The Rayograph

Studio Act_Romegialli’s Green Box Retreat

Megan L. Ramirez — Fri, 17 May 2013 02:00:10 +0000

Italian studio act_romegialli has taken a vacation home’s former garage and turned it into a garden hideaway. Its glazed paneling, galvanized framing, and remaining stone supporting walls are purposefully covered in shrubbery and flowering plants.

What do you think of the simple, two-room structure? Do you feel that such a greenery canvased structure makes for an inviting, tranquil retreat, or do you think the overgrowth is overwhelming rather than integral to the design?

Photographs were taken by Marcello Mariana.

Via Dezeen.

Readymades: Forms in Nature by Hilden & Diaz

Megan L. Ramirez — Wed, 15 May 2013 00:39:19 +0000

Ever think a shadow could be at least as interesting, if not more so, than the object which casts it? Take a look at “Forms in Nature,” a design concept dreamt up by Thyra Hilden and Pio Diaz of Hilden & Diaz. The sculptural lighting piece takes a page out of Ernst Haeckel’s book, inspired in part as it is by the German naturalist’s drawings. Turn the light source on, and witness the emergence of a beautiful, intricate, twisted forest of shadowy trees.

Via Colossal.

Ruben Brulat Photographs His Unique Peregrinations

Megan L. Ramirez — Tue, 14 May 2013 22:37:09 +0000

Just for a moment, imagine a tasteful, lovely series of photographs akin to something like a “Where’s Waldo” of naked people around the world? No, there is no need to close your browser now; only a boss with the sharpest of eyes could spot the tiny nude men and women in these expansive landscape shots taken by young photographer Ruben Brulat. For his “Paths” series, Brulat traveled over land for more than a year throughout uniquely beautiful areas in Mongolia, Iraq, Turkey, Georgia, Japan, Nepal and more.

Via BOOOOOOOM!

Peter Lipton’s Photographs Show Us Some of Ecuador’s Most Endangered Amphibians

Megan L. Ramirez — Sat, 04 May 2013 01:15:33 +0000

Through a recent series, Amsterdam-based photographer Peter Lipton spotlights an important research and conservation project called “Balsa de los sapos,” or “Life raft of the frogs.” The project, run by the Catholic University in Quito, aims to collect, reproduce, and return a variety of Ecuador’s endangered frogs to their native habitat. Lipton’s photographs beautifully showcase each specimen’s uniqueness, while highlighting the fact that almost nine percent of the world’s amphibian species are found in Ecuador, a third of which are in danger of becoming extinct forever.

Hyalinobatrachium -

Hyloscirtus larinopygion, one of three specimens known -

Atelopus SP, one of three specimens known, all of which are female -

Centrolenidae SP -

Hyloscirtus SP, last known specimen -

Espadarana callistomma -

Gastrotheca espeletia, last known specimen -

Via Feature Shoot.

Artistic Neutral-Toned Portraits Shot by Billy Kidd

Megan L. Ramirez — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 17:59:46 +0000

Self-taught photographer Billy Kidd has done editorial and advertising work for such clients as Glamour, Vogue, Elle, Anthopologie, and Nike. Several of my favorites from among his artistic portraits are to be found here, below.

Via BOOOOOOOM!

A Collection of Photoshopped Images Featuring Sports and Cats to Bring You a Much Needed Smile Today

Megan L. Ramirez — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 22:05:01 +0000

Because we could all use a little levity today in light of events unfolding earlier and still in Boston, I give you “Sport Balls Replaced with Cats.” Below, find a selection of sports photographs in which basketballs, soccer balls, footballs – you name it – have been shopped out and replaced with cats. The lighthearted images come to us all from the blog, “Sports Balls Replaced with Cats.”

Via My Modern Metropolis.

{Update} The Rayograph Turns 2? Yes, It Just Turned 2!

Megan L. Ramirez — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 01:42:08 +0000

Did you know that two years ago today The Rayograph, this little creative experiment of mine, was born? I sure as heck didn’t. That is, I’d have completely forgotten that today, April 11th, was our anniversary without having received a little congratulatory reminder from the fine folks at WordPress just now. And isn’t that how it goes these days? Should I wish to send a card or call or what-have-you any friendly acquaintance or relative outside of my immediate family for their birthday or anniversary or what-do-you-call-it, I’d most certainly need a convenient little reminder from Facebook or the nearest calendar. I mean well, but, as we all know, life happens, altering intentions and outcomes along the way. Plus, sometimes my memory sucks.

As far as The Rayograph goes, it’s still going strong after 2 years. And it’ll most likely be here in another 2 years. Yes, things have slowed down a bit, meaning I don’t post quite as often as I used to on account of, well, life stuff. But it’s good life stuff! Anyway, The Rayograph is a bit slower in its older age, but it’s hopefully more well-defined too. And, hopefully, you still get enjoyment, inspiration, and a smile or two from it.

Alright, enough words. Let’s get back to looking at pretty neat things!

Surreally yours,
Megan

Gordon Douglas Ball Knows How to Make, Not Take Photographs

Megan L. Ramirez — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 00:58:13 +0000

Canadian, OCAD graduate, and 3rd generation photographer Gordon Douglas Ball creates gorgeous photographic images without the use of a camera. How so, you ask? Ball exposes 35mm and 120mm film to various light sources, including LED lighting, before experimenting with their chemical processing in different ways. Each resulting piece is at once imaginative and accidental, as well as all together beautiful.

Via Feature Shoot.

Arne Svenson’s Atypical Yet Captivating Animal Portraits

Megan L. Ramirez — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 03:43:59 +0000

Photographer Arne Svenson‘s series “Strays” captures dozens of lovable, adorable felines, each cat’s attention diverted elsewhere so that our gaze is met only by fur. Denied a glimpse of their faces, a distance is created between us, the viewers, and each potential companion. Even so, each image is so well done as to captivate us – or, at the very least, the cat lovers among us – the same as a more traditional animal portrait might.

Via Faith is Torment.

Sayaka Maruyama’s Remarkable, Cherry Blossom-Laced Portraits

Megan L. Ramirez — Sun, 17 Mar 2013 20:49:00 +0000

Born in Japan, photographer and filmmaker Sayaka Maruyama lived in Holland for several years as a youth, later returning to Japan to persue an education in the arts. Now living in the UK, the creative exhibits her work in London and Tokyo, among other places. By giving her portfolio even just the most fleeting of glances, it is easy to see why her creations are so well-liked around the world. I particularly admire Maruyama’s “Sakura” series in which the creative draws inspiration from her own heritage as well as from the time she has spent in Europe. Each and every one of these portraits is remarkable. Be sure to see many more of her creations at her site.

Via My Modern Metropolis.