Category: art

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Classical Illustrations Depict What Can Only Be Described as Japanese Fart Battles

If you’ve ever needed proof that potty humor in general has been around for years– fart humor in particular – these images depicting epic flatulence battles should do the trick.

Image Credit: Waseda University

There’s a centuries-old scroll called He-Gassen (“the fart war”) dating to Japan’s Edo Period (1603-1868) that depicts men, rear ends bared, spraying powerful gusts of gas toward each other – gas that can break boards and cross wide battlefields to win the day.

Image Credit: Waseda University

Image Credit: Waseda University

Though the depictions aren’t entirely unique – Arabian Nights features a story titled “The Historic Fart” and Apocolocyntosis, a satire possibly written by Seneca, references a “shart” (“When he had made a great noise with that end of him which talked easiest, he cried out, ‘Oh dear, oh dear! I think I have made a mess of myself.’”)

And bathroom humor has a long history in European political dissent – this is a woodcut from 1545 entitled “Kissing the Pope’s Feet”:

Image Credit: Public Domain

But back to Japan…

Image Credit: Waseda University

Image Credit: Waseda University

In the Japanese art, Westerners in particular were apt to be blown away by the strength and prowess of the Japanese wind, so the scroll pictured also counts (crudely) as a political cartoon.

Image Credit: Waseda University

Image Credit: Waseda University

The creators of South Park have nothing on whoever created it, for sure.

If you want more (and of course you do), you can check out the full collection here.

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This Is Why so Many Ancient Statues Are Missing Their Noses

If you’ve ever spent time in a museum, you may have noticed that a lot of ancient sculptures are mysteriously nose-less.

One of the most famous examples of this phenomenon is the Great Sphinx of Ancient Egypt.

Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons

But the Great Sphinx is far from unique. Ancient sculptures from a wide range of cultures, including Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome, are also missing their noses.

So what gives?

In some cases, the sculptures have been deliberately vandalized at some point in history. In Ancient Egypt, for example, people would often break off a statue’s nose in order to disable its power. The statues were thought to contain a life force, and removing the nose prevented the statue from breathing, thereby killing it.

But in the majority of cases, the missing noses on ancient statues are not the fault of humans at all. Instead, they’re the result of natural wear and tear.

Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons

These sculptures are thousands and thousands of years old, after all. They’re often damaged in a number of ways, including discoloration, wear, and missing parts — including arms, ears, and other body parts aside from noses.

The parts of sculptures that stick out are usually the first ones to break off, because they’re less securely attached. This includes noses, arms, heads, and other appendages.

For example, the Venus de Milo is an ancient statue from Greece that was sculpted by Alexandros of Antioch around the late second century BC. It’s famous for its lack of arms.

Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons

But that wasn’t a design choice – this sculpture did have arms at one point, they just broke off.

FYI, you can generally tell whether a body part was removed intentionally or not by looking at cut marks on the statue.

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The Apollo 11 Astronauts Were Honored with Butter Sculptures at the Ohio State Fair

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the historic Apollo 11 moon landing, the three astronauts on that mission are being honored with life-sized sculptures made out of butter at the Ohio State Fair.

On July 20, 1969, Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins landed on the moon and changed the course of history. The state of Ohio has a strong kinship with space travel: Neil Armstrong was an Ohio native and so was John Glenn, the first American to orbit the Earth. Ohio also has a long history of dairy production. Combine all those factors together and you get the magnificent butter display at this year’s Ohio State Fair.

If you are lucky enough to be able to go to the Ohio State Fair in Columbus, don’t miss the traditional “cow made out of…

Posted by Suellen Brady-Nugent on Thursday, July 25, 2019

Dairy farmers donated over 2,000 pounds of butter to help create the sculptures. An artist from Cincinnati named Paul Brooke and a team of sculptors spent 400-500 hours creating the buttery tributes in a cooler set at 46 degrees to prevent the pieces from melting.

Here’s a cool time-lapse video of the butter being sculpted:

Alexander Balz, one of the artists, said, “The space suits were a real challenge, to be honest. It’s easy to sculpt things that you know. When you sculpt a human being you memorize it, so this was a challenge.”

Roughly 500,000 people are expected to have attended the State Fair in late July and early August. Here’s a video with some great footage of the display.

What a unique and cool way to honor a pivotal event in American, and human, history!

And, by the way, I’m really hoping that this butter sculpting catches on more widely because it is fabulous.

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A Design Student Won an Award for a Chair That Prevents “Manspreading”

“Manspreading” is what happens when men in the cramped quarters of public transit choose to take up more than their quota of space by spreading out their legs.

Seen by feminists as an unwanted exhibition of male social dominance and by sensible, polite people as just plain rude, the practice has gotten more and more attention as people post their rage on social media.

Enter 23-year-old Laila Laurel, a 3D Design & Craft graduate from the University of Brighton.

Image Credit: Laila Laurel

Her final-year project is called “A Solution for Manspreading,” and features two wooden chairs – one for men, and another for women.

“I designed and created these chairs in order to identify and challenge problems surrounding the act of sitting that might potentially be more gender-specific, such as manspreading.”

Image Credit: Laila Laurel

The male version is shaped to force him to sit with his legs closed, while the female version comes with a small piece of wood in the middle that encourages sitting with her legs parted.

She told The Independent that of course the chairs weren’t meant for serious implementation, but to “give physicality to an issue women face in quite a fun yet literal way.”

Image Credit: Laila Laurel

“My design practice is contextualized within fourth-wave feminism and another huge inspiration for these pieces was Laura Bates’ Everyday Sexism Project, a platform in which women can testify about the sexism they have experienced.”

Laurel ended up winning a Belmond Award, which recognizes emerging talent, for her work. The luxury hotel and leisure company called the chairs a “bold, purpose-driven design that explores the important role of design in informing space, a person’s behavior and societal issues of today.”

Image Credit: Laila Laurel

Though the chairs were a big hit at her graduate show, she was surprised – and thrilled – to be recognized beyond that scope.

“The reaction of the people who engaged and interacted with my pieces at my graduate show was really encouraging and exciting as it seemed to spark interesting conversations and also make them laugh, which is something I really value in my work.”

Image Credit: Laila Laurel

It just goes to show that people really enjoy a good piece of art, and that goes double for one that makes you uncomfortable while you experience it.

Literally.

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10 Facts About “Cats” the Musical to Get You Ready for the Movie Adaptation

 

If you’re of a certain age, then Cats was probably part of your life (and possibly your identity) growing up. It was huge! You might not even have realized how inherently strange it is because it’s just always been a thing.

If you’re not a Broadway fan (or you’re a new or younger fan) then you, like the rest of the non-theatre world, may have been introduced to Cats when the trailer for the film adaptation recently released.

Honestly, no matter where you fall on this scale of Cats awareness, that trailer probably scarred you for life. I know it did me.

If you’re now curious about this whole singing, dancing cat-people thing, here are 10 facts for you:

10. One audience member sued the production for $6 million.

Live performances of Cats involves audience interaction, a treat that one fan definitely didn’t welcome back in 1996.

Tugger, played by David Hibbard, allegedly “gyrated his pelvis” in audience member Evelyn Amato’s face, an act that led her to sue the production and its creative team for $6 million.

9. It’s based on a collection of T.S. Eliot poems that originally was supposed to include dogs, too.

Eliot published Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats in 1939, and the lighthearted offering has been delighting cat-lovers for generations.

At first, he thought the book would contain poems inspired by dogs and cats, but in the end, he figured that dogs just didn’t lend themselves as well to poetry, and that it would be “improper to wrap them up with dogs.”

8. The show gave T.S. Eliot a posthumous Tony.

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So should we talk about that Cats trailer?? ? Here’s the thing: I hate real cats, but I love T.S. Eliot, and I love musical theater…so it’s complicated haha. The CGI was semi-horrifying, but I would listen to Jennifer Hudson sing the ABCs on repeat for hours. Can I miss seeing James Corden playing Bustopher Jones? You know, I can’t. Will I feel as cringe through the whole movie as I did during the trailer? I hope not. The thing I’m holding out hope for is that this baby is choreographed by Andy Blankenbuehler who is a GENIUS (think Hamilton, In The Heights & The Bandstand), and they have some INCREDIBLE dancers in the cast. So if you go back and watch the trailer as a preview for a dance movie, it changes the whole thing. & I always show up for a dance movie. ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• That being said, Cats is based off of this book of poetry by T.S. Eliot (yes. THAT gloomy, highbrow T.S. Eliot). Apparently he also had a wonderful sense of humor, a great love of his godchildren (for whom he wrote these poems), and an even greater love for cats. It is clever and joyous, and you should go read it. They’re short and impossible not to smile through. Jury is out on the movie, but the poems have already earned their 5 big ⭐s!! #? What did you think of the trailer? Have you seen it on stage before? Thoughts?

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Even though Eliot died in 1965, the fact that most of the songs are verbatim recitations of his poems means he’s listed as their lyricist – thus, earning him a Tony in 1983.

7. Andrew Lloyd Weber is not a “cat person.”

The author of the play describes himself as “quite neutral” toward cats, but thought the poems were perfect for a daring West End soundtrack.

6. The original production used 3000 pounds of yak hair.

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GRIZABELLA… The CATS are out of the bag!… I can finally share my designs for the very first reimagined version of Andrew Lloyd Webber's CATS in the UK since the original in 1981. Not possible without the brilliant Costume Supervior @j_mime and @dollyhurran with the brilliant wardrobe team @kilworthhousetheatre #theatredesigner #theaterdesign #setdesign #stageset #setdesigner #costumedesign #costumedesigner #stagedesign #stagedesigner #scenicdesign #scenography #ramsgatetunnels #ww2 #blitzlondon #ww2 #londonunderground #catsthemusical #catsmusical #catsthemovie #catsmovie #andrewloydwebber #cats #grizabella @emmahatton1 @iamjhud @intertalentgroup @michaelmooreagency @nickwinston3552

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All major productions of Cats use yak hair to craft their wild feline costumes – which run around $2300 each these days – and costumes are tailored to the actor.

That means that each actor needs a new product, and is the reason the first Broadway production (that ran 18 years) used 3247 pounds of yak hair in total.

A full grown yak, in case you’re curious, weighs around 2200 pounds.

5. Dame Judi Dench was supposed to play in Cats in London, but never got the chance.

She was cast as Grizabella in a West End production in 1981, but tore her Achilles tendon before the show opened.

Fun fact: she was replaced by Elaine Paige (from Evita).

4. But she will star in the movie.

Nearly 40 years alter, Dench is starring as the wise and beloved Old Deuteronomy (Jennifer Hudson will play Grizabella).

3. Weber had to take out a second mortgage to get Cats through its initial run.

Andrew Lloyd Weber had won both success and acclaim with Jesus Christ Superstar, but when he wanted to open Cats, he had a hard time finding investors. Why? Choreographer Gillian Lynne has some thoughts:

“It was very, very difficult to finance because everyone said, ‘A show about cats? You must be raving mad.”

It fell so short of its fundraising goals that Weber took out a second mortgage in order to get it off the ground.

2. The late Grumpy Cat once made a cameo.

Before his untimely death (may he rest in peace), Grumpy Cat made a cameo in the show on Broadway.

1. It set records on both sides of the Atlantic.

The original London production ran for 21 years, making it (at the time) the longest running musical in West End history – a title it handed over to Les Mis in 2006.

On Broadway, the show was performed 6138 times, making it the longest running show on Broadway.

 

You may still never understand, but at least now you’re informed!

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A Photographer Shoots Senior Citizen Couples in Engagement-Style Photos

These are delightful.

Sujata Setia is a London-based photographer who takes engagement-style photos….but with a little twist. She shoots elderly couples as if they were celebrating their newfound love.

A brilliant idea, don’t you think?

Setia explained how she got started:

“I noticed…that people only came to get photographs taken with their children and spouses. I never had a client asking me to take photographs of their parents or grandparents or even photos of their children and parents.

So I decided to divide my work time into two parts. I spent one half of my month photographing my clients the way they wanted me to and the other half was dedicated to requesting grandparents and great-grandparents (who I would invite via model calls or would randomly approach in public places) to come and be photographed by me with their grandkids.

On one such shoot in Houston, Texas, this year, I noticed that while I was photographing one grandparent with their grandchild, the other grandparent was just standing silently in a corner. So, for the sake of their memories together, I asked both grandparents if I could photograph them together… and I haven’t stopped doing that now.”

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20 years ago they sold their house in exchange for a camper van. Ever since then they have been travelling the world… holding hands. I was fortunate enough to have found them in Dublin, Ireland… as they were walking past the storm… still holding hands! . To love… . . . Sign up for my 2019-2020 workshops by clicking on the link in my bio Florida – August 24th 2019 . Dubai – October 12th 2019 . London – February 2nd 2020 . . #ig_creativepics #clickinmoms #ftwotw #ourclickdays #londonfamilyphotographer #newbornphotographermumbai #familyphotographermumbai #celebrityfamilyphotographer #best_art_project #people_tr #ig_shotz_people #globe_people #heart_imprint_vip #cpcfeature #official_photography_hub #nikontop #splendid_people #photos_dailydose #bestfamilyphotographer #celebrityphotographer #bestfamilyphotographerindia #bestlondonphotographer

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“Looking back at our life together, I realise I should have loved you the way you wanted to be loved. Holding hands. Surprises… just without occasion or reason. Slipping in ‘I love you’ into casual conversations… none of it made sense to me back then. But it does now!! . And so I ask you today. Please will you give me just another lifetime?” . . . . . . #clickinmoms #candidchildhood #childhoodunplugged #momazine #letthemexplore #momswithcameras #nothingisordinary #mom_hub #momtogs #exploretocreate #thebloomforum #follow_this_light #watchthisinstagood #click_vision #beyondwanderlust #official_photography_hub #infinity_children #huffpostgram #clickmagazine #iamnikon #natgeoyourshot #dearphotographer #cpcfeature #instagram #documentyourdays #the_sugar_jar @instagram #theeverydayportrait

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Setia continued, “Whichever country I visit, I make sure I photograph elderly couples there together and I cannot express how fulfilling this has been for me. The stories I hear of their lives together… and the pure and honest love that I witness in the course of these shoots is just beyond amazing.”

Beautiful and heartwarming, to say the least.

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There’s a Vincent Van Gogh Action Figure That Comes with Removable Ears

Vincent Van Gogh’s life story, the tribulations, the mental illness, and especially the story of him cutting off part of his own ear, continues to fascinate art lovers all over the world.

That’s why this Van Gogh action figure is so amazing! Today is Art Day launched a Kickstarter campaign back in 2017 to help fund the Van Gogh figure, and now they are readily available for the public to buy. Yay, Kickstarter!

The figure comes with not one, but two, detachable ears.

Photo Credit: Amazon

It may not be historically accurate, but hey, we’re allowed to have a little fun once in a while, aren’t we?

The figure comes in a box decorated with replicas of Van Gogh’s famous paintings, Sunflowers and The Starry Night. Lil’ Vincent is made of PVC and stands five inches tall.

Today is Art Day has branched out and now produces a bunch of other amazing action figures in addition to Van Gogh.

We have Frida Kahlo:

Posted by Today Is Art Day on Saturday, July 6, 2019

Salvador Dalí:

Posted by Today Is Art Day on Saturday, May 11, 2019

Leonardo da Vinci:

Posted by Today Is Art Day on Monday, April 15, 2019

And Einstein!

And if you want to paint your own, you can also buy the Vincent Van Gogh DIY action figure.

Posted by Today Is Art Day on Tuesday, April 30, 2019

They make other figures as well so take a look at their page and do some exploring!

Get your hands on the Van Gogh figure from Amazon for $29 and check out their other products as well.

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A Photographer Specializes in Close-Up Shots of Insects and Spiders

Alexander Mett is a wildlife photographer from Germany, and his work is pretty incredible. He gets extremely up close and personal with insects and spiders, and I do mean extremely up close.

I’m pretty sure you’ve never seen the intricate details on the faces of little critters like this before.

Take a look at Mett’s photos and be sure to follow him on Instagram.

1. Dewdrops

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Twin-lobed deerfly with dewdrops – Goldaugenbremse mit Tautropfen Hallo, diese wunderschöne Goldaugenbremse (Chrysops relictus) mit Tautropfen habe ich Mitte Juni 2018 früh Morgens auf einer Feuchtwiese bei Jossa im Spessart gefunden. Bremsen zählen wegen ihrer tollen Facettenaugen für mich zu den schönsten Makromotiven, erst recht wenn sie noch Tautropfen auf ihren Augen haben. Dafür lohnt sich dann auch das frühe Aufstehen, dass nötig ist um solche Bilder zu erhalten. Auch an diesem Wochenende werde ich wohl an einem Tag wieder sehr früh auf Tour gehen. Wenn ich dazu komme werde ich heute noch ein Bild von meiner aktuellen Ausrüstung zeigen und dem neuesten Diffusor. . . . #dewdrops #naturfotografie #macrophotography #_macroart #insects #macro_freaks #macro_brilliance #top_macro #igbest_macros #macro_highlight #macro_holic #kings_macro #majestic_macros #macro_mood #macro_kings #macrolove #macro_maniac #invert_macro #NatGeoDE #beautiful_insects_japan #extreme_wildlife_makrofotografie #exclusive_world_macro #Excellent_Macros #macro_perfection #macroworld_tr #macroclique #macroworld #episode1_macro #justperfect_shot #soulmademacro

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2. Creepy crawler

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Asianellus festivus male – Asianellus festivus Männchen Hallo, den kleinen Kerl habe ich 2017 aufgenommen. Das Bildergebnis ist ein Focus Stack aus 17 Aufnahmen. Diese Springspinnenart ist nicht nur sehr schön, sondern auch ziemlich selten und wird in vielen Bundesländern in der Roten Liste geführt. . . . . . #makrofotografie #jumpingspiders #macrophotography #macro_captures #macro_freaks #macro_brilliance #top_macro #igbest_macros #macro_highlight #macro_holic #macroshot #majestic_macros #macro_mood #macroworld #macro_kings #macrolove #macro_maniac #spiders #spider_fans #im_arachnids #invert_macro #NatGeoDE #beautiful_insects_japan #extreme_wildlife_makrofotografie #exclusive_world_macro #Excellent_Macros #macro_perfection #macroworld_tr #macroclique #macroworld #episode1_macro

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3. WOW

4. Bug eyes

5. Bzzzzzzzzzz

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Mein erster Instagram Beitrag … Hallo, eigentlich bin ich ja schon ein Opa in der Makrofotografie. Aber seit gestern habe ich erst meinen Instagram Account. Mein erstes Bild das ich hier zeigen möchte ist daher auch kein aktuelles, sondern wurde im Oktober 2013 aufgenommen. Diese schöne Wespe habe ich an einem kühlen und windigen Herbsttag in einen vertrockneten Blatt gefunden. Diese und andere Wespen haben in den Blättern von einem Busch Schutz vor dem Wetter gesucht. Die Wespe hat sich gut fotografieren lassen, wobei dieses Bildergebnis kein Focus Stack ist, sondern eine Einzelaufnahme im ABM von 2:1. Als Ausrüstung habe ich damals eine Sony A55, Blitz mit Diffusor und einen Retroadapter mit einer 35mm Minolta Linse und einem 14mm Zwischenring verwendet. Obwohl das Bild schon so alt ist, gehört es auch heute noch zu meinen besten Insektenmakros. #makrofotografie #naturfotografie #wunderdernatur #wespen #nabu #macrophotography #macro_captures #insects #macro_freaks #macro_brilliance #top_macro #igbest_macros #macro_highlight #macro_holic #macroshot #majestic_macros #macro_mood #macroworld #macro_kings #macrolove macro_maniac

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6. Great shot

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Die Gorilla Springspinne Hallo, auf dem Bild ist gut zu erkennen warum die Springspinnenart Evarcha arcuata auch "Gorilla Springspinne" genannt wird. Mit seinen sehr kräftigen Vorderbeinen und der kontrastreichen Zeichnung im Gesicht erinnert mich diese Springspinne auch an einen Silberrücken. Die Art gehört bei uns übrigens zu den häufigsten Springspinnen und ist z.B. auf Wiesen, besonders an Waldrändern anzutreffen. #makrofotografie #naturfotografie #wunderdernatur #springspinnen #nabu #macrophotography #macro_captures #jumpingspiders #macro_freaks #macro_brilliance #top_macro #igbest_macros #macro_highlight #macro_holic #macroshot #majestic_macros #macro_mood #macroworld #macro_kings #macrolove #macro_maniac #evarchaarcuata #spider_fans #gorillajumpingspider #geo #nationalgeographic

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7. Rock star spider

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The rock star spider Hello, here is a picture result (focus stack of 15 shots) of a fully grown philaeus crysops. This old female was the largest jumping spider i've seen so far. She is also considered the largest native jumping spider of germany. She was not only very tall,but also extremely hairy. The "blow-dry hair style" typical for jumping spiders was particularly pronounced in her and so it reminds me a little bit of a rockstar from the time of the "hair metal bands" of the 80s. ? . . . #jumpingspiders #macrophotography #macro_kings #macro_freaks #macro_brilliance #top_macro #igbest_macro #macro_highlight #laowa #laowa60mm #insectguru #spider #spiders #im_arachnids #invert_macro #justperfect_shot #soulmademacro #beautiful_insects_japan #extreme_wildlife_makrofotografie #exclusive_macro #excellent_macro #macro_perfection #macroworld #macroworld_tr #episode1_macro

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8. Bloodsucker

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The bloodsucker Hello, I have found this beautiful horsefly with the name Heptatoma pellucens last year. Rather, she actually found me, in the picture is to see how she sucks on a drop of blood. I had the idea for such a picture many years ago, but either there was no horsefly or I was just not injured. Both fit here and that's how it came to this picture. Incidentally, this type of horseflies is pretty rare in Germany, I do not know exactly how rare, but in more than 8 years of macro photography, I've only seen it here for the first time. Short info about horseflies in general Only the females prick and suck blood because they need it for the development of the offspring. The males, on the other hand, feed on nectar and pollen. You can recognize the females by the long piercing proboscis and the arrangement of the eyes. In the females there is a broad forehead between the two eyes, in the males the eyes are very close together. . . . #worldwide_macro#macro_freaks #idmacro#dreaming_in_macro#gmf_macrofun #macro_spotlight#mat_macro#beautiful_insects_japan #macroworld_tr#_lookatme_macro#gf_macro#macro_creative_pictures#loves_united_macro#turklikeben_macro#episode1_macro#insectguru#macro_celebes#laowa#extreme_wildlife_makrofotografie#masters_in_macro#miracles_noblesse#mat_macro#invert_macro#electric_macro#macro_alit#b2macro#rebel_macro#insects#horsefly#justperfect_shot #soulmademacro

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9. Male yellow sac spider

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Male yellow sac spider – Ammen-Dornfinger Männchen (Cheiracanthium punctorium) Hello, I photographed this male yellow sac spider in May 2018. The picture shows the thorns at the top of the pedipalps, which gives this impressive and interesting spider its german name "Dornfinger". . Hallo, dieses Dornfinger-Männchen habe ich im Mai 2018 aufgenommen. Beim Bild sind gut die Dornen oben an den Pedipalpen zu erkennen, ihnen verdankt diese beeindruckende und interessante Spinne auch ihren Namen. . . . #makrofotografie #cheiracanthiidae #macrophotography #macro_captures #macro_freaks #macro_brilliance #top_macro #igbest_macros #macro_highlight #macro_holic #macroshot #majestic_macros #macro_mood #macroworld #macro_kings #macrolove #macro_maniac #spiders #spider_fans #im_arachnids #invert_macro #NatGeoDE #beautiful_insects_japan #extreme_wildlife_makrofotografie #exclusive_world_macro #Excellent_Macros #macro_perfection #macroworld_tr #macroclique #macroworld #episode1_macro

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10. Making the jump

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Male Pellenes tripunctatus – Kreuzspringspinnen Männchen Hello, here is a picture of a male Pellenes tripunctatus. The little fella was interested in the camera and stretched his legs for it and more times try on it to jump. When that happens, let the spider is either jumped, or you pull the camera away for a moment so that it will not jump. . Hallo,hier ist ein Bildergebnis (komplett manueller Focus Stack aus 8 Aufnahmen) vom seltenen Kreuzspringspinnen Männchen. Der Kleine hat hier interessiert seine Vorderbeinchen zum Objektiv ausgestreckt und hat auch mehrmals versucht drauf zu springen. Wenn das passiert läßt man die Springspinne entweder springen, oder man zieht die Kamera kurz weg, damit sie erst gar nicht zum Sprung ansetzt. . . #jumpingspiders #macrophotography #macro_captures #macro_freaks #macro_brilliance #top_macro #igbest_macros #macro_highlight #macro_holic #macroshot #majestic_macros #macro_mood #macroworld #macro_kings #macrolove #macro_maniac #spiders #spider_fans #im_arachnids #invert_macro #justperfect_shot #soulmademacro #beautiful_insects_japan #extreme_wildlife_makrofotografie #exclusive_world_macro #Excellent_Macros #macro_perfection #macroworld_tr #macroclique #macroworld #episode1_macro

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11. Terminator

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The Terminator Servus, dieses Bildergebnis ist eines meiner besten aus dem Jahr 2017. Zu sehen sind eine große Sackspinne (Clubiona corticalis) und insgesamt 4 alte Wolfspinnenhäute. Die Story zum Bild Ich schaue bei meinen Touren auch immer wieder gerne unter Totholz nach, besonders wenn sonst nichts zu finden ist. Unter Totholz findet man nämlich eigentlich immer ein paar Makro-Motive. Angefangen bei Hundertfüßern, über Asseln bishin zu einigen Spinnenarten reicht die Artenvielfalt auf die man dort treffen kann. Anfang Mai 2017 drehe ich also so ein Holzstück um und sehe neben einigen abgelegten Wolfspinnenhäuten auch eine wirklich große Sackspinne, deren Gespinnstsack beim umdrehen des Holzstückes aufgerissen wurde. Teile des Gespinnstes in dem sie sich aufgehalten hat, sind rechts im Bild gut zu erkennen. Der Hauptteil des Gespinnstes liegt aber außerhalb des Bildes. Die Spinne blieb zum Glück lange Zeit sehr ruhig und so konnte ich genügend Aufnahmen für einen Focus Stack machen. Auf den Bildtitel kam ich übrigens weil die Situation mich sofort an die eine Szene aus dem Film "Der Terminator" erinnert hat, in dem die Cyborgs in der Zukunft über die Gerippe und Totenschädel der Menschen gelaufen sind. Im Bild handelt es sich aber nicht um tote Wolfspinnen, sondern lediglich um die alten Häute der Spinnen. Wer den Film kennt wird eine gewisse Ähnlichkeit der Szenen aber bestimmt auch erkennen können. Links im Bild ist der Kopfteil einer Wolfspinne zu sehen der Tatsächlich ein wenig wie ein menschlicher Totenschädel aussieht. . . . #makrofotografie #clubionidae #macrophotography #macro_captures #macro_freaks #macro_brilliance #top_macro #igbest_macros #macro_highlight #macro_holic #macroshot #majestic_macros #macro_mood #macroworld #macro_kings #macrolove #macro_maniac #spiders #spider_fans #im_arachnids #invert_macro #NatGeoDE #beautiful_insects_japan #extreme_wildlife_makrofotografie #exclusive_world_macro #Excellent_Macros #macro_perfection #macroworld_tr #macroclique #macroworld #episode1_macro

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12. King of the forest

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The king of the forest – Der König des Waldes Servus, als eigentlicher König der Wälder wird natürlich der Hirsch bezeichnet, im Mikrokosmos der Insekten ist es jedoch der Hirschkäfer. Von den vielen tollen Motiven die ich hier schon im Spessart gefunden habe, ist der Hirschkäfer sicher der imposanteste. Neben ihm sehen selbst voll ausgewachsene Gelbe Mordfliegen oder Sandlaufkäfer klein aus. Das Bild ist ein Focus Stack aus 63 Aufnahmen. Ich habe vom Hirschkäfer auch ein kleines Video aufgenommen wo gut zu sehen ist das er bei bester Gesundheit war und diese Drohhaltung auch während des Videos eingenommen hat. Ich werde immer wieder gefragt wie ich denn soviele Aufnahmen von einem Motiv wie z.B. einer Springspinne oder einer Raubfliege machen kann ohne das sie sich bewegt. Erstens dauert es bei weitem nicht so lange wie die meisten vielleicht denken, auch dieser Focus Stack war nach ca. 30 Sek. im Kasten. Außerdem (und jetzt kommt der eigentliche Punkt warum das funktioniert) stacke ich die meisten Serien bzw. Teile davon manuell in Photoshop weil es eben fast immer zu Bewegungen kommt. Ich mache das schon so seit vielen Jahren und habe dieses Vorgehen der Bildbearbeitung inzwischen Perfektioniert. Es gibt mittlerweile für mich nichts mehr was ich nicht stacken kann, es ist nur eine Frage von Zeit und dem Willen es zu tun. Wer live sehen will wie ich es genau mache kann gerne einen Personal Coaching Workshop bei mir buchen. . . . . #makrofotografie #naturfotografie #nabu #macrophotography #_macroart #insects #macro_freaks #macro_brilliance #top_macro #igbest_macros #macro_highlight #macro_holic #macroshot #majestic_macros #macro_mood #hirschkäfer #macro_kings #macrolove #macro_maniac #invert_macro #NatGeoDE #beautiful_insects_japan #extreme_wildlife_makrofotografie #exclusive_world_macro #Excellent_Macros #macro_perfection #macroworld_tr #macroclique #macroworld #episode1_macro

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13. Queen wasp

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Cuckoo wasp warming up her wings – Goldwespe beim aufwärmen Hallo, diese Goldwespe (vermutlich Chrysis ruddii) habe ich beim aufwärmen ihrer Flügelmuskulatur fotografieren können. An kühlen Tagen und früh Morgens kann man Goldwespen eigentlich sehr gut fotografieren. Tagsüber bei schönen Wetter ist das aber fast unmöglich. Dabei zählen Goldwespen wegen ihrer bunten Färbung zu den schönsten Motiven. Das Bild ist ein rein manueller Focus Stack aus 14 Aufnahmen. Fundort: Jossa im Spessart . . . #makrofotografie #naturfotografie #nabu #macrophotography #macro_captures #insects #macro_freaks #macro_brilliance #top_macro #igbest_macros #macro_highlight #macro_holic #macroshot #majestic_macros #macro_mood #cuckoowasp #macro_kings #macrolove #macro_maniac #invert_macro #NatGeoDE #beautiful_insects_japan #extreme_wildlife_makrofotografie #exclusive_world_macro #Excellent_Macros #macro_perfection #macroworld_tr #macroclique #macroworld #episode1_macro

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14. Look at that face

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Grüne Krabbenspinne (Diaea dorsata) Hallo, dieses Bild einer Grünen Krabbenspinne (Diaea dorsata) ist zwar nicht neu, ich habe es aber 2018 nochmal komplett neu bearbeitet für mein Buch. Es ist ein manueller Focus Stack aus 9 Aufnahmen. Dieses Bild ist eines meiner ersten richtig guten extremen Makros überhaupt und stammt aus dem September 2013! . . . . #makrofotografie #naturfotografie #wunderdernatur #spinnen #nabu #macrophotography #macro_captures #krabbenspinne #macro_freaks #macro_brilliance #top_macro #igbest_macros #macro_highlight #macro_holic #macroshot #majestic_macros #macro_mood #macroworld #macro_kings #macrolove #macro_maniac #spiders #spider_fans #im_arachnids #invert_macro #NatGeoDE #beautiful_insects_japan #extreme_wildlife_makrofotografie #exclusive_world_macro #Excellent_Macros

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15. Yikes

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Hallo, Morgen geht es mal wieder auf Fototour in ein sehr schönes Gebiet. Dieses wütende Ammen-Dornfinger Weibchen (Cheiracanthium punctorium) habe ich vor ein paar Jahren auch in einem super Makrogebiet fotografiert in der Nähe von Darmstadt. Das Bild hat übrigens als Vorlage für ein T-Shirt Motiv von meinem Modelabel für Spinnenfans @bonesandspiders gedient. #makrofotografie #naturfotografie #wunderdernatur #spinnen #nabu #macrophotography #macro_captures #spiders #macro_freaks #macro_brilliance #top_macro #igbest_macros #macro_highlight #macro_holic #macroshot #majestic_macros #macro_mood #macroworld #macro_kings #macrolove #macro_maniac #welovespiders #scaryspider #dornfinger #cheiracanthium_punctorium

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Those are very impressive, don’t you think?

The post A Photographer Specializes in Close-Up Shots of Insects and Spiders appeared first on UberFacts.

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After a woman died, a multimillion…

After a woman died, a multimillion dollar painting she owned was re-assessed at $0 due to it containing part of a bald eagle. In America, it is illegal to buy or sell them without a permit. The IRS disagreed and put a $65M tax on it. But her heirs cannot sell the painting due to […]

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This Italian Pastry Chef Turns His Desserts into Amazing Miniature Worlds

I’d feel bad eating one of Matteo Stucchi‘s desserts because each one is a miniature work of art, and they are all incredible.

The Italian pastry chef has been at it for 26 years, and his desserts are all little worlds that you have to see to believe.

Take a look at Stucchi’s great creations.

1. The gazebo

2. Planet Earth

3. Setting up the perfect shot

4. Ice skating

5. Gone fishin’

6. Backpacking

7. Swimming laps

8. Putting in the work

9. Lava?

10. Radioactive

11. Fairy tale

12. Polar Bear Club

13. Cutting down trees

14. Spooky

15. Arachnophobia

Bon appétit! Or maybe just keep one in your freezer to admire…

The post This Italian Pastry Chef Turns His Desserts into Amazing Miniature Worlds appeared first on UberFacts.