Things were not happening as expected, it was very tough for magnum to sell his images since all those images showed the suffering and cruelty on Vietnamese, the raw truth was too hard for them.

This made Griffiths to publish Vietnam Inc in 1971. This had a greater influence over American perception over Vietnam war. It turned things upside down, and was a classic act in photojournalism. Till date this book is one of the detailed surveys of any war or conflict.

Some additional facts about Griffith:

• His first picture was of a friend in rowboat.
• Times Magazine called “The best work of photo-reportage of war ever published ” – Vietnam Inc.
• “Not since Goya has anyone portrayed war like Philip Jones Griffiths.” – Henri Cartier-Bresson

To Griffiths, “The problem with photography is that you can decontextualize war. What does a picture of a wounded body, or a mother clasping her wounded child mean? Why is it happening? I want to know that. I’m not satisfied just photographing little sorts of visual climaxes to a conflict. I want to know what led up to it and what’s going to happen next. I cannot believe in the sort of fireman approach to doing this kind of work — just automatically going to the next war not knowing where you are, what the background or the history is. It’s like watching a movie with the house lights on and everybody is talking. It seems to me that you’re losing such a valuable opportunity to learn the truth of what’s happening.” - from his Biography.

“The ability to keep things in perspective is very important for a journalist. In a tense situation you need the ability to be there, yet somehow step aside; to keep a cool head and keep working without getting frustrated.” - Philip Jones Griffiths.

Publications of Philip Jones Griffiths

• Vietnam Inc.
• Agent Orange: Collateral Damage in Vietnam
• Unembedded: Four Independent Photojournalists on the War in Iraq
• Philip Jones Griffiths: Vietnam At Peace

You can find more info about Philip Jones Griffiths

• Wikipedia
• Magnum Photos
• Aperture.org
• BBC

As always, if we’ve missed something you think should have been included, please let us know in the comments.

Please click on the image for better view.

Copyrights:
All images displayed are protected by copyright. Their reproduction, even in part, is forbidden without the explicit approval of the rightful owners.

Derek Winchester came with a wonderful article about paintings which every photographer should study. I am sure you will really enjoy this post

1. Mona Lisa by Leonardo Da Vinci

The most recognized painting in the world has a lot to teach photographers, mainly connection with your subject. As has been said before, that smile says a lot about the connection between the painter and the subject. That is what every photographer should be looking for when they take a portrait and one of the reasons why this is such a memorable image.

2. The School of Athens by Raphael

Many photographers like to take pictures of singular things. One person, one thing or one moment. This painting is from a time when one painting needed a half an hour of attention span. There are almost a dozen different stories going on here and none of them are distracting each other. This is a good skill to have when it comes to composing a scene in your viewfinder.

3. The Girl with the Pearl Earring by Johannes Vermeer

Vemeer loved window light. It is the best light for portraits. When we use studio lights or flash more often than not we are trying to get light as good as this. The catchlight in the eyes and the light reflected off the earring are what portrait photographers should be looking for. Also, as with the Mona Lisa, the connection between the painter, and through him, the viewer is very strong in this painting.

4. Nighthawks by Edward Hopper

Most photographers look for that moment, that bigger than life explosion of happening that hooks people in. Nighthawks is a soft hook. This is a photo that grabs your attention because it is so quiet. Photographers also have to be on the lookout for these quiet moments as well.

5. Hand with reflecting sphere by M.C. Escher

Four things every photographer should know how to do: take a photo of a reflection, take a photo of a hand, take a photo of him/herself, and take a photo showing perspective.

6. The Gossips by Norman Rockwell

Pure storytelling through facial expressions. We do not even have to hear the rumor to know everything that is happening here. Being able to capture a story telling expression is an awesome skill to have as a photographer.

7. The Runaway by Norman Rockwell

Norman Rockwell was very good at creating a memory in our heads the instant we see one of his paintings. There are some books that have less story than this image. Do that with a photograph and you will have succeeded.

8. Campbell’s soup cans by Andy Warhol

Some photographers get hung up by finding subjects for their photos. They want something spectacular. A better skill to have is being able to make the ordinary seem extraordinary and that is what Warhol did with these cans of soup.

9. The Kiss by Gustav Klimt

Many photographers get taken in by the latest fad in photography. There are now millions of photos on the internet using HDR (High Dynamic Range) photos where three photos are taken of the same subject at different exposures and then merged in an editing program). The trap here is to think that the gimmick is enough; that you can take a photo of anything using this new technique and it will be a good photo. Klimt is very famous for his stylized paintings but in this one there is still that moment of connection between his subjects. A very good lesson for a photographer to know.

10. Cave Painting

Photography, like painting before it, has an instinctual basis. The need to show someone else something with an image. Learning new techniques is fun but they should not get in the way of that id urge, that basic feeling of wanting to show someone else a picture. Before you think about composition, lighting and technique, do you first have something you want to show someone else.

11. Michelangelo The Sistine Chapel ceiling

A good skill to have as a photographer is to look at things from different angles to get the best shot. Do not let an awkward angle deter you from your inspiration. Take the shot even if you have to look straight up.

12. The Three Sphinx of Bikini by Salvador Dali

There are many subjects you can take that have similar forms. It is important to be able to see repeated patterns in photography and get good photos of them.

13. Paintings of Banksy

Banksy is a master of juxtaposition. You expect to see one thing and are surprised to see another.

14. Ancient of days by William Blake

Blake can teach photographers a lot about balancing inspiration and technique.

15. Cafe At Night by Vincent Van Gogh

We should take photos of things that have meaning to us. By looking at this painting, we know that this restaurant had some meaning for Van Gogh. It was important to him.

16. The Great Wave at Kanagawa by Katsushika Hokusai

The decisive moment is not only a human happening. Photographers also have to look for it in nature.

17. Women walking on a road through the fields by Hiroshige

Photographers should always be on the lookout for when the environment lines up with what your subjects are doing. The line of the tree, the path and the people are all parallel.

18. Paintings of Edgar Mueller

Mueller is a master of perspective. Looking at his art from a different angle completely changes the illusion of depth here. What this can teach photographers is to never stop looking for the right angle to take a photo.

19. Poppy by Georgia O’Keeffe

There is a whole subculture of flower photography. O’Keeffe is a great place to start getting inspiration to take flower photos.

20. Kitwancool by Emily Carr

Emily Carr was famous for paintings of native totem poles. She spent her life looking for totems to depict in her paintings. Photographers should always be on the lookout for projects. A subject, any subject, that we can explore with many different photos.

21. Dance at Le Moulin de la Galette by Pierre-Auguste Renoir

This is another great scene with a lot of subjects that fit the image and don’t compete with the main subjects.

22. American Gothic by Grant Wood

This is a great example of how your subject can mimic the environment. Grant Wood tried to imagine what kind of people would live in the house behind the couple. The house and the couple even physically resemble one another.

23. Chez le père Lathuille by Édouard Manet

This could be a street photography shot. This is the decisive moment before Bresson. Look at that expression and anticipation of every word that comes out of her mouth. By studying this you will be able to see decisive moments better on the street.

24. Bathing at La Grenouillere by Claude Monet

This is another great use of light. Photographers should be aware that different light in the same photo can not only come from inside to outside but also be from places like under trees to out in the open. Look at the rowboats, they are in shadow and the lake is in the sun. We can see that with our eyes and it makes for an interesting scene to paint, but for photographers, the camera will not be able to expose the shade and the open lake in the same way. We need flash or some other aid to get both lighting situations correct.

25. An Old man in Red by Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn

Rembrandt was so obsessed with a certain kind of light, the light that forms a triangle of light on the opposite side of the face under the eye, that now studio photographers call that kind of lighting Rembrandt lighting.

But there are few artists out there who intentionally shoot things the wrong way sorry their right way. Those blurry out of focus shots are mood quenchers. The more you shoot these kind, the more you get better and also addicted. These shots are easy to shoot but hard to perceive or explain.

As always we will get you some “simple tips and sample pics”.

Photo Credit: Hengki

What to Expect with OOF

• Shooting an image in Out of Focus (OOF) definitely needs an eye for art and intrusion which obviously comes in a lot of practice and creativity.
• At times it is the blur or bokeh which makes the shot very compelling for the viewer, the OOF induces some kind of a curiosity and urge to know more about the subject you shoot.
• What we noticed in these kinds of shots is, it creates lot of honor to the subject and kindles the viewers thought and creativity to build upon something he/she doesn’t know about.
• Pros may argue that bokeh is nothing but the OOF points of light, because it is some feature of the image not the lens itself. One should always remember bokeh is not limited to the highlights or light source alone. Knowing these small things can hugely determine the way you shoot.

We will figure out two main things in Out of focus Photography for you.

Photo Credit : Ben Smith

What to shoot

• Always look for distinct shapes and structures which might help you to create a beautiful shape when focused out.
• Don’t try to clog the frame with too many characters but at times it may even help you to create a surreal effect which is very pleasing.
• A pose very unique or any action very compelling and which can make the viewer stick his eyes onto are really some winning attributes for this OOF photography.
• Keep playing with this technique well who knows you might create your own formula.

Photo Credit : Leschick

How to Shoot

• It’s no space-science just keep the lens in manual focus keep twitching back and forth.
• Do-not forget to choose the largest aperture (=better bokeh) available with your lens.
• The OOF what you see on the viewfinder may not be the same as your result.
• Black & White conversion can hugely translate the mood to the pictures with OOF.

Hence keep practicing keep clicking!

10 Awesome Examples of OOF Photography

Photo Credit : Hengki Lee

Photo Credit : Ekaterina Nosenko

Photo Credit: Hengki Lee

Photo Credit : Denné Alise

Photo Credit : M.R. Krishnamoorthy

Photo Credit : Nasos Zovo

Photo Credit : Balaji Maheshwar

Photo Credit : Leslie

Photo Credit : Hengki Lee

Photo Credit : Jefferson Gonsalves

Copyrights:
All images displayed are protected by copyright. Their reproduction, even in part, is forbidden without the explicit approval of the rightful owners.

Whilst studying for a degree in Horticulture 8 years ago I was fascinated by the complexity and structure found within the fragile beauty of Mother nature’s flora and fauna. I have since set out to capture images revealing the delicate detail shown within this amazing world.

As with any subject I photograph I consider it important to establish a rapport so that the camera becomes secondary, and not a barrier between the subject and myself. I can lose myself for hours interacting within the same group of flora, with each flower being immortalized in it’s own unique style. I have no definitive rules for floral art, at times I shoot displaying an absolute minimum depth of field, yet other times I use my ring flash at F32 to show as much detail as
possible. In order to give justice to nature’s intricate beauty.

I have won several awards including RHS photographer of the year and finalist in the International garden photographer of the year.

My work is available through a number of outlets, including: Getty images, Alamy creative . My website is available for all to enjoy and welcome any constructive criticism at www.jackyparker.com

Click on the image for better view.

You can find Jacky Parkeron the Web :

• Website
• Flickr
• 500px

Copyrights:
All the pictures in this post are copyrighted to Jacky Parker. Their reproduction, even in part, is forbidden without the explicit approval of the rightful owners.

When you talk about photography, it is not just about capturing a picturesque surrounding or traveling to extraordinary places to get that wow effect in your photos. A popular adage says: A picture speaks a thousand words. Anything and everything is a subject and object for photography. All you need is a vision to capture that moment which can turn into an ideal photograph.

Have you ever thought about indoor photography? There could be days when you are lazy to get out of your home to shoot or there could be those days when there is a heavy downpour outside and you don’t have anything to do! Then here’s a mantra to drive away your boredom and also do something different and creative too. Try your hand at Indoor Photography.

Have you ever thought that everyday mundane things at home can actually work wonders in your photography exploration? Here are some tips:

1. Generate new ideas

There is never a dearth for ideas. Put your thinking cap on and let your imagination loose. The best way is to write down things you wish to photograph. We come across innumerable objects at home. Why not click them and give them their deprived share of importance? Change a few settings in your camera and get some out-of-the-box results!

Flower Vase

2. Look around you

Exploration is the best key. Many-a-time, you discover things around that you must have failed to notice before. You need to jump-start your own ingenuity and understand that a photograph can be given a different angle with a simple object. All you need to keep in mind is anything and everything is an object for photography.

The Spice Friends

3. Trial shots before the final one

If you are photographing some indoor objects conceptualize first. Imagine the entire scene. Take some trial shots. Imagine how you want a particular scene to be. How do you want the exposure? Create your set up, arrange and re-arrange the objects, and observe which angle looks the best. Test shots are always recommended. Once you are happy with the test shots, go ahead for the final one. However, this may not possibly work for outdoor shoots and you need to be more adept in understanding the scene and press the shutter!

Wine Glass

4. Create an album

Once you have a theme, try and click most pictures revolving around the same subject. This will help in concentrating on one thing at a time. Make it a point to complete one particular theme at a time. This keeps the tempo alive.

Sunlight Streak

5. Different lenses

Try and experiment in your indoor photo sessions with different lenses. If you own a wide angle or a zoom lens don’t hesitate to make use of it for indoor photography. You will be surprised by the results. In case you own a point and shoot camera, along with your Digital Single Lens Reflex (DSLR) make use of it. Different cameras can give results that are poles apart and impart outstanding effects.

Watch

6. Play with your camera

The modern day camera has many inbuilt settings that need time to be explored. Attempt different settings, like keep a high ISO and high exposure with low aperture and see the effect you can get. Sometimes it does give ridiculous results, but this is how you can play with your camera. Manual mode is a brain teaser wherein you can set the camera as you wish. Make sure that you click a same picture with and without flash.

Prayer

7. Think Economical

For any amateur or hobbyist photographer, finances can be a strain. It’s easier to get a camera and then end up shelling quite a lot of moolah on purchasing accessories and lights. Yes, for indoor photography strobe lights are a boon. But strobe lights are expensive and not everyone may have the finances to buy the same. So what you do? Think about alternative methods that can help you. Even a small table lamp with a halogen bulb can be useful or high watt CFL bulbs can give good impact of light. You can make home-made reflectors and soft boxes too and thus try and save your costs. The best source of light is the sun itself. You can get some splendid pictures if you understand and study the shadow and light effect. Try clicking pictures with the window light. The end result: you do get a good photograph!

Necklace

8. Create a story

Even indoor photography can have a story to narrate. Make sure you understand the purpose of clicking a particular shot. You should be ready with your story and answers if people ask why you clicked the particular shot!

Rings

9. Be creative

If you want to be that one photographer, if you wish to stand out in the crowd, you need to posses good creative skills. Think of how you can convert a simple looking object into something extraordinary to project through your photograph. A simple arrangement of objects in itself can make a huge difference in the overall presentation of the photograph. Make sure that in your creativity expedition you spend thriftily.

Spectacles

Copyrights:
All the pictures in this post are copyrighted to Shilpa Venkat. Their reproduction, even in part, is forbidden without the explicit approval of the rightful owners.