Blog

On photography and visual fictional stories.

The partial solar eclipse of 2024 photographed w/ a Nikon Z30 and iPhone15Pro Max in black and white and color. Read more at https://alinaoswald.com/2024/04/09/the-partial-solar-eclipse-of-april-2024/

When photographing, we often strive to keep our subjects in focus, and our image sharp. And yet, sometimes, we tend to use blur as a visual effect in order to emphasize a mood, look, subject or the visual story itself.

Hence, the use motion blur aka long exposure aka “dragging the shutter.”

Motion blur can help create ghosting effects, and make objects and subjects disappear (and eventually reappear), depending how much or little we drag the shutter. All in all, experimenting with motion blur can be a fascinating photography exercise.

[Note: when using a very long shutter speed and camera, it’s often a good idea to also use a tripod, to avoid unwanted camera shake.]

Here are a few examples of motion blur (aka long exposure) images captured with the iPhone 15 Pro Max:

Read more at https://alinaoswald.com/2024/04/02/motion-blur/

Read more at https://alinaoswald.com/2024/03/05/iphone15-flowers/

“When words become unclear, I shall focus on photographs,” Ansel Adams once said.

A photograph is, indeed, more than “a thousand words,” and a powerful, visual means through which to capture feelings, thoughts, perspectives, opinions, mood, and so on.

Read more at https://alinaoswald.com/2024/02/27/more-than-words/

Read more at https://alinaoswald.com/2024/02/20/protest-art-revisited/

A photography blogpost on life, death, and love, Mardi Gras (City of the Dead) and Valentine's Day captured through a Lensbaby composer. And the deconstruction of Of Life and Death photograph. Read more at https://alinaoswald.com/2024/02/13/life-death-and-love/

On visual storytelling: the rules of image composition

Deadlines: you can’t live with them, you can’t live without them. …Or so the saying goes. The same is true when it comes to rules. And yet, deadlines and rules are intrinsic parts of our professional and personal lives.

Photography projects have deadlines. Photography has its own rules.

For example, the rules of image composition help us tell a visual story in the most powerful way possible. They are there not to confine us, but to be considered, and sometimes, even to be broken, in a creative way, that is.

Read more at https://alinaoswald.com/2024/02/06/back-to-the-basics-rules-of-image-composition/

Inspiring quotes on photography by famous photographers: Ansel Adams

Photography contests: Is it worth submitting to photo contests? Are they worth the entry fees? And other related questions.

Read more at https://alinaoswald.com/2024/01/23/on-submitting-to-photography-contests/

Here are a few things to consider when trying to express and/or enhance a dark mood in images: Read more at https://alinaoswald.com/2024/01/16/dark-mood-in-photography/

Have you ever wondered how an image comes to be? Listen to award-winning, legally blind photographer, Kurt Weston, talk about the making of some of his most iconic images in Inner Vision, a Lenscratch interview.

Listen and read more here: http://lenscratch.com/2023/12/inner-vision-photography-by-blind-artists-kurt-weston/

It’s a new year, and here, in the New York City area, Times Square is considered, by many, “the” place to be and experience the turn of the year.

And so today, I’d like to share with you a Times Square composite created over the years, from images captured at the NYC Pride March, fireworks celebrations, and, of course, Times Square, itself.

The image has been featured in several photography shows in the area, including the (then) annual Fresh Fruit art festivals at the Leslie-Lohman Museum of Art.

Read more here: https://alinaoswald.com/2024/01/02/a-times-square-composite/

Mood, images and the holiday season. https://alinaoswald.com/2023/12/12/the-meaning-of-the-holiday-season-in-images/

A few of the most popular blog posts of this year. Take a look: https://alinaoswald.com/2023/12/19/my-2023-in-review/

Thanksgiving is just around the corner here, and for some reason the thought of it, of the holiday season in general, made me think of sepia photography. Maybe that’s because of the mood I often associate with sepia tones–dark, but not too dark, with traces of doomsday and disarray–the holiday mood.

So, as a nod to the upcoming holiday season, here are a few images in sepia tones:

[read more at https://alinaoswald.com/2023/11/14/seeing-in-sepia/]

Remembering award-winning, renowned photographer Marvin E. Newman (December 5, 1927 - September 13, 2023)

https://alinaoswald.com/2023/09/19/remembering-photographer-marvin-e-newman/

Notes on a #tbt cover-story interview with celebrity photographer Greg Gorman.

I know, I know, it’s “champions,” not “warriors.” And, indeed, I’m humming along, with Freddie Mercury’s voice in mind, as I’m typing this.

The truth is that sometimes, creatives feel compelled to put on their metaphorical warrior capes and make activist art, thus, in turn, becoming real-life warriors. Other creatives get to come close to real-life warriors, photograph and write about them and their work.

Many years ago, I had the chance to photograph a few real-life warriors for an HIV prevention project. Inspired by the PrEP Heroes campaign photographed (on the West Coast) by celebrity photographer Mike Ruiz, someone from an NYC HIV and AIDS nonprofit contacted me with their own idea of an HIV prevention campaign: the HIV Warriors prevention campaign.

The warriors were young and passionate individuals working in HIV prevention and education, themselves. As part of the project, they were to pick a color of the rainbow flag–we ended up with red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple/indigo–and share their thoughts about what that color would mean to each one of them. The symbolism of that color would then define their particular superpower. And together, the HIV warriors were to use their superpowers to spread the word about HIV prevention.

The budget was pretty small, but I had a blast photographing, and getting to know my passionate subjects who were working in HIV education and prevention, and real-life warriors, themselves.

Read more here: https://alinaoswald.com/2023/05/16/the-warriors-of-the-world/

Now that the coronavirus pandemic is officially declared over, here’s a look at the images it continues to inspire. I call these COVID-inspired images “Discarded but Not Forgotten.”

Read more here: https://alinaoswald.com/2023/05/09/covid-19-a-brief-visual-requiem/

Also, check out some of my COVID-inspired photography posted on Fine Art America: https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/alinaoswald/collections/covid+related+photography

Thank you for stopping by!
Alina Oswald

Restructuring the website. Reorganizing the blog.

Sometimes it’s a good idea to pause and revisit our online presence. I’m talking about our websites and blogs, as well as other social media and photography links. It’s like spring cleaning, but for our online homes, so to speak.

The task is not always fun, but rather time-consuming. And, yet, it helps us look at our work through the long-ish lens of time and experience.

Lately, I’ve been busy rethinking and reorganizing my blog and website.

Read more: https://alinaoswald.com/2023/05/09/a-second-look/

What to consider when photographing for stock photo agencies – an update

In my last week’s post, I talked about the importance of having an online presence for photographers. So, today, I decided to revisit and update an older post on stock photography. Here it is:

The beginning of the coronavirus pandemic made me revisit the possibility of photographing for stock agencies. In particular, photographing “no people” images, hence, no model releases necessary, for stock.

One idea that came to mind was to revisit stock agencies–like Alamy, iStock Photo, and the like.

Read more at https://alinaoswald.com/2023/04/18/on-stock-photography/

How I Got That Shot: Hope – A Bauhaus Rendering

Many years ago I was introduced to Bauhaus photography and the Bauhaus photography movement. At the time, I was a member of the Infinity Photographic Society (which, I don’t believe exists anymore). We would meet once a month and discuss our goals in photography. We would also come up with photo assignments for each month. [That’s how I got to learn about pinhole photography and Lensbaby photography, and much, much more.]

One of these assignments was Bauhaus photography. For this particular assignment, I was to study the Bauhaus photography movement, and then, based on that, create an image that could be identified as a Bauhaus-inspired image, at least. Then, of course, I was to talk about the story behind the image, and why it fell into the realm of Bauhaus photography. Easier said than done.

Read more at https://alinaoswald.com/2023/04/25/how-i-got-that-shot-hope-a-bauhaus-rendering/

Read more at https://alinaoswald.com/2023/05/02/creative-work-purpose-protest-and-passion/

Nowadays, if you are a creative professional, you have to have an online presence. That can be:

One or several websites, oftentimes WordPress websites, but not only; also vlogging or blogging, or consider guest v/blogging every once in a while

Online stores: Fine Art America, Art Pal, Zazzle, Redbubble, etc.

Portfolios on stock photography sites: Alamy, iStockPhoto, Shutterstock, Picfair, etc.

Note: Many of these companies, from Fine Art America to Alamy, require their contributors to have a PayPal account, to be able to get paid. They might charge additional fees to send check payments if they offer check payments at all.

Social media presence on platforms such as Instagram, LinkedIn, Post; maybe Tumblr; maybe Facebook, Twitter, and others; lately, I haven’t posted much on Instagram, but rather on LinkedIn, and also, while I’m still following my favorites on Twitter, a short while ago I also created an account on Post; the idea is to keep in touch with your clients wherever they are on social media; consider to use LinkTree as a “hub” for all your social media and other links

Podcasts: nowadays all the VIP people have podcasts, so, why not you, why not give it a try; or, at least consider being a guest on a podcast


[read more at https://alinaoswald.com/2023/04/11/online-presence-for-photographers/]

"I'll Cover You" - yet one last post about Women's History Month, in particular, this year's International Women's History Month, and the work is yet to be done, together with B&W protest photo art. Read more at https://alinaoswald.com/2023/03/28/womens-history-month-4/.

Thoughts on and questions about AI, photography, and creative work, as well as our lives, in general.

A blog post on March 8, the 2023 International Women's Day: https://alinaoswald.com/2023/03/08/through-my-lens/

Fly me by the moon, at sunset. On mood, moon, and meditation in photography.

Since this week is NY Fashion Week, here's a #tbt interview with former fashion photographer turned award-winning fine art photographer, Kurt Weston: https://alinaoswald.com/2023/02/07/interview-with-a-photographer-kurt-weston/

Every New Year offers new perspectives in our professional and personal life. With that in mind, here’s an image I captured this past holiday season while spending some alone time on the beach:

Check out more at https://alinaoswald.com/2023/01/10/perspectives-2/

December 7, 1941 – 2022

December 7, 2022, is also known as Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. I visited Pearl Harbor over a decade ago, and I often post a few images on or around this day.

Here are a few images (some previously posted here, as well as a few new ones) from Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

Read more at https://alinaoswald.com/2022/12/06/pearl-harbor-day/

December 1 is World AIDS Day (WAD), and oftentimes a reminder for media outlets to mention the words “HIV” and “AIDS.” Yet, for millions of people living with the virus, World AIDS Day is every day. And also, those covering HIV and AIDS day in and day out, also consider December 1, WAD, yet another opportunity to bring to the fore the collective story of HIV and AIDS…because, after all, HIV is still here, there is still no vaccine, and there is no cure.

While I can talk forever about my own journey covering HIV and AIDS for twenty years and counting, oftentimes I hesitate to do so, not to come across as “preaching” because then, people’s minds might shut down, and that would not be good now, would it. So, sadly, even to this day, talking about HIV and AIDS or even covering the pandemic can be a tricky situation.

And yet, while covering HIV and AIDS, I’ve met amazing and inspiring individuals–activists, artists, scientists–who have helped ignite that much-needed desire to connect with a story and tell that story in the most compelling way possible.

So, today, I’d like to share with you a few images capturing a few HIV and AIDS stories on World AIDS Day, as well as many other days:

Read more at https://alinaoswald.com/2022/11/29/world-aids-day-3/

“Incoming Inferno”

It’s time for yet another “How I Got That Shot?” post. Today, let’s take a look at a recent image I posted on my Fine Art America page.

Images from the 2022 Zombie Opera Halloween event that took place in Hamilton Park, Jersey City.

How visiting museums and art galleries can better our photography work

First of all, I admit that, as a photographer, I should make more time time to go to museums and galleries more often, especially when I’m a lucky gal (I realize that) living pretty close to famous museums such as The Met, The Whitney, and many others. I believe that we need art–as therapy; as a form of expression; as a way to open our eyes, minds, and also hearts…. I also believe that, as photographers, we have much to learn from looking at art and surrounding ourselves with art in any form.

Therefore I’ve decided to take advantage of the pay-what-you-want museum nights in New York City, and check out The Whitney Museum.

Read more at: https://alinaoswald.com/2022/10/11/art-and-photography-2/

Have you ever wondered how photographers direct and pose people who are legally blind?

I ask, because when our subjects have very limited (if at all) eyesight, they can’t really look where we tell them to look, without a bit of additional help. So, how do we, photographers, communicate with these subjects? How do we guide them in order to best express their personalities?

Read more at: https://alinaoswald.com/2022/09/06/photographing-legally-blind-individuals/

Paying attention to detail (in photography) sometimes pays off

“Attention to detail.” We’ve all heard this must-have skill, especially when it comes to proofing and editing one’s work, as well as in the steps preceding the post-production workflow.

Read more at: https://alinaoswald.com/2022/08/30/details/

Old(er) but Not Forgotten: On relearning how to use your old(er) camera gear. Read more at https://alinaoswald.com/2022/07/26/old-but-not-forgotten-gear/.

Capturing Darkness as Mood in Photography

It’s a dark day. These are dark times in many people’s lives. although some of these people even now, don’t realize it or refuse to believe it. And that’s another level of sad.

As women, as human beings who’ve been stripped of our human rights, how do we capture our emotions, visually? Read more at https://alinaoswald.com/2022/06/28/darkness-2/

Christopher Hewitt Awards

Since this is a mainly photography-related blog, in some recent posts I’ve written about the importance of submitting to contests, in particular photography contests. That said, there are many other contests and calls for creative work.

For those interested in writing and creative writing, here’s a contest to consider:

Christopher Hewitt writing contest is looking for poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, and drama submissions. Winning entries will be published in A&U: Art & Understanding Magazine. The deadline is July 31.

For more details, please visit A&U’s Christopher Hewitt Awards page and give it a try!

A Visual Rendering

In light of what’s happening, in real-time, in this country, many of us are watching in disbelief as darkness, thick and terrifying as it is, is settling in, taking hold of our lives.

For how long? Nobody knows.

Are we gonna survive it? Nobody knows.

Read more at https://alinaoswald.com/2022/05/10/darkness/

WPPD

Each year, World Pinhole Photography Day (WPPI) falls on the last Sunday in April. This year, that was this past Sunday, April 24, which also coincided with Orthodox Easter Sunday.

I dabbled in pinhole photography years ago. It’s a fun thing to do and helps image-takers put things into perspective, not only in the way they photograph but also in how they look at and see the world, subjects, and stories they photograph.

Learn more by reading my blog post at: https://alinaoswald.com/2022/04/26/wppd-2022/

Visualizing old images in a new way

In light of recent events, the world might resemble more and more a real-life inferno. And so, I guess it’s only normal for some of us, in particular creatives, to wonder about what the Inferno might look like.

The other day, while browsing through some decade-old images, I came across a few snapshots that triggered the idea of capturing a visual representation of the Inferno.

Here are two examples:

The first image resembles an aerial view of fiery cliffs brightening the darkness.

Read more at: https://alinaoswald.com/2022/04/19/inferno/

Responding to a Call for Submissions and using my photography for a good cause

For the past month or so, the world has responded to the Ukraine crisis, setting up donation centers, offering humanitarian help, showing off its blue-and-yellow lights in solidarity with Ukraine. And I’ve tried to do my small part–donate, promote others’ work, and photograph the blue and yellow lights in my own neighborhood.

Also, recently, while browsing the Art Jobs website, I’ve come across a call for submissions looking for photography work inspired by the Ukraine crisis. Images were to be displayed during a benefit concert–the recent Berlin Modular Society (#10) concert that took place in Berlin, Germany, on March 25. Proceeds were to go to organizations supporting Ukraine.

Hence, I went ahead and submitted three of my blue-and-yellow photographs.

Read more at: https://alinaoswald.com/2022/03/29/photo-updates-the-berlin-modular-society-10-concert/

"Blue & Yellow - Memories of Kyiv"


It’s interesting how present events can bring back old memories. The war happening now in Ukraine and threatening other European countries has reminded me of the time I visited Kyiv.

It was June of 1981. I was still a child at the time and had no idea what the new decade, the eighties, was about to bring. I guess nobody did.

Yet, that early summer, my parents signed us up for a guided group tour through several cities of what was then the U.S.S.R.. It was one of my first longer trips abroad, and I was eager to see and learn about new places, cultures and customs, so much so that I brought along with me a tiny notebook. And so, during that trip, each night before going to sleep, I would write down every thought and memory of that day in my notebook. Recently I looked for that notebook, yet couldn’t find it anymore.

Still, some of the memories from that trip have stayed with me through the decades, somewhere in the back of my mind. Thanks to current events, those memories have resurfaced in a vivid…expected way.

Read more here: https://alinaoswald.com/2022/03/15/blue-yellow/

Happy International Women’s Day!

Today some of us celebrate women–our mothers, grandmothers, aunties, cousins, sisters, our role models, mentors, and teachers. This year, more than ever, it’s important to fight for women’s rights, for human rights, because, sadly, here, in the U.S., these rights are disappearing with each passing day.

“Human rights are women’s rights and women’s rights are human rights.”
First Lady Hilary Rodham Clinton, 1995

Over the past twenty years, I’ve had the chance to interview and photograph many women activists, whose work has made a difference to better many people’s lives.

In my own life, I’ve learned early on that, especially as women, our human rights are not to be taken for granted. But I’ve also met many inspiring women, from all walks of life, willing to fight for those rights.

Many women have been my role models for all or most of my life; others, I’ve met only recently. They’ve been my inspiration, as well as my supporters. And yet, many other inspiring women, I’m yet to meet and, perhaps, photograph. Thank you to all the wonderful women in my life!

Read more at: https://alinaoswald.com/2022/03/08/international-womens-day/

A call for spring photo entries on Groundhog Day, 2022 (02/02/22)

Speaking of photo contests, this month you can submit your images to the Out Photo Showcase contest for a chance to be featured in Out IN Jersey Magazine. If this is of interest, read on for more details:

Welcome to another edition of Out Photo Showcase!

The theme for our next photo challenge is…SPRING.

Spring is in the air, but here, in the Garden State, spring is oftentimes short-lived. Hence, that’s even more reason to fully experience it—let the weak sunlight warm our faces, the breeze brush through our hair; spot snowdrops in the park or colorful tulips brightening the sidewalks; take in the rich smell of fresh garden work; rejoice and celebrate the awakening Mother Nature.

Read more at: https://alinaoswald.com/2022/02/02/spring-photo-contests/

Check out my latest article, The Zen of Colors, an interview with New Jersey visual artist Joe LaMattina, published in Out IN Jersey Magazine.

THEME: Love/Valentine’s Day

Photo Challenge: With the upcoming Valentine’s Day in mind, capture a photograph that completes the following sentence: “You know what they say: where there is love, there is ___________”

CONTEST RULES:

DEADLINE: DECEMBER 7, 2021

CONTEST FEE: FREE TO SUBMIT!

IMAGE REQUIREMENTS:

number of images: up to THREE (3)
image file type: jpg, JPG
image file size restrictions: low-resolution (save the high-resolution file to submit in case you win) – 92 DPI, 1024 pixels on the longest side
image file name: FirstName_LastName_1.jpg FirstName_LastName_2.jpg FirstName_LastName_3.jpg
use any camera – smartphone cameras, point-and-shoot, DSLRs, mirrorless, etc.
YOU should be the OWNER of the images and you should have PERMISSION to submit the images!

Email your images to: alinaoswald@outinjersey.net

SUBJECT LINE: OIJ Feb/Mar 2022 Photo Contest

IMPORTANT: In the body of your email, for each submitted image, please include: title, caption, and an email address to be contacted.

PRIZE: WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU?

The winner will be contacted no later than Friday, December 10. Please have your images available in high resolution, for print publication. The winner will be interviewed for the magazine. The interview will be published as a podcast, online, and as a feature, in the print issue of the magazine. EMAIL YOUR ENTRY ASAP!

A sneak preview of Water's Soul, a new giant sculpture on one of Jersey City's piers.

Read more about it in my latest post: https://alinaoswald.com/2021/10/19/waters-soul/

Photographing the September 11 Tribute Lights on the 20th anniversary of the attacks.

Walking around the World Trade Center area, in New York City, photographing the Oculus, the Freedom Tower, and the 9/11 Memorial.

So much happening, especially in this past (and last week of June):

Pride Day fell on the same day as National HIV Testing Day this year, 6/27; there were a few Pride events in NYC, yet no fireworks…
More Life, a series of art shows highlighting HIV and AIDS counternarratives opened in Manhattan: check out a few images below as well as my article published in A&U Magazine to find out more
strawberry moon also highlighted the week, and I took a few pictures of it, too
also, my cover story and related photography for the Pride issue of Out IN Jersey will hopefully finally be posted online, and I’ll share the link as soon as it’s made available
and, last, not least, Fourth of July is coming up in a short few days; check out my post about photographing fireworks.

Read more at https://alinaoswald.com/2021/06/29/more-life-pride-month-strawberry-moon/

Check out my latest article published in A&U Magazine--America's AIDS Magazine. COUNTERnarrative focuses on HIV and AIDS counternarratives captured in More Life, a series of exhibitions opening this summer at David Zwirner Gallery, in New York City. Read more at: https://aumag.org/2021/06/23/more-life/

During this coronavirus pandemic, I’ve spent months organizing and reorganizing pretty much everything around the house, a la Marie Kondo. I’ve also become interested in minimalist living (not the extreme kind) and, in the process, realized that I’ve always been a minimalist to a certain degree.

Recently, I’ve also discovered that there is such a thing as “minimalist photography.” So, what exactly is minimalist photography?

Read more at https://alinaoswald.com/2021/05/11/minimalist-photography/

What I’ve learned about photography and life from award-winning photographer Kurt Weston

In 2005, I came across an award-winning photograph posted online. It was called “The Last Light” and featured a man with a drawn face and ghostly eyes. He was sitting in a chair with his back at a tall window. He appeared as if at a crossroads, about to follow a path unfolding in front of him, beyond the visual sphere of the photograph.

Read more at https://alinaoswald.com/2021/05/25/learning-from-photographers/

The Activists - Stories in Words and Images

March is not only Women’s History Month, but it also marks the anniversary (the 34th this year) of ACT UP–the AIDS Coalition To Unleash Power. Over the past twenty years, I’ve had the opportunity to meet, interview and photograph many LGBTQ+ and HIV/AIDS activists, many of them ACT UP activists. In the process, I’ve discovered mentors and role models.

Here are a few of my interviews and photo shoots with ACT UP activists. Hope that their stories of resilience will inspire you, too.

Read more at https://alinaoswald.com/2021/03/30/activist-stories/

Over the years I’ve interviewed many photographers and learned a lot along the way, not only about photography, but also about art and activism, history and culture, and life, in general. Today, I’d like to share several of those interviews with you. Read more at https://alinaoswald.com/2021/03/09/interviews-with-photographers/ .

A #tbt interview with award-winning, legally blind photographer Kurt Weston, originally published in A&U Magazine–America’s AIDS Magazine

Some fifteen years ago, I came across a contest looking for works by visual artists and writers. The contest was called Unfinished Works and featured a black-and-white photograph–The Last Light, by Kurt Weston. Although I didn’t know it at the time, that moment was about to forever change my life in the most amazing ways. I ended up getting in touch with the photographer, Kurt Weston for a first interview. I’ve had the chance to interview him several times since then, and we even collaborated on a book.

Here’s an excerpt focusing on “The Last Light” photograph from Journeys Through Darkness: A Biography of award-winning, legally blind photographer Kurt Weston:

Read more at: https://alinaoswald.com/2021/03/02/warrior-within/

Photographing Mardi Gras while at home during Covid-19 quarantine

Happy Mardi Gras! I have to confess, I love New Orleans. It’s a phenomenal city that also goes by names like The Big Easy, Crescent City, or the City of the Dead. I’ve visited several times, but never during Mardi Gras (or Fat Tuesday). Yet, this year, with the pandemic still upon us, most of us celebrate Mardi Gras at home.

But how do we photograph Mardi Gras while in quarantine?

You don’t have to live in New Orleans to add a few carnival colors to your life. Rather, you can use Mardi Gras decorations to add a hint of NOLA to your living quarters. Decorations can include beads, masks, mostly in purple (for justice), green (faith), and gold (power).

[Read more at: https://alinaoswald.com/2021/02/16/happy-mardi-gras-2021/ ]

On World AIDS Day 2020, a post about the making of Angel in Central Park black-and-white Lensbaby photograph, the history of the Bethesda fountain sculpture in Central Park, NYC, and its role and symbolism in the play (and HBO movie) Angels In America.

Angel in Central Park

Angels in America has been a source of inspiration for many artists, in particular those capturing the AIDS pandemic of the eighties. The Bethesda angel is a symbolic figure at the center of Tony Kushner’s play, and, itself, a source of inspiration.

Known as the Angel of the Waters, the fountain sculpture designed by Emma Stebbins in 1868 hints at a Bible story of Christ healing of the paralytic at the pool of Bethesda. As it watches over Central Park, in New York City, the angel also alludes to the Croton Aqueduct, the first water distribution system (1842) to provide clean, drinking water to the city. In the context of Angels in America, the angel fountain sculpture becomes a symbol of hope, of a possible healing for those struggling to survive HIV and AIDS during the darkest years of that pandemic. [read more at https://alinaoswald.com/2020/12/01/angel-in-central-park-the-story-of-a-photograph/]

Can you still recall how excited you were about the beginning of the year? Can you still recall your New Year’s resolutions? Have you had a chance or strength or motivation to accomplish any of those resolutions? And how about that 2020 vision?

Maybe “plagued” might be a more appropriate word to describe this year. The pandemic has altered our lives in profound, horrible and terrifying ways. Yet, at least in part, it has also been a blessing in disguise. Let me explain….

Among others:

[Read more at: https://alinaoswald.com/2020/09/29/coronavirus-a-blessing-in-disguise/ ]

How I made that shot and the story behind my “No Surrender” image

Those of you reading this blog might recall some of my previous posts mentioning a new series of hand portraits and self-portraits, which is still very much a work in progress. Here’s the story behind one of the images in this series–No Surrender.

Read more at https://alinaoswald.com/2020/09/08/no-surrender-the-story-behind-the-image/

Drawing parallels between AIDS and Covid-19 pandemics

Several people, on different occasions, have asked me to talk about similarities and differences between the pandemic of the eighties (or the eighties’ “plague,” how Larry Kramer called it) and the current, Coronavirus pandemic. While I’ve covered HIV and AIDS for almost twenty years, I’ve just started capturing the present pandemic, for obvious reasons.

Read more: https://alinaoswald.com/2020/09/01/documenting-pandemics/

Should you and (if yes) how to talk about your images, your creative work?

The other day Facebook “reminded” me of a picture from a couple years ago, showing yours truly with her artwork at a gallery opening. Looking at it through the present Covid-19 lens, the image appeared to speak of a time long ago and another life…. It also brought to mind the idea of creatives talking (or not) about their work, especially at art shows, when meeting face to face people interested in their work, potentially.

Read more at: https://alinaoswald.com/2020/08/25/talk-about-your-images/

Questions creatives might ask themselves in a time of Coronavirus pandemic

Sometimes I think that this pandemic is a blessing in disguise, to some extent and in some strange way, that is. Coronavirus pandemic has really brought into focus many aspects of our lives and issues in our lives. As I might have mentioned in a previous post, it has put things into perspective for yours truly and maybe for others, too. Hasn’t it?

Read more at: https://alinaoswald.com/2020/08/18/creative-qa-during-coronavirus-pandemic/

Quarantine Self-Portraits: A visual representation of the evolution of mental distress caused by the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic

I’ve thought about photographing pain (physical and mental) in a series of self-portraits, but found it difficult to capture pain, in action, as it targets one’s own self, mind, and body. Thinking of pain and how we perceive ourselves and others through the filter of pain, and in particular through its most recent 2020 lens, I feel that the Coronavirus pandemic has unveiled a raw and real, individual and collective portrait of pain, and transformed many people’s lives…and stopped lives, too.

In the spirit of #2020challenge here’s a version of this transformation so far, as perceived through my own eyes:
https://alinaoswald.com/2020/08/11/quarantine-self-portraits/

It's August, Hawaii's statehood month. Here are a few images from the majestic, mesmerizing Aloha land, the land of rainbows: https://alinaoswald.com/2020/08/04/hawaii-in-images/

On using creative work to capture pandemics, such as HIV and AIDS, and the Coronavirus pandemic

Oftentimes in life we have to face extreme situations–man- or nature-made–that, in turn, force us to look at life through a new lens, and compel us to capture the experience for ourselves and for those who come after us.

It’s not unusual for creatives to inspiration in these kinds of experiences; after all, they can be life-changers, for better or for worse. Take the HIV and AIDS pandemic, for example. Many works of art and activist art have been inspired by that ongoing pandemic, in particular when at its height. A few examples come to mind: plays (some then made into movies) like Angels in America, RENT; also, the AIDS quilt; activist art like Silence = Death and other posters; books by AIDS-journalists like Randy Shilts and, more recently, other authors; or visual art work by award-winning photographers like Kurt Weston, and so on.

Fast-forward to 2020, when we’re faced with yet another extreme situation–the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic. The experience of trying to make it out of it alive, of surviving this particular never-ending pandemic has also inspired and compelled many creatives to capture it–in words, images, moving images, and other art forms.

While I wasn’t here during the eighties and early nineties, to capture the dark years of HIV and AIDS, I’m here today, during the not-so-bright days of Coronavirus and Covid-19, and I’d like to share a few images I’ve captured so far in this post:
[read more at https://alinaoswald.com/2020/07/21/coronavirus-inspired-creative-work/

Here's what to consider if you're thinking of resuming photographing people this Covid-19 summer. Read more at https://alinaoswald.com/2020/07/14/photographing-people-during-coronavirus-pandemic/

A visual interpretation of the meaning and symbolism of 7pm cheer for Covid-19 first responders during and post coronavirus pandemic

“Silence Equals Death, so let’s make some noise,” I wrote in a 2012 interview with artist/activist Nancer LeMoins for A&U Magazine–America’s AIDS Magazine. [As I also mentioned in my June 2019 A&U cover story, the Silence = Death poster has been a symbol of “AIDS activism and AIDS activism history.” In recent years, it “has become a symbol of activism, in a much larger sense.”] [read more: https://alinaoswald.com/2020/07/07/its-7pm-somewhere-a-visual-remembrance/ ]

‘Tis the last day of June, and halfway into this year, we still find ourselves on a never-ending, roller-coaster ride.

[here are six notes for the first six months of this year, including Pride Month 2020, interviews about photography art and representing Coronavirus pandemic through art, my brand new Silence = Death Covid-19 mask, and much more; read on: https://alinaoswald.com/2020/06/30/a-few-updates-at-half-year-mark/ ]

Photo Project Ideas in a Time of Coronavirus

Winter is supposedly over. Easter came and went. Summer is around the corner (or so they say), and Coronavirus is still with us, keeping most of us inside our homes.

For a creative, this could be a great time to:

read more at https://alinaoswald.com/2020/04/28/what-to-photograph-in-a-time-of-covid19/

Capturing the Coronavirus pandemic in words and images

To borrow from Jonathan Larson’s “Seasons of Love” [RENT, the musical], I wonder how do we measure a month in a life defined by the Coronavirus? I’ve never lived through a pandemic. I’ve been covering HIV and AIDS for almost twenty years, oftentimes through the stories of long-term survivors, but I’ve never lived through the crisis of the early days of that pandemic.

So, how does one really capture the story of a pandemic, while living through the pandemic themselves? Journaling? Documenting each day in thoughts and worries, text and visuals, news updates?

Read more at https://alinaoswald.com/2020/03/31/coronavirus-pandemic-snapshots/

Also, for more covid19-related and other images, feel free to visit me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/alina.oswald/

As individuals we often find ourselves having to face many kinds of extreme situations–man-made or nature-made. Oftentimes, these extreme situations change our lives and our views on life.

So, how about today, in a time of Coronavirus?

COVID-19 has forced many of us–on a collective and individual level–to pause, to take time out. In particular on an individual level, the virus has given many of us the courage to use this time for self-reflection, for reassessing priorities in our lives and our work.

Read more at: https://alinaoswald.com/2020/03/17/reflecting-on-self-creative-work-and-life-in-a-time-of-coronavirus/

More thoughts on self-portraits and self-portraiture, in black and white and shallow depth of field.

Photographing Love - a #tbt post

Happy Valentine’s Day! Today, in particular, most of us celebrate love…or maybe lack thereof. But how do we, creatives, define love (or lack thereof) and how do we express or capture love in our work?

Read more at https://alinaoswald.com/2017/02/14/valentines-day-photographing-love/

Hand (Self-)Portraits: On the Visual Language of Hand Gesture Captured in Black and White

Read more at https://alinaoswald.com/2020/02/11/hand-gesture-a-visual-language-in-black-and-white/

Art and Photography: How visiting museums and art galleries can better our photography work

Thoughts on how to get ready for the opening night of your photography show.

What to consider when deciding to submit work to photography shows.

How to capture the decisive moment in portrait photography

A brief interview (a #tbt) with award-winning, legally blind photographer Kurt Weston.

Gift ideas from/for photographers

Check out unique gift ideas from living creatives. Buy art from living artists and buy books from living authors.

Creative Work: Purpose, Protest and Passion - a post attempting to answer some of the following questions, and more:

Why do we create?

Oftentimes, many people might associate a piece of artwork with beauty (in the eyes of the beholder) but should art have a deeper purpose? And, if yes, what should that purpose be?

Whenever necessary, should creatives use art to send a message, make a point?

Should we use our creative work to speak our minds–to advocate for a cause or protest an injustice? Is it still safe to do so?

Here's my story of how I became a Nikon photographer.

I became interested in black-and-white photography when I discovered Kurt Weston's photography work, mostly b&w portraits and self-portraits. Here's my take on black-and-white photography, in an article published by Precise Moment photography magazine.

Thank you,
Alina Oswald

What an honor to be interviewed by author E.L. Lindley! We talked about writing, photography, books, blogs and plans for the future. Quite exciting! I am grateful!

The interview is available online, at http://ellindley.weebly.com/2/post/2012/11/come-and-meet-social-commentator-and-talentedwriter-alina-oswald.html.

Thanks!

September 11, 2001. We all remember where we were when 9/11 attacks happened. We all remember the shock, the loss... maybe the fear that gathered us together as one.

Time is the best healer. In time, the rubble (Twin Towers remains) at Ground Zero disappeared. Partially destroyed buildings were taken down and their footprints became new construction zones for new buildings. The 9/11 Memorial opened last year. A new tower is still under construction, growing higher and higher until it will reach its target height of 1776 feet.

While we'll never forget the events of 9/11/2001, most of us have moved on with our lives. For some of us, the 9/11 memories remain still fresh... Over the years we may have forgotten the bond that held us together, united during that time of trial. Yet, each year, there is one day reminding us that we are still capable of kindness, understanding, compassion, sacrifice and patriotism, as we were in the aftermath of 9/11 attacks. Yet each year, there is one day that reminds us of those we've lost, of those who have given their lives trying to save others. That day is September 11th.


I have photographed the 9/11 Tribute Lights for years, now. The result was my photography book called INFINITE LIGHTS: A Collection of 9/11 Related Photography. To find out more about INFINITE LIGHTS, please feel free to check it out at: http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/2565645

Thank you!

Alina Oswald
www.alina-arts.com

Backbone or
Chasing Rainbows: How I started covering HIV/AIDS- and LGBT-related topics

In April 1986 I attended my first AIDS conference in Europe, where I was living at the time. The event marked what I call today my "chasing rainbows" experience.

Many years later and on this side of the Atlantic, I had the chance to build a career based on that event-I started covering HIV/AIDS- and LGBT-related topics as a writer and a photographer. And so, while continuing to chase rainbows (goals), I discovered a community that adopted me and changed my life in the most significant ways.

Over the years, many individuals have helped define and shape the backbone of the LGBT community. Some have names we recognize, others don't. Yet, all these individuals represent strong pillars of their community. They are people like artist Gilbert Baker, who dyed his first rainbow flag and flew it over the streets of San Francisco, thirty years ago, in June 1978. They are people like Harvey Milk, The Mayor of Castro Street, murdered in November of 1978 because he was openly gay, like Matthew Shepard and, the most recent victims of hate crimes, like Lawrence King. They are the many who suffered silently and died silent deaths during the first years of the AIDS epidemic, and also the AIDS warriors who're still trying to find a cure. They are those who made history during the Stonewall riots of 1969, and also those still fighting for equal rights today.

Throughout the decades, these individuals have formed and then built on the backbone of their community by following the rainbow and all that it represents as a universal symbol of hope and change for the better. Without them we wouldn't be here today and we would not be able to dream of tomorrow.

Every June, many of us follow the rainbow flags flying high over cities across the world. If we look past the bright colors, we see the many faces of the rainbow, of those who form the backbone that holds this community together, united in all its diversities, goals, and ideals. If we join them, we can also become part of the rainbow and, quite possibly, of a more understanding and accepting world.

Each summer I chase rainbows with my camera in hand, taking advantage of the photography's ability to make time stand still, if only for an instance. This summer was no different. Photographic instances from the experience became part of my Backbone.

PS: Check out what others have to say about Backbone by visiting Sean P. Farley's fantastic Boulder Uphill blog. Thank you, Sean!
PPS: Check out my book, Backbone, with images from the photography show with the same name at http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/1594834.

Thanks you!

Many people love to "make love to the camera" as they say, to be photographed. Many others, don't. Lots of individuals do ask photographers to take their portraits, headshots, but that doesn't necessarily mean that these individuals enjoy being in front of the camera.

In my experience, photographers don't necessarily enjoy being photographed. That's because they love being behind the camera, not in front of it.

Still, a few photographers have reached a celebrity status because of their self-portraits. Cindy Sherman's self-portraits are shown at the Museum of Modern Arts in New York City. Award-winning, legally blind photographer Kurt Weston created a series of self-portraits through which to express his vision loss. Images from Weston's Blind Vision series ( a collection of black-and-white self-portraits) have won awards and been featured in various art galleries and museums. For example, Losing the Light was featured in the 2006 VSA (Very Special Arts) show called Transformation, which opened in Washington, DC. at the Kennedy Center of Performing Arts. Another self-portrait from the same series, Journey Through Darkness, is part of the AIDS Museum permanent collection.

As photographers, we sometimes have to have our picture taken. In these situations some of us would rather take the picture ourselves. Hence, the dreaded self-portrait.

What is about a self-portrait that's so scary, sometime unappealing? And what is a self-portrait? What does it take to make one worth showing to the public audience?

I've asked professional photographers these questions too many times. And while answers were few and with minimum of useful info, I decided to ask yours truly the same question, and then go seek the answer myself... and share it here, with you, even though in short form.

Truth is, much can be said about self-portraits, but I'd begin with the question: What's in a self-portrait?

A self-portrait is a... portrait of oneself. An image in which the photographer is also the model, the subject of the photograph. But changing these two hats is much easier said than done.

As any other portrait, a self-portrait can be:

* a headshot

* an environmental portrait

* a reflection

* a shadow

* Brocken Specter (I'll explain what this is a little bit later)

* any other portrait in which the model/subject is also the photographer

That means, a self-portrait can blur the barriers between reality and fantasy, ranging from fashion photography to an editorial or a work of fine art. It can be taken outside, using only ambient light, or in the studio, using strobes. It can be a pinhole photograph (taken with a pinhole camera) or a lensbaby image (taken with the Composer lensbaby, for example).

A self-portrait can show the subject's face, parts of the body, or subject's reflection or shadow. Depending on what the photographer wants to express through the photograph (self-portrait), the pose, make-up, hair, location and lighting (to mention only a few) can help achieve that goal. And let's not forget about all the options available through post (production) workflow, including converting the image black-and-white or sepia tones, perhaps to add or emphasize dramatic elements in the image.

So, let's take them one at a time... Let's start not with the obvious headshot, but with a shadow as a self-portrait. I'm not talking about just shadow. I'm talking about the Brocken Spectre, an optical illusion also known as the Ghost of Brocken.

A brief history, first:

Brocken Spectre, Brocken Bow, Gravity Rainbow, Brockengespenst. They are all names for an optical illusion originally observed and described by Johann Esaias Silberschlag (16 Nov 1721 - 22 Nov 1791) in 1780 on Brocken Mountain, Germany. Silberschalg was a theologian and natural scientist. A lunar crater is named after him.

Brocken Mountain is part of the Harz Mountain range (highest peak is Bocksberg), located in Northern Germany, near Schierke, in Saxony-Anhalt, Wurnberg, between rivers Weser and Elbe. Brocken Spectre appears as a halo-like ring of glory, also called a saint's halo or god- shadows. The spectre is an enlarged shadow of the observer surrounded by the rainbow. This hallo becomes visible on mountain regions, at sunset, when clouds, fog or rain are present. The above Brocken Spectre images were taken on top of Haleakala Mountain (10k ft or 3048 m above sea level) in Maui, Hawaii.

Famous visitors on Brocken Mountain include Goethe, who mentioned the Spectre in Faust, and Heinrich-Heine, who mentioned the spectre in Harzreise (1826). An un-sourced register entry says: "Viele Steine, m�de Beine, Aussicht keine, Heinrich-Heine." The phrase relates to the trying mountain ascent in foggy conditions.

That brings me to my bucket list. I'll have to add a visit to Brocken Mountain in Germany. There's more to it than ghosts....

Thanks for visiting!

Alina Oswald
Author of Journeys Through Darkness: A Biography of AIDS