Ron Leach

Last fall Stanford University created quite a buzz when they enabled anyone to take their comprehensive digital imaging course online for free. Now thanks to web-based learning resource Alison, there’s a similar opportunity in which you can become a Harvard photography student at no cost!

These stunning images are among the winners of the 2016 Monochrome Awards, an international competition that celebrates the best black-and-white photography from across the globe. The photo above, from Polish photographer Piotr Musial took top honors in the Fashion/Beauty category.

Some people think of Man Ray strictly as a photographer but those familiar with his broad body of work recognize him as a sculptor, artist and filmmaker as well. Born Emmanuel Radnitzky in Philadelphia in 1901, Ray’s eclectic background helped him reinvent photography as a significant force in the Dadaist and Surrealist movements.

Optical technology has advanced dramatically since the early days of zoom lenses when the consensus among serious photographers was that prime lenses offered far greater sharpness, resolution, color rendition and contrast than zoom lenses. In the video below, Matt Granger discusses that “misconception” as it pertains today, as well as the notion that prime lenses encourage more compositional creativity by forcing you to “zoom with your feet.”