Tag: spring

Experiencing Belarus in the Spring: The Magic of Eastern Europe

Posted on July 8, 2017 by Taya Ivanova

Somewhere at the beginning of spring, a humble little country known as Belarus becomes adept at revealing the most heavenly parts of nature. Cities, towns, and villages alike come together to celebrate the beauty and value of spring’s precious gifts. These gifts can be found in both obvious and hidden places; those who find them are blessed with breathtakingly photogenic subjects. For photographers, this time of year in Belarus is pure bliss.

Those who enjoy peace and quiet will find tranquility in smaller towns and in friendly villages. The inhabitants of these places never mean any harm – in fact, they rarely notice passing tourists. Everybody is quietly welcome, especially artists who desire to photograph life’s endlessly uplifting sides. Though there are many things worth cherishing during a Belarusian spring, here are the top 3 things which are guaranteed to bring a smile to any photographer’s face:

Fields

Thanks to the bountiful supply of fields scattered all over the country, there isn’t a spot where photographers won’t find creative potential. Since the countryside is an exceedingly harmless place, these fields provide both privacy and inspiration, giving all kinds of artists a chance to express themselves freely. The fields are most breathtaking before the day begins; soft morning light compels flowers to glow, giving them an otherworldly look. This is absolutely ideal for portrait, family, and couple shoots. Since these fields are experts at catching the light, you’re guaranteed to get brilliant results. If you’re not a fan of trespassing, you have no reason to worry. Many of these fields are open to visitors, so don’t let the fear of getting in trouble haunt you.

In addition to being indescribably gorgeous, these fields are safe. Insect-fearing folks needn’t worry about protecting themselves from buzzing wasps or clumsy spiders. Though insects can’t help but exist in these places (there are many friendly bumblebees out there), they usually avoid attacking harmless people, especially artists who only wish to photograph their charming little homes without destroying them. 🙂

The golden hour

I often mention the magic hour in my articles because I find endless potential in it. No matter how many golden hours you’ve experienced, you’ll always find something fresh to document using that incredibly soft and warm light. The spring treats golden hour like royalty, allowing it to soak the day in honey-like colors. The entire experience leaves behind warm feelings and even warmer photographs.

The magic hour is perfect for portrait, animal, and landscape photographers. Since the light during this time evenly spreads out and banishes overexposure, portraits are guaranteed to look visually appealing and portfolio-worthy. Most importantly, the spring allows the golden hour to visit almost every day. Since the days are longer, there are many opportunities to find unusual, eye-catching light for all kinds of shoots. Combined with Belarusian nature, this creates perfection.

Details

When it comes to the period of stunning florals and striking lighting conditions, it’s all in the details. Whether you’re photographing a travel buddy in a pleasant village or taking a walk with your pet on a hill, you’ll find photo-worthy details in every crevice. Exotic flowers, twisted branches, etc., can all be used in your shots. In addition to being marvelous subjects on their own, these gifts of nature can serve as useful backgrounds, foregrounds, and accessories. Something as simple as a foreground of branches sprinkled with blossoms can add mystery, beauty, and vibrancy to a composition. If you never underestimate the power of details, your photographs will improve and glow in ways you can’t even imagine!

Even if you’re not shooting for a campaign, you can still find wonderful artistic opportunities in places like parks, fields, bushes, and even in the middle of a bustling city. These minuscule yet significant joys exist everywhere, providing photographers of all kinds with sweet moments of creative happiness. Though you may not use them as individual pieces in your portfolio, they’ll inevitably come in handy when you create double exposures, photo manipulations, and more. Collecting photo resources for various art experiments will make you an observant and detail-oriented individual, something that clients value greatly.

Spring is a blissful time for photographers who enjoy working with cheerful portraits and conceptual works of art. Thanks to the seemingly endless amount of nature in Belarus, photographers can shoot almost anywhere and produce unique results. Best of all, shooting in these locations will provide artists with valuable, timeless memories worth keeping forever.

Happy shooting!

Moscow Throughout the Seasons: An Inviting Adventure to Photography

Posted on June 1, 2017 by Taya Ivanova

Moscow, though often associated with endless coldness, goes through a variety of unique seasons. Every month possesses an air of mysteriousness; however, despite the unreliability of the weather, a creative opportunity is always waiting to be found and cherished. In this article, you’ll be introduced to the unpredictable seasons of Moscow, from freezing winter months to welcoming spring days. I hope this gives you a better idea of what this grand city is like throughout the year.

Moscow’s Winter

Winters are unrelenting in Moscow’s more rural areas. The city is treated kinder than surrounding villages, providing visitors with warm stores and outdoor food stands. Exploring the city’s streets often feels like observing everything through fogged up glass. The snow, often reminiscent of the violent storms one sees in documentaries, seems to speak of endless cold days and silence (save for the endless traffic, which is at its busiest). This time of year in Moscow is perfect for cozy indoor shoots. Those who have the time and desire to experiment with studio photography will find themselves thriving during this time. The brave individuals who do step outside are often provided with outstanding photo opportunities. Whichever option you choose if you ever visit the city, remember to dress warmly and have a thermos (or two) with you at all times!

In villages, the silencing atmosphere can be either comforting or intimidating, depending on how much of a city person you are. Village homes are covered in thin layers of frost. It’s not uncommon to see chickens huddling and clucking busily, completely familiar with the season’s harshness. The sight is so unique that one can’t help but take photos of everything, even if the temperature threatens to freeze any exposed skin. Though this time of year is considered the most discouraging, it holds uplifting treasures for those who listen, observe, and create.

Moscow’s Spring

In the spring, magic resides in details. Winter’s ice cold hands finally begin to thaw, leaving behind signs of exhilarating life. This is a hopeful and tender time of year filled with long days and sweet-smelling parks. Colors slowly begin to bleed into the picture; though they’re not as intense as summer’s bursts of color, their presence is strong enough to lift even the heaviest of spirits. This, of course, is necessary after months of dullness. Spring, unlike winter, is ideal for outdoor shoots. The floral additions, rejuvenating golden hours, and energizing mornings promise gorgeous wedding, portrait, and nature shots. Those who love anything flower related in the creative world will find joy in the middle of the month when the flowers lose their shyness and confidently step into the world.

Moscow’s Summer

Summer enters the scene grandly, like a relative you can always rely on. It lazily walks around, each step a day full of hazy thoughts and memories. The heat in Moscow isn’t unbearable, much to everyone’s relief. There may be days when the very center of the city seeks to burn your skin, but that is often impossible to predict beforehand. (This is why it’s always handy to have access to suncream and a hat.) It’s during this time of year that photographers of all sorts can thrive. Golden hours and longer days generously spend their time with people, promising endless creativity. The endlessness is so comforting and believable that for a moment, it’s possible to forget that the colder months are just around the corner. However, summer has a way of removing that fear and we almost, almost, don’t mind it when autumn knocks on the door with a suitcase full of leaves.

Moscow’s Autumn

This is a product of summer and winter, a realm between two very different worlds. Autumns in Moscow are crisp morning air, dry hands, and the foretelling of a renewed cycle. This is a time of preparation, of finding warmth before the winter calls the city’s name. Autumns are perhaps the most wonderful time of year for fashion and portrait photographers. Before the leaves depart, Moscow is a golden nest ideal for portraiture, landscapes, and everything in between. The lack of intense coldness allows for relatively comfortable shoots; at the same time, the chilly weather makes coming home all the more pleasant.

And just like that, the cycle begins all over again, each season waiting for an artist to capture its best and worst sides.

Cyprus throughout the seasons: Meeting a Paradise

Posted on May 28, 2017 by Taya Ivanova

Cyprus is relatively warm and bright all year round. The brilliant sun lovingly showers the island with happiness and luxurious light more often than not. To photographers, this is paradise – the golden hour is present for a very long time during the year, leaving only during the winter months (but even then, the days are long). No matter what kind of photographer you are, Cyprus will provide you with spectacular things and people to document and cherish your whole life. Below is an exploration of each season in Cyprus.

Winter

While winters in countries like Russia are rarely welcome, Cyprus winters are embraced with open arms. It is in the winter when the island’s inhabitants finally get to wear another layer of clothing. It is also when seeking unoccupied shades under trees stops being a continuous hobby. Tourists, however, freely walk around in T-shirts and vests, sometimes diving, unperturbedly, into the chilly sea. Despite the slight drop in temperature, the sun continues to generously give out its light; this time, the only difference is the intensity of the heat itself. A lack of humidity allows for long walks on the beach or spontaneous visits to the mountains, where winter can be experienced on a very mild level. A harmless layer of snow temporarily resides in the mountains – if you’d like to take great snowy photographs without freezing, Cyprus is just the right place for you.

Spring

Spring arrives with the promise of mild humidity. While it can get unbearable in the summers, spring humidity is tolerable and almost enjoyable after months of dryness. This time of year is perfect for mountain hiking, cycling, and running on the beach. Though flowers rarely wilt to the point of leaving the island gray and bare, certain types do disappear for a while. They gracefully emerge in the spring, dipping the island in uplifting colors of royal purple, lilac, and periwinkle. Spotting watermelons in people’s backyards during this time is far from strange – in fact, it’s a pleasant and drool-worthy sight. Best of all, spring is a time of new kinds of fruit and vegetables on the island, all of which can be obtained at humble little markets. These locations are ideal for street photography enthusiasts as most of the locals are more than happy to have their photo taken. In addition to a striking photo, you’ll get a good deal and will get the chance to enjoy a wonderful and refreshing meal at home.

Summer

Cyprus summers are viewed from two very distinct and different perspectives. There are those who thoroughly enjoying swimming or eating in restaurants by the beach and those who prefer the cool comfort of home. The former find satisfaction in fresh underwater photos or in appealing phone snaps of food and landscapes. The latter enjoy the great indoor lighting conditions provided by the endless, generous sunshine. If visitors wish to escape the heat, they can find refuge in the cool mountains of Troodos; this place is comfortably chilly all year round, providing tourists with both picturesque locations and bearable weather conditions.

Autumn

This could be considered the dullest time of year due to the empty trees and fallen leaves. A feeling of neglect washes over the island when autumn arrives, leaving people feeling slightly disappointed. However, the sadness doesn’t last long thanks to the breathtaking sunsets; these remain loyal to the island no matter what kind of weather is present. Even if most of the trees look haunting, the promise of another perfect sky is worth it. Photographers who adore feeling cozy outdoors will thoroughly enjoy the beginning of fall, whereas those who enjoy spending time absorbing and photographing landscapes will find an abundance of creativity in the entire season.

The key to making the most of Cyprus all year round is knowing where to spend your time as the seasons blend into each other. Summers are perfect for camping in the mountains; the months of spring can be fully enjoying in friendly markets; autumn can be enjoyed with a hot cup of cocoa during the sunset, and winter can be fully enjoyed by the beach. The beauty of this homely island is the amazing creative opportunities it gives to every artist throughout the seasons. No matter when you visit Cyprus, you’ll find something there to call home.