Felix Abrudan | Cover | Born and raised in post-communist Romania during the 1990s I was exposed early on to the effects of crumbling narratives. Growing up in a country in search of an identity, is probably the reason why I have always found a keen interest in unravelling the significance of narratives as frames for existence. This passion for stories led me to the discovery of photography. Since 2015 I’ve been working as a versatile fashion, people and fine art photographer in Vienna, Austria where I also graduated with an MA in Social and Cultural Anthropology. Having a solid background within the social sciences, I complement my technical skills with an understanding of cultural efflorescence, Jungian psychology and what I would call the constantly shifting landscape of the globalized imaginary, to plan and direct elaborate productions in the areas of fashion, fine art and glamour. I like to break the barrier of categories and utilize techniques ranging from fashion to experimental, documentary, streetstyle or commercial and weave them together into complex, almost theatrical scenes. I prefer having a “scripted” or “constructed” approach to my imagery. This is related to my belief that objectivity in photography is essentially misleading, there is only subjectivity, we create fantasies. The aesthetics of my photographic images are tripartite: emotional storytelling shot with dramatic lighting and featuring extravagant subjects.

Liam Man | Icebreaker: A Changing Cryosphere | Liam Man is a visual artist specialising innocturnal landscape photography, based inthe United Kingdom. A Sony ImagingAmbassador and “Open Photographer of theYear” at the 2024 World Photography Awards,his work strives to capture the awe-inspiring grandeur of nature while drawingattention to its fragility.

Francesco Berlingerio | Shadow Of Addiction | Francesco Berlingerio is a professional photographer specializing in documentary and portrait photography. With a background in film photography, his work captures the intricate realities of human experiences and the evolving narratives of cultural and urban landscapes. Drawing from his experience in photojournalism, Francesco excels at documenting stories with authenticity and emotional depth.His projects often explore social and cultural issues, using photography as a tool to spark reflection and understanding. Through his travels, he has created compelling visual narratives that highlight the diversity and resilience of people and places. Francesco’s work has been internationally recognized, earning awards and features in prominent publications.His versatility across genres and his meticulous attention to detail allow him to adapt to a wide range of photographic contexts, from evocative portraits to impactful documentary projects. For Francesco, photography is a medium of connection—a way to communicate stories that matter, inspire change, and preserve the essence of fleeting moments.

Chris Yan | Beijing Story |  Chris Yan, born in Beijing, China in 1981, is an accomplished photographer and Creative Director. After earning a degree in art and design from the Communication University of China, Chris gained extensive experience working with top international advertising agencies like Dentsu, JWT, and Leo Burnett. As a senior creative director who has won more than 60 international and local creative awards. In 2013, he founded his own company to create and design advertisements for well-known brands such as BMW, Rolls-Royce, M&M’s, and Dove. At the same time, where he began to blend commercial design with his passion for photography, focusing primarily on humanities and street photography.

Francesco Malapris | Aquatic | Francis Malapris is an explorer of thresholds, an artist crafting his work at the intersection of technique and emotion. From an early age, faced with the complexity of social interactions, he found refuge in the structured world of computer science. At 28, photography entered his life, becoming both an outlet and a field of exploration for his essential pursuit: capturing the fleeting nature of the moment. Inspired by icons such as Raymond Depardon, Rafael Minkkinen, and Daido Moriyama, Francis developed a visual language where every image holds a tension between light and shadow, presence and absence. Over time, encounters and immersion in major photographic movements transformed his perspective. The precision of the engineer gave way to a bold sensitivity, making humanity the pulsating heart of his work. He delves into the fluid space between personality and identity, exploring the tension between “who we are” and “who we appear to be,” giving his images a universal resonance. In 2016, Francis made a decisive leap with AQUATIC, a landmark series in his career. Through a unique photographic process, he immersed himself in the aquatic realm, where the boundaries between reality and abstraction dissolve.

Markku Lahdesmaki | Sirkus Tähti | Born in Finland Markku Lahdesmaki discovered his passion for photography at an early age, opening his first studio in his hometown of Tampere by the age of 21. He soon moved to London, where he gained experience as an assistant before establishing his own studio there. Eventually, his career took him to Los Angeles, California, where he continues to thrive. Markku’s photography spans from painterly, artistic imagery to intricate, technically complex composites. His work has taken him across the globe, collaborating with both American and European clients, including GE, Nike, Adidas, Apple, Nokia, Microsoft, Toyota, Honda, Sony, and Gillette. A dedicated creator, Markku balances a steady flow of personal projects with commissioned work for leading advertising agencies. His photography has received international recognition, earning accolades in prestigious competitions such as the Clio Awards, Epica, Cannes Lions, AOP Awards, New York Festival, Communication Arts, APA, IPA, and PX3.