Seems like a day doesn’t go by without another story about AI and how it might affect photographers. Both Adobe (Firefly) and Google (Bard) have now entered the fray. And the United States Copyright Office joined the party, issuing a document providing guidance on works containing AI material. What are the details and, in the end, what does it all mean? ASMP’s Chief Legal Officer and Head of National Content and Education, Thomas Maddrey, explains in a blog post. Read the the article In case you missed the discussion between Maddrey and three photographers using AI that was host ..read more

Ithumba Elephant, Ithumba, Tsavo National Park, Kenya, 2023 Showcase First Runner-up, Altered Reality © Lois Hild First Runner-Up: Altered Reality Why is this photo special? I consider myself a conservationist and this photo is representative of that. This was taken at a mud bath where young orphaned elephants are learning the skills they will need in order to survive when they return to the wild. Wild elephants like the bull in this photo are an integral part of that process as they intermingle with the young elephants teaching them language and behaviors of wild elephants before th ..read more

A Face inside the Dunes, Namib-Naukluft National Park, Namibia, 2023 Showcase First Runner-up, Scapes © Gero Heine First Runner-Up: Scapes Why is this photo special? Nature photography is often about anticipating the unexpected.  Through our individual unique perspective of the world around us we find interesting compositions or events that may be “invisible” to others. The Benguela current brings cold ocean temperatures from the southern Atlantic to the Namibian coastline.  That coupled with the hot and dry inland conditions of the Namib Desert create fog, which in turn fi ..read more

Classic Roman Coliseum, scene of many bloody events in ancient Rome. © Jerry Ginsberg Rome By Jerry Ginsberg In part one of my recent trip to Italy, I described the photographic opportunities in and around the fascinating and unique city of Venice. In part two I headed south and west to Naples, Capri and the Amalfi Coast. For this third and final installment, I headed to “the Eternal City,” Rome. Editor’s note: Even the most avid nature photographers occasionally travel with spouses and families, go on vacations where landscapes and wildlife aren’t the primary focus. What do you d ..read more

Impala In Golden Light, Mana Pools National Park, Zimbabwe, 2023 Showcase First Runner-up, Mammals © Vicki Jauron First Runner-Up: Mammals Why is this photo special? The magical light of Mana Pools, Zimbabwe, filters through the woods and creates hazy streams and an ethereal feel. It is really a special environment because of the light and a place I had long wanted to experience. Walking with a guide through the forest not knowing what we would come upon was truly unique. I loved how this impala stood facing us with his horns prominent in silhouette.  He is small in the frame an ..read more

Fisheye view of a tulip garden. © F. M. Kearney How a Wide-Angle View Can Enhance Your Spring Photography By F. M. Kearney For most of us, this has been a pretty mild and lack-luster winter. If you had visions of capturing magnificent winter wonderland scenes of snow-covered fields and ice-coated trees, well… you might have to wait until next winter. But, in a few short weeks, we will all be treated to an annual spectacle that, fortunately, is a lot more reliable than that perfect, but elusive, winter storm. Spring flowers will be making their debut appearances all over the place… ev ..read more

Night-Hawk Take Off, Northern Colorado Plains, 2023 Showcase First Runner-up, Birds © Angela McCain First Runner-Up: Birds Why is this photo special? I love it when someone asks “how long did it take to get that shot?” and then see the surprised expression on their face when I say 13 years. It’s true. Every photo is part of the long journey to “the one”. This exact one was slightly shorter-maybe only five days of cruising the gravel back roads of the Northern Colorado plains. NOCO. Being mildly discontented with seeing birds primarily perched on broken sticks, dying plants or fence p ..read more

By Thomas Maddrey Recently, a member directed me to the terms of the Analog Sparks Awards (you can read the full terms and conditions here), and asked for my opinion on their fairness and reasonability. After review, I have some serious concerns and questions, and I opted to write this article to hopefully highlight some of these areas, make sure our members and photographers were made aware, and to extend the offer to Analog Sparks to have a further discussion about the rights being asked for in this contest. Over on the ASMP website, Thomas Maddrey, Chief Legal Officer and Head of N ..read more

Rainbow Spider, Encinitas, California , 2023 Showcase Best in Category, Macro/Micro/All Other © Mark Drawbridge Best in Category: Macro/Micro/All Other Why is this photo special? This photograph was taken in my backyard in April of 2020, just after the start of the COVID lockdown. So, it was an unprecedented time filled with anxiety and uncertainty. Fortunately, I had my family for support and entertainment and vice versa. For them, I am sure that watching me get so excited about photographing this spider was entertaining! This scene presented itself spontaneously as we were sitting ..read more

Fallen Big Laurel and Labrador Tea Blossoms, Whispering Firs Bog, Vashon Island, Washington © RayPfortner Speaking with Ray Pfortner What the heck is “photo styling” and why should nature photographers learn it? To answer these questions, we turned to Ray Pfortner, a professional photographer, educator, and consultant with more than two decades experience as a photographer working with luminaries like Art Wolfe, agencies like the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and National Park Service and as Director of Education at Seattle’s Photographic Center Northwest. Ray is leading a Sup ..read more