Dimosthenis Ilias

Queen Latifah on Bessie Smith, the Blues, and Baltimore

Bessie Smith’s songs read like chapter titles of her tumultuous life: “Down Hearted Blues,” “There’ll Be a Hot Time in the Old Town Tonight,” and “Gimme a Pig Foot and a Bottle of Beer.” Born in Chattanooga, Tennessee, in 1894, she sang on street corners, performed in vaudeville theaters and summer …

Stream: Holy Serpent’s anarchic debut album

Four skaters from Melbourne formed Holy Serpent because they liked to get high and drink and listen to the same music, drawn together by the immortal …

Photos of Abandoned Places Found in New York City

For the past few years, photographer Will Ellis has been locating, exploring, and documenting obscure abandoned places in New York City. His images …

The Fierce and Seductive Men of Flamenco

<i>This essay is drawn from the conclusion to the author’s photo book “Ángel Gitano.”</i><p>My life with flamenco began when, as a child in Colombia, I would hear mythical tales about the gypsies, the <i>gitanos</i>, who for centuries had roamed the sun-drenched plains of southern Spain. Hearing of their chants and …

A Star Wars-Themed Photo Shoot to Find Homes for Shelter Animals

Today is the day that many people recognize as Star Wars Day (“May the fourth be with you”). To celebrate the occasion, members of the costuming …

30 Unbelievable Places That Are Hard To Believe Really Exist

Our Earth is full of wonders and beautiful places. Here is a collection of some breathtaking places that are hard to believe really exist.<b>(h/t:</b> …

Weird Animals

Project info<p>When it comes to creativity and recycling it is always fascinating and interesting, besides being useful. Maybe this is the reason why I share the phrase “Once, old and broken things were not being throw away, but were repaired.<br>Before being thrown and replaced by something new, those …

The saddest man in the world

Project info<p>The saddest man in the world lives in Bytom. Bytom is probably the saddest city I know. It lies in Upper Silesia, and I know people who believe that Upper Silesia is the saddest region of the saddest country in the world. The saddest man I know thinks it is all nonsense.

Portrait of West Africa's Secret Societies

Project info<p>Magic and secret societies play an important role in society of Sierra Leone and Liberia. It is something that is everywhere and part of politics, culture and religion. Secret societies can be found in all levels of society. Magic and the fight against witchcraft is one major reason …

The Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces - Photographs by Paul Shaw | LensCulture

<b>Juror’s Pick</b><p><i>This project was singled out for distinction by juror</i> <i>MaryAnn Camilleri</i><i>. Each of the jury members selected one photographer from the entrants to be awarded a special $1,000 grant.</i><p><b>Artist’s Statement</b><p>These portraits feature soldiers from the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF) who …

Portraits of Dogs Wearing the Cone of Shame

If there’s one things dogs don’t like, it’s the Elizabethan collar, popularly known as the “cone of shame” or the “pet lamp-shade.” It’s a protective …

Peek Inside North Korea Through a New Set of Eyes

North Koreans watch as others play an arcade game at the Kaeson Youth Amusement Park in Pyongyang, Sept. 3, 2014.<br>Wong Maye-E—AP<p>1 of 25<p>Wong Maye-E …

Stunning Street Photos of 1960s New York by Takayuki Ogawa

After six years working as a photographer for one of Japan's weekly magazines, Takayuki Ogawa decided to take a trip out to New York. For about a year, from 1967 to 1968, Ogawa walked New York's streets taking photos of everything he saw around him. With a fresh set of eyes, he captured the overall …

Evidence

Photos of Giant Science Facilities That Look Straight Out of Science Fiction

Scientists around the world create massive and elaborate facilities for carrying out groundbreaking research. Photographer Enrico Sacchetti is a guy …