“Holding on for a ride” by Alexander Fine.
Animal: Brown Bear
“Mother brown bear trying to go and her cubs want a ride instead of walking.”

With just one month left before the Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards closes for entries, they've given us a sneak preview of some of the hilarious images submitted thus far. From clingy kids to a three-headed giraffe, these photos are sure to bring a smile to your face.

The Awards, founded in 2015, caters to both professional and amateur photographers and uses humor to bring attention to conservation issues. Each year, the photo contest supports a sustainable conservation organization. This year, the Whitley Fund for Nature will receive that support. The UK-based non-profit supports local conservation leaders working in their home country and has assisted more than 200 conservationists in 90 countries over the past 30 years.

“It’s a pleasure to be working with the Comedy Wildlife team—fantastic partners who share our commitment to generating vital awareness of conservation through the power of photography,” says Stefan Maier, Nikon Europe senior general manager marketing. “With only one month to go to enter the Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards, we’ve loved seeing all the hilarious entries so far, and look forward to receiving more entertaining wildlife shots over the next month.”

The contest is free to enter and is accepting submissions until July 31. So, if you have a humorous wildlife photo you'd like to share, what are you waiting for? The winner will receive a safari in Kenya's iconic Maasai Mara, while other prizes include Nikon photo equipment. And, for the first time, all of the finalists will see their work on display in a special exhibit in London.

Check out some silly early entries for the 2024 Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards.

“Laughing outloud” by Ingo Hamann.
Animal: Seal
“This newborn seal seems to be laughing at a good joke.”

“Three heads are better than one” by John Mullineux.
Animal: Giraffe
“Two male giraffe were fighting shortly after drinking some water in the green Kalahari. They again started sizing each other up but ended up scooching over to a third giraffe. In a single moment, the three formed one body with three heads.”

“Did You Hear the One About The….?” by Wendy Kaveney.
Animal: Polar bear
“Anthropomorphic antics of polar bears (Ursus maritimus) telling each other jokes and laughing hysterically.”

“Slow hands” by Harry Collins.
Animal: Three toed sloth
“A sloth in Costa Rica that looks like he may have been a guitar player in a previous life. This image gives new meaning to Eric Clapton's nickname ‘slowhand.'”

“Watch Out For That Tree” by Mark Koster.
Animal: Male mallard duck
“A male mallard flying appears to be running into a tree at Chaparral Park in Scottsdale, actually was flying behind it!”

Open to both professionals and amateurs, the photo contest is open for entries until July 31.

“Pick Me Pick Meeeeee” by Thomas Van Puymbroeck.
Animal: Sea turtle
“Who wants to live in a plastic-free ocean? Meeeee.”

“Three's A Crowd” by Deena Sveinsson.
Animal: Chinstrap penguins
“When we finally arrived at Half Moon Island in the South Shetland Islands, Antarctica our unassuming expedition ship was greeted by a beautiful white and snowy landscape. We zipped across the cold ocean waters, and upon disembarking the zodiacs, the group was careful to follow the increased biosecurity measures that were put into effect in Antarctica due to the bird flu. Arriving in the spring and the very early tourist season, we didn't have the large number of chinstrap penguins I had imagined we would. I expected thousands of them, but we were only greeted by a few hundred. As this was our first stop in Antarctica, I quickly started to take the usual photographs we all seemed to see. But then, in the distance, I saw these three chinstrap penguins hanging out with one another, having a good time. I walked as quickly as I could with a torn meniscus and a sprained MCL on my right knee. When I reached the penguins, it happened suddenly, there seemed to be a slight ruckus and some disagreement. Shortly after that, the penguin pair briskly walked off leaving the poor little lone fella wondering why he was left. I couldn't help but laugh when I viewed this photo on the back of my camera. How humanlike. And how awful it must be to be that third wheel.”

“Not a good idea” by Anton Pretorius.
Animal: Buffalo and cattle egret
“This western cattle egret thinking of having a go at the male organ of a buffalo.”

“Peak A Boo!” by Tilan Weerasinghe.
Animal: White-breasted waterhen
“A water cock giving a hilarious action.”

Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards: Website | Facebook | Instagram

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by the Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards.

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“Sleeping cuckoos” by Luke Chambers (UK). First Place, Over 18.
Species: Black-thighed Cellophane-cuckoo bees, Epeolus variegatus
“Two cuckoo bees (Epeolus variegatus) fast asleep, grasping onto the grass with their mandibles. Still with a few drops of morning dew on them.”

The UK's leading insect science charity has announced the winners of its annual photo competition. Each year, the Royal Entomological Society asks amateur insect photographers to bring the miniature world of bugs to life, and this year was no exception. Luke Chambers was named the overall winner for his interesting look at two bees and their unusual sleeping habits.

Sleeping insects also netted 17-year-old Gustav Parenmark the win in the under 18 division. His winning image shows a banded demoiselle damselfly at rest. Parenmark, who is also a previous winner, shared the secret to his success in capturing the damselfly at rest.

“Waking up early is the key to photographing sleeping odonates,” he shares. “This species of damselfly is usually very skittish, but I went out at 4 a.m. to capture them inactive, making them easier to photograph.”

While macro photography is often used to capture insects, the competition's smartphone category proves that this type of photography can be accomplished without expensive equipment.

“Photography like this provides a window into the astonishing complexity and beauty of the insect world,” shares head judge Dr. Tim Cockerill, who is a broadcaster, photographer, and senior lecturer at Falmouth University. “It’s so often that technological advances destroy our engagement with the natural world, but the results of our competition show exactly the opposite trend can be possible. At a time when insects face huge threats, I hope this collection of stunning images helps to showcase just how important—and beautiful—they really are.”

Scroll down to see our favorite winners and finalists of the 2023 Royal Entomological Society photo contest.

Here are the winners of the 2023 Royal Entomological Society photo contest.

“Tranquility” by Gustav Parenmark (Sweden). First Place, Under 18.
Species: Banded Demoiselle damselfly, Calopteryx splendens, male
“I was able to find many of these gorgeous banded demoiselle by a river near my home in Gävle, Sweden. With the help of the nearby blades of grass I could create foreground and background elements in order to create depth in the image.”

“Caddisfly larvae in a jelly egg sac” by Tim Jonas (UK). Second Place, Over 18.
Species: Mottled Sedge caddisfly, Glyphotaelius pellucidus
“Photographed in-situ on a leaf overhanging water, this image shows recently hatched caddisfly larvae inside a transparent gelatinous egg sac. The larvae will drop into the water where they live as aquatic insects throughout the larval and pupal stages.”

“A forest gem” by Alexander McKerracher (Canada). Environment Specially Commended.
Species: Wavy-lined Emerald Moth, Synchlora aerata, male
“This photo features a beautiful Wavy-lined Emerald Moth sitting on a mossy log. Taking a break from its adventures through the trees, this moth is displaying all of its beauty for us to appreciate.”

“Purple Fire” by Gustav Parenmark (Sweden). Under 18 Specially Commended.
Species: Leafcutter bee, Megachile lagopoda
“The nature reserve of ”Södra Hällarna”, located on the western coast of Gotland, Sweden is home to a very delicate fauna of bees, such as this Megachile lagopoda, a powerfully built insect that I found sleeping in some greater knapweed, (Centaurea scabiosa).”

“Look into my eyes” by Pete Burford (UK). Portraits Specially Commended
Species: Damselfly
“Here is a Damselfly covered in Dew in the middle of the night. Insects are cold blooded, so as the temperature cools at night, they are unable to move. Dew then sticks to the Damselfly and covers it completely.”

“Pollinator” by Michael Wood (UK). Over 18 Smartphone Specially Commended.
Species: Common carder bumble bee, Bombus pascuorum
“A bee doing bee things.”

“Gold digger” by Paul Fraser (UK). Portraits Specially Commended.
Species: Digger Wasp, Crabonidae
“A close-up portrait of a digger wasp species that I found excavating chambers in a raised bed planter at my work.”

“Photography like this provides a window into the astonishing complexity and beauty of the insect world.”

“Robber fly breakfast” by Jamie Smart (UK). Second Place, Under 18.
Species: Slender-footed robber fly, Leptarththrus brevirostris
“I was up early one morning and decided to have a wander around our wild garden with my camera when I saw this fly on grass. I didn't realize until looking on the computer that he was actually eating another fly! Double whammy!”

“Crimson-speckled moth perching” by Abdullah Shehabuddeen (Saudi Arabia). Under 18 Smartphone Specially Commended.
Species: Crimson Speckled moth, Utetheisa pulchella
“A white moth, spotted all over with beautiful red, orange, yellow, and black patterns, is perched onto delicate white flowers that contrast against the lush background greenery. This photo reflects nature's astounding colors and beauty.”

“A wasp joined us for a cream tea” by Abi Batten (UK). Smartphone Specially Commended.
Species: German wasp, Vespula germanica
“Wasp who seemed to enjoy sharing a cream tea with us, favored raspberry jam over blackcurrant and was very polite.”

“Moths and mountains” by Marian Coburn (UK). Over 18 Smartphone Specially Commended.
Species: Emperor moth, Saturnia pavonia, male
“A male Emperor moth (Saturnia pavonia) at rest on heather on the slopes of Meall Buidhe with the peak of Stuchd an Lochain in the background. These are two Scottish mountains (Munros).”

“Natures jewels” by Nikita Richardson (Australia). Behavior Specially Commended.
Species: Cotton harlequin bugs, Tectocoris diophthalmus, final-instar nymphs.
“A cluster of male harlequin bugs.”

“Earwig” by Zhang Yimeng (China). Under 18 Smartphone Specially Commended.
Species: Earwig, Eudohrnia metallica
“I took a walk in Yunnan in the evening to see it, very beautiful, lying on a leaf so I took a picture.”

“Junk bug” by Rosa Dunbar (Australia). Behavior Specially Commended.
Species: Lacewing larva, Chrysopa sp.
“The junk bug, a voracious predator in the insect world, earns its name by wearing plant matter and the exoskeletons of past victims on its back as part of an intricate camouflage to deceive predators.”

Royal Entomological Society: Website | Facebook | Instagram

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by the Royal Entomological Society.

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“Plane In Front Of Eclipse” by Ryan Spangenberg. First Place.

Millions turned out to watch April 8's North American solar eclipse, and Kolari Vision helped photographers safely capture images of the total eclipse. To celebrate the big event, Kolari ran its inaugural Solar Eclipse Photography Contest. Now, they've announced the winners and several exceptional honorable mentions.

Ryan Spangenberg won the competition with his unique image of a plane hugging the side of the total eclipse. Two incredible moments of totality by Keith Double and Justin Castel took home second and third place, respectively. For the honorable mentions, two standouts are cool composite images by both Joe Luther and Jonathan Sullivan that clearly show all the phases of the eclipse.

Kolari, known for its infrared filters and camera conversions, used the photo contest to educate the public about documenting such an event. Its 15-stop and 20-stop ND filters allow photographers to safely take photos of the solar eclipse without ruining their camera equipment.

ND filters work by reducing the amount of light that enters the camera lens without compromising the color or hue of the image. This makes them perfect for photographing eclipses. However, just because these filters keep cameras safe, it doesn't mean they are safe for the human eye.

“Do not look through the optical viewfinder on your DSLR camera when pointing it at the Sun, even when using an ND filter, and DO NOT look directly at the Sun through an ND filter,” Kolari warns. “These filters are not rated for your eyes, and your eyes will be damaged if you do this. However, it is perfectly safe to use live view or look through the EVF on a mirrorless camera.”

If you are looking for another eclipse opportunity, an annular eclipse will take place on October 2, 2024. It will be fully visible in South America and appear as a partial eclipse in North America.

Scroll down to see more winning solar eclipse photography and get ready to enter Kolari Vision's next photo competition. Its fourth biannual Infrared Photo Contest is now open for submissions.

Here are the winning images of Kolari Vision's Solar Eclipse Photography Contest.

“Dark Day” by Keith Double. Second Place.

“Moment Of Totality” by Justin Castel. Third Place.

“Total Eclipse Chrono” by Joe Luther. Honorable Mention.

“Eclipse IRChrome” by Jonathan Sullivan. Honorable Mention.

“The Diamond Rings” by Noah Cote / Noah Cote Photography. Honorable Mention.

“Phoenix” by Thomas Streiff. Honorable Mention.

“Solar Glow” by Travis Brooks. Honorable Mention.

“2024: An Eclipse Odyssey” by Mike Denison. Honorable Mention.

Kolari Vision: Website | Facebook | Instagram

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Kolari Vision.

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“Untitled” by Eric T’Kindt. Overall Winner and Gold, Gymnastics.

A dynamic image of Japanese gymnast Daiki Hashimoto has won the 2024 World Sports Photography Awards. The image, shot by Belgian photographer Eric T'Kindt, shows Hashimoto twisting in the air during his horizontal bar routine at the 2023 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships. The routine netted Hashimoto a gold, so it's only fitting that the image also garnered T'Kindt the top prize.

The Belgian photographer's image beat out more than 9,000 that were submitted to the photo contest by more than 1,400 professional sports photographers from over 80 countries. It also topped the Gymnastics category, one of 24 in the competition. From aquatics and equestrian to baseball and basketball, a full range of sports are represented in what is the only global award for sports photography.

“I am once again astounded by the exceptional talent showcased in this year’s entries,” says Sophie Collins, chief marketing officer at MPB. MPB, the world’s largest platform to buy, sell, and trade used photography and videography equipment, is the contest's primary sponsor. 

“Photography has the unique ability to capture the raw emotions and intense moments of sports, telling stories that resonate deeply with viewers long after the moment has passed,” she continues.

Scroll down to see some of our favorite winners across the 24 categories, then hop over to the official gallery to view all the winners and finalists.

Here are the winners of the 2024 World Sports Photography Awards.

“Duck Dive” by Ryan Pierse. Overall, Third Place and Gold, Aquatics.

“A new superhero? The perfect match between a spotlight and a head” by Issac Julián Morillas Sánchez. Overall Runner-up and Gold, Other.

“Untitled” by Benjamin Lau. Gold, Racquet Sports.

“Rainbow Hair” by Steph Chambers. Gold, Basketball.

“Dobbsanity” by Kevin Sabitus. Gold, American Football.

“50th Anniversary Score” by Bruce Bennett. Gold, Ice Hockey.

“Tennis” by Marc Aspland. Gold, Tennis.

Over 9,000 images by more than 1,400 professional sports photographers were entered into the contest.

“The Dynamic Duo” by Andrew Moss. Gold, Boxing.

“Luciano Benavides” by Pavol Tomaskin. Gold, Motor Sports.

“Mikaelas World – Ski Weltcup” by Alexander Hassenstein. Gold, Winter Sports.

“The Sprint” by Tetsu Lee. Gold, Athletics.

“Untitled” by James Startt. Gold, Cycling.

“Maul” by Morgan Treacy. Gold, Rugby.

“World Sports Photography Awards tell compelling stories of the emotion, passion, athleticism, and focus that are at the heart of sport.”

“Submerged” by Sean M. Haffrey. Gold, Swimming & Diving.

“Cristiano Ronaldo Odyssey” by Marcelo Guelber Goes. Gold, Football (Soccer).

“Dunk” by Lindsey Wasson. Gold, Baseball

“Upside down – Judo Paris Grand Slam 2023” by Victor Joly. Gold, Martial Arts.

“Glorious Mud” by David Davies. Gold, Equestrian.

“Reflection” by Volodya Voronon. Gold, Urban & Extreme.

World Sports Photography Awards: Website | Facebook | Instagram

My Modern Met granted permission to publish photos by the World Sports Photography Awards.

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“Frida Kahlo, Xochimilco, Mexico” by Rosa Covarrubias, 1941

Visionary artist Frida Kahlo led a fascinating life that continues to capture the public's imagination. A new exhibition in New York City gives a deeper insight into all facets of her life by displaying nearly 50 photographs of the artist. FRIDA KAHLO, Forever Yours, on view at Throckmorton Fine Art, moves from her early photographs taken by family members to her iconic portraits by Nickolas Muray.

Along the way, we see her creative process as she poses in front of paintings, as well as intimate moments from her private life with her husband and fellow artist Diego Rivera. The photographs, which document her life from the time she was a toddler until just before her death, are just a small portion of Spencer Throckmorton's massive collection.

Throckmorton has been collecting photos of Kahlo since the 1970s, when he traveled to Mexico City in search of images of the iconic artist. Since then, his collection has grown to over 200 photographs, making his one of the most complete private collections documenting Kahlo's life.

To round out the exhibition, the gallery has also placed several drawings, a gouache original, and a blouse worn by the artist on display. This helps complete the visual biography of one of the 21st century's most influential artists.

FRIDA KAHLO, Forever Yours is on view at Throckmorton Fine Art in Manhattan until September 21, 2024.

An exhibition in New York City featuring nearly 50 photos of the iconic artist gives new insight into Frida Kahlo's life.

“Frida painting ‘The Two Fridas'” by Nickolas Muray, c. 1939

“Frida Kahlo Wearing Tehuana Dress” by Bernard Silberstein, 1940

“Frida Kahlo in thought” by Sylvia Salmi, 1944

“Frida Painting, Coyoacán” by Bernice Kolko, 1953

The photographs come from Spencer Throckmorton's private collection, which he began in the 1970s.

“Frida with Olmeca Figurine, Coyoacán” by Nickolas Muray, 1939

“Frida In Front Of Organ Cactus Fence, Atlavista” by Nickolas Muray, 1938/Printed 1991

“Frida Kahlo with Magenta Rebozo ‘Classic'” by Nickolas Muray, 1939

“Frida, Pink/Green Blouse, Coyoacán” by Nickolas Muray, 1938

After scouring flea markets, bookstores, and photography dealers, he amassed a collection of over 200 photos of the artist.

“Diego & Frida” by Martin Munkácsi, 1934

“Frida in Front of Proletarian Unity from the mural, “Portrait of America” for the
New Workers School, NY” by Lucienne Bloch, 1933

“Frida painting ‘Me & my parrots'” by Nickolas Muray, 1930

“Frida Kahlo seated by phone” by Antonio Kahlo, 1949

“Diego and Frida on the Terrace” by Warren J. Vinton, Sept. 1930

FRIDA KAHLO, Forever Yours is on view until September 21, 2024.

“Frida with Cinzano Bottle” by Lucienne Bloch, 1935

“Frida with Doily on Head” by Lucienne Bloch, 1935

“Frida Kahlo, Casa Azul, Coyoacán, Mexico” by Leo Matiz, 1944

“Frida Kahlo in Studio” by Lola Álvarez Bravo, 1944

“Frida Kahlo, The Breton Portrait” by Nickolas Muray, 1939/Printed 1991

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Throckmorton Fine Art.

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Blackburnian Warbler by Mathew Malwitz/Audubon Photography Awards/2024 Grand Prize Winner
Location: Promised Land State Park, Pennsylvania, USA
“​​Two Blackburnian Warblers face each other in profile; their gray and white wings outstretched behind them. Their yellow heads and orange necks stand out against a blurred gray background, and their bills and feet are entangled.”

Now in its 15th year, the Audubon Photography Awards is celebrating the magic of bird photography. Run by the National Audubon Society, the competition is open to professional and amateur photographers of all ages. This year, Mathew Malwitz came away with the top prize for his delightful portrait of two Blackburnian warblers facing each other in a wonderful symmetrical pose.

Last year's grand prize winner, Liron Gertsman, was once again celebrated this year. His interesting photo of a flock of willow ptarmigans in flight, with their white feathers melting into the white sky, won the professional category. These winning entries were chosen from more than 2,300 entrants from all 50 U.S. states, nine Canadian provinces, and one territory.

The photo contest has also expanded its scope, adding the Birds in Landscapes Prize for the first time. Designed to draw attention to how birds connect with their broader surroundings, the inaugural prize was handed out to Kevin Lohman for an atmospheric photo of a California quail perched on a small bush in a field.

Sadly, birds like the California quail and the Blackburnian warbler are facing increasing obstacles to their survival. The National Audubon Society's climate science report, Survival by Degrees, states that two-thirds of North American birds are facing extinction due to climate change. A special climate change visualizer even lets you see how the birds in your area will be impacted.

By taking in these photos and learning more about what the future holds, there's even more motivation to make the necessary changes on a small and large scale to delay the effects of climate change.

Here are the winners of the 2024 Audubon Photography Awards, which celebrates exceptional bird photography.

Forster’s Tern by Kevin Lohman/Audubon Photography Awards/2024 Professional Honorable Mention
Location: Shoreline Lake, Mountain View, California, USA
“A Forster’s Tern is in the air, its head turned almost 180 degrees so that its bill is pointing almost straight up, and its tail is twisted. The bird’s outstretched wings give the impression the bird is floating upside down. Water droplets appear in a stream from the bird’s bill and also below it.”

Willow Ptarmigan by Liron Gertsman/Audubon Photography Awards/2024 Professional Winner
Location: Kluane National Park, Yukon, Canada
“Seven Willow Ptarmigan are staggered throughout the image. Each is in various stages of flight. Their white bodies blend in with the completely white background; only their black eyes, bills, and tail feathers stand out.”

Barred Owl by Erin Boisvert/Audubon Photography Awards/2024 Amateur Honorable Mention
Location: Deep Brook Preserve. Newtown, CT, USA
“A Barred Owl hangs upside down from a thin tree branch, its body horizontal, its face turned and looking at the camera. Above it hangs a squirrel on a branch. Its head is nearly completely severed and is held in the owl’s talons. Its fur is bloodied.”

Red-necked Grebe by Edwin ​​Liu/Audubon Photography Awards/2024 Youth Honorable Mention
Location: Colonel Samuel Smith Park, Etobicoke, ON, Canada
“Two adult Red-necked Grebes face each other in the water. The entire grebe’s body on the right is visible, and two black and white-headed chicks sit on its back. One is leaning to receive a small fish from the bill of the parent.”

Sedge Wren and Gray-head Coneflower by Trisha Snider/Audubon Photography Awards/2024 Plants For Birds Honorable Mention
Location: John E Pearce Provincial Park, Wallacetown, Ontario, Canada
“A tiny russet brown Sedge Wren grasps two long, parallel stems as if they were stilts. The bird’s head looks to the left of the frame. Green grasses surround the bird, and yellow flowers are at the bottom of the image.”

American Kestrel by Parham Pourahmad/Audubon Photography Awards/2024 Youth Winner
Location: Calero County Park, San Jose, California, USA
“An American Kestrel stands on a post in profile, and a male kestrel is on her back with his wings stretched behind him. The birds are both in profile facing the left of the frame, the male above appearing to be an extension of the female below.”

Black-capped Chickadee and Broad-leaf Cattail by Linda Scher/Audubon Photography Awards/2024 Plants For Birds Winner
Location: Wood Lake Nature Center, Richfield, Minnesota, USA
“A Black-capped Chickadee clings to a single beige hook-shaped stem filled with seeds. The bird’s black legs appear to be spread at a 90-degree angle to hold the stem. The bird’s black bill is full of seeds.”

Wild Turkey by Travis Potter/Audubon Photography Awards/2024 Female Bird Prize Winner
Location: Roseville, Minnesota, USA
“A female Wild Turkey stands in profile, and her head is held high and wings are fanned out behind her. She stands between railroad tracks littered with leaves that extend into the distance.”

Common Gallinule by Douglas DeFelice/Audubon Photography Awards/2024 Fisher Prize Winner
Location: Tarpon Springs, FL
“A Common Gallinule’s green feet stick straight out of the surface of water, while its body is submerged and not visible. Splashes of water are outlined in gold against a black background and dark surface, making it difficult to distinguish between the feet and water.”

California Quail by Kevin Lohman/Audubon Photography Awards/2024 Birds in Landscapes Prize Winner
Location: Santa Cruz, California, USA
“A California Quail perches on top of a small bush in a field. One row of bushes and trees in the foreground is in focus, along with the quail, while other bushes are out of focus or blurred. The scene is a muted brown and orange, with layers of light and dark.”

Great-tailed Grackle by Tristan Vratil/Audubon Photography Awards/2024 Amateur Winner
Location: Corner of Slaughter Lane and Congress Avenue, Austin, Texas, USA
“Silhouetted grackles perch on power lines that bisect the image, with their tails nearly all pointing in the same direction. The sky is purple and pink. Through the whole of the photo are blurry figures of grackles flying through the air.”

National Audubon Society: Website | Facebook | Instagram

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by the National Audubon Society.

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Commercial photographer Andrei Duman takes to the skies for a stunning set of aerial landscape imagery. Through his lens, we see an abstract view of the world, with strange lines and surreal colors. Taken using a 151-megapixel Phase One camera, the images are also filled with rich details that really pop when they are seen in a large format.

While Duman's commercial photography requires meticulous attention to detail and careful planning, his aerial photography provides him with a different type of creative outlet. All of the images are taken from a helicopter, making them a full-body experience.

“It is incredibly liberating to be in a plane or helicopter with the doors off, corkscrewing around your subject with all the G-forces and blood rushing to your head,” Duman shares. “You have to adapt quickly to changing conditions and become reactive to your settings and compositions.”

This adventure spurs spontaneity and, given the high-quality results, shows off Duman's sharp observational skills. Even in these conditions, he's able to craft artful compositions that draw in the viewer. Whether photographing salt ponds, river beds, or arid terrain, he's able to extract the essence of the landscape.

Duman's series is currently being featured in an online exhibition at Aurélie's Gallery, where they are also available for purchase. Attracted by their abstract quality, gallery founder Aurélie Jezequel marvels at his ability to show beauty in unexpected places.

“At first glance (and even at the tenth one), you’re not sure what you’re looking at. It’s hard to decipher a landscape in these strange lines and surrealist (yet true) colors. Coming closer you sometimes notice small details—a power line, a house—which give you a clue to what you’re looking at. But too often, there’s nothing to cling to: most of the images remain mysterious, defying conventions and expectations of what a landscape should look like.”

Scroll down to see more of Duman's incredible aerial photography, and then click over to From Above, his online exhibition at Aurélie's Gallery.

Commercial photographer Andrei Duman takes to the skies in a helicopter for a series of abstract aerial landscapes.

Using a 151-megapixel Phase One camera, his aerial photographs are filled with rich detail.

Andrei Duman: Website | Instagram

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Aurélie's Gallery.

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“The Flying African” (2019) 16” x 24” Archival inkjet print

Darkness is a challenge for many photographers. A badly lit room can ruin an image, and the absence of light can make it impossible for the camera to capture anything at all. What if darkness was not only a resource but also a meaningful vessel? Multimedia artist Mikael Owunna turns the principles of photography on its head to bring ancient African folklore to light in his new exhibition titled Imagine Fresh Darkness. The show features 19 images from his groundbreaking photographic series Infinite Essence.

While photography is mostly used to capture a moment as seen by our eyes, Owunna has taken it to its etymological origins to create something more. “[Infinite Essence] redefines conventional notions of photography, which from its Greek roots—photos (light) and graphos (drawing)—is often understood as ‘drawing with light,'” states Blue Sky Gallery, which houses the exhibition. “However, Owunna’s approach subverts this foundational concept by utilizing ultraviolet light, which is invisible to the naked eye, to reveal and draw from the ‘blackness' or darkness itself.”

To achieve this, Owunna built custom camera equipment that captures the fluorescence of nude painted bodies under UV light. In turn, his images aim to reveal a spectral vision of humanity that puts African cosmological narratives in the spotlight—drawing a connection between two entities invisible to the human eye and standard photographic equipment.

“The title Imagine Fresh Darkness challenges the viewer to reconceive darkness not as the absence of light but as a profound presence, teeming with unseen energies and narratives,” says the gallery. “In Owunna’s work, darkness becomes a canvas revealing the luminous and transcendent potential of the Black body, portrayed through a process that draws from the very essence of invisibility and blackness.”

Parting from the common thread of Black bodies shining under UV light, Owunna simultaneously explores a handful of intersecting cosmogonies and elevates his subjects into deity-like figures. For example, his image The Flying African is inspired by the enslaved Africans who escaped bondage by taking flight and returning to their African homelands, while Mmadu (The Enlightened One) presents an element from the Igbo way of life. “In this cosmology, the beauty of life is in becoming a fully realized, spiritually enlightened individual, an ‘enlightened one' who is deeply connected to and draws on the primordial blackness of the Igbo creator god Chukwu.”

Imagine Fresh Darkness is on view at Blue Sky Gallery, Oregon Center for the Photographic Arts in Portland through June 29, 2024. To stay up to date with the artist's work, you can follow  Owunna on Instagram.

Multimedia artist Mikael Owunna turns the principles of photography to bring ancient African folklore to light in his new exhibition.

“Go Sa (Sister of the Dance)” (2019) 24” x 16” Archival inkjet print

Titled Imagine Fresh Darkness, it features 19 images from his groundbreaking photographic series Infinite Essence.

“Nommo Semi, Guardian of Space” (2019) 16” x 24” Archival inkjet print

“Infinite Essence redefines conventional notions of photography, which from its Greek roots—photos (light) and graphos (drawing)—is often understood as ‘drawing with light.'”

“Amma’s Womb” (2019) 24” x 16” Archival inkjet print

“However, Owunna’s approach subverts this foundational concept by utilizing ultraviolet light, which is invisible to the naked eye, to reveal and draw from the ‘blackness' or darkness itself.”

“Mmadu (The Enlightened One)” (2019) 16” x 24” Archival inkjet print

To achieve this, Owunna built custom camera equipment that captures the fluorescence of nude painted bodies under UV light.

In turn, his images aim to reveal a spectral vision of humanity that puts African cosmological narratives in the spotlight

Imagine Fresh Darkness is on view at Blue Sky Gallery, Oregon Center for the Photographic Arts in Portland through June 29, 2024.

Mikael Owunna: Website | Instagram

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Blue Sky Gallery.

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

When the 1839 Awards contacted photographers with the results of its Color Photography Contest, they could never have guessed Miles Astray‘s response. Not only had the photographer won third place in the AI category, but he'd also won the People's Vote for an image of a flamingo whose head appeared to be missing. The only problem? Astray's photo was not AI-generated but is actually a photo he shot in Aruba.

Astray disclosed to the organizers that his photo was not actually AI and at that point, was disqualified from the competition. But as word got out about the mishap, many saw it as a win for photography. While Boris Eldagsen made headlines for his AI photo fooling judges at the Sony World Photography Awards, this is the first time we're seeing photography beating new technology in such a large public forum.

In a world where the presence of AI is increasing, and creatives are wary of what it means for their livelihoods, Astray's win can be seen as a victory for photographers.

“I entered this actual photo into the AI category of 1839 Awards to prove that human-made content has not lost its relevance, that Mother Nature and her human interpreters can still beat the machine, and that creativity and emotion are more than just a string of digits,” Astray shares.

“After seeing recent instances of AI-generated imagery outshining actual photos in competitions, it occurred to me that I could twist this story inside down and upside out the way only a human could and would, by submitting a real photo into an AI competition.”

For their part, the Creative Resources Collective, which manages the 1839 Awards, has been quite open to the debate that Astray's win sparked.

“We fully appreciate the powerful message Miles relayed with his submission, F L A M I N G O N E,” to the AI category,” Creative Resources Collective founder and co-director Lily Fierman tells My Modern Met. “We agree that it is an important, relevant, and timely statement.”

Fierman also emphasized that Astray's disqualification was decided after an internal debate out of fairness to all the entrants. “There are no hard feelings on either end, and we're excited about working together to share this wider message with photographers,” Fierman says.

For his part, Astray has been overwhelmed by the positive response, which even included a funny exchange with Eldagsen on Instagram. And he was pleasantly surprised by the positive reaction that the photo contest had to his experiment. Overall, he's just grateful that “nature still outdoes the machine.”

This surreal photo of a flamingo won Miles Astray a prize in the AI category of a photo contest.

The only problem—Astray's photo was real. This led to his disqualification.

Winner's gallery before disqualification.

Winner's gallery after disqualification.

That was ok with Astray, as he was hoping to prove that regular photography can still outshine technology.

Guys, THANK YOU!! I’m deeply humbled by all the support, from hilarious to heartfelt and thoughtful. Those are uniquely human traits that no AI can replicate, recreate, or relate to. We, collectively, are the message.
___#flamingone #1839awards #AI #milesastray pic.twitter.com/Q9RuKYQhXp

— Miles Astray (@MilesAstray) June 17, 2024

The reaction has been positive, even leading to an exchange with Boris Eldagsen, whose AI photo tricked judges at a different contest.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Miles Astray (@milesastray)

Miles Astray: Website | Instagram | Facebook

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Miles Astray.

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“Unsupervised” by Alexandrena Parker. Overall Professional Winner and Professional Winner, Conceptual, People, Storytelling.
“The sight of children engaged in unsupervised play, left to their own devices in the streets, has become increasingly rare. Set in outback Australia, the scenes weave together the past and present, symbolizing the relationship between the landscape and the timeless essence of childhood.”

Named for the year that photography was first made widely available to the public, the 1839 Awards holds a series of photo contests to highlight the medium. Photographers from 55 different countries entered the Color Photography Contest, which is open to both professional and non-professional photographers. The results, which were just announced, are extraordinary.

In the end, two different conceptual series won the overall prize. For the professionals, Alexandrena Parker was named the overall winner for her images of unsupervised children playing outside, a rare sight these days. Astrid Reischwitz‘s fascinating look at her heritage, which combines photography and embroidery, won her the top prize in the non-professional competition.

There are many hidden gems among the category winners. From a playful plate of pasta to a striking look at the war in Ukraine, the competition highlights the impact that color photography can have on our view of the world.

The winner's announcement, however, was not without controversy. In an effort to keep up with technology and its impact on the medium, the contest has a category to award the best AI imagery. What the contest organizers didn't expect, however, was for a photographer to not only enter a regular photo into that category but to win the People's Vote Award. Though the photographer was subsequently disqualified when he revealed that the image was not AI, the news brought a lot of eyes to the contest.

This event, together with the high quality of the winners, should assure any photographer that technology, while wonderful, is still no match for the creativity and artistry that comes with a human touch.

Scroll down to see some of our favorite winners and check out the full gallery on the 1839 Awards official website.

The 2024 Color Photography Contest celebrates the power of photography.

“How to train your dragon” by Leo Kwok. Winner, Professional, Event, People.
“Showered by molten, firework-like sparks, people in Meizhou, China perform a fire dragon dance to celebrate the Lantern Festival on the first full moon of the Lunar Calendar. This celebration was performed over 200 years ago and was listed as an Intangible Cultural Heritage in China in 2008.”

“Dark Beauty” by Robyn Finlayson. Winner, Professional, Landscapes.
“In late 2020, a wildfire broke out on World Heritage-listed K’gari, the world’s largest sand island. It swept through more than 87,000 hectares, or almost half the island. It burned for more than 2 months. During this time I discovered an unexpected and alluring beauty amongst the devastation.”

“Tiger” by Sofia Lopez Mañan. Professional Runner-up and Professional Winner, Animals, Conceptual, Storytelling.
“Tiger standing on a bed in Buenos Aires, Argentina. This image is part of the project ” The Book of Nature” that explores the concept of ‘Nature' as a manmade construction.”

Run by the 1839 Awards, the photo contest is divided into professional and non-professional categories.

“Spaghetti Stylist” by Yuliy Vasilev. Winner, Professional, Still Life.

“Gitano” by Arianna Angelini. Winner, Professional, People.
“I met him once, trying to find my way. The solitude of the highlands was what I sought. Unbidden, he sat beside me on a log one day As I was caught up with some restless thought.”

“Nations of the Atlantic” by Kim Lang. Winner, Professional, Travel.
“Nations of the Atlantic explores the ocean as a vessel to connect cultures and focuses on the universal experience of places that rely on the sea for their everyday lives. It shifts the attention to small island nations, often overlooked in the greater discussion of climate change.”

“Spin Club Tapestry” by Astrid Reischwitz. Overall Non-Professional Winner and Winner, Non-Professional, Conceptual, Other.
“By following the stitches in fabric from my village in Germany, I follow a path through the lives of my ancestors – their layout of a perfect pattern and the mistakes they made. The patterns I have stitched myself into the paper represent fragments of memory.”

“Baseball in Bhutan” by Matthew Desantis. Non-Professional Runner-up.
“With Buddha (symbol of inspiration) in the backdrop, Bhutanese teenagers engage in a spirited game of baseball in the capital of Thimphu. Clad in the nation's traditional noble attire, they embody the harmonious blend of tradition and modernity that defines Bhutan.”

“The Price of Freedom” by Lenka Klicperová. Winner, Professional, Photojournalism.
“Ukraine has been defending itself against Russian aggression for two years. Thousands of soldiers and civilians are paying a terrible price for their freedom. But they are still fighting.”

“The Circle” by Mauro Caviezel. Winner, Non-Professional, Architecture, Minimalism.
“Early morning long exposure shot of the ‘The Circle,' a public swimming pool at Lake Zürich.”

“Total Solar Eclipse” by Edward Panjaitan. Winner, Non-Professional, Nature.
“The sequence of a total solar eclipse from the 2nd contact (diamond ring just before totality), totality, and just after totality (diamond ring just after totality).”

“Passion” by Sandra Paul. Winner, Professional, Animals.

Photographers from 55 countries entered the contest, which also included a category for AI photography.

“Untitled” by Robyn Finlayson. Winner, Professional, AI.

“Lipton Hill” by Anton Mischenko. Winner, Non-Professional, Photojournalism.
“Sri Lanka”

“Playfield” by Bragi Thor Josefsson. Winner, Professional, Architecture.

“M” by Scarlett Coten. Winner, Professional, Storytelling.
“M brings together three series that explore from the Mediterranean basin to Trump's America and France, contemporary masculinities, and the determination to express who one really is. The challenge is of introducing into the collective imagination these singular yet shared experiences.”

“Sky Blue” by Robyn Finlayson. Winner, Professional, Nature.

“Morning on the River” by Proshin Vladimir. Winner, Non-Professional, Travel.

“Arctic Expedition” by Kari Peltola. Winner, Non-Professional, Minimalism.
“Arctic expedition in Svalbard.”

1839 Awards: Website | Facebook | Instagram

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by 1839 Awards.

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