Latest News Update mashableunitedstates: PHOTOGRAPHY

Showing posts with label PHOTOGRAPHY. Show all posts

Saturday, June 27, 2015

21 Instagram photos that capture common objects as works of art

IMAGE: CHRISTOPH NIEMANN

Last week, we challenged you to combine everyday objects with doodles to create unique works of art. This theme was inspired by Christoph Niemann, a world renowned artist who specializes in mixed media illustration.

"It was a lot of fun to look at all those different submissions," said Niemann, who hosted our challenge. "I've always found that setting tight rules makes for the best results in series like these, and it's exciting to see such a range of approaches despite the limitations I gave to the artists."

SEE ALSO: 20 splashy photos that reflect your creativity with water

Niemann, known as @abstractsunday on Instagram, has had his work featured in numerous publications. In 2010, he was inducted into the Art Directors Club Hall of Fame.

He uses Instagram to share his art and creative process, and is always impressed with the variety of work he sees on the platform.

"Looking at the world of Instagram for me is proof that the public at large is visually much more savvy than they are given credit for," he said.

Below, scroll through Niemann's favorite submissions, as well as a few of Mashable's picks:

Neimann says: I love how this goes beyond a simple image and tells a story.

Neimann says: I'm obsessed with coffee. Any idea with coffee is a good idea.

Neimann says: The idea comes across as very simple and obvious. But these kind of drawings take a lot of fine tuning to feel so natural and intuitive.

Neimann says: I've tried to come up with a decent idea involving a CD for a while. This artist made it happen. Thank you! Now I can stop obessing over that item.

Neimann says: This is just a lot of fun!

Neimann says: I like this: It's all but impossible to remind yourself as a viewer that the item is actually NOT designed to look like a biker.

Neimann says: I could not have done this: I would have eaten the chocolate long before the drawing would have been done.

Neimann says: I have a very soft spot for this, because I'm a great fan of the legendary George Hardy, who did the prism drawing for Pink Floyd's "Dark Side Of The Moon."

Neimann says: Simple but fun and a great drawing!

Neimann says: I love how the abstraction of Munch's figure is taken to an iconic extreme.

Neimann says: The idea is simple, but the drawing is brilliant.

Neimann says: Nice discovery. Now we only need an NFL team that plays in quilts.

Neimann says: Beautiful composition. It feels very elegant, yet natural.

Jump to play for this week's photo challenge

IMAGE: CAN AHTAM

BY ANNIE PARK4 DAYS AGO

Capture photographs mid-jump for this week’s photo challenge, brought to you by Mashable andHilton.

Instagram is home to some of the very best jump shots — most commonly referred to as "

jumpstagrams." Ballerinas in mid-leap and illusions of people floating under umbrellas — these are images we see often, many times shot in front of beautiful street art and on mountain tops.

We're challenging you to compose these action shots. Whether you’re jumping for joy, jump roping or doing tricks on a trampoline, if you’re caught on camera mid-air, share your photo with us.

SEE ALSO: 20 splashy photos that reflect your creativity with water

Our guest host is Can Ahtam, a photographer from Istanbul, Turkey.

"If you’re using a DSLR, make sure to adjust your shutter speed to at least 1/500s,” he says. “If you’re using a phone, a burst mode can be most effective in capturing your subject up in the air."

Ahtam hopped on Instagram a few years ago, and has since grown a dedicated following of more than 107,000 people. Because of his love for the social platform, he constantly finds himself encouraging friends to catch the "Instagram fever."

"Being part of such a diverse and creative community is a head-spinning experience," Ahtam says. "You not only get the opportunity to view so many inspiring shots, but also get to meet the people behind all of these shots."

Ahtam now lives Boston and works as the assistant director for graduate admissions at Bentley University in Massachusetts.

We’ll feature Ahtam's favorite submissions in a follow-up post next week. To enter, share your photos by Sunday, June 28 at 8 p.m. ET using the hashtag #JumpToPlay.

Saturday, June 20, 2015

How to make your fingernails look like holograms

IMAGE: MASHABLE, LILI SAMS

BY ANDREA ROMANO AND LILI SAMS

Jun 07, 2015

You can find DIY beauty inspiration in the most unexpected places.

Holographic nail art catches the light and turns heads, but those typical drug store polishes can be heavy and and gloopy.

SEE ALSO: 13 nail hacks for the perfect DIY manicure

Fear not. You don't need to pay top dollar for a premium polish to make you look like an ethereal space queen. There is one way to get a gorgeously understated, holographic nail that still looks out of this world.

Materials:

A few inches of iridescent cellophane
Craft scissors
Small nail scissors
Base coat nail polish
Top coat nail polish
A soft tape measure
A friend*

*Recommended but not required.

Step one:

Get an approximate measurement of your nail surface. You'll use this measurement just as a general rule of thumb for when you're cutting your cellophane. It should fit just slightly thinner than your nail.

Step two:

Cut thin strips of cellophane using the measurement you took. You will only need a few strips. Since the surface of your nail curves, it's better to cut strips that are slightly skinnier than your nail's surface and use the cellophane as an accent.

Step three:

Coat your nails with an even, thin layer of base coat. This acts as a "glue" for the cellophane to adhere to the nail.

Step four:

Gently place the cellophane to the middle of the nail and press down so it sticks to the base coat. Make sure all the edges are sealed onto the nail. You may have some slight bubbling depending how thick you cut your strips. If so, you can always start again. This nail art is extremely forgiving.

Once you have your strip in place, use your nail scissors to cut the strip, leaving a little excess on the nail.

Step five:

After you have attached the cellophane to all your nails and allowed the base coat to dry, trim the excess away until you are left with a clean edge.

Step six:

Apply your top coat to sandwich in your cellophane. If needed, allow to dry and apply a second coat to smooth the surface.

Step seven:

Admire your handiwork. Instagrams are encouraged.

If you wish, apply a colored nail polish before or in place of your base coat as an added element. While it probably won't effect the look of your manicure, most nail polishes may chip under your cellophane, so they are not great replacements for stickier, thicker base coats.

Two-in-one base coat and top coat polishes are also viable options, however results and longevity might vary.

Once your nails are dry, you'll be on your way to conquering the universe.

Photographer follows his bride to the altar in stunning wedding photos

IMAGE: @MURAD OSMANN ON INSTAGRAM

BY ANDREA ROMANO

Another amazing journey. More amazing pictures to celebrate it.

Russian photographer Murad Osmann and his longtime girlfriend Natalia Zakharova rose to Internet fame for their wildly popular "Follow Me" travel photos, which depict the couple holding hands.

SEE ALSO: Girlfriend Leads Man Around the World in Breathtaking Pics

In each of the pictures, posted on Instagram, Zakharova leads Osmann around the world — most recently, a colorful journey through India. The couple even announced their engagement following the signature post.

Osmann's latest series of photos are none other than the couple's own weddingthat took place at Lid's Event House in Moscow, Russia on June 7.

Instead of leading Osmann through stunning worldly locations, this time Zakharova led him through dozens of friends and family at their gorgeous venue.

The world travelers look ecstatic, especially in their special, behind-the scenes photos.

"I promise to hold your hand and tell you I love you every day for the rest of our lives," Osmann wrote on Instagram.

H/T: Buzzfeed

How to take more interesting photographs on your next trip

BY ANDREA ROMANO

3 days ago

Every vacation is an opportunity for gorgeous photos that even your Facebook friends will love to see.

The Cooperative of Photography and photographer Ray Demski demonstrate some handy tips for travelers who want to take home stunning pictures instead of souvenirs.

Pack your camera and hit the road, travelers.