PRISMA Issue 6

EditorialArticle

WeddingPhotography:

Aphotographer's perspective by:CharlotteDavies

INSIDE FEATURES

INSIDE THIS ISSUE OF PRISMA

Editor-In-Chief: Louise Anderbjörk & Tristan Sharman

Botanical Canvas: Nilson explores macro photography, with its many opportunities to see subjects from a different perspective. He offers insight into its technique and the results with different lenses.

Red Deer: The rutting season of Red Deer allows Trowse to explore her passion in wildlife photography She aims to present the beauty of the animals and their surroundings, following them in their circle of life.

Sussex Starlings: Lane describes the process of photographing Starling murmurations Its unpredictable nature makes this an often elusive subject that hones photographic techniques and creativity.

Mystical Norway: Montaldo takes us on a journey through Norway's landscapes that sparked his passion for photography, and aims to show the vanishing harmony between humankind and nature in pictures

Paris Sightseeing: Looking back on his three-week interrailing trip around Europe, Tristan Sharman guides us through a 48-hour visit in Paris filled with culture, scenic locations and the French cuisine

Photographing Wildlife: Josh Feron discusses the technical challenges of capturing global wildlife on camera, whilst highlighting the rewarding feeling of getting that perfect shot in complete harmony with nature.

TheEditorialTeam

Editor-in-Chief-LouiseAnderbjörk

Editor-in-Chief-TristanSharman

DeputyEditor-in-Chief-EleanorReid

EditorialEditor-AlexandraGodfrey

PhotographyEditor-KaileeParsons

PhotographyEditor-MaggieZhu

CopyEditor-RosieLeeson

LayoutEditor-EllaWong

WebEditor-IainCunningham

MediaManager-LucileBelorgey

editor@prismamagazine.co.uk

Photo:RichardNilson

Photo:LloydLane

Photo:NicolaMontaldo

Photo:TristanSharman

Photo:JoshFeron

Photo:LisaTrowse

Photo: Josh Feron

WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY

EditorialEditor:Alexandra Godfrey

CHARLOTTE DAVIES

Weddings are a unique photographic niche, and arguably the most crucial shoots a photographer will ever be commissioned for! At the core of every wedding is the celebration of a partnership, attended by the couple’s friends and family. Even more so after the effects of Covid, weddings are one of few events that cause all these people to come together Therefore, from my point of view, whilst the photographs should be technically excellent, our number one priority should be to capture the raw emotion of the day The balance between technical prowess, detail documentation and spontaneous creative captures, is a delicate one. After all, wedding photographers must wear multiple hats. A picture paints a thousand words, and the story of the couple getting married will be told through their wedding photos for years to come Photographers then face a dilemma Wearing the storyteller hat too much and getting too caught up in the situation itself can cause our focus on our camera settings to slip. But wearing the photographer hat too long can leave us fixated too much on the camera settings and leave us blind to heartfelt moments that are happening right in front of us To complicate things further, the ‘happy balance’ the photographer has between storyteller and photographer is one that is unique to each couple, depending what they are looking for Some are fairly utilitarian, insisting you are only required for the ‘important’ shots - but no couple has ever been anything but grateful when I deliver surplus candids. On the other hand, some couples have a five year old Pinterest board and want you to try to nail as many candids as possible Both ends of the spectrum are fine, and the key is setting expectations So how do we do this? Many couples opt to have a pre-wedding shoot, where they meet their potential photographer, get to know their style of working, and experience what it is like being photographed by them. I always offer these shoots to my couples. Trying each other out and having a positive inperson experience makes all the difference in ensuring a smooth wedding day In the spirit of telling the couples’ story, and delivering meaningful images, there are three key pillars I focus on, whether it is an engagement shoot, a small reception, a full day wedding or an anniversary shoot. These all obviously go hand in hand, but they each require individual attention to ensure the final gallery encompasses each aspect. The first is connection - the chemistry - why these two people are here tying the knot in the first place When I direct couples for these types of shots, I like to make it feel as

serious as possible. The more serious I can make this part feel, the more frequently I tip the balance into silly-serious, get a laugh and capture a meaningful look between the couple that says, this is silly - but I am so glad that I am doing it with you. The second is detail - the ring passed down by Grandma, a buttonhole made from Mum’s favourite flowers I always include questions in my prebooking questionnaire that ensure I’m on top of all the meaningful details. The third is personality - who are these people? What do they value, and how can I style the photos to reflect this? My pre-wedding questionnaire asks each person what their favourite thing about the other person is, and I then work to tie that into the shoot So, to couples and photographers alike: always have a pre-wedding shoot of some kind to try each other out. Or at the very least, arrange to have a Zoom call with each other Set clear expectations in writing - identify them and make sure you communicate that to your photographer. They will love to hear it and it truly does improve the chances of capturing those moments that will be treasured forever. The success of the final gallery of photos depends on that collaborationso make it a good one!

Photo:CharlotteDavies

Photo: Charlotte Davies

PHOTO STORIES

A BOTANICAL MACRO CANVAS

PhotographyEditor:Kailee Parsons

RICHARD NILSON

Although taking a good picture may seem challenging, developing photos worth looking at is an easy skill to develop. All you need is to bring a camera and look at things around you Really look For example, my favourite subject for macro photography is devil's-bit scabious (Succisa pratensis) From 3-5 feet distance it looks quite boring, but is really marvellous upon close examination. I usually do not prepare anything, and do not bring with me more than two lenses. I take these photos during my walks in the forest, or in a huge botanical garden which I am lucky to live near and go to a lot I am a hobby photographer, and have been so for some time I started with digital photography around 2012 when the number of megapixels on the DSLR’s were increasing from 10 to 16-24. At that time I used a 1685mm lens a lot, but I found I mostly used it at 85mm and short distances. That’s how I got into macro photography. For a couple of years 80% of my photos were macro. Then I concluded I wanted to increase the distance marginally So, I changed to 200-300mm tele lenses and used them at their shortest focus distance Photography is a very rewarding hobby, with the opportunity to be creative on many different levels. Staying at close range means you can create your own miniature landscapes. I like to have lots of colours, but mostly smoothed out to a blur in the background. In a way, it is like painting with nature. My best photo tip is: keep the subject in shadow and have everything else sun lit This brings out the colours more than anything

Photo:RichardNilson

Photo:RichardNilson

Photo:RichardNilson

Gothenburg BotanicalGardens

Photo: Richard Nilson

PHOTO STORIES

THE RED DEER CIRCLE OF LIFE

PhotographyEditor:Maggie Zhu

LISA TROWSE

Through the early morning autumnal mists, an eerie roar reverberates through the damp air. Shortly after, an echoing call responds. It is rutting season and the red deer stags are ready to compete for females After discovering photography during covid, I developed a passion for wildlife and being outdoors I find it very relaxing to be out walking in nature, and, living near to Bushy Park in London, I spend a lot of my time there. I love to sit observing the behaviour of the deer, learning their little nuances. They can be very unpredictable and travel at speed, so I use a 150-600mm sigma telephoto zoom lens with my Canon EOS90D DSLR to keep a safe distance The rut is popular with photographers who travel all over the country to watch the spectacle Hence, I feel very privileged to have the park on my doorstep and the accessibility to see the rut develop. As part of the rutting ritual, the stags adorn their antlers with leaves and branches to improve their stature and wallow in mud to coat themselves in a smell to attract the females. Competing males parallel walk to assess the size and strength of their opponents At this point they decide whether to walk away or fight The clash of antlers is deafening and the battle fast paced. The fights can often end in serious injury or even death. The females are gathered together by the strongest males into a harem. Lesser males will try and mate with straying hinds or take their chances as the stronger stags tire. In late spring and early summer, the females give birth which is another opportunity to capture the beauty of the red deer, completing the circle of life

Photo:LisaTrowse

Photo:LisaTrowse

Photo:LisaTrowse

Photo: Lisa Trowse

PHOTO STORIES

SUSSEX COAST STARLINGS

PhotographyEditor:Kailee Parsons

LLOYD LANE

Starlings are medium-sized, black social songbirds who come together in a murmuration. Thousands soar in a coordinated and highly synchronised manner throughout the sky Photographing a murmuration is a unique and exhilarating experience The sheer scale, coupled with their intricate patterns, presents a challenge and an opportunity to capture moments that evoke awe and wonder. The constant fluidity and unpredictability of a murmuration provide endless artistic possibilities, as no two formations are ever the same. I tend to favour a telephoto lens to get me closer to the action Using high shutter speeds up to 1/1000 depending on available light, combined with a high ISO, allows me to freeze the action One of m locations to photograph a murmuration is a Palace Pier just before sunset from D February, as this is when starlings roost und Starlings' behaviour can be unpredictabl timing and size of the murmuration can vary recent arrival of several peregrine falcons i the starlings have kept a low profile, tending to the sea and under the cover of darknes resulted in exploring alternative locations fo and Eastbourne pier did not disappoint Photographing starlings is an experience tha ignites my passion for photography. The com nature's beauty, the challenge of captur moments, and the opportunity to create br images, makes it an exhilarating pursuit

Photo:LloydLane

Photo:LloydLane

Photo:LloydLane

Starlingsbythe

Sussex coast

Photo: Lloyd Lane

PHOTO STORIES

MYSTICAL BEAUTY OF NORWAY

PhotographyEditor:Maggie Zhu

NICOLA MONTALDO

My journey began in the city of Trondheim. It was December 2017 when the night sky whispered promises of Northern Lights. Seizing the opportunity, right after work I made my way to the nearest camera shop, where I bought my very first camera together with a sturdy tripod Later that night, as I gazed out of my window, studying the sky for any hints of green, my heart raced with anticipation. Suddenly, there she was - the green lady, gracefully commencing her ballet across the night sky above. I swiftly dashed outside, and quickly set up my tripod, ensuring stability for the forthcoming spectacle The thrill coursing through me, I clicked the shutter, capturing those precious moments of sheer, frozen beauty that unfolded before me Inspired by this extraordinary encounter, my quest to discover Norway's natural wonders commenced. The mesmerizing Loften Islands called out to me, with its vibrant fishing villages and majestic mountains by the sea. I found myself embraced by the farm village Skagefla, nestled within the heart of the Geiranger Fjord During my exploration of Norway, I had the opportunity to experience its diverse landscapes through numerous hikes I found particular joy in the many waterfalls, the snowy mountain peaks and the endless sunsets of the summer, when the sun does not seem to willingly set. Through my photography, I aspire to portray the vanishing harmony between humankind and nature. I strive to document the interplay of these elements, serving as a visual reminder of the delicate balance we must preserve

Photo:NicolaMontaldo

Photo:NicolaMontaldo

Photo:NicolaMontaldo

Capturingmajestic Norwayviews

Photo: Nicola Montaldo

PHOTO STORIES

SIGHTSEEING IN PARIS

PhotographyEditor:Kailee Parsons

TRISTAN SHARMAN

Last month I embarked on a three-week interrailing trip around nine European cities, of which I had previously visited none. Accounting for the (often extensive) time travelling between them, I had 48 hours to make the most of each one, and to strike a balance between the quantity and quality of the attractions on offer Paris was up first, so what did I do the first morning after my latenight arrival? I had a croissant for breakfast… and then I left. The Château de Versailles sits just outside the city, and had lured me away with a rich display of culture, having been built for King Louis XIV, depicted in an equestrian statue by Pierre Cartellier just outside Inside, I took a guided walking tour, the immersion and learning benefits from which prompted me to take many more tours throughout the following weeks. Feeling adequately briefed on French history and artwork, I returned to central Paris to visit the Louvre. Do not be fooled by the empty glass pyramid on its doorstep. The Louvre is filled to the brim with artwork and artefacts with origins far beyond France’s borders today The collection was extensive, and it took the rest of the day to take it all in So, the next morning, prior to my afternoon departure and wanting to see as much more as I could in such a short time, I hopped onto a boat tour along the Seine, a river running through the heart of Paris. We passed by the iconic Eiffel Tower, the Musée d’Orsay that I strive to visit next time, and lesser known yet nonetheless beautiful buildings such as the Institut de France I balanced my Parisian sightseeing well, but I’m eager to return for more!

Photo:TristanSharman

Photo:TristanSharman

Photo: TristanSharman

AviewoftheEiffel towerfromtheriver Seine

Photo: Tristan Sharman

PHOTO STORIES

PHOTOGRAPHING WILDLIFE

PhotographyEditor:Maggie Zhu

JOSH FERON

In my experience taking photos, one of the areas of photography I have found most challenging but also most rewarding is wildlife photography. Taking photos of animals in the wild introduces so many obstacles to overcome in order to get the perfect shot It could be constantly having to adjust your settings to the changing light, double and triple checking your focus to make sure it’s sharp, or trying to position yourself to get the right composition. All this happens while you are in nature with often limited ability to move around and photograph a subject who you cannot communicate with and does not care about cooperating. Photographing animals has taken me all around the world From capturing lions and elephants in Africa, to whales and penguins in Antarctica These changing climates and subjects introduce even more elements that need to be considered when choosing equipment and settings. It is such a privilege to spend time with these animals in the wild and get a true appreciation of their beauty and power There is absolutely some luck that comes with getting a great wildlife photo Having an animal look at you at the right moment or move in the right direction are things that are completely out of your control But being ready for these moments and nailing all your settings to get the perfect shot is an incredibly satisfying feeling. Some of the photos I am most proud of are of wildlife, because to get that perfect shot, it puts all your photography knowledge and skills to the test

Photo:JoshFeron

Photo:JoshFeron

Photo:JoshFeron

Photographing globalwildlife

Photo: Josh Feron

PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION

PRISMA PHOTO COMPETITION

It is our pleasure to congratulate the winner of PRISMA's January Photo Competition: AnnaMatthaei

"This photograph was taken in Kritsa, one of Cretes oldest and most picturesque mountain villages. The labyrinthian alleyways wind theirwaybetweenwhitestonebuildingsandcolorfuldoors;hiddensecretsaroundeverycorner,waitingtobediscovered.

To enter for your chance to be featured in our upcoming issue, submit a photo through the link on our social media!

Photo: Richard Nilson