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B R I L L I A N C E Fall ~ Vol. 3

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Founder, Editor in Chief MICHAEL BRYANT MODE

Tone NANA TSAY

Contributing Photographers NEWT HINDS

ERIC LEE

Photo credit: @rood_omar

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Much thought and many hours were spent with my deciding whether to return to my iPad and try to give BRILLIANCE Digital another go or not. I think I thought about it for the entire 8 weeks since I made the departure. But deep down inside I knew that it would plague me for the rest of my life if I were to kill this magazine. Putting my health first is the big lesson I learned since my heart surgery, 2 months ago. Today, I exercise a little bit more caution in how I go about my endeavor of highlighting some of absolute distinguished and best minimal photography on Instagram from around the world. One dear friend said to me "Michael, work smarter, not harder." That was some great wisdom, not that hard work has no meritorious. I tend to reach behind my head with my right hand to scratch my left ear instead just using my left hand. Since one man cannot do it all, well, at least not one imperfect man, I have made a vow to myself to keep this motto in mind and still produce something cool, vibrant and fresh. I enjoy minimal and cannot wait to see what new minimal youguys post in your Instagram galleries.

Right off the bat, I started off on the wrong foot, by deciding to bring back BRILLIANCE on the original deadline which would have me at working twice as hard for 7 days straight in order to publish September 11th. I had to admit that that was too soon to realistically meet, instead I went with the date on September 23rd since it is the first day of Fall and this is the fall issue.

In the fall issue of BRILLIANCE you will find an array of spectacular minimal gems! Also, the new playlist has an interesting group of familiar songs I think go well with the overall theme music. It's titled "End of Summer". I hope that you enjoy it and it will listen to while you're flipping through these digital pages. There is also very special ode about New York before and after 9/11 with a few prose from team member and photographer @contr4st and from one of our readers @arashasd. These particular photos are the hallmark of this issue. Although they are odes to the big apple, each shot has its own signature of paying honor to those lost that day. Enjoy!

Editor in Chief and Founder, Michael Bryant Mode

Nigel JohnEngland

Nigel JohnEngland

Nigel JohnEngland

For Commercial, Editorial, Product and Photography project Email: heyhey@nigeljohn.com Phone: +44(0)7733882706

09112001 "I can't believe it has been 13 years since September 11th happened and it's mainly because that day seemed like a movie. Actually, I remember explaining to someone how I thought it was planned and going on about how the buildings were too old and that they no longer held any value but to destroy them in a dramatic way. What was I thinking??? Then I saw a documentary on KERA about two brothers that had filmed the catastrophe by accident because they were ride-alongs with the fire department and documenting the firemen's day-to-day routine. Then 9/11 imploded. It definitely happened. It was definitely real! Here are a few pictorial odes in honor of those lost on that horrific day." - Michael Bryant Mode

Photo credit: @ezieglerphoto

Photo credit: @javikube

Photo credit: @tobrook

"9/11 shows the courage and strength that New York and the rest of the nation has. Though the iconic towers fell that day, some years later we're back and better than ever. It has definitely made me more nimble as I explore the city's streets." - @Contr4st

Photo Credit: @contr4st Instagram

"Yes I remember that day. I followed it on tv and in the news. It was very horrible. It was a big world challenge and annually we are faced with many horrible events around the world. I love living in peace. It has affected me like other bad events. More importantly it effected my mind and it changed the tone of my photography. Colorful photos are what I want to show: the beauty of peace and colors from of the world all without any war and darkness." - @arashasd (Photo credit)

Photo credit: @runrab

The genius of

@Pchyburrs Instagram

Peechaya Burroughs @pchyburrs

Instagram

Sidney . Australia

The genius of

@Phonsay22 Instagram

Photo Credit: @Phonsay22 Instagram

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"Music is profoundly illuminated as the universal language. It possesses the ability to instill emotions within us and communicate feelings through manners that do not utilize semantics or grammar. The art of music is much more than an arrangement of articulated soundsmusic speaks." - Nana Tsay

Universal Language By Nana Tsay

Still Life . Food . Photographer . BRILLIANCE Team Music Editor @urbanxkoi

It has a tone that portrays meaning, affectivitysomething human. We experience a vast array of sensations when we listen to musicbliss, melancholy, and even bitterness. Music can alleviate or accentuate and amplify particular sentiments beyond text or the spoken word. While music is not a true languagemeaning that a statement like the flower is beautiful cannot be undeviatingly transliteratedit contains elements such as melody, meter, rhythm, and other rules, that make it structured similarly to a language. The activity in the human brain whilst reading and performing music is also interestingly analogous to that of spoken language and syntax.

This past semester at Columbia University, I took a course that centralizes on the humanities of music which truly invigorated and further enlightened my previous musical knowledge I had acquired from studying violin and piano. It explored the critical framework, technical vocabulary, and historical contexts essential to understanding art music. It allowed me to connect deeper and appreciate music in another light. I saw how music evolved over time from Medieval Plainchants to Classical to The Late 20th Century Minimalism. Because of the vast multitude of music genres, I became inquisitive and curious what music means to others and the tones that they gravitate to.

The artists that I resonate with are relatively minimal and piano-intense. They tend to reflect blue undertones of wistfulness and melancholy much like my photographyEmancipator: With Rainy Eyes, This Will Destroy You: They Move on Tracks of Never-Ending Light, Ludovico Einaudi: Andare, Claude Debussy: Clair de Lune, Pav : .

It was an honor to be featured in the Brilliance Magazine Vol. 2 Summer issue (p.196-199)a diverse consolidation of interviews, enticing articles, and minimalistic photo essays. I was requested to head up the preceding Vol. 3 Fall issue in the music section titled TONE which encompasses minimalistic photography embellished with musical elements.

I interviewed four artists and asked them to share a personal photo and here are their interviews.

Louise

"I grew up in a household that revolves around music. From the kitsch dcor my mother collects, embellished with treble clefs and quavers, to our cat named Jude, a nod to The Beatles. My father, a professional drummer, bassist, and guitarist exposed me to the world of organized sound at a very young age. By age 4, I had my own pint-sized guitar. I started piano lessons at age 8. Although the reason eludes me, it wasnt until I picked up a pair of drumsticks at age 14 that I truly understood what it was like to be entranced by the harmony of sounds that I myself could shape, arrange, and perform. The euphoria I felt the first time I successfully coordinated my hands, feet and mind to execute a perfect 4/4 straight beat is something I will remember for the rest of my life. Drumming is like that. It is physically and mentally demanding, but the reward is sweetthe drumbeat is the heartbeat of a songoddly appropriate for me, since I went on to study cardiovascular science. Over my teenage years, with my father as my tutor, I was thrown headfirst into the realms of rock, jazz and Latin drumming, into unfamiliar cultures and into decades past. These experiences were invaluable. The bond my father and I formed by playing music together is unique to any other in my lifeand forged through the simple and utterly organic concepts of togetherness, communication and cooperation. Furthermore, playing an instrument has taught me the virtues of patience, practice and dedication, which have been pivotal in my career as a medical scientist. Music has been the teacher of so many important life lessons. It has played a fundamental role in my upbringing: a third parent."

What are your favorite songs?

"One of my favorite songs would have to be The Eagles: Hotel California. It was one of the first songs my father and I played together. Musically, it is actually quite simple. The lyrics, however, juxtapose this simplicity with tantalizingly cryptic words. In my interpretation, the song highlights the sinister side of the music industry, the side that can thrust a musician into an inescapable, downward spiral of greed and lust. What better way exists to highlight this issue than through music itself? This song is a classic because it is so clever, robust, powerful, and it forces the listener to employ cognitive power in order to understand the message. This song warns musicians (and everyone, for that matter) to stay sharp, and stay humble. And of course, a mean guitar solo never hurts anyone. There are countless songs I would elevate to the rank of favorite, but at the moment, I have a few auditory gems on repeat. Fleet Foxes: Mykonos, The Shins:Australia, Grizzly Bear: Two Weeks, Great Lake Swimmers: Your Rocky Spine, and Phoenix: Listzomania just to name just a few. All of them feature on an easy listening, indie/folk inspired playlist to get me through a monotonous day in the lab."

Louise

@louise_stormborn Instagram

"Music is a very powerful thing. For me, its this incredible creation that has so many different cognitive associations to it. Anger, depression, joy, fear, any emotion you can think of, can be and has been associated to a particular song, a certain singer, a line in a song that gives you Goosebumps every time you hear it I think music is truly one of the only art forms outside of film that can evoke such differing emotions, memories, and thoughts. To me, that is an incredible thing, and why music does and always will mean so much to me. Much of my life is remembered through the songs and bands I was listening to in that specific point in my life. Hearing a song you havent heard in years, and suddenly being transported back to an exact time and place in your mind, and feeling the emotions connected to the initial hearing of that song is pretty powerful. Thats why music will always be an important part of my life."

What are your favorite albums?

"Trying to come up with a definitive list is always so hard, so Ill keep it short and sweet."

"These three albums were life-changing experiences for me the very first time I heard them. I know they are special, because no matter how many times Ive listened to them, they never get old. I never get tired of them. The memories attached to these albums run deep, and run the gamut from extreme happiness to extreme depression. And I wouldnt have it any other way. There is of course no particular order of favoritestheyre all tied for number 1.

1. Sigur Ros: ( ) - What could I possibly say about this album? Literally the most beautiful music ever recorded. On my initial listening to this album, I cried. And I have never done that before listening to this album.

2. Page Fance: Hello, Dear Wind - Words cant properly describe how beautiful this album is.

3. The Receiving End of Sirens: Between The Heart And The Synapse - An absolute masterpiecefrom the multi-layered vocals, to the production, to the concept of the whole albumjust an absolute masterpiece."

Trevor

Trevor

@asthesunsets Instagram

Eric

"Music is [like] a language. I have studied a great deal of music very thoroughlyfrom classical to todays Top 40 hits. The overarching sentiment is that music and sound evoke a certain degree of emotion in a listener that, for most people, cant be attained through other senses. I once had a mentor that would say the masses dont know how they feel until they hear it in a song. I think there is a great deal of truth in that. As a creator of music, I feel responsible for writing things that will connect with an audience and help them understand their emotions. Music has certainly helped me understand my own."

What are your favorite songs?

"One of my favorite songs has always been Soldier by Ingrid Michaelson. The song is the first track off of her album, Everybody, which came out on my birthday in 2009. When I first heard the song, I remember feeling overwhelmingly proud to be a songwriter within the first couple of seconds. I cant explain itit really struck me in that moment. But now when I listen to the song, all I can think about is autumn in 2009 and its like I can relive exactly how I was feeling throughout that whole season. Some songs are like time machines. Soldier always brings me back. If I listened to it right now Id be a senior in high school again, just trying to figure it all out and make a plan for myself."

Eric

@ericleva Instagram

Sarah

"Music is my alternative to coffee. It wakes me up and puts me in the mood that gets me through my day. The music I listen to expresses how Im feeling. Sometimes, its cheerful with calm undertones and every so often, its fast, erratic, and I need to play it louder. Music is one way I can relate to other peoplefigure out what their interests are and what inspires them. Certain songs have a nostalgic value and Im always reminded of unique moments from my past. The way I look at it, I need music in my life; it elevates me to a better and happier place."

What are your favorite songs?

"Nujabes: Aruarian Dance; Stevie Nicks: Landslide (acoustic); The Little Ones: Argonauts. Why are they your favorites? Nujabes was by far the best producer out there! Rest in peace, Seba Jun. I play Stevie Nicks for my son all the time. The Little Ones just makes me wanna shake it."

Sarah

@polagram Instagram

For the past 30 years Dallas has become a mini Mecca for supporting the arts, with a sprawling urban cultured Arts District and is rising across he horizon as a viable contender of great architecture. Greg Foster, a photographer and Industrial Designer, makes you take that second look at architecture that he captures by how focuses on slick geometry, the repetitive symmetrical beauty and the ever elusive minimalism of city skyscrapers. Fountain Place is the very first photo I saw that drew me to his style of minimal.

Mr. Foster has managed to capture so skillfully different sectors of downtown Dallas that, at first glance, I didn't recognize the 48 story structure that sits on Field and Ross Ave..

Several of Dallas' sky giants have been expertly captured in aqua-green and dusty space-gray tones. Although he now resides in Chicago, as a dutiful son would, Greg faithfully pays visits to his parents that live in Metroplex.

Greg Foster has had an Instagram page for the past 3 years. Please check out his Instagram gallery and, even, follow him. But notice how those now following his page make comment about his photography. They are right. He is just that good! The aesthet ics in his photography are highlighted in the way that he captures color and focuses on minimal. Here are a few shots from his Instagram gallery that are the results of great execution in minimal composition.

@GregFoster Instagram

Words by Michael Bryant Mode

@GregFoster

@gregfoster Instagram

"BRILLIANT!" Narrative by Michael Bryant Mode

Since that catastrophic day in September, on the eleventh, and in the year of 2001, I changed the ways in which I travel. Although it has been 13 years, and long enough for mental recovery, some might think, still that day is vivid in my mind as if it all happened yesterday. The world has become a different place when it comes to means of traveling. It is extremely difficult for me to put trust in technology's advancements of flying despite the thriving airline businesses and the increasing masses that seem to almost have returned to normal when it comes to homeland security. However, I think my pause towards flying is not as much of a concern of actually flying but mainly the types of people that are flying.

I have taken notice of a similar theme exuding amid many circles of people that fly these days and that is, "We live!" Although I'm sure of it that people have never forgotten 9/11, still their actions permeate this theme when they board a plane, and when they buckle their seat belts and during take off. Flight of thought is the order of the day, for me, and will be what I think about when I do make my giant step back to the airplane. This speeding pulchritude of social media and public meets to grow BRILLIANCE DIGITAL in different parts of the world demands that I start living and stop dying in every single thought about flying. So, while I continue conquering my fear of flying, here are a few more brilliant minimal photos by a few equally brilliant photographers that have perfectly demonstrated the art of minimal photography. You will be impressed. Thanks for tagging. Enjoy! #myminimalphoto

Ari Weiss @Ari.weiss

Model: @nois7 Instagram

Juan Peralta

@howtojuan Instagram

Calle @Locarl

Instagram

John Cobalt @Jcobalt

Instagram

Chris Montoya @cjmanay

Instagram

Ryan Murphy @ryanmurphy

Instagram

Rikke

@prikkelade Instagram

Mythbird @Mythbird

Instagram

Viktor Vadolia @vikkkyv

Instagram

Sergey Zhdanko

@zhdankosergey Instagram

Olivier Morisse @oliviermorisse

Instagram

Buddy Carr

@buddycarr Instagram

Martin Tadashi R. @emptyreyes

Instagram

"Time Out" Charles Read

@chasread Instagram

Moreno Sudaro @moreno_s

Instagram

David Hsia @syntax_error

Instagram

Don Diego

@el_triplede Instagram

Hans Edv

@krutaxmcflurry Instagram

Idrus

@dieruderu Instagram

Andreas

@ehemalinge Instagram

Christian Gideon

@christiangideon Instagram

Tony SCOTT @Tonystx

Instagram

Kyle Huber @Asenseofhuber

Instagram

Daniel Chaney

@danielchaney Instagram

Alex Spatari

@spatari Instagram

Linda

@lindalaughs Instagram

Giantono Gouw @gin_ui

Instagram

Mish

@mishmarshmallow Instagram

Djae Outlaw

@djaeoutlaw Instagram

Beln Castell

@belletoscan Instagram

Ruth

@80degrees Instagram

Eric Ward @littlecoal

Instagram

Mogul @Miglu_miglu:

Instagram

Dillon Burke @threadsalt

Instagram

Arash @arashasd

Instagram

Oguz Yalim @oguzyalim

Instagram

Joshua J. Uhm @uhmstagram

Instagram

Gema Espinosa @rubirroja

Instagram

Charles Read

@chasread Instagram

Agustina Soemarko @sweetaugust

Instagram

Pablo @Dispablo

Instagram

OOF

D

K @kbasta

Instagram

Kim Hall @runnerkimhall

Instagram

J8nice @j8nice

Instagram

Hans Edvardsson

@krutaxmcflurry Instagram

Alfonso Pedrero

@_pedre_alf Instagram

Oscar @oscar_jss

Instagram

Mish @mishmarshmallow

Instagram

Christine Farka @farkaphoto

Instagram

Hamza @snappylens

Instagram

Pablo @dispablo

Instagram

Miglu @miglu_miglu

Instagram

"Royals" By Michael Bryant Mode

( An interview with Details, Graphic designer, iPhoneographer and RSA_Minimal Administrator Ana Gil ) Portugal

I was watching an episode of The Golden Girls where Sophia and her best friend, Max, married but shortly later realize that they had jumped the gun and were not in love. The two chat about it and confessed to one another while sitting on a bench at a pier in front of a pizza kiosk that they had opened with their nest egg. Sophia fondly exclaimed to Max the dotings of her heart and then stared up into the starry night sky: "Max, you and I are great friends. But my Salvador? Now that was a great friendship and a great love."

The combination of any union either works or it doesn't, and when those unions work, they becomes a great pastime, a great family and a great love. To shoot great minimal is a talent as well as to have an eye at spotting great minimal. However, to possess both talents that your reputation moves others to give you the royal treatment is a feat many groups on Instagram never reach nor ever repeat.

Meet the administrator of the RSA_Minimal team Ana Gil. I knew that I had to get an interview with Ana Gil, for two reasons; 1: Brilliance Digital is a minimal photography advocate and it would defeat the magazine's existence if no interview was conducted with one of instagram's most powerful trendsetters in the minimal world, and 2.) I just had to pick Ana's brain and get to know one of Instagram's most influential and gifted women. >>>

Photo credit: @winniekroghreiff

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Ana Gil @ana_gil_

Instagram

Andrew Kozak @andrewdoeshair

www.andrewdoeshair.com Model: @instajesus

Instagram

QUA

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Meet photographer and Saudi Arabia's youngest free diving instructor Yarob Bashraheel. He's been diving since 2005 and a photographer since 2011. For the past 3 years Yarob has been sharing his experiences and his expertise of the ocean underworld. He wants people to see the beauty of the underwater world, and for them to take in the sensation of what humans can do down there.

Here are a few captures from his Instagram gallery of the sea world. The sea commands respect that often unveils spectacular translucent and irascible hues. Check out the rest of Yarob's Instagram gallery since we show you his entire collection.

Yarob Bashraheel @yarob

Words by Michael Bryant Mode

Yarob Bashraheel

@yarob Instagram

Drew Hopper @Drewhopper

Instagram

BM

@brunomontanez Instagram

When I stumbled across this creative, I was thinking, "Now this is a great shot, with passion and great forethought." Check out the theatrically dramatic and budding Instagram gallery of @stevenjavon. The ways in which he accesses his imagination coupled with his style of shooting make extraordinary photography.

-Michael Bryant Mode