Amazing Light Paintings by Trevor Williams [25 pics]

Light Painting by Trevor Williams

 

A self-proclaimed ‘camera freak’, Trevor Williams is an expert at light painting and night photography. Armed with a palette of custom light painting gadgets and tools he fabricated himself, Trevor creates incredible works of photographic art that have to be seen to believe.

Below you will find a small sample of his awesome work along with a brief overview of what exactly light painting is. Certified BADASS!

 

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Light Painting by Trevor Williams

 

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Light Painting by Trevor Williams

 

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Light Painting by Trevor Williams

 

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Light Painting by Trevor Williams

 

WHAT IS LIGHT PAINTING?

Light painting, also known as light drawing or light graffiti, is a photographic technique in which exposures are made usually at night or in a darkened room by moving a hand-held light source or by moving the camera. In many cases the light source itself does not have to appear in the image.

The term light painting also encompasses images lit from outside the frame with hand-held light sources. The first known photographer to use this technique was Man Ray in his series “Space Writing” created in 1935. The photographer Ellen Carey discovered Man Ray’s signature signed by penlight nearly 74 years after the pictures had been taken. [Source: Wikipedia]

 

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Light Painting by Trevor Williams

 

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Light Painting by Trevor Williams

 

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Light Painting by Trevor Williams

 

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Light Painting by Trevor Williams

 

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Light Painting by Trevor Williams

 

WHAT IS LIGHT PAINTING? Continued…

The light can either be used to selectively illuminate parts of the subject or to “paint” a picture by shining it directly into the camera lens. Light painting requires a sufficiently slow shutter speed, usually a second or more. Like night photography, it has grown in popularity since the advent of digital cameras because they allow photographers to see the results of their work immediately.

Flash lights or light pens can also be used to create Full Bleed images. Different colored lights can be used to project an image on the CCD. [Source: Wikipedia]

 

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Light Painting by Trevor Williams

 

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Light Painting by Trevor Williams

 

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Light Painting by Trevor Williams

 

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Light Painting by Trevor Williams

 

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Light Painting by Trevor Williams

 

TECHNIQUES & EQUIPMENT

A variety of light sources can be used, ranging from simple flashlights to dedicated devices like the Hosemaster, which uses a fiber optic light pen. Other sources of light including candles, matches, lighter flints, glowsticks, and Poi are also popular.

A tripod is usually necessary due to the long exposure times involved. Alternatively, the camera may be placed on or braced against a table or other solid support. A shutter release cable or self timer is generally employed in order to minimize camera shake. Color Gels can also be used to color the light sources.

Manual focus is often used since autofocus systems may not perform well in low light. In addition, photographers often use a slow film speed or low ISO setting on a digital sensor to minimize grain (or digital noise) and increase exposure tolerance, as evaluating exposure is often tricky.

Aperture is also an important variable in light painting. Smaller apertures such as f16 or f22 generate a sharper image and preserve a large depth of field, creating deep focus. This technique requires longer exposure times but creates interesting results. Larger apertures such as f5.6 or f2.8 often blur the lines drawn by a light pen or LED source. [Source: Wikipedia]

 

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Light Painting by Trevor Williams

 

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Light Painting by Trevor Williams

 

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Light Painting by Trevor Williams

 

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Light Painting by Trevor Williams

 

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Light Painting by Trevor Williams

 

TREVOR WILLIAMS ONLINE

– Fiz-iks
– Flickr
– Twitter
– YouTube
– Facebook
– Tumblr
– RedBubble

Fiz-iks is group of international artists based in Japan that have chosen photography and animated video as there medium. They specialize in light painting photography for the still and animated images.

They chose light painting because of its unique feel that cannot be duplicated with any other method. The basics of light painting involve moving different light sources in front of an open shutter to create different effects. The art combines photography, performance, and use of the local environment.

They are currently looking for new projects that include hosting workshops, collaborating with other artists, or partaking in exhibitions. They are also currently looking for sponsors. If you are interested in working with Fiz-iks on any level drop them an email [talktous(at)fiz-iks.com].

 

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Light Painting by Trevor Williams

 

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Light Painting by Trevor Williams

 

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Light Painting by Trevor Williams

 

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Light Painting by Trevor Williams

 

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Light Painting by Trevor Williams

 

 

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25 Mind-Blowing Aerial Photographs Around the World

Rano Kau volcano in Rapa Nui National Park, Easter Island, Chile – Photograph by YANN ARTHUS BERTRAND

 

 
For me, the allure of aerial photography is the unique perspective it gives. The world feels so different when viewed from above. It always gives me a newfound appreciation for this pale blue dot we call home.

In my opinion, there is no better aerial photographer than Yann Arthus Bertrand. His volume of work is incomparable, and he has an incredible eye for the interesting and provocative. I own one of his many coffee table books and it is absolutely mind-blowing. Below you will find information on Bertrand along with a small sample of his amazing work.
 

 

2. Islet in the terraced rice fields of Bali, Indonesia

Photograph by YANN ARTHUS BERTRAND

 

 

3. Djidji waterfalls, Ivindo National Park, Gabon

Photograph by YANN ARTHUS BERTRAND

 

 

4. Mount Everest, Himalayas, Nepal

Photograph by YANN ARTHUS BERTRAND

 

 

5. Pink ebony on the Kaw mountain, French Guiana

Photograph by YANN ARTHUS BERTRAND

 

 

YANN ARTHUS BERTRAND

 
Born in Paris, France on March 13, 1946, Yann Arthus-Bertrand is a world-renowned photographer specializing in aerial photography. He didn’t fully realize his talents as a photographer until he was older (early thirties), spending three years in the late 70s, in Kenya living with the Massai tribe and studying the behaviour of a pride of lions. He thus discovered a new passion for photography and the beauty of landscapes when observed from above in hot air balloons. He understood the power of a picture and how to communicate using this means.

Upon his return to France, he published in 1981 his first book Lions, first release of a series of 80 books. He also began a career as a reporter-photographer and closely worked with various naturalists including Dian Fossey and her mountain gorillas in Rwanda. His work was published in many internationally known magazines such as Paris Match, Geo, Life or National Geographic. In 1991, Yann created Altitude, the first photo agency specialized in aerial photography.

 

 

6. Gannet colony, Eldey island, Iceland

Photograph by YANN ARTHUS BERTRAND

 

 

7. Makoko shanty town, Lagos lagoon, Nigeria

Photograph by YANN ARTHUS BERTRAND

 

 

8. Satellite dishes on the roofs of Aleppo, Syria

Photograph by YANN ARTHUS BERTRAND

 

 

9. Moshav (co-operative village) farm at Nahalal, Israel

Photograph by YANN ARTHUS BERTRAND

 

 

10. The Orinoco River near the Esmeralda (Amazon Rain Forest), Venezuela

Photograph by YANN ARTHUS BERTRAND

 

YANN ARTHUS-BERTRAND continued…

 
In the 90s, under the patronage of UNESCO, Yann embarked upon his most ambitious project: creating an image bank of the Earth seen from above. Yann’s aim was to create a record of the world’s environment for present and future generations. In 1999, his work was published and The Earth from Above, translated in 24 languages, became one of the best selling illustrated books with more than three million copies sold worldwide. The Earth from Above is also an open-air free access exhibition that travels in more than 100 cities around the world and has attracted to this date over 100 million visitors. But it is still a work in progress. Many countries remain to be visited, and geographical coordinates of every shot will allow other photographers and scientists to locate and document the evolution of these sites.

In 2005 Yann Arthus-Bertrand created GoodPlanet, a non-profit organization which is dedicated to the promotion of sustainable development, his leitmotiv, through all his different projects. Yann would like to enable each and every one of us to become a custodian of our planet’s future and consequently of our own future. He also directed a series of four, two hour documentaries entitled Earth From Above – which was shown on French television in 2006-2007 –, and started this year the production of a feature length film on the state of the global environment and the challenges we are facing.

 

 

11. Iguazu waterfalls, Argentina and Brazil

Photograph by YANN ARTHUS BERTRAND

 

 

12. New Palm oil plantation, Borneo, Indonesia

Photograph by YANN ARTHUS BERTRAND

 

 

13. Bungle Bungle National Park, Kimberley, Australia

Photograph by YANN ARTHUS BERTRAND

 

 

14. Greenhouses in San Augustin near Almería, Andalusia, Spain

Photograph by YANN ARTHUS BERTRAND

 

 

15. Humid area near Surgut, Siberia, Russia

Photograph by YANN ARTHUS BERTRAND

 

 

BEAUTY

“For a long time, I was afraid to use that word. Still, it holds a truth and I have made it mine. There is a universal quality about beauty; in front of a vast landscape, we all share the same feeling of wonder. When nature is beautiful, we are all moved by it. While taking a photo ‘for beauty at its best’, I aim at eliciting emotion to provoke thought and the need to know more, to read the caption and learn what is at stake on the image.”

 

 

FRAMING

“When framing a photograph, one looks with more tension, more professionally; one concentrates, detached. The eye is alert. Emotion comes later. With time, the camera becomes an extension of oneself. I am practically unable to look at the world outside the frame of the camera. I am obsessed with the Large Picture. So much so that I would rather not see certain things than see them without a camera. Naturally, the photos I remember best are those I failed to take.”

 

 

16. The Maelifell volcano on the edge of the Myrdalsjökull glacier, Iceland

Photograph by YANN ARTHUS BERTRAND

 

 

17. Windmills of Banning Pass, near Palm Springs, California, United States

Photograph by YANN ARTHUS BERTRAND

 

 

18. Lumber yard in Port-Gentil, Ogooué-Maritime Province, Gabon

Photograph by YANN ARTHUS BERTRAND

 

 

19. Palm Jumeirah artificial island, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Photograph by YANN ARTHUS BERTRAND

 

 

PHOTOGRAPHY

 
“For me, photography is a way to share what I have seen. It also allows me to live the kind of life I want to live. I became an animal photographer to stay in Africa and study the lions. In the early stages at least, photography is the profession you embrace to live on the roads and travel; a camera provides an excellent excuse to take off, leaving responsibilities and ties behind.

I started out without much of a photographic culture and approached the profession as an entrepreneur: I needed to provide ideas, to be methodical in my projects. Technique has always seemed secondary to me. Nowadays, we are all capable of taking good pictures, particularly since auto-focus and digital cameras. It most certainly makes for demystification.

You need talent to ‘see’ – not to press the button. The best shots derive from enlightened amateurism, from the free and open vision of the amateur coupled with careful consideration, for photography demands much distancing. Which takes us back to the old and ongoing debate: is photography a fully-fledged art form, or just a means to testify?”

 

 

20. Malé Island, North Malé Atoll, Maldives

Photograph by YANN ARTHUS BERTRAND

 

 

21. Village of Koh Panyi, Phang Nga Bay, Thailand

Photograph by YANN ARTHUS BERTRAND

 

 

22. Louis-Saint-Laurent icebreaker in Resolute Bay, Nunavut Territory, Canada

Photograph by YANN ARTHUS BERTRAND

 

 

23. Salmon farm near Mechuque in the Chauques Islands, Chile

Photograph by YANN ARTHUS BERTRAND

 

 

24. Center-Pivot irrigation, Ma’an, Jordan

Photograph by YANN ARTHUS BERTRAND

 

 

25. The Separation Wall in the West Bank

Photograph by YANN ARTHUS BERTRAND

 

 

RESPONSIBILITY

“I became less flexible as a result of knowing the Earth. Since we all have a share of responsibility, I try to do my part on a daily basis. Earth from above, the book, sold over 2 million copies, plus the exhibitions and published photographs (with their captions, always). This means my work has a definite impact.

Hence, like all journalists, I must give careful thought to my responsibilities. In Buddhist philosophy, if your life is not in keeping with your words, your words are worth nothing. I believe each of us should attempt at leading an exemplary life. Though perfection may be an illusory goal, striving towards it in everyday life must deserve some credit.”

 

All information via YANNARTHUSBERTRAND.ORG

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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25 Stunning SKYLINES AROUND THE WORLD

 

 

 

 

 

25 Stunning Skylines Around the World

New York City – Photograph by DIGITALFREAKART

 

Following up from the Sifter’s first skyline post, here are 25 more stunning skylines around the world. These are by no means the ‘best’ skylines, just a collection of incredible photographs taken by some amazing photographers around the world. Almost all photographs are from the wonderful community over at deviantART. If you haven’t been, I recommend you check out their site, many of the artists sell their artwork and prints as well.

I tried not to duplicate too many of the cities covered in the first skyline post, so places like Chicago, Hong Kong and Shanghai were omitted. If you any suggestions for cities in the next series of skylines, please share in the comments below!

 

2. Melbourne, Australia

Photograph by XREBELXDIAMONDSX

 

3. Paris, France

Photograph by LAURENTIS

 

4. Damascus, Syria

Photograph by PRESPECT

 

5. Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Photograph by AL MILLER

 

6. Rome, Italy

Photograph by JONATHAN THOMAS

 

7. Moscow, Russia

Photograph by SHUPOV EVGENIY

 

8. Seattle, United States

Photograph by BRENT SMITH

 

9. Tokyo, Japan

Photograph by RAUN

 

10. Sydney, Australia

Photograph by CAZZARITCH

 

11. Frankfurt, Germany

Photograph by DEOROLLER

 

12. Sibiu, Romania

Photograph by VXSIDE

 

13. Malaga, Spain

Photograph by JUAN CHAVES

 

14. Singapore

Photograph by MISSPAUL

 

15. Bangkok, Thailand

Photograph by LUX69ATERNA

 

16. Philadelphia, United States

Photograph by PDAMAI

 

17. Lviv, Ukraine

Photograph by JONHYBLAZE

 

18. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Photograph by TALK3TALK4

 

19. Frankfurt, Germany

Photograph by MELMARC

 

20. Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Photograph by MARCIN STAWIARZ

 

21. Sao Paulo, Brazil

Photograph by KAXSP

 

22. Paris, France

Photograph by EREZ MAROM

 

23. Brisbane, Australia

Photograph by INEXISTENTIA

 

24. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Photograph by POLVODESTRELLAS

 

25. New York City, United States

Photograph by XXCHANGE

 

 

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25 Incredible Aerial Photos of Stadiums Around the World

CAPE TOWN STADIUM, SOUTH AFRICA – Photograph by Bruce Sutherland


Between these walls, dreams come true. Legends are born, rivalries are made and the agony of defeat always lingers. They bring people together for the love of sport and competition. For us, it’s the thrill of the game and the chance to witness something remarkable. Below you will find 25 incredible aerial photographs of stadiums around the world. Enjoy!

2. PETCO Park – San Diego, California

Photograph by Travis Payne

3. Penn State’s Beaver Stadium

Photograph by Penn State

4. Estadio Cicero Pompeu De Toledo – Sao Paulo, Brazil

Photograph by Miguel Schincariol

5. Three Rivers Stadium – Pittsburgh

Photograph by Jim Gumm

6. Shea Stadium 1986 World Series

Photograph by Newsday

7. Duke vs UNC @ Duke Stadium 1943

Photograph by Duke University Archives

8. Raymond James Stadium, Tampa Bay

Photograph by Bill Cobb

9. Mackay Stadium – Nevada

Photograph by University of Nevada

10. California Memorial Stadium

Photograph by Michael Layefsky

11. Gillette Stadium – Foxborough, Mass.

Photograph by Art01852

12. Wembley Stadium – London, England

Photograph by Phillage

13. Memorial Stadium – Minnesota

Photograph by Jim Gumm

14. Santiago Bernbeau – Madrid, Spain

Photograph by Funkbreaks

15. Neyland Stadium – Tennessee

Photograph by Matt Owens

16. Allianz Arena – Munich, Germany

Photograph by Sille @ Panoramio

17. Bank of America Stadium – Charlotte, North Carolina

Photograph by DMWright1

18. PITT Stadium – Pittsburgh

Photograph by Jim Gumm

19. Qualcomm Stadium – San Diego

Photograph by Kevin Baird

20. Michigan Stadium – Ann Arbor, Michigan

Photograph by arkley68

21. Sun Life Stadium – Miami, Florida

Photograph by FloridaPhoto.com

22. Kenan Stadium – North Carolina

Photograph by Jim Gumm

23. Estadio de Maracana – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Photograph by Dan

24. Old Yankee Stadium – New York City

Photograph by Curlygirl13

25. Olympic Stadium (under construction) – London, England

Photograph by Tom Last

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25 Magnificent Pictures of LIONS

Photograph by Natalie Manuel


The mighty lion is the second largest cat in the world (tigers are the biggest), with some males weighing more than 550 lbs (250kg)! Residing in both Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa, these magnificent creatures are a sight to behold.

With no natural predators, these big cats rule the land they roam. Please enjoy these 25 stunning photographs of the magnificent LION.

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Photograph by Piet Flour

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Photograph by Ken from MD

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Photograph by Mats Grimfoot

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Photograph by Jessica Whitehead Photography

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Photograph by Jay Peg

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Photograph by Woxys

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Photograph by Woxys

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Photograph by Woxys

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Photograph by BriDesign

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Photograph by Safari Partners

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Photograph by Nikolai Zinoviev

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Photograph by Shlomi Nissim

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Photograph by Safari Partners

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Photograph by Natalie Manuel

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Photograph by Louis Despres

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Photograph by H-E Photography

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Photograph by Oetzy

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Photograph by Soren S. Nielsen

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Photograph by Shoggy

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Photograph by Yury Prokopenko

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Photograph by Safari Partners

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Photograph by Lotte Blachfeldt

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Photograph by JonesCrusher

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Photograph by Place in the Dirt

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Astonishing Underwater Sculptures by Jason deCaires Taylor [30 pics]

Jason deCaires Taylor’s underwater sculptures create a unique, absorbing and expansive visual seascape. Highlighting natural ecological processes, Taylor’s interventions explore the intricate relationships that exist between art and environment. His works become artificial reefs, attracting marine life, while offering the viewer privileged temporal encounters, as the shifting sand of the ocean floor, and the works change from moment to moment.

Below you will find a small collection of his work. For more pictures and extensive details on each project, the Sifter highly recommends Jason deCaires official site. Enjoy!

JASON DECAIRES TAYLOR: ARTIST BIO

Jason deCaires Taylor is a man of many identities, whose work resonates with the influences of his eclectic life. Growing up in Europe and Asia with his English father and Guyanese mother nurtured his passion for exploration and discovery. Much of his childhood was spent on the coral reefs of Malaysia where he developed a profound love of the sea and a fascination with the natural world.

This would later lead him to spend several years working as a scuba diving instructor in various parts of the globe, developing a strong interest in conservation, underwater naturalism and photography. His bond with the sea remains a constant throughout Taylor’s life though other key influences are found far from the oceans. During his teenage years, work as a graffiti artist fired his interest in the relationship between art and the environment, fostering an ambition to produce art in public spaces and directing the focus of his formal art training.

He graduated in 1998 from the London Institute of Arts, with a B.A. Honours in Sculpture and Ceramics. Later, experience in Canterbury Cathedral taught him traditional stone carving techniques whilst five years working in set design and concert installations exposed him to cranes, lifting, logistics and completing projects on a grand scale.

With this range of experiences he was equipping himself with the skills required to execute the ambitious underwater projects that have made his name. Carving cement instead of stone and supervising cranes while in full scuba gear to create artificial reefs submerged below the surface of the Caribbean Sea, the various strands of his diverse life resolve themselves convincingly in the development of his underwater sculptures. These ambitious, public works have a practical, functional aspect, facilitating positive interactions between people and fragile underwater habitats.

Jason deCaires Taylor has gained significant interest and recognition for his unique work, with features in over 1000 publications around the world, including National Geographic, Vogue, USA today, the BBC, and CNN and he has made several TV appearances.

His international reputation was established in May 2006, when he created the world’s first underwater sculpture park in Grenada, West Indies, leading to both private and public commissions. Taylor is currently founder and Artistic Director of the Museo Subacuático del Arte (MUSA) in Cancun, Mexico.

JASON DECAIRES TAYLOR’S ‘VICISSITUDES’

Vicissitudes depicts a circle of figures, all linked through holding hands. These are life-size casts taken from a group of children of diverse ethnic background. Circular in structure and located five meters below the surface, the work both withstands strong currents and replicates one of the primary geometric shapes, evoking ideas of unity and continuum.

The underwater environment is much like that of the outdoors. An object is subject to changes in light and prevailing weather conditions. The cement finish and chemical composition of Vicissitudes actively promotes the colonisation of coral and marine life. The figures are transformed over time by their environment, and conversely as this happens so they change the shape of their habitat. This natural process echoes the changes exacted through growing up. Social interchange shapes this process, while conversely as the product of a particular society we in turn invoke change on the workings and dynamics of that environment.

The sculpture proposes growth, chance, and natural transformation. It shows how time and environment impact on and shape the physical body. Children by nature are adaptive to their surroundings. Their use within the work highlights the importance of creating a sustainable and well-managed environment, a space for future generations. Taylor notes that close to forty percent of coral reefs worldwide has been destroyed and that this figure is set to increase. His work reminds us that the marine environment is in a constant state of flux, and that this in turn reflects poignantly the vicissitudes, changing landscapes, of our own lives.

JASON DECAIRES TAYLOR’S ‘THE LOST CORRESPONDENT’

The Lost Correspondent depicts a man sitting at a desk with a typewriter. The desk is covered with a collection of newspaper articles and cuttings that date back to the 1970s. Many of these have political significance, a number detail Grenada’s alignment with Cuba in the period immediately prior to the revolution. The work informs the rapid changes in communication between generations. Taking the form of a traditional correspondent, the lone figure becomes little more than a relic, a fossil in a lost world.

JASON DECAIRES TAYLOR’S ‘GARDENER OF HOPE’

La Jardinera de la Esperanza (the gardener of hope), depicts a young girl lying on garden patio steps, cultivating a variety of plant pots. The sculpture is sited four metres beneath the surface Punta Nizuc, Cancun. The pots are propagated with live coral cuttings rescued from areas of the reef system damaged by storms and human activity. This technique, a well-established procedure in reef conservation, rescues damaged coral fragments by providing a suitable new substrate.





The sculpture, a synthesis between art and science, conveys a message of hope and prosperity, portraying human intervention as positive and regenerating. The young Girl symbolizes a new, revitalized kinship with the environment, a role model for future generations.

The interaction between the inanimate and living forms highlights a potential symbiotic relationship with the life systems of the underwater world. Over the past few decades we have lost over 40% of our natural coral reefs. Scientists predict a permanent demise of 80% by 2050. The Gardner of Hope is designed to focus attention on this important, often forgotten, ecological issue. Built into the base of the sculpture are specialized habitat spaces designed to encourage individual types of marine creatures such as moray eels, juvenile fish and lobsters.

JASON DECAIRES TAYLOR’S ‘ARCHIVE OF LOST DREAMS’

The Archive of Lost Dreams depicts an underwater archive, maintained by a male registrar. The archive is a collection of hundreds of messages in bottles brought together by the natural forces of the ocean. The registrar is collating the individual bottles and categorising the contents according to the nature of each message – fear, hope, loss, or belonging.





Various communities from a broad spectrum of ethnic, religious and cultural backgrounds have been invited to provide the messages, which, it is hoped, will document current values and aspirations for future generations to discover.





The sculpture is placed within an area of the national marine park, which had been previously damaged, by hurricanes and tropical storms. The choice of location aims to draw the high number of visitors to the region away from other sections of pristine reef allowing them space to develop naturally.

ARTIFICIAL REEFS

Oceans teem with microscopic organisms that are constantly drifting down towards the sea bed, attaching to and colonising on the way any hard secure surface, such as rock outcrops, and thereby creating the basis of a natural reef. Coral reefs attract an array of marine life (such as colourful fish, turtles, sea urchins, sponges, and sharks) and also provide enclosed spaces for sea creatures to breed or take refuge.





Only about 10 – 15% of the sea bed has a solid enough substratum to allow reefs to form naturally. In order to increase the number of reefs in these areas artificial reefs have recently been created from materials that are durable, secure and environmentally sensitive. These reefs appear to have been successful in that they have attracted coral growth which, in turn, can support an entire marine ecosystem.





One of the greatest benefits of artificial reefs is that they have lifted the pressure off natural reefs which, over the past few decades, have been over-fished and over-visited. By diverting attention to artificial reefs, natural reefs have now been given a greater chance to repair and to regenerate.

ALL INFORMATION AND PHOTOGRAPHY VIA UNDERWATERSCULPTURE.COM

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Top 10 Facts of the World’s Largest Land Animal [20 pics]

Photograph by Nick Brandt

1.

Did you know there are only three species of elephant living today? They are: the African bush elephant, the African forest elephant and the Asian elephant (also known as the Indian elephant). All other species are extinct.



Photograph by Nick Brandt

2.

Elephants are the world’s largest land animals now living. The largest elephant ever recorded was shot in Angola in 1956. This male weighed about 24,000 lb (11,000 kg), with a shoulder height of 3.96 meters (13.0 ft), a metre (yard) taller than the average male African elephant.



Photograph by Beverly Joubert

3.

The elephant’s gestation period is 22 months, the longest of any land animal. At birth it is common for an elephant calf to weigh 120 kilograms (260 lb). They typically live for 50 to 70 years, but the oldest recorded elephant lived for 82 years. Healthy adult elephants have no natural predators, although lions may take calves or weak individuals.



Photograph by paddyboy

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With a mass just over 5 kg (11 lb), elephant brains are larger than those of any other land animal. A wide variety of behaviours associated with intelligence have been attributed to elephants, including those associated with grief, making music, art, altruism, play, use of tools, compassion and self-awareness.



Photograph by Eduard

5.

Elephants live in a structured social order. The social lives of male and female elephants are very different. The females spend their entire lives in tightly knit family groups made up of mothers, daughters, sisters, and aunts. These groups are led by the eldest female, or matriarch. Adult males, on the other hand, live mostly solitary lives.



Photograph by Nick Brandt

6.

The tusks of an elephant are its second upper incisors. Tusks grow continuously; an adult male’s tusks grow about 18 cm (7 in) a year. Tusks are used to dig for water, salt, and roots; to debark trees to eat the bark; to dig into baobab trees to get at the pulp inside; and to move trees and branches when clearing a path. In addition, they are used for marking trees to establish territory, and occasionally as weapons.



Photograph by Nick Brandt

7.

The proboscis, or trunk, is a fusion of the nose and upper lip, elongated and specialized to become the elephant’s most important and versatile appendage. African elephants are equipped with two fingerlike projections at the tip of their trunk, while Asians have only one. The elephant’s trunk is sensitive enough to pick up a single blade of grass, yet strong enough to rip the branches off a tree.

The trunk is also used for drinking. Elephants suck water up into the trunk—up to 14 liters (15 quarts) at a time—and then blow it into their mouths. Elephants also suck up water to spray on their bodies during bathing. On top of this watery coating, the animals will then spray dirt and mud, which dries and acts as a protective sunscreen. When swimming, the trunk makes an excellent snorkel.



Photograph by Sandy Powers

8.

Elephants swim well, but cannot trot, jump, or gallop. They do have two gaits: a walk and a faster gait that is similar to running.



Photograph by Aaron Logan

9.

African elephants, are currently found in 37 countries in Africa. They are distinguished from Asian elephants in several ways, the most noticeable being their much larger ears. Also, the African elephant is typically larger than the Asian elephant and has a concave back. In Asian elephants, only males have tusks, but both males and females of African elephants have tusks and are usually less hairy than their Asian cousins.



Photograph by William Albert Allard

10.

Elephants are herbivores and spend up to 16 hours a day eating plants. Their diets are highly variable, both seasonally and across habitats and regions. Elephants are primarily browsers, feeding on the leaves, bark, and fruits of trees and shrubs, but they may also eat considerable grasses and herb.



Photograph by Nick Brandt



Photograph by Sklmsta




Photograph by Eduard



Photograph by Sandy Powers



Photograph by Bernard Gagnon



Photograph by Nick Brandt



Photograph by George Steinmetz



Photograph by Nick Brandt



Photograph by Frank G. and Frances Carpenter



Photograph by Andrew Styan


SOURCES
– Wikipedia: Elephant
– 1x.com: Photography
– Nick Brandt: Photography
– National Geographic




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Nature’s Fury: 30 Chilling Photos of Natural Hazards

Supercell Thunderstorm in Montana – Photograph by Sean Heavey


From violent volcanoes to horrifying hurricanes, Mother Nature’s fury is a sight to behold. With so much human conflict and suffering, we often underestimate the awesome and destructive power of nature. While the science behind these events is utterly fascinating, the consequences can be dire and we must respect the power of the planet we live in. Here are 30 chilling reminders of nature’s fury:

2. Chaiten Volcano – Chana, Chile (May 2008)

Photograph by Carlos Gutierrez

3. Forest Fire – Dolginino, Russia (Aug. 2010)

Photograph by ARTYOM KOROTAYEV/AFP/Getty Images

4. Undersea Volcano – Coast of Tonga (March 2009)

Photograph by Dana Stephenson/Getty Images

5. Kliuchevskoi Volcano – (Russia Sept. 1994)

Photograph by NASA-Johnson Space Center

6. Double Cyclone – Iceland (Nov. 2006)

Photograph by NASA/Jesse Allen

7. Flooding (from Typhoon ‘Ketsana’) – Manila, Phillippines (Sept. 2009)

Photograph by Jay Directo/AFP/Getty Images

8. Tornado – Oklahoma, United States (May 2010)

Photograph by Willoughby Owen

9. Hurricane Felix – Honduras (Sept. 2007)

Photograph by NASA

10. Lightning Strike – New York City (2010)

Photograph by Jay Fine

11. Mt. Saint Helens Volcano – Washington, United States (May 1980)

Photograph by USGS

12. Flooding – Cedar Rapids, Iowa (June 2008)

Photograph by David Greedy/Getty Images

13. Mount Merapi Volcano – Indonesia (Nov 2010)

Photograph by SONNY TUMBELAKA/AFP/Getty Images

14. Chaiten Volcano – Chana, Chile (May 2008)

Photograph by ALVARO VIDAL/AFP/Getty Images

15. Dust Storm – China (April 2001)

Photograph by NASA/Jesse Allen, Robert Simmon/MODIS science team

16. Mt. Saint Helens Volcano – Washington, United States (Aug. 1980)

Photograph by AP Photo/USGS, Lyn Topinka

17. Lightning Storm – Roswell, New Mexico (July 2010)

Photograph by AP Photo/Roswell Daily Record, Mark Wilson

18. Brush Fires – Sylmar, California (Sept. 2009)

Photograph by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

19. Eyjafjallajokull Volcano – Iceland (April 2010)

Photograph by Reuters/Lucas Jackson

20. Flooding (Tropical Storm Agatha) – Guatemala (May 2010)

Photograph by Reuters/Casa Predicencial

21. Undersea Volcano – Tonga (March 2009)

Photograph by LOTHAR SLABON/AFP/Getty Images

22. Wildfires – California (Sept. 2009)

Photograph by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

23. Dust Storm – Australia (Sept. 2009)

Photograph by NASA/JPL

24. Flooding – Iowa, United States (June 2008)

Photograph by AP Photo/Jeff Roberson

25. Mt. Etna Volcano – Sicily, Italy (Oct. 2002)

Photograph by NASA-Johnson Space Center

26. Eyjafjallajokull Volcano – Iceland (April 2010)

Photograph by HALLDOR KOLBEINS/AFP/Getty Images

27. Brushfires – Victoria, Australia (Feb 2009)

Photograph by AP Photo

28. Tornado – Iowa, United States (June 2008)

Photograph by AP Photo/Lori Mehmen

29. Chaiten Volcano – Chana, Chile (May 2008)

Photograph by AP Photo/La Tercera

30. Storm Clouds – South Dakota, United States (2009)

Photograph by Patrick Kelley

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25 Hilarious Halloween Costumes

 

 

Like every Halloween before it, this year saw no shortage of hilarious and creative costumes. Some were meticulously crafted, others were delightfully simple. A quick search on Reddit for ‘costume’ revealed thousands of submissions all clamoring for the coveted Internet seal of approval. Below are 25 hilarious entries that caught the Sifter’s eye, enjoy!

 

 

1. Lego Man

 

 

2. Urkel meets the real Urkel!

 

 

3. Jersey Shore

 

 

4. Snoop as The Count

 

 

5. Banksy Comes to Life!

 

 

6. Optimus Pint

 

 

7. Pink Floyd Album Covers

 

 

8. Che Guvera T-Shirt

 

 

9. Leelu (The Fifth Element)

 

 

10. Street Fighter vs Mortal Kombat

 

 

 

11. Just A Bill

 

 

12. Zack Morris

 

 

13. Philosoraptor

 

 

14. Sriracha Hot Sauce

 

 

15. Zoidberg

 

 

16. Minecraft Creeper

 

 

17. Merman?

 

 

18. Son of Man Painting by Rene Magritte

 

 

19. Dr. Octopus

 

 

 

 

20. Boba Fett

 

 

21. Post-It Man (Office Space)

 

 

22. AT-ST (All-Terrain Scout Transport)

 

 

23. Double Rainbow

 

 

24. Stormtrooper

 

 

25. BP Oil Spill

 

 

 

 

 

 

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23 More Funny and Creative Halloween Costumes

 

 

The 40 Best Halloween Costumes of 2012

 

 

25 Hilarious Halloween Costumes from the Past Weekend

 

 

25 Stunning Photographs of Birds in Flight

Photograph by Sidney Bovy

 

The beauty of flight is best portrayed by our feathered friends. Try as we may with our expensive jets and giant airliners, there is no comparison to the grace and effortless movement of the bird. These twenty-five beautiful photographs from 1x.com (an incredible photography site that I highly recommend) are a testament to that notion 🙂

 

2.

Greater Spotted Eagle | Photograph by Nissim

 

3.

Puffin | Photograph by Olof Petterson

 

4.

Photograph by Risquillo

 

5.

Barn Owl | Photograph by Mvbalkom

 

6.

Photograph by Murat Sanli

 

7.

Bald Eagle | Photograph by Harry Eggens

 

8.

Hen Harrier | Photograph by Henrik Just

 

9.

Seagull | Photograph by Mohammad Shirani

 

10.

Northern Hawk Owl | Photograph by Francesco Renzi

 

11.

Photograph by Sandy Powers

 

12.

Merops Apiaster | Photograph by CORAL

 

13.

Photograph by Nissim

 

14.

Hummingbird | Photograph by Roie Galitz

 

15.

Baby Owl | Photograph by Yaki Zander

 

16.

Tern | Photograph by Nissim

 

17.

Photograph by Nissim

 

18.

Photograph by Anthony Roberts

 

19.

Photograph by Dare Turnsek

 

20.

Black Kite | Photograph by Nissim

 

21.

Seagull | Photograph by Andre Eide

 

22.

Short-toed Eagle | Photograph by Nissim

 

23.

Marsh Harrier | Photograph by Nissim

 

24.

Photograph by Palankaizs

 

25.

White-tailed Eagle | Photograph by Henrik Just

 

 

 

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