You work with images. Did that interest in visual art come about in childhood, or later?

Daxu Ancient TownDaxu Ancient Town, located 18km southeast of Guilin, is one of the four ancient towns of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. With a history of more than 2,000 years, Daxu Town still keeps well-preserved traditional Chinese architectures of the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1616-1911) dynasties, shiny stone-paved streets and traditional customs.

An ancient street for about two kilometers runs through the town. On both sides of the narrow street stand two-story Ming- and Qing-dynasty buildings with gray bricks and tiles. Equipped with a front door, skylight, main room, wing-room and backyard, each house has a functional design combining business and living into one unit.

Daxu Ancient Town is one of four old towns in China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. The staggering architecture reflects the eras of its inception, the Ming and Quig dynasties.

Entrance Door in Daxu Ancient Town, ChinaAs I strolled along the limestone path that has been bathed by sun and rain for 1,000 years, I felt I entered a world like fantasy that came to life, that took me back in time a thousand years. > Read more

I was utterly charmed by the many hundreds of small dwellings that also function as shops and stalls. Grey brick, red brick, stone, traditionally carved wood in filigree patterns that speak of a time and place when Emperors ruled and armies might have trod this path I traverse.

Traditional Home in Daxu Ancient Town, Guilin, ChinaAs I strolled along the limestone path that has been bathed by sun and rain for 1,000 years, I felt I entered a world like fantasy that came to life, that took me back in time a thousand years. > Read more

Through the open street-level entryways interiors are visible--courtyards full of flowers and grass spurred to life by the sunlight. Beyond that, a tall and roomy space where the master of the house can receive visitors, a wing room on either side. At the rear, a backyard. 

An Afternoon with Mr. ChoAs I strolled along the limestone path that has been bathed by sun and rain for 1,000 years, I felt I entered a world like fantasy that came to life, that took me back in time a thousand years. > Read more

I was lucky to meet the personable Mr. Cho, who invited me into his home and allowed me to photograph him in his every-day life.

Millstone CarvingAs I strolled along the limestone path that has been bathed by sun and rain for 1,000 years, I felt I entered a world like fantasy that came to life, that took me back in time a thousand years. > Read more

Mr. Cho carves millstone in his spare time, surrounded by tools and other possessions in his private space.

Still Life with a SanxianAs I strolled along the limestone path that has been bathed by sun and rain for 1,000 years, I felt I entered a world like fantasy that came to life, that took me back in time a thousand years. > Read more Everywhere I looked I discovered interesting items, some old, some new, familiar and unfamiliar objects (like the little softshell turtle skeletons), many collectables gathered over a long lifetime that must have meant a lot to him. Intrigued, I imagined a story to each.

Traditional Home in Daxu Ancient Town, ChinaAs I strolled along the limestone path that has been bathed by sun and rain for 1,000 years, I felt I entered a world like fantasy that came to life, that took me back in time a thousand years. > Read more  

Bamboo stalks stood next to drying plants and vegetables hanging from the walls, creating a unique decor.

Simple Tunes on the SanxianOne of China’s most traditional plucked string instruments, the Chinese sanxian (or xianzi) has been passed down over many generations. It was wildly popular when brought to Japan, resulting in the creation of the shamisen. True to its name, the instrument possesses san (three) xian (strings).

Mr. Cho played the sanxian (san=three; xian=strings), a fretless Chinese lute, strumming out simple and pleasant tunes on an instrument that sounds much like a banjo.

Simple Tunes on the SanxianAs I strolled along the limestone path that has been bathed by sun and rain for 1,000 years, I felt I entered a world like fantasy that came to life, that took me back in time a thousand years. > Read more  

This traditional sanxian, or xianzi, had been passed down over many generations in Mr. Cho's family. When the instrument was first exported to Japan, it became wildly popular and led to the creation of the Japanese shamisen.

Mr. Cho’s Traditional Chinese HomeMao Zedong, the founding father of the People's Republic of China, was a controversial figure. His Marxist–Leninist theories, military strategies and communist ideas, especially his “Great Leap Forward” campaign, where he attempted to rapidly transform China's economy from an agrarian economy to an industrial one, led to widespread famine resulting in the death of an estimated 45 million people. Through starvation, forced labor and executions, Mao killed a total of 70 million Chinese during his 27-years tenure as the Chairman of Communist Party of China.

But in mainland China, Mao is still revered by many supporters of the Communist Party and respected by the majority of the general population for bringing unity and stability to the country, and for laying the foundation for China to become a world power. In their hearts, Mao Zedong represents the embodiment of fairness and justice. It’s a fact that during his rule, status of women rose, education and health care improved, and life expectancy increased. It’s no surprise then, that his portrait still stares out over Beijing’s Tiananmen Square and his face still appears on banknotes.

I was surprised! Mr. Cho's wall displayed a prominent picture of Mao Zedong, founder and chairman of the People's Republic of China. The well-known Mao was a Marxist-Leninist with controversial ideas about bring China into the 20th century. His 'Great Leap Forward' campaign attempted to rapidly move the economy from agrarian to industrial, resulting in famine and the deaths of roughly 45 million people. Besides starvation, forced labor and executions led to the deaths of another 70 million Chinese over a 27 year reign.

Today, in mainland China Mao is revered as having been a fair and just leader, respected by the majority of citizens for laying the foundation of China becoming a world power. The status of women rose, education and health care improved, and life expectancy increased. Once I remembered that many of Mao's portraits show him looking out over Tiananmen Square, and his face still adorns banknotes, it made sense that Mr. Cho would hang the image on his wall.

Fading MemoriesAs I strolled along the limestone path that has been bathed by sun and rain for 1,000 years, I felt I entered a world like fantasy that came to life, that took me back in time a thousand years. > Read more

Relaxing at the end of my visit, we talked about the beauty of old, even ancient things, and memories that fade like smoke.

With thank to my tour guide Mercier Zeng and Nancy Kilpatrick for the editing. 

The Masonic Initiation Well of the Quinta da RegaleiraOne of Quinta de Regaleira's most fascinating feature is located beneath the ground – a pair of wells spiraling deep within the earth. The wells were never used, nor intended for water collection. Instead, these mysterious underground towers were used for secretive initiation rites.

The ‘Initiation Well’ or ‘Inverted Tower’, consist of ‘winding stair’ architecture, which carries symbolic meaning including the death/rebirth allegory common to many hermetic traditions.

The well contains nine platforms, which are said to be “reminiscent of the Divine Comedy by Dante and the nine circles of Hell, the nine sections of Purgatory and the nine skies which constitute Paradise.”

Toronto-based photographer Istvan Kadar visited the wells at the Quinta da Regaleira estate in Sintra, Portugal. Upon seeing the wells, Istvan was struck by their enormity and the contrast they struck between dark and light. 

Kadar said: “Looking down into Initiation Well, a powerful connection to a mysterious ancient past overwhelmed my emotions. The contrast between the oppressive darkness inside and the bright hopeful light from above made me think of Hell and Heaven."

>> Read the full article at Bancroft Media

Silicate City

Makákókkal a pódiumon

Beszélgetés Kádár István erdélyi-kanadai fotográfussal

~ Zsók Enikő

Két földrész, három ország – a fotós mindhárom helyen jól van, köszöni szépen. Kádár István sepsiszentgyörgyi származású kanadai fotósnak (portrénkon) a szabadság a lételeme, meleg tónusú képvilága többnyire a szenvedély, az álom motívumait valamiféle ujjlenyomatként „istvánkádárosan” hordozza magában.

» Read the Full Interview

Istvan Kadar came to the Club last week to hear George Kouronis's speak, and figured he'd be a pretty tough act to follow. "I’m kind of afraid of tornadoes, so I’ll just show you my tranquil, pretty pictures," he said modestly, and then he blew us straight out of the water with work that was magic on a memory card.  

His work is often described as 'fantasy' or 'dreamlike.' Kadar says he can live with that. In fact every image is based on reality, but through his eyes there's a magic behind the monotone of everyday life, and he makes it visible through a little post work. Sometimes a lot of post work.  

BargainFloating Market, Mekong Delta, Vietnam

Farmers from the region bring their goods, fruits and vegetables mainly, to the markets and sell them to local dealers. They stay on the boat for about 4-5 days until everything is sold. All big boats have a pole. Each wholesaler hangs the goods he sells on this bamboo pole. Smaller boats then sail up to the larger ones and negotiate purchases.

Kadar was born in Sepsiszentgyorgy, Transylvania where, he says, "The unfortunate lack of vampires makes it less romantic and mysterious than you might think." At 22 he came to Toronto and studied graphic design. He was an Art Director in many notable advertising agencies in Budapest and in Toronto, and now focuses entirely on his own art, which has won many awards including the National Geographic first prize award in Nature Category (2008). His work covers all genres, which he roughly classifies as Travel, People, Animals, Plants, Still life and Composite.

He  looks for the underlying magic in the heart of nature, and  through enhancement of that almost secret beauty, creates intoxicating images that are at once realistic and otherworldly. 'Overly shot locations and subjects don't bother me much. My aim is to capture a feeling, an atmosphere, not just to document a moment. Sometimes you just have to take the same standard shot from the same position where millions of people have done it before, because it's just so gorgeous."  There is after all only one Taj Mahal, and everyone knows it's there and has a pretty good idea what it looks like. His images are distinguished from the herd when he adds  his own touch – a bump to the saturation, contrast, accentuated colours, and suddenly an old familiar sight becomes one you're seeing for the very first time. 

The heart of Istvan's work is his courage and integrity. It takes cojones to put out into the world concrete representation of your own vision of life — the reality behind the reality that everyone else sees. He follows an inner vision, and pursues it without compromise. The degree of post work, much or little, doesn't matter. What does matter is that the secret beauty is outed, where everyone can see it. Where you can see it. Where it can inform your understanding of what's what. The final result matters more than the process, because his point is always and consistently to make visible the invisible, by any means possible.

His portraits, in contrast with his bright landscapes, tend to be dark and mysterious, accentuated by added texture, but still maintaining the ethereal quality that is distinctively his own. 

The Widow

His many and beautiful animal images are technically brilliant, but they're never pictures you would use to illustrate a dictionary; they're more like pictures of ideas.

This beautiful picture of a bird in flight would never show up under B for Bird.

Spread Your WingsSpread your wings and let the fairy in you fly!

It's called 'Spread your Wings'  for a reason: these are all pictures of ideas. That's why they look so tangible and intangible at the same time.

And they also look like pictures of our own lives, and the things we've known and know: 'Precious mother's milk': no one needs to tell you.

Sweet Mother's MilkOn the island of Bali, the long-tailed macaques like to hang around near humans as they often are given a bite to eat. You often see them around temples, I came across them at Ulluwatu temple. They spend their time rummaging on the temple walls and watch to see if they can pinch some delicacy from the tourists. One of the young macaques filched the hair elastic from a girl walking in front of me in split of a second and tore it to pieces in a spectacular performance.

He showed only one picture of an animal in captivity, a wild cat in the Toronto Zoo: "I  prefer to photograph animals in their natural environment; it hurts my feelings to see them in jail."

Still life and plants "are the easiest: They sit still and they're good-looking. They take direction well."

Kadar's work has culminated in photo-books. "As soon as I had enough pictures, I wanted to see how they looked printed on good quality paper."  There are several good online publishers out there.  His favourite is Blurb, and he brought examples of his books to show us the really excellent results that are possible. Kadar prefers not to advertise his work, and because of Blurb, he doesn't need to: "They have an easy-to-navigate and visually appealing bookstore where you can preview and buy other author's books." Some of his books are featured on Blurb's website under Staff Pick.

Another attractive feature is that Blurb's book-making module is built right into LightRoom, making book creation just another step in your photo management and editing workflow. You can customize any of 100+ available layouts, and add text. There are 7 different soft- and hardcover book sizes and 5 paper types to choose from. Altogether you can end up with an enviably glossy and professional-looking finished product.

You need to be ready before you go in. The elements Kadar considers before starting are the cover, table of contents (if you need one), intro, sections with section cover pages, section title, subtitles, graphic elements, image layouts, white space, body copy and pagination.  

He favours covers where the title is subordinate to a big, bold image, but the possibilities are endless. Kadar colour-codes his locations in travel books, incorporating the legend into a map at the beginning of the book, and distinguishing the locations by using those colours in his section division titles. Each section opens with a strong silhouette, distinctively related to section content while providing visual continuity throughout the book. Pagination is unobtrusive, with white space used like the rests in music — a constructive presence. 

THE THREE QUESTIONS FROM TCC

1:  How does photography speak to people differently from other art forms?

A: Today, Photography is "instant gratification." It is the "Folk Art" of the 21st Century. Now anyone who can click a camera can make art. It’s accessible to everyone and they can all relate to it.

2: What is your biggest challenge?

A: This lecture!  Talking in front of a big audience!

3: What is your most memorable moment?

A: I’ve seen a lot of beautiful places, but I think the most memorable is when I see an animal I’ve never seen before. 

Q&A from the audience:

Q:  What editing software do you use?

A:  Only Photoshop.

Q:  What textures do you use?

A:  I make my own.

Q:  How long do you spend in editing?

A:  Sometimes too long!  2-3 hours.  Or years – because I’ll come back to old pictures and start again at the beginning and re-work them.

Q:  Where does your photo-book text come from?

A:  Credited text from Wikipedia and Animal Diversity Web for butterflies, animals etc., because obviously these are details that I won’t just know off the top of my head.

Q: How did your time in advertising/graphic design field influence your photography?

A: I really learned Photoshop!  It gave me so much good experience in post work.

Q:  What's your camera? 

A:   Canon 5D Mark II.

Q: How do you know when to stop editing?

A: Sometimes I don’t know. The next day tells me. Then sometimes I start again.

Q:  Are your composites made with a preconceived idea in mind, or do they just grow?

A:  I always know what I want to make before I start.

Q:  How did your square format pictures come about?  Did you have a camera that shot square?

A:  No, I just went through a square phase, a square-composing square-cropping phase.  Then I got bored with it and moved on.

Q: How do you choose your paper?

A: Trial and error. It’s personal taste and choice. Coated paper works best for my usual level of saturation.

Istvan's presentation ended with a bang:  He came, we saw, and he brought us a present!  No one can hear about Blurb without wanting to try it. Mr. Kadar brought us a special offer from the publisher: Members of the Toronto Camera Club using the promotional code TCC327 at checkout before midnight June 30th, 2014 will be given a discount of 20% on their final product total.  

If you would like to follow Istvan's work, you can visit him at his Website or Facebook page.

~ Geraldine Watson - Membership Chair Toronto Camera Club

Sunrise in Cappadocia

Soar Over Surreal Turkey in a Hot Air Balloon

by Alice Yoo

Could there be anything more dreamy than this? I spent a good part of this morning looking through surreal photos of hot air balloons soaring over Cappadocia. A historical region in Central Anatolia in Turkey, Cappadocia is known for its unusual, moon-like landscape. It's a mixture of naturally formed hills, deep canyons, valleys, and conical rock formations called "fairy chimneys" that makes this region so unique.

» Read More

» Click to Vote

The Silence of the Lambs

Solace Through an Angel’s Smile - 2013I always feel more depressed around this time of the year, when the leaves start to fall from the trees and the days become shorter, beckoning to nature’s ever changing seasonal curtain, where life and colour fade away. In spite of the beauty of the Fall foliage, this is my least favourite season, as my thoughts turn to the loss of those dear to me.

Today, I went for a walk in the cemetery and found solace in the beauty of a smiling angel that calmly graced a tomb; her serenity somehow lifted my soul. I reflected upon the beauty of life and death as the golden tones of the year’s foliage fade to a glorious last encore, bowing out with the Fall to more simplistic Winter tones of angelic purity. Setting the stage for Spring, Winter’s blank canvas waits in anticipation, with thoughts of colour, rebirth and hope for the year ahead.

I always feel more depressed around this time of the year, when the leaves start to fall from the trees and the days become shorter, beckoning to nature’s ever changing seasonal curtain, where life and colour fade away. In spite of the beauty of the Fall foliage, this is my least favourite season, as my thoughts turn to the loss of those dear to me.

Today, I went for a walk in the cemetery and found solace in the beauty of a smiling angel that calmly graced a tomb; her serenity somehow lifted my soul. I reflected upon the beauty of life and death as the golden tones of the year’s foliage fade to a glorious last encore, bowing out with the Fall to more simplistic Winter tones of angelic purity. Setting the stage for Spring, Winter’s blank canvas waits in anticipation, with thoughts of colour, rebirth and hope for the year ahead.

When I was a child I always dreamed of seeing a rainforest. Thoughts of Tarzan swinging from the trees and Mowgli's adventures took me on a journey of fantasy, to my own dreamworld of lush, tropical jungle and resident wildlife, especially the monkeys.

The opportunity finally came for me in 2013 to realize this ambition, when I had the opportunity to travel to the natural wonder that is Costa Rica.  Although my vacation was limited to two weeks, during this short space of time I encountered an unforgettable diversity of flora and fauna, offering a glimpse of paradise.

My book is divided into seven sections, each with associated colours of the rainbow. The colours represent the seven different places I had the opportunity to stop, admire, learn and take photographs of Costa Rica’s beaches, volcanoes and rain forest.

I dedicate this book to all my fellow nature lovers. Hopefully the experiences I have shared with you, will one day inspire you to go and see this beautiful country for yourself, and help educate others to the importance of protecting the world’s natural resources for future generations.

Publish Date: October 12, 2013

Dimensions: 33 X 28cm (13 X 11 in) Large Landscape Format

164 pgs  Premium paper, lustre finish

Category: Travel & Photography 

» Book Preview

1x the world’s most exclusive photo community. All photos in the gallery are curated, selected by a team of 11 professional curators. 1x is probably the most elegant and clutter-free website for watching photos on the internet, like a real photo gallery experience. The requirements for publication are high and only ~3% of the photos submitted will make it to the front page. All photos available as prints are listed under “Fine Art Prints” in the “Shop”-menu.

» 1X Gallery

The Hungarian photographer Istvan now lives in Canada and after his career as an art director with many renowned advertising agencies has rocked the whole world of photography. Through his photographs, he opens a door to extraordinary visions of our world. It is the game he plays with light and shadow, the beauty of colors, and his working with textures, that remain in one’s thoughts on this imaginary journey. Also when his images create these visions through processing...

» Read More

A: Well, I think I like to think that I think, but I am afraid I really just follow my instinct!

But your question does not really make sense!

-the word “always” is a misnomer -nothing is always

Instinct or intuition is a form of “thought” which jumps over some sequenced steps of logical or linear thought -it can be a faster way of arriving at a solution than through linear logic

Thought can happen in the unconscious mind without the person being aware of the process.

Just think about it

» Markethinking

1x the world’s most exclusive photo community. All photos in the gallery are curated, selected by a team of 11 professional curators. 1x is probably the most elegant and clutter-free website for watching photos on the internet, like a real photo gallery experience. The requirements for publication are high and only ~3% of the photos submitted will make it to the front page. All photos available as prints are listed under “Fine Art Prints” in the “Shop”-menu.

» 1X Gallery

We Love Photo – Could you tell us more about you as a photographer and your style: what’s your background in photography? When did you start and why? Who are the photographers who inspire you the most? What specific material did you use for this photo set?

I am basically a self-taught photographer. Having worked as a Graphic Designer and Art Director in Europe, I had access to the latest digital cameras, (5MP DSLR at the time) which truly fascinated me and I fell in love with this art form. About 7-8 years ago I became seriously driven to become a photographer and set out to photograph the beauty of far away lands. Since then I have travelled to: Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Tunisia, Turkey, Mexico, Peru and Costa Rica. Today, I take photos with my Canon 5D Mark II camera and post process them in Photoshop SC6. I mostly love taking photos in nature with natural lights, but I like to accentuate certain parts of an image and create dreamy painterly landscapes and portraits. To me, photography is all about the final image, regardless of the journey, whether it is through a traditional medium or digital post processing. To capture the perfect image, there should be ‘no limitations’ on one’s creativity. Although I like to see and admire other photographers’ work, I cannot pick only a few who inspire me —there are so many great photographers. Besides I try to evolve my own style.

We Love Photo – What’s the inspiration behind the photo set in your book: why did you start this project? What message did you want to convey? What inspired you? 

Nature inspires me the most. I can’t get enough of the beauty that our planet offers us, so I travel when I can, to places unknown to me to capture the uniqueness of each place. It’s amazing how much I can learn about imagery from animals, plants and other cultures in the world and I try to share that knowledge with my photos. I like it when my pictures can tell a story, but at the same time I enjoy showing the unique and beautiful details of my subjects.  There is too much ugliness in the world. Beautiful images of nature can be a delightful escapism —and as restorative as being there.

We Love Photo – Could you tell us about your experience publishing books? What criteria did you use to select pictures and define the structure, etc.? Why self-publishing? What steps would you recommend others follow when creating a new book?

I use Blurb to publish my photo books.  (http://www.blurb.com/user/store/fesign)
They print good quality books and offer very professional services. Also Blurb is cost effective and environmentally friendlier, since they just print a book when someone actually buys it —it doesn’t just sit and collect dust on a shelf somewhere in a bookstore. Online book publishing is so easy nowadays. Of course, at the same time, we see lots of poorly designed books, because now anyone can do it from their home. Since I am a professional graphic designer, it was much easier for me to design books. All I would recommend for people who are not designers is to not forget that quality matters more than quantity. Less images on a page with some free space, can look much more pleasant for the eyes. 

We Love Photo – What are your next steps: do you have any future photography or publishing projects in the pipeline?

Right now I am working on my Costa Rica and Peru images and hopefully very soon I can publish my new set of travel books, where I can share what I have seen from these amazing countries.

» Interview in French

» Book Preview

SoulscapesPublish Date November 20, 2012
Dimensions 20X25cm Landscape Format 100 pgs Premium paper, lustre finish
Category Art & Photography
Tags portrait, still life, soulscape

» Book Preview SoulscapesPublish Date November 20, 2012
Dimensions 20X25cm Landscape Format 100 pgs Premium paper, lustre finish
Category Art & Photography
Tags portrait, still life, soulscape

» Book Preview SoulscapesPublish Date November 20, 2012
Dimensions 20X25cm Landscape Format 100 pgs Premium paper, lustre finish
Category Art & Photography
Tags portrait, still life, soulscape

» Book Preview

being richard bach_disc

Richard Bach – legendary American writer author of many bestsellers that brought up several generations of well-read people worldwide. Former US Airforce pilot who is able to fly almost any type of the aircraft, he is still writing amazing books. He lives in the remote corner of the world that can be reached also only by an airplane.

"Being Richard Bach" is a confession where one of the most popular writers of the world talks abpout his families, beloved airplanes, favourite books, children, and friends...

Toronto Guardian is a community-based social venture sharing positive stories of arts, culture, lifestyle and everything awesome about Toronto. No bad news.

The Proof introduces you to some of Toronto’s artists in a very unique way. Through visual accompanied artist profiles we invite you to see the world though the artist’s eyes and take a day in their shoes. Hear what their friend’s think of them and what they are working on.

» The Proof

If you haven’t had enough of Piccsy’s featured Toronto-based photographers, here are 30 more who really stand out from the crowd. The artists behind the following visual masterpieces range from freelance professionals and award winning photojournalists to those simply engaging in their favourite self-taught hobby – and everything in-between. These top notch photographers demonstrate their exceptional command of the camera, angles, and lighting, giving them the unique ability to capture memorable images of life’s most beautiful moments.

Kadar’s art exudes a fairy tale-like quality, possibly inspired by his homeland Transylvania from where he later moved to Canada at the age of 22. He has held the post of Art Director at many notable advertising agencies, both in Budapest, Hungary and in Toronto. Now however, he focuses solely on his own art and is regularly featured at exhibitions. The artist’s talents have not gone unnoticed and he has won numerous awards including the National Geographic first prize award in Nature Category (2008) and second place in the Hungarian Press Photo Award.

» The List

Kádár István, Sepsiszentgyörgyről származó, Kanadában élő National Geographic díjas fotós engedett közelebb ahhoz a világhoz, melyben a valóságból álom és álomból valóság lesz, egy fényképezőgép és egy művészlélek barátságából. Munkáját a sokszínű természet és az emberek ihletik, de bármi is legyen az ihletforrás, a képeket röviden így jellemezhetnénk: színek és szenvedély.

» Interview

Jesuscm's Favorites Gallery

Each week we host an exhibition of some of the most significant works of an artist from Flickr in a strictly personal choice. This week belongs to Istvan Kadar. As he himself writes: "To me, photography is all about the final image, regardless of the journey, whether it is through a traditional medium or image manipulation. To capture the perfect shot, there should be 'no limitations' on one's creativity." I totally agree with Istvan.

» Gallery

My passion for travel stems from being part of the many diverse experiences, people, colours and flavours that each country has to offer. Vietnam is one such place, rich in natural wonders: from the thousands of tiny islands pointing skyward from the sea; spectacular hillside rice paddies, farmed by indigenous peoples; cities, where millions criss-cross through their daily lives on bikes; and colourful floating markets...   Being immersed in such experiences first-hand, was a far cry from my previous life. In this book, I share my travels and enjoyment of the beauty of Vietnam.  I hope you will enjoy it too.

Publish Date: August 14, 2011

Dimensions: 18X18cm (7X7in.) Square Format  40 pgs   Premium paper, lustre finish

Category: Travel/Photography

» Book Preview

Canadian Travel & Leisure Magazine

Canadian Travel & Leisure Magazine

Publish Date: June 01, 2011  Toronto, Canada

A great photograph is a piece of art. It captures the spirit of a subject and evokes emotion.

Istvan Kadar (fesign) is our 128th featured artist and an artist he is in every sense of the word! International prize winner, this amazing photographer takes imagery to the state of the art as he captures the emotion of each shoot in a visual dream! If you’re looking for a stimulating adventure of the senses you can’t miss this photographer’s photostream!!

» Photographers Hall of Fame

Publish Date: February 21, 2011

Dimensions: 30X30cm (12X12in.) Large Square Format  66 pgs 

» Book Preview

Istvan is a multi-award winning photographer, National Geographic 2008 and Press Photo 2008 amongst others. His work is exceptional even though image manipulation does play a part in the final result, in his own words… “To me, photography is all about the final image, regardless of the journey, whether it is through a traditional medium or image manipulation. To capture the perfect shot, there should be ‘no limitations’ on one’s creativity”. And yes, creativity should have no bounds so enjoy the journey and the destination.

» 100 Awesome flickr Streams

You are the most beautiful person I've ever met. I am sure wherever you had to go, it will be good for you and I'll meet you one day again! It hurts very much, very hard to lose someone like you. I will always love you! 

The Existence Of Love 

I had thought that your death was a waste and destruction, A pain of grief hardly to be endured. I am only beginning to learn That your life was a gift, a growing And a loving left with me. The desperation of death Destroyed the existence of love, But the fact of death Cannot destroy what has been given. I am learning to look at your life again Instead of your death and your departing.

~ Marjorie Pizer

Got featured on Canadian Artist Talent Farm!

A website where one could go to see artists in different mediums from different places in Canada in one place. 
The site has 3 main objectives:

1. To provide free publicity to talented Canadian artists in all disciplines. 
2.Create a site where art lovers can go to visit and discover different artists in various forms of art.
3. Promote Canadian talent.

» My profile on canadiantalentfarm.com

Green Onions

Bell Peppers

Radishes

My Visionary Harvest exhibition and sale will be shown at the Queen West Art Crawl at the Trinity Bellwoods Art Show and Sale.  Visitors will have an opportunity to see original works by over 250 artistis from Toronto and beyond.

Istvan's work along with 48 other jury-selected artists will be featured on the Opening Night at The Gladstone Hotel on Friday September 18th, 2009 at 7pm. 

Join us at spot A52, at Trinity Bellwoods Park (Queen Street West from Bathurst to Roncesvalles) Toronto, Canada.

» More about the exhibition

Sweet Mother's MilkOn the island of Bali, the long-tailed macaques like to hang around near humans as they often are given a bite to eat. You often see them around temples, I came across them at Ulluwatu temple. They spend their time rummaging on the temple walls and watch to see if they can pinch some delicacy from the tourists. One of the young macaques filched the hair elastic from a girl walking in front of me in split of a second and tore it to pieces in a spectacular performance.

» The winners

Istvan Kadar has many strings to his bow, and has talents in print, web and product design as well as photography and more traditional forms of course. Indeed, although young, Istvan has held the post of Art Director at many notable advertising agencies, both in Hungary and in Canada. Now though, he focuses solely on his own art and his work is a regular feature at exhibitions across Budapest. In January this year his exhibition “Imagined Reflexions” was on display at the prestigious National Dance Theater.

» The article

Painting and photography, then the mixture of these two. Digital photo-manipulations from Photoshop artists are often among the winners of various competitions.

» TV interview

G18 launches new decoupage designs featuring some of my photographs.

This is a brand-new and exciting decoupage line with a ‘Camera Iris’ effect, designed exclusively by G18. Each die-cut sheet includes beautifully coordinated tags and banners and a bonus mini-pyramid ‘decoupagette’ made from 27 individually die-cut pieces! The slim, postage-friendly designs are printed on ultra luxurious 250gsm silk paper.

decoupage = the decoration of the surface of an object with paper cut-outs.

» G18 Decoupage

Live Interview with ATV (Sárosdy Eszter) in Budapest, Hungary.

‘His homeland is the world’. Istvan Kadar was born in Sepsiszentgyörgy, Transylvania, and commutes between continents, wonderland, and reality. Dividing his time between Toronto, Canada and Hungary — Istvan currently is in Budapest, where his magical realist pictures can be viewed in his latest exhibition at the National Dance Theatre.

» TV interview

Imagined Reflexions and magical realities of Istvan Kadar, artist of three homelands, allows us entry into the world of an extraordinary planet. The photos are more than mere two-dimensional records of light-and-shadow, peculiar colours, and textures perceived during his real and imaginary travels. Captured in a "natural environment", yet exude an almost extraterrestrial feel. Dream and reality are unified in the artist's magical realist pictures. Perhaps this is beacause the thread of Istvan's life intertwines continents and also is embodied in tiny virtual worlds. The exhibition opens on the 16th of January at 6 pm at the National Dance Theatre.

Music by DJ Sanyi (Radio Tilos).

Click on image for more photos

» More photos of the exhibition opening

Sweet Mother's MilkOn the island of Bali, the long-tailed macaques like to hang around near humans as they often are given a bite to eat. You often see them around temples, I came across them at Ulluwatu temple. They spend their time rummaging on the temple walls and watch to see if they can pinch some delicacy from the tourists. One of the young macaques filched the hair elastic from a girl walking in front of me in split of a second and tore it to pieces in a spectacular performance.

2008 International Photography Contest

After receiving more than 220,000 submissions, National Geographic judges have selected the winners in the third global photography contest. Each participating country held national contests and sent one photo from each of the three categories to the Society's Washington headquarters.

My "Precious Mother's Milk" photo won the 1st Prize in Nature Category.

» The Winners

I got featured as a photographer at The World Trough My Eyes flickr group.

» The interview

Enjoy it! 

Publish Date: July 23, 2007

Dimensions: Large Format Landscape (13 × 11 in / 33 × 28 cm) 

120 pages  Premium paper, matte finish

Category: Arts & Photography

» Buy this book