Ghostly Long Exposure Photography by Darren Moore
Photos by Darren Moore
Shot mostly around England, self-taught photographer Darren Moore creates ghostly, black and white images using a method called daytime long exposure. In this method, neutral density filters are attached to the camera lens to reduce the amount light, and allow the shutter to open for extended periods of time. All shots were created in broad daylight and with single exposures ranging from 30 seconds to up to 15 minutes. It's a process that requires much patience and stillness, something not everyone can do.
With the combination of long exposure, black and white photography, still water, reflection, and chosen locations like shipwrecks, abandoned homes, and other off-shores features, the set creates a haunting, almost unreal feel. This appeal has become something Moore is known for in just a few years as a full-time professional photographer, and has even earned him international awards and exhibits.
Check out some of our favorite images from his work, and be sure to check out more here.
[Via PetaPixel]
Nearly Lost Street Photography of NYC and Chicago from the 1950s-60s by Vivian Maier
Photos by Vivian Maier
Amazing New York street photographer, Vivian Maier, took thousands of photos in the 1950's and 60's that went unacknowledged until recently. In 2007, historian and collector John Maloof found a box with thousands her of black and white photography and film negatives, and struck gold. In 2011, only 2 year after her passing, he published a book of her photography and started traveling through exhibitions in the U.S. and Europe, gaining the acknowledgment that she rightfully deserved. A true story of fate and destiny.
For further background on this miraculous story, Maier was born in New York in 1926, lived in France and then returned to New York in 1951 where she lived for five years. In her time back in NYC, she wandered the streets with her Rolleiflex twin-lens reflex camera, and snapped pictures wherever she went. Later, she moved to Chicago to work as a nanny and did that for forty years, taking tons of photos into the late 1990's, all with a unique perspective. Throughout all these years, Maier ended up leaving a body of work comprising of over 100,000 negatives that she never shared with anyone, and many she never saw herself.
Now, her body of work has gone on to receive critical acclaim after 50 years of shooting them, and all to the credit of John Maloof. In 2007, after purchasing a box full of Maier's negatives for $400 at a local thrift auction on Chicago's Northwest Side, he realized that he stumbled upon an amazing set of photography to share to the world. And we're all glad he did.
Through the power and grace of black and white photography, the following photos capture a raw beauty of mid-century, metropolitan city life in America. The story and photography is all so captivating that it even inspired a documentary film, titled Finding Vivian Maier, and is showing in select theaters now. Also be sure to check out the official trailer, and more find more of her work here.
[Via Demilked]
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]
The Power of Image Manipulation by Dariusz Klimczak
Photos by Dariusz Klimczak
Through the power of image manipulation in Photoshop, Polish photographer Dariusz Klimczak creates dreamlike images, unique from anyone else. From playful to dreary, he manages to combine both human and animal subjects to defy gravity or even any simple law of physics. Furthermore, he prefers to keep the majority of his images in black and white to add a deeper, thought-provoking, and surreal effect. It's hard to believe that out of 30 years as a professional photographer, Kimczak has spent only a few creating photo manipulations.
Allow yourself to get lost in the following photos and check out more of his work here. Each image is abstract, original, and nothing short of brilliant.
[Via Demilked]
Phantogram: “Black Out Days”
Phantogram is back after a long break since their critically-acclaimed 2011 release, Nightlife. "Black Out Days" is a perfect reminder for avid listeners familiar with Sarah Barthel and Josh Carter's crafty production and sinewy vocals. They have been lending their talents as features for other acts for awhile now and "Black and White" is the first inkling of a potential release in the near future from the duo, check out the stream below.