Astronomy Photographer of the Year 2010

A truly stunning photograph, by Rogelio Bernal Andreo taken in California, has won the deep space prize in this year's Astronomy Photographer of the Year 2010. It's a panorama of part of Orion, including the famous three-starred belt. Apparently, it's also got the Horsehead nebula and the Orion nebula.

Just looking at it for a while sets my imagination racing and kind of helps put things in perspective a bit. We are mere specks, aren't we?

Photograph: Rogelio Bernal Andreo/National Maritime Museum

Adidas Ad

Like a lot of people my age, I've watched Star Wars IV in excess of a thousand times and all three films from the 70s and 80s hold a special place in my heart. It was appalling when they added in the extra scenes with the crass special effects for the DVD release of the original trilogy.
I'm by no means a Star Wars geek, but I just couldn't help my chin hitting the floor when I saw it, shortly followed by some totally irrational but well deserved screaming.
There are some things that should just not be messed with. That said, I actually enjoyed this spot for Adidas Originals. The quality of the post production and the humour spot on, as well as a good mix of people from different worlds which is perfectly fitting. But you still shouldn't have messed with it and for that I want to slap you all in the face. Really hard.

Pixels

This short film, Pixels, by Patrick Jean is getting posted, blogged, tweeted and generally bandied around like wildfire. And rightly so. It's totally awesome.

A Decade Of Playboy Centrefolds

This is what a decade of Playboy centrefolds looks like. It's 1988 - 1997, in case you're an aficionado on such things, and it's a work by Jason Salavon where he's used "...point-by-point mathematical averaging..." to produce the image.
via @Booooooom

Lazertits

Task: take image of old pin up or good shot of a lady. Add laser effects to her breasts. Lazertits. A totally pointless website, but worth a butchers.

via Neil Mason Studio

Graffiti Analysis

If I ever have the time, I'll do this - graffiti analysis, showing there's a lot more that goes into a tag than might meet the eye...

Russian Photography Group

Ok, so. If you're ever bored, get into a photo club like this, shown on the English Russia website. This photo is from the project where the community have to construct and shoot the following scenario:

“A Zombie: A man, rolled up in bandages should crawl on his stomach at a pedestrian crossing. He should have a knife sticking out of his back. Another guy should chase him with a working chainsaw”

Others include a waiter up to his waist in a refuse chute - that one is well worth checking out. This is now one of my favourite websites.

Animated Print

Totally bonkers. This is an example of a flyer printed with photosensitive inks which uses an embedded microchip to control the ink and actually animate the flyer. This is something I want to see in the flesh...

Batman Special Effects Magic Exposed

Finally, I know how they looked so effortless.