The Underwater World of Antarctica
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Archive for August, 2009
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Most Expensive Supercars: Exotic Showcase
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Lighthouses Vs Waves
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18 Very Cool Reflection Images
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23 Amazing Amateur Aurora Photos
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16 Remarkable Infrared Photos
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15 Stunning Examples of Waterfall Photography
What’s so special about the super cars that make people spend cosmic sums on a single car to buy it? These 100% exclusive, hot, fabulous and stunning pieces of automobile art simply blow the mind. I bet people in a small town will be less surprised to see the UFO than Koenigsegg CCX.
I have prepared a small photo showcase of the most expensive super cars in the world. Get ready to see what the true luxury and the top speed is!
1. Bugatti Veyron $1,700,000.
Photo by Vision Automotriz Magazine
Photo by Vision Automotriz Magazine
2. Lamborghini Reventon $1,600,000.
3. McLaren F1 $970,000.
4. Ferrari Enzo $670,000.
5. Pagani Zonda C12 F $667,321.
Photo by Trasosworld Photography
6. SSC Ultimate Aero $654,400.
7. Saleen S7 Twin Turbo $555,000.
8. Koenigsegg CCX
9. Mercedes Benz SLR McLaren Roadster $495,000
Photo by Vision Automotriz Magazine
10. Porsche Carrera GT $440,000.
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Mouro Lighthouse, Spain
Image via wunderground
From Cuba to Wales, coastal regions around the world are exposed to their fair share of storms. Yet while coastal residents get cozy inside with a good book and a hot thermos, what if “inside” meant being stuck in a lighthouse? Nothing more than a few bricks in a ferocious sea really. Tirelessly guiding those stuck in bad weather, lighthouses suffer silently, maybe slightly creaking in the wind and braving any storm like true pillars of strength. See for yourself.
Speaking of pillars of strength, it’s interesting how many websites with a religious touch use lighthouses in storms as a metaphor for their message. It’s probably because it’s easy to grasp: haven’t we all felt as if we were being pounded by big waves while still standing our ground? Oh, got it, guess the lighthouse would be a metaphor for God. Righto. But undoubtedly, when waves as big as the one in the next picture loom large, anyone would start praying for help.
Kereon Lighthouse in Brittany, France:
Image: Jean Guichard
One would think that the most spectacular images of lighthouses being pounded by a fierce storm would be those battling it out in the ocean. Residents of Lake Michigan, however, will disagree as they can’t complain of not having their fair share of spectacular lakeshore action. The frequent storms draw spectators happy to get drenched as long as their cameras get away unscathed.
South Haven Lighthouse – don’t miss the huge icicles on the bridge:
Image: Sarah Spaulding
Sheboygan Lighthouse on Lake Michigan, clearly weather beaten:
Image via University of Wisconsin
Lake Michigan’s Grand Haven lighthouse pounded by the waves:
Image: Lori Niedenfuer Cool
And here, totally frozen over and in a storm – can’t beat this image:
Image: Michigan Travel Bureau via EPA
Here’s the Oswego Lighthouse on Lake Ontario in New York state:
Image via lakeshoreimages
And the lighthouse keepers? Do they have to fear for their lives as the waves crash around them, often engulfing the lighthouse completely? Well, most of the lighthouses pictured here are unmanned even though they may have a house-like structure attached to them. People still need to check on the machinery once in a while, especially the lamps, but in most locations, there’s no need for anyone living in a lighthouse year-round.
The lighthouse in Seaham, Durham County, UK being dwarfed by the waves:
Image: NNP
And another lighthouse in the North Sea getting pounded by waves and 130 km/h winds:
Image: maessive
The lighthouse in Porthcawl on the South Wales coast getting swallowed by the waves:
Image: Nick Russill
In La Jument, Brittany, in France, however, one lighthouse keeper got the shock of his life when he was waiting for a rescue helicopter during a fierce storm in 1989. Upon hearing the sound of an approaching helicopter, he went outside, ready to be picked up. Only it wasn’t his rescue ‘copter but photographer Jean Guichard’s. Guichard was out to get some amazing shots of the picturesque lighthouse in the storm when he captured the lighthouse keeper as well in a photograph that went around the world.
The photograph that made La Jument in Brittany famous:
Image: Jean Guichard
The lighthouse keeper who investigated was able to retreat back inside before the big wave crashed around the lighthouse. Phew! Brittany is a region that seems especially storm-prone. The peninsula in northwestern France is situated between the British Channel and the Bay of Biscay and its coastline is dotted with lighthouses.
The lighthouse of Ar-Men in Brittany engulfed by a wave:
Image: Jean Guichard
Three lighthouses braving the storm in Tempete, Brittany:
Image: Alain Feulvarch
Given these kind of dangers, it is not surprising that the last manned lighthouse was built in the US in 1962. Modern lighthouses are automated structures in inaccessible locations where functionality matters more than aesthetics. Lighthouse structures directly constructed in the water are called wave-washed lights because they have to withstand the constant impact of the water.
A fair bit of wave washing at El Malecon, Havannah’s famous seaside walkway:
Image: kayugee
Mouro Island is a marine nature reserve in the province of Cantabria in northern Spain, just off the port of Santander. Though the region profits from the Gulf Stream bringing warmer water, the coastline is exposed to the Atlantic and does see pretty fierce storms, especially in the winter. Our very first and very last image show the walls of water that the Mouro Lighthouse has to withstand.
Dramatic - Mouro Lighthouse, Spain:
Image: Marina Cano
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Capturing reflections in photography can produce some spectacular images. The problem, however, is that it is not always as easy at it seems to get great reflection shots as it generally requires the shooter to treat the reflection and subject as one item, in much the same way as good images involving shadows is done.
While many photographers try to capture good shots relying on reflection, far fewer actually succeed.
The reflection photos below however, we think are pretty cool and show a fairly broad spectrum of what can be achieved with reflection and shadow in photography. Obviously, there is a bias towards landscapes here, but there might also be a few surprises for you.
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If you’re lucky enough to live in the extreme north, you regularly have an amazing photographic opportunity in Aurora Borealis (aka northern polar lights) – a phenomenon that doesn’t often occur the closer to the equator you get. As these aurora photos demonstrate the lights can provide a stunning backdrop to night-time landscape photographs and provide a unique subject that is largely unavailable to other areas of the world.
These aurora photos sjow fantastic landscape photography skills combined with a fantastic choice of subject in the lights themselves that, as you can see, have lead to some incredible shots.
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Infrared photography can capture some of the most stark and emotive images possible. Unfortunately it can also look like complete rubbish if done wrong. Along with this selection of infrared photos from the good Creative Commons people of Flickr that we think are pretty cool, are also a few links to further tutorials and resources on infrared photography that you might find useful. Be sure to click through to see what these talented people are photographing and sharing!
Photo by lrargerich.
Photo by Mark Grealish.
Photo by schoeband.
Photo by night86mare.
Photo by Tricky.
Photo by Zach Stern.
Photo by Zach Stern.
Photo by Lee Otis.
Photo by Square Within.
Photo by Carl Jones.
Photo by Lee Otis.
Photo by Compound Eye.
Photo by Hodge.
Photo by Public Energy.
Photo by Zach Stern.
Photo by Joseph Steufer.
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Very few photographs can be more stunning than a well executed photo of a waterfall. Just as they are one of the most beautiful things in nature, good photographers are able to make them one of the favourite subjects of photography fans everywhere. We think this selection of creative commons shots by various photographers is among the best we have seen. If you’d like to know more about taking photos like these, don’t forget to check out the resource links at the bottom of the post.
Seljalandsfoss by orvaratli.
Iguazu Falls, Brazil by Mr Punto.
The Stars of Niagara Falls by John A Ryan Photography.
Autumn at Rock Island Falls by Lee McCain.
Upper Falls at Caney Creek by K.W. Sanders.
The water music by Shchukin.
Buderim Falls by Garry.
Seclusion by TimboDon.
Frozen Swallow Falls by Zachstern.
Sitting Lady Falls by Quas.
Hope by Pardesi.
Hunua Falls by Chris Gin.
Brook View by Just Us 3.
Dardagna Falls by Marco Magrini.
Bridal Veil Falls by Avi.
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