PRISMA Issue 19 by PRISMA Photography Magazine

EditorialArticle

TheSoundsof Scotland’sWestCoast: festivalphotography by:AmandaMacEachen

INSIDE THIS ISSUE OF PRISMA

Editor-In-Chief: Louise Anderbjörk & Tristan Sharman

Under June Gloom: Ryan details the process of how he composes his shots at Huntington Beach. Contrasting natural features with man-made and human subjects, he highlights the often overlooked beauty of June

Working with Passion: Vanessa portrays the dedication exhibited by the volunteers at the German Glider Museum. Her cinematic photos demonstrate the results of a natural and organic shooting environment

Minimalism of Wildlife: Seeing the minimalism in wildlife, Malini uses photography to share anecdotes about how being in the right place at the right time can produce some of the most compelling photos.

Wildlife Close to Home: Telling the tale of a young photographer on a limited budget, Chenxi demonstrates how accessible the nature’s beauty and wonders are to us all in our local surroundings.

Stories of Valencia: The adage ‘a picture is worth a thousand words’ couldn’t be more true for Olivia, as she tells the story of her life in Valencia through images of her everyday life in the city. Issue 19 - 30 September 2024

Photographing Iceland: Christian shares the memorable moments and locations that he got to capture on camera whilst on his dream trip into Iceland’s breathtaking landscapes earlier this year

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Editor-in-Chief-LouiseAnderbjörk

Editor-in-Chief-TristanSharman

EditorialEditor-AlexandraGodfrey

PhotographyEditor-KaileeParsons

PhotographyEditor-MaggieZhu

CopyEditor-HermioneHampton

WebEditor-IainCunningham

MediaManager-LucileBelorgey

ContentManager-AmandaMacEachen

editor@prismamagazinecouk

Photo:RyanSales

Photo:VanessaLeinweber

Photo:MaliniChandrasekar

Photo:ChenxiChe

Photo:OliviaBastin

Photo:ChristianHenseler

Photo: Christian Henseler

SOUNDS OF SCOTLAND

EditorialEditor: Alexandra Godfrey

AMANDA MacEACHEN

Growing up in a small town on the west coast of Scotland, precisely Oban, subjected me to a multitude of Scottish traditional music. It is a vibrant scene that blends not only the pipers and the ceilidh bands, but the diverse array of folk/indie/rock bands that have been produced which continue to keep our music scene alive The fierceness of the scene made it impossible not to be influenced by the rich musical heritage that surrounded the area, with bands making their mark on national and international stages. Scottish traditional music has always been at the core of west coast culture, providing strong connections to its Gaelic roots, and it’s this connection to tradition that continues to inspire the new wave of musicians emerging from the area Bands such as Trail West, Tide Lines and Skipinnish exemplify the modern face of Scottish folk music While connected to their traditional roots they incorporate contemporary, indie and rock elements with Gaelic influences into their songs. All of which are able to resonate with older and younger audiences. Peat and Diesel from the Isle of Lewis also take a quirky take on folk-rock, infused with lyrics about island life, their popularity underscored the diversity of the west coast music scene Now where does photography come into this? Well, a music scene wouldn't be fierce indeed without its live performances, a place for people to enjoy the Scottish sounds in real time surrounded by likewise enjoyers (and usually with a pint or two in hand) I've been to my fair share of gigs in my time, but nothing equates to a west coast band performance, regardless of where that performance is held. I've been in English crowds with echoes of Gaelic lyrics and highland dancing, Scottish traditional music is worldwide and is fundamentally one of the best cultural aspects here. I have been lucky enough to photograph many of these bands mentioned and attend Scottish gigs Mainly photographing originally Tiree formed band ‘Trail West’ A Trail West gig is filled with chaos, multiple people on shoulders, hundreds of Trail West headbands in sight (look it up, it's a thing), people chanting along to the bagpipes and just overall, a room full of happy dancing strangers. Photographing gigs like these are a massive privilege to partake in, the unity that Scottish music brings to the fellow fans can be felt in the room so admirably The Scottish bands themselves don't have a calm time on stage either, more so than less they will have drams in hand giving it ‘laldie’ whenever a free moment appears, feeding off of the crowd's energy and pursuing an impeccable night. This makes the photography segment quite easy and enjoyable; the EDITORIAL ARTICLE

band give energy, we capture it. Capturing moments like these and especially of joyful fans in the crowd stop moments of time to showcase the true experience of Scottish music, it's a pleasure to work with something so close to my roots and watch others enjoy the same. This is not to say things can’t go wrong while in the midst of photographing, whether that be your only SD card run out, or an unwanted banding appearing on the screen you just can’t seem to fix (speaking from experience) Specifically at these high paced energetic gigs, the lighting can be incredibly fast moving and sometimes difficult to keep up with, such as constantly changing the ISO and shutter speed, one look at your camera and suddenly you’ve missed the best shot of the night! Regardless of the things that can go wrong, the things that go right automatically outweigh these small hiccups, capturing sharp, well-composed images in such an environment helps to tell a story of the night, allowing people to relive the experience long after Whether it’s through close-up shots of the band or wideangle crowd photos, photography amplifies the spirit of these events. It helps preserve not just the music, but the sense of community and pride that Scottish music holds

Visit Amanda’s website for information and bookings: www amandamaceachen com

Photo:AmandaMacEachen

Photo: Amanda MacEachen

UNDER JUNE GLOOM

PhotographyEditor:Kailee Parsons

RYAN SALES

June Gloom rolled into Huntington Beach, bringing a cool, laid-back vibe The overcast sky toned down the light, making the waves pop with detail Surfers dotted the ocean, adding a dynamic touch to the calm scene I framed my shots to capture the waves' lines, showcasing the sea's constant motion and the surfers' rhythm with nature. Strolling on the pier, I zeroed in on the misty shoreline. People walking along the sand gave depth and scale From up high, I snapped the beach's stretch, making sure the composition led from the foreground to the distant figures The soft light highlighted the textures of the wet sand and the gentle foam of the waves. At the pier, I contrasted its solid structure with the water's flow. The shadowy underside of the pier stood out against the ocean's lighter tones. I composed the shot to capture the pier's lines and angles, creating a frame-within-a-frame that pulled the viewer’s eye to the surfers below – balancing the man-made with the natural, ever-moving ocean On the open beach, lifeguard towers stood solitary against the vast sand and sky. The muted colours and minimalist setup evoked calm and solitude. Two surfers walking toward the water provided a focal point, their small figures standing out against the broad beach The composition emphasised the vastness and quietude, highlighting Huntington Beach's serene beauty under the June Gloom "Under June Gloom" showcases the unique beauty and atmosphere of Huntington Beach during this often overlooked season, reminding us of the quieter, reflective moments in life.

Photo:RyanSales

Photo: Ryan Sales

WORKING WITH PASSION

PhotographyEditor:Kailee Parsons

VANESSA LEINWEBER

At the Deutsches Segelflugmuseum mit Modellflug, or, in English, the German Glider Museum, the volunteer model builders are the heart of the exhibitions On the Wasserkuppe in the Rhön Mountains, the developing of gliding is conveyed vividly to visitors. Crucial to this experience is the reconstruction of historical gliders, painstakingly carried out by the volunteers with unique craftsmanship skills, historical expertise, passion and attention to detail The models they create are not only precise replicas but also artworks in their own right, which reflect the innovation and pioneering spirit of gliding history. Through their efforts to expand and maintain the collection, the history of gliding not only remains alive but also accessible to future generations. The volunteers are a highly valued if not indispensable part of the museum, enriching the visitor experience and perpetuating the fascination with gliding When I approached a photo shoot with Lukas, one of the volunteers at the Segelflugmuseum, I aimed for a natural, candid feel to capture the essence of his dedication and passion. I encouraged him to continue his work as usual, focusing on his intricate modelling tasks. We chatted throughout the session, discussing his techniques, inspirations, and the history behind the models The organic exchange between us helped him relax, allowing me to capture the genuine moments of his concentration and enthusiasm. The resulting photos reflected the true spirit of his work, showcasing the meticulous craftsmanship and heartfelt commitment he brings to the museum and those who visit.

Photo:VanessaLeinweber

Photo: Vanessa Leinweber

MINIMALISM OF WILDLIFE

PhotographyEditor:Maggie Zhu

MALINI CHANDRASEKAR

As an aspiring wildlife photographer with a background in Graphic Design, it is only natural that I lean towards the disciplines I've been practising for over 20 years, such as minimalism. While I'm a big believer of showcasing wildlife in its natural habitat, I am also drawn to capturing minimalistic portraits. For me, it captures the beauty within and the beauty of individuality Since snow isn't always available, a high-key or low-key approach is a great way to declutter to let your subject shine. Having creative approaches in otherwise poor light conditions lets you experiment, enabling you to utilise the light better creating something more unique, and who doesn't love the 'different'? For me, minimalism in wildlife photography promotes conscious decisionmaking about that moment in time, the energy, and the symbiotic relationship between myself and the subject I find it to be authentic, simple and clear, helping me with my aim to highlight the beauty, essence, and true purpose of their lives. It's also so much about 'right place, right time' – the background, the light, the subject, and yourself! The Atlantic Puffin finally landed in the cleanest snowy bit after a long two days of waiting for it in -20ºC on Hornøya Whilst bobbing up and down in a zodiac in Svalbard, a walrus momentarily lifted his head with a little smudge of snow. Everything unique to that moment in time. Think the beauty of photography is it is an expression of yourself, letting you show the world what you see. “You don’t take a photograph, you make it ” – Ansel Adams

Photo:MaliniChandrasekar

Walrusin Svalbard

Photo: Malini Chandrasekar

WILDLIFE CLOSE TO HOME

PhotographyEditor:Maggie Zhu

CHENXI CHE

When people think of wildlife photography, an image of the African savannah comes to mind, where cheetahs and lions rule the land As a young photographer, whose income is minimal, travel is not an option for me, so over the years I've adopted my approach to seeking beauty in common creatures found around where I live, quickly I realized there is much more to be discovered than I thought Local wildlife photography has one key advantage: your mind calms down knowing that you can come back to a location again and again, which gives you the courage to try out different things, maybe a new perspective, or perhaps a backlit, thus unlocking your creativity. In contrast, on a once-in-a-lifetime trip, your brain locks up because you're afraid of losing the standard shots My favourite place to visit is my local river called Arga, in a less than five-minute walk I can be on the edge of it There is no shortage of life here, with kingfishers skimming along the river, white-throated dippers diving in and out in search of insects, beavers feasting on tree barks... but out of all of them, my dearest friend is the Eurasian wren. One spring morning I was casually walking along the Arga, and I noticed a male wren frequently stopping by a tree stump, singing out loud on the way As I made my way closer, I could vaguely see fibers in its mouth, it was building a nest! I was instantly fascinated by this, so over the next couple of days I returned to the same location every morning, hoping to get more glimpse into this behaviour. At the end of that week, I got some interesting shots

Photo:ChenxiChe

Photo: ChenxiChe

Capturingbeauty closetohome

Photo: Chenxi Che

STORIES OF VALENCIA

PhotographyEditor:Kailee Parsons

OLIVIA BASTIN

These photographs were taken during my Integrated Year Abroad as an English Language Assistant in Valencia, Spain ‘Auto-ethnographic’ is the anthropological term I use to describe the accumulation of personal experiences I built up over my eight months there. Yet it is almost easier to convey how I came to understand the relationship between myself and the culture there through a photographic lens, as opposed to using written intellectual discourse Juxtaposition in my images captures the essence of the city For instance, I saw the image of a little girl holding flowers (connoting youth and freshness) wearing a Fallas dress (an example of traditional Valencian attire) as a symbol of the thriving cultural heritage and pride of the city. The city is also captured in images featuring opposing juxtaposition. The small, empty, wooden boats at Albufera (Spain’s largest fresh-water lagoon) not only contrast with but are entirely removed from the hustle and bustle of the country’s third largest city. Likewise, the hypnotic aura of the iconic and delicately detailed Central Market’s dome contrasts starkly with the equally captivating but startling angles of the Calatrava complex at The City of Arts and Science Additionally, an honourable mention to the Christians versus Moors parade, which got everyone heads turning All of these photos highlight that, despite the fact that there were many other English Language Assistants (who also probably studied Social Anthropology and Spanish), what I saw through my camera lens was of my own auto-ethnographic making. I wonder what others like me will decide to capture?

Photo:OliviaBastin

Photo: Olivia Bastin

PHOTOGRAPHING ICELAND

PhotographyEditor:Maggie Zhu

CHRISTIAN HENSELER

I've been taking photos as a hobby for a few years now So far, I've mainly done it on vacation to document our travels In the last three to four years, I've been working more intensively on landscape photography. I had wanted to travel to Iceland for a long time. In March 2024, the time had finally come. I was immediately captivated by the landscape in Iceland. Until then, I had only seen it in books and on the internet Here they lay before me, these breathtaking landscapes I drove south on the ring road and one highlight followed the next Whether it's the many waterfalls or the rugged coastline of the Dyrhóley peninsula with the famous Reynisfjara Beach - there's just so much to discover! So far, Iceland has mainly shown its rainy side, but on the very morning I was on my way to Diamond Beach, the sky opened up and there was a beautiful sunrise Photographing the blocks of ice on the black sand beach at sunrise was a real highlight Finally, I wanted to photograph my absolute favorite motif. The view from the Stokksnes headland to Mount Vestrahorn is really impressive. The reflection in the shallow water on the beach. The view over the dunes in the warm evening light. Simply epic! As the sky was clear, I hoped to be able to photograph the Northern Lights According to my app, there was only a 16 percent chance of seeing the Northern Lights So, I took a few more photos with stars above the mountain, and suddenly I could see the aurora on my display. A fantastic end to a really beautiful photo trip. I go home knowing that I haven't seen many beautiful photo spots yet, but I'm sure I'll definitely be back again

Photo:ChristianHenseler

Naturalstructures inIceland

Photo: Christian Henseler

PRISMA PHOTO COMPETITION

It is our pleasure to congratulate the winner of PRISMA's September Photo Competition: MistralZerbi "The wonderful city of Naples, despite its decadence and old buildings, always shines with vibrant colours. To me, that's what makes it a poeticcity”

Photo: Christian Henseler