Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Photography.
My hometown
Greetings, my name is Gerald Kokra and I am 26 years old. The story about my hometown is full of colors, authenticity, and uniqueness. But, before I go further into it let me first properly introduce myself, and what it is that I do. I am a freelance photographer based in the Bronx ( NYC). I love documentary, portrait, and fashion photography. I would define my style as realism, which is the main reason why I still shoot film these days. The accuracy, and translation to moods and colors are astonishing. My introduction to photography was actually quite a long journey, growing up I was always attracted to art. By the time I was 16 years of age living in Abidjan I started playing the guitar, but I did not have enough money to afford a camera so I would browse the internet to look at photographs or buy magazines and sit for hours looking at the beauty behind them. The idea of being a photographer or working in the art world always resonated, but considering the circumstances of my culture it was impossible to do so back then. Being a photographer in Abidjan wasn't taken seriously, people were often mocked for being broke or just not taken seriously at all. I left my hometown in 2011, after a political war/conflict. I have fled to France and later came to the United States of America. Fast forward to the year 2018, exactly in August after my mom passed I realized that life was too short to sleep on my dreams so I decided to pursue photography. It has been a very rough, long but extremely exciting journey. I have made it a mission to make it more acceptable in my society to be an Artist, especially for kids wanting to pursue a photography career. I have a strong desire to have my work exhibited and shown across the globe one day to inspire and motivate those who don't believe that it's possible to still make their dreams a reality. One of my biggest ambitions once becoming an established photographer would be to have workshops available wherever I could for kids who have no means to afford classes but are wanting to learn. My project "ABJ" has a heavy sentimental value to me as it was my first time returning home as a photographer.
By Gerald kokra5 years ago in Photography
So, You Want to Shoot With the Big Kids
As you go around with your little point and shoot camera, you may see people with their big fancy digital SLR cameras and all the lenses and flashes and think you need one of those. But how do you move from the little camera you know, to one with all the fancy knobs and switches? That is what this article is all about. I will describe a migration path from shooting with a point and shoot to taking pictures with a DSLR.
By Darryl Brooks5 years ago in Photography
Photography in 2021
I first took up photography as a hobby in order to make a little extra money. I was less than successful, even after a few years. For a couple of good reasons. I wasn't exactly on top with popular demand. And everyone I reached to on social media only looked and gave comments. Even after setting up my own photography site. One that offers prints, mugs, bookmarks, etc... I still make little to no money. And I haven't taken any new photos worth uploading in a long while. I even thought of offering to do photography services in my spare time briefly. But I decided to stay home when the COVID-19 pandemic hit. 2020 wasn't exactly a good year for anybody. But with 2021 just around the corner. I've decided to do things a little differently for the upcoming New Year. I'm seriously considering on taking up a pro photography course online. I really hate to brag, but I'm fairly skilled as an amateur photographer. But I figure my best bet on getting an actual photography job or set myself up as a freelance photographer is to get a professional certification. I know for a fact that tuition for an online photography school isn't gonna be cheap. Then again, the camera I have my eye on is also rather expensive. And I'm considering a laptop tablet to use for business purposes. I'm expecting it to be bit of a gamble. But it's a gamble I look forward to taking. Maybe I'll get to be a self-employed photographer with well paying clients. Or at least a side-hustle that'll cover the expenses for a long overdue vacation.
By Matthew Sposato5 years ago in Photography
Clueless but hopeful
I recently opened an account on Clickasnap, which is a site similar to Shutterstock; where you can post your images and people can purchase them. Clickasnap also pays its premium users per 5 second original view. The site isn't limited to just photography. You can also upload original digital art. Being a fairly creative person, I was excited about the prospect of being able to upload the PNG images I create and post a fee for anyone who wanted to buy them. It was an idea inspired by my recent purchase of a Cricut machine and the ability to create my own images with my Huion digital art pad; then transfer those into the design space program in order to create completely original designs, which was something I did for personalizing gifts over the holidays.
By Katrina Norman5 years ago in Photography
Hyanggyo
In Korea, there is a city, called Changwon. The city is not as popular as Seoul or other cities, so I always need to tag ‘Busan’ to explain where the city is located. Someone, who is familiar with Gyeongsannam-do province, would take thirty minutes to drive from Busan to Changwon. If this is a first journey, it might take about an hour to get there. To fully grasp the characteristics of this city, I recommend going to the rooftop of the highest building in the city. Once you look at the aerial view, the artificially planned city will welcome your visit, as if the city is one of many products that have been manufactured by a factory. Above the lined twin looking factories sitting next to each other across, some several undesigned neighborhoods are ashamed with their bare bodies. I spent my childhood in an unplanned neighborhood, Sodap-dong, in a planned city, Changwon.
By Yejin Ha5 years ago in Photography
Concussion by Camera
30 minutes after this photo was taken I hit my head hard enough on an overhanging rock to knock my AirPods clean out of my ears. Yeah. I was bleeding. I hurt myself and also managed to scare the shit out of myself. It was one of those pains that you didn’t expect. The pain knocked the wind out of my chest and I felt the cry that only terrified children release building in my lungs. Woah girl! I thought to myself. Relax you’re ok don’t cry you’re just in pain calm down! We are still in public. I mean I really did hurt my own feelings that day. I had a bump for a week. I had most of the symptoms of a concussion. It didn’t stop me from taking more photos though. In fact, I probably took more after, as protest against nature. How dare it try to send me home early.
By Hannah Farrow5 years ago in Photography
Our Nostalgic Collective. Top Story - February 2021.
The classic ride parked in the carport of a mid-century home at the top of a well-watered green hill. A rundown gas station, desolate, neon glowing in the mist of night. A laundromat full of chrome, empty except for a handsome young man in a white T-shirt, jeans, and red Converse high-tops. The scenes of an America once hailed the world over as prosperous, advanced; an America gone; one that, perhaps, only ever existed in our imagination.
By Benjamin Butz-Weidner5 years ago in Photography
How to Kill It With Your Portrait Photography
Photo by Aravind Kumar on Unsplash One of the most common types of photography is portraiture. Whether shooting snaps of your family, people on the street, or formal studio portraits, this genre requires a certain mindset and techniques to be successful. I have shot individual portraits, and I have shot 80 corporate headshots in a two-day marathon. These five critical skills apply to any type of portraiture
By Darryl Brooks5 years ago in Photography
At Home Inspiration
When scrolling through Instagram and Twitter, the common user probably notices how oversaturated the platforms are with celebrity and professionally made content. As a small creator of photography, music, and writing I find posting my homemade content exhausting because it all seems hopeless. With the platforms being so large, the little guys are having to compete against professional brands and celebrities who have larger budgets and more time set aside to create. This daunting challenge did not turn away Kimberlie Douglas who is a model and photographer.
By Aivreyz5 years ago in Photography
How To Master Your New Camera From Day One
So, you decided to up your photography game with a new camera. Maybe you’ve been using a point-and-shoot, or just your cellphone to take pictures. But you wanted to take professional-looking photographs, so you bought a brand new DSLR or mirrorless camera.
By Darryl Brooks5 years ago in Photography
