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Abandoning his office job at an architecture firm, amateur photographer Marco Sgarbi spent three years as a shepherd in the Tuscan Hills outside of Siena. As a passionate photographer since childhood, it came naturally to document his life as a sheep farmer in the small village of Radicondoli. This town of just under 1,000 inhabitants carries on the tradition of sheep farming across hills that steam due it being a geothermal region.

“It’s a world that is disappearing, one made of hard work but also great satisfaction, in an almost pristine environment.” Sgarbi shares. “I was dedicated to the production of raw sheep’s milk and every day I grazed 250 sheep, in the company of my five Maremma sheepdogs, through beautiful pastures. All this in the evocative setting of the metalliferous Tuscan hills.” Sgarbi’s images, mostly devoid of humans, show a deep relationship with the animals that accompany him daily, as well as the bonds between animals. His constant presence in the fields allows us to marvel at the countryside from misty mornings to fiery sunsets.

Enjoying the almost ominous feel of his photographs, Sgarbi often intentionally underexposes his shots in order to pull out a darker element. Having since left behind his days as a sheep farmer, Sgarbi is currently traveling the world and documenting it as he goes. You can follow his progress on Flickr.

Marco Sgarbi: Flickr
via [Design You Trust, Foto Come Fare]

All images via Marco Sgarbi.

Designers are continually developing novel ways to bring a garden indoors, and it has never been easier for city dwellers and those without a green thumb to grow a fresh salad right in their own kitchen. To aid in this urban farming trend, a company which sells indoor gardens and herb kits, Click & Grow, has just released a shelving framework called Wall Farms. This structure allows users to grow veggies, herbs, and plants, using minimal floor space with maximum growing area.

Rather than being powered by an app, like so many countertop indoor gardens, Wall Farms uses fully automated, NASA-inspired ”smart soil” technology. The biodegradable soil keeps the level of oxygen, water, pH and nutritional ingredients at an optimal level. The indoor farm also features ultra-efficient grow lights and electronic precision irrigation (EPI) that makes it possible to use up to 95% less water than traditional farming methods. “Our technology is all about saving water and lessening food miles while increasing efficiency and reducing the environmental impacts of plant production practices,” says the Click & Grow website.

The environment wasn’t the only thing on the Wall Farms developers’ minds. “We really wanted to make the Wall Farm line affordable to stand out from our competing products by not only our design and quality, but also the price,” Liina Ilves of Click & Grow shares on Product Hunt. “We’re constantly working on giving everyone the means to grow their own food and we feel that this is a step in the right direction. The best part about the Wall Farms is that you actually do get to grow enough fresh food to really feel the value in the product. Enough salads, vegetables, fruits and herbs to substantiate the need for fresh clean food for a whole family.”

As part of their recent product launch, Wall Farms are being offered for a limited discount with 57 plants available in the starter kit on their website.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ozIt596uJU?rel=0&controls=0&showinfo=0&w=750&h=480]

Click and Grow: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
via [Product Hunt]

Mornings are hard. Waking up from a peaceful slumber and rolling out of a warm bed can seem nearly impossible without the promise of a hot cup of coffee. For those who need some extra motivation to emerge from the covers, ThinkGeek has created the adorable R2-D2 Coffee Press. This friendly robot is happy to help a human in need (of caffeine), similar to the role the beeping bot played in the Star Wars films.

This iteration of R2-D2 takes the form of a French press device and works in the same way. You simply put in your coffee grounds and boiling water in its glass body, brew for four or five minutes, and press down on the the top. Afterwards, you’ll enjoy 32 ounces (4 cups) of hot java. He’s just the droid you were looking for to start your day off right.

The R2-D2 Coffee Press is now available for pre-order, and scheduled to ship in early November—just in time for the holidays.

ThinkGeek: Website | Facebook | Instagram
via [BoingBoing]

In lower Manhattan’s Battery Park sits a bronze memorial for a tragic maritime event of which you’ve never heard. On November 22, 1963 (the same day, coincidentally, as JFK’s assassination) a giant octopus dragged a steam ferry named Cornelius G. Kolff and its nearly 400 passengers down to the bottom of the New York Harbor and were never heard from again. If you’re thinking that this story sounds fake…you’re right—it never actually happened.

This fictitious catastrophe, known as the Staten Island Ferry Disaster, is the handiwork of artist Joe Reginella. His elaborate hoax features a statue of a giant octopus devouring a powerless ship, like something out of a sci-fi novel. In addition to this sculpture—which successfully recreates the look and feel of real commemorative monuments—Reginella’s team distributed fliers that advertised a fake museum, accessible only by ferry.

This impressive dedication was enough to fool some passersby. As showcased on the memorial’s Facebook page, random people have stopped to pay their respects to the tragedy that never was. Some pose in front of it, others take pictures, wondering what happened to the passengers of that fateful voyage.

Photo credit: @BlaireMoskowitz

Reginella even made a “documentary” about the tragedy: [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XmrDm0xKzSw?rel=0&w=750&h=422]

Staten Island Ferry Octopus Disaster Memorial Museum: Website | Facebook
via [Colossal, Mental Floss]

All images via Joe Reginella unless otherwise stated.

By 2060, it’s projected that 40% of Japan’s population will be over 65. Tokyo-based photographer Lee Chapman, who arrived in the late 90s to spend a few years in the city and then wound up staying, spends his days capturing a nuanced side to the Japanese capital. His series of images depict the aging population of Japan, showing the strong work ethic and human spirit of the elderly as they continue on their daily routines.

While many think of Tokyo in its stereotypical form—flashing neon, bustling sidewalks, Harajuku girls—Chapman spends his time documenting the city from a different perspective for his blog, Tokyo Times. “The clichés, needless to say, are all here: the busy crossing, the cosplayers, and the incredibly high-tech toilets. Yes, there are even robots. Well, a few anyway.” Chapman shares. “But dig just a little below the surface, and it’s a very different world indeed. A world I attempt to capture on a daily basis….”

Chapman’s images catch candid moments, whether relaxing with a beer after a hard day’s work or laughing with friends in a bath. With his portraits he draws out the wisdom and joy from behind their knowing eyes.

Lee Chapman: Website | Facebook | Instagram
via [Ignant]

All images via Lee Chapman.

In need of an off-the-grid getaway? Look no further than PurePods. These tiny and tranquil vacation homes are located in New Zealand’s idyllic countryside. Far from ordinary cabins, the beautiful bungalows are raised on stilts and made entirely of glass. This daring design provides picture-perfect panoramic views of the surrounding landscape, the open skies, and even the plants below.

Intended as an escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, each humble hut is entirely isolated from the rest of the world—even reaching the rental requires a hike from the parking lot! The journey is outlined only by written instructions and serves as a meditative introduction to the local environment. Once the guests (maximum two-to-a-pod) find their new abode, they are welcomed with everything they need—and nothing they don’t. Amenities include a cozy bed, a fully-equipped kitchen (and even special delivery options if cooking is not on the agenda), a bathroom with a shower, and an emergency pack. WiFi and cellular reception are intentionally absent, as are television sets and even air conditioning; guests can instead beat the heat with retractable window blinds and ceiling shades.

On top of their sweeping views and sufficient amenities, PurePods are exceptionally environmentally-friendly: each bungalow provides fresh water from local sources and is powered and heated by solar energy and bio-fuels. The structures’ raised design also allows the flora below to bloom, imposing minimum destruction to local plant life.

Secluded, sheltered, and sustainable, PurePods are the perfect way to camp in comfort.

PurePods: Website | Facebook | Instagram
via [Contemporist]

All images via PurePods.

Kinsey French’s wedding was truly a day she’ll never forget, thanks to eight very important guests who danced and celebrated at her side. French is a special education teacher at Christian Academy of Louisville’s Providence School, which is designed for children with Down Syndrome. When her fiancé, Josh, proposed to her in front of her class, French knew that the big day wouldn’t be complete without each of their smiling faces. “They were like family to me,” French told WLKY. “They were my first class and they’ve been my only class and so I knew I couldn’t have a special day without them.”

On June 3, 2016, French processed in her beautiful lace dress with five beaming flower girls and three dapper ring bearers proudly leading their teacher down the aisle. In a special report on WLKY, the children were asked about their favorite moments of the wedding party. Answers included the food (“mashed potatoes!”) and the dance floor, where they showed off their moves, such as the dab, the whip, and the nae-nae. Their memories will never compare to how meaningful it was for French to have her encouraging and enthusiastic students with her. “It was so exciting, it was really special…just to have them be a part of the day and have them come with us and celebrate with us.”

Check out some of the beautiful pictures of Josh and Kinsey’s wedding, taken by Lang Thomas Photography.

Lang Thomas Photography: Website
via [reddit, Bored Panda, WLKY]

All images via Lang Thomas Photography.

When it comes to their daughters, dads are full of aww-worthy moments—but it’s hard to top the times that they dress up alongside their little girls. Redditor taratorial recently captured sight of this sweet gesture while at Disneyland. The young daughter is dressed as Princess Ariel while her father dons a similar merman tail and crown, emulating King Triton. They walk hand in hand in the park, making memories to last a lifetime.

The selfless act might seem like a sacrifice for a grown man, but as Redditor ididnotdoitever pointed out, wearing the outfit was probably a no-brainer. “Dads think all day and night about what will make their daughters happy, and then they try their best to make it happen, some how, some way, and they’re devastated when they can’t,” he wrote. “This guy got those outfits and came up with the idea of wearing it for one reason, and one reason only—he wanted to see his little girl’s eyes light up.”

Above photo credit: Calicutie66

“Merman Dad” isn’t the only one who dressed up with this daughter. Other awesome fathers have also rocked princess and lady superheroes costumes: Photo credit: statix138

Photo source: Wabbeyo

Photo source: JunJonddre

Photo credit: Tom Burns

Photo credit: paper_liger

Uncles get into the spirit, too:
Photo credit: Jesse Nagy

via [Elite Daily, Reddit]

Born and raised in Moscow, Russia, Darja Bilyk is a self-taught photographer whose talents range across all subjects including landscapes, destinations, objects, and portraiture. What makes Bilyk’s photography style particularly unique, however, is her passion for surrealism and romanticism, with magical elements incorporated in her compositions. The landscapes seen in Bilyk’s Fairytales series are often taken in remote destinations and seem to capture timeless moments in enchanted and distant lands.

Prior to becoming a photographer, Bilyk studied at Moscow City Pedagogical University and also worked as a teacher in secondary school. Her foray into photography began when someone close to her encouraged her pursuits and believed in her talents. “My friend said that I was good at it and it inspired me to do photography seriously,” she explains. “I didn’t give up on my teaching and did both. Many of my students can be seen as my models in the pictures.”

For Bilyk, being a good photographer means being well-rounded. “I’m interested in traveling and taking some scenery pictures. But I’m also interested in people and I love creating sensitive portraits.” Her intuition for combining certain environments with the right subjects to create dreamlike, fantastical photos is evident throughout her portfolio.

Bilyk recently moved from Russia to Edinburgh, Scotland. We had the wonderful opportunity to ask her about her photography style, as well as how her new landscapes influence and inspire her. Scroll down to read our exclusive interview.

Your photos are extremely unique and quite surreal, with motifs of magic and fairy tales. What appeals to you most about these themes?

I like to share my acceptance of magic in the rational world. Portraying magical or unreal elements as a part of realistic environment is one of my favorite things to do because that’s how I can make my fantasies and dreams come to life; that’s how I can create something that can’t really exist; embody inner infinity.

How has moving from Russia to Scotland changed your photography style?

Scotland is a beautiful country with landscapes coming straight from fairytale stories and fables. I also like the people here. I couldn’t be more inspired. I feel like I have more resources here to create the fables I love and I hope that will influence my photography in a good way. I guess, more fairytale-like pictures are coming. They say we grow through pain, and as much as I love Scotland I do miss Russia and all my people there. I think this helps me to work more on my photography every day to make it all worth it. The fear of disappointing oneself can make you move mountains.

Your landscape photos often seem to feature places that share a certain solitude and peace. How do you select which locations to shoot, and what do you hope to reveal through your landscape and travel photos?

I’ve always loved travelling. I’ve been to the majority of European countries, loved so many places but there was always something missing; that feeling of longing for something else was always there. Until one day I went to the Lofoten Islands, Norway. We drove a car with a bunch of people from the north of Russia all the way to Nordland. It was an amazing trip and it divided my life in two halves: what was before the Lofoten and what was after. I’ve realized the type of traveling I wanted to do and places I really wanted to see. Being there felt being closer to space, to the Universe. Through my pictures I want to inspire people to travel to those distant places where the problems melt, worries seem so distant and life starts again.

What is the process of working with the selected subjects, particularly behind your fairytale and magic-themed photography?

I would like to say that I am carefully planning the background before the shooting but that is just not true, I improvise a lot. I guess I just feel the way things should be, call that intuition or artist’s vision. It all starts with a single idea. I take my ideas from my dreams, from music, from people I meet. Then I start to think how I can make it come true. Sometimes it’s possible to deal without Photoshop, at other times I have to make collages. But I always use my own pictures for all the items in the picture. I pay a lot of attention to colors and tones in my pictures, I love to work with them! I do that in Lightroom which is my favorite software for editing.

What messages do you hope to convey to the wider audience through your photography?

As a photographer who shoots in different genres, I want to show that versatility is amazing and that one should not fear try many different things. There’s that common opinion that you can only focus on one thing; I think you can focus on anything you find worthy your attention and don’t let anyone tell you you can’t do that. I also want to stir people’s imagination and make them feel something about what they see in my pictures.

What other projects do you have coming up?

I have several shoots planned with some amazing people I’ve met here. These are my projects for now. But some time in future (may be when I’m old) I hope to finish my book and illustrate it with my own photos.

Darja Bilyk: Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

My Modern Met granted permission to use photos by Darja Bilyk.