Karl Taylor attends this years Focus on Imaging at Birmingham’s NEC

OK…there are many photographers past and present that have inspired me and my photography but I think the one guy who has inspired me the most is a Guernsey based photographer named Karl Taylor.

This guy to me is a legend, his ideas are original, innovative, inspiring and above all….simply breathtaking.

He is a master at using natural and introduced light which is what photography is all about, and the way he can pass on his skills either through his workshops or video courses in an easy to understand way pretty much sums up this fun and laid back photographer.

He is world renowned and respected throughout the commercial and fashion industry as one of the top shooters and I believe that knowing this guy has been there seen it and done it and simply kicked it straight into the back of the net is a great reason why you should make it a must to visit him and his team at the Focus on Imaging at Birmingham’s NEC from the 3rd to the 6th March 2013, check out his fabulous talks and if your lucky enough …purchase some of his DVD based courses…you will not regret it.

I know I am gonna go…..

Check out more info on this master photographer below…visit his website…be blown away!

Enjoy….

Karl Taylor has been a professional photographer for over 15 years and has travelled the globe on assignments for some of the world’s most successful companies. Here is a brief synopsis of his career in the industry…

by Karl Taylor

Karl left school at the age of just 16 with a talent for art and design. After securing a promising job in the design industry, Karl hoped to develop his skills and looked forward to the future. However, less than a year later and only 17 years old Karl was made redundant. Out of work and not really knowing what to do next, Karl applied for a vacancy at a retail photography store selling camera equipment. It was a decision that would change his life forever.

by Karl Taylor

http://www.karltaylorphotography.co.uk/karl-taylor-photography-career.htm

If you’re visiting Focus on Imaging at Birmingham’s NEC this year come and see Karl Taylor and the team who are bringing exciting and innovative live photo shoots and special product offers to the show.

Working in conjunction with both Hasselblad and Broncolor, demonstrations will include model shoots and Karl’s trademark high-end product and advertising photography, plus eye popping high-speed flash photography as seen in the highly acclaimed ‘Advertising, Product & Still Life Photography Secrets’ DVD.

Not only will you see Karl in action but also grab yourself a bargain, every training course in the Masterclass and Professional DVD Series’ will be on sale at a special one-off ‘Focus on Imaging’ price – a whopping 50% off!

More details are yet to be revealed so visit www.karltaylorphotography.co.uk/focus

for further information.

The Karl Taylor Photography Masterclass Series products bring the very best in no-nonsense, inspirational photography training.  The world-renowned range covers the basics for complete beginners right up to experienced professionals.

For more information on the Karl Taylor Photography Masterclass Training Series visit www.karltaylorphotography.co.uk

by Karl Taylor

by Karl Taylor

www.karltaylorphotography.co.uk

 This guy is amazing!!

Food Images by Glyn Ridgers…

Hi All,

Here are some food images I have been working on…would love to get your thoughts….

Tea by Glyn Ridgers

Spice Trails by Glyn Ridgers

Light Painted Orange by Glyn Ridgers

Ingredients from the Pantry by Glyn Ridgers

Coffee by Glyn Ridgers

Hot Pan Hot Pepper by Glyn Ridgers

Orange & Cinnamon by Glyn Ridgers

 

Bread & Oil from Glyn Ridgers

Hope you like the images..they were all taken by the window using natural light only…

Speak Soon

Glyn

www.glynridgersphotography.com

Portra​its of Naga​ —- A photo essay by Saify Naqvi

 Portra​its of Naga​

A photo essay by Saify Naqvi

Community – A Group of Naga Sadhu enjoying a Chillum

Hinduism is a religious phenomenon based on Vedic traditions. It is the oldest and third largest religion in the world and the most followed religion in India. Maha (Great) Kumbh is an event that takes places at the Triveni Sangam (the Tri Confluence) of the three holy rivers:  Ganges, Yamuna and the now extinct Vedic river Saraswati. It is the largest and the oldest celebration of Hindu rituals anywhere in the world. Geologists believe the Saraswati dried up approximately four thousand years ago. Given the centrality of the river Saraswati to this festival, its can only be estimated how old the festival actually is. The oldest non-Vedic written account of Maha Kumbh is from mid 600 AD by the Chinese traveller Tsang Huan, who travelled across India from 629-645 CE. Maha Kumbh is also the biggest gathering of humanity anywhere on the planet with an estimated 100 million people expected to take the holy dip at the confluence propelled by the religious belief of Moksha (Nirvana) to the faithful.

Deep Breath – A Naga Sadhu blows smoke after a Chillum

Vishnu the supreme Godhead in Hindiusm spilled amrita (nectar of immortality) at four location in India and the stage for the Kumb Mela was set. The narration of the incident figures in more than five millenia old Vedic records. Kumbh is a Sanskrit term which literally translate to ‘Urn’. Mela is the Sankrit term that refers to a gathering or fair. Kumbh Mela is organised at those four locations where Vishnu, according to the Vedic literature, had spilled amrita. Every third years by rotation one of the four holiest cities of the Hindus in India hosts the Kumbh Mela. The four cities are Nashik, Ujjain, Haridwar and Prayag.

New Blood – A newly ordained Naga Sadhu

Reflection – Two Naga Sadhu walk past each other

Kumbha Mela: Held at all four places, by rotation every three years.

Ardha (Half) Kumbha Mela: Held at Haridwar and Prayag, every 6 years.

Purna (Full) Kumbha Mela: Held only at Prayag, every 12 years.

Maha (Great) Kumbha Mela: Held only at Prayag, every 144 years.

Walk the Walk – A Naga Sadhu followed by his followers to the confluence

 

Well began… A Nagu Sadhu lights up a Chillum

This is the year of Maha Kumbh Mela at Prayaga. This event will be organized again in the year 2157. Every Kumbh mela sociologists, theologians, anthropologists and the world media gather to witness the magic of faith. Every individual who is not drawn by the the belief of Moksha is keen to understand what draws so many people together. The answer still is the power of faith. Hinduism perhaps is one of the most complex religions, since it was not meant to be a religion. Its is quite possible that in the millennium since the oldest of the Vedic scriptures were written the phenomenon took religious connotations and became a full fledged faith with the Bhagavad Gita as its codified guiding principles. The complexity and diversity of Hinduism is best witnessed at the Maha Kumbh. Maha Kumbh is the coming together of three distinct branches of Hinduism: Shramanism, Brahamanism and Theism. ‘Sharama or in Sanskrit Śramaṇa refer to renunciate ascetic traditions from the middle of the 1st millennium BCE.They were individual, experiential and free-form traditions, independent of society; and in religious competition with Brahmin priests, who as opposed to Shramanas, stressed on mastery of texts and performing rituals.’

A Naga Sadhu practicing Yoga

Naga Sadhus follow the Sramana philosophy. They follow Lord Shiva – the destroyer, they carry weapons, are dressed in nothing but sport long hair and beards. Individuals who volunteer to be Naga Sadhus are ordained at a young age, they are provided formal education or vedic education or sometimes a combination of both. Young Nagas are allowed their lower body with lion cloth and the upper body with a thin hand woven cotton sheet. They can continue to wear these clothes till they are comfortable wearing nothing.

Live Long – A Naga Sadhu makes a blessing gesture

This is collection of ‘Portraits of Naga’ Sadhu shot at the Maha Kumbh 2013. The complete series can be viewed herehttp://www.saifynaqvi.in/#/works/prayag.

Sources: Wikipedia; Illustrated Encyclopedia of Hinduism

Author’s Bio-Philosophy:

Saify studied at the Edinburgh University in Scotland, he is an ex investment banker and now a concept and travel photographer. India is the sole subject which binds his entire body of work. With India as a broad subject he works on many themes which showcases specific elements of India. His work is an attempt to show case india’s diversity, vibrance, culture and its natural beauty. Each moment captures a very strong spiritual connection that he feels with India. So far he has found inspiration in Allahabad, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Spiti, Ladhak, Varanasi, Delhi and Dharamsala.

You can see his work on www.saifynaqvi.in ; on his facebook fan page www.facebook.com/seeindia or follow him on twitter @naqvisaify.

Previously Published work:

1) Dharamsala the Tibet Connection http://www.prismma.in/discover-india-travel-guide/ – Pages 40-57

2) Spiti- Natures Bounty in Himachal Pradesh http://www.prismma.in/travel-india/ – Pages 14-33

Wilson Bentley….The Snowflake Man

 Born 148 years ago, on 9 February 1865, Wilson Bentley was one of the first known photographers of snowflakes. He perfected a process of catching flakes on black velvet in such a way that their images could be captured before they either melted or sublimed.

Bentley first became fascinated with snow during his childhood on a Vermont farm, and he experimented for years with ways to view individual snowflakes in order to study their crystalline structure. He eventually attached a camera to his microscope, and in 1885 he successfully photographed the snowflakes. More than five thousand of his snowflake photomicrographs supported the belief that no two snowflakes are alike, leading scientists to study his work and publish it in numerous scientific articles and magazines.

Bentley also photographed all forms of ice and natural water formations including clouds and fog. He was the first American to record raindrop sizes and was one of the first cloud physicists.

He died of pneumonia on December 23, 1931, after walking six miles in a blizzard so he could photograph more snowflakes.

Snowflake photos by Wilson Bentley, circa 1902

Interview with Henri Cartier Bresson….Legend

Thought you guys might be interested in this interview of a legend…..Mr Bresson….

Amazing poloroid video from Walker Lukens..

Hi All,

Browsing the web I came across this amazing almost timelapse looking video created entirely from individual poloroid images….the music is great but the video is incredible…thought I would share…

Walker Lukens just released this incredibly meticulous stop-motion music video filmed around Central Park and Brooklyn using hundreds of vintage Polaroid pictures. The film was provided by a company called The Impossible Project, a group of former Polaroid employees in the Netherlands who saved the last Polaroid production plant from being shut down and now produce film for vintage cameras that would otherwise have been obsolete.