Category: WOW

To nature enthusiast and self-proclaimed “lover of creative and adventurous things” Tobias Meyer, the sky is the limit.

Based in Switzerland—though seemingly always on the go—this 22-year-old travel photographer finds inspiration in the great outdoors. He documents his picturesque escapades on Instagram (under the pseudonym cosmokoala), where he shares everything from surreal sunsets to charming cabins and snowshoe hikes to helicopter rides. The result is a collage of beautifully-shot, wanderlust-inducing photos that read more as a stunning study of nature than as a social media account. 

Unsurprisingly, Meyer thrives on spontaneity and risk, throwing caution to the wind and believing that “the harder it is to get to the subject, the more unique the photograph will ultimately be.”  This thrill-seeking mantra materializes in amazing shots of steep cliffs, sky-high bridges, and cute-but-too-close-for-comfort bears. To Meyer, these once-in-a-lifetime moments—and consequent captures—are what traveling is all about: “An adventure means not knowing what to expect next.” Talk about a happy camper!

Tobias Meyer: Instagram | Website 
via [Instagram Blog]

All images via Tobias Meyer.

Artist Angela Schwer crafts clay sculptures that showcase the beautiful bounty of nature. Her intricate, detailed works are ripe with texture as leaves, fungi, sea urchins, and more are clustered together in decorative tiles to hang on your wall. Constructed in a single neutral color, the beauty of these organic shapes shine.

Schwer’s work revolves around the parts of nature that are often overlooked. “I could spend all day looking over fabrics, cellular photography, and the complexity of plant structures,” she writes. This fascination is translated into tiny, individually-formed elements that seemingly burst with life.

Although Schwer’s pieces look like porcelain, she actually produces them from polymer clay—a material that hardens in conventional ovens. “I enjoy the look of surprise when witnessing a shift in another’s perspective on what polymer clay can be used for,” she explains. “Previously considered a craft medium, I have found that polymer can be used in unexpected ways to create explosive pieces of art.”

These one-of-a-kind pieces are available through Schwer’s Etsy shop, DillyPad.

DillyPad: Website | Etsy

Rising up as spectral monsters, the New York City buildings captured by photographer Marc Yankus loom as giants in the urban landscape. The series of dreamlike images give new perspective to the architecture, and by pulling back to show his subjects in their naked context Yankus forces the viewer to observe their raw impact. The solitude that inhabits the photographs are in stark contrast to the normally buzzing city streets. This solitude enhances the magnitude of the historical buildings, which stand as silent witnesses to the passages of time. The alternating cool and warm tones of the photographs lend a cinematic quality to the series, where the buildings appear to be ripped from the set of a post-apocalyptic science fiction film.

Yankus’ work also serves as a time capsule of the evolving urban fabric. Some images commemorate the majestic past, while others look toward a decaying future. “On my way to the museum one day [when I was a boy], I was horrified to see wrecking crews knocking down one of my favorite buildings, a Beaux-Arts apartment building on 79th Street. In the months that followed, a monstrosity of a tower rose in its place. And while that eyesore is still standing today, the lost building—gone now for 40 years—endures in my memory [as] a fading, elegiac postcard of a lost time and place. In my current artwork, I seek to document New York’s iconic, lost, and forgotten architecture, from humble, small buildings to soaring skyscrapers. . . The buildings are not presented simply as they are. Muted of distracting visual noise, they represent my vision of how they ought to be seen.”

The Secret Lives of Buildings will be on view at ClampArt in New York from October 13 – November 26, 2016.

Marc Yankus: Website | Facebook | Instagram
via [archatlas]

All photos via Marc Yankus

Today, thanks to publicly accessible, digitized—or photographically reproduced—collections, art lovers can virtually “visit” museums through the screens of their computers, smartphones, and tablets. One major institution that has embraced this new technology is New York’s famed Museum of Modern Art (MoMA). In addition to browsing prominent pieces from its permanent collection (over 70,000 reproductions are available online), now, you can explore every exhibition presented by the museum since its grand debut in 1929.

According to Michelle Elligott, the museum’s Chief of Archives, the new exhibition history tool offers “free and unprecedented access to The Museum of Modern Art’s ever-evolving exhibition history.” It commences with the museum’s inaugural exhibition—a showcase of Post-Impressionist greats like Cézanne, Gauguin, Seurat, and Van Gogh—and will continue to grow, “with new and forthcoming exhibitions appearing in the history as soon as they’re added to the calendar on MoMA’s website.”

Each exhibition materializes before your eyes with installation photographs, digitized reproductions of catalogues (including rare and out-of-print publications), master checklists, and press releases. Any show is also easily searchable, with selections narrowed down based on keyword, “type” (exhibitions, film series, performance programs, and other installations), and decade.  

Now you can stroll (and scroll) down memory lane with state-of-the-art ease.

Above image: Installation view of Cézanne, Gauguin, Seurat, Van Gogh (November 7–December 7, 1929)

 Installation view of Cubism and Abstract Art (March 2–April 19, 1936)

Installation view of Abstract Painting and Sculpture in America (January 23–March 25, 1951)

 Installation view of Masterpieces from the Collection (March 2, 1982–March 1, 1983)

Installation view of Monet’s Water Lilies (September 13, 2009–April 12, 2010)

Installation view of Painting & Sculpture II (November 20, 2004–August 5, 2015)

Museum of Modern Art (MoMA): Website | Blog
via [Mental Floss] 

All images via MoMA.

Born and raised on the east side of Oahu, Hawaii, Morgan Halas is obsessed with anything and everything that has to do with the ocean. As evident through the photographs and videos on his website and Instagram, he loves spending time in the open water whether it’s diving, surfing, or capturing incredible and rare footage of ocean life. Many of his images, particularly his Water Shoot series, feature experienced free divers like himself placed within the ocean environment and evoke a sense of surrealism and romanticism. His unique ability to capture light at deep depths and accentuate the graceful poses of his underwater subjects produce these peaceful, dreamlike images.

Halas does not consider himself a photographer. He dabbled in photography in high school but did not fully submerge himself in the activity until around 2014 or 2015. When he realized the surrounding landscape and places he loved most were also extremely photogenic, he decided to delve further into photography and share them through film.

Environmental conservation is naturally a topic close to his heart, as Halas treasures the time he spends among ocean wildlife. His portfolio includes beautiful moments of sharks, dolphins, turtles, and stingrays, as well as awe-inspiring locations in Oahu and throughout Hawaii. We were grateful for the opportunity to ask Halas some questions about his photography. Scroll down to read our exclusive interview.

How did you first decide to start shooting photography underwater? What appeals to you most about shooting these types of photos?

Growing up in Hawaii, you are kind of destined to be in the water. I think it is second nature for anyone from here to pick up a camera and end up taking it into the ocean. Underwater photos to me have a dramatic feeling. I like the high contrast settings and the way the light appears underwater.

How do you select which subjects you work with and what is the process of working with them?

Most of the people I shoot are experienced free divers. The process is easy working with them because the sport of free diving is very relaxed and controlled, which makes for great photos. If I’m not shooting a free diver, I usually have a few basic poses that most people can achieve. Light, the clarity of the water, and being safe is very important when I am shooting. I take all my photos while free diving and it very important to know your limits. Shallow water blackouts are very common in free diving and could lead to death if you aren’t diving with a partner.

Besides photos of people under water, you also shoot wildlife and scenic photography. What is the creative process behind these photos?

Wildlife is by far my favorite to shoot. There is no greater feeling than having a positive interaction with a wild animal in the ocean. Most animals in the ocean are very curious about humans. It is so cool to watch them come and inspect you. It is kind of hard to get a good photo of them though, because you can’t instruct them. You just have to hope that the moment is right. I think that is why its so fulfilling to get a good shot of an animal. You have to put in the time and patience, and also be lucky. 

What messages do you hope to convey through your photography?

I try hard to portray feelings in my photos and the way I edit them. There is no greater feeling than looking at a photograph and noticing all the little details that help to tell a story. I hope my photos inspire passion to constantly strive and reach goals. I also hope my photos inspire people to love nature more, and to reveal that animals have feelings just like us. It is funny how people are so surprised when they do realize this.

What other projects are you working on, and what is next for you?

Right now I am working with my friend Natalie Parra and Keiko Conservation on projects to spread awareness for ocean conservation. I am not sure what is next for me, but whatever it is I’m excited for new opportunities. 

Morgan Halas: Website | Instagram

My Modern Met granted permission to use photos by Morgan Halas.

Detention—whether you’ve experienced it directly or not, you know it’s not the ideal place to spend your school day. Long hours spent staring at the clock or doing busy work were anything but motivating. However, for students at Baltimore’s Robert W. Coleman Elementary School, being sent to detention is an opportunity to practice mindfulness and awareness.

Misbehaving children are sent to a purple-pillowed space called The Mindful Meditation Room, which allows them to calm down and recenter through breathing exercises and mediation before reentering the classroom. The room was created in partnership with Holistic Life Foundation, Inc. which is a non-profit organization “committed to nurturing the wellness of children and adults in underserved communities.” Not only do children with disciplinary problems make use of the space, the meditation is a comforting treatment for those suffering from anxiety, headaches, stomach problems, and stress. The twenty-minute sessions taught by mindfulness instructors have already made an impact in the school. Since its induction into Robert W. Coleman, not one suspension has been issued.

The science and benefits behind regular mediation practice is readily known for adults…so why wouldn’t it work with school-aged children? The Mindful Meditation Room already seems to be successful, according to the student testimonials on the Holistic Life Foundation website. One 5th grader speaks of using breathing exercises before a big exam: “I took deep breaths to stay calm and just finish the test. When everybody around you is making a lot of noises just trying to tune them out…and be yourself, do your breathing.” Another student has taken the exercises learned at school and has translated them for the home: “This morning I got mad at my Dad, but then I remembered to breathe and then I didn’t shout.”

The students of Robert W. Coleman are learning important lessons they will take through their whole lives. Perhaps Mindful Meditation Rooms will catch on to more elementary schools who are looking to make detention a time for students to become their better selves.

Holistic Life Foundation, Inc. : Website | Facebook | Twitter
via [Hello Giggles]

All images via Holistic Life Foundation, Inc.

A Japanese sweet treat has made its way across the Pacific and to New York City, where it’s now delighting ice creaming lovers on the other side of the world. Known as taiyaki, this popular street food is a fish-shaped cake made of waffle or pancake batter and filled with red bean paste.

In the Chinatown and Little Italy neighborhoods, this version of taiyaki has a noticeable tweak to its design. The fish’s mouth stands wide open and holds soft serve ice cream flavors like green tea and black sesame. This adorable cone also has a tasty surprise: the tail is filled with custard or red bean, ensuring you’re satisfied until the last bite.

If you’re in Manhattan and want to try this playful dessert, head to the aptly-named store Taiyaki NYC—they sell these delectable creatures seven days a week. In the meantime, check out the mouth-watering photos from patrons, below.

Above photo credit: @stuffbeneats

Photo credit: @amyventures

Photo credit: Taiyaki NYC

Photo credit: @stephaniezheng

Photo credit: @dianaeatsnyc

Photo credit: @deslaw48

Photo credit: @kimberstefani

Photo credit: @_mzm_410

Taiyaki NYC: Website | Facebook | Instagram
via [RocketNews24]

The world looks very different through the eyes of a 19-month-old, which we can now see thanks to the pictures taken by Stanley Jones, the son of British Army photographer Timothy Jones. One bright and summery day, Jones shared his old Canon G12 with Stanley and taught him how to press the shutter and shout out “say cheese.” Jones writes, “He wandered round the house and garden snapping away saying ‘cheese’ at everything. He even managed to switch the settings to ‘sepia’ at one point.”

Every photographer has his own style—even young Stanley, who “looks through the viewfinder…rather than use the LCD screen on the back.” Nevertheless, his photographs showcase a day in the life of a two-foot-tall child. He shares points of view that are seldom seen by adults, such as the underside of the kitchen table and the towering statures of parents standing up. Many of the pictures feature Stanley’s small sneakered feet, literally giving us the opportunity to walk in his shoes! 

Scroll through to see Stanley’s snapshots!

At one point, Stanley found the Sepia button!

And here are portraits of the young photographer at work.

via [PetaPixel]

All images via Timothy Jones.

Delicate and exceptionally elaborate, Pippa Dyrlaga’s exquisite paper art is a cut above the rest.

The Yorkshire-based artist transforms simple sheets of plain paper into extraordinarily complex works of art using nothing but a pencil and a scalpel. Dyrlaga fell in love with the craft as an art student in 2010, after dabbling in the art of silhouette-making. Eventually, however, she turned her attention toward more intricate and complicated projects. Her astounding attention to detail (and undeniable patience) is apparent in each creation; from birds with wings as light as lace to fragile hand-lettering, her chosen subject matter showcases her skillful and steady hand. 

To create each splendid piece, Dyrlaga first sketches a mirror-image of her desired design on a sheet of paper, paying particular attention to where she’ll strategically make each incision. She then uses an X-Acto knife to carefully cut along the contours of the drawing, and the finished work is eventually flipped over to reveal a clean and crisp cutout. 

Dyrlaga certainly has her work cut out for her: depending on the level of detail and preemptive research involved, a work of art can take anywhere from four to 100 hours to complete. For the dedicated artist, however, “the process is just as important as the finished product”—proving that great art is truly a labor of love!

To see more of Dyrlaga’s whimsical work, be sure to check out her website and her Etsy shop. She also creates greeting cards and other stationary, available on Bear Follows Cat.

Pippa Dyrlaga: Website | Facebook | Etsy | Instagram
via [Huffington Post]

All images via Pippa Dyrlaga.

Once a year, the Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards celebrate the amazing diversity—and the overwhelming silliness—of the animal kingdom.

As a comical copycat of the animal-themed photography contests historically held by institutions like the National Geographic and London’s Natural History Museum, this quirky competition showcases the not-so-serious side of nature. From an adorable, corn-on-the-cob-loving chipmunk to an entirely relatable meerkat mid-facepalm, there is no shortage of laughable and lovable animals in this year’s collection of submissions.

While the Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards is an undeniably down-to-earth competition, there are, of course, some ground rules: contestants can submit no more than six images and two videos, and each entry must fall under one of six categories—Nikon Creatures of the Land, Kenya Airways Creatures in the Air, One Vision Imaging Junior, Amazing Internet Portfolio, Underwater, and Alex Walker Serian’s Video Clips.

As if ample (and adorable) comedic relief wasn’t enough of an incentive to join in on the fun, the competition also works tirelessly to promote conservation, an increasingly important cause. Working together with the Born Free Foundation, an animal welfare charity that aims to “keep wildlife in the wild,” the Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards call attention to the importance of preserving and protecting our planet—one hilarious photo at a time.

Take the bull by the horns and submit your own silly snapshots on the Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards’ submission page by October 1, when the cute and cuddly competition comes to an end.

Above photo credit: Bob D’Arpino/Comedy Wildlife Photo Awards

Photo credit: Monika Carrie/Comedy Wildlife Photo Awards

Photo credit: Robert Dutton/Comedy Wildlife Photo Awards

Photo credit: Edward Kopeschn/Comedy Wildlife Photo Awards

Photo credit: Tom Stables/Comedy Wildlife Photo Awards

Photo credit: Brigitta Moser/Comedy Wildlife Photo Awards

Photo credit: Sushil Chauhan/Comedy Wildlife Photo Awards

Photo credit: Mary Swaby/Comedy Wildlife Photo Awards

Photo credit: Michael Erwin/Comedy Wildlife Photo Awards

Photo credit: Alexander Pfeiffer/Comedy Wildlife Photo Awards

Photo credit: Marilyn Parver/Comedy Wildlife Photo Awards

Photo credit: Charles Kinsey/Comedy Wildlife Photo Awards

Photo credit: Usman Priyona/Comedy Wildlife Photo Awards

Photo credit: Yvette Richard/Comedy Wildlife Photo Awards

Photo credit: Will Saunders/Comedy Wildlife Photo Awards

Photo credit: Isabelle Marozzo/Comedy Wildlife Photo Awards

Photo credit: Olivier Steiner/Comedy Wildlife Photo Awards

Photo credit: Markus Pavlowsky/Comedy Wildlife Photo Awards

Photo credit: Murray Mcculloch/Comedy Wildlife Photo Awards

Photo credit: Rosario L. Cordoba/Comedy Wildlife Photo Awards

Photo credit: Adam White/Comedy Wildlife Photo Awards

The Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards: Website | Facebook
via [Fubiz]

All images via The Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards.