These amazing frozen-in-motion photos are from a series called “Attempts to Fly” by talent?-he’s-got-it-in spades photographer Conan Thai.
I immediately felt some connection to them, but I wasn’t sure why. I soon realized that it’s because they remind me of the “flying” dreams I’ve had off an on for pretty much as long as I can remember. Except in my dreams it’s more like big bounding leaps with feathery landings…only to leap again. So I suppose they are more like leaping dreams.
I always enjoy those dreams. I feel so free in them.
Spotted this illustration on a website. My favorite comment underneath it was…
Pope: I did this once and I took a picture of God
So who is going to give this one a try? You know you wanna. When you do be sure to report back if you do indeed get a snapshot of the Big Man in Charge.
Many don’t realize that Leonard Nimoy…yes THAT Nimoy- the Fringe star (ha! see how I did that?)…is an accomplished trained photographer.
His latest series Secret Selves features 100 mad scientists, super heroes, wizards and rock stars who disguise themselves as normal Northampton, Massachusetts type folks during the day.
Good stuff.
If you’re in the Massachusetts area you can see the exhibit live at the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art (MASS MoCA) through January 2, 2011.
For the rest of us here are a few choice shots.
Rock Star Scott plays a Children’s Book Illustrator by day.
[Clicky-click for me...go on..do it...pleeeasssee?]
This stellar shot of Vadar hitching a ride on the back of a chipmunk was taken by Chris McVeigh. And not it’s NOT ‘shopped. Need proof? Continue on to the video kids….
Be sure to check out McVeigh’s photography website and his Flickr for lots of wonderful eye candy.
The lovely photos below were taken by Australian photographer Samuel Hood circa the 1930’s and ’40′s.
Before surfing across some of his pics on Flickr this week I was unaware of Hood’s work. His career started in the 1880’s. Over the years he was a press photographer, eventually owning his own studio and doing commercial work as well.
I really like Hood’s style. Can’t exactly put my finger on what it is about the photos that grab me. I suppose I tend to be drawn to this period in time in general. And the scratches, dust, and vintage appeal are totally up my alley. But, I also find myself very interested in the subjects, wanting to know the rest of the story. What led up to the photo. What happened after it was taken.
For a bit more on Hood you can check out his bio at the Library of New South Wales website.
[Click on the photos for slightly bigger versions.]
So I was looking at a recent Astronomy Picture of the Day (if you don’t check these out regularly you should…such a great series NASA has going on there…and since 1995!) and the incredible photo immediately made me think of Vincent van Gogh’s Starry Night painting.
The beautiful photo…taken by Peter Ward (who near as I can figure works at the Barden Ridge Observatory)…is a four hour exposure of the night sky showing the spine-tingling star trails. The shot has been wrapped into a 360 degree panorama and you can see the circle of the stars around the Southern celestial pole, the streaking star paths near the eastern and western horizons, and the arced path of the stars towards the Northern pole.
As the professional astronomer presenting the picture describes it, looking at the photo is kind of like looking at a time warp. And of course this got me to thinking that perhaps Vincent was able to see the sky in a similar way because he was a time traveler himself stuck in some kind of a time warp.
No? Not buying it? Oh well…the photo and the paintings are still both beautiful. And here they are for your enjoyment. Click on them to see slightly larger versions.
[Oh and go here and take a look at the Quicktime version...drag your mouse across the image...oooo ahhhhh]
[Oh and no this post was not a Dr. Who reference. But I must admit I couldn't thinking about it as I wrote it.]
