PRISMA Issue 24 by PRISMA Photography Magazine

EditorialArticle

by:AmandaMacEachen

INSIDE THIS ISSUE OF PRISMA

Editor-In-Chief: Louise Anderbjörk & Tristan Sharman

Alpine Wild Art: Photography is as much about the process as it is about the results, which Victoria learnt from her lucky encounter with a grizzly bear and how that ignited a new fascination for photography

Australian Wildlife: Although home to deadly creatures, Australia is also home to harmless and fascinating wildlife Emily uses her photography to tell a story and raise awareness on the threat to these unique species.

Icelandic Landscapes: Maddison’s solo road trip through Southern Iceland revealed breathtaking landscapes, offering many stunning adventures and photography lookouts over a vast and untamed paradise.

Soulscapes: A collaboration between photographers led to the start of Soulscapes, where portraits are blended with various therapyinspired drawings to reflect healing, transformation and inner emotions.

Lens of the Wild: Animals exude a unique sense of power, which Natascha loves exploring as a photographer, showing how patience and careful composition can transform encounters to rich images.

Learning Food Photography: A restaurant marketing job introduced Louise to food photography, pushing her out of her comfort zone to learn new skills through trial and error, proving the value of new challenges.

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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:VictoriaHarris

Photo:MaddisonAufmanis

Photo:NataschaWorseling

Photo:EmilySonter

Photo: StevenTatlow&JemimaHooke

Photo:LouiseAnderbjörk

Photo: Victoria Harris

WINTER IN THE HIGHLANDS

EditorialEditor: Alexandra Godfrey

AMANDA MACEACHEN

As the Christmas holidays came around once again, the freezing cold of winter may be off-putting to some, however as a photographer it was the perfect time to get the camera out. On the drive back to Oban for Christmas, we decided to take a detour through the gorgeous roads of Glencoe We knew it had been snowing up there, so we were hoping to get some wonderful scenic mountain shots The roads were quite slick with ice, with snow pushing into the side of the roads that had been watered down by previous cars. A striking aspect of Glencoe is how quickly the landscape changes, in the space of a few miles you can go from wide open roads to marrow mountain passes, open moorland to towering peaks Driving through the area is always an experience, regardless how many times you've driven it, every turn reveals a new view that demands to be photographed. The problem with photographing in Scotland is that the weather is utterly unpredictable. If you set out to do an outdoor shoot with specific scenery in mind, nine times out of ten, the weather wont do what you want it to However, if you plan to photograph Glencoe, no matter the weather you're going to get shots you're happy with If there are clear blue skies, then the snow-covered peaks of the mountains will be captured with utter quality and sharpness. If the entire sky is covered in clouds, then the unpredictable fate of clouds comes with excitement of how they're going to play into the photo’s composition A let down is very unlikely when photographing landscapes as beautiful as this The weather during this trip was an example of this –completely unpredictable. One moment, the sun broke through lighting up the mountains in a frosty glow, then the next, thick clouds rolled in, casting shadows over any sunny landscapes we were wanting to photograph. Another incredible factor of Glencoe is the wildlife that resides within it Its been known that wild deer often loiter around the woods surrounding the carpark of the Kingshouse hotel. We therefore took a stop off there to chance any luck of seeing these magnificent creatures. At first it had seemed there was no luck, the car park was pretty quiet and the surrounding hills seemed empty However, just as we were walking back to the car, we turned our backs to see a striking deer slowly walking towards us I was in complete awe, never seeing such creature so up close before, I got my camera out slowly without alarming the deer, to see if I could manage any shots. The deer seemed fearless, walking around the car park as if it were their home, completely unafraid by any humans or cars. I stood at a distance to

get the shots, adjusting camera settings quickly. To my surprise, the deer seemed almost curious about the camera, pausing just long enough for me to get a few shots I was happy with. It was a very rare moment in wildlife photography where things aligned perfectly, usually you're waiting for hours for the right moment, but sometimes you're just lucky

The usual inpatient side of a photographer kicked in as I got the photos off my camera immediately to have a look at them. I flipped through them checking and editing any details, luckily the light and the contrast of the snow made an image that summed up what was right there

The shots of the mountains also showed how beautiful this part of Scotland is at this time of year, that even with the clear blue sunny skies, you could still tell with the snow that it was absolutely freezing. As someone who’s spent a fair bit of time photographing these landscapes, I’ve come to appreciate winter as a season where these mountains and scenery feel their most raw. That’s why I keep coming back, for the experience of being in a place where nature still calls the shots

Wanttoseemore?

Findmoreofthephotographer’sworkonInstragram: @photogramanda

Photo:AmandaMacEachen

Photo: Amanda MacEachen

ALPINE WILD ART

PhotographyEditor:Maggie Zhu

VICTORIA HARRIS

In the Spring of 2021, my husband and I headed off to explore Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Park with our four children That week we were blessed with an incredible encounter with Grizzly 399 and her four quad cubs in tow. I remember watching her with those four young bears and thinking, if she can do this in the wild, I will figure it out with mine. Life at that time felt hard. My kids were young, life was busy with my portrait studio It seemed there was never time to be still This encounter provoked my desire to get outside with my camera, and it became an obsession The mountains brought the peace and stillness that I desperately needed Since then I have spent hours every week exploring outside. This winter I hopped in the car, taking a speedy 48-hour trip to Grand Teton to find bull moose and bighorn sheep. Wyoming was frozen, still, and sparkling There is so much fulfillment in these quiet drives I always laugh when people say winter is not colorful, it is actually quite the opposite Beautiful soft light and glowing warm yellow grass, which contrasts perfectly against blue mountains. Within my work, color and soft light are the biggest focus for me, which made this the perfect setting to showcase these beautiful animals Through the last few years, I have found that the excitement of the search is a part of wildlife photography that I absolutely love This simple and sometimes long process of searching has brought me a lot of time to reflect and reset myself. I am forever grateful for that bear and her cubs for igniting my love of the wild.

Photo:VictoriaHarris

Photo: Victoria Harris

Moosein GrandTeton

THE LANDSCAPES OF ICELAND

PhotographyEditor:Kailee Parsons

MADDISON AUFMANIS

My first solo road trip took me through the breathtaking landscapes of Southern Iceland From the moment I arrived, I was captivated by its extraordinary beauty Its dramatic scenery – waterfalls at every turn, steaming hot springs, vast lava fields, geysers, glaciers and even volcanoes – left me in awe. Having grown up in Australia, I naturally tend to seek out warmer destinations. However, after seeing captivating images of Iceland online, I knew I had to experience it firsthand My journey began in Reykjavik, a city renowned for its vibrant art, culture, music scenes and exquisite cuisine After departing the modern town, my next destination was the majestic Skogafoss waterfall. The surrounding landscape felt untamed and untouched, exuding raw beauty. Despite the unpredictable weather, I was completely blown away – both literally and figuratively –by its awe-inspiring beauty Travelling by campervan during the Summer, as I did, allows you to experience the remarkable phenomenon of the Midnight Sun, where nearly 24 hours of daylight illuminate the landscape. This extraordinary occurrence provides limitless possibilities for exploration and adventure, as daylight persists well into the night. Iceland boasts a diverse array of wildlife, including whales, puffins, Icelandic horses and Arctic foxes Additionally, it is regarded as one of the safest countries in the world, with well-maintained roads that make it particularly suitable for solo travellers and road trips. Iceland is truly a paradise for nature enthusiasts and photographers alike, offering a striking and diverse environment at every corner.

Photo:MaddisonAufmanis

Photo: Maddison Aufmanis

THE LENS OF THE WILD

PhotographyEditor:Kailee Parsons

NATASCHA WORSELING

The morning sun filtered through the trees as I slung my camera bag over my shoulder, entering the zoo My mission was clear: to capture the untamed essence of animals as though they were in their natural habitats. I have always believed that, even behind barriers, there is a story of freedom in their eyes, waiting to be told. As I approached the tiger enclosure, I crouched low and angled the camera lens just below the foliage The tiger silently emerged, its stripes melting into the shadows, a ghost of the jungle. I clicked, freezing its keen gaze and capturing a piercing moment of raw power. Moving to the aviary, I focused on a parrot majestically perched on a branch, its vibrant feathers catching the dappled sunlight which shone in beams through the leaves With careful framing I erased the netting, transforming the scene into a lush rainforest The lions were next Beautiful and elegant, they were walking against a backdrop of a richly painted sky. I spent hours adjusting, crouching, waiting. My patience was rewarded. A chimpanzee cradling its young, a snow leopard prowling through fake rock formations Their stories were reimagined through my viewfinder As I reviewed my day’s work, I saw that, in the photos, the zoo had fallen away The barriers disappeared and were instead replaced by forests, deserts, and oceans. Through my lens, the animals were no longer confined. They roamed free wild, majestic, and alive. I view my work as not just photography. Rather, it is a bridge reminding the world of what these creatures truly are: spirits of the wild, deserving of reverence and protection

Photo:NataschaWorseling

Photo: Natascha Worseling

AUSTRALIAN WILDLIFE

PhotographyEditor:Maggie Zhu

EMILY SONTER

While Australia is often known as a land filled with dangerous creatures, there is so much other unique and fascinating wildlife that, despite what’s shown on social media, aren't out to hurt you. Through my photography, I like to showcase as much of this unique wildlife as possible. From the colour-changing Octopus hidden in intertidal rock-pools; the iconic Kangaroos and Emus found throughout the inland deserts; to the snakes and spiders that, despite their bad reputation, have never posed a threat in my hours of exploring I hope that through my photos, people can learn to replace fear with appreciation, and come to care about protecting the natural world. Australia has some of the most diverse wildlife on the planet, much of which is endemic to the country However, over 2000 of these species are threatened with extinction, and protection is crucial for their survival Through spending much of my free time immersed in nature, I have been lucky enough to encounter these rarer animals. For example, the Little Tern, which annually breeds on popular beaches along the east coast; and the Giant Barred Frog, confined to a few remaining populations within the disappearing temperate rainforests These animals, like many others, are constantly vulnerable to predation by feral cats and foxes, causing native populations to decline at a rapid rate. Luckily, ongoing conservation has had positive impacts on species around Australia, with a few being removed from the threatened list each year! I hope that through photographing them and raising awareness, I can help ensure these amazing species thrive in future

Photo:EmilySonter

Australia’s fascinatingwildlife

Photo: Emily Sonter

SOULSCAPES

PhotographyEditor:Kailee Parsons

STEVEN TATLOW & JEMIMA HOOKE

Last summer, my friend Steven reached out with an idea for an artistic collaboration One rainy afternoon, he took a series of photos on my balcony and sent them to me to experiment with. Around this time, I was nearing the end of a year-long stint in therapy, where I had amassed a collection of images created during sessions. I decided to combine some of these with the portraits, and the series we now call Soulscapes was born I’ve been in and out of therapy several times, but this most recent stretch was the most transformative Incorporating drawing and writing gave me a sense of autonomy, safety, and freedom in my expression. I have often been resistant and reticent in talk therapy, grasping for control by withholding information. I appreciated that my therapist respected these defences while encouraging me to express myself in a way that felt empowered and secure 2023 had been dark and bleak, but 2024 felt like a return to light and life I feel these images reflect that contrast. As with all creative expression, relationships, and therapy itself, there’s a tension between external and internal that the balcony seems to symbolise. I remember stepping onto it, rickety and treacherous, and looking down over the railings The drawings seem to represent internal energy In therapy, my speech often felt flat or stuck, but my hands would be busy scribbling in full colour. ‘There’s a lot of energy and noise inside you… you need to find ways to release it safely,’ my therapist once said. That’s what this series is about. Soulscapes feels deeply personal yet universal, capturing transformation and the complexity of healing and expression

Photo:StevenTatlow&JemimaHooke

Photo: Steven Tatlow & Jemima Hooke

LEARNING FOOD PHOTOGRAPHY

PhotographyEditor:Kailee Parsons

LOUISE ANDERBJÖRK

About a year ago, I took on a part-time student job as a marketing manager for a local restaurant Not only did this mark my first step into commercial photography, but it was also the beginning of an exciting challenge. I was journeying out of my comfort zone of stage photography and venturing into a genre I had never explored before - food photography. Over the course of a year, I became very familiar with capturing the essence of various meals such as wraps, milkshakes, and burgers However, this was the result of a lot of trial and error, as well as a significant amount of self-motivation to quickly learn the new skills and techniques required to produce industry-standard commercial food photography. The most striking challenge was building a new relationship with light and colour. Stage lighting for theatrical performances often chooses light and colour for you, but with food photography you need to start from scratch You have to get creative with natural lighting through windows and from indoor sources to achieve a bokeh effect, especially if you do not have access to a lot of expensive equipment. These were skills I had never needed to explore before but that I am so glad that this job required me to do It has given me a new toolbox to enhance my stage photography, and other kinds of photography, in ways I had not considered before So now, when I see my photos featured in advertising around town, I am reminded about the incredible outcome of this learning curve and how important it is to not turn away an opportunity to try something new, even if it may seem daunting at first

Photo:LouiseAnderbjörk

Photo: Louise Anderbjörk

PRISMA PHOTO COMPETITION

It is our pleasure to congratulate the winner of this month’s PRISMA Photo Competition: SimonEzra-Jackson "Doves taking flight from Comayagua Cathedral, the oldest church still standing in Honduras. Construction began half a century before theMayflower'svoyage.Thecathedraltook150yearstofinish.”

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

media!

Photo: Natascha Worseling

Cover art: Victoria Harris