“In Great-Grandpa’s Hands” by Yvonne C. Krystovsky. First Place Winner.
“The photograph shows the hands of a great-grandfather holding those of his great-grandchild in a moment of tender connection. The wrinkles and scars on the old man’s skin tell of a lifetime of experiences, while the child’s soft fingers reflect the innocence and curiosity of youth. Photographed in black and white, the details emphasize the emotional depth of the moment and the contrast between old and young. Every line, texture, and nuance reinforces the significance of this intergenerational love. This photograph is a touching testament to the beauty and depth of the connection between generations.”

A touching photo of two generations holding hands has won Black & White Magazine‘s 2024 Black and White Minimalist Photography Prize. Yvonne Krystovsky‘s photograph of a great-grandfather holding his great-grandchild's hands is a study in contrasts. The smooth skin of the child against the wrinkles of the elderly man makes us reflect on the passage of time and the power of intergenerational love.

Krystovsky's photograph was judged against the 1,300 submissions to the annual competition and was one of three that placed in the contest. Daniel Zaleski was named runner-up for his look at a contemporary concrete staircase in a former slaughterhouse. His image emphasizes the sharp lines of the structure and plays with soft shadows for an aesthetically pleasing composition.

In third place, Alexandre Caetano‘s photograph of a desolate road in Spain leads the viewer's eyes into the distance. He creates a striking image by playing with a stark contrast between the nearly black road and the hazy sky.

Alongside the winners, the judges have also awarded honorable mentions to a talented group of photographers who impressed with their ability to create minimalist masterpieces. Scroll down to see the winners and a selection of our favorite finalists.

Black & White Magazine has announced the winners of the Black and White Minimalist Photography Prize.

“Minimalist Concrete Staircase” by Daniel Zaleski. Second Place Winner.
“Newly designed and constructed concrete staircase in an old refurbished building (former slaughter house). I was immediately enthralled by the light, tones and simple lines.”

“On top of Serra da Capelada” by Alexandre Caetano. Third Place Winner.
“I am traveling through Costa da Morte, Galicia, 600m above sea level, where the mountains separate the Cantabria Sea from the Atlantic Ocean.”

“Presence” by Soma Szebelledi. Honorable Mention.
“The figure of a woman breaks the strict shapes of the composition and becomes the dominant presence in contrast to the immense mosque wall. Her presence there felt visually and metaphorically rebellious. The scene interchanges different zones of exposure and textures in a geometrical way while she is blissfully out of place.”

“Decisive Steps” by Rohit Rattan. Honorable Mention.
“The particular image was shot in the dunes of the Liwa Desert in the southernmost settlements of Abu Dhabi, which is an escape into the empty quarter stretching for almost 100 km of pure sand oasis. The image provokes thought for one to be durable against the adversaries of life and walk with decisive steps in the unknown oasis of life.”

“Baby Baboon Silhouette” by Turgay Uzer. Honorable Mention.
“There is a stand of baobab trees in Zambia's Luangwa National Park where the sunset acts as backlighting. This image was taken at that time, using the last rays of the sun, which were illuminating a family of baboons.”

1,300 images were entered into this year's contest.

“Making Tracks” by Roy Curtis. Honorable Mention.
“A roe dear crossing an alien landscape of plastic agricultural fleece, leaving faint tracks as it goes.”

“Quiet Time” by Andrew Whettam. Honorable Mention.
“Shingle Street in Suffolk, England.”

“Natural Light and Nude” by Jacinta Tomyn. Honorable Mention.
“‘Self-Portrait, Natural Light and Nude' was captured in my home studio in Adelaide, South Australia, 2023, with myself both as photographer and muse. Using natural light only, I strived to subtly illuminate and present the nude with simplicity and elegance.”

“The Tree in the Winter Field” by Tomas Tison. Honorable Mention.
“My attention was captured by the solitary tree standing as a sentinel in this snowy scene. Its silhouette creates a strong contrast against the white background. I was also fascinated by the cloud structure above the tree, forming an almost poetic arc around it, as if nature itself wanted to emphasize its uniqueness.”

“Trilogy” by Gabrielle van den Elshout. Honorable Mention.
“Office building in Amsterdam.”

The judges named three winners and also recognized a group of talented finalists.

“Rotunda” by Claudia Arevalo. Honorable Mention.
“Thomas Jefferson designed this building to represent the ‘authority of nature and power of reason'.”

“Windows” by Manfred Gruber. Honorable Mention.
“Austria/Vienna.”

“Dried Wood” by Marleen Van Hove. Honorable Mention.
“A non-conventional view of the dried trees in Deadvlei, Namibia.”

“Dilemma” by Hadi Dehghanpour. Honorable Mention.
“The photo shows the footprints of two off-road vehicles in the desert. In the middle of this crossroads, a person stands and does not know which way to go.”

“Bridge Walker” by Klaus Lenzen. Honorable Mention.
“A pedestrian on a bridge over the Rhine in Dusseldorf (Germany). Captured below the bridge access.”

“On Light and Shadows” by Go Kochiya. Honorable Mention.
“In the plaza of a certain facility, several huge pillars were creating shadows. One of them was in a state of sharp V-shaped refraction due to a series of shadows, creating a flat composition of light and shadow. In order to make this composition appear three-dimensional, I photographed a man walking in a position that had both light and shadow in the landscape.”

“Island of Youth” by Dennis Schulz. Honorable Mention.
“The Insel der Jugend is a real beauty in Berlin. Especially in the colder seasons, it shows itself in different facets and is always worth a visit. Fortunately, I had the opportunity to take this photo on a thick foggy day.”

B&W Minimalism Magazine: Website | Facebook | Instagram

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by B&W Minimalism Magazine.

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READ: Touching Image of Intergenerational Love Wins Black and White Minimalist Photography Prize

While many of us have only become familiar with AI over the past year or so, artist Refik Anadol has been using the technology for years to create immersive installations. Now, his studio is releasing its most ambitious project yet: the Large Nature Model, the world's first open-source generative AI model dedicated to nature.

Under development for DATALAND, Refik Anadol Studio's future museum and Web3 platform dedicated to data visualization and AI art, The Large Nature Model is trained on billions of open-source nature images. Interestingly, the model isn't just for visuals; it can also produce sound and scent elements.

“Blending art, technology, and nature, our model aims to raise awareness about environmental issues and inspire innovative solutions by finding connections among isolated archives,” shares Anadol. “By engaging people on multiple sensory levels, the outputs of the model make the abstract concept of environmental conservation tangible, encouraging a collective responsibility to act.”

“Coral Dreams” at the Serpentine Gallery.

Anadol presented the model at the NVIDIA GTC AI Conference, where he transformed a 65-foot by 131-foot wall into a live AI data sculpture. Fed with 2.5 million ethically sourced nature images, the wall exploded with visuals that show the model's endless creative possibilities.

The conference is not the only place where the Large Nature Model is on display. At London's Serpentine Gallery, Anadol's Echoes of the Earth: Living Archive shows his years-long experimentation with data on coral reefs and rainforests. On view until April 7, visitors are in for a multi-sensory experience that will deepen their love of nature.

“The dream is to help gallery visitors grasp the unseen yet incredible role of data in our worlds,” shared Anadol in an interview with long-time mentor, art critic Hans Ulrich Obrist. “I believe people will feel enveloped by the data, the richness of information, and the overwhelming beauty found within nature.

“This project is not about mimicking or replacing nature, it's about appreciating, loving, and respecting nature. We’re not replacing nature, we’re preserving it.”

Refik Anadol Studio has announced the Large Nature Model, the world's first open-source generative AI model dedicated to nature.

Using ethically sourced data, the model can generate nature-related imagery, sounds, and scents.

 

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A post shared by Refik Anadol (@refikanadol)

At the NVIDIA GTC AI Conference, Anadol used the model to transform an enormous wall into a live AI data sculpture.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Refik Anadol (@refikanadol)

The model is also incorporated into work at Anadol's exhibition at the Serpentine Gallery.

“This project is not about mimicking or replacing nature, it's about appreciating, loving, and respecting nature. We’re not replacing nature, we’re preserving it.”

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Refik Anadol (@refikanadol)

Refik Anadol: Website | Instagram | Facebook | Vimeo

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Refik Anadol.

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READ: Refik Anadol Announces World’s First AI Model Dedicated to Nature

Photo: Tracey Lund (UK). Grand Prize Winner and Gold, Behavior – Birds. Subject: Two gannets under the water. Location: Shetland Islands.

A photograph taken on vacation on the Shetland Islands has won photographer Tracey Lund the grand prize of the 2024 World Nature Photography Awards. Her striking photo shows two gannets underwater as they look to snatch a fish for a tasty meal. The UK photographer's winning photo was selected from the thousands that were entered into the contest.

Lund's photograph also took home the win in the Behavior – Birds category, one of 14 categories awarded in the contest. From portraits of animals to images of people interacting with the environment, the contest is a rewarding look at all facets of the natural world.

Among the category winners, standouts include Alexander Brackx‘s incredible photo capturing the moment a cheetah attacked a zebra and her foal. The dynamic image is a true look at survival in the wild. On the other hand, Pavlos Evangelidis gives us a serene look at how humans rely on nature for nourishment. The Greek photographer's image of Sri Lankan fishermen balancing on poles as they cast their lines at sunset is a beautiful look at tradition.

For the first time, the competition is also giving people the opportunity to have their favorite photographs in their homes. A selection of the winning images from this year’s and previous years’ winners is available to purchase in a dedicated online store. In a win for the environment, the contest will plant a tree for every piece of wall art sold.

“Our winners never fail to take our breath away with their stunning images,” said Adrian Dinsdale, co-founder of the WNPAs. “As always, it’s such a joy to see the amazing caliber of entries into the awards. We’re thrilled that people will now have the chance to buy some of these images to grace the walls of their homes.”

Scroll down to see some of our favorite winners and finalists from the 2024 competition.

These are the incredible winners of the 2024 World Nature Photography Awards.

Photo: Alexander Brackx (Belgium). Gold, Behavior – Mammals. Subject: Mother zebra and her foal being attacked by a cheetah. Location: Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya.

Photo: Pavlos Evangelidis (Greece). Gold, People and nature. Subject: Traditional stilt fishermen try their luck at sunset. Location: Koggala, Sri Lanka.

Photo: Ivan Pedretti (Italy). Gold, Planet Earth's landscapes and environments. Subject: Beach and Vestrahorn mountain. Location: Stokksnes, Iceland.

Photo: Andy Schmid (Switzerland). Gold, Underwater. Subject: A female orca splitting a herring bait ball. Location: Skjervøy, Norway.

Photo: Richard Li (USA). Gold, Black and white. Subject: Leopard. Location: East Rift Valley, Kenya.

The contest was founded on the belief that we can all make small efforts to shape the future of our planet in a positive way.

Photo: Celia Kujala (USA). Gold, Nature photojournalism. Subject: Sea lion pup. Location: Coronado Islands, Baja California, Mexico.

Photo: Bill Klipp (USA). Gold, Behavior – Invertebrates. Subject: Sally light-foot crabs. Location: Santiago Island, Galapagos Islands.

Photo: John Seagar (UK). Gold, Behavior – Amphibians and reptiles. Subject: A lava lizard standing on a marine iguana. Location: Galapagos Islands.

Photo: Chatree Lertsintanakorn (Thailand). Gold, Plants and fungi. Subject: Thismia thaithongiana. Location: Umphang Wildlife Sanctuary, Tak Province, Thailand.

Photo: Roy Wiesner (Israel). Gold, Urban Wildlife. Subject: Female sunbird. Location: Be'er Ora, Israel.

Photo: Amit Eshel (Israel). Gold, Animals in their habitat. Subject: Nubian Ibex. Location: Negev desert, Israel.

This year's awards received thousands of entries from photographers across six continents.

Photo: Miki Spitzer (Israel). Gold, Nature Art. Subject: Blue watery veins, glacial braids and golden sediment. Location: Iceland.

Photo: Philip Hamilton (UK). Silver, Underwater. Subject: Young humpback whale. Location: Kingdom of Tonga.

Photo: Kevin Blackwell (USA). Bronze, Behavior – Invertebrates. Subject: Cuckoo wasp, also called an emerald wasp (Chrysis angolensis). Location: Atlanta, Georgia, USA.

Photo: Thomas Vijayan (Canada). Silver, Animals in their habitat. Subject: Canadian lynx. Location: Canada.

Photo: Roman Willi (Switzerland). Silver, Urban Wildlife. Subject: Fox. Location: Lucerne, Switzerland.

A selection of the winning images is available for purchase in a special online shop.

Photo: Elizabeth Yicheng Shen (USA). Silver, Behavior – Mammals. Subject: A dead mule deer guarded by a bobcat. Location: Yellowstone National Park, USA.

Photo: Tom Way (UK). Silver, Black and white. Subject: Mother elephant and calf. Location: Amboseli National Park, Kenya.

Photo: Hira Punjabi (India). Bronze, People and nature. Subject: A boy chasing a swarm of locusts. Location: Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, India.

Photo: Robert J. Ross (USA). Silver, Nature Art. Subject: Aspen trees. Location: Aspen, Colorado, USA.

Photo: Lakshitha Karunarathhna (Sri Lanka). Silver, Behavior – Birds. Subject: Yellow-billed oxpecker sitting on an African water buffalo. Location: Kenya.

Photo: Karthik Ak (USA). Silver, Behavior – Amphibians and reptiles. Subject: A male night frog calling in front of a clutch of eggs. Location: Amboli, Maharashtra, India.

Photo: Michael Stavrakakis (Australia). Silver, Animal Portraits. Subject: Mother and infant gorilla. Location: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Uganda.

Photo: Partha Roy (Singapore). Bronze, Animal Portraits. Subject: Himalayan griffon vulture (Gyps himalayensis). Location: Chopta in Uttarakhand, India.

Photo: Lennart Stolte (Netherlands). Bronze, Nature photojournalism. Subject: Binturong kept in cage for production of kopi luwak coffee. Location: Sulawesi, Indonesia.

World Nature Photography Awards: Website | Facebook | Instagram

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by the World Nature Photography Awards.

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READ: Two Gannets Fighting Over a Fish Win the 2024 World Nature Photography Awards

Brazilian artist Henrique Oliveira brings his incredible installations based on nature to Australia. Fairy Tales is an exhibition at Brisbane's Gallery of Modern Art that brings together the work of international visual storytellers and invites them to ruminate on the stories that influence our youth. For the show, Oliveira was tasked with transforming the entryway and did so by creating a twisted, gnarled forest that brings visitors into the realm of fairy tales.

The installation, titled Corupira, takes its name from a mythical creature of the Brazilian forest. In folklore, this devilish creature from the Tupi-Guarani myth has red hair that can ignite into flames. It also has backward feet, so when it walks, it makes false footprints to confuse people moving through the woods. For Oliveira's installation, enormous trunks burst forth from the white walls of the gallery and sprawl across the room. The twisting branches create a maze designed to appeal to the senses and force visitors to watch their steps.

“I’ve tried to create an environment that you have a different relationship with the space and somehow you are back to watch(ing) out. If you don’t look up, you’re gonna hit your head on a branch,” he shares. “Get back to your senses. I think that’s something the world misses today.”

Created using plywood, tapumes—or fencing—veneers, and tree branches, Corupira is a fitting welcome to the exhibition. Oliveira's interest in wood developed out of his painting practice as he slowly became curious about three-dimensional works and how they shape space.  As he broke down pieces of wood, the splintered edges reminded him of brushstrokes. Now, he uses that technique to build up installations that are impressive in their size and scale.

You can catch Corupira at the Gallery of Modern Art until the closing of Fairy Tales on April 28, 2024.

Brazilian artist Henrique Oliveira transformed the entrance of a group exhibition called Fairy Tales into a twisted forest.

The exhibition is taking place at Brisbane's Gallery of Modern Art.

Titled Corupira, the work is inspired by an impish forest devil from Brazilian folklore.

Learn more about how Oliveira developed the incredible art installation.

Watch this timelapse to see the gallery completely transform.

Henrique Oliveira: Instagram

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Henrique Oliveira.

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READ: Artist Transforms Gallery Into a Fairy Tale Forest of Twisted Trees

Photographer James Kerwin is known for his images documenting abandoned buildings worldwide. His latest series, The Sanctuary, takes him to Turkey, where he explores the abandoned mosques present in small villages across the country. Many of the structures are over 500 years old and have been left in favor of more modern spaces for worship. Thanks to Kerwin, we're able to appreciate their beauty and architectural detail.

To create the series, Kerwin, who is based in Istanbul, passed through approximately 18 towns and cities and visited over 40 villages, covering five of Turkey's seven vast regions. Each visit was truly an adventure, as Kerwin didn't know what he would find until he arrived at his destination.

“I never scouted the places prior in the flesh but tried to make sure there was at least some fairly recent news,” the photographer tells My Modern Met. “However, it failed with four of my top targets—I arrived, and they had vanished.”

Luckily, even with this hit-and-miss strategy, Kerwin found plenty of architecture to spark his creativity. As he's particularly inspired by color, he was pleasantly surprised to find many mosques retaining their vibrant interiors. His photography reminds us of the incredible artistry and craftsmanship that went into these religious structures and is an important testament to their existence.

Through this series, Kerwin hopes to share the rich heritage of Turkey and its architecture. To him, it's particularly important given that most tourists only visit a small fraction of the country.

Check out some of our favorite images from the series below and see the full gallery on Kerwin's website.

James Kerwin is known for his photography of abandoned spaces.

For his new series, The Sanctuary, he traveled across Turkey searching for abandoned mosques.

He visited over 40 villages and found some mosques that were over 500 years old.

Many of these spaces have been left behind in favor of modern places of worship.

But through his photographs, we can appreciate the artistry and craftsmanship of the interiors.

Abandoned Mosque in Turkey by James Kerwin

James Kerwin: Website | Instagram | Facebook | Youtube

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by James Kerwin.

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READ: Photographer Documents Turkey’s Decadent Abandoned Mosques

Left: Private Richard Oliver of the 20th USCT (Picture courtesy of the Miller family) | Right: Jared Miller, the direct descendant of Richard Oliver

Photographer Drew Gardner has spent the last two decades on his ongoing series, The Descendants. In it, Gardner photographs people whose ancestors made an impact on history. By posing and styling them in the manner of their descendant, Gardner creates a bridge between past and present. While the series began in Europe, Gardner started focusing on North America after Smithsonian Magazine commissioned him to photograph the descendants of Thomas Jefferson, Frederick Douglass, and Elizabeth Cady Stanton.

This inspired him to delve deeply into the history of the United States and, in particular, the Civil War period. In doing so, he also aimed to balance the genders and races represented in the series. Rather than solely focusing on big names, Gardner has also started highlighting lesser-known figures, using the acclaim that his project receives to spotlight their contributions to history.

“So many families have stories to tell, and to try and bring those to the public's attention is important, I feel,” he tells My Modern Met. Many of the people featured in the Civil War series have ancestors who were members of the United States Colored Troops, or USCT. These regiments were an important part of the Union army and were mainly comprised of Black soldiers, many of whom were former slaves. By the end of the Civil War, there were 175 USCT regiments, and 16 members were awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor.

As with all images in The Descendants, Gardner is meticulous in recreating the time period that he is capturing. Each descendant is outfitted with period-appropriate clothing and, in this case, photographed with a tintype camera to recreate the look and feel of the original photo. The results are a striking reminder of our past and an invitation to delve into our history in order to embrace both the good and the bad.

“Curiosity. Nothing more, nothing less,” states Gardner when asked what he hopes people will take away from these images. “If my work encourages others to ask questions about the past and how our society has been built, if only to themselves, then I feel that is a small success.”

Scroll down to see more Civil War descendants, as well as short videos explaining their roles in history and a behind-the-scenes look at the photo shoot.

Photographer Drew Gardner has been creating his ongoing series The Descendants, for two decades.

Left: Harriet Tubman | Right: Deanne Stanford Walz, great-niece of Harriet Tubman

Most recently, he's focused on highlighting Civil War descendants.

Left: Sgt. Major Lewis Douglass of the 54th Massachusetts USCT | Right: Austin Morris, direct descendant of Frederick Douglass (father of Lewis)

Left: David Miles Moore Jr., drummer boy in the 54th Mass | Right: Neikoye Flowers, direct descendant of David Miles Moore

The tintype photography mimics the original images, with Gardner focused on the contributions of lesser-known figures in history.

Left: Andrew Jackson Smith, who was awarded a Congressional Medal of Honor | Right: Kwesi Bowman, the direct descendant of Andrew Jackson Smith

Left: Private Louis Troutman of the 108th USCT (Image courtesy of Drew Gardner and used with permission of the Thomas Harris Collection) | Right: Christopher W. Wilson, the direct descendant of Louis Troutman

Through short videos, he shares a bit more about these people from the past and shows his creative process.

Drew Gardner: Website | Facebook | Instagram

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Drew Gardner.

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READ: Powerful Side-by-Side Portraits of Civil War Heroes and Their Descendants

As the spring season starts to bloom, My Modern Met Academy is offering a special 10% discount on all of its creative online courses. And while the sale has almost come to an end, there is still a little under 48 hours to take advantage of this special offer. Whether you want to see how fresh flowers can be transformed into works of art or learn how to draw a realistic portrait, there is something for everyone.

To get the discount, simply enter spring10 at checkout. The discount is not cumulative and cannot be applied to bundles. You have until March 27, 2024, at 7:59 pm EDT to take advantage of the discount.

Thanks to the fact that the courses are online, there's no pressure to start or finish at a predetermined time. Simply press play whenever and wherever you like, and watch all of the lessons at your own pace. Once you are finished, the course will stay on your student dashboard, so you can watch and review the lessons again and again.

If you aren't sure where to start, scroll down for a little more information about some of our favorite classes.

There is still time to save 10% on all of My Modern Met Academy's online creative courses.

Simply enter SPRING10 at checkout to receive the discount.

Aren't sure where to start? Here are some of our seasonal favorites.

Acrylic Painting Masterclass: Explore Color & Abstract Landscape Painting

Want to expand your painting skills? Join artist Luiza Niechoda as she creates two contemporary abstract landscapes. Along the way, you'll explore working with a limited color palette, create crisp lines using acrylic paint, and even learn how to stretch your own canvas.

• Learn to stretch your own canvas.
• Create a hue matrix that will last for years.
• Discover how you can paint crisp lines using acrylic paint.
• Work alongside the artist to make two unique abstract landscape paintings.

Enroll now

Beyond Bouquets: Turning Pressed Flowers Into One-of-a-Kind Art

Get ready to transform pressed flowers into one-of-a-kind works of art. Pressed flowers allow us to save our favorite blooms and enjoy their beauty forever. In this class, you'll learn the secrets to creating flawless pressed flowers and using them as the basis for original artwork.

• Learn secrets to beautiful pressed flowers.
• See how to press a rose and other popular blooms.
• Understand how to create aesthetic arrangements.

Enroll now

• Get acquainted with essential drawing tools.
• Discover how to transfer your inspiration image.
• Learn how to create different textures.
• Gain the confidence to create your own portraits.

Enroll now

My Modern Met Academy: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest

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READ: Last Chance To Save 10% on These Online Art Classes

Acclaimed photographer Ami Vitale is extending a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for one female photographer. Organized by the non-profit Vital Impacts, which Vitale founded, the contest is giving one lucky winner a chance to travel to Antarctica on a 22-day Polar Latitudes expedition. Locations visited on the trip will include the Falkland Islands/Malvinas, South Georgia, and Antarctica.

The exceptional opportunity includes the 22-day trip (valued at $28,000), one roundtrip economy ticket to the departure point, airport transfer, shipboard food, and accommodations. Throughout the trip, the winner will be exposed to incredible photographic opportunities and learn about how Vital Impacts uses art to affect change.

“The decision to offer a trip to Antarctica to a female photographer stemmed from a deep-seated belief in the power of representation and inclusivity within the photography community,” Vitale tells My Modern Met. “Recognizing the field's historically male-dominated nature, I felt compelled to provide a platform specifically tailored to empower and showcase the remarkable talents of women photographers.

“This initiative is about more than just capturing stunning images—it's about sparking meaningful dialogue, fostering connections, and igniting a collective call to action for the preservation of our planet.  My goal is to equip participants with the essential storytelling tools needed to advocate for environmental conservation. In a world facing unprecedented challenges, it's crucial to harness the unique perspectives and voices of women in photography to amplify the urgency of our planet's plight.”

The trip departs on November 1, 2024, and the contest is open to anyone female identifying with a demonstratable interest and history in visual storytelling. The winner must also be at least 18 years old by October 31, 2024. Entrants who can show a specific leaning toward environmental stories will be given preference. For the full list of requirements, expenses—like insurance—and details, please see the contest page on Vital Impacts' website.

If you are interested in entering the contest, don't wait. Entries are being accepted until March 28, 2024. If you'd like to skip the contest and secure your spot with a 10% off early bird special, visit Polar Latitudes and use the code travelwithami.

“When women see others like them succeeding in photography, it inspires confidence and ambition, encouraging them to pursue their own creative aspirations without reservation,” shares Vitale when asked why she felt it was important to support women in the industry.

“We need diverse perspectives to enrich the art of photography. Women bring unique insights and experiences to their work, and by amplifying these voices, we ensure that a wider range of narratives is represented in visual media.

“Ultimately, supporting female photographers is not just about gender equality—it's about recognizing and celebrating their immense talent, creativity, and contributions to the world. It's about creating a more equitable and inclusive industry where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.”

Renowned photographer Ami Vitale is offering one female identifying photographer the trip of a lifetime.

Her non-profit Vital Impacts is offering an opportunity to travel to Antarctica on a 22-day expedition.

The trip, valued at $28,000, is open to anyone over 18 who is interested in visual storytelling.

“Women bring unique insights and experiences to their work, and by amplifying these voices, we ensure that a wider range of narratives is represented in visual media.”

Anyone interested has until March 28, 2024, to enter the contest on Vital Impacts.

Vital Impacts: Website | Facebook | Instagram

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Vital Impacts.

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READ: Win the Trip of a Lifetime and Travel to Antarctica With a Professional Photographer

“I love you with every atom. You are the tranquility of a calm stream and the excitement of a waterfall. You bring me all my favorite feelings. Forever isn’t long enough with you.” Hope (she / her / he / him), 16, and Kurt (he / him), 17 Homer, Alaska.
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Photographer Barbara Peacock has spent the last seven years traveling across the United States to get a glimpse inside our most intimate space—the bedroom. By photographing people from all walks of life in a room where they are their most vulnerable, Peacock paints a picture of modern America. Her forthcoming book, American Bedroom, is the culmination of this project.

My Modern Met first covered Peacock's series in 2017, just one year after she started her adventure. At the time, she was discovering the importance of listening to people and being let into their homes, and hoped to expand her work to the entire nation. Nearly a decade later, she accomplished her goal.

“I am learning that there are a lot of lonely people. I am learning that people have stories they want to share if someone will listen,” she shared at the time. “I am learning that people are fragile and conversely very strong.”

Published by Kehrer Verlag, American Bedroom incorporates quotes by the people Peacock photographed. This is a testament to the strong collaboration and bond between Peacock and the participants and to the photographer's belief in the power of their stories. Broken into five sections, the book shows the wide variety of people Peacock photographed. Americans of all ages, genders, races, and sexual orientations sat for Peacock and, in doing so, opened themselves up to demonstrate the many faces of the country.

Peacock's work also shows that home means different things to many people. A school bus and the great outdoors are just some of the spaces where people have carved out their bedrooms. But regardless of where people's bedrooms are located, Peacock's work shows that we aren't so different from one another. Many of us carry the same hopes, dreams, and struggles and use the bedroom as a sanctuary to rest and recharge.

“I believe the bedroom is not just a private place, but a sacred place,” Peacock shares. “We build it as a shrine to our lives (even if houseless) and spend nearly one-third of our lives in it. It exemplifies our being; it is a place to rest, to love, to comfort, to be, to give life, to restore, to recover, to grieve, to lay sick, and to die. The one thing I know for certain is that all lives are important, and everyone has a story to tell.”

American Bedroom by Barbara Peacock will be released on May 14, 2024, and is now available for pre-sale.

For seven years, photographer Barbara Peacock traveled across the U.S. to photograph people in their bedrooms.

“Endless possibilities and adventure! We sold our home and just about everything we owned three years ago. Little did we know what awaited us on the open road … freedom unlike anything we had ever had while on a quest to find a new place and community to call home.” Stephanie, 37. The Mathews Family Saratoga Springs, Utah.

“With the world moving ever so fast, these apples of my eye remind me to slow down and see the beauty in all things. They are the light.” Jamie, 44. The Seh-Nielsen Family Victor, Idaho.

American Bedroom is an unguarded look at people from all walks of life in their most intimate space.

“Our world revolves around autism and the whole family struggles to keep up. But it’s our hearts that keep us together and our large family bed where every night we reconnect. Nobody can love our family like we do.” Jordan, 35

“Love is accrescent. If you choose to love, there is no end to how big and all-encompassing it can grow. We choose to love each other daily and will keep choosing to love as we push on into the future. Micah, 35, and Kody, 40. Omaha, Nebraska.

“I believe the bedroom is not just a private place, but a sacred place,” Peacock shares.

“In the end, it’s all about love of family and one another.” Francisca, 42, and Lupe, 52, Guadalupe, Arizona.

“Finding love late in life has taught me many lessons, including not to be shy or embarrassed by my body. It is freeing to say I am big, bold, and beautiful. Laverne, 72, and James, 74 Big Stone Gap, Virginia.

Peacock photographed people of all ages, races, genders, and sexual orientations for the series.

“I have buried all seven of my children (sons) from alcoholism or heat stroke. I now live for my grandchildren.” Arlene, 81. Gila River Reservation, Arizona.

“While my physical parts feel safe among my living space, rested against a pillow, my heart yearns for my home, my community, our land. ‘Nunamnni – on our land (Siberian Yupik)'.” Mek, 29 Anchorage, Alaska

By telling their stories, she reminds us that many of us face the same struggles or share the same dreams.

“I’ve been sleeping in the grass between the trees, sky, and by the ocean for six years now. My body and soul are clean. When I go I leave no trace.” Jeremiah, 45. Kauai, Hawaii.

“When I wake in the morning, I try to be quiet so I don’t wake her. Then I remember she is no longer here.” Pepere, 88, Jay, Maine.

American Bedroom by Barbara Peacock is now available for pre-order.

Barbara Peacock: Website | Facebook | Instagram

My Modern Met granted permission to use images by Barbara Peacock.

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A day out exploring nature in coastal Texas with his grandfather turned into a once-in-a-lifetime moment for Jacob Hall. The wildlife photographer was visiting Canada Ranch, which is located close to Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge, when he spotted a blue heron in the sky. Hall quickly got out his camera to take a few pictures but wondered why the bird disappeared from the sky after a few shots. It wasn't until he looked at his viewfinder that he understood the incredible reason.

Hall hadn't realized it when he snapped his photographs, but a bobcat was stalking the blue heron. In Hall's first photo, the bobcat is visible in the lower right-hand side behind some vegetation. The feline stares intently at the heron, likely calculating its next move.

The second shot that Hall managed to snap before the heron disappeared shows the bobcat leaping into the sky to snatch the bird. Its legs fly out nearly parallel to the water in a stunning show of athleticism. Once Hall looked at the photographs that he'd taken, he realized the heron's fate and his incredible luck at capturing the moment.

“I was completely in shock and couldn’t believe what I had just done,”  he tells My Modern Met. “Capturing both of those photos is something that I will never forget. I basically didn’t know the bobcat was there until afterward. I was just in the right place at the right time.”

Hall's photograph was even published by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services, which pointed out how interactions like this are a fundamental part of how the ecosystem works.

“It can be hard for some of us to witness wildlife interactions like the one this photographer captured in coastal Texas, but it's a key part of the way that our ecosystems work,” the agency wrote. “The great blue heron eats small fish, frogs or mammals; the bobcat eats the great blue heron; and scavengers like black vultures clean up anything the bobcat leaves behind.”

Unbeknownst to Jacob Hall, a bobcat was waiting in the wings to take down this blue heron.

Don't see the feline? We'll help you out.

The bobcat then made an incredible leap and snatched its prey out of the sky.

Detail 

Jacob Hall: Instagram

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Jacob Hall.

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