Annie Leibovitz's lastest shoot for Vogue is stirring some controversy in the USA. The editorial was meant to highlight the brave individuals, who were instrumental in the recovery efforts after Hurricane Sandy. Many people are upset because they feel as though Vogue is exploiting the natural disaster. What do you think?? In my opinion the images are beautifully executed. The concept is very creative and since Vogue has helped the relief efforts by raising over 1.7 million, I don't find anything wrong with this editorial. The concept is fresh and definitely highlights those who were involved in the relief efforts...in a very Vogue way that is! 
I love getting inspired by the works of other photographers. When I came across Amanda Diaz's portfolio my jaw dropped. I couldn't believe how beautiful, seductive, and edgy her photos were. I'm in love with her work! So while I keep drooling over her photos, feel free to check out her website: www.amandadiaz.com 
All images © Amanda Diaz. I love these images for the Caterina Gatta’s Fall 2012 Campaign. Beautiful lighting!        Please check out Part III of the year in pictures. Let's hope 2013 will bring much needed peace and happiness to this world. Our collection of the best photojournalism of 2012 concludes with a look at the months of September, October, November, and December. While hurricane Sandy devastated the American northeast coast, numerous powerful typhoons wreaked havoc on several Asian nations. The battle for Syria further devolved into a bloody abyss as the conflict dragged on well into its second year. Protests against austerity measures roiled Greece, Spain, Portugal, Italy and other European countries, China picked a new leader during their once-a-decade power transition, and a new burst of violence scarred relations between Israelis and Palestinians. Through it all, the ordinary lives of people in our multifaceted cultures shined bright. - Lane Turner  (Dylan Martinez/Reuters) The second collection of images from 2012 once again brought us nature at its full force and beauty along with news and daily life coming from countries like Russia, Syria, Egypt, England, India and Italy. The following is a compilation - not meant to be comprehensive in any way - of images from the second 4 months of 2012. Please see part 1 from Monday and watch for part 3 Friday. -- Lloyd Young These were my favorite images from the second part of 2012 but make sure you check out all the images from the PART II.  (Yusuf Ahmad/Reuters)  (Yasuyoshi Chiba/AFP/GettyImages)  (Jim Urquhart/Reuters)  (Kevin Lamarque/Reuters) Can't wait to see my little brother graduate from the Air Force Academy this May! Hope he gets a cool photo like this one on his graduation!  (Vivek Prakash/Reuters)  (Stephane Mahe/Reuters)  (Gary Hershorn/Reuters) Check out The Atlantic's Preparing for the End of the World. Did you survive?! We all did, enjoy one more day and stop worrying about silly things.  (Reuters/Jorge Cabrera) Another year has come and gone and with it hundreds of thousands of images have recorded the world's evolving history; moments in individual lives; the weather and it's affects on the planet; acts of humanity and tragedies brought by man and by nature. The following is a compilation - not meant to be comprehensive in any way - of images from the first 4 months of 2012. - Paula Nelson (The Big Picture) So many tears, pain, hatred and war...let's hope 2013 will bring much deserved peace, love and acceptance.  Buddhist monks offer prayers for victims of the March 11, 2011 earthquake and tsunami at Kitaizumi beach in Minamisoma, Fukushima prefecture, some 25 km (15 miles) from the tsunami-crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant March 10, 2012, a day before the disaster's one-year anniversary. (Yuriko Nakao/Reuters) To view all the images click on the photo above. Welcome to Wednesday Fashion Favorites! Nothing inspires me more as a photographer than checking out the latest fashion magazines! My husband hates all the pages with ads but I can't wait to get my hands on them. I recently stumbled upon some images from the great Mariano Vivanco, an extraordinary fashion photographer with a edgy style, in Muse Magazine. I love these images! Edgy, textured, and beautiful simple lighting! Plus, the idea of paring more structured luxury pieces with sport t-shirts and athletic bottoms is genius! I think I might have to pull out some of my old tennis skirts and some vintage Nike shirts to try to recreate some of these outfits. Love it! Enjoy! 
All Images © Mariano Vivanco/ Muse Magazine via mariovivanco.com
At the end of May I got a chance to assist a Sports Illustrated staff photographer, Al Tielemans. Al is a very talented photographer as well as an all around great guy. I honestly couldn't be more ecstatic when I received a call from him. I love assisting on shoots! Not only to learn lighting techniques from others but also to be able to learn from the best in the business. The assignment was to photograph Future Game Changers for Sports Illustrated and Al was going to photograph Jahlil Okafor, a high school standout basketball player. Check out the photo Sports Illustrated used on their website as well as a short video featuring other photos from the shoot as well as an interview with Jahlil Okafor.  |
