Category: photography

Marcus DeSieno: Parasite Portraits

August 5th, 2014

Marcus DeSieno has created a series of what I like to call Parasite Portraits. It is tempting to anthropomorphize these hungry little creatures, isn’t it?

Big smile…

About the artist: Marcus DeSieno is a native of Albany, New York and is currently pursuing his MFA in Studio Art from the University of South Florida, expected to graduate in 2015. His work is concerned with the history of science and exploration in relation to the history of photography, often employing the use of antiquated photographic process combined with contemporary technologies to engage in a critical dialog about the evolution of photographic technology and the ontological nature of the photographic medium itself.

Parasite Portraits
Henry Hargreaves: A Trip to the Moon…In Icing

July 21st, 2014

Artist/photographer Henry Hargreaves has combined two of my favorite things: silent films and cake (well, technically cake frosting, but still). He recreated the iconic image from George Melies’s 1902 film Le Voyage Dans La Lune.

The original:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_FrdVdKlxUk

Henry Hargreaves
Source
Miss Aniela

July 10th, 2014

Miss Aniela has earned a spot among my favorite photographers.

I would love to take a photo like this one day (I’d be drooling over this image even if it had no subject and were simply the library)!

Her Surreal Fashion series is stunning…full of rich, unique scenery.

Miss Aniela
Katerina Plotnikova

July 1st, 2014

Katerina Plotnikova has an awe inspiring collection of nature photographs that show a profound connection between man and the animal kingdom.

I believe this work is done under the supervision of qualified animal trainers, but is entirely real and involves very minimal retouching in post production. While I do love some amazing modern surrealist photographers, there is something raw and stirring about the relative lack of digital manipulation.

Animals can be such a beautiful healing force (during my long hospital stays this past year, I was happy to see animal therapy becoming mainstream). I look forward to returning home to NY when more medically stable, so I can be around cats again…and my loved ones can laugh at the absurd languages and songs I inevitably invent the moment I’m put near fuzzy things.

Katerina Plotnikova
Source
Pygmy Seahorses

June 10th, 2014

If you view just one pygmy seahorse image-heavy post today (and you were planning to, right?), I recommend this one.

These incredible creatures live in the western central Pacific Ocean (known as the Coral Triangle region of southeast Asia) and rarely grow larger than 2 centimeters. They look like adorable toddler bath toys and blend perfectly in their Dayglow surroundings. Aren’t they fantastic?

I wish I could have one as a pet. I’d give it plenty of coral to…hover on.

See more photos here.
Source
“Poignant Portraits of Retired Polish Clowns”

May 10th, 2014

I had to steal that title from the source. Isn’t it the greatest title you’ve heard in a good long while? These photos are part of Rafal Milach’s Disappearing Circus (a very evocative title as well).

The stark contrast of circus adornment and mundane surroundings jars the viewer just a little, as does seeing clowns devoid of smiles. These photos conjure a realization of ephermerality; a strange sense of unease, while also managing to be quite beautiful and touching.

There is a mini bio if you click on “info” under the pictures in the online portfolio.

Rafal Milach
Desktop Goodies 4/17

April 17th, 2014

Welcome to this edition of desktop goodies!

Would you buy Kellog’s corn flakes after seeing a child in the ad who looks like he’s be propped and posed postmortem?

Antique “eye massager,” for when your eyes need a little therapeutic squishin’!

AXOLOTL in a portrait! (See some axolotl info here, and an artistic interpretation here)

Don’t mind him…he’s really into that “sitting in a wall” thing.

The most complete system ever? Really?

I’m going to give you a great life tip here, folks. So listen up: be sure to set the iron to medium heat so as not to burn your crocodile.

The world’s most wistful butter substitute:

You can conveniently sell your sister by placing a check mark in the appropriate box.

Don’t say it, Dana…don’t say this piece of kitsch is…”corny.” D’OH!
Olga Valeska

April 16th, 2014

I’m falling in love with Olga Valeska’s photography…

The rich warm colors of autumn…the beautiful composition…I want to step into these scenes and bask in the warm, hazy glow and vibrant reds.

Gorgeous!

She has done amazing work with this model, who seems to be quite the muse! I must say, it is a perfect model choice for these photographs.

Olgae Valeska
The Dayalets

April 14th, 2014

Brace yourself for The Dayalets; an instructional (and I use that word loosely) “suiatable for framing” series of food beasts designed to hang in doctors’ offices.

The idea was the educate the masses about vitamin deficiencies and nutritional imbalances. Wasn’t there a pamphlet they could hand out?

While tempting to generate my own sarcastic commentary for each of these, I think it’s only fair to direct you to the source, where the curator has taken a good deal of time to display and write commentary for the entire series (featuring gems such gems as “This looks like some self-proclaimed sex expert circa 1951.”)

I actually went through the whole series and was repeatedly stunned by these creations. Who wants one on the food table at my next party?

I wasn’t joking when I said “suitable for framing.”

See the whole collection here.
Hugh Kretschmer

March 26th, 2014

Grab a look at Hugh Kretchmer’s photography…

Some of these pieces are highly editorial, but all deliver a nice measure of surrealism and/or trompe l’oeil effects.

Hugh Kretchmer