark Wolf – Fenrir

Thick black molecular cloud on a red hydrogen gas — This image shows a dark, thick molecular cloud in the form of a wolf, known as the Wolf Nebula or Fenrir Nebula. Baguley chose a starless image to emphasise the beautiful red background, which is a dense backdrop of hydrogen gas. **Photo: James Baguley**

The Sir Patrick Moore Prize for Best Newcomer

Winner: Sh2-132: Blinded by the Light

Colorful gas cloud on the edge of two constellations — The Sh2-132 complex lies near the border of the Cepheus and Lacerta constellations and contains multiple deep sky structures. The photograph includes 70 hours of data, the rich interplay of all the gasses reveals something different each time you look at it. **Photo: Aaron Wilhelm**

Young Astronomy Photographer of the Year

Winner: The Running Chicken Nebula

Purple, red, and yellow nebula — The Running Chicken Nebula, IC2944, is located in the constellation of Centaurus, 6,000 light years away from the Earth. Embedded in the nebula’s glowing gas the star cluster Collinder 249 is visible. **Photo: Runwei Xu and Binyu Wang**

Runner-Up: Blue Spirit Drifting in the Clouds

Seven Sisters star cluster shining brightly — Pleiades is an open star cluster lit by the brightest stars, which illuminate the surrounding nebula giving it an attractive blue hue. The cluster is also known as the Seven Sisters, because many people can see seven stars. But as astrophotography reveals, there are actually over 1,000. **Photo: Haocheng Li and Runwei Xu**

Highly Commended: Lunar Occultation of Mars

the moon large in the foreground with mars smaller in the background — The lunar occultation of Mars was one of the most interesting celestial events of 2022. Here, an iPhone was used with a Celestron Astromaster 102az Refractor Telescope to capture the moment just before the moon blocked our view of Mars. **Photo: Joshua Harwood-White**

Highly Commended: Roses Blooming in the Dark: NGC 2337

Red, purple, and blue Rosette Nebula dotted in stars — The Rosette Nebula, NGC 2337, is a large nebula and has a diameter of about 130 light-years. This image has been achieved using narrowband-filter processing. For the star point LRGB filters have been used. **Photo: Yanhao Mo**

Highly Commended: Moon at Nightfall

Timelapse of the moon rising over a bridge — A photograph of a moonrise over the Xinghai Bay Bridge in Dalian. Atmospheric extinction alters the hue and brightness of the moon when it is low on the horizon. In this photo, you can see the moon appears brighter and less red as it rises in the sky. **Photo: Haohan Sun**

Annie Maunder Prize for Image Innovation

Winner: Black Echo

Chandra X-ray telescope sonification data of Perseus Galaxy — Taking audio source material from NASA’s Chandra Sonification Project, White visually captured the sound of the black hole at the centre of the Perseus Galaxy. **Photo: John White**

[ad_2]

Former students featured in Fresno City College photography exhibition

[ad_1]

FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – 17 former Fresno City College students have been featured in the photography exhibition by the Fresno City College Photography Program in conjunction with the Community Access Collaborative (CMAC) in Downtown Fresno.

The exhibition includes work from FCC Photo’s Student Archives. Officials say many of their former students have gone on to become industry professionals throughout California.

The exhibition was curated by Emily Redondo, Department Chair of the VMT Department at FCC.

“Our student archives span many genres and subjects of photography so I knew we had amazing images that would do just that, inspire creativity. I am thrilled to share these amazing photos from our Student Archive with the community,” said Redondo.

Officials say the work in this exhibition was produced by students while in the FCC Photography Program:

Sopheap An Ibarra.
Daniel Barajas
Hillarie Cerrillo
Don John Dizon
Victoria Flores
Ashley Gonzalez
Gregory Gonzalez
Larry Kenshalo
Deborah Kountz
Mabel Mazel
Jesse Merrell
Oscar Ramirez
Tyrus Ramos
Brandi Schramm
Victoria Arviso Servin
Lani Unk
Cherisse Villareal

Officials say the exhibition will stay in place for three years, and a new exhibition from the FCC Photography Student Archives will be installed in 2026.

The exhibition has been installed on the third floor of CMAC’s officers in Downtown Fresno.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to YourCentralValley.com.

[ad_2]

Plasma arc is Astronomy photograph of the year

[ad_1]

A teal-colored plasma arc next to the iconic Andromeda Galaxy stole the show in this year’s Royal Observatory Greenwich’s Astronomy Photographer of the Year competition announced this week. The dazzling image and overall winner of the competition, Andromeda, Unexpected, was taken by Marcel Drechsler, Xavier Strottner and Yann Sainty.

“It’s an enormous honor for our team to receive this important award and we are grateful for all the support, friendship and encouragement we have received along our journey. It encourages us to continue to pursue our passion for astrophotography and, of course, research with dedication,” the winners say Royal Observatory Greenwich press release.

Within one of the most observed and photographed areas in the night sky, the amateur astronomers captured a blue arc of ionized oxygen gas that was only discovered earlier this year. Scientists are now investigating the arc, dubbed Strottner-Drechsler-Sainty Object 1 (SDSO-1), as it could be the largest type of structure near to Earth. The winning image will be on display alongside other winners from other categories at the National Maritime Museum in London starting September 16.

In its 15th year, the competition features over 100 photographs of shimmering skies, brilliant moons, and vibrant stars. In total there are 11 categories including, Best Newcomer, Young Astronomy Photographer of the year, and the subject categories: Galaxies, Aurorae, Our Moon, Our Sun, People and Space, Planet, Comets and Asteroids, Skyscapes, and Stars and Nebulae.

Andromeda, Unexpected was named appropriately as the team did not expect to capture the plasma arc. “It was an absolute accident. No one expected to see it and that’s why it’s called Andromeda, Unexpected, because we wanted to take a beautiful image of the Andromeda Galaxy. And we looked at the first data and we spotted this hazy smudge on the edge of the image,” says Drechsler in a statement. Initially, the team thought the smudge was distortion or an anomaly from scattered light.

The award-winning image took over 22 nights, 110 hours of data and various filters and exposure times to capture. “This astrophoto is as spectacular as [it is] valuable. It not only presents Andromeda in a new way, but also raises the quality of astrophotography to a higher level,” says László Francsics judge and astrophotographer, in the release.

The overall winner shared also gained the top spot in the Galaxies category. Here are a list of winners in the other fields.

Aurora

An abstract aurora in the shape of a brushstroke. Unusually, the photographer decided to photograph the aurora in isolation.

Taken with a Nikon D850 camera, 14 mm f/2.8, ISO 3200, 4-second exposure.

Location: Utsjoki, Lapland, Finland

Our Moon

An occultation of Mars that took place on 8 December 2022. During the occultation, the Moon passes in front of the planet Mars, allowing the astrophotographer to capture both objects together. The image shows Mars behind the Moon’s southern side in impressive detail.

Taken with a Celestron EdgeHD 14 telescope, iOptron CEM70 mount, Astro-Physics BARADV lens, ZWO ASI462MC camera, 7,120 mm f/20, multiple 15-millisecond exposures.

Location: Cibolo, Texas, USA

Our Sun

**A Sun Question © Eduardo Schaberger Poupeau**

A photograph of the Sun with a huge filament in the shape of a question mark. Solar filaments are arcs of plasma in the Sun’s atmosphere given shape by magnetic fields. The photo is a mosaic of two panels.

Taken with a Sky-Watcher Evostar 150ED DX Doublet APO refractor telescope, Daystar Quark Chromosphere filter, Baader ERF frontal filter, iOptron CEM70G mount, Player One Apollo-M Max camera, Gain 100, 840 mm focal length 120 mm aperture, 2 panels of 115 x 3.47-millisecond exposures.

Location: Rafaela, Santa Fe, Argentina

People & Space

The most northerly part of Namibia’s Atlantic facing coast is one of the most treacherous coastlines in the world and has gained the name the Skeleton Coast.

The ship in this photo, Zeila, was stranded on 25 August 2008 and is still in a well-preserved state. The image shows the delicate colours of different star types.

Taken with a Nikon D850 camera, 135 mm f/2.8, ISO 200, 30-minute exposure.

Location: Heintesbaai (Henties Bay), Erongo Region, Namibia

Skyscapes

Sprites are an extremely rare phenomenon of atmospheric luminescence that appear like fireworks. An took this photograph from the highest ridge of the Himalaya mountains.

Taken with a Sony ILCE-7S3 camera, 135 mm f/1.8, ISO 12800, 4-second exposure

Location: Lake Puma Yumco, Tibet, China

Stars & Nebulae

**New Class of Galactic Nebulae Around the Star YY Hya © Marcel Drechsler**

A team of amateur astronomers, led by Marcel Drechsler from Germany and Xavier Strottner from France, were able to make an important contribution to the study of the evolution of binary star systems: on old images of sky surveys, they discovered a previously unknown galactic nebula. At its centre, a pair of stars surrounded by a common envelope was found. On over 100 nights, more than 360 hours of exposure time were collected. The result shows an ultra-deep stellar remnant that the team has baptised ‘the heart of the Hydra’.

Taken with an ASA Newtonian 500 mm telescope, ASA DDM85 mount, FLI ProLine 16803 camera, 1,900 mm f/3.8, 890 x 1,200-second exposures, 672 x 300-second exposures and 15 x 1,800-second exposures

Location: Ovalle, Chile

The Sir Patrick Moore Prize for Best Newcomer

**Sh2-132: Blinded by the Light © Aaron Wilhelm**

The Sh2-132 complex lies near the border of the Cepheus and Lacerta constellations and contains multiple deep sky structures. The photograph includes 70 hours of data, the rich interplay of all the gasses reveals something different each time you look at it.

Taken with a William Optics Fluorostar132 mm telescope, Chroma 3 nm/50 mm SII/H-alpha/OIII filters, Astro-Physics Mach2GTO mount, ZWO ASI6200MM Pro camera, 910 mm f/6.9, SII: 87 x 900-second exposures; H-alpha: 92 x 900-second exposures; OIII: 87 x 900-second exposures, 66 hours and 30 minutes total exposure

Location: Santa Monica, California, USA

Young Astronomy Photographer of the year

**The Running Chicken Nebula © Runwei Xu and Binyu Wang**

The Running Chicken Nebula, IC2944, is located in the constellation of Centaurus, 6,000 light years away from the Earth. Embedded in the nebula’s glowing gas the star cluster Collinder 249 is visible.

Taken with an ASA N20 f/3.8 Newtonian telescope, ASA DDM85 mount, FLI Proline 16803 camera, 1,900 mm f/3.8, 5.5 hours total exposure

Location: El Sauce Observatory, Río Hurtado, Chile

Annie Maunder Prize for Image Innovation

Taking audio source material from NASA’s Chandra Sonification Project, White visually captured the sound of the black hole at the center of the Perseus Galaxy.

The audio was played through a speaker onto which White attached a petri dish, blacked out at the bottom and then filled with about 3 mm of water. Using a macro lens and halo light in a dark room, White experimented with the audio and volumes to explore the various patterns made in the liquid.

Original data from the NASA Chandra X-Ray Observatory, May 2022.

Runners-up and highly commended

[ad_2]

15 Stunning Winning Photos Of The Mono Awards 2023

[ad_1]

Presenting the outstanding 15 winning photographs from The Mono Awards 2023, proudly sponsored by SanDisk.
Now in its fifth year, this prestigious annual competition continues to attract the finest black and white photographers.

In this remarkable year, we celebrate a superbly camouflaged leopard captured in India by Tony Sernack, a brilliantly composed street photograph by Tebani Slade, and a ‘simple yet intricate’ image of a grass tree skillfully crafted by Mark Ditcham. These exceptional images share the spotlight in the competition, where photographers vied for a total of $12,000 in cash and prizes, spanning three categories: People, Places, and Animals.

Scroll down and inspire yourself, Check their website for more information.

You can find more info about Mono Awards:

#1 Animals Category Winner By Tony Sernack

Now you see me. The photograph was taken in Jawai in Rajasthan. This place is famous for its leopards who live in peaceful co-existence with the local shepherds, the Rabari. There are around 50 leopards living in amongst the quite spectacular granite hills that rise from the plain. Leopards are usually hard to see in most habitats. Your chances in Jawai are far better, although they are most often seen sunning themselves high up amongst the boulders, surveying their territory. This female was the first leopard we saw on this trip. Whenever you see a rare wild animal, it is a thrill. While I got to photograph a number of other leopards over the next few days, this image is one of my favourites, seeing her serenely and beautifully blending into the rockface.

#2 People Category Winner By Tebani Slade

When I captured this shot I was living in Spain in the coastal town of Sitges. I would often walk along the beachfront promenade late in the afternoons with my camera. On this day, I came across this man who was throwing bubbles to entertain children while their parents sat and watched.There’s something magical about bubbles – they bring so much joy. As the children danced and jumped to try and pop the bubbles, I wanted to capture a shot just like this. It was simply a matter of waiting for the right juxtaposition. It was a bleak and dull day, making it perfect for a black and white image.

#3 Places Category Winner By Mark Ditcham

Holding. This shot was taken during a sunrise shoot in a strip of remnant bushland amongst farming properties just east of Geraldton in Western Australia. This particular area is full of Grass Trees (Xanthorrhoea spp), one of my favourite subjects to photograph. These trees are full of character and I like to hunt for ones with a human semblance. I found this dead and broken-down tree in a previously unexplored area of the bushland and was instantly drawn to its shape and form. The coppery colours of the internal structure of the trunk were beautiful, but I knew that processing it as a black and white image would be far more compelling.

Leek and kimchi soup with blue cheese croutons

Roast chicken legs, plums and marsala

Runner beans, preserved lemon and feta

Roasted squash with tahini and chilli crisp

Almond and blackberry tosca cake

The Rise of ChatGPT as an Educational Tool

Laying the Groundwork: Understanding the Basics

Deciphering Photography Jargon

Navigating the Equipment Maze

Skill Enhancement: From Novice to Pro

Step-by-Step Technique Guides

Creative Challenges and Prompts

Feedback Loop: Refinement and Troubleshooting

Constructive Criticism Through Descriptive Analysis

Problem-Solving and Technical Guidance

Beyond Photography: Networking and Career Development

Crafting an Impactful Portfolio

Staying Ahead of the Curve: Industry Trends and Marketing

Summary

Galaxy

Overall winner: Andromeda, Unexpected

Runner-Up: The Eyes Galaxies

Highly Commended: Neighbors

Aurora

Winner: Brushstroke

Runner-up: Circle of Light

Highly Commended: Fire on the Horizon

Our Moon

Winner: Mars-Set

Runner-Up: Sundown on the Terminator

Highly Commended: Last Full Moon of the Year Featuring a Colourful Corona During a Close Encounter with Mars

Our Sun

Winner: A Sun Question

Runner-Up: Dark Star

Highly Commended: The Great Solar Flare

People & Space

Winner: Zeila

Runner-Up: A Visit to Tycho

Highly Commended: Close Encounters of The Haslingden Kind

Planets, Comets & Asteroids

Winner: Suspended in a Sunbeam

Runner-Up: Jupiter Close to Opposition

Highly Commended: Uranus with Umbriel, Ariel, Miranda, Oberon and Titania

Skyscapes

Winner: Grand Cosmic Fireworks

Runner-Up: Celestial Equator Above First World War Trench Memorial

Highly Commended: Noctilucent Night

Stars & Nebulae

Winner: New Class of Galactic Nebulae Around the Star YY Hya

Runner-Up: LDN 1448 et al.

Highly Commended: The Dark Wolf – Fenrir

The Sir Patrick Moore Prize for Best Newcomer

Winner: Sh2-132: Blinded by the Light

Young Astronomy Photographer of the Year

Winner: The Running Chicken Nebula

Runner-Up: Blue Spirit Drifting in the Clouds

Highly Commended: Lunar Occultation of Mars

Highly Commended: Roses Blooming in the Dark: NGC 2337

Highly Commended: Moon at Nightfall

Annie Maunder Prize for Image Innovation

Winner: Black Echo

Aurora

Our Moon

Our Sun

People & Space

Skyscapes

Stars & Nebulae

The Sir Patrick Moore Prize for Best Newcomer

Young Astronomy Photographer of the year

Annie Maunder Prize for Image Innovation

Runners-up and highly commended

You can find more info about Mono Awards:

#1 Animals Category Winner By Tony Sernack

#2 People Category Winner By Tebani Slade

#3 Places Category Winner By Mark Ditcham

#4 Animals: Runner-Up By Anthony Brown

#5 Animals: 3rd Place By Ashlee Jansen

#6 Animals: 4th Place By Lawrence Chan

#7 Animals: 5th Place By Rowan Dear

#8 People: Runner-Up By Jessica Hromas