Getting Up High

This is a hotel lobby in Singapore. Chas Elliot shot this for a high perspective/altitude photo assignment. [Digital Photography School]

The Big Picture: Lightning

The Big Picture from the Boston Globe is one of the best photo repositories on the web. Showcasing a new gallery once every few days, it handpicks the best photos based on the current theme. They’re all amazing photographs and in high-resolution, so I highly suggest you check it out.

Today’s theme is Lightning. Pictured above is lightning striking in Lake Lecco, Italy and was taken in nearby Monte Marenzo by Marco Uberti. [The Big Picture]

Photo Spotlight: La realite est lente

Portraits can be poorly and effortlessly done: just make a facial expression, add some bokeh, take the shot, and call it a day. Today’s practice of capturing beauty shots involve lots of make-up, dressing up, and tons of post-processing and Photoshop work. But La realite est lente by Benoit Paille, also known as BenoitPaille on deviantART, is non-conventional and goes against the grain, yet still achieves a remarkable shot.

From a technical standpoint, the details are amazingly sharp. Every strand of hair and eyebrow can be distinguished, every freckle can be seen. The focus is craftily placed on her bust, forcing you to not look past her imperfections. Some may think the lighting is a bit dark, but I think it perfectly sets the mood right. Beauty isn’t always found in the spotlight, under the sun, or in studio lighting. Beauty can be found in real places, in real settings, in not-so-ideal conditions. And based on Benoit’s mission statement…

“I try to go further in meeting individuals in their privacy. By directing my models and models with my own, I try to create portraits that are true to nature, to capture a look that would not exist without my intervention.”

…I believe he has accomplished just that with this portrait.

Her pose is nonchalantly slouching forward with a wardrobe that passes a school’s dress code with flying colors and fails horribly at a chic nightclub during Girls Night Out. Who came up with the standard that high skirts, high heels, and caked make-up were beautiful?

Another thing that stands out are her piercing eyes. Despite her imperfections, she’s staring at you almost as if she wants you to stare back at her, in her eyes and her eyes only.

The message I find to all this is that perfection does not define beauty, but rather imperfections is what makes us human, and that in itself is what is beautiful. [deviantART]

Photo Spotlight: Yesterday’s Love

Yesterday’s Love by WinterWolf Studios, also known as girltripped on deviantART, is absolutely gorgeous. The sleek and sexy look of the girl is a perfect contrast to the rough and industrial look of the train, with steam for added effect. They both add up to a nice vintage look and feel. The model is Brittany Jean and she is stunning. Her pose accentuates her figure very nicely; a pin-up shot that would make Betty Grable and Rita Hayworth proud. [deviantART]