EditorialArticle
Wellbeingand Photography:Thepower oftimeinnature by:ChrisLaracy
INSIDE THIS ISSUE OF PRISMA
Editor-In-Chief: Louise Anderbjörk & Tristan Sharman
Night of Thunder and Rain: Hong Kong's humid and stormy nights have given Wong stunning opportunities to play with light and capture the dramatic scenes created when nature and urban life meets
Autumn Memories: Cheryl Derico enjoys capturing seasonal landscapes, especially colourful autumn scenery, and cherishes a memorable outing with her father, preserving their shared moment in a photograph.
Culture in Mexicali: Marcos Moya’s photographs portray the unique blend of culture in border cities like Mexicali, highlighted by details in architecture, murals, and the vast fusion of cuisines.
Inspiration on the Coast: McKell shares a deep connection to the Cumbrian shoreline, capturing its changing natural beauty, treasured memories, and cherished moments spent beachcombing with family.
Tanzania Safari: Andrew Lait shares his travel experiences in Tanzania, highlighting wildlife photography, and the wildebeest migration, offering insightful tips for capturing memorable safari moments.
The Accidental Photographer: After developing severe M E , Wendy Reed found solace in exploring landscape photography, discovering beauty in rural Wales and embracing a new, fulfilling life despite challenges.
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:KenWong
Photo:CherylDerico
Photo:AndrewLait
Photo:MarcosMoya
Photo:GemmaMcKell
Photo:WendyReed
Photo: Chris Laracy
WELLBEING AND PHOTOGRAPHY
EditorialEditor: Alexandra Godfrey
CHRIS LARACY
In the best possible way, I never could have anticipated writing this story. Then again, I never could have imagined the myriad of challenges and unexpected hurdles that would come my way after I turned 17. Life has a way of throwing curveballs when you least expect it I’m not going to sugarcoat my past or claim I was a wildly happy teenager before getting sick because I wasn’t but I also couldn’t have been prepared for the dramatic and overwhelming challenges I would face over the next decade. Looking back, it would have been nice to know that those teenage years, which I wasn’t particularly grateful for at the time, would ultimately be the best and easiest I’d experience until well into my 30s Growing up, I was immersed in the world of sports Athletics and competition were everything to me; they defined who I was So when the psoriatic arthritis began to set in, I fought against it with the most immature and stubborn approach possible by increasing my physical activity, as if sheer willpower could undo the damage. I treated each issue as it arose, often relying on injections and medications to push through the pain Unfortunately, this approach slowly broke me, leading to nearly a dozen surgeries before I even turned 25 Now, nearly fifteen years later, my incredible team of doctors and I finally discovered a combination of medications that despite their nearly insurmountable cost, an astounding quarter of a million dollars a year had a significant and lasting impact on my health These treatments allowed me to reclaim some semblance of a normal life Though I remained sick, the improvement was enough to let me participate in life again, and for that, I was deeply grateful. With my conveniently applicable biochemistry degree, I decided to give back in the best way I could. I began working to manufacture the very medications that helped heal me injectable biologics For me, it felt like a full-circle moment, a way to contribute to the community of heroes who had restored my ability to live. Yet burnout hits much faster when you’re sick, and I learned that the hard way. One exhausting day, after an 18-hour manufacturing shift, my boss ridiculed me for seeming weak. That moment, combined with my health limitations, pushed me to quit on the spot I realized that life is simply too short to live in suffering, working under conditions that drain your spirit and health Time our precious, fleeting time should be spent pursuing joy and fulfillment. It was then that I discovered photography, specifically wildlife photography. Almost immediately, my life began to transform. Without any changes to my medications, my health improved dramatically Spending up to eight
hours a day in the beauty of nature had a profound and unexpected healing effect. It felt as though my medications were suddenly supercharged, giving me a second chance to enjoy life in a way I hadn’t thought possible. I was simply floored by how much nature and photography contributed to my healing journey For the first time in years, I was genuinely happy That’s why I’m here, sharing this message with anyone willing to listen. As a lifelong skeptic and scientist, I was the type who needed peer-reviewed sources to support any claim. Yet I’ve discovered one of the most powerful medicines isn’t found in a lab but in the gifts provided by nature itself For over 200,000 years, our ancestors evolved in harmony with nature It nourished them, shaped their survival, and provided countless benefits we can’t fully quantify. I implore you, dear reader, to take just a small amount of time an hour, a day to immerse yourself in the natural world. Feel the fresh air, hear the rustle of leaves, and watch the subtle wonders around you I promise you this: you will return feeling better, lighter, and more alive than when you set out
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Findmoreofthephotographer’sworkonInstragram: @chris.laracy
Photo:ChrisLaracy
Photo: Chris Laracy
NIGHT OF THUNDER AND RAIN
PhotographyEditor:Kailee Parsons
KEN WONG
The subtropical weather in Hong Kong is typically humid and rainy, especially during summer Storms bring dramatic thunder above the city skyline, a captivating theme for many photographers I was fortunate a few years ago when a stormy night featured constant flashes of lightning. One bolt struck close to my apartment, creating an unforgettable scene. The illumination the skyscrapers behind and river below reflect how big and bright the lightning bolt was, and how much power is contained within it Another image captured lightning above the skyscrapers at Victoria Harbour, highlighting the stormy contrast against the city's prosperity Hong Kong is also ideal for street photography due to its bustling atmosphere. Night rain adds an extra layer to this vibrancy. One image from Mongkok, one of the city's busiest areas, shows mini-buses lined up on the street, waiting for departure A neon sign juxtaposes them, creating a striking visual split Meanwhile, the market is covered with colorful, wet awnings that reflect light, catching the viewer's eye. In a quiet corner, a couple walks toward a restaurant under an umbrella, with the lantern’s glow reflected in a puddle. Taxis move busily through the rain, and the signage of a famous restaurant glows even brighter, suggesting that heavy rain doesn't disrupt daily life Hong Kong is a city with subjects of all scales, from skyscrapers to signage Many of these shine through the rain, the character of the city persisting undeterred. Yet still, there are thrilling moments where the city’s glow is briefly outshone by flashes of lightning.
Photo:KenWong
Photo:KenWong
Photo:KenWong
Lightningin HongKong
Photo: Ken Wong
MAKING AUTUMN MEMORIES
PhotographyEditor:Maggie Zhu
CHERYL DERICO
Like many, I have long had an interest in photography and have become very passionate about it as a hobby Landscapes are my favorite genre to shoot, along with birds and occasional wildlife I often try to capture the same location in different seasons - it's inspiring to see the way the views change from one time of year to another. I am especially drawn to photograph the autumn scenery, both in Maine - which is my favorite travel destination - and at home in the Utah mountains I love the seasonal tones, the vivid foliage, and the earthy smells of the forest with the fallen leaves and pine trees all around. Occasionally in Utah, we get to see the seasons collide when winter weather makes an early appearance and creates "snowliage" - scenes of snow mixed with colorful leaves, which offers some breathtaking views! While I love taking photos when I travel, I most often spend hours exploring the dirt roads near home and in the mountains with my husband or friends and family Looking back at those photos and recalling memories from a fun vacation or moments with loved ones brings so much joy. This fall, my 88-year-old father was visiting and he came along one afternoon for some leaf-peeping. He doesn't get that in Texas where he lives, and I know he misses it Just as we were on our way home, we came upon a stand of trees that were backlit by the setting sun and looked as though they were on fire It was getting late, and I almost didn't stop to capture it, but I'm so glad I did. What a gift to share that moment with my dad and have that memory preserved in a photograph that will last forever.
Photo:CherylDerico
Photo:CherylDerico
Photo:CherylDerico
“Snowliage”on theseasons’edge
Photo: Cheryl Derico
TANZANIA SAFARI
PhotographyEditor:Maggie Zhu
ANDREW LAIT
They say that no two safari days are the same and that is something that I can certainly vouch for This is the third time that I’ve been to Tanzania and this trip offered so much more than I could have hoped for. From seeing wildebeest cross the Mara river to hot air balloon rides above the Serengeti, and a walking safari with giraffes. One of the biggest fears that I have when going on adventures like this is that I won’t get shots I’m happy with It goes without saying that the memories far outweigh the photos but as someone who is passionate about wildlife and photography, it is always great to come back with some photos worthy of the trip. The previous two times I have been to Tanzania have been early in the year between January and April, this time we decided to go in August as it coincided with the wildebeest migration This was something I grew up watching on various wildlife documentaries and had been a bucket list dream of mine since a very young age. Little did I know I was about to be treated to one of the most incredible wildlife spectacles of my life. A few tips that I think are useful if you’re considering a safari are; know your camera and the shortcuts like the back of your hand, things change very quickly and you want to be able to adjust your settings accordingly Try and take a variety of shots, profile shots look great but getting photos of wildlife in their environment or wildlife behaviour will help you build more of a story. Finally, always be on the lookout for wildlife, you never know what might be waiting around the corner
Photo:AndrewLait
Photo:AndrewLait
Photo:AndrewLait
Memories onSafari
Photo: Andrew Lait
CHINESE CULTIRE IN MEXICALI
PhotographyEditor:Kailee Parsons
Border cities have a unique culture that sets them apart, even from either of the countries they border Not only do they display aspects of each culture, but they also often exhibit their own individual culture created by the history of the city and the communities that call it home. In some cases, as in the case of Chinesca, a third community has the opportunity to leave its mark, enriching the culture even more Mexicali, the capital city of the Mexican state of Baja California, a border city between Mexico and the United States, also shares a strong Asian culture caused by migration from Chinese societies. In the 1900s, Chinese communities travelled to North America looking for opportunities. When several of these communities were deported from the US, they travelled until they arrived in Mexicali, where they found work constructing an irrigation system for the Imperial Valley and lived in an underground alley called Chinesca Here they shared their culture with the locals, making it a special city. Aspects of all three cultures can be observed in the architecture. In the city centre, the colonial cathedral across from a kiosk resembles a pagoda Recently, murals showing the combination of the Mexican-Chinese culture have been created in the Chinesca alley, along with an underground tour Across the city, this culture can also be found in the combination of Mexican and Chinese sculptures and paintings. Mexicali locals even say that the most typical food is not Mexican or American cuisine, but Chinese food made popular in Chinesca I can attest that this mixture of Cantonese and Mexican cuisine is worth a try
MARCOS MOYA
Photo:MarcosMoya
Photo:MarcosMoya
Photo:MarcosMoya
TheStreetsof Mexicali
Photo: Marcos Moya
INSPIRATION ON THE COAST
PhotographyEditor:Kailee Parsons
GEMMA McKELL
Photographing the shore has always been central to my work and where I feel most inspired Growing up by the sea created a special connection to the coast, and I have been photographing the Cumbrian shoreline for many years. Something about the coast always pulls me back, and I love documenting changes throughout the seasons, such as the changes in light, the varying colours of the sea, and the wildlife My work is often described as nostalgic, and I find visiting the coast in autumn my favourite time, as the sky and the mood of the tide feel magical It feels like a quiet constant in the background of my life. I have walked the Cumbrian coastline that stretches across northwest England more times than I can count. There is a real comfort found here, a familiarity that I love to capture and use to tell the different stories the sea evokes Being here slows time and allows me to take a more mindful approach to my work Beachcombing has always been a favourite hobby for my children and me. We love finding shells, sea pottery, and different beach fauna to identify and photograph. There is a spot we love to go to with a little café. We sit and eat chips while watching the birds and the sailboats This place and these moments all feel tied together; they are a part of my story, sewn together with memories and reflections I see it in the small details of the worn footpaths we take to the shore and the shells collected in jars. This place makes me feel most grounded, almost as if the tide’s ebb and flow keep my memories safe until my next visit.
Photo:GemmaMcKell
Photo:GemmaMcKell
Photo:GemmaMcKell
Exploringthe Cumbrianshoreline
Photo: Gemma McKell
THE ACCIDENTAL PHOTOGRAPHER
PhotographyEditor:Maggie Zhu
WENDY REED
The plan was to become a lawyer The reality was years of being bedridden or in a wheelchair Developing severe M E in my 20s had changed everything It felt right to try something different and I moved with my family from a large English town to rural Wales. Over the years, my health improved and I had the energy to rediscover, perhaps somehow reinvent, my world. The beauty of Wales was captivating When I received a camera as a birthday gift, I began photographing the local landscape, beginning with my garden and venturing further afield as my health improved Photography unlocked the world for me. I had finally found something I could do again, something exciting that began to restore my confidence. What is landscape photography? Now, I can walk for several miles, but scaling the peaks of Eryri, near where I live, remains unattainable Carrying heavy camera gear is a challenge So, my focus is on capturing the landscapes I can reach, exploring the beautiful, the intriguing, the evocative. In a book I loved as a child, there is a scene where a character escapes into a painting. That scene is always with me. That feeling is what I aim for in my photos: an invitation to step into a magical world, whether it be following a winding path through the forest, venturing through a rustic gate, or peering into a cottage tantalisingly obscured by trees Finding the magic in my surroundings is the inspiration that shapes my photography and my editing style. My illness taught me to appreciate life. Photography taught me how to see the world around me. Not the life I planned, but the one I believe I am meant to live
Photo:WendyReed
Photo:WendyReed
Photo:WendyReed
Photo: Wendy Reed
PRISMA PHOTO COMPETITION
It is our pleasure to congratulate the winner of PRISMA's November Photo Competition: JulietLazek
"A picture documenting women’s rights protests in Paris amid the outbreak of feminicides in France and the instigation of anti-abortion lawsinPoland.Thepicturereflecthowminoritiescometogetherandprotestinthenameofgenderequality.”
This month’s photo competition was hosted in partnership with St Andrews United Nations Association
Photo: Andrew Lait
Cover art: Andrew Lait