PRISMA Issue 10

Issue 10

CULTURE - EVENTS - TRAVEL - NATURE 30 November 2023

Editorial Article To Be An Artist Abroad: Advice to aspiring artists away from home by: Alexandra Godfrey

INSIDE FEATURES

PRISMA ISSUE OVERVIEW

INSIDE FEATURES Issue 10 - 30 November 2023

INSIDE THIS ISSUE OF PRISMA Editor-In-Chief: Louise Anderbjörk & Tristan Sharman

Photo: Ashley Fountain

Photo: Jack Harrison

Canyon Photography: Ashley Fountain’s passion for travel was the catalyst behind his decision to take up landscape photography. He aims to convey the beauty and majesty of Arizona’s canyons.

Photo: Martin Bennie

Photo: Judith Hörster

Conservation and Wildlife: Jack Harrison highlights how important wildlife photography is to conservation, raising awareness of declining species, and the importance of preserving their habitats.

Photo: Charmaine Au-Yeung

Picturing Korea: The contrast between modern and ancient landscapes in Korea is the focus of Martin Bennie’s work, with his time spent working there providing the opportunity for explore the country.

Do You Feel Included?: Judith Hörster denies that photography is a lonely profession, highlighting the joy it brings her to capture moments and be a part of creating other people’s memories.

Photo: Jason Colley

Acting Through a New Lens: Charmaine Au-Yeung is a Londonbased actor and photographer. She observes how photography has made her see this lifelong interest of hers in a new light.

Issue Overview

A Visit to The Isle of Skye: The Isle of Skye and its renowned beauty provided a photographic opportunity for Jason Colley, as well as an important moment for reflection and healing.

PRISMA

The Editorial Team

1 Inside this Issue 3 Editorial Article 5 Photo Stories 17 Photo Competition

Editor-in-Chief - Louise Anderbjörk Editor-in-Chief - Tristan Sharman Deputy Editor-in-Chief - Eleanor Reid Editorial Editor - Alexandra Godfrey Photography Editor - Kailee Parsons Photography Editor - Maggie Zhu Copy Editor - Rosie Leeson Layout Editor - Ella Wong Web Editor - Iain Cunningham Media Manager - Lucile Belorgey

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editor@prismamagazine.co.uk

Photo: Martin Bennie

PRISMA EDITORIAL ARTICLE

Issue 10 - 30 November 2023

TO BE AN ARTIST ABROAD Editorial Editor: Alexandra Godfrey

ALEXANDRA GODFREY Dear readers, Welcome back to another issue of PRISMA! As some of you may have read in previous editorials, this year I am studying abroad in a couple of different places. As my first semester starts to wrap-up with final exams in the coming weeks, I thought I would focus this editorial on ways to keep your artistic side stimulated while in a new place. Something that has become clear to me whilst living in Paris, is that it is very easy to struggle with balancing your different interests while living in a new place. I found this particularly difficult with my love of art when I moved abroad, finding that a new place made it harder at first to find the time to explore my abilities. Originally, I had hoped to focus on my artistic-side whilst in Paris, with evenings focused on painting and weekends focused on photography.

However, as the weeks quickly got away from me throughout the first month of my studies, I realized that I never quite made enough time to build on my artistic abilities. So, since another semester is right ahead of us, I thought an editorial focusing on specific ways to become more involved in the arts, rather than just wandering around new museums, may be obligatory! If you are struggling to balance your normal interests with the excitements of a new city or place, try to find specific opportunities which encourage you to work on your abilities while exploring the city. What could this be?

Photo: Alexandra Godfrey

Everyone is told when going abroad that it will be such an inspirational experience. Art and photography majors are told it will be such a developmental opportunity for their work. I definitely believe this is true, so do not miss out on the opportunities you get from a new living environment, to learn more about different techniques and experience various cultures through art. If you are finishing up this semester realizing you are like me and never got to develop your more creative side as much as you originally planned, don’t worry! It is also okay to need an artistic break, so get back to it in the second semester! Find yourself a creative space where you are encouraged by others to observe and design. Force yourself out of the house in these more gloomy winter months - if you are in Europe for your spring semester - or find a cozy spot near a window to discover the world just outside your door. Remember that the best art starts with observation of the environment around you. So, chase those winter-blues, or the homesick feelings for those of you abroad, with the magical feeling of creating your personal perspective of your home, even if it is just one temporarily. Not only will it allow you to try new things, but it will also give you new perspectives and techniques for your creative passions.

1) Pottery classes: Throughout my semester in Paris I walked past dozens of ceramic studios, some of which were fairly reasonably priced.

2) Photography competitions: Your local university or community center is bound to have upcoming competitions or exhibitions, force yourself to get out there and explore your new home through a lens (& submit to PRISMA)!

3) Painting groups: Many cities have Facebook groups which encourage meet-ups to work on art, including painting or sketching tutorials which are more reasonably priced than a class in the city center.

4) Always bring your notebook - take note of potential creative stories or observations, sketch a little something between your classes rather than scrolling through your Instagram feed!

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A sculpture on the streets of Paris

Photo: Louise Anderbjörk

PRISMA Issue 10 - 30 November 2023

PHOTO STORIES

PHOTOGRAPHING CANYONS Photography Editor: Kailee Parsons

ASHLEY FOUNTAIN For much of my life, my number 1 bucket list destination had been Hawaii. Travelling there in my 30s was a dream come true, and I made sure to bring along my Nikon CoolPix waterproof camera to visually document the trip.

I found photographing the landscapes to be both relaxing and inspiring, and my friends’ and family’s positive reaction to the photos encouraged me to pursue the hobby further. I had no idea what getting a “real” camera meant, so I settled on an entry level Nikon DSLR D5300 kit, and started researching where on my travels I could next take it. I discovered the incredible photography of Peter Lik, whose famous Antelope Canyon “Ghost” shot completely blew me away. Inspired to travel there myself, I aimed to replicate some of his style. Guided tours are not ideal for photography, as the groups are frequently overcrowded, and therefore intrude into your shots. Unfortunately, this was my only option for accessing the Antelope Canyon, but I nonetheless enjoyed the experience. Upon further exploration, I found my way into lesser-known slot canyons in the area, in particular the Cardiac Canyon. This included a “Photographers Tour”, meaning I had the privilege of exploring the canyon with just 7 other people, for over 4 hours. It was far larger than the Antelope section, and contained many nooks and crannies, angles, and variations in lighting. I was overwhelmed with childlike excitement, and snapped away at every angle and shot I could find. These favourite shots hopefully demonstrate my gradual improvement in capturing the beauty of these landscapes.

Photo: Ashley Fountain

Photo: Ashley Fountain

Photo: Ashley Fountain

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Canyons of Arizona

Photo: Ashley Fountain

PRISMA Issue 10 - 30 November 2023

PHOTO STORIES

CONSERVATION AND WILDLIFE Photography Editor: Maggie Zhu

JACK HARRISON As a conservationist, I have worked with a variety of species, including those that are endangered or in desperate need. While headlines are filled with talk of fossil fuel emissions and global warming, the struggles of specific species are rarely discussed. Consequently, the public is uneducated about the immediate importance of conservation, which is why wildlife photography is so important. It carries with it an intimacy which allows people to connect with nature; from documentaries to wildlife calendars, it brings the wider world into our homes. It is also a crucial means by which the public can be educated, and awareness raised for donation appeal.

Many people get into wildlife photography for this very reason; you can share extremely personal moments and experiences with people you may never meet. Wildlife photography nevertheless requires a lot of patience if you are simultaneously completing conservation field work.

When dealing with endangered species, their limited numbers means you may only get a single encounter with your subject in a month or more of searching, so knowing your gear is important as every second counts.

Your camera itself can be a great tool for identifying individuals, injuries or recording rare behaviours while maintaining distance. From your truck to GPS collars to your camera itself, taking care of your equipment is essential when working in the field. You are often days away from civilisation and hence away from any repair shop. Advice I would give to anyone planning a trip?

Watch out for the dust! Bring a cover to keep your kit safe and always have your camera within reach.

Photo: Jack Harrison

Photo: Jack Harrison

Photo: Jack Harrison

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Bringing the natural world into our homes

Photo: Jack Harrison

PRISMA Issue 10 - 30 November 2023

PHOTO STORIES

DO YOU FEEL INCLUDED? Photography Editor: Kailee Parsons

JUDITH HÖRSTER Photography is technically a solo profession. Hence I have been asked a few times, while I’m standing in a crowd with my camera around my neck, if I ever feel left out. The answer is no. Being able to wander around capturing moments, smiles, and memories makes me feel more included than anything else. Sometimes people and gatherings scare me—I’m not particularly good at small talk and I don’t know where to put my hands. My camera becomes my anchor, grounding me and giving me the opportunity to escape into a parallel world.

Physically, I’m right here, but at the same time, I’m watching from the outside. I don’t own a lot of fancy equipment. My dad always told me that it was more about ‘having an eye for things’ and less about the camera you use. I agree. Admittedly, there are many people who know more about cameras and how to use them than I do, but even when the settings are correct and the angle ticks the compositional boxes, if you do not possess the eye for the perfect moment, something will always be missing. When people look at my photographs, I want them to feel something. I want them to relive their greatest memories, or tear up because the captured person is right in front of them. With these photos, I want my audience to hear the busy traffic and smell the hot summer air as they stand in front of the stage. The occasional blurriness of my photos makes me wonder if I would benefit from a better camera. However, at the end of the day what I most care about is not how my photos turn out. What I care most about is that people feel drawn together, and included in my parallel world.

Photo: Judith Hörster

Photo: Judith Hörster

Photo: Judith Hörster

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Creating other people’s memories

Photo: Judith Hörster

PRISMA Issue 10 - 30 November 2023

PHOTO STORIES

PICTURING KOREA Photography Editor: Kailee Parsons

MARTIN BENNIE As a Scottish landscape photographer and builder of oil rigs, I have been fortunate enough to travel the world while documenting the places I have seen or lived in over the past 25 years. In 2007, two years after the purchase of my first digital camera and the real beginning of my landscape photography journey, I found work building drill ships on a small island in South Korea. With no prior knowledge of what it looked like, off I went. I soon discovered the beauty of ‘the land of the morning calm’, as it is called. It feels both ancient and modern at the same time, with futuristic looking cities, and historic villages existing side by side one another. Some landscapes contain temples dating back over 5,000 years, for example. The energy in these places is like nothing I had ever experienced before, and I became addicted to exploring the area, and demonstrating its contrast in my shots. I found that photography was very helpful for relieving stress built up at work, and as I continued to practise landscape photography the better my images became. Sometimes you find a place that feels so much like home that you never feel at home anywhere else— that’s the beauty and the pain of travel. After almost ten years, Korea became home to me, and seven years after leaving, I still miss it. While Korea is not welldocumented in terms of landscape photography, it has everything a landscape or urban photographer could ever need, from ancient villages to modern architecture. If you ever get a chance to visit, I strongly recommend taking it.

Photo: Martin Bennie

Photo: Martin Bennie

Photo: Martin Bennie

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Hidden Gems in Korea

Photo: Martin Bennie

PRISMA Issue 10 - 30 November 2023

PHOTO STORIES

ACTNG THROUGH A NEW LENS Photography Editor: Maggie Zhu

CHARMAINE AU-YEUNG My camera strap tugs against my collar whilst I observe the stage. It’s an intense five minutes of Irish dancing, and I am in awe of my castmates as I watch them effortlessly form beautiful shapes. From the wings I attempt to snap the kicks done in cannon. It is almost impossible for my camera to keep up with the precise, fast movements, and whilst I long to keep working at it I realise my entrance is close. I therefore gently place my camera offstage, before stepping out to give a performance as a ‘jury member’. Theatre is an old friend, and I am an actor by trade. Actor-slash-photographer, however, is a new job. I knew I wanted a camera when I was 15, but only purchased my first one, second-hand, last February. I stumbled into my first theatrical shoot when a production I was in needed a photographer. At that point, I was absolutely certain that all of my photos would be blurry and underexposed, and I was terrified I would do a bad job. But as I settled into the gig, that uncertainty eventually calmed, morphing into excitement. Theatrical photography is now an official side gig, and it has made me a better actor. Milliseconds pass slower and more thoughtfully, and I’m sensitive to the shapes drawn by flicks of the hair, precise angles cast by eyebrows, and the mood shifts of a piece. ‘Yes,’ I think, ‘that would make a good shot’. But, equally, I also think that every shot is an acting lesson – photography draws my eye to each granular, unique decision different actors make on stage. Acting is hard work, and photography lays bare its individuality.

Photo: Charmaine Au-Yeung

Photo: Charmaine Au-Yeung

Photo: Charmaine Au-Yeung

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Shooting from stage right

Photo: Charmaine Au-Yeung

PRISMA Issue 10 - 30 November 2023

PHOTO STORIES

A VISIT TO THE ISLE OF SKYE Photography Editor: Maggie Zhu

JASON COLLEY Photography has long been my hobby and a source of escapism from many stresses in life. I particularly enjoy hiking and just looking for the beauty in landscapes and wildlife along my travels. After a hard couple of years dealing with my mother’s illness and eventual passing, I decided to travel for a week to the Isle of Skye in my campervan. I was expecting typical Scottish weather, and was surprised to find myself in a heatwave for most of the trip. Whilst this is not always perfect conditions for photography, it is nonetheless good for the soul! I had a long itinerary of destinations that I had created from online research and recommendations from friends, including classics such as the Fairy Pools, Old Man of Storr, the Quaraing and the Old Sligachan Bridge. My favourite location was a long hike which ended with a view called Sgurr na Stri. The hike was around 19km, and started at the Old Sligachan Bridge, offering so much beauty along the way with gorgeous backdrops including roaming deer. Once I reached the pinnacle view from Sgurr na Stri looking along Loch Coruisk, I was overcome in awe of its beauty. With some moody clouds rolling in over the nearby mountains, it created the perfect scene! Another little gem I loved was Talisker Bay, which I stayed at overnight. Although I did not get to see the ideal sunrise I’d hoped for, the place was so peaceful and tranquil I enjoyed it nonetheless. As with any photography trip, you cannot guarantee everything will go to plan, but even if I do not achieve the perfect shot, I’m always happy to visit these beautiful places. I hope to return and see what new moments I can capture.

Photo: Jason Colley

Photo: Jason Colley

Photo: Jason Colley

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Neist Point, Isle of Skye

Photo: Jason Colley

PRISMA Issue 10 - 30 November 2023

PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION

PRISMA PHOTO COMPETITION It is our pleasure to congratulate the winner of PRISMA's November’s Photo Competition: Cara Shepherd "A lantern hanging outside the temple at the top of Mount Hiei in Kyoto Prefecture, Japan. Shot on film in early summer.”

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

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Email editor@prismamagazine.co.uk or contact us on social media to showcase your photography and enter into our monthly photo competition.

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Photo: Martin Bennie

Cover art: Martin Bennie

editor@prismamagazine.co.uk (c) PRISMA Photography Magazine 2023