If only this is what came out when we folded up white pieces of paper and cut random designs to make “snowflakes” when we were kids. Unfortunately, nothing as beautiful as these actual snowflakes ever does. Because it is summer it is almost as if we can appreciate these photos more and get lost in the beauty of their unique shapes. In the winter they may not seem nearly as inspirational but right now they can draw you in. Everyone assumes that each snow crystal looks the exact same but as you can see from studying these photos each has its own pattern. Hopefully seeing these will make wintertime a little more enjoyable knowing that pile blocking your car in the driveway is actually made of unique, beautiful agglomerates of frozen ice crystals falling through the atmosphere on Earth. At least the notion will distract you just a little from the frustration that snow typically can bring.

Soon to be on the market is Panasonic’s extremely impressive series of new digital cameras. Of the five are the TS10; a rugged digital point and shoot, responding to the nature-lover’s need for a wilderness-friendly camera. The 14.1 megapixel TS10 is waterproof, freezeproof, shockproof and dustproof and also shoots in high-def video. Another, the LX5 is equipped with a 24mm LEICA glass lens which maximizes image clarity and delivers excellent resolution. Its external shell has been redesigned so that it is easier to hold on to. The FZ40 is a hybrid digital camera featuring 24x optical zoom as well capabilities for shooting high-def video. With 14.1 megapixals and a 25mm ultra-wide angle LEICA lens, the FZ40 features Intelligent Resolution technology which provides exceptional attention to detail and ensures crispness to all of your photographs. Expect to see these cameras available by August-September.

Photographer Elana Kalis was clearly inspired by the fantasy that is Alice in Wonderland when she photographed this series of young girls underwater in an Alice in Wonderland theme. The clarity of the photos is fantastic. The orange, white, and blue colors that stream throughout each photo looks crisp against the light blue water. It does not even look as though there is much photo shop work involved which is a tough look to pull off in any photo but especially in ones taken underwater where there must have been some flaws. Everyone who watches Alice in Wonderland- both the original Disney feature film and the recent revitalized version with Johnny Depp- gets lost in a sea of imagination not unlike the experience you get when viewing Kalis’ photographs. One of the most interesting and creative photos in the series that plays with your mind is the young girl looking in the mirror. Because the photo was taken under water it looks as though she is actually going through the mirror. Similar to how Alice goes into the wonderland world. The resulting look of this photo is incredibly impressive and must have been a technique that Kalis worked for when shooting. Kalis is in definite need of praise for keeping with the fantasy that is Alice in Wonderland when she shot these incredible photographs and allowing the viewer’s mind to get lost in their own imagination.

Ville Varumo does profound things with silence. His images are, for the most part, derived from places seemingly devoid of sound. Many of his models are expressionless, allowing the color tones to express their internal emotions. The props around them are minimal but significant – a keyboard or half filled glass of water. Varumo also takes beautiful fog-filled and muted landscapes that are like secret places he has discovered that have never been seen before by the human eye. To see his whole portfolio, take a look at his website.

It has been over 126 years since the Indonesian volcano Krakatoa has shown any type of life. Recent images taken have shown that the volcano is coming back to life and not in a good way. While the pictures taken by photographer Marco Fuller are absolutely amazing, the volcano is very serious and threatens many lives. In 1883, Krakatoa claimed over 36,000 lives and changed weather patterns for the following years. “Nearly 150 years on, the region where Krakatoa is situated between the islands of Java and Sumatra in the Indonesian archipelago is more densely populated, with small farmers drawn to the rich and fertile volcanic soils of the area. It is not inconceivable that hundreds of thousands of people could be killed if there were another massive eruption.”

Parsons School of Design Graduate Jamie Chung experiments with still life’s in her latest collection. Her smoking purse, dripping chocolate-covered sunglasses, dancing turtles and elaborate chain-of-event scientific contraptions all suggest motion in objects that appear to be completely frozen in time. The images are iconic, and there is also an emphasis on consumerism in the sea of Sunkist and Welch’s grape soda and the gum centered engagement ring. Her sense of irony is at best in the image of the poor turtle, which is immobilized by a chain and small metal weights.

Photographers Ashot Gevorkyan and Yaryshev Evgeny have recently collaborated on a photography series titled “In Da Car.” Each still image is a freeze frame of an extreme situation in a car. Both of these photographers create real life scenarios and capture each image smoothly. Check out the rest of the post for more photos.

Gonzalo Benard currently lives in Spain but is a Portuguese native. Benard creates some of the most abstract design pieces we have seen. Surreal, and ironic, forms of expression influence him. His works advocate bizarre and provocative thoughts that are part of his daily routine. Photography is combined with graphic design to create an element of shock and calm, Benard creates a special feeling behind his work with each piece that is presented in black and white.