British Cats Photographers

Specialized web-sites which publish pictures made by cats and dogs, became a hit of the British internet. The “photographers” not only won the recognition in Great Britain, but also derived a good income from this undertaking.

People let their pets walk around the streets. For this purpose they made special small “gates” in entrance doors. The idea to provide the cat with digital camera came into the mind of the women from North London. She was wondering where her Burman cat Sarti was hanged around at night. Woman attached a light and small camera to the cat’s collar.

Since that time not only the camera’s owner, but also the whole Great Britain knows where and when Sarti walks around the London streets. Pictures basically made during night walks, gained wide popularity, and other pet’s owners supplied their cats and dogs with cameras.

Today there are a lot of web-sites in British internet providing exchange of such photos. As it turned out, cats lead a very interesting way of life in a big city. Thus, the considerable time they spend watching into the sky, as if they are interested in stars rather than in the earth. Cats’ pictures also make us take a new look at the environment – many photos are made from such unexpected angle that may be declared as masterpieces of the modern art.

"The “Hindenburg” Disaster" Murray Becker, 1937

The “Hindenburg” Disaster which took place in 1937 it’s not the “Titanic” crash and not the Chernobyl accident of the XX century.
It’s unbelievable but from 97 people, 62 survived. During landing in Lakehurst airport, New Jersey, after the flight from Germany, German airship Hindenburg had blown up. The airship’s cover was filled with hydrogen, but not with safe helium, because Americans had already refused to sell this gas to the potential enemy: new world war was impending.

The event was shot by 22 photographers. After the accident, airships no longer considered to be safe and developed kind of transport. This picture fixed the end of the airship building.

“The Tetons and the Snake River” Ansel Adams, 1942

Many people believe that the epoch of photography can be divided into two parts: before Adams and after Adams. During the Pre-Adams period, photography was not even considered as an independent art. Photos looked like pictures with the help of various manipulations.
Adams refrain any manipulations with his pictures, declaring the art of photography as the “poetry of the reality”. His works proved the value of “pure photography”. When there appeared rather compact portable cameras he persistently stuck to the bulky equipment and old-fashioned wide-screen cameras.
Adams showed the Americans the beauty of their nature. In 1936 he made the series of pictures that were directed to Washington in order to help to save the Kings canyon in California. As a result, this area was declared a National Park.

“Einstein, showing his tongue” Arthur Sasse, 1951

You can reasonably ask yourself a question: Is this picture really changed the world?
Einstein made the revolution in nuclear physics and quantum mechanics, and this picture changed the attitude both to Einstein and to the scientists as a whole. The fact is that 72-year-old scientist got tired of constant chase of the press, annoying him in Princeton. When he was asked to smile in camera for the hundred time, in stead of smile, he stuck his tongue. This tongue - the tongue of a genius, that’s why this photograph became classic in a moment. Now Albert Einstein stays in our memory as a big original - always and forever!

“Dali Atomicus” Philippe Halsman, 1948

Philippe Halsman was the only photographer who made his career taking the pictures of people while jumping. He was sure that when the person jumps during shooting, he involuntary displays his inner nature. So, hardly we can deny this statement, looking at the picture with Salvador Dali called “Dali Atomicus”
6 hours, 28 jumps, the room full of assistants, throwing up the bucket with water, and furious cats – that was the birth of this outstanding picture. “Leda Atomica” – unfinished surrealistic masterpiece is on the background. At first Halsman wanted to spill the milk, but not water. But during the post war period it was too scornful attitude toward the foodstuff.

The pictures of jumping celebrities made by Halsman appeared at seven covers of Life and made gave rise to the new type of portraits – without obligatory statics.

The “Loch Ness Monster” Jen Wetherell, 1934

Also known as The “Surgeon’s Photo”. This fuzzy picture, made in April 1934, is known all over the world. During 60 years this photo gave rise to the most incredible speculations about a living saurian inhabiting Loch Ness Lake in Scotland. It also caused a lot of rumors and conjectures, initiated some submarine expeditions and gave rise to the whole industry of tourism in a little Scottish town.
That was till 1994 when the adopted son of the author of the falsification Christian Spurling – told the public about his stepfather Marmaduke Wetherell contracted by the London newspaper Daily Mail for the search of the big animal, failed to find it and decied to make this fake photo with the help of his stepson Christian and son Jen. That is Jen - the real author of the picture. “Nessie” was constructed in haste and was supported on the surface with the help of a toy submarine.
In order to make the story hang together well, the swindlers induced the local surgeon Robert Kenneth Wilson to call himself the author of the photo.

“Gandhi” Margaret Bourke-White, 1946

One of the most influential people of the XX century, Gandhi, did not like to be photographed, though in 1946 a staff member of Life, Margaret Bourke-White, was allowed taking his picture against the spinning wheel – the symbol of struggle for independence of India. Before the photographer was admitted to make photo session, she had to learn how to spin – that was the requirement of Gandhi’s surroundings.
Managed with this, two more tasks were waiting for the photographer. At the beginning it was found out that nobody was permitted to speak with Gandhi – he had “the day of silence”, which He used to spend speechless. As Gandhi could not stand a bright light, Margaret was allowed to make only three shots (with flash).
One more problem was also a moist atmosphere of India, which affected the camera, that’s why two first pictures were poor, but the third one turned out to be great. It is the very shot, that formed the image of India for the million of people. The photo became the last portrait of Gandhi during his lifetime – two years later He was killed…

“Le Violon d’Ingres” Man Ray, 1924

Before the epoch of digital photography and Photoshop has come, it was the epoch of Man Ray, one of the most outstanding and distinctive photographer in the world who made endless experiments with photos.

The picture “Le Violon d’Ingres” (the Violin D'Ingres) is his early and probably the most well-known work. This shot represents a kind of visual pun, simultaneously emphasizing the resemblance of a female body with the violin, sending the viewer to the association with the French artist Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres, who depicted naked women and accompanied the show of his pictures playing the violin.

The masterpiece of the intellectual-dadaist Man Ray outstripped its time. Having defined the photography as the means of the artistic interpretation of reality, Man Ray anticipated our revolution in digital photographing.

In a Village part.II

Some more pics from the village made by me:)

“V–J day in Times Square” Alfred Eisenstaedt, 1945

August 14, 1945, the news about the capitulation of Japan proclaimed the end of the Second World War. Tumultuous celebrating began at New-York streets, but, probably, no one from the people in the city did not as feel free, as militaries did. Among the happiest people, gathered that day in Times Square, was one of the most talented photojournalist of the XX century, the German immigrant Alfred Eisenstaedt.
Picking out the pictures of celebration with his camera, he noticed a sailor, “walking down the street and seizing every girl on his way.” Later he said that he did not care was she “a granny, slim, fat, old or young” – he made no differences. Of course, this legendary shot, depicting the kiss of a venerable pensioner, would never appear at the Life’s cover, but when a dashing military man spun around and kissed an attractive nurse, and Eisenstaedt took a picture, this shot was spread around in newspapers all over the country.
In stands to reason, “V–J day in Times Square” was not the picture of two lovers, separating by the war. However, even to the present day this shot remains the symbol of the USA at the end of the long struggle for piece.

“Migrant Mother” Dorothea Lange, 1936

Thanks to the legendary photographer Dorothea Lange, over many years Florence Owen Thompson has been literally an embodiment of the Great Depression. Lange made this shot while visiting the camp of vegetable pickers in California (February, 1936) with the aim to show the whole world the fortitude and inflexibility of the proud nation in hard times.

The history of Dorothea’s life turned out to be as magnetic as her portrait. In her 32 she has been a mother of seven children and a widow already (her husband died from tuberculosis). Being practically without means in a work camp for emigres, her family ate the meat of birds, winging by children and farm vegetables – the same was about other 2500 camp workers.

The publishing of the photo came as a bombshell. The Thomson’s story, appeared on the covers of the most authoritative editions, found an immediate response around the public. The Farm Security Administration immediately sent food and essentials to the camp. Unfortunately, the Thomson’s family had already left the lived-in place and received nothing from the government. It should be mentioned that nobody knew even the name of that woman on the shot. Only 40 years later after the shot’s publishing, in 1976 Thomson “disclosed” herself, giving the interview to one of the central newspaper.

Photo-Advices from John Ross

Some good and useful advices from the great photographer John Ross will help you to get amazing results attracting the attention!
Beware of mega-pixels. Instead of wasting money on some extra mega-pixels, it’s much better to choose a fast lens of the professional class, which can actually define the quality of the photo.
Come closer. We always try to walk away from the object while photographing, just because we want uncle John is cut from our memories about a new year.

But if you want to photograph plants or animals, right after taking a picture, make a step forward and then again take a picture, repeat these motions.

Not every photo should be close-up, but the objects with a good detalization look greater outdoors.
Fill the picture. If you take a picture of a bird or another wild animal, try to fill the shot with the object maximally. And try not to get radio-flash or transmission line into the picture. Also you should not pin the hope on the photo-editor to cut the picture, because most probably the photo will loose the focus.
Turn the camera. Sometimes everything you need for the excellent shot is to turn the camera, and the excess of space, which spoil the picture, no longer bother you.

The majority of tripods allow turning the camera upright.
Avoid a “bull’s eye”. Don’t put the conceptual centre in the middle of the shot. Put the object outside the centre to allow moving the eyes at the photo. In landscape pictures the conceptual centre may be in mountains, while for the intimate photo you’d better find a flower with a drip of water.

watch this!

Kiss by the Hotel de Ville

The most famous photo by Robert Doisneau “Le baiser de l'hotel de ville” (Kiss by the Hotel de Ville) was made in 1950 for “Life” journal.

It is one of the most outstanding photos ever, the symbol of Paris, youth, love and spring.

The picture looks rather accidentally, as if the lovers do not suspect of the photographer’s presence; even if one can reveal some kind of theatricality in their poses, the general spontaneity of the scene, “careless” composition, seems not to rule out the idea of staging.

In the same 1950th the picture was published in “Life” in a warm company of other six Paris kisses. Negative and proves got, as they had to, into the RAFO agency’s archives. They have been here for more than 30 years. The photo became world-famous in 1986 when it served as a picture for the poster.

For the next 20 years “Le baiser de l'hotel de ville” has been published on 2.5 million postcards, on a half a million posters, say nothing of different calendars, postage stamps, T-shirts, curtains, furnishing and numerous photo albums. I think it won’t be an exaggeration to say that Doisneau made much more money due to this one picture, than due to all other photos taken together!

In a Village

Some pics made by me during the weekend in the village...:)

Cinema without popcorn...

The majority of British cinemas no longer sell popcorn. They consider it is a low-quality product and there are lots of crumbs in showing rooms after watching. God, I don’t care what type of product popcorn is, I really like it, it’s just like a ritual – watching a movie crunching pop-corn in a big paper bag!

However, some eminent celebrities such as Madonna, Samuel L. Jackson and Christian Slater sing the praises of this product more than once. Thank you, guys!
Pop-corn became the part of cinema cult, the viewers are ready even to overpay for it, giving more than 4 pounds for the magic paper bag! However, there are some folks who support such measure in every possible way. Don’t do it! Don’t deprive us of this pleasure!
Picturehouse Cinema, the chain of art house cinemas, introduced a novelty – now during certain showings there will be no admission with popcorn. The company’s leadership said it was the best business-decision. There are those who adore popcorn, and those who can’t stand it. Thus everybody is pleased. However, some cinemas act more radically, prohibiting sneaking popcorn.

Some cinema chains, as Curzon, decided not to fling about and after the stormy protests against the initiative from the cinema-lovers, they decided not to strip people of good time. Due to the fact that rather small volume of product gives a considerable amount of produce, popcorn is the most profitable product sold in cinemas.
What can I add? I’ve never visited cinema without a big mouth-watering portion of popcorn!

Some days ago i dropped across the one awesome link...What can come out of combining Homer Simpson and Macro? watch it...it derserves it! Really, i've got much pleasure, scrolling down the page:) Wish the same to u...

Good buy, humanity!

Asian scientists from the Osaka University presented their latest development – robot girl, that became the most realistic robot created by the human hands! God, these Japanese jacks of all trades work true miracles! But, nobody knows what will be the next step, I'm really scared, actually!
The robot, called Repliee R-1 imitates the 5-year-old girl. Her body, full of sensors, is covered with silicone skin, her hairs are braided, and her eyes blink from time to time.
As the developers from Cynerdyne company said, Repliee R-1 was designed for the execution of the main functions while nursing elderly people and invalids. What? Are they sure that our girl stuffed with a great deal of wires and other queer things, won't scare off those poor grandpas and grandmas?
The selling of this girl is to begin soon. As the creators say, the android girl is so realistically made, that people take her as a human being. The professor from the University added that the robot can be easily mixed up with a real person. If you remember, the same scientific group developed a robot woman in 2005, that was called Repliee Q-1. However, the model turned to be unsuccessful due to repetitive "spasms", caused by the technical failure.
Oh, let me guess, this little robot girl is a newly-made daughter of Repliee Q-1???? You know what, yeah…great! We make progress, BUT what about us? I mean PEOPLE...maybe it would be better to change something in us without creating weird robots? I’m not sure I would be happy if such thingamajig takes care of me...

Carlos Santana change guitar for the Hawaiian church

I’ve just read the news from Reuters about one of the greatest guitarist in the world! I mean, he is absolutely amazing, and his solo in Maria…hmm…Maria Mariaaa…cool!
So, Mr. Santana claimed in his interview to Rolling Stone Magazine that after his musical career is over, he will become a priest. Now the rock musician is 61, said that he will leave the stage in 67 to open the church in Hawaii.
As Carlos said, God gave him a special gift of communication and not only by means of a guitar. With His help, Santana hopes to explain people some Bible extracts some people are frightened by. These extracts regarding guilt, shame and punishment. With this Santana confessed that only the faith helped him to stand up to the most difficult moments of life, particularly in the course of the recent painful divorce with his wife Deborah.
Now Carlos Santana is on USA tour. The last performance of the tour will take place at 12, October in Concord, California. Besides, at 14, October we all expect the new 2CD collection “Multi-Dimensional Warrior” which will include various amazing tracks created by the master for 40 years.
What do I think about it? I believe that everybody has the right to choose his own way. This person is great and if I know him personally, I would surely say: Go in Peace, my Friend!

...just thoughts

Do u like animals? Dogs? I luv them...and i can't stand watching these poor hairy balls lying on the slushy dank ground while we can wrap ourselves up, we can put our big asses on the soft huge armchair or sofa and enjoy the life... Oh, damn, it's not fair! Just think a lil bit, we, people, have so many things to do, such as paying for utility, bying new t-shirt or CD, making a manicure, haircut and other daily stuff like that...different people have different problems and concers...what about dogs and cats?
All they need is just a small piece of sausage or bread... The whole life of street doggies consists in searching of something to eat, to stuff their tiny stomaches.. They don't care what to wear at the party..just it would be so nice if there is something eatable inside the refuse bin... Their eyes, full of sorrow and hopelessness, make me hate people sometimes...and i hate myself too, cause can't give'em much. They understand everything, and if you show them even a grain of your attention and sympathy, it will be rewarded, i bet...

Once again' bout "The Day After Tomorrow"

Yet again I decided to watch the greatest disaster film "The Day After Tomorrow"... God, can't say how many times I've watched it already... But, that's for sure my first knockdown to this movie took place under extremely intimate surroundings, so, that is the safe guess - i couldn't get into it))) Every next times of watchin' i was attentive, really))

Actually being a zealous whale for a independent cinema, where you won't see mind bending work of the illusion designers, sometime i prefer such movie as this one...I luv "The Day After Tomorrow" for this idea, which is so obvious and right, for the awesome special effects (the shots were so realistic!!!), for its truism - family values, love, courage, selflessness and a true friendship...And of course for Jake Gyllenhaal in the role of such a nice guy, who chooses taking part in the contest just to be close to the girl he self-forgetfully loves. I luv this guy, cause there is something mystical and affectionate in his eyes...Well, what can i say more...if you still disregard this film, stop doing this!