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Editorial
Jeffrey Milstein Priyashi Negi
Editorial
Chief Visualiser
Sheetal Mann Design
Harjeet Singh Abhishek Gangwar Research & Operations
Prateek Kashyap Sarthak Jain Melissa Sherpa Writers
Saman Waheed Meenal Singh Vishakha Jha Sana Singh Raunaq Singh Technology
Sachin Arora Rishabh Jain Aditya Baghel Abhishek Tyagi Business Development
Rajesh Basu Amit Ghosh Sales
Krishna Srinivas Amit Gupta Marketing
Sriram Ramanujan Vasundhra Sethi Public Relations
Raghavi Rangarajan Staff Photographers
Abdul Momin Susana Gomez Tarundeep Singh Urshita Saini
Photography is, by nature, a documentation of the reality that is perceived by the photographer. So it was rather unusual, shocking even, when a different sort of image-making began making rounds at the realms of the non-representational, thus becoming the abstract photography, looking to satisfy its everlasting thirst for experimentation and rebellion. Walter Benjamin has written about photography’s “second nature” as its inherent ability to detach and abstract the visible from the real. ”It is another nature which speaks to the camera, rather than to the eye,”, he wrote. And so, in this issue of Chiiz, we present photographs that reject the identity, which dictates absolute realism, photographs that focus on the process, rather than the object, photographs that lack a clear pointing of the finger as to what is it they depicted- a form of expression, now referred to as abstract photography. We have Avishek Das’ work on “Vintage Abstract” as he isolates a fragment of the natural scene to remove its inherent context. Vinita Barretto’s representation of chaos is as artistic as it gets. Ben Moore’s work on architectural photography blurs the lines between architectural photography and abstract photography. Also featuring, is the RedBull FMX Jam held in Mumbai where expert riders performed breathtaking stunts on bikes. Khalid Sharif is a bird photographer whose photographs will take you to the vibrant world of pheasants, hornbills and other birds. Harimao Lee’s surreal urban photography will take you to a whole new world. Mikołaj Świcarz’s series titled ‘Abnormal’ is all the food photography you’ll want to see. Riccardo Magherini is a fine art master and his skill is very much evident in his work. Chiiz is also showcasing the photographs from Photowalk Dubai, a photography group founded by Subodh Shetty and Anjum Vahanvati. John McNairn’s work is a beautiful depiction of the human body in a manner that evokes emotions. We also have Chiiz Gallery- the best of chiiz.com in the abstract category.
Cinematographers
Dinesh Prasad Sah Nikhil Ruhela Kuldeep Finance
Neelu Singh Consultant
Abstract art often conjures images in the mind that, to the uneducated eye, might look like random colors and shapes tossed into a scene to create something the artists deem a representation of an idea, an emotion or an aesthetic impression. When it comes to photography, we are confronted with similar notions of confusing images containing unspecific subject matter. This is where the realm of abstract is the most interesting. Keep looking!
Apratim Saha Mansa Inc. CEO
Mukesh Kumar Cover Photo
Martin Sanchez
Regards, Jeffrey Milstein
Contents
Triggers Vinita Barretto Ben Moore Eshanya Sharma Epic Stories Herbert van der Beek Khalid Sharif Ajay Talwar Mikolaj Swicarz Ana Santos Tadao Cern Nick Polanszky Nishit Sharma Riccardo Magherini Amit Datta Photowalk Dubai Loreal Prystaj John McNairn
14 18 22 26 28 38 54 56 60 63 64 67 68 72 82 86 94
Features Vintage Abstract Avishek Das
10
RedBull FMX JAM Mumbai
32
In-Flight Vantage Jeffrey Milstein
44
Surreal Cityscapes Harimao Lee
50
Chiiz Gallery Best of chiiz.com
73
Classics Movie Review 42 Visual Acoustics : The Modernism of Julius Shulman
Old is Gold The Golfer: Harold E. Edgerton
48
Tools App of the Month Fragment
36
Hall of Fame Model of the Month Sonali Tandon
88
Makeup Artist of the Month Zorain Khaleeli
90
Vintage Abstract Avishek Das is an Indian documentary photographer, who is currently associated with International News Photo Agency, SOPA Images Limited (Hong Kong) as a photojournalist. His photographs and writings have already been published on different websites and exhibited in national and international photo competitions. He has won more than 480 awards from 45 countries including some prestigious awards like National Geographic Photo Contest 2018 (People Category - 3rd Prize) , National Award (2nd Prize), Sony World Photography Awards 2017, Ariano International Film Festival Italy (Grand Winner), Photographer of the Year from Federation Of Indian Photography . Sarthak Jain from Chiiz is in talks with him. Here are the excerpts:
You work as a photojournalist as well as a documentary photographer, both of which don’t allow much room for creativity in a way that it restricts the photographer to capture only what is in front of him/her. How much do you agree with this and why? Photojournalism is a tough genre and yes there is no scope of manipulation; whatever you see, you shoot at sight and represent to the viewers. If we concentrate on creativity we might miss the moments which are precious in journalism. What has your journey in the field of photography been like? I am working for International News Photo Agency where our target is to capture images which are beyond regional thought and comprehensible to the global audience. The most interesting part is that we have to shoot daily which helps us to develop strong perspective and storytelling ability. Different people define abstract photography in different ways. What, according to you, is abstract
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Nikon D7000 50mm F/5 1/400 ISO400
photography and what are the elements you see in a good abstract photograph? Abstract Photography, in my opinion, is basically experimental and conceptual work on a particular subject. I love to play with geometrical patterns, lines (straight/circular), shapes, colors, patterns, frames and formation.
Nikon D7000 40mm F/4 1/100 ISO400
What advice would you give to aspiring photographers? I always believe that focusing on a particular genre of photography can make your own identity in this highly populated market of photographers. So, always think differently, work with your own style and let people be inspired by your work. That’s the ultimate success! Vintage Abstract: Avishek Das’ photo series is made from the abstract patterns taken from the vintage car rally show in Kolkata. The ‘Statesman Vintage & Classic Car Rally’ is an annual vintage car rally in New Delhi and Kolkata. It is the oldest, continuously-run event of such nature in India and the subcontinent. It started in the year 1964 in New Delhi and was brought to Kolkata in the year 1968 as The Statesman Vintage Car Rally.
owners, however, feel proud to show them in this public event to maintain their traditional heritage. The series represents the beauty of abstract patterns from the glorious vintage cars. Different colors using textures, minimalism, shapes and patterns made the abstract representation pleasing to the eye.
Sarthak Jain sarthak@chiiz.com
Sarthak Jain is a filmmaker and a photographer from Kota, India. He has worked on various documentaries on sports and is currently working with Chiiz. He has an avid interest in music. Passionate about traveling and meeting new people along the way, Sarthak has also worked with NGOs to work for the cause of women education in India; it is his way of giving back to the society through photography.
Every year during winters, Statesman organizes this rally at Fort William ground which is open to common visitors. For most car enthusiasts, it’s a great show to observe the beauty of the vintage beauties. Some of the vehicles are over 100 years old and require months of trials and service runs before they become suitable to be exhibited. Many participants in the rally had bought classic cars in recent years from resales and auctions. Maintenance of these cars is getting difficult nowadays as their spare parts are rarely available in the market. The
Nikon D7000 40mm F/9 1/320 ISO400
Nikon D7000 34mm F/8 1/400 ISO400
Nikon D7000 38mm F/9 1/320 ISO500
Nikon D7000 140mm F/6 1/1250 ISO500
Nikon D7000 78mm F/5.6 1/500 ISO500
Nikon D7000 50mm F/9 1/320 ISO400
Nikon D7000 100mm F/5.6 1/500 ISO500
Vinita Barretto resides in the small beautiful village of Loutulim, in Goa. Stranded between switching odd jobs and trying business prospects for about 12 years, she made an impulsive but (honest) decision to quit corporate jobs and listen to her heart. Soon she began to practise and learn photography. She believes that the beauty in learning this craft is a joyful process in itself. She loves to capture the basics of life around and has a constant urge to find beauty in the simplest and the most mundane things.
Knot Canon 600D 92mm F/5.6 1/640 ISO100
Chaos Canon 600D 106mm F/5.6 1/200 ISO100
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In the Shadows Oppo A33F 3mm F/2 1/1335 ISO101
Right Place Canon 600D 18mm F/5 1/100 ISO100
Roots Canon 600D 18mm F/4.5 1/320 ISO100
Line of Thought Canon 600D 106mm F/7.1 1/640 ISO100
Spill Oppo A33F 3mm F/2 1/13 ISO1177
Us! Oppo A33F 3mm F/2 1/50 ISO100
Ben Moore is a commercial photographer who specializes in aerial, architectural and urban photography. His style is slightly moody but clean with earthy tones. He has a love for using lines in his images with a sharp visual feel that shocks and excites his audience. He is a full time freelance photographer where his work can range from events, portraits or shooting for major brands such as Adidas, Smart and Samsung UK. He’s based in Hertfordshire and is currently available for travel assignments worldwide.
Blue Nikon D810 14mm F/3.2 1/40 ISO640
Ether Nikon D800 24mm F/5.6 1/500 ISO125
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Infinite Nikon D810 14mm F/3.2 1/30 ISO125
Flexing Nikon D810 14mm F/3.5 1/640 ISO400
Contour Nikon D810 24mm F/3.5 1/50 ISO800
Glory Nikon D810 14mm F/3.2 1/400 ISO50
Stylist Nikon D810 24mm F/3.2 1/40 ISO640
Eshanya Sharma from Sagara Karina (Western Ghats) is currently studying Animation in Mysore. He has been doing photography from the last six years. Having grown up near forests, he has been an environment and nature lover from his childhood. Having a father who is also fascinated by the mysteries of nature and living so close to it, made him take up wildlife photography and he has never looked back.
King Cobra Nikon D5300 300mm F/5.6 1/400 ISO500
Hump-nosed Pit Viper Nikon Coolpix P900 20mm F/4 1/500 ISO100
Between Life and Death Nikon Coolpix S3500 79mm F/6.4 1/60 ISO80
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Sunset with killing event Nikon D200 90mm F/11 1/60 ISO800
The Green Beauty Nikon Coolpix P900 15mm F/6.3 1/400 ISO100
Lantern Plant Hopper Nikon Coolpix P900 80mm F/5.6 1/80 ISO800
Ready to Hatch Nikon D200 90mm F/18 1/60 ISO500
Dophla Evelina Nikon Coolpix P900 12mm F/4 1/2000 ISO100
A shared dream of the duo Himanshu Patel & Pranjal Jain, Epic Stories came true, when two friends found their calling by adding value to people’s lives through photography. They believe that the joy of capturing human emotions in the most beautiful moments of their life is incomparable. Referred to as the dark horse of the wedding filming industry, they already have several celebrity weddings and international projects under their belt. Epic Stories believes in one family and likes to go lengths to bind all those beautiful moments for you and turn them into stories that are epic. You can go through more of their work at EpicStories.in
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One Last Shot Canon 5D Mark IV 24mm F/4.5 1/200 ISO500
Bright Stars Canon 5D Mark IV 70mm F/2.8 1/250 ISO1600
Cinderella & Prince Canon 5D Mark IV 85mm F/2.5 1/125 ISO800
Punjabi Life Canon 5D Mark IV 17mm F/4 1/200 ISO640
Inked With Love Canon 5D Mark IV 50mm F/2.2 1/125 ISO800
Through her eyes! Canon 5D Mark IV 35mm F/2.8 1/800 ISO200
Herbert van der Beek, a 43-yearold photographer, is based out of Netherlands and has been a cameraman for all his professional life, shooting videos for a lot of different TV shows. He has always been passionate about photography and over the past few years, he has started to put more focus on it. The slogan on his website reads: “I see what I like, and I like what I see�. The world is a fascinating place and he loves to capture striking images of all that surrounds him, but he is also especially fascinated by nature and wildlife.
Snow Patrol Canon 7D Mark II 105mm F/3.5 1/320 ISO640
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Trio Canon 5D Mark II 100mm F/4.5 1/320 ISO500
Old and Wise Canon 70D 300mm F/4 1/640 ISO100
Two of a Kind Canon 50D 400mm F/7.1 1/1250 ISO200
Killing Time Canon 5D Mark II 292mm F/5.6 1/125 ISO5000
On the Prowl Canon 70D 300mm F/7.1 1/200 ISO400
Lord of the Flies Canon 50D 400mm F/10 1/400 ISO320
Redbull FMX Jam
Freestyle motocross (FMX) is an exhilarating variation of motocross in which riders perform stunts and tricks while gliding through the air on their massive off-road bikes. Red Bull FMX Jam is one of the world’s upscale acrobatic events in which the top-notch FMX riders put on a show for enthralling audiences around the world. ‘The City of Dreams’- Mumbai was captivated by six freestyle motocross riders who displayed a once-in-alifetime show on 2nd February. Seven years ago they had put up a similar show with death-defying stunts in Delhi. Since then, Indian spectators have waited for a parallel manifestation of throttle and ramp endeavors in close quarters. Robbie Maddison, Alexey Kolesnikov, Tom Pagès, Martin Koren, Radek Bilek, and Julien Vanstippen were six bikers who displayed their show to Mumbaikars. The performance was staged at the Gateway of India, one of the world’s most epochal structures. The Red Bull FMX Jam elevated the grandeur of Mumbai’s most famed landmark by their show of adrenaline-inducing action. The event was supported by Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) with an aim to encourage adventure sports activities in the state and position it as a prime destination to hold international events. Red Bull FMX Jam showcased bikers riding gigantic offroading bikes like supermen. The enthralling show had two ramps providing great show simultaneously. The FMX legends performed various eye rattling stunts before hitting the landing pad. Each rider showcased three rounds with increasing difficulty in successive round leaving audience speculating over what could come next. Article by Vishakha Jha 32 FEATURES
App of the Month Fragment Rating: 4.3/5 Platform: Android/ iOS Cost: $1.84/ $5.63
A highly simple yet extremely intuitive app for photographers on the go. Fragment takes mobile photography editing to a different level by giving the user the ability to edit images right from the comfort of their own mobile phones. What this app aims to do is to help create prismatic effects on photos which was previously possible only through highly sophisticated computer software. Not only is the output mesmerizingly beautiful, but it is also very easy to manipulate through taps and swipes of the finger. Whether it is just adding a subtle dose of creativity or enhancing images on mobile devices, Fragment will play the part. It starts simply by sharing a new image to Fragment or by importing an existing image from the Gallery. Once you have your image, the enhancing can be done in full effect. Unleash your inner artist and choose from a collage of inspired frames, shapes and patterns. Watch as your
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image is “fragmented” instantly into a myriad of prism-like glass pieces, owing to a lightning-fast interface that works in real time. The output can be then simply saved to your gallery or can be exported directly to your social media channels. The user can manipulate the design by rotating, resizing, framing, dragging, zooming as well as cropping the original image. Not only does it focus on the effects but it also lets us adjust the hues and saturation, brightness, blending and even inverting colors of the image. If you’re willing to let the app surprise you, just hit the shuffle button and let the app work its magic to give you a fresh incarnation of your image every time. Though the app is best used for landscapes and architectural photography, it can be used on portraits as well, depending on what the user decides to portray in the final outcome. The distortion of a face could help to serve a greater
message if that’s what we want to express. Our only gripe is that overlays still cost money even after paying for the app. The included overlays are good but we wish there were more. The app has an average rating of 4.3 on the Play Store and a total of 7000 sundry downloads among iOS and Android. The major competition to this app is Shapical on iOS which also gives the user the ability to add textual shapes with prismatic effects. However, Shapical lacks the vast number of prismatic filters that are present on Fragment. This app has got a great, friendly interface and an incredible amount of features that make certain photos look absolutely incredible.
Raunaq Singh raunaq@chiiz.com
Raunaq is a hard working guy who believes in finding solace by making the world around him shine with hope and happiness. He can be found, driving the lanes of unfamiliar towns, listening to ‘Streets of Philadelphia’ or nestled in a cosy cafe sipping his Americano.
Khalid Sharif is a Pakistani national, who is working and living in China from the last 18 years. He always had a passion to work with wildlife and the natural environment. Photography has become his gateway for exploring the beautiful and rich wildlife activities in natural habitats. He has been shooting wildlife since 2015. He is also a member of the CPA (China Photographer Association) whose work has been displayed in different exhibitions and newspapers in China.
Pied Falconet (Microhierax Melanoleucos) Nikon D5 600mm F/5.6 1/1600 ISO1100
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Wreathed Hornbill (Rhyticeros Undulatus) Nikon D5 800mm F/7.1 1/1600 ISO800
Red-billed Leiothrix (Leiothrix lutea) Nikon D5 800mm F/5.6 1/1250 ISO4000
Golden Pheasant (Chrysolophus Pictus) Nikon D5 600mm F/4.5 1/1250 ISO800
Madagascar Coucal (Centropus Toulou) Nikon D5 800mm F/5.6 1/2000 ISO1400
Yellow Bittern (Ixobrychus Sinensis) Nikon D5 800mm F/5.6 1/1600 ISO800
Red Junglefowl (Gallus Gallus) Nikon D850 400mm F/2.8 1/200 ISO500
Indochinese Green Magpie (Cissa Hypoleuca) Nikon D5 600mm F/4.5 1/320 ISO1250
Movie Review
Visual Acoustics: The Modernism of Julius Shulman Duration: 1hr 23mins. IMDB Rating: 7.4/10 Released: 2008 Genre: Documentary
“What good is a dream house if you haven’t got a dream?” - Julius Shulman How often do you hear about a photographer who not only has an entire book written about him but also a documentary made just to pay tribute to the man and the legend that he was? Rare, indeed! One such personality is that of the legendary American photographer, Julius Shulman who is renowned for his iconic contribution to the field of Architectural Photography. ‘Visual Acoustics: The Modernism of Julius Shulman’, directed by Eric Bricker, is a movie dedicated to the legend. In the documentary, which records his remarkable journey as a photographer and an environmentalist, Dustin Hoffman, the omnipresent narratorial voice, says, “Architects live and die through the images that are taken of their work as these images alone are what most people see.” Shulman does exactly that and
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immortalizes not just the architecture but the architect as well. The narrator, further, addresses Shulman as the man who defined the way we look at modernism. The movie features Shulman, his daughter, his fellow colleagues- mainly architects and the owners of the houses he photographed. The relationship that Shulman shared with Los Angeles was intense and everlasting indeed. Shulman’s daughter Judy Mckee says, “I think that it’s just a beautiful way of thinking that my dad and Los Angeles as siblings. They really did grow up together.” Pierluigi Serraino, an Architect, comments, “You know, if you’re able to gather into one big picture all the small pictures that he took of Los Angeles prior to his involvement in Architectural Photography, you would really get a sense of the appulse of the city.” The enormity of Shulman as a photographer is quite evident when not just his family but also his peers pass comments such as these that establish himself as a photographer par excellence.
could benefit both Shulman and the entire world of architects. They became good friends shortly after that. Mckee recalls the duo as “two very self-absorbed, very strongwilled, very creative men.” Shulman, as Dante Spinotti argues, never failed to acknowledge Neutra as the constant support system that not only encouraged, but also taught him how to photograph architecture. In the movie, while coming back to Neutra’s Miller House that he once photographed, Shulman says, “68 years later, we’re back here, commemorating history. In a way, you can stop time.” Shulman was given the opportunity to photograph the Case Study House designed for the post World War II families and he seems to have “immortalized” them all through his lens amongst which, the most iconic are his pictures of the ‘House Number 22’ which its present owner believed to have bought only because of the beautiful pictures of it that Shulman had clicked.
Beautiful indeed is the fact that as much as Shulman loved architecture and all that was man-made, he was utterly devoted to nature and was considered an environmentalist. In the documentary, at one moment, we find him cherishing a garden almost in a state of wilderness. He was a man of senses and loved to be surrounded by all that was natural.
The movie becomes an exhibition of his photographs and makes the audience stand in awe of his work. All in black and white, Shulman’s photographs bring color back to the memories of his clients. His passion, his jovial nature and his dedication to bringing the architecture alive make him immortal. Rated 7.4 on IMDB, “Visual Acoustics” becomes a visual narrative that celebrates the beautiful journey of the greatest architectural photographer.
He began architectural photography in 1936 while capturing one of his colleagues- Richard Neutra’s house. Neutra was the one who saw Shulman’s hidden talent that
Meenal loves to connect with people through her writing. She pines for the beauty in nature and is driven towards presenting a beautiful interpretation of it through her words and her passion for photography.
Meenal Singh meenal@chiiz.com
In-Flight Vantage Inspired by his lifelong passion for flight photography, architect and pilot Jeffrey Milstein is known for his aerial shots of cities as well as his photos of aircraft mid-flight. His photographs explore symmetry, technology, and growth from unique perspectives. Sheetal Mann from Chiiz was in talks with him. Here are the excerpts: You were granted a pilot’s license at the age of 17. What drew you to the skies and how did photography come into picture? When I was about seven, I read a book about a boy who got a ride in a big plane with a barnstormer. From then on, I dreamed about flying and I still remember that book. Growing up, I built and flew model planes and read airplane magazines. I loved looking at things from the air, and when I turned 17, I got my pilots license and started filming from the air.
I owe much to traditional art training. I would say study classical art, and the masters of design from the Bauhaus.
Your attraction to design and patterns is evident in your work. What made you achieve such a familiarity with such idiosyncratic patterns and composition? I have always had an interest in graphic design. I look for intersting patterns and geometry from the air. These same shapes and geometries appear in both micro and macro environments. My architecture backround is an influence. How do you manage to transform man-made constructions as an abstract arrangement in your camera? I concentrate on how things look from the air, mostly on the man-made landscapes. As an architect, I’m interested in cities and how they form — what is the geology and geography, their development, structures, and open spaces.
LA Venice Beach Skate Park Phase One XF with Phase One IQ3 110mm F/4 1/200 ISO100
In your series, LANY, you shot the aerial view of east and the west coast of the United States of America. While shooting, did you ever think that your pictures could be a commentary on the housing in the US? I used to take walks around the expensive mansions in Beverly Hills. They were mostly behind big walls. I wondered what was behind the walls. I decided to get in a helicopter and see. I began photographing these homes from the air. But then I found other housing patterns in less affluent neighborhoods to be interesting. It wasn’t until reviewing the photos that it became clear how many visual differences in the environment are based on economic class. What are the tips and tricks that you would like to share with photographers who aspire to capture geometry and design in such a soothing way as you?
Sheetal Mann sheetal@chiiz.com
A silent tigress working up her way against the societal norms. One hell of an interior designer for your beautiful homes and thoughts, she is quite an introvert and serenity drips from her face.
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LA Seal Beach Naval Weapons Storage Phase One XF with Phase One IQ3 80mm F/2.8 1/2000 ISO200
NYC Stuyvesant Pentax 645Z 55mm F/5.6 1/320 ISO1250
LA Marina Alpa with Phase One IQ180 1/500 ISO200
NYC Intrepid Carrier Phase One XF with Phase One IQ3 80mm F/2.8 1/1600 ISO100
NYC JFK International Flight Phase One XF with Phase One IQ3 110mm F/2.8 1/500 ISO400
NYC Macys Day Parade Power Ranger Canon 5DS R 100mm F/4 1/640 ISO200
Universal Studios Alpa with Hasselblad digital back ISO1600
Old is Gold The Golfer Harold E. Edgerton
The word abstract can be used in myriad contexts but its rudimentary connotation remains the same. The terminology explains that abstract is something that is intangible and has no physical form. It exists as a thought, idea or a feeling that you know is out there but there is no substantial proof for it. Now abstract photography works along the same lines. When we conjugate an abstract theme with a picture, it categorizes itself as abstract photography. Such photographs have minimal connection with the reality and use various camera tools to bring their portrayal across. An abstract photograph aims to create an apparently fictitious picture from real objects in order to showcase some feeling that was otherwise not being put forth. John Suler,photographer and professor of psychology, in his essay- ‘Photographic Psychology: Image and Psyche’, comments that “an abstract photograph draws away from that which is realistic or literal… If you look at a photo and there’s a voice inside you that says ‘What is it?’ Well, there you go. It’s an abstract photograph.” While still on this subject let us talk about one of the most brilliant photographers of his times and one of the most celebrated ones today-Harold Eugene Edgerton. Edgerton, nicknames as ‘Papa Flash’ is famously known for revolutionizing the stroboscope from laboratory equipment to something that was a very quotidian device. His work holds a lot of significance in the development of sonar and deep-sea photography. Edgerton had a lifelong dream of making the invisible visible. He had an intrinsic drive to solve all problems. He became successful in capturing those photographs that were too bright or too dim or moved too quickly or too slowly and that could never have been captured by the customary photography. Edgerton’s subjects were always attention-grabbing and ranged from something as common as motors to something as unique as drops splashing. His most notable photograph is titled ‘The Golfer’ which was clicked in 1937 and continues to hold significance to this day. It is an extremely rare picture and shows the immense amount of skill that Edgerton had. The photo becomes a part of the spectrum of abstract photography if you have a keen eye for it. One is puzzled when looking at the photo and can’t decipher what it actually is. It’s aesthetically pleasing but not very easily understandable 48 CLASSICS
and that is the sheer beauty of it. You have to take a closer look. The closer you look the better you see. The photo has many interpretations and not one is evidently believable. What we can say for sure is that it oozes of life. The golfer is in his full movement, ready to hit a shot that could either earn him ‘kleos’ or he could reach the nadir of his career by one wrong shot. His life depends on it and that is why we connect to it so much. There are so many situations in our lives when something or someone that we hold very dear is at stake and the power is in our hands. One swing and over. We feel helpless if our shot goes wrong, because we could have done it differently, but now the chance is over and life does not give second chances to everybody. The photo is so stupendous in its presentation that it makes us feel emotions. It depends on which side of the picture you are looking at. Harold Edgerton had captured a lot of amazing images in his lifetime and summarizes his entire life work in this single sentence which gives us an important life lesson: “Don’t make me out to be an artist. I am an engineer. I am after the facts, only the facts.”
Saman Waheed saman@chiiz.com
Saman Waheed, like all writers, loves writing about each and everything under the sun. An indoor person , she loves to sit back and just travel to another world, lost in her thoughts. She loves the company of books as they take her to places she has never been.
Surreal Cityscapes Harimao Lee is a travel photographer based in Hong Kong. He loves to explore both sides of landscape and urban of different countries. He has recently worked with different airlines, tourism boards, luxury brands and so on. Rishabh Jain from Chiiz takes a quick interview and gets to know about Harimao’s photography style.
How would you describe your style of photography and how did you break into that genre? I mainly focus on two categories including urban and travel. As I live in Hong Kong, where there are well-developed cities and many skyscrapers surrounding me, it’s easy for me to create a shot of the scenic view of this city. I usually tell my friends from foreign countries that Hong Kong is the best place for urban photography. You can find interesting angles from every corner of the city. I generally focus on urban landscapes and street photography in Hong Kong, but in recent years, I have had to the opportunity to do more travel photography for my interest and for other brands as well.
You have a way to create surreal and abstract photographs out of urban landscapes. Can you break down your creative process for our readers? There are several steps to create a shot like mine. First, I find some landscapes through some tools such as Google map. It really helps me to look at the real picture by the satellite map. Also, the street view can let me see the street thoroughly. And then, I usually prefer to walk around for finding any possible perspective rather than taking the reference from the Internet. Also, adding a personal style is important to make your photo more unique. One of my favorite styles is that I love to add one person or couple into
The Way It Preserves and Reinvents Xiqu for City Canon EOS R 70mm F/2.8 1/160 ISO200
The World Needs more Rainbows DJI Mavic Pro 28mm F/2.2 1/400 ISO100
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the picture. It helps the audience to remember your shots. You are also a travel photographer. Which place have you visited that was most rewarding in terms of photography and why? I can say that India has the most influence on my travel photography and insight. When I traveled with friends last February, I was excited and am still thrilled to see that this place preserves all the historical buildings and cultures. Also, the colorful and vivid mosaics were what attracted me the most. After I posted the pictures from India, the audience was very surprised that it is unexpectedly beautiful and romantic. I hope I can come back again and explore the beauty of this country. What is the biggest challenge you have had to face while taking a photograph? The weather. You can never control the weather as you want. Indeed, a good picture always consists of
Vertical Tree House DJI Mavic Pro 28mm F/2.2 1/240 ISO100
light and shadow. If I face bad weather, a cloudy or a rainy day, I need to think about how to capture a better image under the adverse situation. Otherwise, I would decide to visit the spot twice to see whether it changes in a sunny day. If you could go anywhere in the world for taking photographs, where would you go and why? Some countries have their own ancient history and architecture which attracts me like Egypt, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia. These countries are on my bucket list. Iran was my dream place to go because of its beautiful mosques and culture. But now, I am living my dream, traveling in Iran and excited to be able to experience the culture of Iran.
Rishabh Jain rishabh@chiiz.com A techie by profession and a foodie at heart, Rishabh loves finding bugs, not only in the backyard but also in the server. An ardent football fan, Rishabh is a sports fanatic and is ready to help anyone with anything he can.
Giant Elevator in Nature DJI Mavic Pro 28mm F/2.2 1/100 ISO100
Shanghai in My Dream DJI Mavic Pro 28mm F/2.2 1.3 ISO100
Jump in the Pulse Canon 6D Mark II 11mm F/4 1/4 ISO100
Time to Get Back Home Canon EOS R 640mm F/11 1/2500 ISO100
Giant Rabbit in Hong Kong Canon 6D Mark II 14mm F/4 1/100 ISO1600
New Home for Traditional Chinese Opera Canon EOS R 11mm F/4 1/40 ISO100
Swan Light Canon 5D Mark lll 4540mm F/6.5 5min ISO1600
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Trifid Nebula Canon 5D Mark lll 4540mm F/6.5 5min ISO1600
Project Description Project “Abnormal” is a metaphor of diversity and art as well, which tries to show how different people’s minds are and how many various ways of looking at the world and seemingly the same items can exist. Mikołaj Świcarz, popularly known by his online alias ‘Flow Shots’,currently lives and works as a lawyer in Wrocław (Poland) but his true passion lies in photography. An autodidact, Nikolaj is full of creative ideas. His work has been published in magazines of international repute and has won him international photography awards.
Olympus Imaging Corp. E-M5 Mark II 25mm F/4.5 1/50 ISO200
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Olympus Imaging Corp. E-M5 Mark II 60mm F/13 1/10 ISO200
Olympus Imaging Corp. E-M5 Mark II 25mm F/5.6 1/50 ISO400
Panasonic DMC - GX7 25mm F/9 1/60 ISO400
Olympus Imaging Corp. E-M5 Mark II 25mm F/4 1/25 ISO200
Olympus Imaging Corp. E-M5 Mark II 25mm F/4.5 1/20 ISO250
Olympus Imaging Corp. E-M5 Mark II 25mm F/3.2 1/30 ISO200
Olympus Imaging Corp. E-M5 Mark II 25mm F/4.5 1/20 ISO200
Panasonic DMC - GX7 25mm F/6.3 1/40 ISO320
Panasonic DMC - GX7 25mm F/7.1 1/30 ISO200
Olympus Imaging Corp. E-M5 Mark II 25mm F/4.5 1/15 ISO200
Madrid-based photographer Ana Santos is interested in bright colors and fascinating forms with palpable textures and geometrics and sometimes illogical juxtapositioning. She’s a photographer, but also the author of the formal compositions her lens captures. As a visual artist, her personal projects also lend themselves to the extraordinary. Her photographs have been awarded in multiple Festivals, art fairs and exposed in galleries across Europe, the United States, and Asia.
Resonantia Olympus EM1 Mark II 12mm F/10 1/13 ISO200
Ana Santos insulates bodies in colorists and alienating spaces. It makes sculptures merge to achieve endless and confusing ways, upto our relationship with the subconscious dream scenes. Experimenting with textiles, prospects and manipulations, her works seek the essence of being, of being and belonging and of very real unreality. Through this visual exercise, the artist asks: what are the obstacles that inhibit behavior regarding others? Or are the only obstacles ideas, intuitions, fear, discrimination, and misunderstanding? The pursuit of our essence as individuals, to understand what denies us is necessary, and incidentally, identify our inner enemy through dialogue with oneself. We all need to make a map of the soul to guide ourselves.
Resonantia Olympus EM1 Mark II 12mm F/14 1/160 ISO200
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Chameleon Project Canon 7D 24mm F/10 1/100 ISO100
Chameleon Project Canon 5D Mark III 55mm F/9 1/100 ISO100
Chameleon Project Canon 5D Mark III 28mm F/13 1/125 ISO200
Paradise Olympus EM1 Mark II 22mm F/18 1/125 ISO200
Black Balloons Olympus EM1 Mark II 22mm F/18 1/125 ISO200
Tadao Cern (Tadas Cerniauskas) is an architect-turned-photographer from Lithuania. He wanted to try a different approach to the art world by studying architecture and then diving deep into the contemporary art field. So his visual perception together with his creative process is very much influenced by the things that he has learned at the beginning. He considers the art field as a laboratory for Homo Sapiens where each art piece is an experiment helping to distinguish our actions/interactions and natural behavior boundaries - as an artist you can document, change, create or get rid of them. He tries not to take everything that is around him for granted - he loves taking everyday objects or occurrences, strip them to their basic concepts and reintroduce them as art. This process works as a refreshment, helping us to see things that we forget and take for granted. His creative style is very much affected by his architectural background too: he works in a very systematic and rational way. All his artistic decisions are calculated and he’s always looking for most hygienic expressions so the ideas would become as clean as possible. As an architect, he is very closely related to human anthropological behavior and habits – he works around them, with them or try to change them. And now as an artist, he has the same field of interest – he questions what affects human actions in a certain way and how can those things be changed. His work has been exhibited in various group and solo exhibitions across the world. He is also the recipient of many international photography awards and has been published in various publications of international repute.
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Practicing Territorial Battles Canon 5D Mark III F/9 1/200 ISO320
Having been born in Christchurch, New Zealand and moving to Brisbane, Australia at the age of 12, Nick Polanszky grew up along the coastal waters of southeast Queensland. Finding his passion for the ocean at a young age, he picked up his first underwater camera in 2013 and has not put it down since. Deciding to take on Underwater Photography full time in 2015, he has worked in destinations such as Thailand, Bonaire, Honduras, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Belize. His love for wideangle photography and large pelagic encounters led him to the Sea of Cortez, where he is based at the Cortez Club in La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico. Nick is currently an expedition leader and underwater photography instructor in La Paz, Baja California Sur and founder of Pro Photo Baja, hosting specialized underwater photography expeditions and photography tuition. 64 TRIGGERS
Stare-off Canon 5D Mark III 15mm F/6.3 1/100 ISO160
You and Yourself Canon 5D Mark III F/13 1/250 ISO320
MUSA Underwater Museum Canon 5D Mark III F/7.1 1/250 ISO320
Yellow-tailed Surgeonfish Canon 5D Mark III F/8 1/250 ISO320
Stacks of White-tip Sharks Canon 5D Mark III F/5.6 1/30 ISO640
Stare-off Canon 5D Mark III 15mm F/6.3 1/100 ISO160
Leave Me Breathless Canon 5D Mark III 15mm F/6.3 1/250 ISO320
Nishit Sharma is a 28-year-old, based out of Bangalore and works as a social media marketing manager. He also makes travel films and videos for his Youtube channel- ‘Hopping Bug’. He has also worked as the aerial cinematographer for one of the popular web series on Amazon prime - Harmony with A R Rahman. Nishit is currently following his passion for learning something new every day along with a routine job in digital marketing. He works remotely and gets to travel a lot. He shares his travel stories with his audience on Youtube. Cold Manali DJI FC220 5mm F/2.2 1/165 ISO100
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Riccardo Magherini is a professional photographer based in Firenze, Italy. His fine art photography is represented by galleries in Paris, London and New York. In his photographs, a strong focus point prevents the viewers’ gaze from getting lost, allowing us to dive between volumes, shapes and situations. BKK, his last series, takes us through the streets of Bangkok, amidst the crowd, the smoke, the food and the marketplaces. Merging moments and places, Riccardo allows us to make our own vision, a very personal point of view. He has collected awards and recognition from international contests such as the International Photography Awards, International Aperture Awards, Prix de la Photographie Paris, and the London International Creative Competition. You can follow his work on his website riccardomagherini.com
1240 - BKK series Sony ILCE-7R 21mm F/1 1/100 ISO1250
Yaksa Tavarnbal - BKK series Sony ILCE-7R 21mm F/1 1/20 ISO800
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Mah Jong - HK series Sony ILCE-7R 21mm F/1 1/90 ISO500
Pak Khlong - BKK series Sony ILCE-7R 21mm F/1 1/25 ISO800
Mong Kok - HK series Sony ILCE-7R 21mm F/1 1/90 ISO200
North Point - HK series Sony ILCE-7R 21mm F/1 1/250 ISO320
Chinmoy Biswas Kolkata, India
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CHIIZ GALLERY
To get published, upload your photos on chiiz.com
Reflection in Black & White Nikon D7200 80mm F/9 1/30 ISO100
Aljo Antony Karnataka, India
Anggi Ismawati Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Condensed Water on the Lid Nikon D7200 80mm F/9 1/30 ISO100
Apratim Pal West Bengal , India
Pattern Canon 60D 35mm F/11 1/400 ISO800
Dewanshu Kumar Roy Assam, India
Florals of Architecture Nikon D3300 18mm F/3.5 1/4 ISO250
Time Canon 1300D 50mm F/10 1/160 ISO200
Jayanta Basu West Bengal, India
Game of light Nikon D7000 18mm F/5 1/50 ISO800
Alden T. Globo Naga City, Philippines
Angles Fujifilm X-E1 53mm F/16 1/250 ISO250
Living Shadows Nikon D7100 18mm F/11 1/200 ISO400
Siddharth Rathod Ahmedabad, India
Shibasish Saha West Bengal, India
Touch of Hands Nikon D7000 18mm F/8 1/80 ISO200
Ty O’Neil Reno, USA
Cracked Earth Canon 7D Mark II 20mm F/11 1/320 ISO100
Surit Datta West Bengal, India
The Vintage Shadow Nikon D3200 35mm F/7.1 1/320 ISO200
Sourav Ghosh West Bengal, India
Life Xiaomi Redmi 3S 4.2mm F/2 1/2200 ISO100
Stig Langeskov Petersen Roskilde, Denmark
Into the Woods Leica M10 50mm F/4.8 1/15 ISO100
Subhash Purohit Maharashtra, India
The will to Survive Canon 1000D 70mm F/5.6 1/125 ISO200
Yana Lisichenko Russian Federation
Colors Leica D-LUX5 5mm F/2 1/30 ISO400
Anthony Into Bulacan, Philippines
Firewood Nikon D7000 100mm F/3.5 1/40 ISO640
Sudipta Das West Bengal, India
Neighborhood Nikon Coolpix P530 49.1mm F/4.7 1/500 ISO280
Sivapoom Yamasaki Samutprakarn, Thailand
Somnath Chatterjee West Bengal, India
Rupai Saha Mandal West Bengal, India
Nikhil Mace UP, India
Prongs Olympus E-M5 50mm F/4 1/40 ISO200
Shirsendu Banerjee West Bengal, India
Let’s Play Canon 80D 16mm F/7.1 1/200 ISO200
Saroj Parmar Jaipur, India
Heavenly Pearls Canon 6D 80mm F/4 1/1250 ISO12800
Manoj Kumar Bains Punjab, India
Under Sky and Galaxy Fujifilm X100S 23mm F/2 1/1000 ISO800
Village Canvas Nikon D300S 55mm F/4.8 1/500 ISO400
Reflection of Coconut Leaf Nikon Coolpix P510 28mm F/4.4 1/125 ISO100
Morning Dew on Spider Web Canon 5D Mark III 105mm F/4 1/400 ISO500
Ratul Pan Durgapur, India
Bottled World of Drops Canon 200D 55mm F/5.6 1/4000 ISO100
Yogesh Rana New Delhi, India
Dr. Amit Bijon Dutta Maharashtra, India
Mustafa Fatemi Pune, India
A New Story Canon 70D 50mm F/2.8 1/100 ISO500
Run Nikon D750 120mm F/22 2 ISO100
Jevgenijs Scolokovs Riga, Latvia
Water Art Nikon D750 105mm F/11 1/6 ISO100
Frozen World Sigma DP2 Quattro 30mm F/2.8 1/100 ISO100
Streets of Pune Sony SLT-A58 26mm F/4 1/1000 ISO1600
Peng Zhou Georgia, USA
Kala Edwards Georgia, USA
Pankaj Prahlad Narshana Maharashtra, India
Nancy Casolaro California, USA Airport Reflection Canon 1200D 55mm F/6.3 1/200 ISO800
Parna Chowdhury West Bengal, India EGO - The Devil within Nikon D7200 105mm F/5.6 1/1600 ISO500
Hardeep Solanki Surat, India
Veins Samsung NX500 33mm F/5 1/60 ISO320
Seen and Unseen Phaseone XF IQ3 120mm F/32 1/160 ISO100
Light Canon Rebel T6 35mm F/5 1/125 ISO400
Angshuman Paul West Bengal, India
Devil Dancing Nikon D5300 18mm F/3.5 1/80 ISO1600
Cristóbal Carretero Cassinello Almería, Spain
Antra Tripathi Karnataka, India
Walk the Talk Nikon D5300 55mm F/5.6 1/60 ISO320
Dibakar Roy West Bengal, India
Avinash Kumar Supaul, India
Badal Chandra Sarker Dhaka, Bangladesh
The Shipwreck Lgg6 35mm F/1.8 1/1250 ISO200
View Through the Reflection Canon EOS 1200D 18mm F/3.5 1/400 ISO1250
The Lights of Republic Canon 600D 43mm F/22 8. ISO100
Color Abstract Nikon D7200 50mm F/7.1 1/8 ISO200
Dibyendu Dutta West Bengal, India
Flames Nikon D80 50mm F/1.8 1/750 ISO200
Monojit Mondal West Bengal, India
The Flowing Aura Canon 600D 18mm F/4.5 1/3 ISO800
Elena Chaykina London, UK
Mesmerizing Geometry Nikon D800 200mm F/9 1/200 ISO320
Harsh Nigam West Bengal, India
Hossein Younesi Shahrud, Iran
Martha Alicia Moreschi Cรณrdoba, Argentina
Upside Down Canon 760D 89mm F/10 1/160 ISO100
Red Comb Canon 7D 50mm F/14 1/200 ISO200 Russ Tierney Denbighshire, Wales
Mayukh Dutta Kolkata, India
Joanna M. Matuszek Leszno, Poland
Mandeep Singh Arora New Delhi, India
Blue Heart Canon 70D 100mm F/11 1/4 ISO200
Abstract Zoe Canon 5D Mark III 51mm F/6.3 1/125 ISO100
Dubai Downtown Nikon D3400 18mm F/3.6 1/30 ISO3600
Gate Olympus E-M5 Mark II 14mm F/3.5 1/160 ISO800
The Pillars Nikon D810 28mm F/14 3 ISO64
Pinaki Ranjan Mitra New Delhi, India
Art with Pencil Shavings Nikon D5100 3mm F/4 1/50 ISO160
It is with deep sorrow that we express our condolences to the friends and family of Mr. Amit Dutta. An exceptional photographer and the founder of the Photography Club of India (PCOI), Amit Dutta was a software engineer by profession and a passionate photographer at heart. He worked with companies like M N Dastur, U Best, Reliance, HCL, Connectiva, Rahi system and very recently had joined E-logix. Since both his parents were artists, he also had an artistic eye, except that he used the medium of photography to express it. He founded PCOI in 2015, which proved it’s mettle as an excellent photography establishment. A cancer survivor, he was a man of immense positivity. Everybody loved his jolly nature and immediately took a liking to him. We salute his spirit and the contribution he made towards the photpgraphy scene in India. Dreams 80 TRIGGERS
Canon 5D Mark IV 80mm F/8 1/320 ISO1600
Photowalk Dubai
“Passion is contagious. Find your passion. Live it, Share it, Exude it. Then watch it inspire passion in others”. The above quote resonates with the mantra of Photowalk Dubai - to shoot, share and learn; to feed the burning passion of like-minded souls. A group founded in 2012 by Subodh Shetty and Anjum Vahanvati with just about a dozen members, Photowalk Dubai has steadily grown to over 18,000 members today. What began with local photowalks within UAE has steadily been expanding with
Binu K Varghese Dubai, UAE
inspirational seminars, local workshops with renowned photographers, photo exhibitions at prominent platforms, annual coffee table photo book publishing and now international photography tours. Also,to encourage the local talent, Photowalk Dubai conducts monthly photography contests. The recent one being ‘Best of 2018’ wherein the members were asked to share their best images from the year gone by. The top five images are as seen here.
Oblivious Nikon D850 24mm F/9 1/250 ISO100
This picture was taken in the annual fair of the Shepherd community- Shri Vittal Birdev ‘Haldi’ (turmeric) Festival. This is the peak moment of the festival where the holy sword is handed to ‘Baba’ -the representative of the family deity ‘Birdev’ who is considered to be a reincarnation of Lord Vishnu. It is believed that after this, God descends into Baba and he performs a customary dance in a state of trance through a supernatural power, followed by his predictions on the future of the farming community and rain forecast for that year as the devotees listen to him attentively. 82 TRIGGERS
Rosaline Baylosis Dubai, UAE
Make Hay While the Sun Shines Nikon D750 28mm F/22 1/100 ISO200
Workers doing part of the process of haymaking during a foggy morning. It also goes on to show that other scenes can also be found in Dubai aside from the towering skyscrapers and the wonderful dunes.
Kirti Devnani Dubai, UAE
Trance Nikon D750 195mm F/8 1/1250 ISO320
The ‘Haldi’ (turmeric) festival offers prayers to the community diety of the shepherds, Shri Vittal Birdev, and transpires in the Pattan Kadoli village in Kolhapur district of Maharashtra. This sleeping village comes alive on this day, and as the day progresses a torrential downpour of turmeric powder and dry coconut electrifies the atmosphere, reaching a different decibel altogether. The ‘Baba’ and his long hair flying wildly at the epicenter of the storm, surrounded by his disciples was the defining moment of the festival for the photographer.
Arnab Basu Dubai, UAE
Patience & Discipline Canon 70D 27mm F/4 1/50 ISO1600
The image has been shot during the month of Ramadan in Dubai from a high strategic location to get a good perspective of the gathering. The men are all seated on the floor waiting for the sun to set and break their day-long fast. Most of them, if not all, are laborers from nearby camps and the food is served free by the local humanitarian group.
JOEBEL GARCISTO Dubai, UAE
“The Jumper� Sony A7RII 16mm F/6.3 1/320 ISO640
This is one of the famous residential building in Hongkong. In order for the photographer to get a unique perspective, he asked one of the people to jump so he could frame him in the middle.
Loreal Prystaj is a visual artist from New York, now based in London. Surrounded by a thriving “fashion environment�, she planned on becoming a commercial photographer but chose to take a Fine Art direction where she felt she could express her ideas more freely. Her work often exposes the relationship between a specific time and space, with a juxtaposition of the human form and its environment. She expresses ideas through her photography and uses the medium consistently - in installation and interactive pieces - as well as using herself as a character or form in her images, performances and video work. Penumbra Canon 7D Mark II 70mm F/5.6 1/250 ISO200
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A Halt! Canon 7D Mark II 35mm F/8 1/250 ISO400
Frog Canon 7D Mark II 50mm F/5.6 1/160 ISO500
Mustard Love Canon 7D Mark II 50mm F/8 1/40 ISO400
Reflecting on Nature Canon 7D Mark II 50mm F/11 1/125 ISO400
Hide & Seek Canon 7D Mark II 35mm F/5.6 1/160 ISO320
Sophistication Canon 7D Mark II 70mm F/5.6 1/125 ISO200
Model of the Month
Sonali Tandon Sonali Tandon, a 23 -year-old from Punjab and currently living in Bangalore, is a professional model and an engineering graduate. Her journey in modelling began when she won the Photographer - Kapil Ganesh Megamart Megamodel Hunt in 2014. She was also one of the finalists of the India Max Fashion Icon 2014. Since then, she has been doing modelling assignments which include ramp shows for elite designers like Ritu Kumar, Bibi Russell, Pria Kataaria Puri, Neeta Lulla and Ashish N Soni to name a few. She has also been a part of some eminent fashion shows like Lakme Fashion Week, Times Fashion Week, Scullers India Show, Arvind Denim Show, Karnataka Fashion Week, Femina Show and more. Sonali has also done print, campaign and catalog shoots for Max, Reliance Trends, Myntra, Soch, Imara, Novotel and Melorra Jewellery. She is current working with Faze Management Pvt. Ltd for the last two years.
Photographer - Aleksey Dovgulya 88
HALL OF FAME
Age- 23 City- Bangalore Height- 5’9’’ Weight- 54 Kg Eyes- Black Hair- Black Bust- 32 in Waist- 26 in Hips- 36 in Shoe Size- UK 7
Photographer - Ritika Khandelwal
Photographer - Shubham Mandhyan
Photographer - Aishwarya Nayak
Photographer - Shubham Mandhyan
MakeUp of the Month Zorain Khaleeli
Serving and teaching makeup excellence, Zorain Khaleeli is an internationally trained makeup artist and trainer, having over 20 years of experience in the industry, catering to celebrities, fashion, film, and brides. Her specialization lies in bridal makeup, hairstyling, nail art, hair refixing, and lash extensions. Zorain had been associated with MAC Cosmetics in heading training in India and international markets for over a decade. Right from the age of 15, Zorain Khaleeli has been in love with the art of makeup and has pursued this passion ever since. Her journey into the fascinating world of makeup began in her hometown, Bengaluru, with a focus on brides and photo shoots. This journey carried on after her marriage, which took her to Oman. It was there that she got a glimpse of the world of Arabic style, which widened her exposure and created her signature Indo-Arab style of makeup. After her return to Bangalore, Zorain joined MAC in early 1997, which was also their first flagship store in Bangalore. Soon, her collaboration with MAC spread to entire south India, and then to Dubai. Working at the MAC counter every day was one of the most beautiful memories of learning to adapt the makeup artist to each person. “There is no better school for me than that,� she acknowledged.
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HALL OF FAME
John McNairn works with the best nude models in the UK and Europe with the aim to capture emotional or storytelling images that evoke questions or feelings that are deeply rooted. He also happens to live in one of the most beautiful countries in the world with natural landscapes which are ideal for fine art nude images. He has worked on many projects in the past but his favorites have always been the narrative type, sometimes using mythology as a basis and other times using taboo or risque subject matters. He is not afraid to use whatever props or costumes that are required to tell a story with an emotional context, even if the subject matter is frowned upon. Life has its light and dark sides, whether we like it or not, sometimes the dark is not as dark as we imagine, as with the light.
Dance of Pearls Nikon D810 30mm F/8 1/200 ISO100
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Fredau in Veil Nikon D810 50mm F/7.1 1/200 ISO100
The Seer Nikon D800 52mm F/9 1/200 ISO100
A Flame in the Dark Nikon D810 44mm F/7.1 1/200 ISO100
Miss Lockhart Nikon D810 36mm F/8 1/200 ISO100
Latte Nikon D810 52mm F/11 1/200 ISO100
Swish Nikon D810 38mm F/9 1/200 ISO100
Nicole Nikon D810 38mm F/9 1/200 ISO100
Fanning the Flames Nikon D800 56mm F/7.1 1/200 ISO100