nex·us | \ ˈnek-səs \ :  CONNECTION, LINK a connected group

"The only rule in art is there are no rules." ~ Steve Anchell

Castle in the Sky. ©2023 Richard Petronio

Castle in the Sky, a photo by Richard Petronio, was selected as part of a juried competition, Black and White, 2023, for the gallery exhibition at Black Box Gallery in Portland, Oregon.

The gallery exhibition will run from February 1 to 20.

Black Box Gallery

I would like to introduce you to one of the cutting-edge photographers of our time, Robert Mann. The attached 3-minute video doesn't really do him justice, but it will introduce you to his concept of working in a minimalist style using the pinhole camera. To get to know him and his work better visit his site, Robert Charles Mann. Scroll down to see examples of his unique Solargraphs, six-month long pinhole exposures of the sun from solstice to solstice. Then go to the bottom and click on Vitae. This will take you to a page where he explains his process.

It is important to get to know artists like Robert Mann. You may never in your life make a pinhole photograph or 6-month exposure, but it is important for artists to know there are no limits to the imagination if you have the willingness to pursue your vision.

NOTE: The video is in French. At the bottom of the video go to Settings (the gear icon to the right of CC). Click on Subtitles (1). Your only choice will be French. Click on that then return to Subtitles and a second option will now be available, Auto-translate, and you can choose English (or Swahili, no kiddin').

For Nexus readers who want to know what lies ahead in the year to come, here is the annual astrological prediction by Chinese Herbalist, Acupuncturist, author of books on Chinese medicine, and good friend, CT Holman.

Year of the Water Rabbit

Over the course of four years, filmmaker Alan Govenar talked to over 60 people around the globe about the ever-evolving ways we think and feel about one of our most basic needs – from a college student in Buenos Aires to a homeless couple living in a makeshift tent in the woods, a hot dog vendor in New York City, an artist in Nairobi, and a man and woman whose unlikely relationship emerged during France’s Covid lockdown.

As global crises have left millions of people both bound to and displaced from their physical habitats, Looking for Home resonates across time and place, in search of a deeper meaning of home — a concept universally embraced, but which is now in an unprecedented state of flux.

Looking for Home

Marisol. From the project: Polyspam. 2009. © Cristina de Middel / Magnum Photos

The truth of photographic images has been challenged since the 19th century when the means for making them were invented. While the medium was embraced by the public at large, photographers have grappled with the methods and techniques available to them, experimenting with technologies as they emerged and discovering the capacity of the medium to represent the world they experienced.

Photographs are inherently subjective in the ways in which they are made and perceived. There is no absolute truth in the photographic image. Photographers frame the reality that they see, whether the process is spontaneous or planned.

The truth of photography relies not only on the integrity of the image, but on its context and accessibility.

The Winter 2023 Edition is free.

Explore the Winter 2023 Edition

Reading time: 15 minutes

It isn’t always easy to come up with social media content ideas for your photography business month after month, right?

Let me guess. You’re active on a number of social channels – perhaps Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn – and they all need fresh content on the regular.

Yep, I feel you. One of the hardest things about marketing your photography business through content is that it feels like you need to create a LOT of it! So, if you’re looking for content inspiration and ideas on what to post on your social channels, you’re in luck! … Read More

©2023 Steve Anchell

Deadline: Wednesday, February 15, 2023

The 10th annual LensCulture Portrait Awards are now open for submissions! This year, we are looking to discover and recognize more than 35 talented photographers creating extraordinary new photographic portraits.

The winners of this year’s awards will be featured at the LensCulture Discoveries exhibition in New York City. Winners also receive extensive global media coverage, projection at several international photography festivals, cash prizes, and more. Our esteemed jurors are seeking compelling portraits, so don’t miss this opportunity to have your work seen — and chosen — by some of the most respected names in the industry.

Enter Awards

Deadline: March 5, 2023

Color '23 Prospectus celebrates Color in all its forms at the SE Center. Juror Fran Foreman would like to see creativity and self-expression. TThere is no preferred subject or style. Fran would like to be able to see the photographer's mind at work, thier use of visual composition, and original thinking.

Color, of course, all subjects, analog, digital, or antique processes, photographers of all skill levels and locations are welcome.

To Enter

Atlixco de las Flores

Mexico City is surrounded by more than a dozen small towns designated Magical Cities by UNESCO for their architecture and history. In this workshop, we will visit four of those special towns, Coyoacan, Puebla, Cholula, and Atlixco de las Flores.

During the workshop, we will photograph each city's unique symbolic attributes, folklore, traditions, and art, and experience the warm hospitality for which the magical cities are famous.

Cinqo de Mayo was first celebrated in the city of Puebla, We will be there on May fifth to photograph the festivities. We will also have first row seating at a Lucha Libre event to photograph Mexico's favorite sport, masked wrestling.

Registration is open for this workshop and it is nearly full. Please send in your reservation to avoid missing this fun and productive opportunity.

Magical Towns of Mexico

The Alhambra in Granada

Andalusia was governed sequentially by the Carthaginians, Romans, Vandals, Visigoths, Byzantine Empire, Umayyad Muslims, and finally retaken by King Ferdinand and Isabelle, the same two that sent Colombus across the Atlantic. The region melds each culture, with Roman architecture standing side-by-side with Muslim mosques.

Andalusia is also the home of Flamenco dancing. We will visit a Flamenco school and take in at least one Flamenco show. The workshop will begin with a seafood feast on the beach in Benalmádena, located on the Costa del Sol.

I have spent a lot of time between the fabled city of Granada, the historic city of Cordoba, and the capital, Sevilla. I am excited about renewing my acquaintance with the culture and the rich and varied tradition of Southern Spain. I am working out the details and plan to post the workshop on my website by the end of next week.

If you let me know you are interested before I post the workshop and I will offer you a discount should you later decide to join. You will have no commitment until you register for the workshop.

Andalusian Triangle Mailing List

© 2023 Steve Anchell
Sony a7R II, Zeiss 24-70mm, f/16 @ 1/30, ISO 100

© 2023 Steve Anchell
Sony a7R II, Sigma 100-400mm, f/5.6 @ 1/1600, ISO 400

DATES: May 26 to 30, 2023
Limited to 8 (3 spaces remaining)

If horses are your passion, I will teach you how to get close-up and personal, as I do in street photography.

Due to logistics, the workshop is limited to 8 participants. In the past, it has always filled. If you want to participate please register soon.

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