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Archive for October, 2016

Creative Currency: 33 Sculptural Works of Art Made From Coins

31 Oct

[ By SA Rogers in Art & Sculpture & Craft. ]

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These works of art are literally made of money, yet worth more than the sum of their parts – but do they support or negate the argument that coins should be obsolete as currency? Artists use pennies, nickels, half dollars, Eurocents and other coins to craft murals, mosaics, sculptural busts and benches, or just carve into their faces, modifying them into pop culture icons like Frankenstein and E.T.

Hand-Engraved Coins by Shaun Hughes

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UK-based engraver Shaun Hughes etches decorative designs onto coin faces, embellishing therewith curlicue and floral patterns or adding flowing hair.

Hobo Nickels by Paolo Curcio

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Following in the hobo nickel tradition, an inexpensive and highly portable art form involving the modificationn of coins, artist Paolo Curcio adorns a variety of coins with pop culture imagery, skulls and more, including the heads of clowns, Frankenstein and E.T.

Geometric Coin Sculptures by Robert Wechsler

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Artist Robert Wechsler cuts slits into coins that enable him to build complex three-dimensional sculptures, including a series for The New Yorker. The sculptures can consist of as few as four coins, up into the thousands.

Welded Euro Sculptures by Gabriel Rufete

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Whether stacked on top of each other or welded at their edges, coins provide the basis for surprisingly detailed sculptures of human forms by Gabriel Rufete.

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Creative Currency 33 Sculptural Works Of Art Made From Coins

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[ By SA Rogers in Art & Sculpture & Craft. ]

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REVIEW: Everyday Messenger Bag for Photographers… And Everyone Else!

31 Oct

Peak Design is familiar to any pro photographer and their latest Kickstarter project for their Everyday Bags that gathered over $ 6,000,000 of funding has made them famous far beyond the photography world. While their new backpack, tote, and sling from the Everyday series are conquering the world, I’ve got a chance to put my hands on Peak Design’s Every Messenger Continue Reading

The post REVIEW: Everyday Messenger Bag for Photographers… And Everyone Else! appeared first on Photodoto.


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Panasonic Lumix DMC-G85/G80 Review

31 Oct

Key Features

  • 16MP Four Thirds MOS sensor w/o optical low pass filter
  • 5-axis image stabilization with Dual I.S. 2
  • Splash/dust-proof body
  • Depth from Defocus AF
  • 2.36M-dot OLED EVF
  • 3-inch 1.04M-dot fully-articulating touchscreen LCD
  • 4K video / photo
  • Focus stacking and post focus

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-G85 is an SLR-style mid-range mirrorless camera. It features 4K video capture, 2nd-generation 5-axis image stabilization and a 16MP Four Thirds sensor with no optical low pass filter. A sister model, the G80 will be available in other markets.

Though Panasonic has not come outright and said it, the G85 is the successor to the G7. More a refinement than something new entirely, both cameras share seemingly identical bodies and offer twin control dials, plenty of customizable buttons and fully articulating touch interfaces. 

But the G85 is rather more grand: it’s weather-sealed with a magnesium alloy front plate, and offers a new electromagnetic shutter to combat shutter shock, an upgraded electronic viewfinder and 5-axis in-camera IS.

Like the Panasonic GX85, the G85 uses a 16MP chip with no anti-aliasing filter. We found image quality from the GX85 to be slightly improved over that of past Panasonic cameras using the same 16MP chip with AA filters (like the G7).

The G85 also uses the same redesigned shutter mechanism as the GX85, which we found to effectively mitigate shutter shock, an issue that affected the Panasonic G7. 

Compared to its peers

  Panasonic G85 Panasonic G7 Panasonic GX85 Sony a6300 Olympus EM-5 II
MSRP $ 900 (body) $ 800 (with kit lens) $ 800 (with kit lens) $ 1000 (body) $ 1100 (body)
Sensor (resolution/size) 16MP Four Thirds 16MP Four Thirds 16MP Four Thirds 24MP APS-C 16MP Four Thirds
AA filter No Yes No Yes No
Stabilization Sensor-shift (5-axis) + Dual IS 2 In-lens only
Sensor-shift (5-axis) + Dual I.S.
In-lens only Sensor-shift (5-axis)
EVF res/mag. 2.36M-dot OLED (0.74x) 2.36M-dot OLED (0.7x) 2.76M-dot field sequential LCD (0.7x) 2.36M-dot OLED (0.7x) 2.36M-dot LCD (0.74x)
Autofocus Contrast Detect w/ 49-points + DFD Contrast Detect w/ 49-points + DFD Contrast Detect w/ 49-points + DFD Hybrid AF w/425 PDAF points Contrast Detect w/ 81-points
Burst w/ continuous AF 6 fps 6 fps 6 fps 11 fps 5 fps
LCD size, type 3-inch 1.04M-dot articulating 3-inch 1.04M-dot articulating 3-inch 1.04M-dot tilting 3-inch
921k-dot tilting
3-inch 1.04M-dot articulating
Touchscreen Yes Yes Yes No Yes
Mic/Headphone port Yes/No Yes/No No/No Yes/No Yes/No
Max movie resolution 4K/30p 4K/30p 4K/30p 4K/30p 1080/60p
Weather-sealing Yes No No Yes Yes
Flash sync speed 1/160 sec 1/160 sec 1/160 sec 1/160 sec 1/250 sec
Battery life 320 shots 350 shots 290 shots 400 shots 310 shots
Weight 453 g 410 g 426 g 404 g 469 g
Dimensions 128 x 89 x 74 mm 125 x 86 x 77mm 122 x 71 x 44 mm 120 x 67 x 49 mm 124 x 85 x 45mm

While the three Panasonic cameras compared above share quite a lot, the G85 stands out against the other 16MP Panasonic’s as the most appealing choice. This is due to its inclusion of weather-sealing, an updated Dual IS system and upgraded electronic viewfinder.

When compared to similar mirrorless offerings from Sony and Olympus, things get a bit more complicated. The Sony beats it in terms of its more sophisticated AF system, larger sensor and faster burst (w/ AF), but the G85 offers superior ergonomics (fully articulating touchscreen, dual top-plate control dials, higher magnification EVF). The G85 and EM-5 II also share quite a lot, the major distinction between the two being the G85’s 4K video capability (compared to 1080p on the Olympus).

The whole Panasonic gang, including the Panasonic G85, GX85, G7 and 20MP GX8.

Pricing and availability

The Panasonic G85 will be available in the US for $ 899 body only and $ 999 with 12-60mm F3.5-5.6 Power O.I.S. kit lens.

Accessories

The optional DMW-BGG1 vertical battery grip adds an additional shutter release and improved ergonomics, as well as room for a second battery, effectively doubling shooting time.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Google Pixel XL real-world sample gallery

31 Oct

The Google Pixel XL landed in our office recently, and in addition to a trip to the studio, it’s been around the neighborhood for some real-world shooting. Take a look at how it handles a variety of situations, including some inexplicably sunny fall Seattle days.

See our Google Pixel XL
real-world sample gallery

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Nikon Small World 2016 winners announced

31 Oct

Nikon Small World 2016 winners announced

Four-day-old zebrafish embryo (10x). 1st place 2016 Photomicrography Competition. Photo by Dr. Oscar Ruiz

For over 40 years Nikon’s Small World photomicrography competition has celebrated imagery of the hidden world right under our noses. This year, an image of a four-day-old Zebrafish embryo has taken the top prize. But that’s just scratching the surface – take a look at the top ten winners here and head over to the competition website to see even more.

Nikon Small World 2016 winners announced

2nd place 2016 Photomicrography Competition. Photo by Douglas L. Moore

Polished slab of Teepee Canyon agate (90x).

Nikon Small World 2016 winners announced

3rd place 2016 Photomicrography Competition. Photo by Rebecca Nutbrown

Brain cells from skin cells : Specifically, this is a culture of neurons (stained green) derived from human skin cells, and Schwann cells, a second type of brain cell (stained red), which have started to cover the neuron in the same way these cells interact in the brain. (20x)

Nikon Small World 2016 winners announced

4th place 2016 Photomicrography Competition. Photo by Jochen Schroeder

Butterfly proboscis (6.3x). 

Nikon Small World 2016 winners announced

5th place 2016 Photomicrography Competition. Photo by Dr. Igor Siwanowicz

Front foot (tarsus) of a male diving beetle (100x).

Nikon Small World 2016 winners announced

6th place 2016 Photomicrography Competition. Photo by Marek Mi?

Air bubbles formed from melted ascorbic acid (vitamin C) crystals (50x).

Nikon Small World 2016 winners announced

7th place 2016 Photomicrography Competition. Photo by Dr. David Maitland

Leaves of Selaginella (lesser club moss) (40x).

Nikon Small World 2016 winners announced

8th place 2016 Photomicrography Competition. Photo by Samuel Silberman

Wildflower stamens (40x).

Nikon Small World 2016 winners announced

9th place 2016 Photomicrography Competition. Photo by Vin Kitayama & Sanae Kitayama

Espresso coffee crystals.

Nikon Small World 2016 winners announced

10th place 2016 Photomicrography Competition. Photo by Rogelio Moreno Gill

Frontonia (showing ingested food, cilia, mouth and trichocysts) (200x).

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Watch thousands of books being reshelved in a two minute time-lapse

31 Oct

After a two-year closure for repairs, the Rose Main Reading Room at the New York Public Library reopened earlier this month. That meant a whole lot of books had to go back on the shelves. Thankfully, the whole process has been documented in a totally engrossing time-lapse video that makes it look way easier than it actually was. Take a look at the video above, and head to the NYPL’s blog for more on the grand re-opening of their Rose Main Reading Room.

Related: Photos of Cincinnati’s impressive ‘Old Main’ public library

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Garden of Whispers: Surreal Sand Dunes Fill 13th-Century Gothic Church

31 Oct

[ By WebUrbanist in Art & Installation & Sound. ]

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A makeshift wooden walkway winds along a strand-lit and tree-lined path between dunes, creating a surreal environment within the context of this historic church.

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Set in a religious space in Toulouse, this strange journey is punctuated by small vignettes that speak to the history of the place. In addition to physical installations and visuals, the space features a soundscape of whispered voices playing in the background and array of carefully generated aromas.

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Along their way through the sandscape, visitors will find a full campsite nestled in the low hills as well as other small shelters with pots, pans, bedding and fireplaces – temporary and nomadic signals juxtaposed with a sturdy historical structure.

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The materials date from various ages, including modern plastics as well as ancient-looking tents of rough-hewn wood and fabric. The end result fits the artist’s aim of “creating a timeless experience outside known references.”

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Nor is the experience entirely static – live persons add dynamism to the mix. Artist Hans Op De Beeck “has staged a number of serene figures that quietly perform mundane, everyday acts. From time to time, these silent live performers offer tea to visitors.”

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“Overall, the ‘Garden of Whispers’ incorporates a range of historical, religious and mythological references, yet most importantly, aims to offer a profound experience of the present, regardless of explicit references.” The temporary installation will be open to the public through this November.

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[ By WebUrbanist in Art & Installation & Sound. ]

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Scrubbed: 10 Unclean Abandoned Soap Factories

30 Oct

[ By Steve in Abandoned Places & Architecture. ]

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These abandoned soap factories sure look filthy… if only there was something that could scrub away the dirt & grime, making them look shiny and new again.

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The old abandoned Wink Soap Company building in Racine, Wisconsin was built in 1900 though Wink didn’t move in until 1938. The company then proceeded to make soap like it was going out of style – it wasn’t but Wink was, shutting down their soap-making operations in 1980. The building, still sporting its handsome though faded painted sign, looks like it closed fairly recently instead of 35-odd years ago.

Hosed Down

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This abandoned soap factory somewhere in France isn’t much to look at but within its bland decaying shell, a graffiti masterwork by the artist Ziru complements the factory’s detritus of hoses and rust. Kudos to Flickr user Romany WG who captured this ephemeral artwork for posterity in mid-October of 2011.

Finnished

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This abandoned soap factory in Kaarina, southwestern Finland, is close enough to a major city (Turku, in this case) to attract graffiti artists yet isolated enough to let them do their deeds in relative privacy.

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It’s not known why the factory closed – supplying all those saunas must have been good for business. Kudos to Flickr user WIGILOCO for snapping these images and more on a visit to the factory in late 2010.

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Scrubbed 10 Unclean Abandoned Soap Factories

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[ By Steve in Abandoned Places & Architecture. ]

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Carry-everywhere convenience: Sony RX100 V samples gallery update

30 Oct
Photo by Carey Rose

The Sony RX100-series has always been about offering photographers better image quality than a phone without weighing them down or putting a kink in their necks – and the Mark V is no exception. Ours has been a constant companion, allowing us to take advantage of the last remaining flashes of autumnal Seattle sunshine. So in the course of putting the finishing touches on our full review, we’ve brought one more big update to our existing samples gallery – enjoy!

Check out our RX100 V
real-world sample gallery

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Furniture Chopping: Converted Grocery Cart Chair & Couch Pair

30 Oct

[ By WebUrbanist in Design & Furniture & Decor. ]

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Shopping carts are anything but sleek and modern, often dysfunctional and generally associated with a boring chore, at least until this (re)creator came along.

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Etiënne Reijnders is a Dutch designer who decided to test the stylistic limits of grocery carts, cutting, sawing, folding, forging and welding them into stunning new shapes.

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The resulting seats utilize almost all of the material from the original carts, carefully planned to minimize waste while also creating beautiful and functional seating.

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Reijnders is not the first designer to think of recycling everyday materials into furniture (the example above comes from another designer), but the results in his case somehow manage to bridge the gap between looking both like the recycled object but also something dynamic and new.

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