Though Barbora Batokova grew up in the city, she's always been a country girl at heart. In fact, she has fond memories of time spent with her family outside the city foraging mushrooms. This love of mushrooms stayed with her as she moved from her native Czech Republic to the United States for university. And as a way to stay connected with her heritage, she revisited the idea of photographing and foraging mushrooms. This gave birth to Fungiwoman, Batokova's Instagram and website, which is not only a collection of mushroom photography but a resource of information and inspiration.

Batokova has always been interested in the variety of shapes, sizes, and colors found in fungi and how they can be used as ingredients to create a delicious meal. But photographing them has opened up a whole new world for her.

“I began to learn about the fascinating world of mushrooms and how powerful and amazing they are,” she tells My Modern Met. “They can do so much!

“They are well known for their indispensable role in the forests and recycling organic matter, but there's so much more. Thanks to their chemical defenses and properties, they present a huge potential in medicine as well as in defense against bioterrorist threats. They can break down toxic waste, creating a huge potential for mycoremediation, a form of bioremediation in which fungi are used to decontaminate the environment.

“I am so amazed at the seemingly endless possibilities of how mushrooms can help save the planet, fix what we've broken, and make our lives better and more sustainable!”

Through her work, Batokova hopes to inspire others to learn more about these incredible organisms, and to think more about sustainability in nature. She also hopes to bridge the disconnect that people often have with the natural world by providing them with tools to get out into the forest and see the incredible mushrooms that surround them.

Batokova carries out this mission through informative captions on her Instagram posts and with information and recipes on the Fungiwoman website. In spring 2024, she will release a book that collects all of her knowledge and love for mushrooms. In this way, she wants to change perceptions about them, particularly in the United States, where she's found a lot of fear from people about selecting poisonous mushrooms.

“My goal is to introduce readers to mushroom foraging, share some of my personal mushroom-related stories, and teach them about the major groups of mushrooms, as well as the most sought-after edibles like chanterelles, morels or porcini; the most poisonous like the death caps or eastern destroying angels; or medicinal mushrooms like reishi and turkey tails. I am also including mushroom recipes that are often inspired by Czech cuisine. One of the hardest things so far has been narrowing down which mushrooms to write about and picking out the photos for the book!”

In anticipation of the publication, keep up with Batokova's work on Instagram or whip up a nice bowl of mushroom soup in her honor.

Barbora Batokova has fond memories of mushroom foraging with her family while growing up in the Czech Republic.

After moving to the United States, she began photographing fungi as a way to get out into nature and reconnect with her culture.

This blossomed into Fungiwoman, a popular Instagram account that then became an informative website about mushrooms.

She shares everything from her fungi photography to tasty mushroom recipes and tips on how to identify mushrooms.

In spring 2024, Fungiwoman will be releasing a book that collects all of her best images and information about mushrooms.

“Mushrooms are definitely mysterious, powerful organisms, and there's still a lot we have to learn about them, but there's no need to be afraid of them.”

Barbora Batokova: Website | Facebook | Instagram

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Barbora Batokova.

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Even if we cannot see it, the Earth is constantly in motion. Cornwall-based photographer Aaron Jenkin captures just how much the planet rotates in a stunning timelapse video of the British coast. Using an equatorial mount—a device that has a rotational axis parallel to the Earth's axis of rotation—he condensed two hours into just under 15 seconds, during which time we see the horizon tilt to a dramatic angle.

“I captured a timelapse of the Milky Way in Cornwall last night,” Jenkin says in the video caption. He set up his camera with a view of a rocky cliffside, the ocean, and a starry night sky. As boats travel across the water and beams of light flash above, the camera follows the rotation of the planet and turns the picture on its side. The amazing sight already accumulated over five million views on TikTok.

When Jenkin is not photographing the skies of Cornwall, he travels to other distant locations to reveal their less-seen beauty. One of his most viewed timelapse videos captures the sky in Aoraki Mount Cook National Park in New Zealand, which is one of the darkest places on Earth. The lack of light pollution in the area is why the International Dark Sky Association has labeled it as a dark sky reserve.

“Just watching the stars above, in awe of how much I could see with the unaided eye. I could clearly see The Dark Horse Nebula, and could even make out the dust clouds of the milky way reflected in the water,” he says. “I've never seen such a clear reflection, and after seeing that I knew my timelapse was going to be pretty special.”

Be sure to follow Jenkin on TikTok and Instagram to see more amazing photography.

Cornwall-based photographer Aaron Jenkin used an equatorial mount to capture how much the Earth rotates in two hours.

@aaronjenkinphotography I captured a timelapse of the Milky Way in Cornwall last night. I used an equatorial mount to show how much our planet rotates in just 2 hours! #milkyway #timelapse #nightsky #photography ♬ snowfall (Sped Up) – Øneheart & reidenshi

He also traveled to the Aoraki Mount Cook National Park in New Zealand to record the stunning night sky free from light pollution.

@aaronjenkinphotography Night Photography in one of the darkest places on Earth 🌏✨ #nightphotography #photography #newzealand ♬ glued 2 deep in time Aaron Hibell edit – Aaron Hibell

Aaron Jenkin: Website | Instagram | TikTok
h/t: [PetaPixel]

All images via Aaron Jenkin.

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When Nicolas Miller moved to New York City several years ago, he was inspired to start his creative journey. Intrigued by the metropolis and all it had to offer, he picked up an old DSLR and began exploring the streets. From there, he's never looked back. Propelled forward by the inspiring street photographers he viewed online, his love for the craft has only deepened over time. Today, he's amassed a healthy following on Instagram, where he publishes his neo-noir New York street photography.

In love with capturing the moment and inspired by cinema, Miller's work is a dark and moody look at the city. Through his lens, solitary figures strut down foggy streets. Neon signs and the headlights of a subway car provide soft illumination so that we can make out this vision of the urban landscape.

These elements make Miller's work a love letter to New York City, but one tinged with loneliness. In his creative world, the city is filled with individuals who perhaps come together as a couple, but never en masse. This solitary view is understandable when one imagines that Miller began heavily investing in his photography during the pandemic—perhaps one of the most solitary times for individuals in recent history.

We had the opportunity to speak with Miller about his work and what drives him. We cover everything from the films that influence him to his most memorable photo. Read on for My Modern Met's exclusive interview.

What sparked your love for photography?

Moving to New York City back in 2018 sparked my love for photography. I was fascinated by the city and would often spend hours walking to enjoy it and discover new places. I had an old entry-level DSLR and I started taking it on my walks and shooting more and more. Around the end of 2018, I decided to install Instagram to check out the work of photographers capturing the city and I was blown away by the work of some people. That’s when I decided to learn photography more in-depth. I got much deeper into photography in 2020 when it became an escape for me during the pandemic. I was shooting almost every day at some point during that year.

Your work is very cinematic. Were you influenced by film and, if so, how and what films in particular?

Movies are definitely a main source of inspiration for me. I love every movie taking place in the gritty New York of the '70s and '80s. Among my all-time classics are Taxi Driver, The French Connection, and, more recently, Joker. I’m a huge fan of the neo-noir movie genre, and this is the type of atmosphere I try to convey in my pictures. A lot of the themes of this genre can be found in my photography—loneliness, alienation, paranoia, blurry line between dream and reality. The cinematography of both Blade Runner movies also had a huge influence on my editing and color grading.

What's your working process for your street photography? Do you go out with a plan or just let the action unfold?

It really depends. I usually start with a plan in mind but often end up going with the flow and walking randomly until I’m too tired to go on. This means I can sometimes go for sessions of more than 10 hours if conditions are good. I also tend to scout locations and come back in conditions I enjoy (fog, golden light, etc). Ultimately, the best photos are usually unplanned, and spending so much time in the city shooting is the way to capture those decisive moments.

What's your favorite equipment to shoot with?

I have been shooting with the same Sony mirrorless camera since 2019. I dragged it in blizzards, heavy rain, and sand storms and it is still working perfectly, so I’m pretty happy with it. I use mainly prime lenses because of the fast aperture for night shooting. I shoot at 35, 50, and 85mm. I also own an old 35mm film camera that I bought to shoot the West of the U.S. during a trip I did a few years back. I feel a little guilty not using it more often but I’m definitely more into digital photography.

Summer in Brooklyn

What's the most memorable image you've taken? 

Summer in Brooklyn is one of my favorite photos that I’ve taken. Water hydrants are often opened during warm summer days for kids to play with water and I noticed on one of my evening walks that the golden light was reflecting on water coming from a hydrant on a street in Brooklyn. This only lasted for a few minutes and I couldn’t get any interesting subject going through the frame. I came back to the same spot for several days when, finally, the man on his bike showed up on the third evening as I was ready to leave. It caught me by surprise and I took the shot without looking at the camera. The result ended up being one of my most iconic shots so I'm glad I put in the effort.

What do you hope that your images convey to the public?

The themes of the neo-noir genre definitely occupy a major place in my photography. I’m not trying to capture reality, I’m more interested in transporting viewers in my own dark fantasy. Photography is, to some extent, a way to escape my daily routine and everyday problems, as I do not think about anything else when I’m shooting. I hope the public can feel the same way when looking at my photos.

See more of Miller's cinematic New York street photography.

Nicolas Miller: Instagram

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Nicolas Miller.

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A creative who goes by the name Photographer Hal often depicts people in confined spaces. While that might initially sound distressing, Hal’s work points out that this isn’t always the case. His series Flesh Love All was created with a desire to express love in its many forms, from romantic to familial. Only love, he notes, “may have the power to bring all things together, even across race and disparities.” This idea led him to create a space where love is enveloped—literally. The images are of people and their surroundings as vacuum-packed and preserved in plastic.

Shot inside homes and outside of them, the subjects are bound in plastic wrap where all of the air has been sucked away. This distorts their features, mashes their clothing, and often smushes their faces. Most critically, it makes it so they are fused together and cannot independently move. “The things you love will be one,” Hal writes, “and the world will be one. I think that is an ideal form of love.”

Although this might make you feel uneasy—especially if you’re claustrophobic—there is a romantic notion in Hal’s conceptual work. Sometimes we might grow tired or annoyed with the closest people in our lives. After all, they know how to push our buttons. But when faced with the prospect without them, we want to hold them tight and preserve who (and what) we love so dearly. Flesh Love All is an outward display of the deep feelings we keep within.

A creative who goes by the name Photographer Hal often depicts people in confined spaces.

His series Flesh Love All was created with a desire to express love in its many forms, from romantic to familial.

The images are of people and their surroundings as vacuum-packed and preserved in plastic.

“The things you love will be one, and the world will be one. I think that is an ideal form of love.”

Flesh Love All is an outward display of the deep feelings we keep within.

In his series Flesh Love Returns, Hal returns to photographing vacuum-sealed couples.

The series features the couple, encased in plastic, in their most important place. (The surroundings are not in plastic.)

“Two people were packed perfectly in their best place,” Hal writes.

Photographer Hal: Website | Instagram 

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Photographer Hal.

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If you’re a pet parent, chances are that you have a lot of photos of your furry friend. Whether taken with your phone or another camera, you always aim to photograph incredible portraits of your pet. But what if your pictures could be even better? Renowned pet photographer Belinda Richards of Frog Dog Studios will show you how in her comprehensive online course titled Introduction to Pet Photography: Capture the Spirit of Your Furry Friend.

Exclusively available on My Modern Met Academy, our e-learning platform, we’re offering 10% off the course to celebrate National Photography Month happening May 1 to May 31, 2023. Just use the code petphotos10 at checkout to save.

Over the course of about two and a half hours, Richards will show you how to take a soulful portrait of your dog in a studio setting. She demonstrates how to safely and effectively work with a pup while showing you how to set up your studio lighting. Once the photographing portion is complete, Richards takes the image into editing software and prepares it to be a high-quality fine art print.

Although this class is an introduction to pet photography, some knowledge of the field—particularly using your camera in manual mode—is required.

Enroll in Introduction to Pet Photography: Capture the Spirit of Your Furry Friend only on My Modern Met Academy. And remember—don’t delay. Save 10% on the course when you use petphotos10 at checkout.

If you’re a pet parent, chances are that you have a lot of photos of your furry friend.

Renowned pet photographer Belinda Richards will show you how to make your portraits even better.

Her comprehensive online course is titled Introduction to Pet Photography: Capture the Spirit of Your Furry Friend, and you can now save 10% on enrollment during National Photography Month in May.

Exclusively available on My Modern Met Academy we’re offering 10% off the course from May 1 to May 31, 2023. Just use the code petphotos10 at checkout to save.

Over two and a half hours, Belinda will demonstrate lighting…

… as well as how to safely work with a pup.

She'll then get into editing…

…and making your photos ready for fine art prints.

Get a peek into the class below.

My Modern Met Academy: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | TikTok

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Photographer Brad Walls is known for his artistic use of drones. And in his new series, he's using the technology to produce work that turns traditional ballet photography upside down. While most ballet photography focuses on a single dancer, Walls wanted to highlight the teamwork that goes into this art form. To do so, he collaborated with six dancers from the English National Ballet.

Hovering his drone above the dancers, Walls honed in on the harmonious shapes they form as they come together as a troupe. At the same time, these stunning compositions aren't accidental. In fact, Walls spent weeks sketching out potential formations prior to the shoot. While these sketches help Walls, they also need to be translated into real life by the dancers, which isn't always easy. That's where the teamwork and coordination ingrained into ballet dancing come in handy.

“To help the process run smoothly, the ballet company has a ballet mistress (coordinator of the dancers) as part of the shoot to help translate my shapes into poses,” he tells My Modern Met.

Everything is captured on a neutral background, allowing the grace and beauty of the dancers to come to the forefront. As always, Walls focuses on the geometry and symmetry of the compositions. This result is a visually pleasing series that gives new insight into the world of dance.

For the dancers, it was also a new experience, as drones aren't typically used in this type of photography. “Ballet is not usually viewed from above,” recalls Anna-Babette Winkler, who was one of six dancers involved in the shoot. “I remember the drone humming over our heads and thinking, ‘Oh my, what is this angle going to look like.'”

Walls isn't finished here. In 2024, he's planning on incorporating these unique dance photographs into a coffee table book that will also feature images from the New York City Ballet and Australian Ballet. In the meantime, fine art prints from the National English Ballet are available for purchase on his website.

By using a drone, Brad Walls looks to transform traditional ballet photography.

His latest collaboration with the English National Ballet focuses on the teamwork found in the troupe.

Walls spent weeks studying ballet formations in order to gain inspiration for the shoot.

The results are a new perspective on the world of dance.

Walls plans on publishing a coffee table book with his aerial ballet photography in 2024.

Brad Walls: Website | Instagram

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Brad Walls.

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Austin Butler (Photo: © Charlie Clift / BAFTA)

There are few things more exciting in the entertainment industry than awards season. The spirit of the accolades—along with the anticipation of who will win—are reasons to look forward to them each new year. Photography offers us a valuable way to encapsulate their energy and emotion, and a skilled photographer snaps portraits that evoke these qualities while chronicling them for posterity. Renowned portrait photographer Charlie Clift did just that at the BAFTA Awards held on February 19, 2023. His stunning black-and-white images showcase the night in all its spirited glory.

Clift’s photographs are expertly composed and highlight the personality of each celebrity subject. With a minimalist backdrop and set-up, the chosen actor shines in an intimate portrait. In some instances, Clift cropped his compositions within the frame—as seen in the portrait of Eugene Levy. Other times, he allowed the set to breathe with a full-body shot of the actor interacting with the props, as was the case with Ke Huy Quan.

It makes the images all the more incredible when you learn that these photographs took place in the span of just a couple of minutes backstage. Clift had to not only shine his artistic eye onto the person but also navigate the fast-paced atmosphere and logistics that come with photographing one of the world’s most prestigious award nights.

We spoke with Clift about the 2023 BAFTA Awards and his previous times shooting the show. Scroll down to read My Modern Met’s exclusive interview.

Renowned portrait photographer Charlie Clift captured stunning black-and-white images of celebrities at the 2023 BAFTA Awards. Read our interview with him about the night.

Eugene Levy (Photo: © Charlie Clift / BAFTA)

Photographing the BAFTA Film Awards is exciting! How did this opportunity first come about?

I really love working with BAFTA, they are one of my favorite clients and together we have made so many of my favorite images. So I’ve got quite a history with Claire, Jordan, and the BAFTA photo team. They select their photographers very carefully for each assignment so it’s a huge honor to be asked to photograph one of the biggest moments of their year.

My relationship with BAFTA began in 2017 when Claire asked me to photograph their Breakthrough Brits, part of the many talent programs they run supporting new creatives. Since then, we’ve done all sorts of interesting projects together, from a series of winners’ portraits created during COVID (mainly outside), official portraits for the BAFTA TV Awards, and now the portraits at the Film Awards.

Photographing the Film Awards was a dream commission and something I’ve been eager to do for several years. It’s one of the biggest moments in the cultural calendar, and the portraits created at it contribute so much to the BAFTA archive. They play a huge role in telling the story of film and BAFTA at this moment.  Plus, of course, I got to work with some of the most talented performers and creatives in the world on a night when they are full of emotion and excitement. You never quite know what will happen on a such a big night, but it’s amazing to be there and to be part of it.

The BAFTA team and I are so proud of the results, we can’t wait to put them up on the walls of 195 Piccadilly—BAFTA’s home in London.

Ke Huy Quan (Photo: © Charlie Clift / BAFTA)

You first photographed the portraits at the BAFTA TV Awards in 2019. How did you approach your first BAFTA Film Awards differently?

For my first Film Awards, I prepared myself for a night which I knew would be even more intense than the TV Awards. I had learned a lot from the TV awards, and certainly brought all that experience with me to this shoot. I wanted to make sure absolutely everything was in place and ready to go for the big day. The process began months in advance. To be honest, as soon as I was given the job in early January, I basically didn’t think about anything else. There were endless creative discussions with Claire and Jordan, days of testing lighting approaches, sourcing props, mood boarding, trying out different paints for the set, and changing my mind 20 times about everything.

Angela Bassett (Photo: © Charlie Clift / BAFTA)

What were some of the things you learned that you incorporated into the 2023 shoot?

I learned a huge amount from photographing at two BAFTA TV Awards. It’s vital to have a brilliant team and a versatile set so I can create an instantly exciting shooting environment the moment someone steps into my studio. I want them to be instantly on board and ready to make the most of our limited time together.

I’m also quite creatively restless, so I wanted to make this year’s set look a bit different to previous years. In 2019, I chose a classic Irving Penn look at the BAFTA TV Awards; in 2020, the pandemic meant we took the shoots on-location; then in 2021, I looked to the deep color palettes of Picasso and Mondrian. For my first shoot at the BAFTA Film Awards, I was inspired by Lucien Freud's studio, recreating the plastered walls, worn wooden floor, and tired furniture in the space I was given backstage in London’s Royal Festival Hall. We flooded with soft light and filled it with music, the perfect space for the emotions of the evening to take center stage.

Ariana DeBose (Photo: © Charlie Clift / BAFTA)

You couldn't spend long with each individual. How did you make the most of that short amount of time?

It’s really crucial in a portrait shoot to make a genuine connection with your sitter. I’m full of energy and enthusiasm, which probably helps a lot. My top priority was for them to feel special from the moment they arrived at my studio, that they felt our shoot was something unique. I had as little as two minutes, so there’s no time to waste, I dive straight in, instantly introduce myself the moment they arrive, suggest a couple of ideas that we could play with and then see what happens. While I’m shooting, I’m always thinking how can I make this more interesting, more unusual, get something special here. Ultimately, I just have to trust myself and my instincts to guide these brilliant performers toward the most fascinating moments.

Having an adaptable set makes a huge difference to how much you can make of a few minutes. A bank of hundreds of reference images also meant in the moments between people I could fill my head with new ideas so I didn’t get stuck in a rut. I also had two brilliant assistants, Olly and Phil, who worked like a well-oiled machine with me, often moving before I even asked as they know my approach so well. Fortunately, actors are the most brilliant subjects to work with bringing a wonderful energy to all my ideas—I’m so proud of how much individualism we managed to create across the set.

Cate Blanchett (Photo: © Charlie Clift / BAFTA)

What were some of the logistical challenges you faced that night?

Limited time is certainly a challenge—there is a lot to pack into the evening, and the BAFTA Photo Team do an amazing job coordinating back-to-back sittings and keeping on top of the schedule, so hats off to them. Space is also limited, and I therefore needed to carefully design a set according to strict proportions, which could be easily transported to and built inside the Royal Festival Hall.

However, I would say that the biggest logistical challenge actually comes after the night, and it’s the process of turning around my photographs almost immediately. This year the portraits went live only a couple of days after the event! I started at the crack of dawn the morning after the awards working on minimal sleep. At about lunchtime, I sent the BAFTA photo team my shortlist, and together we then sifted through the images to choose our final set. I can’t quite believe how many we managed to make in our final set this year, I think it was nearly 200 portraits, from one evening! I take a very minimal approach to retouching, most of the images you see are just graded, and the ones that have any retouching on them are done very lightly with a naturalistic approach only really required because events like this can be a bit hot and sweaty or because I framed an image a little beyond my small set. This is the first year BAFTA has been able to include so many shots in their final selection, which is amazing for their archive.

Rami Malek (Photo: © Charlie Clift / BAFTA)

Can you describe the atmosphere of being a photographer at the awards show?

The atmosphere is incredible. In my experience, awards nights are absolutely buzzing with emotion, from elation to excitement, through to disappointment. It’s really important to distill these into my portraits—having all that emotion to play with is awesome.

How did that affect you as you snapped the photos?
[I encouraged] the actors to make use of their feelings through movement is really effective—jumping, dancing, and showing off their award. I’m quite direct, and having clear direction can cut through some of the chaos. I’m mentally prepared to make quick calls. Sometimes actors are delighted to be photographed, and sometimes they just want to get on with their night. My first vision for a portrait isn’t always met with enthusiasm, so I always have a few more ideas up my sleeve ready to rock—never lose that energy. It’s really exciting, but also really exhausting, both physically and emotionally—I ran on adrenaline for the whole night, and by the end I was completely drained. But it was totally worth it. So much fun.

Kerry Condon (Photo: © Charlie Clift / BAFTA)

You photographed a lot of A-listers that night. Who made the biggest impression on you, and why?

This is a tough one, as I was fortunate enough to meet so many amazing stars (including a bomb disposal cocker spaniel). Rami Malek seemed to fizz with energy, and after much persuasion gave me one beautiful jump, which has become one of my favorite images. Photographing award winners is always a highlight too, sharing in their post-win excitement. Barry Keoghan and Kerry Condon both won their first BAFTAs this year so capturing their elation was really special. Austin Butler was as charming as you’d expect, but I don’t think could quite believe what was happening, he was, of course, still totally effortless in front of my lens. My last sitting was with Cate Blanchett, who had just received her fourth golden mask, that was quite a person to finish the night with, she has such a presence and I love the images we made together.

Taron Egerton (Photo: © Charlie Clift / BAFTA)

What's on the horizon for you?

This year I’ve been working on some fun editorial shoots and I’ve photographed an important mental health campaign that will be going live during Mental Health Awareness Week in May. I’m also collaborating closely with a TV production company making key art for a lot of their series—it’s great fun working with top costume designers, amazing actors, fabulous set builders, and producers full of creative ideas. The images are just starting to be released so keep your eyes peeled for them.

Gwendoline Christie (Photo: © Charlie Clift / BAFTA)

Barry Keoghan (Photo: © Charlie Clift / BAFTA)

Edward Berger (Photo: © Charlie Clift / BAFTA)

Little Simz (Photo: © Charlie Clift / BAFTA)

Sandy Powell | Jenny Beavan (Photo: © Charlie Clift / BAFTA)

Charlie Clift: Website | Instagram 

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Charlie Clift. 

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“Saori on Seaplane Wing, Dominican Republic,” 2010 (Photo: © 2023 Rodney Smith Ltd., courtesy of the Estate of Rodney Smith)
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Across his 45-year career, celebrated fashion photographer Rodney Smith took hundreds of thousands of photos. Most of his whimsical and imaginative imagery was shot on a 35mm Leica M4 before he transitioned to using a medium format Hasselblad. Smith's work was already celebrated during his lifetime, but after his passing in 2016, it's only become more clear how strong his contribution was to the history of photography.

His work has now made its way into many public collections, including the Getty Museum. So it's only fitting that their publishing branch, Getty Publications, should tackle a new monograph that examines his prolific photography career. Rodney Smith: A Leap of Faith, includes many never-before-seen photos from the New Yorker, who regularly contributed to Vanity Fair, W Magazine, and The New Yorker.

With nearly 200 images, the book is an in-depth look at the photographer who has often been compared to Surrealist painter Rene Magritte thanks to his dreamlike compositions. Getty Museum Curator of Photography Paul Martineau, who authored the volume, shares, “Like Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland, his photographs lead us down the rabbit hole to a fantastical place that is just beyond our reach but one intended to inspire us to be better versions of ourselves.”

At the same time, Martineau also appreciates Smith's uncanny ability to create perfectly balanced imagery. He tells My Modern Met, “The work is perfectly composed, and his later pictures demonstrate great sophistication in terms of his color relationships.”

Rodney Smith: A Leap of Faith details the photographer's trajectory, which took him from street photography to corporate photography to the fashion imagery that he's most well-known for. The book also investigates Smith's personal life and character, particularly how his privileged, lonely upbringing manifested itself in his creative tendencies. “Smith often stated that photography saved his life,” Martineau shares. “I hope people will be intrigued and impressed by the somewhat tortuous trajectory of Smith’s personal and artistic journey.”

With text by Martineau, as well as essays by Rebecca A. Senf from the Center for Creative Photography and former Vanity Fair editor Graydon Carter, the book is a well-rounded look at Smith's creative and technical genius. The book, which comes out May 16, is now available for pre-order.

Rodney Smith: A Leap of Faith is a new monograph about the work of acclaimed fashion photographer Rodney Smith.

The book includes nearly 200 images, many of which have never before been published.

“Self-Portrait with Leslie, Siena, Italy,” 1990. (Photo: © 2023 Rodney Smith Ltd., courtesy of the Estate of Rodney Smith)

Through text by Getty Museum curator Paul Martineau and others, the book is an illuminating look at the work of the whimsical, imaginative photographer.

“Twins in the Tree, Snedens Landing, New York,” 1999. (Photo: © 2023 Rodney Smith Ltd., courtesy of the Estate of Rodney Smith)

“Roll No. 1, Monkton, Maryland,” 1999. (Photo: © 2023 Rodney Smith Ltd., courtesy of the Estate of Rodney Smith)

The book, which comes out May 16, is now available for pre-order.

“A.J. Chasing Airplane, Orange County Airport, New York,” 1998. (Photo: © 2023 Rodney Smith Ltd., courtesy of the Estate of Rodney Smith)

“Holding Hands, Amalfi, Italy,” 2007. (Photo: © 2023 Rodney Smith Ltd., courtesy of the Estate of Rodney Smith)

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by the J. Paul Getty Trust.

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In Saudi Arabia's southern province of Asir, it's common to find stalls selling elaborate flower crowns. The intricate headpieces are highly detailed, and some weigh quite a bit due to the sheer amount of greenery they contain. And while flowers are often associated with women, these crowns will actually make their way onto the heads of a group known as the Flower Men.

Photographer Omar Reda set out to capture this unique tradition, which is carried on by members of the Qahtan tribe. Descendents of the ancient Tihama and Asir groups, these men are participating in a custom that dates back over 2,000 years. The crowns incorporate flowers, herbs, and greens and are worn for different reasons. They are readily available and can be customized to the wearer's style. Younger generations of Qahtani men often select crowns with colorful flowers and show off their personalities through aesthetics. The older generation often has a more minimalist approach to the design and often incorporates more herbs for their medicinal properties.

Reda, who has been fascinated by different cultures since childhood, traveled to the region in order to see the Flower Men for himself. While members of the tribe are notoriously closed to outsiders, they've opened up in recent years due to interest in their traditions. This allowed Reda to make connections and take a beautiful series of portraits that celebrates Qahtani culture.

“My hope is for people to develop a deeper appreciation for the flower crown tradition and to showcase the richness and diversified culture of Saudi Arabia,” Reda tells My Modern Met.

The Lebanese photographer, who is based in Saudi Arabia, also works as a creative director and this shines through in the final product. The portraits are pared down and straightforward, allowing viewers to hone in on the crowns and appreciate their details. It's a wonderful view of the world away from the globalization that surrounds us daily and is a reminder that these precious traditions should be respected and honored.

The Flower Men are members of the Qahtani tribe living in southern Saudi Arabia.

The tradition is over 2,000 years old. Crowns are intricate and can be personalized to show off the wearer's personality.

The younger generation often incorporates colorful flowers and focuses on aesthetics.

While older members of the tribe often prefer more sober crowns and incorporate herbs with medicinal properties.

Photographer Omar Reda hopes that these portraits will shed light on this beautiful cultural tradition.

Omar Reda: Website | Instagram

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Omar Reda.

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READ: Beautiful Portrait Series Celebrates the Flower Men of Saudi Arabia

Movement, light, and landscapes converge in Eric Paré‘s stunning photographs. Based in Montreal, the photographer is renowned for his magical light paintings, which he achieves with stop-motion techniques to create fully-fledged effects in his images. From glowing halos to mesmerizing spirals, these displays frame contemporary dancer Kim Henry in an array of picturesque locales.

Although it is easy to mistake these special effects for Photoshop, they are actually created on location. Paré utilizes light tubes, flashlights, and feathers to render a variety of spectacular visuals behind Henry while she maintains a graceful pose. Meanwhile, the camera captures every second of this technique so that it seamlessly comes together in the final stage. “I play with light, space, and time through light-painting, bullet-time, and stop-motion techniques to create a unique animated photography signature,” Paré explains on his website. “Everything I do is lit by hand, one frame at a time.”

On his Instagram, Paré gives insight into his process so that viewers can see light painting in action. Most of his iconic photographs are taken in vast landscapes across the globe. Finding the perfect location is half of the battle, however, as he and Henry will often have to wait patiently for the darkened lighting that will pair best with the luminous shapes and lines. Ultimately, all of their meticulous planning pays off, as each one of these photographs looks like a portal into a fantastical world.

You can purchase prints of Paré's work via the Light Painting Store's website, and keep up to date with the artist's latest projects by following him on Instagram.

Montreal-based visual artist Eric Paré works with contemporary dancer Kim Henry to create an exquisite series of light paintings.

Paré captures his surreal images of Henry in camera and on location.

He says, “I play with light, space, and time through light-painting, bullet-time, and stop-motion techniques to create a unique animated photography signature.”

“Everything I do is lit by hand, one frame at a time.”

The images feature a broad range of light temperatures with some appearing like a warm fire and others like a cold white glow.

Watch these videos for more insight into Paré's process:

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Eric Paré (@ericparephoto)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Eric Paré (@ericparephoto)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Eric Paré (@ericparephoto)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Eric Paré (@ericparephoto)

Eric Paré: Website | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | 500px

My Modern Met granted permission to use photos by Eric Paré.

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