Posts tagged with "photography"

PRADA TENTH NFT

Prada announces the tenth installment of their Timecapsule NFT Collection. The drop on March 2nd, which is the final release in a three-part series of shirts, features special prints by Italian photographer Enzo Ragazzini from his archives of the 1960s’ and 1970s’.

Titled INTERFERENZA OTTICA ART PRINT BY ENZO RAGAZZINI, 1969, the March shirt will feature a design made in 1969 for the Enzo Ragazzini exhibition at the Institute of Contemporary Arts in London (ICA) with the optical interference technique, using mechanical devices of his own invention (the “rotating plane” for the circular patterns and the “rotating drum” for horizontal ones). This work was then digitized in 2017.

The shirt is in popeline, featuring the Prada enameled triangle logo with “MARCH” transferred on the back of the shirt. Each shirt comes accompanied by its own gifted NFT, which serves as an invitation to join Prada’s exclusive Crypted NFT community.

Prada is continuing to expand their Web3 community to those who purchased a Prada Timecapsule prior to the NFT initiative, launched back in June 2022. First launched in December 2019 and now marking its 39th iteration, Timecapsule collection holders can claim their own Timecapsule NFT, in sync with their existing physical product. More details can be found on the Prada Crypted Community on Discord.

Details:

The Prada Timecapsule drop is open to customers in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, China Mainland, Cyprus, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong S.A.R., Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxemburg, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Estonia, Republic of Korea, Romanian, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan (China), United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States for 24 hours only, starting from March 2nd, 2023 at 3pm CET.
Each drop is limited to 50 items.

To be eligible, you must:

All information on the RSVP process is shared with community members on the Prada Discord Channel and you must:
- Hold a Prada Timecapsule NFT in your wallet (purchased from Prada directly or secondary market)
- Be part of the Prada Crypted discord
- Be verified as a holder via and have the green tick to prove verification in the Prada Crypted Discord

About Enzo Ragazzini

Enzo Ragazzini was born in Rome in 1934. From the end of the nineteen fifties he began an intense photographic activity also working on optical and graphic experiments then unpublished, expanding his research in the field of visual perception and optical phenomena. He participated in the first photographic exhibition held in 1969 at the Institute of Contemporary Arts in London (ICA) entitled Four Photographers in Contrast, with Don McCullin, Tony Ray Jones and photographer Dorothy Bohm. He made one of the first covers of the English magazine “Time Out”. He also holds a solo exhibition at the Modern Art Museum in Oxford on his optical research in the darkroom. In 2001 he held a personal exhibition at the Municipal Gallery of Modern and Contemporary Art in Rome (GCAMC today MACRO) entitled Luci Rosse. He currently collaborates with the University of California on publications about socio-anthropological research.

About Prada Timecapsule NFT

The Timecapsule drop is an online monthly event that takes place on the first Thursday of every month. Limited quantities of the Timecapsule Collection products are made available for 24 hours. Each limited-edition Timecapsule item has its own unique serial number and is prepared for delivery with custom packaging. By purchasing the Timecapsule, customers will be able to redeem the related NFT. With this process, Prada maintains consistency and harmony between the exclusivity of the Prada Timecapsule and the rarity of the corresponding NFTs. Each NFT includes the drop serial number and the serial number for its accompanying physical item, so there is a direct relationship between the physical and virtual products. NFT owners are eligible to participate in exclusive benefits and experiences, as well as gain priority access to future drops. Prada Timecapsule NFTs are issued on Ethereum infrastructure, offering a secure and user-friendly experience. The Aura Blockchain Consortium provides the underlying NFT solutions and technology.

About Prada

Since 1913, Prada has been synonymous with cutting-edge style. Its intellectual universe combines concept, structure and image through codes that go beyond trends. Its fashion transcends products, translating conceptuality into a universe that has become a benchmark to those who dare to challenge conventions focusing on experimentation. The Prada brand is part of Prada Group, a global leader in the luxury goods industry, which owns the Miu Miu, Church’s and Car Shoe brands as well, and produces and distributes luxury leather goods, footwear and apparel. It also operates in the food sector with Marchesi 1824, and in the eyewear and fragrance industries under licensing agreements.

Eva Lanska

Live and Breathe the Film Industry: Israeli’s Star Artist Eva Lanska’s take on the Film Industry and NFT Spaces

The NFT space is a haven for art lovers and artists all over the world. Our recent conversation with the Israeli star Eva Lanska provides an intimate understanding of her experience in the NFT space and the film industry. Being an Israeli film director and artist, she sells and promotes her work in the NFT space while also working as a film director in her Tel Aviv studio. Eva claims that film direction and art have been her passions since the age of seven, but it has taken her twenty years to realize her dream. She discusses her struggles as a female director and artist, highlighting the challenges she has faced in the industry. “Art, film, this is what we choose, these are our lives, one day the door will open and we will become who we want to be, and we will take our place,” she encourages women in the industry. Eva reveals that she does not come from an influential family of Hollywood personalities and as such, she has had to work her way into the Hollywood family.

The story behind the exceptional woman reveals the reality in Hollywood. “If you do not come from a famous Hollywood family, you have to work extra hard to get noticed in the industry…because the Hollywood inner circle is a very small, closely knit family,” Eva states. “Before getting noticed, one has to live and breathe Hollywood,” she confesses. We all admire the stunning Israeli artist for navigating the difficult path into Hollywood’s inner circle. “Talent is simply not enough, knowledge is not enough; you must become one with the community,” Eva says, possibly the most candid advice she has for people trying to make it in the entertainment industry.

The conversation quickly shifts to the NFT space and what it means to artists around the world. Eva describes the NFT space as a platform that offers artists the freedom of expression. At first, she finds it intimidating, particularly as a woman new to the platform. It becomes even more intimidating for her when she meets award-winning scholars, but she overcomes her fears and eventually establishes a reputable name in the industry. Eva also expresses her dissatisfaction with the platform’s marginalization of women, claiming that their projects often take longer to be approved or funded. “We can only go forward, never look back, and we are gonna go till we achieve,” she encourages women in the industry. “Stopping, giving up is not an option,” she adds, “we have to keep going and moving forward.”

Miami Art Week is a celebration and appreciation of the world’s best art collections, it is no surprise that Eva Lanska’s collection is featured. The NFT exhibition will display some of Eva’s large-scale sculptures and paintings, along with Michael Benisty, WhIsBe, Noah Becker, Lauren Baker, Maxim Zhestkov, and more, at the Bagatelle Ritz-Carlton Hotel. Photographic works from Lanska’s Gematria collection and The Existential Choice are featured exclusively at the NFT event. For the opening event, Eva collaborated with SmartMedia to produce a special limited edition (1000) NFT from her Gematria series called Gematria 596. She proudly describes this piece as a symbol of purity. Eva’s art is celebrated for the messages it conveys, she has previously used art to address gender equality and societal injustices. This event serves as a reminder of the powerful woman Eva Lanska is and how her art will leave a lasting impression on the world.

Gematria by EVA LANSKA via 360 MAGAZINE.

The Existential Choice by Eva Lanska via 360 MAGAZINE.

Reginald Cunningham: Black Pearls

On View During Miami Art Week and Art Basel Miami Beach:

A Museum Must-See: Reginald Cunningham is a photographer and influencer whose work focuses on urban style and portraiture. His editorial/activist lens, and his images of concerts, fashion icons, performers and thought leaders are at the forefront of contemporary photography.

Photography Exhibition on view now through January 22, 2023 at the Boca Raton Museum of Art in South Florida

The Boca Raton Museum of Art presents the premiere of Reginald Cunningham: Black Pearls, the first-ever solo museum exhibition of Cunningham’s work, on view now through January 22nd, 2023 in South Florida.

The Museum has commissioned Cunningham, nationally acclaimed for his brand BePureBlack.com, for this new series of photographs to honor the nearby historically Black neighborhood of Pearl City, celebrated as one of the earliest and longest lasting African American neighborhoods in Florida.

“The Pearl City residents are our Museum’s closest neighbors, located only two blocks away, and we want to celebrate our neighbors with this exhibition,” says Irvin Lippman, the Executive Director of the Boca Raton Museum of Art. This exhibition is curated by Kelli Bodle, the Museum’s Associate Curator.

“Because there is perpetually the threat of development that would throw asunder this neighborhood, we want to tell this story through the current residents whose ancestors were the original settlers,” adds Irvin Lippman, “To accomplish this visual storytelling with this new exhibition, the Museum selected Reginald Cunningham, whose photography celebrates Black identity and is currently earning national and international acclaim. It is a rare artist whose social activism matches their artistry.”

“Through the lens of my photography I’m always trying to create affinity for and uplift Black people and the Black experience in this country,” says Reginald Cunningham.

“Being commissioned by the Boca Raton Museum of Art to photograph the residents and cultural emblems of Pearl City ─ one of the South’s most beloved and enduring Black districts ─ is an amazing experience,” adds the artist.

Investigating further the different ways that community can be defined, the images in this exhibition highlight people and landmarks. This exhibition features 24 photographs by Reginald Cunningham, and personal mementos passed down through families for more than 100 years. With the aid of Dr. Candace Cunningham of Florida Atlantic University, this exhibition also features the oral histories of both current-day Pearl City residents and the children of the original settlers that have moved to other cities. Visitors to the Museum may hear the stories in the subjects’ own words via audio and transcribed video of the interviews. Interest in Pearl City has blossomed, and residents celebrate their community’s honored past. In recognizing their own history they see a connection to the broader struggle for equal rights. To many of these residents, holding on to their land is almost sacred.

“These works by Reginald Cunningham have now entered the Museum’s collection. This is most definitely a project born in the community, that serves to create a record for future generations,” says Lippman.

About the Artist

Reginald Cunningham (BePureBlack.com) is a Washington DC-based photographer known for his concert, fashion, and activist photography. He fully embraced the art of photography in 2017, and his works have been featured in The Washington Post, Essence, Ebony, Marie Claire, Cosmopolitan, Buzzfeed, Huffington Post, Take Part, and The Final Call.

His passion for photography was instilled by his mother, herself a photographer for more than 30 years. During his childhood, he was often in her studio absorbing her appreciation for portraiture. He began to develop his art during the Ferguson unrest.

“He doesn’t turn activism ‘on’ or ‘off’ with a swipe to the left or right. Instead, Reggie leads with his lens,” says Dr. Imani M. Cheers.

“Through his photography, Reggie captures the complexities of communities. He sees the nuances in neighbors. He puts himself directly on the front lines to bear witness, sacrifice his safety, and tell the truth.” adds Dr. Cheers.

His style is edgy and intimate, often forgoing smoothing and airbrushing in favor of sharper and more realistic images. He attended Lindenwood University, received a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and dual Master’s degrees in Digital & Multimedia Design and Promotional Communications.

Reginald Cunningham: Black Pearls VIA 360 MAGAZINE — Reginald Cunningham: Black Pearls via 360 MAGAZINE

About the Boca Raton Museum of Art

Founded by artists, Boca Raton Museum of Art was established in 1950 as the Art Guild of Boca Raton. The organization has grown, now in its eighth decade, to encompass a Museum, Art School, and Sculpture Garden. As one of South Florida’s leading cultural landmarks, the Museum has provided cultural and artistic service to the community, and to many visitors from around the world, since it was founded by artists in 1950.

Currently on view now, on the entire first floor of the Museum:

The monumental world premiere of Art of the Hollywood Backdrop (through January 22).

Coming in February:

The U.S. premiere of Whitfield Lovell: Passages ‒ amfedarts.org/whitfield-lovell-passages (February 15 ‒ May 21) The six-city tour of this major exhibition kicks off at the Boca Raton Museum of Art. Organized by the American Federation of Arts in collaboration with Whitfield Lovell.

The most comprehensive exhibition to date of the contemporary artist’s masterful conté crayon drawings, assemblages, and multi-sensory installations that focus on aspects of African American history while raising universal questions about identity, memory, and America’s collective heritage.

How to Take Better Photos — and Use Them, Too

Anyone with a camera can take a picture, but it takes a certain eye to take a great photo. The best photos are usually the ones that are well-composed and capture the subject in an interesting way.

Here are some tips on how to take better photos, as well as how to make use of them once you’ve taken them.

Composition

Composition refers to the way elements are arranged in a photo. It’s important to consider composition when taking any photo, but it’s especially important for portraits and other photos where the subject is the main focus.

There are a few things to keep in mind when composing a photo:

The rule of thirds

Imagine your photo divided into thirds, horizontally and vertically. Place the subject of your photo at the intersection of those lines or along one of the lines. This will help create a more balanced and interesting photo.

Leading lines

Use leading lines to guide the viewer’s eye toward the subject of your photo. Leading lines can be anything from a road or path to a row of trees.

Framing

Another way to focus the viewer’s attention on the subject is to frame it with something else in the photo, like a doorway or window.

Lighting

Lighting is one of the most important aspects of photography, and it can make or break a photo. The best lighting for photography is natural light, so try to take photos outdoors or near a window. If you’re taking a photo indoors, turn off the flash and use other light sources, like lamps.

The time of day can also affect lighting. For example, photos taken during the golden hour (the hour before sunset) will have a warm glow. For product photography, you’ll want to use a lightbox to get consistent lighting.

Equipment

You don’t need expensive equipment to take great photos, but there are a few things that can make your life easier. First, invest in a good camera. It doesn’t have to be the latest and greatest model, but it should be something you’re comfortable using. A point-and-shoot camera or even your smartphone will do the trick if you’re just getting started.

A tripod will help keep your camera steady, which is especially important when taking landscape or night photos. And a remote shutter release will let you take photos without touching the camera, which can cause blurry photos.

Editing

Once you’ve taken some great photos, it’s time to edit them to make them look even better. You can do a few things to improve your photos in editing software like Photoshop.

First, adjust the levels to improve the brightness and contrast. Next, use the clone stamp tool to remove any unwanted elements from the photo.

Sometimes, what you want to create may influence how you edit. For instance, if you want to create photo calendars, you can easily customize a wide selection of templates. The trick is to find a template that matches your photo’s aspect ratio and resolution.

If you want to print a photo, ensure the resolution is high enough. A photo that looks great on your screen might be blurry when printed, so it’s always better to be cautious and use a higher resolution.

Finally, don’t be afraid to experiment. Take lots of pictures and try different things until you find your own personal style.

Once you’ve taken some great photos, there are lots of ways to put them to good use. You can share them with family and friends, post them online, or even create your own photo book or album.

Just make sure to choose a format that will show off your pictures in the best light and allow you to share them easily with others.

Taking great photos is a matter of practice and experimentation. By following these tips, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a great photographer.

THE NEW ARC OF THOR

THE NEW ARC OF THOR SHEDS LIGHT ON THANOS’ DARK HISTORY WITH ASGARD!

Guest writer Torunn Grønbekk and returning artist Nic Klein kick off “The Legacy of Thanos” in THOR #29, on sale in December.

In the opening arc of Donny Cates and Nic Klein’s hit run of THOR, fans witnessed a disturbing vision of the Mad Titan Thanos laying waste to the Marvel Universe! Since then, Thor has done everything in his power to prevent this future from coming to pass, but has it been enough? Find out as this brewing plot comes to the forefront in a brand new arc starting December titled “The Legacy of Thanos.” The arc will be penned by guest writer Torunn Grønbekk who will join returning series artist and newly christened Stormbreaker Nic Klein for an adventure starring Thor and the Valkyrie Rúna. The arc will spin directly out of THANOS: DEATH NOTES, the oversized Thanos one-shot hitting stands in November, and it will serve as a pivotal prelude to Cates and Klein’s future plans for Thanos’ upcoming conquest.

When a universally loathed foe kidnaps Thor’s baby sister Laussa and drags her so deep beyond Hel that not even Sif’s All-Sight can see her, the God of Thunder must call upon the one ally who has traveled so far into the unknown before: Rúna. But what dark secrets of Asgard’s bloody past lay beneath the frozen waters?

“There is something incredibly inventive and bold about Donny and Nic’s Thor, and it’s been an absolute delight to guest-write a story for this run,” Grønbekk said. “It’s turning out to be just the kind of thing I love – big swings, solid character moments and deeply human solutions. Also, Nic is impossibly good. There is a special kind of joy to see his pages come together. I don’t think I’ve ever had this much fun making comics!”

Check out the cover below and pick up the start of this thrilling new arc of THOR on December 7!

To find a comic shop near you, visit www.comicshoplocator.com

About Marvel Entertainment
Marvel Entertainment, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, is one of the world’s most prominent character-based entertainment companies, built on a proven library of more than 8,000 characters featured in a variety of media for over eighty years. Marvel utilizes its character franchises in entertainment, licensing, publishing, games, and digital media.

For more information, visit Marvel.com.

ULYSSE NARDIN’S NEW VERSION

Ulysse Nardin celebrates the Geneva Watch Days with two new versions of its LADY DIVER 39 mm and BLAST TOURBILLON 45 mm timepieces, both inspired by the iridescent rainbow colors of silicium. Always a pioneer, in 2001 the brand was the first watchmaker to introduce a timepiece with silicium escapement components – and the Freak was born, alongside contemporary watchmaking. Since then, Ulysse Nardin has incorporated this metalloid into several of its movements, including the BLAST TOURBILLON’s caliber UN-172 and the LADY DIVER’s caliber UN-816. Inspired by the shimmering colors of this revolutionary material, the bezels of these two new models are adorned with purple, green, blue or pink gemstones that sparkle in the sunlight for a “rainbow” effect. Usually associated with cheerfulness and joy, this multicolored trend guarantees a young and fun style.

BLAST RAINBOW

The BLAST bears its name well. The skeleton “X” dial’s complex and geometric forms on this imposing 45mm timepiece with a micro-rotor in platinum placed at 12 o’clock simply blow-up traditional watch design. To soften the look, a total of 50 rubies and sapphire baguette gemstones adorn the bezel and the indexes of this BLAST RAINBOW, making this timepiece sexy and powerful on any wrist.

Water resistant to 50 meters and driven by an automatic flying tourbillon, the BLAST is powered by the UN-172 caliber movement with Silicium technology (escapement wheel, anchor & balance spring) enclosed in a black DLC titanium case and sealed with a black ceramic polished and sandblasted upper case. This limited edition of 50 timepieces promises 72 hours of power reserve and comes with a waterproof velvet rubber strap or a black alligator strap, together with a black DLC titanium and black ceramic self-deploying buckle, at a price of 85’000 CHF.

LADY DIVER RAINBOW

The new LADY DIVER RAINBOW – in black or white – is the next generation of the 2019 LADY DIVER but with eye-catching, dazzling decorative touches. Forty stones (ruby, aquamarine, topaz, tsavorite and sapphire) are set on the concave unidirectional bezel of this new watch, catching the light no matter how deep the dive. Eleven diamonds serving as indexes increase the scintillating effect of the watch and bring a touch of elegance to this sublime diving watch.

The young and sportive 39mm LADY DIVER RAINBOW, water resistant to 300 meters, is the incarnation of a utilitarian timepiece designed to reach the depths of the world’s oceans with beauty, grace, and the highest functionality. The UN-816 automatic movement with Silicium technology is the beating heart of each DIVER watch, keeping track of the hours, minutes, seconds, and date.

Both white and black LADY DIVER RAINBOW models come in a limited edition of 300 timepieces each on a white or black structured rubber strap, at a price of 12’900 CHF.

SILICIUM REVOLUTION

Since the early 2000s, silicium has become the most promising material for watchmaking. Anthracite with bluish metallic reflections in its raw state, the silicium has exceptional properties: totally non-magnetic, it is light and elastic without ever deforming. Its high resistance to corrosion and its durability do not alter with time. It requires no lubrication thanks to a silicium dioxide layer that hardens and stabilizes the parts and makes them insensitive to thermal variations. Therefore, Ulysse Nardin uses silicium to manufacture the regulating organs of all its timepieces, including the balance spring.

Sigatec, an affiliate of Ulysse Nardin based in Sion, Switzerland, is specialized in silicium micromechanical components and creates custom-made pieces, with micron-level precision. The silicium used by Sigatec comes in the form of a wafer, a disk about 15 centimeters in diameter and only a few tenths of a millimeter thick, carved out of a silicon crystal ingot, and produced synthetically by smelters. The wafer necessitates a particular process in order to be formed into the desired components, which represents the know-how of Sigatec: the DRIE. The Deep Reactive Ion Etching (DRIE) process is a revolutionary, hybrid technological combination of photography and 3D etching. It has claimed its pole position in watchmaking in just a decade.

Leica × BAPE

Leica, “A BATHING APE” and Stash have collaborated on a limited-edition camera, merging industry-leading technology with a chic, urban sensibility. The Leica D-Lux 7 “A BATHING APE®︎ X STASH” consists of a black-finish compact camera sold exclusively through Leica, and a silver-finish version available exclusively through pioneering streetwear brand, A BATHING APE®︎. Both special editions feature the signature ABC CAMO look of BAPE® covering the camera body, the brand’s APE HEAD insignia, as well as the distinctive wild style tag of American graffiti artist, STASH. The result is a camera that integrates the power of street photography with icons of streetwear and street art.

The streetwear label BAPE® (A BATHING APE®︎) encapsulates the youthful spirit of an entire generation, bringing Tokyo’s urban street style to the world with its contemporary designs. From the Asian metropolis, we turn our attention to New York, where pioneering street-art legend STASH (aka Josh Franklin) paved the way for a new genre of graffiti by moving his creations from the anonymity of subway tunnels into the public eye. Finally, we turn to Wetzlar: the German city that has become almost synonymous with the art of optical engineering and camera design. This special-edition camera combines the creative energies of Tokyo and New York. Photography has always been used to document both street art and street fashion – now the Leica D-Lux 7 “A BATHING APE®︎ X STASH” is a tangible manifestation of this connective link.

“When I started doing graffiti in the early 1980s, the term ‘street art’ didn’t exist. It was only later, when we emerged from the tunnels and train stations, that we became much more visible. Documenting my art through photography has always been part of my creativity. With the advent of digital cameras, I got my first Leica,” STASH recalls, who recognizes many parallels between the three art forms. “They are visual, based on color, form and expressive freedom. I think they are strongly youth-driven, and there is so much creativity between them that one feeds into the other to help complete the story.”

When designing the limited special edition of the Leica D-Lux 7, the Brooklyn-based artist incorporated both the famously graphic-heavy style of the BAPE® label, and his own distinctive visual approach.

The Leica D-Lux 7 “A BATHING APE®︎ X STASH” offers the same technical specifications as the serial production model, including a Micro Four Thirds sensor, fast 24–75mm (35mm camera equivalent) zoom lens with optical image stabilization, and an aperture range of f/1.7–2.8 to deliver outstanding images, anytime, anyplace. For the effective resolution of 17 megapixels, the lens utilizes a central portion of the sensor (whose total resolution is over 21 million pixels), resulting in an even higher image quality and a sensor that delivers 4K 30fps and full-HD 60fps videos. The black-finish Leica D-Lux 7 “A BATHING APE®︎ X STASH” retails for $1,895, and comes with an additional carrying strap, a specially designed camera pouch, and an auto lens cap that opens and closes as the lens retracts and extends.

To mark the launch of the limited-edition Leica D-Lux 7, a selection of photographs by STASH will be presented in a special exhibition at Leica Store Los Angeles.

A BATHING APE®︎

Situated in the heart of Tokyo, one of the leading fashion hubs of the world, Nowhere Co., Ltd. strives to introduce Japanese fashion culture to the world. Since the brand’s establishment in 1993, it has remained as a symbol of street fashion for more than 28 years. Thus far, it has produced iconic design items, original patterns, and characters such as “APE HEAD”, “BAPE® CAMO”, “BAPE STA™”, “SHARK HOODIE” and “BABY MILO®” etc. It has now expanded into Mens, Ladies and Kids line and is carried throughout stores in Japan, US, UK, France, China and various Asian countries. It has also created successful collaborations with established international brands and reputable artists. These collaborations are recognized as being genreless and flexible, not limited to fashion and apparel categories only.

STASH

One of the pioneers of New York’s graffiti scene, STASH (Josh Franklin) is firmly established as an innovator and influencer in the world of urban design. His vision of integrating graphic graffiti elements and fonts into commercial product designs captured the attention of a broad audience and helped graffiti culture rise from the shadows of subway tunnels into the light of public acceptance. His hidden (‘stashed away’) messages and iconic signature have become a brand in their own right, immortalized in high-profile collaborations with major brands in the streetwear cosmos. In his search for new forms of expression, the photography enthusiast has found a perfect match in Leica: the collaboration is another milestone for the street artist to manifest his concept of capturing the fleeting moment.

Leica Camera – A Partner for Photography
Leica Camera AG is an international, premium manufacturer of cameras and sports optics. The legendary reputation of the Leica brand is based on a long tradition of excellent quality, German craftsmanship and German industrial design, combined with innovative technologies. An integral part of the brand’s culture is the diversity of activities the company undertakes for the advancement of photography. In addition to the Leica
Galleries and Leica Akademies spread around the world, there are the Leica Hall of Fame Award and, in particular, the Leica Oskar Barnack Award (LOBA), which is considered one of the most innovative sponsorship awards existing today. Furthermore, Leica Camera AG, with its headquarters in Wetzlar, Hesse, and a second production site in Vila Nova de Famalicão, Portugal, has a worldwide network of its own national organizations and Leica Retail Stores.

BERIT GILMA

Listen to Berit Gilma and Vaughn Lowery on 360 MAG Amazon | Spotify podcast HERE.

Rising creative director and artist Berit Gilma is making her multi-disciplinary talents known on Danny Elfman‘s latest project, the upcoming remix album Bigger. Messier.

The young Austrian-born artist based between Los Angeles and Berlin creative-directed the record, released on August 12, as well as Elfman’s 2021 album Big Mess. She led all visual elements of both releases and co-curated the lineup of remixers that would transform Elfman’s tracks on Bigger. Messier.

Gilma’s expertise in digital art and new technologies was pivotal for Elfman’s renaissance, helping him return to his artistic roots in alternative music while collaborating with underground and established artists alike. Best known for the new wave band Oingo Boingo and his TV and movie scoring work, Elfman’s uproarious, career-spanning set at Coachella, went viral earlier this year.

For the latest remix to drop from the new album, Gilma invited Blixa Bargeld (Einstürzende Neubauten) to rework “In Time,” bringing together two legends of alternative music for the first time as well as co-producing the track. Gilma conceived the collaboration after having returned to Berlin, where Bargeld lives, from Los Angeles during the COVID pandemic.

“We tried to bring exciting musicians on board to completely rethink Danny’s songs,” says Gilma. “Legends as well as contemporary, young artists from various genres. Living in Berlin for so long, I’ve always been a Einstürzende Neubauten admirer. As underground icons, they inspired the international music scene and many bands to come. Danny and Blixa are both true artistic souls. They both started with similar interests, and just due to their cultural contexts went very different journeys. By introducing them to each other, I thought something magical could happened – and it did.”

The striking video for “In Time” is inspired by Gilma and Elfman’s mutual fascination with AI systems in art. Gilma invited Italian AV artist LOREM to reinterpret the album’s visuals with artificial intelligence.

Says Gilma, “I have worked with LOREM before and love his art. Both Blixa and Danny were excited about the idea to let an artificial intelligence “dream” the video using the lyrics. The outcome is an endless moving pull through a dream-scape of an AI trying to make sense of what was given to it.”

Previously-released tracks from the album include noise-rapper GHOSTEMANE’s remix of “Native Intelligence,” by Elfman and Trent Reznor. Other remixers and collaborators include legends such as Iggy Pop, along with Squarepusher, Zach Hill (Death Grips), Boy Harsher, HEALTH, and many more.

Gilma thoroughly defined the aesthetic direction of Bigger. Messier. – her vision brought together a curated list of artists, who worked with cutting-edge technology such as 3D scanning, CGI, and artificial intelligence to digitally manipulate Danny’s body. Warping and twisting his form into something grotesque and sinister, the visuals are perfectly complimenting the rocker’s dark musical vision. These artworks were used on album covers, packaging, and as backing visuals during Elfman’s live performances.

Bigger. Messier. was released today. Watch the video for “In Time (feat. Blixa Bargeld)” here.

About Berit Gilma

Berit Gwendolyn Gilma has made a career out of chasing what lurks in the shadows. Born and raised in Austria, at 21 she moved to Berlin and quickly fell into the city’s underground scene. While exploring the German capital’s pulsating music and arts scene she befriended hacktivists and artists working on the bleeding edge of tech, criticizing pervasive global surveillance systems. She holds a BA degree from the University of the Arts Berlin, where she studied New Media Arts under celebrated Chinese dissident artist Ai Weiwei.

Her path diverged in 2016 when she met world-famous Hollywood composer and musician Danny Elfman. They bonded over a shared interest in the weirder side of pop culture, and after earning a Fulbright Scholarship and moving to Los Angeles to pursue an MFA at the UCLA Design Media Arts Department, she became Elfman’s creative director. As he prepared to re-enter the music industry after a long hiatus as a solo artist, Elfman turned to Gilma as a collaborator. She provided creative and art direction for Elfman’s album Big Mess, introducing him to contemporary digital artists and new technologies such as 3D scanning and artificial intelligence to produce cutting edge visuals that were used throughout the album art and music videos. Her latest project with Elfman is the remix album Bigger. Messier., for which she co-curated a lineup of legendary collaborators including Iggy Pop, Trent Reznor, Blixa Bargeld and exciting young talents like Ghostemane, HEALTH, Boy Harsher and many others.

In her artistic work Gilma has explored the aesthetics of secrecy. Her MFA degree examined the intersection of art and science, and she has also studied at the New School in New York and RMIT University in Melbourne, Australia. She often returns home to Graz as the art curator of the city’s Elevate Festival, a destination for contemporary art and electronic music. What unites all of Berit Gilma’s activities is a sensitivity for the dark arts, carving for herself a unique niche where sound and vision merge at the forefront of technology.

Photo: Sven Gutjahr

Product Photography Tips For Beginners

In today’s digital era, product photography has never been more critical; every business out there needs a professional website and a strong online presence. With this, it’s essential to have accurate photographs of your products. How else could you possibly portray your products to your online audience?

But when it comes to getting this done, you’ll find that photography is a little more technical than you might’ve initially thought. You’ll need to consider things like lighting, angles, and even focus effects. Moreover, there’s also choosing the right equipment and photo-editing basics.

Fortunately, even beginners can boast professional product photography skills with these valuable tips.

Use A Tripod

A tripod is essential to stand your camera. Even though you might think it’s okay to hold your camera for the image, a tripod will improve image resolution by enhancing camera stability. Even if you have steady hands, you can’t compete with the steadiness of a tripod.

Invest In Lighting

Proper lighting is essential for professional photography results. There’s a good reason photographers use so many lights in their studios.

To light your product photos like a real pro, keep your white light balanced by placing a small shiny trinket or colorful item like a color palette in your image field. Make sure it can be cropped out easily. This trick will ensure your camera picks up a full range of colors, meaning the light in your image will be balanced.

And when it comes to the right kind of lighting, consider ring lights and other fluorescent bright white lights. It’s also important to use light reflectors to bounce light.

The Backdrop

It’s wise to invest in a backdrop, and there are tons of different kinds out there. These photography tools are basically mock backgrounds used explicitly in product photography. You can also make your own.

Nevertheless, these are important for professional images. Using a backdrop also makes it easier to remove the background when editing your photos. Otherwise, you can also use a free background remover tool.

Camera Lenses

As a beginner product photographer, it’s best not to get too creative and experimental when it comes to camera lenses; stick to regular lenses for professional results. Choosing advanced lenses like wide-angle lenses and others may have your images seemingly slightly but significantly out of proportion.

Choose a standard lens with a focal point of about 40-60mm to ensure product proportions are portrayed perfectly.

Be Sure To Represent True Colors

One of the most important details your images must relay is the true colors of your products. It can be tempting to play with photo filters and adjust the color settings for more vibrant images. However, this will distort product expectations, which can be damaging to your brand.

If a customer orders a pair of lime green high heels from your e-commerce shoe retailer, it’s critical that the shoes are the exact tone of lime green as displayed on your website.

Professional product images are fundamental whether you’re selling your products through a professional e-commerce website or extending your sales with Facebook’s marketplace.

INSIDE OUT TOKYO

June marks the beginning of Japan’s rainy season. Mid-June’s daily rain and high humidity are unpleasant, fortunately Tokyo has lot’s of underground malls to explore while waiting out the rain. These subterranean shopping meccas or Chikagai, reside beneath major stations such as the Tokyo Station, Ikebukuro Station, and Shinjuku Station. The Tokyo Station has the Yaesu Shopping Mall, First Avenue Tokyo Station, and Gransta beneath its busy atmosphere.

The Yaesu Shopping Mall (commonly known as Yaechika) is home to about 180 stores. It is a popular stop for workers from nearby offices and business travelers. First Avenue Tokyo Station provides a notable collection of character such as Tokyo Character Street and a ramen zone. Ramen Zone, other wise known as “Tokyo Ramen Street,” is home to eight ramen restaurants that serve traditional and specialty menus. Located on the 1st and B1 floors of Tokyo Station, Gransta is one of Tokyo’s largest in-station shopping and dining areas. With stores both inside and outside the station gates, you can shop for gifts, souvenirs, cosmetics, clothing, and then end the shopping spree with a bite at one of the various restaurants through out the mall.

Umbrellas have always been a pin-pointed fashion statement in japan, as japan is famous for it’s rainy seasons. There are plenty of shops to find your perfect umbrella. Waterfront, a four-floor store in the Jiyugaoka neighborhood, is an umbrella lover’s wonderland with more than 500 umbrellas styles to explore. Tokyo Noble offers a unique umbrella-customization experience. With four different umbrella types, 77 different fabrics, and a variety of colorful tassels and handles, this is your opportunity to create your one-of-a-kind umbrella. Komiya Shoten, open since 1930, sells umbrellas made using traditional crafting methods and high-grade materials. Their fabric and hands-on technique turn the sound of raindrops into a romantic symphony.