March 22, 2018

The world through the eyes of Alexandre Duarte


Member of the UdA Collective since 2017


"I always have my camera with me and most of my pictures are taken going and coming back from work."





Alexandre Duarte learned to photography at 14. He had his dark room when he spent his time. Alexandre Duarte is an argentic addict, a lover of full manual cameras and shoots mainly in BW... Add his prodigious talent to capture incredible instants of life, and of course, I asked him the permission to write an article. His warmful yes! made my day.

Due to the fool number of my "friends" on my Facebook Big Brother, it took till 2016 to see one of his post and to feel immediately this famous wow! factor on one of his favorite "Urban Soul" series.

His street-life captures are incredible and I always ask myself how much time he spends to wait for the good one. I see him like a treasure hunter, waiting and waiting full of hope to bring back at home the diamond.

Modest, not a word about his great career, his success, exhibitions and prices, Alexandre Duarte is a warmful photographer who worked a lot for this article. He let me choose the photographs what is a true honor I deeply appreciate.

Merci Alex pour ta confiance, ton affection et ton enthousiasme. I say you a huge bravo for your precious testimonial work. 



Light and Shadow" series
















From Urban Souls series



My passion for photography started in Prague in the late 70’s with my good friend Miguel who was taking a photography course in London. I was 14 years old. Both our parents were posted as diplomats there. We were using Praktica cameras with Zeiss lenses which were excellent and really cheap as you can imagine behind the Iron Curtain. The cameras were obviously full manual so it was a great way to learn how to handle a camera. The scenery was exceptional, specially for night photography with the streets deserted.

I also had a lab at home (only BW) which was a great way to learn and spend my time as there was nothing else to do… The main problem was getting decent films. So each time we went to Germany I used to buy meters of Ilford rolls. So I can say I’m a self taught person. Two years ago I started to take a course that I did not finish. I was looking to learn something that would help me in artistic terms. My mistake. It was a course to teach people to become professional studio and wedding photographers. I did learn one thing though: how to use a flash.

Then something happened to me. Something like a writers block. Digital appeared and I did not adapt to it. Later on I went through a divorce and lost all my material, negatives, the Praktica and lenses and lost my interest.

Some 20 years later, in 2013, I was posted to Astana - Kazakhstan without my new family. Yes I followed my fathers footsteps and I am a Portuguese diplomat. It is a beautiful and inspiring country, so I started taking pictures with my iPhone and posting them on FB. Surprisingly people liked the photos. Not only people liked them as my passion and inspiration were back! A few months later I bought my first Fuji camera. Now I use an X-E3 and a few months ago managed to get my old Zeiss lenses back 😊






From Urban reflections series




Since then I never stopped taking pictures. Now I am back in Europe (currently in Brussels) and I always have my camera with me and most of my pictures are taken going and coming back from work.

Now about my photography, the difficult part, I mostly do BW but lately I have been enjoying some colour. I think I do mostly street-photography but I do not like to stick to a specific style. I had some experts (not artists) saying that I needed to be more conceptual and then do a project. Well I cannot do that as I think it preconditions somewhat your creativity. I like to experiment. I like a series I did which I consider “conceptual" street called Urban Souls.

I try to capture moments emphasising light and composition. The way I see the world around me. Some people say it is about loneliness, some people say it is about light and shapes, some people say it is about a poetic way of being. I just think it is in my eyes. The way I see it - that particular day, and I hope you enjoy it…




Chris' note :
This photograph touches me of course. But in my wheelchair, I never was alone. I observed the normal life with a tender smile and people of all races, religions and levels came to help me before we talked after one of my jokes. The children, after their surprise and their direct questions, the parents blushed, sat on my knees and kissed me with a warm tenderness. 

From Urban Souls series













"Lost in thoughts"













"Cubes"

























" I exist"

























From the Urban Souls series





March 17, 2018

The diversity of Gregory Prescott


Member since 2009


The lack of diversity is prominent in all facets of life but now is the time for change.   



On his welcome page of  his site
I💓







Gunner




For the second time, Gregory Prescott contacted me and I took the opportunity to ask him an exhibition.

We choosed together these photographs for sale which remind us how much we are different and united. For example, scientists have prooved that Charlemagne (French king, 742-814 a.d. JC) have more than 8 millions of children, and all agree that we all come from Africa.




BUY HIS ART :

Hi Chris,
I would like to invite you to see what is new at "Prints".  New works are available, all signed, any size.
I believe in diversity in art and I try to showcase that in my photography.
This time I even added Gunner the horse to my collection.  It was my first time doing an animal portrait and he was a fantastic model. I am always extending my library and adding new photographs so please take time to visit my online gallery and I'll add much more during 2018.
Warm regards.










Lani






I am a self-taught photographer residing in Brooklyn, NY, whom has spent the majority of my life in Houston, TX, and Los Angeles, CA. My work consists of an array of photographs of portraits, humans adorned and the human form. I find it interesting to create art using live figures.

With my work, I allow everyone to see the true and outstanding beauty of a woman’s curves, the fullness of her lips, the textures of her hair and the grace in the extensions of her arms.
I also display the broadness in the man’s back, the signs of struggle in his shoulders and the determination in his eyes. 

In my photographs, one may witness the essence, sensuality, strong structure and power of the body with the use of passion but without the use of excessive sexuality. I hope that with my photographs, people should be able to further extend their appreciation of the beauty and body of both men and women and see that :

all people are sensual creatures; sensual creatures with a vast array of skin tones.




Scarlet Chan








Style







Vel













Smoking







Inna






Evan






Ambrielle
 






Cello







Gabe







Branden








Ania







Bice







Magnolia






His book :

"By Window Light" and "Erotic Interludes". Click the covers to preview and purchase. I'm surprised by the low prices, bravo Gregory :


http://www.blurb.com/b/8537634-by-window-lighthttp://www.blurb.com/b/2587046-erotic-interludes




And a book "Human" in project. For the moment 6 magazines issues :




EBook free




I have been photographing men and women for over 25 years and I’ve always had a fascination of seeing all flavors of people used in the form of art.
The lack of diversity is prominent in all facets of life but now is the time for change. 
My mission with HUMAN is to bring diversity in art photography.  HUMAN magazine showcases diversity in a broader sense than just race, but also diversity in gender, lifestyle, body types, sexuality, skin tones and skin types and what defines beauty. HUMAN is a blend of portraiture, editorial, fashion, erotica and fine art nude so HUMAN magazine itself is diverse.





I confirm and sign : Christian Pélier




March 13, 2018

Welcome Sue Masterson, Winner of The photo-artistry UdA Awards


Her Facebook
Member since 2018










The winning composition
"Zebras on the move"











Having a passion for art and a love of animals, I quickly purchased a camera and set about taking images while travelling around the world. These photographs are varied and extensive from  animals to people, buildings and often the ground, sky and textures. I would then go home and paint many pictures from my photographs.

About 4 years ago, I came across Digital Artistry, this allowed me to combine many of my photographs together as well as using my imagination  to create  original works far beyond my original photograph. 

I have recently started working with models in my studio, "Studio Su". From the days shoot I choose my favourite shots and set about telling a story to capture my viewers attention. I hope you'll enjoy my work as much as I enjoyed creating it.




You know me, it was not enough. Furthermore, I want that each winner expresses himself in more intime words. So, I asked her the same simple questions I asked to Michelle Mondragon :




"Anna's Book"







How did you find your style ?

After many years of painting and travelling to take photos of things to paint when I came home, I found a course that taught me how to combine my photos to create something different and interesting.

My main interests when photographing has always been animals, patterns and textures. However of late I have been interested more with model photography. 

This allows me to create a story from my creations and hopefully give the viewers of my work a place to stop and ponder on the piece before them.


Do you consider yourself more of a painter than a photographer ?

As painting was what sparked my interest in photography, I would say painting was definitely my beginning, however these days I find myself planning more on what and how I am going to take the photograph to carry forward to my art.


What inspires you ?
I am constantly inspired by the texture, colours, wildlife and fauna that nature provides us as well as the desire to create an image that connects with the viewer.

Thank you for this awesome opportunity,
Sue

Not awesome dear Sue, you deserve it and you winned the trophy. This article is your promised price. Again bravo for your fantastic creations which touch us.




The way she creates

She sent me spontaneously her way to work a piece ! I thank her for this unexpected idea :
I am also attaching a breakdown of one of my pieces , to give you an idea of what goes into a piece.  I have chosen a piece that only has a few layers, many that are created have up to  80 or 90 different images in them.


The materials




After hours and hours of inspiration, 10%, and hard work, 90%








The photographer















The composer


"Blade"






 "Turtle Tank"







"Jayde---escape"






"Art within art"






"Alana"






"Jessie's Review"






"Ele"






"Taming a Lion"






"Tiger Falls"






"Leap of Faith"