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World’s Largest Pheasant Sculpture, world record in Huron, South Dakota

World’s Largest Pheasant Sculpture, world record in Huron, South Dakota
Huron, South Dakota, United States–The World’s Largest Pheasant Sculpture is located on Highway 14 in Huron; this 28 foot, 22 ton pheasant made of fiberglass and steel spans over 40 feet; made by sculptor RF Jacobs of Gooding, Idaho, it sets the world record for being the World’s Largest Pheasant Sculpture, according to the WORLD RECORD ACADEMY.

Unique Photography Exhibit ‘The Color of Movement’ to open May 2 at the Edward Jones Gallery in Grass Valley

Unique Photography Exhibit ‘The Color of Movement’ to open May 2 at the Edward Jones Gallery in Grass Valley
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A beautiful and unique photography exhibit, “The Color of Movement” will open on May 2, 2024 at the Edward Jones gallery in Grass Valley. This exhibit does not include traditional photography with sharply focused subjects. Instead photographers used a technique called Intentional Camera Movement (ICM) as they shot their photos. The resulting images are a stunning mix of colors, shapes and motion — evoking a variety of moods and energy. The opening reception will be on May 2 from 4:00 — 6:00 pm.

Among the nine photographers: Dee Anne Dinelli, Anita DuPratt, Monica Hughes, Donna Levreault, Mike Oitzman, Charlotte Peterson, Tom Quinn and Ann Westling, some expressed why they like ICM and how it is different.

A Newt’s Midnight Feast Wins Close-Up Photographer Of The Year Water Challenge

A Newt’s Midnight Feast Wins Close-Up Photographer Of The Year Water Challenge

The winners of the 2023 CUPOTY Challenge: Water have been revealed, with this year’s top prize being swooped by Hungarian photographer Tibor Litauszki for a beautifully lit image of a newt enjoying a midnight feast of frogspawn.

“In Germany, where I live, there are many clear and slow-flowing streams that provide excellent habitat for alpine newts. I have been following their lives for years, and last year was no exception. A few days after the frogs lay their eggs, at dusk, the newts appear and feast on the spawn all through the night. I wanted to capture this moment underwater,” Litauszki said in a statement seen by IFLScience.

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Along with the usual CUPOTY (Close-up Photographer of the Year) competition that runs each year, the organizers hold an annual challenge focusing on a different theme. “Water” was the chosen motif this year – and the entries did not disappoint the judges.

“We asked photographers to show us work on a Water theme. Our callout was answered with images of seahorses swimming through kelp, flowers bejeweled with rain, and insects drying out their wings before taking flight, among so many other things. As usual, looking at all the entries was both educational and inspiring,” noted Tracy Calder, co-founder of CUPOTY.

A  bold and creative shot of flowers in ice.

“Poppies Tiarella in Ice” was awarded 2nd prize.

Image credit: © Ian Gilmour | cupoty.com

Second place was awarded to British photographer Ian Gilmour for a vibrantly colored shot of flowers in ice. Gilmour explained: “I submerged some wild poppies in water with tiarella flowers and froze them overnight. I then placed the frozen block on a lightbox and photographed them using my Venus Laowa super macro lens.”

Sebastien Blomme of France got third place for an image of a damselfly using the water surface tension to catch a quick break. Explaining his process, Blomme said: “One day, I settled in the water at a spot where I had noticed a damselfly regularly returned to rest. I waited patiently for its return. At each appearance I fired my camera in burst mode, hoping to capture the moment when its wings would be spread in all their glory. After a hundred attempts, I finally managed to obtain the image I desired.” 

Wildlife photography of a delicate damselfly resting on water.

“The Ice Skater” was awarded 3rd place.

Image credit: © Sebastien Blomme | cupoty.com

Wildlife photography of frog in a pond from the WOPUTY photography competirion

Finalist: “You See Better With Four Eyes.”

Image credit: © Gabi Swart | cupoty.com

Close-up wildlife photography of a dragonfly covered in due.

Finalist: “Long Over Dew.”

Image credit: © Pete Burford | cupoty.com

Wildlife photograph of fungi mushrooms and their spores/

Finalist: “Milking Bonnets.”

Image credit: © Tony North | cupoty.com

A springtail (Neanura muscorum) covered in dew droplets.

Finalist: “Moss Springtail.”

Image credit: © Alexis Tinker-Tsavalas | cupoty.com

Wildlife photography of a snake's head poking out the water.

Finalist: “Periscope.”

Image credit: © Marco Maggesi | cupoty.com

You can check out all the winning pictures and the stories behind them here.

If you think you’ve got what it takes, the CUPOTY competition will open for entries in May 2024, so get snapping! 

Martin Parr releases his first book of fashion photography

Martin Parr releases his first book of fashion photography

Fashion Faux Parr is the latest release by renowned British photographer Martin Parr, and the first book that takes a comprehensive look at his fashion photography. Published by Phaidon, it delves into his many shoots for acclaimed clothing brands such as Gucci, Balenciaga and Stüssy, as well as for iconic fashion magazines like Vogue and Elle.

As Scottish fashion designer Patrick Grant notes in the book’s introductory essay, “Martin Parr is not known as a fashion photographer”, and yet, as the photographs in this book attest to, he certainly has an eye for such imagery. They reveal how he effortlessly turns his hand from his bread-and-butter documentary approach to fashion editorial, all the while maintaining his signature style.

Three people standing in a wooden floored gallery space with two large pop art paintings on the wall
Top: Katz’s Delicatessen, New York, USA, 2018, commissioned by Vogue USA; Above: New York, USA, 2019, commissioned by Vogue USA. All images: © Martin Parr / Magnum Photos

Wry, yet never judgemental, Parr’s own brand of photography more often than not focuses on subjects such as class, wealth and national culture. He is known for his flash-lit portraits of British beachgoers, his vibrant still-life shots of food and drink, and his humorous take on the mundane and the everyday.

In his fashion photographs, this observational, tongue-in-cheek approach remains evident, blurring the lines between genres. The images featured in the book show international supermodels playing bingo and arcade games, fashion influencers taking silly, self-aware selfies, and catwalk queens filling up their cars at petrol stations.

A close up of a person wearing a pink striped dress and bag in the foreground, with a person dressed entirely in denim and a wide-rimmed hat carrying a newspaper in the background
Dakar, Senegal, 2001, commissioned by Rebel

As a result, the glitz and glamour of the industry is beautifully offset by markedly ordinary moments, showing that, contrary to popular opinion, fashion can be fun. The visionary designs of world-renowned fashion houses are brought to earth in a positive sense, providing space for them to engage with the real and the quotidian.

Speaking of her experience working with Parr, shoe designer Tabitha Simmons recalls “Martin’s ability to find beauty and intrigue in the most unlikely places was eye-opening…. Through his photography, he challenges our preconceived notions of what is beautiful and reminds us to find joy and fascination in the seemingly trivial.”

Models on the set of a Jacquemus fashion shoot with an assistant wearing a headset next to them, photographed on grass next to a lake by Martin Parr
Versailles, France, 2023, commissioned by Jacquemus

This notion is evident throughout much of Fashion Faux Parr, with Parr training his lens on diamond-adorned stuffed toys, watches hidden amongst greasy spoon tableware, and designer shoes conspicuously sat on the weathered bark of tree trunks.

His attention to detail, witty sense of humour, and strong eye for form and colour come through in all of his work, and these qualities remain constant – whether he is shooting a busy British beachtown or a new clothing collection by a leading designer.

A group of six young people dressed in Gucci sitting in a heap on a tiled staircase photographed by Martin Parr
Fashion Week, Paris, France, 2018, commissioned by Gucci

Fashion Faux Parr is published by Phaidon; phaidon.com

KJo takes to photography with Ananya Panday as his Muse

KJo takes to photography with Ananya Panday as his Muse

KJo takes to photography with Ananya Panday as his Muse

Mumbai, April 23 (SocialNews.XYZ) Bollywood director-producer Karan Johar, who last directed ‘Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani’, recently explored his photography skills by capturing his muse, Ananya Panday.

Taking to Instagram stories on Tuesday, KJo shared a picture of the ‘Kho Gaye Hum Kahan’ actress, which he clicked himself.

Karan captioned the picture: “My attempt at photography! @ananyapanday as a worthy muse!”

In the picture, Ananya stands beside a set of balloons, dressed in a cedar-coloured outfit.

The actress gazes sideways into the camera lens, her shoulder aligned with the camera axis.

Ananya also re-shared it on her Instagram story and wrote: “@karanjohar hehe love you,” followed by a red heart emoji.

KJo has been actively sharing shayaris and random musings on his social media lately.

The director-producer often shares words of wisdom infused with satire.

Meanwhile, on the professional front, Karan has partnered with the makers of the upcoming film ‘Devara’, starring NTR Jr. in the lead role.

The director of the film Koratala Siva and NTR Jr. have joined forces with KJo and AA Films of Anil Thadani for the North India theatrical distribution of ‘Devara: Part 1’.

Source: IANS

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About Gopi

Gopi Adusumilli is a Programmer. He is the editor of SocialNews.XYZ and President of AGK Fire Inc.

He enjoys designing websites, developing mobile applications and publishing news articles on current events from various authenticated news sources.

When it comes to writing he likes to write about current world politics and Indian Movies. His future plans include developing SocialNews.XYZ into a News website that has no bias or judgment towards any.

He can be reached at gopi@socialnews.xyz

Ananya Panday looks mesmerizing as she turns ‘worthy-muse’ for Karan Johar’s ‘attempt at photography’; PIC

Ananya Panday looks mesmerizing as she turns ‘worthy-muse’ for Karan Johar’s ‘attempt at photography’; PIC

Ananya Panday and Karan Johar share the warmest bond in Bollywood. The actress made her debut in the industry with Dharma-backed Student Of The Year 2. Ever since, on various occasions, Ananya has expressed her great admiration and respect towards the veteran filmmaker.

In addition to this, their social media banter also grabs attention always. Now, yet again, KJo dropped a stunning photograph of the Call Me Bae actress as she turned muse for him. 

Karan Johar turns photographer for Ananya Panday

Today, on April 23, a while back, Karan Johar took to his Instagram stories and shared a photograph of Ananya Panday. In the photo, the actress looked breathtakingly gorgeous in a long beige bodycon dress as she stood beside a corner decorated with balloons and a teddy bear. A table and chair were also seen placed behind the actress.

The Kho Gaye Hum Kahan actress left her curled tresses open and flashed a sweet smile while posing for the photo clicked by KJo. Sharing the photo, the Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani director wrote, “My attempt at photography! @ananyapanday as a worthy muse!”

Reacting to the post, the actress re-shared it on her Instagram story and replied, “@karanjohar hehe love you,” followed by a red heart emoji.

Take a look:

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Pic Courtesy: Karan Johar and Ananya Panday Instagram

After Student Of The Year 2, Ananya Panday and Karan Johar collaborated on films like Liger, Gehraiyaan, and Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, where the actress made a cameo in the song Heartthrob.

Ananya Panday and Karan Johar’s work front

On the professional front, Ananya Panday was last seen in Kho Gaye Hum Kahan co-starring Siddhant Chaturvedi and Adarsh Gourav. Her portrayal in the film was well-received. The modern-day film was a fresh take on platonic friendship.

Furthermore, she will be next seen in Amazon Prime Video’s upcoming web show, Call Me Bae. Directed by Collin D’Cunha, the series will also star Gurfateh Pirzada, Varun Sood, Vir Das, Lisa Mishra, and Mini Mathur among others.

Meanwhile, Karan Johar returned to the director’s chair after a significant hiatus with Alia Bhatt and Ranveer Singh-led Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani. The film was both, a critical and commercial success at the box office.

ALSO READ: Singham Again: Ranveer Singh gushes over wifey Deepika Padukone’s look as Shakti Shetty; calls her ‘Sherni’

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