Lens Magazine - Issue 92 May 2022

Mieke Douglas © All rights reserved. Since Russia used by dictators and despots invaded throughout the world and Ukraine on history to achieve the support the morning or acquiescence of of 24 February 2022, the a population. Sunflower has become a global symbol of resistance, unity, Bucolic scenes of brutal acts and hope. Around the world, of despots? Two narratives. people are posting, wearing, Which do you choose to planting, painting, and buying believe? Sometimes it's easier Sunflowers. to acquiesce than call it out; accept pretty. These paper flowers symbolize World events unfolding. Fact the constructed reality of the and fantasy intertwining. invasion of Ukraine and the 'Take these seeds and put propaganda of deception them in your pocket...' Lens Magazine 99

Mieke Douglas © All rights reserved. lensmagazine.net 100

MIEKE DOUGLAS Mieke is a Dutch Douglas has recently won and Canadian several significant awards, Photographic including International Artist living in London. Photography, Chromatic, She is known for her Minimalist, Julia Margaret atmospheric lighting and Cameron, Budapest surreal perspectives. International, and the Her work can be described British Photography as moody, often painterly, Awards. Mieke was also with an underlying sense Shortlisted for the Alpha of unease. Mieke's work Female Award at the Sony moves between fact and World Photography Awards fiction and challenges the and the Association of boundaries of photography Photographers Emerging and art. Talent Awards and was a finalist in the BBA Photography Prize. Lens Magazine 101

Mieke Douglas © All rights reserved. Mieke Douglas work is held in private collections and lensmagazine.net has been published and exhibited internationally, including at the Royal Academy of Arts in London. She has recently had her first solo shows in London, UK, and Sydney, Australia. 'Take these seeds and put them in your pocket...' 102

Mieke Douglas © All rights reserved. Lens Magazine 103

lensmagazine.net 104 Mieke Douglas © All rights reserved.

Mieke Douglas © All rights reserved. MIEKE DOUGLAS WEBSITE: miekedouglas.com INSTAGRAM: @miekedouglas Lens Magazine 105

ELLEN lensmagazine.net ROSENBERG \"Vibration is at the heart of nature. Music allows us to feel it.\" - Kurtz 106

Lens Magazine Stephanie, Tears are healing. Ellen Rosenberg © All rights reserved. 107

Dee Dee Bridgewater, opening the flower. Ellen Rosenberg © All rights reserved. \"Vibration is at the heart of nature. ELLEN Music allows us to feel it.\" ROSENBERG - Kurtz of the wind, calling me to find a feeling of inner peace. I watched the leaves turn colors and And suddenly the music listened to the crackling under my feet as I walked stopped… through woods filled with broken branches and eventually even snow. I observed treeS branches Spending a lifetime photographing musicians reaching upward toward the sky, seeking the in New Orleans and Philadelphia, I abruptly light. found my spirit and soul empty during the first 6 I heard the rain falling against the leaves of the months of sheltering in place in 2020. trees, feeding them the nourishment to grow; I Musicians and others were dying, and the ability felt the sounds and vibrations of mother nature. to let their music transform my spirit into joy was I discovered that the vibrations entering my gone. So, seeking other ways to heal my soul, I soul from nature were similar to the energy of took long walks in nature and heard the whisper vibrations I had felt while listening to live music 108 lensmagazine.net

Germaine Capturing the light. Ellen Rosenberg © All rights reserved. and capturing the emotions of the Yet it comes with a new, refreshed The Musicians and nature were all musicians themselves with my connection to my heart. The music photographed in New Orleans. camera. I realized that I needed to is layered with sounds from nature. All work is captured with a digital pair these vibrations together, music The healing sounds of rebirth. SLR camera and photographed with and nature. I was seeking harmony Music replicates the vibrations natural light. Camera handheld with among that which had always of nature, almost like a call and no setup. As I started the process of brought me joy. response. These vibrations enter pairing, I would view the photograph our soul and allow us to feel. While of musicians, listen to their music on Each pairing is created to reflect the viewing these pairings, I hope a headset, and envision a calling to vibrations and sounds that emulate that you will feel the vibrations one of my nature photographs. and mirror the other. As we are now and the sounds and reflect on the Conversion to black and white able to awaken ever so slightly from relationship between the notes from allowed for a raw emotional the past 20 months, I have been able the musicians and the notes of music response, not distracted by colors. to return, with caution to hear live from nature, for that is how we will The work was then paired in music, photograph musicians, albeit all heal. Photoshop. often from a distance, and feel that familiar healing vibration from the music. Lens Magazine 109

110 Robin, Song Bird. Ellen Rosenberg © All rights reserved. lensmagazine.net

Stephanie, Arms wide open. 111 Ellen Rosenberg © All rights reserved. Marlon, Trumpet sounds opening to the universe. Ellen Rosenberg © All rights reserved. Lens Magazine

Top: James, one with his base and nature. Ellen Rosenberg © All rights reserved. Middle: Kyle Dancing Fingers along the sand. Ellen Rosenberg © All rights reserved. Bottom: Ashlin is awakening nature. Ellen Rosenberg © All rights reserved. 112 lensmagazine.net

Ellen Rosenberg currently divides her time between Philadelphia and New Orleans. She holds a degree in Art Advertising Ellen Rosenberg © All rights reserved. from the University of Maryland, a degree in Exercise Physiology from Temple University, and a master's degree in Occupational Therapy from Temple University School of Allied Health. Ellen completed her certification in Contemporary Practices at the Philadelphia Photo Arts Center Sept 2021. Her work has been shown in over 50 ELLEN juried national art shows, as well as ROSENBERG invitational and solo exhibitions. Ellen has exhibited her work throughout the Her work has appeared in local create a book, calendar, United States. She recently had her newspapers of New Orleans and portraits of volunteers work,' Sounds of Silence,' exhibited during such annual festivals within the community, at the Ogden Southern Museum New as Mardi Gras and the New raising over $50,000 for FACT. Orleans as part of PhotoNola. She Orleans Jazz and Heritage Because of her keen eye and has had her work juried into the Lens Festival. Ellen has been innate ability to anticipate Magazine 'Dance' issue #47, which invited to photograph for the movement and performance featured the most influential dance LGBTQ community at multiple as well as \"hear the music\" of photographers from around the globe pageants and community a performer, Ellen has often and distributed internationally. events. been invited to photograph In addition, Rosenberg's work is In 2019 Ellen was asked to numerous dances, theater, included in the Leslie-Lohman Museum photograph a fund-raising and music performances Collection, the William Way Art archives, event for FACT (Fighting AIDS within Philadelphia and New and private collections. She has been Continuously Together), a Orleans. With a keen eye for juried into the National Association large nonprofit organization sharing the humanistic aspect of Women Artists and is a member dedicated to raising money of her subjects, Ellen has been of the American Society of Media and resources for those invited to photograph various Photographers and the DaVinci Art affected with HIV/AIDS. nonprofit organizations in both Alliance. Her output was used to Philadelphia and New Orleans. Throughout her career, Ellen has photographed a wide variety of subjects and styles, emphasizing the popular cultural events that identify communities. Lens Magazine 113

Several years ago, Ellen took up the study of Yoga, mindfulness meditation, and Buddhism. These spiritual studies have shaped how Ellen lives her life, interacts with her surroundings, and, most importantly, how she photographs her subjects. She is always seeking the light, not necessarily the light of reflections or shadows that are seen by all of us, but the inner light of the subjects she is photographing. Ellen photographs with a mindful pause, allowing time to connect with the world around her. She seeks to tell the stories of those she meets, recognizing that we are all mirrors of each other. Top: Leon and the Trumpet Plant. Right: Marcus Strings creates morning light. Ellen Rosenberg © All rights reserved. Ellen Rosenberg © All rights reserved. 114 lensmagazine.net

Lens Magazine 115

Nayo Bending the light. Ellen Rosenberg © All rights reserved. 116 lensmagazine.net

Lens Magazine 117

ERLOLSEENNBERG Top: Butterflies are Free. Ellen Rosenberg © All rights reserved. Right Page Top: Kerry Allen opens the flower buds. Ellen Rosenberg © All rights reserved. Right Bottom: Christian Scott, trumpet sounds along the water. Ellen Rosenberg © All rights reserved. And suddenly the music stopped… Website: ellenrosenbergphotography.com Instagram: @ellenrosenbergphotography Facebook: @EllenRosenbergPhotography 118 lensmagazine.net

Lens Magazine 119

OSHER PARTOVI REFLECTED IN MY OWN EYES PHOTOGRAPHY BECAME MY BEST WAY OF EXPRESSING MYSELF. THROUGH THE IMAGES, I TRY TO PRESENT THE WORLD AS REFLECTED IN MY OWN EYES, AND I SEEK TO CAPTURE THE MOMENTS AND PRESENT THEM MOST UNIQUELY AND CREATIVELY WAY I CAN.\" Osher Partovi © All rights reserved. lensmagazine.net 120

Lens Magazine 121

lensmagazine.net 122 Osher Partovi © All rights reserved.

Osher Partovi © All rights reserved. OSHER PARTOVI REFLECTED This portrait series is about making close studio portrait IN MY OWN images that are different and inspiring aiming express EYES uniqueness, making the viewer stop for a second, dive in, and investigate what he sees. These portraits are primarily rich in color Lens Magazine in many terms. Some of them are rich in artistic makeup and styling, which my talented wife mostly is in charge of them. Moreover, some of them are \"games\" of color and patterns of light and shadows made with a unique technique of light modifier called optical snoot. With the help of colorful gels and gobos that are different shapes and patterns disks projecting from this optical snoot, there are endless possibilities for creating beautiful artistic portraits. 123

Osher Partovi © All rights reserved. lensmagazine.net 124

Osher Partovi © All rights reserved. 125 Lens Magazine

Osher Partovi © All rights reserved. OSHER Osher is a self-taught photographer specializing in dance PARTOVI and conceptual photography in exciting locations inside the studio but mainly outside the studio. His works got recognition worldwide, and his photos were exhibited at galleries, international magazines, and exhibitions worldwide. 126 lensmagazine.net

Osher Partovi © All rights reserved. 127

Osher Partovi © All rights reserved. lensmagazine.net 128

OSHER PARTOVI Osher Partovi, born in 1979 in Israel, is a photographer and teaches master class photography. He discovered his interest in photography 18 years ago while traveling to the far east with his old film pocket camera. A couple of years later, after he graduated with a B.A, his love for photography has re-ignited, and since then, the camera has become an inseparable part of his life. Osher Partovi © All rights reserved. Lens Magazine 129

Osher Partovi © All rights reserved. 130 lensmagazine.net

Osher Partovi © All rights reserved. 131

132 Osher Partovi © All rights reserved.

Osher Partovi © All rights reserved. Instagram: @osher_partovi 133 Facebook: @Osher-Partovi-Photography Lens Magazine

SUMON DAS ANIMAL KINGDOM STORYTELLING KANHA NATIONAL PARK & TIGER RESERVE KAZIRANGA | THE LAND OF BIG FIVE The Golden Stag lensmagazine.net Sumon Das © All rights reserved. 134

KANHA NATIONAL PARK & TIGER RESERVE Kanha National Park is located in Madhya Pradesh or Central India, and it is known for its evergreen forests of Sal Trees. Kanha is divided into four zones that tourists can explore, namely Kisli, Sarhi, Mukki, and Kanha. This forest offers a vast array of biodiversity to capture. It is also known as the Land of the Tigers. But Kanha is one place where we get Barasinghas or Hard Ground Swamp Deer, and it is also the State Animal of Madhya Pradesh. There were only 67 barasinghas left at Kanha when the government took notice. A project was designed to protect them, and today, they thrive at Kanha National Park. The species spotted include Tigers, Leopards, Bisons, Langurs, Black Buck, Barasinghas, Sloth Bears, Wild Dogs, and quite a few numbers of birds. I love visiting Kanha in the winters because of the Mist and Fog it offers during the Golden hour. Lens Magazine 135

lensmagazine.net 136 Sumon Das © All rights reserved.

This is Sumon, a Wildlife The Stare Photographer based in India who Sumon Das © All rights reserved. intends to spread awareness Killer Looks regarding the conservation of Sumon Das © All rights reserved. endangered species and desires to enlighten about the ethereal biodiversity of India. 137 My primary goal is to capture the defining behavioral aspects prevalent in the animal kingdom and make compelling storytelling images. My favorite two destinations for shooting wildlife in India are Kaziranga National Park, located in Assam, India, and Kanha National Park, located in Madhya Pradesh, India. These are entirely two different habitats; one is famous for its elephant grasses along with numerous water bodies, and the other is famous for its evergreen forest made of Sal trees. Lens Magazine

The Royal Stag Sumon Das © All rights reserved. 138

The Pouting Bear Black Buck Sumon Das © All rights reserved. Sumon Das © All rights reserved. Sloth Bear Sumon Das © All rights reserved. Itry and keep it simple while shooting, and either I go incredibly close to the subject or show the entire habitat. Background plays a significant role in an image, and I give special attention to it. It has to be completely blown out/buttery smooth, or most of the background should be visible and complementary to the subject. I shoot handheld, and I am a Canon User. R5 and R6 are the cameras that I use, a 600mm F4, a 70-200mm F 2.8, and a 100- 400mm F 4.5-5.6; these are the collection of my Lenses. Lens Magazine 139

Symbiosis lensmagazine.net Sumon Das © All rights reserved. 140

Three Muskeeters 141 Sumon Das © All rights reserved. Lens Magazine

KAZIRANGA THE LAND OF BIG FIVE Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve, located in Assam, India, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A paradise for wildlife and nature lovers, it holds the single most significant number of the Indian One- Horned Rhinos globally, but it is also known to maintain the most considerable density of Royal Bengal Tigers globally. The World of the Unicorn lensmagazine.net Sumon Das © All rights reserved. 142

Lens Magazine 143

Considered an Turtles' Day out IBA (Important Sumon Das © All rights reserved. Bird Area), Petite Famile Kaziranga Sumon Das © All rights reserved. is absolute heaven for birders as well. lensmagazine.net Kaziranga consists of tall elephant grass, wetlands, and tropical moist broadleaf forest through which four major rivers pass, including the Brahmaputra, Diphlu, Mora Diphlu, and Mora Dhansiri and several other water bodies. This particular National Park is situated on the edge of the Eastern Himalayan regions of Golaghat and Nagaon Districts which are the hot spots for biodiversity. 144

Hulk Sumon Das © All rights reserved. 145

The Big Five spotlights of Kaziranga The Swimming Champ include Indian One Horned Sumon Das © All rights reserved. Rhinoceros, Wild Water Buffalo, Eastern Swamp Deer, Asiatic Abode Elephants, and the Bengal Tigers. Sumon Das © All rights reserved. 146 lensmagazine.net

Hulk Road Black Sumon Das © Sumon Das © All rights reserved. All rights reserved. Lens Magazine 147

IINTENDS TO SPREAD AWARENESS REGARDING THE CONSERVATION OF ENDANGERED SPECIES AND DESIRES TO ENLIGHTEN ABOUT THE ETHEREAL BIODIVERSITY OF INDIA. MY PRIMARY GOAL IS TO CAPTURE THE DEFINING BEHAVIORAL ASPECTS PREVALENT IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM AND MAKE COMPELLING STORYTELLING IMAGES. Lunarscape lensmagazine.net Sumon Das © All rights reserved. 148