The Amazing Stuff

Much of what makes photography such an incredible craft is the fact that skilled photographers can bring a sense of permanence to what would otherwise be a fleeting moment. Photography is one skill that revels in the idea of stasis. It is one of few methods through which we can challenge the relentless march of time.

But what if we could capture the essence of that onward march without the use of motion pictures? What if we could illustrate the passage of a day in one still image? Acclaimed photographer Stephen Wilkes set out to answer those questions a few years ago, and the resulting series is a permanent interpretation of life’s transience.

To achieve this effect, Wilkes photographs the same location from a fixed angle 1,500 times over the course of 24 hours.

The Americas Cup, San Francisco

He then chooses the best photos from each session and blends them together seamlessly into one image.

Central Park View from Essex House, New York City, 2014

The transition from day to night and back again dictates much of the human experience. Because this is a shared phenomenon, Wilkes decided to choose subjects that people around the world could relate to in a similar way.

Flatiron, New York City, 2010

“I photograph from locations and views that are part of our collective memory,” he writes.

Coney Island, New York City, 2011

According to the artist, these images help us visualize “our conscious journey with time.”

Millennium Park, Chicago, 2013

The photographs illustrate concepts of shared time and space with the refreshing concision of still images.

Trafalgar Square, London, 2014

It’s easy to get lost in abstract ideas when considering the ways in which we’re affected by time. These images cut down on all of that abstraction with a visual representation of the idea.

Serengeti National Park, Tanzania, 2015

While many try and fail to wrap their minds and their words around what it means to watch time pass us by, Stephen Wilkes articulates the idea with poignant images that need no explanation.

Shanghai, China, 2012

(via BoredPanda)

If you live in the New York area and want to see these incredible images up close, be sure to stop by the Bryce Wolkowitz Gallery sometime between now and January 9, 2016. You can check out more of Wilkes’ work on his website, and keep up with his latest projects on Instagram.

When people are faced with homelessness, they lose a lot more than just their shelters. They also lose their visibility to other people, many of whom pass them by without a second glance. They lose their humanity and dignity, and many face abuse and unfair treatment.

And finally, they lose their voices as human beings, as their plights and stories often go unheard. But Cafe Art, a London-based organization, is looking to change that by giving homeless people a chance to earn some money by showing people the world through their eyes.

Everything I Own or Bags of Life, Strand, by David Tovey

Telephone Row, Lincoln’s Inn, by XO

In July, Cafe Art gave out 100 disposable cameras to about 35 people affected by homelessness. The recipients were trained in basic photography techniques by the Royal Photographic Society, and were then tasked with capturing their own unique, and sometimes heartbreaking, views of London.

About 80 of the 100 cameras were returned, and some 2,500 photos were ultimately developed. From them, 20 of the best were chosen and displayed. The public then voted on them, and the 12 best photos were chosen for a calendar. The project is being crowdfunded on Kickstarter.

Nature’s Tunnel or Light and the End, Stratford, by Ellen Rostant

Past & Present, City of London, by Ioanna Zagkana

Colour Festival, Olympic Park, by Goska Calik

Cutty Sark Photobomb, Greenwich, by ROL

This was chosen as the cover of the 2016 calendar.

Cafe Art’s program seeks to empower homeless people through art, lending them a voice and a creative outlet. The classes help bring them together, and their newfound skills boost their confidence so they can make some money with their own creativity.

The program also serves the rest of the population, too, by reminding them that many people with whom they share a city are without homes and resources. The photos help raise awareness of homelessness, and will hopefully inspire people to reach out and help.

Left Boot, East London, by Ellen Rostant

Tyre Break, Hackney, by Desmond Henry

Tower Bridge Picnic, Tower Hill, by Ceci

Photography might seem like a strange way to help the homeless, but creating art is actually a major self-esteem booster.

“When I had my stroke, it sort of destroyed me,” one of the participants, David Tovey, explained. “I turned up to the competition the first year, and I couldn’t look at anyone, couldn’t even talk to anyone. I walked in, kept my eyes on my feet the whole time, grabbed a camera — wasn’t expecting anything from it — and went out and took photos. And from that, it changed my life. It’s amazing what a disposable camera can do to someone’s self-esteem.”

Some images were not included in the calendar, but are available for purchase as single prints, like the ones you see below.

Ducks, Hyde Park, by Stephen James

Faceless Child, East London, by Ellen Rostant

Parked Bike, Hyde Park, by Goska Calik

Sleeping Rough, West End, by Amadeus Xavier Quadeer

(via My Modern Met)

You can see more of these unique, haunting photos on Cafe Art’s website, and learn more about the services they provide and the people they’ve helped. You can also chip in and donate to the Kickstarter campaign to make sure the 2016 calendar can reach as many people as possible!

Email the ViralNova team!

Before the release of Resident Evil 6 back in 2012, game developers at Capcom came up with a gruesome marketing scheme to draw attention to their latest creation before it hit the selves. To carry out their gory ploy, they set up shop at a popular London marketplace.

When unsuspecting shoppers perused the stalls at Smithfield Market that day, they were greeted with a horrifying surprise.

(via DesignTAXI)

As far as marketing tactics go, this may be the grossest yet. Some people really pull out all the stops to get people talking about their products.

I think it’s safe to assume that this plan worked in that regard. It’d be hard to stumble upon a butcher stall full of human limbs without posting photos to Instagram or firing off a few tweets about it. Bravo, Capcom. Well done.

For more stories you won’t believe, follow these links:

Most of us would rather not think about how we’ll be remembered when we die. It’s a scary thought that acknowledges our mortality. Most of us would like to think that we’ll be remembered for the right reasons. However, much of what people remember about us is strange and unexpected.

British philosopher Jeremy Bentham knows this all too well.

(via: Cult Of Weird)

I suppose Bentham had a very good idea about what he would be remembered for when he died. That being said, he probably thought more people would remember him for his philosophies instead of his preserved head.