Leica’s new Monochrom M camera brings the black-and-white-only concept up to date with the technological advantages of the latest M (Typ 240) and M-P cameras. The main changes are a switch from CCD to CMOS sensors, and thus the introduction of live view and a jump to 24MP, along with a much better rear screen. We went hands-on with the new black-and-white beauty. Read more
Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)
[ By WebUrbanist in Design & Fixtures & Interiors. ]
Employing natural processes to illuminate and warm interior spaces, this series of algae-based furnishings combines beautiful glass vessels and organic matter to create lovely yet functional home objects. Each fixture generates light, heat and oxygen using methods similar to those seen in bio-adaptive architectural facades.
Designed by Jacob Douenias and Ethan Frier (photos by Tom Little Photography LLC.), objects in the Spirulina series utilize cyanobacteria, “chosen for its rich green hue, light absorbency, and culinary qualities,” set in alkaline water housed in shapely glass vessels. Found all over the world, this versatile algae can survive and thrive in all kinds of environments and is already widely used in other forms of biotechnology.
In this commissioned series, a set of spaces show off the various ways these organic home furnishings can be deployed in living and dining areas, popping up from tables, sprouting from walls, sitting on the floor or hanging from the ceiling. The various units are linked by a half mile of hidden plumbing and wiring and controlled via a concealed computer system that both analyzes results and controls each appendage. Living Things is now installed at the Mattress Factory Museum of Contemporary Art in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania until March 27, 2016.
But how does it work? “The 3D printed nylon knobs embedded in the surface of this workstation actuate eighteen valves which allow for the harvesting of Spirulina when the culture becomes dense enough, and the supply of fresh liquid media to each vessel. Inside the cabinet the pumps, tubing, manifolds, LED drivers, air pumps, heater connections and filters which comprise the heart of the life support system”
More from its creators: “The morphologies of hand-blown glass vessels function both as lighting and heating elements for the human occupants, and high functioning photobioreactors which provide heat, light, agitation, air supply, nutrient and waste control to the living algae inside.”
Bio-reactors and micro-algae sound like the stuff of science fiction, but this is the real deal: biomass built into panel glass on an actual working structure.
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Potential energy is all around us … not to mention in us as well. This set of of experimental projects utilizes power from simple human exhalations to …
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Without further ado, here are 20 more examples of incredibly compact and transforming furniture for cramped urban living.
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[ By WebUrbanist in Design & Fixtures & Interiors. ]
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[ By Steve in Abandoned Places & Architecture. ]
From low low prices to low low sales: at these abandoned new & used car dealerships, showroom traffic’s been reduced to a permanent state of gridlock.
Pontiac hasn’t made or sold any vehicles since GM discontinued the historic brand five years ago; the iconic Indian Chief logo vanished from Pontiac products decades earlier. As such, McNamara Pontiac-Isuzu‘s magnificent neon sign is truly a blast from the past on multiple levels. This Orlando, Florida dealer has been closed and abandoned for some time now and the fate of its sign is in jeopardy. If Chief Pontiac could shed a tear, he surely would.
On September 20th of 2003, Flickr user Onasill ~ Bill Badzo visited this strikingly lonely abandoned car dealer and service center in Brookhaven, Mississippi. We’re guessing he didn’t receive the expected level of service.
Dig that ornate filigree trim just a-rusting away in the salty Gulf Coast breeze! Though Kees Motor Co. would appear to be as deserted as the day is long, peeking through the front window appear to be an American flag, office furniture and the headlights of a mid-1960s vintage vehicle.
Signage of any kind is sorely lacking at this abandoned used car dealership in San Francisco’s Mission district, unless one counts the mystifying image gazing out from the front facade’s central window. Kudos to Nik Daum for capturing this carefree yet car-less scene sometime during the summer of 2010.
Citation Motors of Oakville, Ontario, closed in 1988 for reasons that remain unclear: some say it had its concession license revoked while others point to the fact that BMW was reducing its dealer network at that time. Perhaps hoping he’d someday be allowed to sell Bimmers again, the owner has kept the “ghost” dealership (and at least a few unsold period BMWs) in reasonable, “frozen in time” condition.
When contacted recently by a reporter from Jalopnik, the owner merely stated “you have to be crazy about cars, like you and I, to enjoy owning a place like this.” Crazy… like a fox!
The showroom floors are bare and the alluring aroma of new car smell has long since dissipated from these dozen down-in-the-dumps abandoned auto dealerships.
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In some cases disaster strikes. In others, changing technologies render old designs obsolete, leaving majestic airplanes and giant steamers to rust and gather …
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Painted pink and encrusted with graffiti, the abandoned UFO House in Homestead, Florida, has a backstory as mysterious as its otherworldly architecture.
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[ By Steve in Abandoned Places & Architecture. ]
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Getting accepted as a stock photographer can be a difficult and frustrating process. Especially when your best photos get rejected by photo reviewers. After helping many photographers trying to become accepted as Shutterstock contributors, I have discovered how the process can instead become a fun and educational experience.
Earning money on your digital photography work is a great way to earn an extra income. But it is often not the main motivation for why many people try to become contributors. Being accepted, and being able to call yourself a stock photographer, means something. Similar to how many people develop their skills so they one day can become a professional in their field, being able to call yourself a stock photographer will for many mean more than saying you’re a professional photographer.
When someone presents themselves as a professional photographer, people tend to have different views of what that means. Some associate a professional photographer with someone that makes high quality photos. Others may think of the person they hired to photograph their wedding. Or perhaps someone that has their photos sold in a gallery. Some may think a professional photographer is only someone that has a diploma, or someone that works full-time and earns their main income from their photography.
Being able to say you’re a stock photographer says something about the level you have reached. Why? Because the stock photography industry is well known for its high quality requirements.
Furthermore, the best part of being a stock photographer is knowing your work is being purchased, appreciated, and used all around the world. With modern tools like Google image Search, you can back trace and find were and how your most popular photos are being used.
If you know how to make a manual exposure, get the focusing correct and have a good eye for correct white balance, you’re most likely qualified to become a stock photographer.
It might take a few attempts. But once you’re accepted, as many existing stock photographers can testify, it made them an even better photographer. A rejection of your initial submission might feel like a disappointment at first. But take advantage of the feedback and suggestions provided. Your initial submission will most likely be more strictly evaluated than the general submissions you’ll make in the future after getting accepted.
Try to see your first submission as a homework assignment for reading the stock agency’s submission guidelines. Like any course or workshop, your first homework assignment is not expected to be flawless. There will most likely be room for improvement. With this attitude, learning about stock photography can be an educational, fun, and even motivating experience.
For example, when signing up to one of the most popular stock photography sites like Shutterstock, you are asked to submit 10 samples of your best work. Seven of these must pass the strict inspection of their reviewers. But if rejected, you’re provided with great feedback to help you improve your photography.
As any existing stock photographer can testify, your initial batch of submitted work is much more strictly evaluated than the general submissions you will make in the future after getting accepted.
A submission that is not approved is often not completely rejected either. Many rejected photos can have only one minor issue that can sometimes even be fixed with a little editing. Even though it may feel like your entire batch of submitted work was rejected, you might only be a few adjustments away from getting accepted.
Many existing stock photographers did not get accepted on their first attempt. For every initial submission that is not approved, take good use of the feedback that is required. See it as a free portfolio review from experts in the field. Be inquisitive, study the material and try again!
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