Vogue's Keeping Up with Kimye Controversy
Photos by Annie Leibovitz
In the latest pop culture news, it's been hard to avoid Kim Kardashian and Kanye West's current controversy as they grace Vogue Magazine's April 2014 cover, including an exclusive family editorial spread. Although the magazine print doesn't actually hit stands until March 31st, there was a total social media uproar over Vogue's decision to feature what they hashtagged: #worldsmosttalkedaboutcouple. And even though the photos were shot by well respected celebrity photographer Annie Leibovitz, it seems celebrities and subscribers alike addressed more negative feedback than positive. Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour even had to put out a statement defending her decision and even debunked accusations that Kanye paid her to do the feature.
All in all let's face the facts, Vogue is still going to sell copies, and will probably have one of it's more successful month's because of the controversy. Also, whether anyone likes it or not, the couple proves to be some of the most influential people in the fashion industry, and the issue emphasizes that. It's even profiled by famed fashion writer Hamish Bowles outlining Kim's fashion influences as she searches for the perfect wedding dress. Let's also not forget that it's refreshing to see an interracial couple on Vogue's cover, period. For the most part, the cover is typically seen with elegant, pretty, skinny, white actresses, and there's nothing wrong with that. However, let us remind you that the last time a black man was put on its cover, it was in reference to King Kong. And even if this is a colossal misstep on Vogue’s part, for Kim and Kanye, it’s just another round of media attention, and exactly what they set out to do. So who do you think wins out in all of this?
Check out some of recently leaked photos and tell us what you think. Also take a look at their full behind-the-scenes video feature. To read the full article from the April issue, get it at newsstands March 31st or download the digital edition, and check out more photos here.
Spectacular Photos of Erupting Volcano in Chile
Photos by Francisco Negroni
Since June 4th, 2011, the Puyehue-Cordon Caulle volcano in central Chile started erupting and has continued to this day. Although its activity has already decreased significantly, the eruption brought much turmoil to the lives of hundreds of families and to ecosystems in Chile, Argentina and Uruguay. Yet in the midst of chaos Chilean photographer Francisco Negroni managed to capture the volcano as a magnificent work of art from the depths of earth. It's spewing lava looks like dazzling sparks of fireworks, the smoke flows majestically into the air, and the colors are vibrant and plentiful.
As each photo looks easy on the eye, it was far from easy to shoot. Negroni was hardly even a mile away from the center of the eruption from multiple points of view. Yet somehow, despite his fear and ambivalence, he was able to document a once-in-a-lifetime experience of nature's naturally occurring activity.
Check out the following photos and let it be an educational reminder of what lies under our feet and in the deep depths of earth.
[Via Demilked]
Vibrant Photos of India's Holi Festival
Photos by Rajesh Kumar Singh/Associated Press
Beginning on the full moon in the middle of March with an evening bonfire, the ancient Hindu festival of color and love known as Holi is celebrated to embrace the coming of Spring. This past weekend, as most of us in the Western world still feel the grey wrath of Winter, Associated Press photographer Rajesh Kumar Singh was there to capture and share all the vibrant photos from this visually striking festival, bringing a pleasant reminder of all the Spring color that is to come.
Along with singing and dancing into the night, Holi is filled with vividly colored paints and waters, thrown freely at strangers and friends alike to celebrate the triumph of good over evil. As of recently, while Holi celebrations are most widely-known to be in India and Nepal, the festival has spread westward into Europe and the U.S. as well. Festivals also vary by location depending on tradition or mythological belief by regions and villages that celebrate. For example, in the city of Barsana in northern India, women playfully hit men from the nearby village of Nandgaon with wooden sticks as they parade through the town.
Before you explore through the following photos rich in color and culture, I leave you with a statement on the nation's government website from over the weekend by Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, who wrote: "May the festival bring health, happiness and prosperity to all."
[Via Mashable]
Striking Black and White Portraits of Animals in Captivity
Photos by Lukas Holas
"Animals are a matter of my heart."... This is the only description Czech photographer Lukas Holas has provided for his series titled Portraits of Animals. The series is compiled of striking black and white portraits of animals in captivity, showcasing each animal's individuality.
Outside from Holas' short description, we know that although this set appears to be in studio, Trend Hunter informs that the photos were actually taken at a local Czech zoo. The photographer is claimed to have used black and white photography to extract each animal from it's depressing state of captivity. In looking through the eyes of each animal, whether it's a lion, bird, hippo or zebra, there's an essence of majesty and nobility.
Find some of our favorites here, and find more to view or purchase at Holas' Fine Arts America page by clicking here.
[Via PetaPixel]
Making It Up: A Unique Photo Series by Juan Sánchez Castillo
Photos by Juan Sanchez Castillo
Inspired by his wife, fashion photography and miniature figures, Spanish photographer Juan Sanchez Castillo creates a unique series titled Making It Up. In this series, he affixes small landscapes and scenes directly onto the face of model Cristina Martínez, animating tiny workers and children interacting with her facial features. Over a period of six months, Castillo created a board on Pinterest that inspired him to ensemble the structure for his idea involving make up, concept, poses shots, and close ups. He shared this idea with makeup artist, Lidia Martínez of Agory Make Up Arto, and the rest is history.
In one image, Castillo uses a miniature landscaper and places it on the model's face that is partly painted with a green texture to appear to be grass. The illusion is that the miniature landscaper is mowing the grass across her face, and the attention to detail is impeccable. This is just one example of the creative illusions he's created with this team.
Check out the following images and find a behind-the-scenes look and interview with Castillo here.
[Via Fstoppers]
Photographer Creates Surreal Images to Help Rescued Animals Find Homes
Photos by Sarolta Bán
"Until one has loved an animal a part of one's soul remains unawakened." -Anatole France
Pet owners understand the truth to that statement as pets often become more like family. Although self-taught Hungarian photographer Sarolta Bán is best known for her surreal landscapes, she started using her image manipulation skills to help real-life abandoned animals, from around the world, find homes or shelter, in her project titled “Help Dogs with Images”. Her approach was different compared to any other similar campaign because instead of showing these animals as victims, she turns them into delightful, admirable characters in a surreal world of her own creative imagination.
To start the project, she invited more than 100,000 of her Facebook fans to submit photos of homeless pets to transform them into touching and ingenious portraits. In just a couple of weeks, Bán received dozens of photos spanning from Spain, Argentina, India, France, Hungary, to the United States, and as a gift to future owners they are promised to get a photo of their own to keep.
Take a look at the following photos and fall in love with these precious animals that need a home. If you're interested, the project doesn't end until mid-April, and you could submit your photos here.
[Via Yahoo! Shine]
Brutal DIY Weapons of the Ukrainian Revolution
Photos by Tom Jamieson
Ukraine has been in a state of political unrest for quite some time now, from protests, to the situation with Russia in Crimea. Meanwhile, photojournalists have been on the scene giving the world a glimpse of what's going on, and most of what we find are powerful images from the frontline. However, photographer Tom Jamieson went a different approach, instead of going after the frontline of battles that ensued, he became intrigued with what civilians were using. It was their homemade weapons that became subject to a series of portraits by Jamieson to show how determined these protesters were. Whether to fight or defend against government security forces, some fought with little more than sticks, bats and sledgehammers, and others were a bit more creative with their weaponry.
As Jamieson got a closer look, he noticed that some of these weapons were marked with names of home towns, messages for their intended targets, and some were decorated with religious symbols, or political cartoons. Each of these personalized tools of revolution were made with what he describes as a "DIY nature" that held a sense of pride among their owners, and each were detailed to tell its own story. In design, each were made with a specific and brutal purpose: "clubs and maces for bashing, slingshots and stones for hurling, and forked pikes for ripping the shields out of the hands of police."
In this photo series, the weapons are shown in the hands of their owners against a black backdrop, but far from a photo studio. Along with his assistant, Jamieson carried a black background cloth with them and they would set up outside in the square, in occupied buildings, or near the protesters’ tents, when they found a protester carrying an unique-looking weapon. Another interesting point of this series is that had to be shot specifically in the early morning or twilight hours to keep lighting consistent from one subject to the next.
Check out the following photos of the extraordinary weaponry found, and be sure to keep tabs on more of his work, as he sets out to visit Crimea, and separate trips to Eastern and Western Ukraine to shoot much more than weaponry.
[Via Wired]
NASA Photo Shares Spectacular Images in Essence of Cosmos Premiere
Photos by NASA Goddard Photo
At last, the first episode of the 13-part, Neil deGrasse Tyson, remake of the show Cosmos premiered this week. Broadcasting to more than 70 nations, it was the biggest launch ever for a global TV series. And in essence of the Cosmos premiere, the NASA Goddard Photo and Video Flickr account shared 43 spectacular, and very real images of different parts of the Universe to get you excited.
As if the NASA's Flickr wasn't interesting enough, it had a recent spike in popularity when they similarly shared a photo set in light of the Gravity's Oscar nominations. It seems they've found a way to engage a new generation to get enthusiastic about the wonders of the our universe, and we like it.
Check out some of our favorites below, and view the whole set here.
[Via PetaPixel]
