Welcome to the Fuzzmas Advent Awards, a series running every day throughout December celebrating all our favorite things from 2018. Today we’re counting down the top 5 of our favorite photographers from this year.
Irving Penn said, “A good photograph is one that communicates a fact, touches the heart and leaves the viewer a changed person for having seen it. It is, in a word, effective.” Photography has always been a fascinating space for people. Photographers around the world, travel, struggle and work hard to offer a visually satisfying and transforming experience to their viewers. Today, we share 5 such photographers who for years have been offering interesting stories to their audiences.
1. Ante Badzim
Attributing photography as the “one true form of expression”, Ante Bazdim has spent years showcasing his perspective on life through a lens to this audience. Every photographer has her/his approach to the art and so does Badzim. Following the technique of minimalism, Badzim seems to focus on specific subjects in each of his image. In an interview with 500px blog, Badzim explained his method,
My approach is to show the true beauty of the subject with the intention to minimise any distractions that surround it. I always felt unsatisfied with my earlier work and would get frustrated with objects in the frame, almost wishing they weren’t there. I now know that this was because I hadn’t found my true style. When I found a subject or space that was bare, I really felt at home. Becoming aware of this, I creatively found myself.
Avoiding the humdrum that usually distracts us in our real lives, Badzim seems to capture the serenity that we often ignore in the small pleasures that life provides us with. We chose Badzim as our top photographer of the year because Badzim’s works are not just memorable but they also convey a feeling that one cannot simply get rid of. He teaches people to look for the “simple” joys in life and persuades them to reconsider their perspective. Ante’s photos don’t really tell a story, instead, they allow the viewers to create one of their own.
BTS’ V has started the hashtag #vante after he got inspired by Ante’s photography. The hashtag has since become a part of fans’ conversation around Taehyung’s passion for photography and their attempt to learn more about Ante.
these are for u ante @AnteBadzim pic.twitter.com/1RkktA6xEm
— 방탄소년단 (@BTS_twt) June 3, 2017
2. Mariangela Abeo
Mariangela Abeo is a creator and a photographer from Washington. Her Instagram account, known by the username facesoffortitude is the best place to not just explore but also understand the objective behind Abeo’s work. As explained by the creator herself,
Faces of Fortitude lays a foundation of healing through shared portraits of those personally affected by attempted or completed suicide, it provides a safe, stigma-free space for mental health to be discussed, and stories of loss and survival to be shared.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BoHZRwMgGcN/
Set in a dark backdrop, each post comprises of a story shared by the subject of the image. There seems to be an attempt to give a face to the pain that people don’t like to usually talk about. At the same time, there seems to be an attempt to let people know that if they too had gone/have been going through similar experiences, they can find a voice in the stories shared on the page. When a lot of people listens only to share their point of views, Mariangela Abeo is doing a brilliant job of providing people with space where their stories are heard with open ears and without any judgment.
3. Tobias Delcroix
Tobias Delcroix’s photos are no less than paintings. The French photographer’s passion for cinematography, fine arts, and photography are clearly evident in his work. Combining natural photography with his insane editing skills, Delcroix’s works are rich in color and his conceptual photos stimulate viewer’s imagination. In contrast to the models he photographs, Delcroix also works on self-portraiture which is yet another aspect of his work which needs its own individual attention. His series is interesting for viewers to indulge in as they help us get into the psyche of the photographer and understand his “idea” behind a particular concept.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BjACL-jB8to/
His work has featured and published on various websites and magazines such as Flickr, Vogue Italia, Atlas Magazine, Elegant magazine and more. His fine artwork has also been exhibited in a couple of influential cities such as Paris and Arles, France.
4. Jessica Kobeissi
Jessica Kobeissi is a Lebanese-American Fashion photographer from Detroit. With a degree in graphic design and an intense passion for photography, Kobeissi works individually as well as with other photographers to showcase her portraits. Her “Taking Pictures of Strangers” video has garnered the attention of a lot of YouTube viewers which for us too, became a starting point to educate ourselves more about Kobeissi.
In an interview with Seamless Photo, Kobeissi shares her own perception towards the work she produces,
Strength, confidence, but most importantly – attitude (and a little bit of grunge).
Jessica is specialized in fashion photography and one look at her work would be enough to understand why. Her subjects are detailed out in her photos which make it possible for the viewers to pay attention to the parts but get attracted to the complete portrait. Even though Kobeissi might majorly photograph models, each and every image is distinct and has a personality of its own. Variety, therefore, is the USP of her work. In an interview with Atlas Magazine, Jessica answered how she developed a fascination for fashion photography,
Back when I was learning to design on Neopets, I would use a lot of scans from fashion magazines in my layouts. There were a lot of livejournal sites that offered editorial scans from Vogue, Elle, Harpers, etc. so I would use those in my work. A lot of my layouts used fashion photography. I don’t know if that’s something that subconsciously brought me to what I’m doing today. It’s weird how everything’s connected in my life.
Here recent challenge video is an interesting episode to watch. In collaboration with different photographers, Kobeissi carves a space for herself where she and other photographers show how different their portraits would look even if they photograph the same person. The video is good for the viewers who often find it a bit difficult to understand the peculiarities that differentiate one’s work from others.
5. Bhumika B Photography
Bhumika Bhatia attributes her images as her “dreams”. Her website mentions, “an amalgamation of vividness, romance, love, desolation, sensitivity and pain, her images are just like her dreams. And just like her dreams, she only shares what touches her.”
When you look at her portraits, you will not take a second to agree with her. Be it her photos of sisters, of beautiful brides, or of an ideal woman, there is always a hidden story behind Bhumika’s portraits. It’s not the face that grabs the attention but also the surroundings it has been given attention in, the spectacle it has been asked to portray and the resultant expression that has been captured on the screen. There is so much that goes behind the scenes and all of that comes forth when Bhumika shares her pictures.
In an interview with Inspiro India, Bhumika explains the meaning of photography,
To me it’s not just about photography, it’s about art in general to being extremely vulnerable, because the more you do that, the more connected you feel with art and yourself.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BqRKbwTlv10/
During the time when female photographers were just trying to find a space for themselves, Bhumika did not just thrive in India but also, made a name for herself amongst photography enthusiasts and community who now look up to her work for inspiration. Today, her clientele includes Microsoft, Google, Penguin Books, WeTransfer, Amazon Kindle, and Samsung including others.
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