Photography

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Vero Beach

Town of Vero Beach — @maddiech's mag on Magma

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Ocean

Turks and Caicos Islands

<h1><strong>Turks and Caicos Islands</strong></h1>
<h2><strong>British Overseas Territory</strong></h2>
<h2>Turks and Caicos is an archipelago of 40 low-lying coral islands in the Atlantic Ocean, a British Overseas Territory southeast of the Bahamas. The gateway island of Providenciales, known as Provo, is home to expansive Grace Bay Beach, with luxury resorts, shops and restaurants. Scuba-diving sites include a 14-mile barrier reef on Provo’s north shore and a dramatic 2,134m underwater wall off Grand Turk island. ―Google</h2>

TURKS &amp; CAICOS ISLANDS 2021 I Best restaurants, things to do recommendations, beaches I THE PALMS

Grace Bay Beach

Featuring Content Creators and Photographers | Turks and Caicos   — @Travelpix's mag on Magma

Amsterdam

@911_hermes brought his car out to Amsterdam 📸 — @Rosanne's mag on Magma

Entertainment

Home

<h2><strong>About The Artist</strong></h2>
<p>As an emerging film photographer with a spark for ingenuity, Mike Gray enthralls the viewer with his cinematic stills, close up portraiture, and staged scenes. Although Gray recently began to focus more intently on photography, with the guidance of mentor Tyler Shields, he embarked on an exploration into the creative/artistic realm a decade prior. </p>
<p>As a young child, it was clear that Gray’s artistic aptitude necessitated further cultivation. Growing up in both Dallas and Houston, Texas, his time in the South facilitated a courageous mindset that has motivated Gray to foster the poignant art he makes today. As was his dream since high school, he moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in acting. Gray has made a name for himself acting in theatrical productions, film, tv and commercials. Alongside, he also dabbled in directing and editing. Self driven and determined, Mike Gray has solidified himself as a multifaceted creator.</p>
<p>With his preferred film camera, PENTAX 67, Gray captures his subjects with vivid intimacy.</p>
<p>He is best known for elevating people of color by drawing on historic events of the past to inspire his concepts. “The overall mission is to highlight my people and put them in positions they normally wouldn't be put in years ago.” In this vein, Gray molds his own narrative in each photo he takes, warping the past to weave a better future. His documentary work from the LA Riots in 2020, along with his recreations of historical moments (the Kennedys and Ruby Bridges) elevate ordinary people to compelling figures of power. Gray’s images, layered with shock value and meaning, enable him to comment on the political and social systems of our current and past generations. </p>
<p>Although Gray constructs images of his own blueprint, he is far from wedded to a singular artistic style. Although some of his work is staged, he allows his instincts to inform his creative side. Spontaneity — on the other hand —is a pivotal aspect of Gray's documentary artistry. Gray adheres to the constant forward-moving cycle of creativity, emphatically claiming, “progression is pivotal.” His work, while distinguishable in its deliberate thematic motives, is simple in its tangible rawness. With Gray, art is not sought synthetically, but veiled right before our eyes. Gray’s photography allows the viewer to step into an alternate reality, one seen through a learned lens.</p>
<p>Mike Gray is an artist to look out for. Charismatic charm exudes from his person, and his humble stance only further portrays his authentic approach. With so much achieved from the first year of his photography career, greatness awaits young Gray.</p>

<h1><strong>BLACK UTOPIA </strong></h1>
<h2>“The reasoning behind naming the series Black Utopia, is the perfection of the world I create for each image. My goal as an artist was to put African American people in positions you normally wouldn’t see them in during the respected time period. Beauty, Happiness, Vulnerability, and Freedom are four stand out words to describe the feeling of Black Utopia. I’ve never been a fan of how my people are portrayed publicly, which is why I plan to push the envelope &amp; continue to create for change. This is the world I envision for black people.” -Mike Gray</h2>
<p></p>
<h2>Only 12 editions in each size will ever be made. All prints are chromogenic prints on museum quality paper. </h2>
<h2>Contact jonathan@heitgallery.com for inquiries.</h2>

<h1>This is only the beginning for Mike Gray, so make sure you stay tapped in.</h1>
<p>For any inquiries email jonathan@heitgallery.com</p>
<p>Make sure to follow along with <a href="https://instagram.com/heitgallery?utm_medium=copy_link">Heit Gallery’s instagram</a> and <a href="https://instagram.com/mikegrayfilm?utm_medium=copy_link">Mike Gray’s instagram </a></p>
<p>In partnership with <a href="https://www.508kingsroad.com/exhibitions/33-black-utopia/overview/">508 Gallery</a> we have created an <a href="https://artspaces.kunstmatrix.com/en/exhibition/6356920/black-utopia">3D virtual gallery experience</a> for you to view Gray’s work.</p>
<p></p>

Heit Gallery Presents: “Black Utopia” a fine art series by Mike Gray. All works available for purchase.  — @Heitgallery's mag on Magma

Toronto

<h1>We grow the most durning discomfort</h1>
<p>Lake Ontario, Toronto. </p>
<p>In January &amp; February, I was feeling pretty low. The lockdown, the darkness, the isolation was definitely taking a toll. ⁣</p>
<p>As someone who doesn’t have a typical work day, it was hard to find any flow. When you have no place to “be” the urge to just stay in bed is strong. ⁣</p>
<p>So I started getting-up early and headed down to the Lake at Humber Bay Park to catch the ⁣pre-sunrise light. My favourite light. ⁣</p>
<p>I took my cameras, more as an excuse to do something. Most of the photos weren’t that good. It didn’t really matter. It was nice to be there. ⁣</p>
<p>The bitter lake winds slap you in the face and wake you up better than coffee, which I had plenty of too. ⁣</p>
<p>On one of these days, I met a group of swimmers who let me take some photos. They told me that since the lockdown, they’ve noticed more &amp; more people jumping into the lake. Some of them drive down from an hour or more away. ⁣</p>

The Cold Water Club
a photo essay by Dhani Oks — @dhani's mag on Magma

Calgary

@xytheguy's mag on Magma

Egypt

<h1>EGYPT</h1>
<p>Egypt, a country linking northeast Africa with the Middle East, dates to the time of the pharaohs. Millennia-old monuments sit along the fertile Nile River Valley, including Giza's colossal Pyramids and Great Sphinx as well as Luxor's hieroglyph-lined Karnak Temple and Valley of the Kings tombs. The capital, Cairo, is home to Ottoman landmarks like Muhammad Ali Mosque and the Egyptian Museum, a trove of antiquities. ―Google</p>

Discover the Secrets of Ancient Egypt | Engineering an Empire | Full Episode | History

Featuring Content Creators and Photographers | Egypt — @Travelpix's mag on Magma

Netherlands

<h1>80x80cm Acrylic on Canvas.</h1>
<p>My dear friend and talented artist Sonsoles Masia in her studio in Delft. </p>

<p>On March 30th I drove past Sonso’s atelier and saw her popping red van “Bombera” sunbathing in the parking lot. Took a quick turn of the highway and here I was spontaneously standing in my favorite atelier. Sonso was standing there Spanish as she was bare feet in a tanktop and some flowy pants. “Aaahh Corazón, welcome!”</p>
<p>Both Sonso and I have been keeping busy with everything except creating so you can say we were both a little drained. Coming together gave us the motivation, inspiration and love again for what talents had been gifted to us. I witnessed Sonso connect to her ancestors and create a outstanding canvas. </p>
<p></p>
<p>Enjoy.</p>

A tribute to Luna Menguante  — @Rosanne's mag on Magma

Karekare Beach

<h1><em>'Pterodactyl' </em></h1>
<p><em>This piece was filmed at a really special place, on the west coast of New Zealand called Karekare Beach in the Waitakere ranges. It's one of those magical places with an immensely powerful energy that channels down the windswept valley from the hills to the sea through sandunes and rocky outcrops to meet a churning ocean that has pounded these shores since time immemorial. </em></p>
<p><em>The landscape is rugged and raw and you feel like you've stepped back into prehistoric times where Pterodactyls once roamed the skies.As a young man Karekare was my escape from the city and the pressures of becoming an adult. We surfed there, we spent nights amongst the sand dunes discovering ourselves. The salt and sea air would always send me back to the world refreshed and empowered, reconnected with a vital perspective of my place on this strange rock we call home.</em></p>

<p>
  <h1><em>Location</em></h1>
<em>Karekare is also well known for the opening scene to an incredible film called The Piano by Jane Campion which won a young Anna Paquin an Oscar at 11 years old. Set mid 19tt century the film sees the girl and her mother dumped on the beach from a ship with nothing more than their trunk of belongings and a huge Piano to begin their life in the 'new world'. That opening scene and many elements of that film truly capture that raw nature of the New Zealand west coast and native bush.</em>
</p>

THE PIANO - Official 25th Anniversary Trailer - Directed by Jane Campion

<p>I lived in Edinburgh, Scotland for about 6 years from 1999 and after moving back to New Zealand I often missed living amongst the history of old streets and the stories that came with them (there's some great stories if your into ghosts like me!). </p>
<p>But I then realized that history in New Zealand is also in the land itself… the 'New World' is in fact the 'Untouched World' and the stories are written in the landscape. With some imagination and research you can read between the lines and the ghosts of the past can be seen!</p>

<h1><em>Capture &amp; Edits</em></h1>
<p><em>‘Pterodactyl’ was originally shot a few years ago during a photowalk I hosted for a whole bunch of Auckland photographers. I used to co-ordinate and host official Instagram 'World Wide Insta Meets' (WWIM) after the Instagram team featured my cinemagraphs and interviewed me for their blog back in 2016. </em></p>
<p><em>The original shot for 'Pterodactyl' actually shows a bunch of photographers sitting on top of the hill but coming into the NFT space has liberated me to bring both edits and conceptual elements into my work that I hadn't done before and want to further pursue.</em></p>

<p>Inspired by the prehistoric raw energy of Karekare I edited in a subtle figure of a Pterodactyl perched on the hill along with an old stripped down tree (taken from one of my still photos - which ironically in real life actually sits half way up an Auckland volcano called One Tree Hill). For me the tree suited the scene for a few reasons but mainly because I love the solitary presence of a tree that remains on a rocky outcrop… a survivor against the elements.</p>

An artwork dialogue by motion artist @mrjonkane on ‘Pterodactyl’. — @mrjonkane's mag on Magma

Dubai

<h1><strong>Dubai </strong></h1>
<h2><strong>City in the United Arab Emirate</strong></h2>
<h2>Dubai is a city and emirate in the United Arab Emirates known for luxury shopping, ultramodern architecture and a lively nightlife scene. Burj Khalifa, an 830m-tall tower, dominates the skyscraper-filled skyline. At its foot lies Dubai Fountain, with jets and lights choreographed to music. On artificial islands just offshore is Atlantis, The Palm, a resort with water and marine-animal parks. </h2>

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