The 2024 Summer Olympics have begun, and while all eyes are on the athletes, Paris is a stunning backdrop for the Games. If there was ever any doubt about that, just look at Greg Martin‘s incredible photo of the full moon rising into the center of the Olympic Rings that are hanging on the Eiffel Tower.

Martin works for the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as a Senior Producer and Digital Content Producer, and is the IOC President's Photographer. He took the image just a few days before the opening ceremonies. His colleague Ignacio Lagger, an astronomy enthusiast, alerted him to this unique photography opportunity.

“He has a vast knowledge when it comes to the movement of the Moon and its angles,” Martin tells My Modern Met. “Two days prior to us going to the Trocadero to capture the shot, Ignacio sent me a photo of the angle of the Moon in relation to the Eiffel Tower and alerted me to the possibility of us maybe getting the trifecta alignment!”

After arranging all the necessary permissions to gain access to the area, which is blocked off for the Games, Martin set up. At first, cloud cover looked like it was going to ruin the opportunity for this unique image, but his patience paid off, as a cloud disappeared just as the Moon came into view inside the central ring.

While Martin never anticipated that the photo would be viewed by more than friends and family, he's thrilled with the reception the image received after he shared it on Instagram.

“I think what has been great is how people have been very complimentary about the image. I never expected for a minute that it would have been shared wider than my friends and family, but I think that it was right place, right time with some planning.”

In the end, Martin's photo is a wonderful way to kick off the next two weeks of Olympic activity and a reminder that more special moments are ahead.

Just ahead of the Paris Olympics, Greg Martin captured a unique photo of the full moon rising into the Olympic Rings.

Greg Martin: Instagram

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Greg Martin.

Related Articles:

Incredible Photo of JetBlue Flight Passing Over Blue Supermoon

Italian Photographer Travels to Paris to Capture Perfect Full Moon Inside Arc de Triomphe

Interview: The Story Behind This Perfect Photo of a Full Moon Surrounding an 800-Year-Old Church

Italian Photographer Waits 6 Years to Get Perfectly Aligned Photo of the Moon, a Mountain, and a Basilica

READ: Majestic Photo of the Full Moon Inside the Eiffel Tower’s Olympic Rings

 

Ver esta publicación en Instagram

 

Una publicación compartida por Tom Anderson (@myspacetom)

If you are over 30, you probably remember Myspace. And if you remember Myspace, you must remember Tom, everyone's default first friend. This wasn't gratuitous, as Tom Anderson was the social media platform's co-founder. But after selling the company, Anderson began pursuing other passions, excelling in a particularly artistic one—landscape photography.

After launching in 2003, MySpace ruled the social media landscape, which prompted News Corp. to buy the company two years later for $580 million.  Anderson continued in an advisory role, finally leaving the company in 2009. With plenty of money and free time, he took the chance to travel around the world and explore his interests. But if there's one thing to know about Anderson, it's that he has been into many different things throughout his life.

“If you knew me before Myspace, you'd probably thought I'd have been a scholar teaching philosophy in a university my whole life. If you met me before college, you'd probably have thought I'd be a musician for my entire life,” Anderson told ABC News in 2014. “I like change.”

Those varied interests took him to Burning Man in 2011. While there, he took some breathtaking images despite the difficult desert conditions, inspiring him to continue his photography journey. Following the guidance of his friend, photographer Trey Ratcliff, he continued to hone his technique, developing a unique eye for shooting landscapes.

Honoring the places he visits but hoping to convey the feelings they evoke, Anderson has also become a masterful editor. “The less the camera is able to capture what you're seeing in a scene, the more editing it needs,” he explained. “I'm not necessarily trying to represent nature exactly. I'm trying to make something beautiful like a painter would.”

Up until 2018, Anderson would share his images on Instagram. But this contemporary Renaissance man seems to have moved on to a new passion–golf, serving as a brand ambassador for fashion golf brand Students. While he appears to have switched gears, his photography lives on, allowing us to dream of one day quitting everything to fulfill our creative fantasies.

After Myspace's Tom Anderson sold the company, he began pursuing other passions, excelling in a particularly artistic one—landscape photography.

 

Ver esta publicación en Instagram

 

Una publicación compartida por Tom Anderson (@myspacetom)

With plenty of money and free time, he took the chance to travel around the world and explore his interests.

 

Ver esta publicación en Instagram

 

Una publicación compartida por Tom Anderson (@myspacetom)

Those varied interests took him to Burning Man in 2011, where he took breathtaking images.

 

Ver esta publicación en Instagram

 

Una publicación compartida por Tom Anderson (@myspacetom)

Following the guidance of his friend, photographer Trey Ratcliff, he continued to hone his technique, developing a unique eye for shooting landscapes.

 

Ver esta publicación en Instagram

 

Una publicación compartida por Tom Anderson (@myspacetom)

To honor the places he visits while trying to convey the feelings they evoke, Anderson has also become a masterful editor.

 

Ver esta publicación en Instagram

 

Una publicación compartida por Tom Anderson (@myspacetom)

“The less the camera is able to capture what you're seeing in a scene, the more editing it needs,” he explained.

 

Ver esta publicación en Instagram

 

Una publicación compartida por Tom Anderson (@myspacetom)

“I'm not necessarily trying to represent nature exactly. I'm trying to make something beautiful like a painter would.”

 

Ver esta publicación en Instagram

 

Una publicación compartida por Tom Anderson (@myspacetom)

Up until 2018, Anderson shared his images on Instagram.

 

Ver esta publicación en Instagram

 

Una publicación compartida por Tom Anderson (@myspacetom)

While he appears to have switched gears, his photography lives on, allowing us to dream of one day quitting everything to fulfill our creative fantasies.

 

Ver esta publicación en Instagram

 

Una publicación compartida por Tom Anderson (@myspacetom)

Tom Anderson: Instagram

Related Articles:

High-Flying Gymnast Wins the 2024 World Sports Photography Awards

Captivating Iris Photography Captures the Unique Galaxies Within Each of Our Eyes

21 Winners and Finalists of the 2024 Sony World Photography Awards Open Competition

Striking Image of a Forest Filled With Monarch Butterflies Wins 2024 BigPicture Photo Contest

READ: After Selling Myspace, Tom Pursued His Passion for Landscape Photography

“Lotus”

For Tamary Kudita, photography is a vehicle for honoring people’s histories and cultural expressions. In her images, models don opulent garments that speak to the creativity and perseverance of Zimbabwe's people, many of who have had their culture and histories buried by colonization.

“Zimbabweans are resilient by nature, which informs my visual language and the themes I tackle,” Kudita tells My Modern Met.

From a conceptual perspective, she was drawn to photography by the idea of being an author. “Being able to see the beauty in the ordinary and translating that into a visual language that speaks to people really captivated me,” she shares. “From a technical standpoint, I was intrigued by the science of painting with light and capturing fleeting moments we sometimes take for granted. These elements ultimately shaped my artistic career.”

Her series, African Victorian, grew from a desire to recognize the lived truth of others. “I create suggestive worlds by placing clues about their lives and their sometimes-invented characters into the compositions,” Kudita says. “Through these fantastical portraits, I attempt to create a new literature that borrows from the artistic thought and practice of both Romanticism and Realism.

In the same way Romanticism took a metaphorical approach to art while Realism took a literal one, I portray everyday people from contemporary life in Zimbabwe, as well as larger than life heroes who exist in history.”

One of the most eye-catching elements in her photography is the outfits worn by her models, which are charged with symbolism. “The garments embody layers of significance, from their conception in the pattern-making stage to the way they are stitched together,” she shares.

Kudita works hand in hand with her designer to create the intricate designs. “My garments thus embody the idea of a future-facing image of the female identity, previously ignored but now becoming highly visible.”

By putting her heritage at the forefront, she has developed a unique visual language. “Being a Zimbabwean photographer has taught me that we have the power to reinterpret the meaning of life through a new lens,” Kudita says. “By creating a new understanding of life and existence, photography can be a social vehicle that shifts perceptions and changes in society.”

Ultimately, Kudita hopes her work will inspire viewers will be inspired to rethink photography as a medium. “I believe that photography oscillates between the documentary and the artistic: on the one hand, it is a snapshot of reality; on the other hand, it is an aestheticized construction of reality, or a metaphor,” she says. “Let's start listening to the photographs themselves. Who are these people we see? What stories do they hold? Imagine their world, their dreams. Photography tends to trick us into thinking we know everything just by looking. Digging past that first layer of narrative and looking at what else is revealed in those images.”

For Tamary Kudita, photography is a to vehicle for honoring people’s histories and cultural expressions.

“Liberty”

In her images, models don opulent garments that speak to the creativity and perseverance of the people of Zimbabwe.

“Thoughts of a Black Man”

“Zimbabweans are resilient by nature which informs my visual language and the themes I tackle,” Kudita tells My Modern Met.

“Hair Tales”

One of the most eye-catching elements in her photography is the symbolically charged outfits worn by her models.

“The Gathering”

Her series African Victorian began as a way to desire to recognize the lived truth of others.

“Body as an Archive”

“Through these fantastical portraits, I attempt to create a new literature which borrows from the artistic thought and practice of both romanticism and realism.”

“Vessel”

“My garments thus embody the idea of a future-facing image of the female identity, previously ignored but now becoming highly visible.”

“African Victorian II”

By putting her heritage at the forefront, she has developed a unique visual language.

“African Victorian”

“Being a Zimbabwean photographer has taught me that we have the power to reinterpret the meaning of life through a new lens,” Kudita says.

“Lady with Corn”

Tamary Kudita: Website | Instagram

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Tamary Kudita.

Related Articles:

Colorful Textured Portraits Made With African Print Fabrics Highlight the Complexities of Human Beings

Artist Uses UV Light to “Photograph” the Invisible and Bring Ancient African Folklore Into the Light

African Street Style and Global Subcultures Celebrated in Retrospective Photography Exhibition

Artist Creates Stunning Mosaic Portraits Inspired by Colorful Patterns From African Culture

READ: Powerful Portraits Explore Zimbabwean Identities Through High Fashion

Silverback Western lowland gorilla
This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase, My Modern Met may earn an affiliate commission. Please read our disclosure for more info.

Photographer Vincent Lagrange doesn't take your standard animal portrait. His remarkable images don't just capture the details of each animal's anatomy, but also strike much deeper into their unique characters. His new book, Between Us: Animal Portraits, hones in on the connection between himself and his animal models as he takes these evocative images.

Working from his Antwerp studio with the help of biologists, veterinarians, and zoo keepers, Lagrange moves slowly and deliberately. This is critical in ensuring the comfort of every animal sitting before his lens. Using minimalist lighting and hand-painted backgrounds, he focuses on adjusting his setup to fit the needs of the animals.

“Initially, I hang the backdrops near the animals to observe their reactions, as even the smallest change can be significant for them,” he tells My Modern Met. “For special animals, I bring my crafted decors to their location, ensuring the setup creates a feeling that suits both the animals' comfort and my artistic vision.”

From a Western lowland gorilla's intense gaze to the otherworldly look of a Shoebill stork, the finished portraits are a dignified look at the animal kingdom. At the same time, they also allow us to enter into a relationship with these animals in a way that is not often possible, as through his lens, he allows us to see their emotions.

Featuring 150 of Lagrange's photographs, Between Us: Animal Portraits is an incredible way for anyone to feel closer to the animal kingdom. Hopefully, it will also allow people to reconsider our shared role in this world.

“Careful observers will note that each animal possesses unique characteristics and behaviors,” reads the book's introduction. “They experience life as we do, from the caring relationship between mother and child to the playfulness of youth, the challenges of adulthood, and the wisdom of old age.

This again highlights that we are no different from other sentient beings.”

Between Us: Animal Portraits, published by teNeues, will be released in September 2024 and is now available for pre-sale.

Photographer Vincent Lagrange is known for his emotive portraits of animals.

Red panda

Sphynx cat

Meerkat

Walrus

Black and white ruffed lemur

The portraits, taken in a studio setting, are executed carefully and deliberately to put each animal at ease.

Secretary bird

Lagrange's new coffee table book, Between Us: Animal Portraits, pulls together 150 of his best images.

Rhinoceros

Sumatran orangutan

Shoebill stork

Bald eagle

Guinea turaco

Marabou stork

West Usambara two-horned chameleon

Now available for pre-sale, Lagrange hopes the book will allow people to establish a new connection with the animal kingdom.

Mantled guereza

Snowy owl

Valais blacknose sheep

Vulture

Vincent Lagrange: Website | Facebook | Instagram

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Vincent Lagrange.

Related Articles:

Expressive Portraits of Animals Reflect Powerful “Human” Emotions

Interview: Animal Portraits Poetically Illustrate the “Interconnected Diversity of Life”

Intimate Animal Portraits Capture Unique Quirks and Personalities of Cats, Dogs, and Horses

Wildlife Photographer Created a Custom Camera for Taking Intimate Animal Portraits [Interview]

READ: Striking Animal Portraits Capture “Humanlike” Poses Full of Personality

“Space link” by Kirill Uyutnov (Russia). Nominee, Nature & Landscape

The 2024 Creative Photo Awards has announced its nominees across seven diverse categories. Organized by the Siena Awards, the international fine art photography contest attracted 4,193 entries from photographers in 135 countries. From artistic portraits to creative wildlife imagery, the finalists represent the best of fine art photography.

After evaluating the entries, the expert jury whittled the images down to five finalists in each of the seven categories—Animals/Pets, Architecture, People, Nature & Landscape, Fine Art, Series, and Open Theme. In late September, the winners will be announced in a special ceremony held in Siena, Italy.

The event will also mark the opening of the 2024 Siena Awards, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary with a special edition filled with events. While we wait to see who will be awarded the title of Creative Photographer of the Year, scroll down to see more of our favorite nominees from the fine art photo contest.

Here are some of the finalists of the 2024 Creative Photo Awards.

“A tranquil moment” by Hikkaduwa Liyanage Prasantha Vinod (Sri Lanka). Nominee, Animals/Pets

“Neimeyer” by Rafael Garcia Luna (Spain). Nominee, Architecture

“Real and Sham” by Chulin Zhang (China). Nominee, People

“Over The Top” by Hardijanto Budiman (Indonesia). Nominee, Open Theme

“Dreaming Above the Universe” by Lurdes Santander (Spain). Nominee, Animals/Pets

“To Just Let Go In Peace” by Mo Sharaf (Egypt). Nominee, Nature & Landscape

The international photo contest focuses on fine art photography across seven categories.

“Legacy For Children Of The Future” by Hardijanto Budiman (Indonesia). Nominee, Fine Art

“Come, play with me….” by Eberhard Ehmke (Germany). Nominee, Animals/Pets

“Waves” by Ursula Reinke (Germany). Nominee, Architecture

“Poppyseed Dancer II _08” by Irina Jomir (Moldova). Nominee, People

“Stellar Symphony” by Taranjot Singh (Australia). Nominee, Nature & Landscape

“Blue Plate Special” by Tonya Wilhelm (USA). Nominee, Open Theme

The winners will be announced in September at a special ceremony in Siena, Italy.

“Urban Serendipity” by Sohel Ahmed (Bangladesh). Nominee, Open Theme

“fitting in” by Agnieszka Ostrowska (Poland). Nominee, People

“King of Mordor ” by Denisa Zbranková Albaniová (Czech Republic). Nominee, Animals/Pets

“Stolen Spring” by Alenа Grom (Ukraine).Nominee, Fine Art

“Storm on the Elbe” by Anna Wacker (Greece). Nominee, Architecture

“Rhinoceros Unicornis” by Himadri Bhuyan (India). Nominee, Nature & Landscape

“Braving The Strings To Destiny” by Cheraine Collette (The Netherlands). Nominee, Animals/Pets

Siena Awards: Website | Instagram | Facebook

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by the Siena Awards.

Related Articles:

Remarkable Winners of the 2023 Creative Photo Awards

Creative Winners of the 2024 Mobile Photography Awards

A Moment of Heartbreak Wins the 2023 Siena International Photo Awards

Incredible Professional Finalists from the 2024 Sony World Photography Awards

READ: Artistic Finalists of the 2024 Creative Photo Awards

Andy Cheung, Digital Photographer of the Year and Winner, Single Capture, Life Events

A poetic moment between tennis star Rafael Nadal and a moth won Andy Cheung the title of Digital Photographer of the Year at the third annual Australian Photographic Prize. The Sydney-based professional sports photographer was honored alongside Queensland-based wedding and portrait photographer Frances Suter, whose wintry landscape won the Print Photographer of the Year award.

Their images were singled out from the nearly 2,000 photographs from 12 countries entered into the competition. Thirty-five judges from Australia and New Zealand judged the contest, one of the few remaining photo competitions that accepts both printed and digital photographs.

Standout winners include photographer Belinda Richards, who teaches My Modern Met Academy's pet photography course. Her striking and creative image of parrots won the Pet and Animals division. Melbourne-based fine art portrait and fashion photographer Forough Yavari was honored with awards in both the digital and print divisions. Her incredible fashion photography won both the EIZO Prize for artistic digital photography and the Illustrative Print category.

Scroll down for even more winners and get inspired by their creative photography.

These are the incredible winners of the 2024 Australian Photographic Prize.

Frances Suter, Print Photographer of the Year and Winner, Print, Places

Belinda Richards, Winner, Pet and Animal

Forough Yavari, Winner, Print, Illustrative

Now in its third year, the contest saw nearly 2,000 images entered from photographers in 12 countries.

Benjamin Maze, Digital, Single Capture, Nature

Brian Ellwood, Winner, Professional Division and Winner, Digital, Aerial

Cheryl Eagers, Winner, Digital Creative

Natalie Arber, Winner, Australian Digital Creative – Portrait

Sarah Jackson, Winner, Digital, Professinal, Commercial

Naomi Reiter, Winner, Digital, Professional, Family

Forough Yavari, Winner, EIZO Digital Artist

It is one of the few remaining photo competitions that accepts both printed and digital photographs.

Afshin Jafari, Winner, Steve Scalone Urban Architecture Award

Amanda Waschevski, Winner, Print, People

Federico Rekowski, Winner, Packers Prize

David Bignell, Winner, Visionary

Scott Portelli, Winner, Digital, Single Capture, Wildlife

Craig McGowan, Winner, Digital Professional, Landscape

Australian Photographic Prize: Website | Facebook | Instagram

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by the Australian Photographic Prize.

Related Articles:

Creative Winners of the 2024 Mobile Photography Awards

60 Incredible Finalists Announced From the Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest

Touching Image of Intergenerational Love Wins Black and White Minimalist Photography Prize

Exceptional Winners of 1839 Awards’ Photo Contest Celebrating the Power of Color Photography

READ: Rafael Nadal Photo Wins the 2024 Australian Photographic Prize

The Santa Cruz Boardwalk is one of the most enchanting seaside spots in California. Aiming to capture the childlike wonder this place inspires, photographer Helene Havard turned to her signature pastel color palette. With this choice, Havard turns this festive environment into a Wes Anderson-like, dreamy setting, where time doesn't seem to pass. In Havard's pastel vision, it's always a Sunday summer afternoon.

“As a photographer, capturing the vibrancy and essence of the Santa Cruz Boardwalk has been an enchanting journey,” writes Havard. “The boardwalk, with its historic charm and kaleidoscope of activities, is a visual feast, and my choice to use pastel colors in depicting this carnival-like environment is a deliberate one.”

Like in her previous work with the Santa Monica Pier, Havard focuses her camera on the humble stands and turns them into the stars of the show, alongside the Sky Glider and other rides that soar above the scene. And the choice of pastels, with their soft, dreamy hues, evoke a sense of nostalgia and whimsy.

“They transport the viewer into a world that is both timeless and ethereal, much like the experience of walking through the boardwalk itself,” she explains. “The delicate shades of pinks, blues, and yellows mirror the lighthearted and carefree atmosphere of this iconic seaside amusement park.”

While the park doesn't look like this in real life, Havard chooses this color palette for the feelings they convey. “The pastel palette helps to soften the scenes, adding a romantic and almost surreal quality to the images,” she shares.

“It’s as if each photograph is a window into a cherished memory, a moment frozen in time where the joy and wonder of the carnival are forever preserved. By using these gentle colors, I also strive to capture the essence of childhood wonder and the simple pleasures of life. The soft tones reflect the innocence and joy found in the laughter of children.”

For Havard, the ultimate goal is for viewers to get a sense of happiness and nostalgia from the photographs. “The pastel colors not only enhance the visual appeal,” she explains, “but also connect on an emotional level, inviting everyone to step into this pastel dream and relive the enchantment of the Santa Cruz Boardwalk.”

Aiming to capture the childlike wonder the Santa Cruz Boardwalk inspires, photographer Helene Havard turned to her signature pastel color palette.

With this choice, Havard turns this festive environment into a Wes Anderson-like, dreamy setting, where time seems to stand still.

In Havard's pastel vision, it's always a Sunday summer afternoon.

“As a photographer, capturing the vibrancy and essence of the Santa Cruz Boardwalk has been an enchanting journey.”

“The boardwalk, with its historic charm and kaleidoscope of activities, is a visual feast, and my choice to use pastel colors in depicting this carnival-like environment is a deliberate one.”

Havard focuses her camera on the humble stands and turns them into the stars of the show…

…alongside the Sky Glider and other rides that soar above the scene.

Pastels, with their soft, dreamy hues, evoke a sense of nostalgia and whimsy.

“They transport the viewer into a world that is both timeless and ethereal, much like the experience of walking through the boardwalk itself.”

“The delicate shades of pinks, blues, and yellows mirror the lighthearted and carefree atmosphere of this iconic seaside amusement park.”

For Havard, the ultimate goal is for viewers to get a sense of happiness and nostalgia from the photographs.

“The pastel colors not only enhance the visual appeal but also connect on an emotional level, inviting everyone to step into this pastel dream and relive the enchantment of the Santa Cruz Boardwalk.”

Helene Havard: Website | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube 

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Helene Havard.

Related Articles:

Dreamy Santa Monica Pier Photos Look Like They’re From a Wes Anderson Film

Streets of Havana That Look Like They’re Straight Out of a Wes Anderson Film

Dreamy Candy-Colored Photos Capture the Magnificent Magic of Marrakech

Dreamy Photos Capture the Charming, Candy-Colored Streets of San Francisco

READ: Pastel-Colored Photos of the Santa Cruz Boardwalk Look Like a Nostalgic Dream

A camera obscura device. (Photo: Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0)

Before the invention of the photographic camera, transferring a real-life image onto a sheet of paper or another flat surface was no easy feat. Renaissance artist and inventor Leonardo da Vinci first described a mechanism that would make drawing in perfect perspective much easier to achieve, something that would later be known as camera obscura. Rather than meticulously measuring out the lengths and angles of a subject or scene, camera obscura offers a shortcut. The controversial invention allowed artists to simply trace lines and shapes from a projected image onto their canvas.

What Is Camera Obscura?

First published illustration of camera obscura in Gemma Frisius' book “De Radio Astronomica et Geometrica,” 1545 (Photo: Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)

Camera obscura (meaning “dark room” or “dark chamber” in Latin) is a box-shaped device used as an aid for drawing or entertainment. Similar to a pinhole camera, it lets light in through a small opening on one side and projects a reversed and inverted image on the other.

How It Works

The camera obscura principle, illustrated by James Ayscough in “A short account of the eye and nature of vision,” 1755 (Photo: Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)

As the name suggests, many historical camera obscura experiments were performed in a darkened room. The surroundings of the projected image have to be relatively dark for the image to be clear. The human eye works a lot like the camera obscura; both have an opening (pupil), a biconvex lens for refracting light, and a surface where the image is formed (retina).

Early camera obscura devices were large and often installed inside entire rooms or even a tent. Later, portable versions made from wooden boxes often had a lenses instead of pinholes, allowing users to adjust the focus. Some portable box camera obscuras also featured an angled mirror, allowing the image to be projected the right way up.

The History of Camera Obscura

A 19th-century illustration of a camera obscura box with mirror, with an upright projected image at the top (Photo: Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)

The earliest written record of the camera obscura theory in antiquity can be found in 5th century bc. The studies of Chinese philosopher Mo Ti (470 to 390 BCE) (also known as Mozi), who founded Mohism recorded that the image in a camera obscura is flipped upside down because rays of light travel in straight lines from its source.

Anthemius of Tralles's diagram of light-rays reflected with plane mirror through hole (Photo: Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)

During the 4th century, Greek philosopher Aristotle noticed that sunlight passing through gaps between leaves projects an image of solar eclipses on the ground. The phenomenon was also noted by 6th-century Greek mathematician and co-architect of the Hagia Sophia, Anthemius of Tralles, who used a type of camera obscura in his experiments. During the 9th century, Arab philosopher, mathematician, physician, and musician Al-Kindi also experimented with light and a pinhole.

Familiar with these early studies, Leonardo da Vinci published the first clear description of the camera obscura in Codex Atlanticus (1502), a 12-volume bound set of his drawings and writings where he also talked about other inventions such as flying machines and musical instruments. He wrote (translated from Latin):

If the facade of a building, or a place, or a landscape is illuminated by the sun and a small hole is drilled in the wall of a room in a building facing this, which is not directly lighted by the sun, then all objects illuminated by the sun will send their images through this aperture and will appear, upside down, on the wall facing the hole. You will catch these pictures on a piece of white paper, which placed vertically in the room not far from that opening, and you will see all the above-mentioned objects on this paper in their natural shapes or colors, but they will appear smaller and upside down, on account of crossing of the rays at that aperture. If these pictures originate from a place that is illuminated by the sun, they will appear colored on the paper exactly as they are. The paper should be very thin and must be viewed from the back.

Over the years, Da Vinci drew around 270 diagrams of the optical device in his sketchbooks.

A drawing comparing the human eye to a camera obscura from Leonardo da Vinci's “Codex Atlanticus,” 1490–1495 (Photo: Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)

During the 15th century, other artists began to see the potential of using the camera obscura as a drawing aid. However, using the device sparked controversy, as many viewed the tracing method as cheating.

Johannes Vermeer and Camera Obscura

Although there is no documented evidence to prove it, art historians have suggested that 17th-century Dutch master Johannes Vermeer used the camera obscura as an aid to create his paintings. The theory is based on studies of the artworks themselves. Beneath the surface of his paintings, there are no signs that he made any corrections to his layouts as he worked. Instead, Vermeer created a shadowy image outlining the scene before painting, perhaps based on a projected image.

Johannes Vermeer, “Officer and Laughing Girl,” 1657 (Photo: Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)

The first person to publicly propose the possibility that Vermeer used a camera obscura was American artist Joseph Pennell. In 1891, he noticed that the man in the foreground of Vermeer’s Officer and Laughing Girl (1657) was shown nearly twice as large as the girl he sat facing—just as the scene would appear in a photograph.

Even if Vermeer did use the camera obscura to achieve photographic perspective, his talent shouldn’t be diminished. Painter and writer of Traces of Vermeer (2017), Jane Jelley, writes, “The image from the camera obscura is merely a projection. To capture and transfer this to canvas requires skill, judgment, and time; and its product can only ever be part of the process of making a painting. We can never know if Vermeer worked this way, but we should remember that this is not a mindless process and not a shortcut to success.”

How to Make Your Own Camera Obscura

Despite its long history, camera obscuras haven't completely fallen out of fashion. Some contemporary photographers and artists have had a revival of interest and continue to utilize these devices as visual aids.

Additionally, because of their simple design, camera obscuras make fun DIY projects for children and adults alike. All you need to get started is some cardboard, a magnifying glass, a paper bag, some tape, and glue.

This article has been edited and updated.

Related Articles:

How the Development of the Camera Changed Our World

Get an “Instant” History of How Polaroid Revolutionized Photography

Girl with a Pearl Earring: Unraveling the Mysterious Masterpiece of the Dutch Golden Age

READ: The History of Camera Obscura and How It Was Used as a Tool To Create Art in Perfect Perspective

Tooth and Nail, April 2022. African Lion, Okavango Delta, Botswana (Photo: © Harry Skeggs)
This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase, My Modern Met may earn an affiliate commission. Please read our disclosure for more info.

Self-taught photographer Harry Skeggs has spent years capturing images that inspire us to protect and appreciate the natural world and its inhabitants. These evocative photos have been put together in a new coffee table book, Creation: Masterpieces from the Natural World. Published by teNeues, the book features over 100 images of animals in their natural habitats.

Skeggs' photographs give us an intimate look at these incredible animals, whether it's the small insects flying around the whiskers of a roaring African lion or the haunting gaze of Malaya, the largest silverback gorilla in Buhoma, Bwindi, Uganda.  The connections he's built with these animals have pushed him far beyond his artistic photography, as he's also an involved conservationist.

“From close-ups of wild cats to swimming amongst tiger sharks, I am always excited by new prospects to experience our wild earth and the photographic opportunities they offer to the bold,” he writes. “I am committed to capturing the beauty of our natural world as it should be—wild and free. The animals in my work are untrained, unharassed, and unbaited.”

This makes Skeggs' work all the more impressive, as his commitment to showing wildlife naturally takes extra patience and dedication. But this also speaks to his love for adventure and desire to leave nature unharmed. This care and adoration for the environment and its creatures shines through across the book's pages.

Get a sneak preview of his stunning black-and-white and color photography, and then run to pre-order Creation: Masterpieces from the Natural World which will be released in early August.

Self-taught photographer Harry Skeggs has spent years capturing images that inspire us to protect and appreciate the natural world and its inhabitants.

Kong, December 2021. Mountain Gorilla, Bwindi, Uganda (Photo: © Harry Skeggs)

Onward, August 2022. Brown Bear, Katmai, Alaska (Photo: © Harry Skeggs)

Limelight, March 2019. Masai Giraffe, Masai Mara, Kenya (Photo: © Harry Skeggs)

Pride of Pejeta, March 2022. Southern White Rhino, Ol Pejeta, Kenya (Photo: © Harry Skeggs)

Calm Waters, March 2020. Camargue Horse, Camargue, France (Photo: © Harry Skeggs)

His wildlife photography shows animals in their natural habitat, and he takes care not to bait or provoke them to get his photos.

Mists of Time, August 2022. Brown Bear, Katmai, Alaska (Photo: © Harry Skeggs)

Yesterday’s Kings, March 2022. King Penguin, Jason Harbour, South Georgia (Photo: © Harry Skeggs)

Between the Cracks, March 2022. Chinstrap Penguin, near Elephant Island, Antarctica (Photo: © Harry Skeggs)

Dawn Patrol, July 2018. Tiger Shark, Tiger Beach, Bahamas (Photo: © Harry Skeggs)

Enjoy over 100 images in his new coffee table book, Creation: Masterpieces from the Natural World.

Harry Skeggs: Website | Instagram

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by teNeues.

Related Articles:

Explore 20 Years of Conservation Photography in Cristina Mittermeier’s New Book

Award-Winning Photographers Share Their Love of Big Animals in Coffee Table Book

Wildlife Photographers Unite in New Book To Highlight Beauty of Endangered Animals

Beautiful Photos Capture the “Untamed Spirits” of Majestic Horses From Around the World

READ: Adventurer Creates Artistic Photos of Animals in Their Natural Habitats

For astrophotographer Soumyadeep Mukherjee, Kyrgyzstan is a gold mine. Last June, he mentored a workshop there, but found the country to be severely underrepresented in the field of astrophotography. Hoping to spread the word about the land's photographic potential, he set out to shoot some marvelous images against the many landscapes of Kyrgyzstan—a country that turned out to be astrophotography's best kept secret.

“Kyrgyzstan, undoubtedly, has some of the best natural landscapes in the world,” Mukherjee tells My Modern Met. “The barren lands, mountains, grasslands, canyons, it seemed like a package of landscapes. It gave us almost all the varieties one could ask for.” With little population density, the country has ample dark skies that, paired with some wonderful landscapes, make it the perfect location.

This winning combo made Mukherjee even more curious about the lack of photography coming out of Kyrgyzstan. “When I searched the internet for some sample images, I was able to find only a few,” he recalled. “A country that has so much potential for astrophotography has remained comparatively less explored.”

To Mukherjee, in terms of landscapes, Kyrgyzstan provides an all-in-one experience. “While we were traveling through the highways, on one side, we could see yellow-orange rough mountains and on the other side, vast grasslands,” he shares. “This was an experience I would never forget.” The experienced photographer even turned the humble yurts and a Yuri Gagarin statue into exciting companions to the swirling sky.

“If you love astrophotography and also like to travel and explore unforgettable landscapes, Kyrgyzstan should be on your bucket list,” Mukherjee says. “Kyrgyzstan has a very low population density which makes the country a heaven for finding dark skies. There are ample Bortle 1 and 2 regions around the country.”

Should you want to give it a go yourself, the photographer recommends spending at least seven to 10 days in the country—preferably in June or July—in order to enjoy and appreciate its vastness. “I hope that people start taking interest in visiting this country (along with other countries of central Asia) and explore its beauty.”

For astrophotographer Soumyadeep Mukherjee, Kyrgyzstan is a gold mine for his craft.

Hoping to show the potential of this country, he set out to shoot some marvelous images against the many landscapes of Kyrgyzstan.

Andromeda and green skyglow from Tash Rabat

Wide field Milky Way from Tash Rabat

“Kyrgyzstan, undoubtedly, has some of the best natural landscapes in the world,” Mukherjee tells My Modern Met.

North America Nebula rising at Barskoon Valley

“The barren lands, mountains, grasslands, canyons, it seemed like a package of landscapes. It gave us almost all the varieties one could ask for.”

Milky Way rising at Son-kul

Big Dipper at twilight

With little population density, the country has ample dark skies that, paired with some wonderful landscapes, make it the perfect location.

Andromeda rising at Barskoon Valley

Cygnus Arm risining at Tash Rabat

Rising Milky Way at Tash Rabat

Setting Rho Ophuchi at Barskoon Valley

“If you love astrophotography and also like to travel and explore unforgettable landscapes, Kyrgyzstan should be on your bucket list.”

Big Dipper above tents at Barskoon Valley

Milky Way rising behind Gagarin Statue

Soumyadeep Mukherjee: Instagram | Facebook

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Soumyadeep Mukherjee.

Related Articles:

Dentist Spends His Weekends in the Alps Creating Incredible Astrophotography

Electrifying Astrophotography Captures Gorgeous Night Sky Over the Middle East

Stars Align for Photographer in this Rare Photo of an Aurora, STEVE, and the Milky Way

Astrophotographer Shares Creative Process for Taking the Perfect Milky Way Photo

READ: Astrophotographer Captures the Beauty of the Universe Against the Natural Landscapes of Kyrgyzstan