The 7th Annual Roots Picnic Recap
Photos by Seher Sikandar for OkayPlayer
Just this past week The Roots threw their 7th annual Roots Picnic, and to no surprise the event received rave reviews across the board. The music festival channeled an amazing line-up that featured Snoop Dogg, The Roots (of course), Janelle Monáe, Erykah Badu, The War on Drugs, Action Bronson, Jhené Aiko, and A$AP Ferg, to name a few. It was noted that the vibe this year was a bit different too, and some say it was better than ever. The pier at Penn’s Landing got a new look, it's concrete was replaced with sand for a beach party vibe, and it's backdrop framed amazing views of the Ben Frankin Bridge and the Philly skyline. A great view, vibe, and good music... what more do we need out of a superb music festival?
Although we wish we were there, the pictures captured by OkayPlayer photographer Seher Sikandar are really fun to see. The energy and musical collaborations captured in these photos prove that the picnic only gets better and better every year. Check out some of our favorites and find more here.
[Via OkayPlayer]
Intimate Photos That Challenge Sexual Identity
Photos by Chloe Aftel
In light of marriage equality, gender identity is new topic to many people, and an evolving culture refusing to define themselves as strictly male or female. In a shoot commissioned by San Francisco Magazine, photographer Chloe Aftel began an ongoing series titled, "Agender". The series is a set of intimate photos that challenge sexual identity, and beautifully sheds light on the complexities of the genderqueer and neutrois communities.
The theme for this photo series was sparked by a tragic act of violence, after Sasha Fleischman, an 18-year-old San Franciscan who identifies as agender, was brutally set on fire by a fellow student while sleeping on a bus in November of 2013. The cruel and unfortunate incident prompted a small, but nationwide discussion in mainstream media regarding gender binaries and transgender identities. Thus leading Aftel to Fleischman's home to photograph the new icon of America's genderqueer youth.
In hopes to raise awareness of this diverse and often-overlooked community, San Francisco magazine published Aftel's photos, and the portraits are beautifully intriguing. Some of Aftel's subjects identify themselves as gender-fluid (with a fluctuating gender identity), some as gender-queer (a more general term for any gender identity other than male or female), some as agender (those who do not identify with any gender), and some as transgender (self-identification as woman, man, neither or both).
Check out the following photos, including one of Sasha, and find more of Chloe Aftel's work here.
[Via PolicyMic]
Instagram Releases An Impressive Update in Version 6.0
Set to roll out today, Instagram releases an impressive update in version 6.0 of their amazing social photo sharing app. Seemingly to be it's most significant update to date, they have enabled video sharing, adjustable filters, and 9 new effects. It's new filters and effects will give you the ability to adjust brightness, contrast, saturation, warmth, highlights, shadows, vignetting, sharpening and filter strength by using it's slider tool to select the intensity.
In an interview with PetaPixel, Instagram CEO and co-founder Kevin Systrom, was adamant to the fact that the new update has taken many months of research and testing. He also noted that the bar was set very high to match high-end photo editors like Photoshop and Lightroom, and improvements in speed were also taken in effect. All set for a nice level playing field for the Instagram community.
Instagram for iOS version 6.0 is available in Apple’s App Store, and Instagram for Android version 6.0 is available on Google Play today. See a quick demo video below of the new features in Instagram 6.0, and let us know what you think.
[Via PetaPixel]
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Tattooers, the Tattooed: Exploring the Evolution of Body Art
Now through October 2015, at the Musée du Quai Branly in Paris, is an art exhibition titled Tatoueurs, Tatoués (translates Tattooers, the Tattooed), that explores the evolution of body art through the ages. As tattooing dates back more than 5,000 years, the exhibition features ads and images taken from various photographers and artists throughout this time. Amongst some of the oldest examples are remains of Ötzi, the Neolithic iceman found in the Alps in 1991 who was covered with 57 tattoo marks, and two-thousand-year-old mummies discovered in Egypt and Syria who carried tattoos of mythical monsters and animals.
For a modern take on tattooing, the exhibit also used thirteen artists from countries ranging from Samoa to Switzerland to ink their art onto disembodied legs, torsos and arms crafted from silicone. This is used the explore the contrasts and comparisons to old and modern techniques and symbolisms. However, regardless of time, it seems that tattoos have always been used as declaration of individuality. Whether for beauty, beliefs, mourning, hatred or love, tattoos have always been used to identify, cure, honor and even defeat those who wear or who were forced to wear them.
Check out some of the images taken from the gallery, and find out more on the exhibit here.
[Via i-D Vice]
Real Estate Photography via Drone Technology
Featured photo by DJI
News on the use of Drones have been heard in mainstream media a lot these days. Whether they are used for military purposes or for delivery services, the fad seems to be catching on to a widespread audience, and most recently it's been used to capture aerial photography. Larry Malvin, who has worked in real estate for over 13 years, found this idea to his advantage, and is the first in the Chicagoland area to capture real estate photography via drone technology.
Malvin uses a 2.8-pound drone with four propellers to carry his 14-megapixel camera to photograph homes, which he says depicts houses “with a perspective that doesn't compare”, and he's right. The photos he is able to capture reaches heights up to 30 feet in the air, shooting angles and space that go above and beyond, literally. Using his smartphone, he simply mounts it on a controller with a joystick and is able to control the drone and see what it's seeing. And what's even more surprising is that the costs he charges for his real estate photography hasn't even changed much, since the drone was fairly affordable for him. Specifically, he notes that the DJI Phantom 2 Vision Plus was bought for about $1,400, and is considerably easy to maneuver.
Although the Federal Aviation Administration may change the authorization that prohibits commercial use of small unmanned aircraft without a pilot's license by September 2015, photographers will continue to use this technology to their advantage. Check out the following photos shot by Larry Malvin, which perfect examples to type of aerial photography these drones are capable of. Also be sure to check out more of his work here.
[Via Chicago Business]
Protestors Continue to Rise and Revolt in Istanbul
Photos taken by VICE UK
In the face of oppression, clashes progress as protestors continue to rise and revolt against the government in Istanbul, Turkey's largest city. In recent news, popular social media sites Twitter and YouTube were banned in the country as a “precautionary administrative measure” by Turkey’s telecommunications authority (T?B), stirring up plenty of controversy. And just this past weekend, Vice UK was able to capture photos of a rally created to demand justice for the death of Berkin Elvan, a 15-year-old boy who lost his life during the Gezi protests.
The protestors gathered in Istanbul's Okmeydani neighborhood, an area known for it's large Alevi population. And at their disruption, police responded with tear gas, water cannons, and gunfire. Unfortunately, a stray bullet fatally killed yet another citizen, Ugur Kurt, who was only there to attend a funeral nearby. The footage captured by Vice contains of graphic video of the incident, and include photos that are simply jaw dropping. Take a look and tell us what you gather from Turkey's current situation.
[Via VICE UK]
San Francisco Reflected in City Puddles by Angela May Chen
Photos by Angela May Chen
By focusing on the ground rather than the horizon, photographer Angela May Chen captures street photography in San Francisco reflected in city puddles. For a city that's already known for it's beautiful skyline, Chen captures it's lush architecture from reflecting it in upside down view points, and unique angles, pretty much in ways it's never been done before. Through each watery reflection, Chen has been able to transform everything from the city's rich cityscapes, bridges, sidewalks to even trolleys and palm trees, into a whole new perspective. The creative combination of various textures and elements causes the viewer to take a deep look, as each photograph begs for a second glance.
So the next time you're walking through your town, take a look at the reflections in the puddles, it's guaranteed to add amusement to any rainy day. Check out some of our favorite photos below, and be sure to follow Chen on her instagram page where you'll find some of her ad work, more San Francisco street perspectives, and even some delicious looking food photography. Her eye for the city will definitely want to make you pack your bags and go.
[Via Curbed]
Never-Before-Seen Photos of the Late Notorious B.I.G.
Photos from the personal archive of Rob Stone
This past week, The Fader, released never-before-seen photos of the late Notorious B.I.G., as May 21st marked what would have been the rapper's 42nd birthday. The photos are from the personal archive of The FADER's co-founder Rob Stone, who served as VP of promotion during the promotional run for Biggie’s debut album, Ready to Die.
The article includes an excerpt where Stone recalls memories with Biggie, specifically in the early days when they were first trying to get the rapper's music played on a mainstream radio station in LA. The rare photos take you back in time to B.I.G.'s early era in the industry, in true 90's fashion, including other friends and artists such as Craig Mack, Sway and Funkmaster Flex.
Check out the following photos and be sure to check out The Fader's Notorious B.I.G. Icon issue here.
[Via The Fader]
