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nex·us | \ ˈnek-səs \ : CONNECTION, LINK a connected group
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“If you are out there shooting, things will happen for you. If you’re not out there, you’ll only hear about it.” –Jay Maisel
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In this issue of Nexus
- Robert Bergstrom in Rome
- The Photography Nomad
Photographers
- Video of the Month: Olga Karlovac
- Gene Nocon on Photographic Printing
Technique
- Three Tips to Improve Your Photos
- GardePro Trail Camera
Beyond Technique
- Havana Nude Workshop
- Havana Street Photography
- Vietnam 2025
Marketing & Promotion
- Zoe Hiljemark: Is a Photography Niche Right for you?
- Instagram SEO
- Create Your Own eBook
Gear & More
- Two New Film Cameras
- Peak Cross-sling Carry Bag
Photography Competitions
- Boomer Gallery Dreams and Nightmares
- 621 Gallery Open Call for 2025
- The Curator's Salon Art Seen Magazine
2024-2025 Workshops
- Havana Nude, December 4 to 9, 2024
- Havana Nude, December 11 to 16, 2024
- Havana Street Photography, April 30 to May 7, 2025
- Vietnam, September 1 to 10, 2025
- Havana Nude, December 4 to 9, 2025
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Share Your Success
Each issue of Nexus begins with notices about your exhibitions and any other success you might like to share. Please send notifications, including place, date, time, and information, along with a representative photograph via www.wetransfer.com or info@anchellworkshops.com.
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| Robert & Joanna Bergstrom
in Rome
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The Waiter, Rome, 2024 © Robert Bergstrom
Robert and Joanna Bergstrom are back from their photo adventure in Rome. Here is one of Robert's fine street portraits.
Caught in a rainstorm, Robert and Joanna ducked inside this restaurant where Robert photographed the owner. Robert says, "This man was a gracious host, so I asked him to pose for a photo. Some Italians have the philosophy they have the best food and wine in the world and want to share it with everyone as their gift to humanity. He was a delightful character."
Meeting and interacting with people, as Robert and Joanna did on their visit to Rome, is what I like best about street photography. I photograph them to remember.
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© FS Fenyvessy
“Until the lion learns how to write, every story will glorify the hunter.” –African Proverb
The Photography Nomad, Fritz Fenyvessy, made these two images on his recent sojourn to Tanzania.
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| Video of the Month |
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| Olga Karlovac |
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© Olga Karlovac
Olga Karlovac's haunting images reveal her incisive and compassionate vision of the mysteries and realities of everyday life. With an unflinching yet sensitive eye, Karlovac captures the random dramas of daily existence, interspersing the sweetness of life with the struggle for survival.
Olga's photographs reveal the movement and rhythm of life, the fleeting details and mysteries unfolding in common places and chance encounters. Her photographs offer glimpses of brief moments in time as they expose truths, half-truths, and sometimes imagined stories.
This video not only about Olga, it also reveals the method she uses to create her haunting images of space in time. |
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“The best photographers in the world will be the best printers. But the best printers are not always the best photographers.” –Ansel Adams
Gene Nocon was not the world's greatest photographer, not even close, but he was one of the world's greatest printers.
I never knew him personally, but I remember the stir and buzz in the photo world when he introduced his method of f/stop printing and his f/stop timer to accompany it. Many photographers did not appreciate his genius, thinking he was trying to sell timers. Well, to an extent, he was, but if you followed his system and used his timer, you were likely to create more successful prints with less wasted paper.
In this video, Gene discusses his photography career, method, and timer. Analog or digital, watching and listening to Gene in this video will give you a better idea of what it takes to create a great black-and-white print.
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| Three Tips to Improve Your Photos |
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1. Framing
Framing is a popular compositional technique involving scene elements to create a frame around your subject. This simple technique will emphasize your subject and help you tell a story through your image.
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| 2. Leading Lines |
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You can use lines to draw attention to the main subject of interest in your photograph, and they’re also an excellent way to create a sense of depth and lead the viewer’s eyes through an image.
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3. Symmetry
Symmetry
can be a powerful compositional tool because humans are naturally drawn to symmetry and balance. A placid lake reflecting the landscape above it is a perfect example of this. The lake divides the image, but the two halves are nearly identical.
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| Using a Trail Camera for
Backyard Photos
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Ricardo Small, a photographer who attended a lecture I gave at a photo club, sent me a delightful book he self-published, Head-Over-Heels in Love With Photography. The book is about his lifelong love affair with photography.
While I enjoyed the book, one section concerned using a trail camera to photograph wildlife in his backyard.
I have a parade of critters that pass through my backyard each night: raccoons, skunks, and possums. This is partly because I put food out for them and a wading pool with a water spout. I rarely get to see them as they come at different times each night.
Ricardo uses a GardePro trail camera, which is surprisingly inexpensive and designed for hunters to monitor game trails. I purchased the e8 model, and the accompanying photo is a clip from a video.
I place the waterproof camera on a tripod and set the recording time from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. Now, I don't have to guess who's coming to dinner.
Woof! Woof! That's me, the old dog learning a new trick.
If you decide to purchase a GardePro go to their website and use this discount code to receive 20% off: LXZ-0Y1049V
GardePro Trail Camera
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Beyond Technique
Workshops serve two purposes. One is to expand your vision and introduce you to creative possibilities you may not have considered, regardless of your technical proficiency.
The second is to spend time with other photographers who want to share ideas and create friends and a community.
The success of a workshop can be measured by how well it accomplishes these two goals.
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Havana Nude
Cuba is not only an exotic des-tination but also offers unique settings for nude photography. The diverse backdrops, including neo-classic and art deco homes and crumbling concrete structures, create a rich visual background that enhances the overall artistic experience.
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Havana Street Photography
The Havana Street Photography Workshop is a real-life experience led by award-winning photo-grapher and published Cuba expert Steve Anchell.
This is an authentic opportunity to connect with the people of Cuba and witness, first-hand, their shifting cultural landscape.
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Vietnam 2025
Prepare to immerse yourself in authentic Vietnamese culture. For ten days, we will traverse the mountains and forests of the northern region of Vietnam, with Hanoi as our start and end point. During that time, we will engage with the people of Vietnam in small towns and villages, photographing and experiencing their way of life.
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Zoe Hiljemark
In the world of marketing and business, the concept of a niche is often touted as a critical element for success. But what exactly is a niche, and why is it so important? Is choosing a photography niche really so crucial?
In this article, I will explain my view on this, which is that ...
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"Can you do SEO on Instagram?"
Yes.
A strong Instagram SEO (search engine optimization) strategy is one of the best ways to increase your reach on the platform.
By brushing up on your SEO skills, you can make your business more search-friendly and attract more followers.
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If you're looking for a program to create a flipbook, eBook, or .pdf featuring your work, this is it. The Designrr eBook creator program includes AI writing tools (you can write your own content, should you prefer), dozens of templates (all of which can be modified), and an image editor (should you need it). Once created, you can distribute your book online, via email, flash drive, or any other e-distribution method.
This is a great way to showcase and distribute your work.
Currently, they are offering lifetime access for $27 USD, but I'm not sure how long the sale lasts.
Designrr eBook
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| Two New Film Cameras |
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One of the pleasures of analog photography, beyond working with film, is the retro look and feel of film cameras. There is a visceral connection to times gone by. Two camera companies, Ricoh and Rollei, have reintroduced reproductions of two venerable favorites.
If you would like to experience working with film and are looking for a great camera to knock around with, check these out. Both are available from Freestyle Photo.
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Rollei 35AF Silver 35mm Autofocus Film Camera
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The iconic Rollei 35 camera holds a special place in the Rollei bloodline and in the hearts of many famous photographers. From Diane Arbus to Linda Ronstadt and even Queen Elizabeth, this camera has captured the imagination of the world's most iconic artists. This storied tradition now continues with the Rollei 35AF. With meticulous attention to detail, they have preserved the essence of the original while forging ahead with features fit for the future of film photography.
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Pentax 17 Half-Frame Camera w/ 25mm f/3.5 Lens
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The Pentax 17 is a half-frame camera that captures TWO 17mmx24mm pictures within a single 35mm frame format. It produces vertical images with a similar ratio to those captured by smartphones.
The Pentax 17's design incorporates manual operations unique to film photography—a selectable zone-focus system, manual film winding, and manual film advance. It has a retro-inspired design, with the top and bottom covers made of a solid but lightweight magnesium alloy to optimize the camera body's rigidity.
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Those who have traveled with me know that I caution against carrying anything on your back where you can't see it. If you're looking for a safe and convenient way to carry your valuables on crowded streets, this is it. The Peaksta Slim Carry is a well-designed sling bag alternative to the backpack or fanny pack.
Currently, they are running a 10% off promotion. Use code Welcome10 at checkout.
Slim Carry
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Photography Competitions
One way to get your work noticed is by entering competitions. There is more competition today than ever before. Enter as often as you can to establish yourself as an artist. Of course, winning helps, so aspire to be the best.
Remember, you must take a chance to stand a chance.
Disclaimer: I do not personally endorse any of the competitions or exhibits listed below. I am only sharing them with you. Please check the exhibits for validity prior to sending money.
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From the February 2024 Afrovisions Exhibit
Deadline: October 31, 2024
621 Gallery is the oldest and largest contemporary arts venue in the North Florida region. It supports artists’ professional development by creating and facilitating public and educational programming, interacting with the local art community, and engaging with diverse audiences.
They are now accepting artists' proposals for the 2025 exhibition season. Exhibits feature a diverse range of artworks, including painting, sculpture, photography, and multimedia.
The Exhibition Committee reviews all applications submitted for exhibition. The committee meets once a year to select artists for the following year’s exhibition season.
621 Gallery
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Deadline for Spring 2025: November 11, 2024
The Curator's Salon was established by curator and gallerist Gita Joshi, whose primary interest is providing career coaching for artists. As part of her effort, she publishes Art Seen magazine to bring together artists and art world professionals.
Preference for this round is artists working in the following areas; Painting, printmaking, drawing, mixed media, collage, fiber art, fine art photography, installation, ceramics and sculpture.
According to Gina, Art Seen is not suitable for artists at the start of their careers or looking for curatorial input. It is better suited to artists who are open to talking about their work and process and wish to share it with wider audiences.
Submit Your Art
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Get ready for Fun
& Adventure
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| Havana Nude |
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| December 4 to 9, 2024
December 11 to 16, 2024
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The Red Umbrella, 2024. © Steve Anchell
1:1 Model to Photographer Ratio
Cuba is not only an exotic destination but also offers unique settings for nude photography. The diverse backdrops, including neoclassic and Art Deco homes and crumbling concrete
structures, create a rich visual background that enhances the overall
artistic experience.
The Havana Nude
workshop is for photographers who want to share time and ideas with a
small group of like-minded photographers. Personal guidance is given
to photographers who have not previously worked with models.
Havana Nude
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| Havana Street Photography Workshop |
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| April 30 to May 7, 2025 |
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Making Up, 2016. © Steve Anchell
The Havana Street Photography Workshop is a real-life experience led by award-winning photographer and published Cuba expert Steve Anchell.
This is an authentic opportunity to connect with the people of Cuba and witness, first-hand, their shifting cultural landscape.
Havana Streeet Workshop
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| Vietnam 2025 |
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| September 1 to 10, 2025 |
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Prepare to immerse yourself in authentic Vietnam culture. For ten days we will traverse the mountains and forests of the northern region of Vietnam with Hanoi as our start and end point. During that time, we will engage with the people of Vietnam in small towns and villages, photographing and experiencing their way of life.
Vietnam 2025
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