Photo Essay
British Photographer Mandy Barker dedicates her photography to raising awareness of plastic pollution in our oceans. Even after 12 years, she portrays the many perspectives of the issue in captivating and compelling ways. By combining scientific research and fine art photography, she highlights the harmful effect on marine life and ourselves – inspiring the viewer to take action.
Whether ice, snow, steam, or liquid: German artist Franz Xaver Aicher’s fascination for water in all its forms defines his photography. As a dedicated skier, snowboarder, and surfer, he uses his camera to capture and examine the “element of life” in alpine and maritime environments.
In his series “Open Wounds,” Iraqi Kurdish photographer Younes Mohammad tells the stories of Peshmerga veterans and their families battling war’s physical and mental marks. Younes, who has worked as a photojournalist and translator during the fight against the Islamic State, shifted his practice towards an artistic approach to portray his subjects in an intimate way that differs from fast-paced news media coverage.
British photographer Rachael Talibart captures the moods of the ocean. Whereas her critically acclaimed series “Sirens” portrays the wild temper of the water, her work “Ghosts in the Shell” speaks to the gentler spirit of the sea.
Savannah-based photographer Emerald Arguelles addresses the lack of representation and inclusivity in photography by celebrating the Black Experience.
Award-winning Australian underwater photographer Jasmine Carey spends southern winter with humpbacks breeding in the tropical waters of Tonga. In the northern winter, she captures orcas feeding in the Norwegian fjords.
Netta Laufer’s photo and video installation “25ft” shows animals close to the Israeli West Bank barrier on military camera footage. In her practice, the artist explores human-made artificial borders and their effects on fauna, flora, and the environment.
The director, producer, and photographer James Hayman shows scenes from the daily life of New Orleans in intimate black-and-white imagery. He describes the city as a place with a very particular “joie de vivre,” cultural pride, and a strong sense of community.
When the shadow of night settles over Hanoi’s rooftops, Belgian photographer Wouter Vanhees sets out on a nocturnal picture trip with his scooter. He visits residential areas on the outskirts, where new apartment complexes, shopping areas, and office spaces spiral into the sky.
In her photo series “Ain’t Talkin’ Just Lovin’,” Vietnamese photojournalist Nguyen Thanh Hai, known professionally as Maika Elan, documents the lives of people who choose pets over partners.