Author: hercor

The Maya’s Tz’onot

The cold blue water, pierced with the rays of sun that squeeze the opening in the green leaves that protect the entrance to the Tz’onot, begins to come to life with ever dance that the swallows do as they defend their nests from intruders. The long-twisted roost stemming from the trees on the ground above stretch and reach to graze the surface of the water. The small catfish come out from the shadows looking like 5-inch-long sharks only to seek refuge under the thirsty roots of the trees above. The Cenote comes to life, and in the background, the bats…

Magical Iceland

The steam of a cup of noodles fogs my glasses as I stand on the balcony and I wait and wait for a glimpse of the northern lights. I know I’m in Iceland, but I’m not entirely sure of where I am, part of me feels in outer space and the other part, doesn’t care. The cold September air takes my breath away, and any hint of cold dissipates by the sting of the hot cup of spicy noodles that I insist on holding even if they are too hot and even if they are searing my tongue, my hands,…

My Experience as a student of Maggie Steber

© Herzen Cortes 2015   Recently I participated in Maggie Steber’s Mystery Photo Workshop in Miami as part of the Miami Street Photography Festival, a 5-day event sponsored and organized by Leica and Leica Akademie.   In my 8 years producing photo workshops I have been to many workshops and have known many photographers, I can say that this workshop was quite unique from its conception. It was not a workshop about creating great imagery or about creating a story, it was about unleashing our creativity to produce a body of work that would convey Mystery as a message, whatever…

Wayne Lawrence

Born in St. Kitts, photographer Wayne Lawrence is recognized for his documentary style images and his special coverage of Detroit city for National Geographic Magazine. He began his career as a photographer after being inspired by a couple of books and a VHS tape he found at a local library. The books included Eli Reed’s Black in America and Gordon Park’s autobiography titled ‘A Choice of Weapons’. The VHS tape discussed the work and life of Richard Avedon.   ©Wayne Lawrence   Photography themes and shooting style   According to Wayne himself, his photographic purpose revolves around covering people and…

Tips For Shooting In Wet Weather Conditions

Rains tend to add a lot of beauty to the environment, washing away the dirt from city streets to give them a cleaner look. It gives photographers a chance to capture beautiful scenery in a fresh new perspective. The challenge is finding a good shot while at the same time, keeping your camera dry and undamaged. Here are a few tips you could follow to ensure that your photography equipment remains safe.   Preparation: Purchase a water-proof bag: Regardless of where you generally take pictures, it is a good idea to invest in a water-proof backpack or shoulder bag where…

Learning from the Experts – Essdras Suarez

  Even if you do not pursue photography seriously, the chances are that you must have been captivated by at least one of Essdras Suarez’s photographs. He has worked for newspapers like Denver Rocky Mountain News and the Boston Globe as a newspaper staff photographer for a combined duration of two decades, during which he has covered stories like the conflict in Haiti, the Boston Marathon bombing, the Iraq war, and other events of major significance. He has won the Pulitzer Prize twice for his work.   He has traveled widely, pursuing dramatic locations and events where he could improve…

Choosing a DSLR Camera: Things to Consider

As far as high quality photography is concerned, the verdict came in a long time ago. DSLRs are here to stay. It doesn’t take a genius to see that DSLRs are probably the best thing to happen to the world of photography today. They are easy to use, extremely versatile and most importantly, they let you shoot images in extremely high quality, which was next to impossible a couple of decades ago.     However, there are still some subtle differences in each DSLR Camera model and these differences are bound to grow as long as photographic technology continues to…

The Advantages of a DSLR Camera

If you’re a modern day photographer, you probably know why a DSLR camera is the most preferred option. You’ve used it and you know every reason why DSLR’s are the rage among professional and casual photographers these days. However, surprising as it may seem, there are photographer wannabes and aspirants out there who still have a hard time figuring out why DSLRs are so special. So, here is a small list of points that will hopefully convince them.     Speed     DSLRs use a shutter mechanism that enables quick photography. Unlike compact cameras that depend on electronic sensors,…

How to get High Speed Photography Right

As a new photographer, you’ve probably wondered how it’s possible to capture stunning images of objects that move fast. For instance, if you were to go through a sporting or automotive magazine, you’ll find fast moving sports cars captured in a way that make them look like they’re standing still. Just the thought of capturing something so fast in such detail can stupefy you. Well, truth be told, there’s nothing to it. In fact, if you know your photography well enough, learning high speed photography won’t be a problem at all. Here are a few tips to help you get…