June 2007

Link Latte 15

#15 - Week of June 24, 2007

The Mini-revolt of Mika Brzezinski - [respect]
Nightfall: Earth's uncontrolled rotation - [fun article]
Hair-raising Manitoba Tornado Video - [extreme weather]
CIA declassifies Top Secret documents - [full catalog]
The Ultimate List of Hoaxes - [wiki]
Spectacular 360 panorama of Sydney Harbor - [VR], via
Extreme: Space Diving - [space tech]
360 Panoramas of Moon Landings - [space]
Seeds: a micrography - [pictures]
Japan's Kit Kat Kraze - [yummy!]
A computer so small, it fits in a wall socket - [tech]
Motorcycle sculptures made out of used watch parts - [art]
10 Strangest Weapons through History - [interesting]
Apple Evolution: 1976 through 2007 - [chart]
How to pour Ketchup. Full technical explanation. - [useful?]
Weird Campers & RVs - [photos]
10 Dangerous First Aid Myths - [health]
Coolest Firetruck Ever - [auto]
What the heck is electronic mail? - [1977 ad] via
Turkey from 1000 ft. - [travel] [photography]
Dream Anatomy: Gallery - [fascinating]
Marilyn Monroe's birthday - [vintage photos]
Insurance ad: miserable situation - [video] [cool ads]
What kids can do to a train - [video]
Fresh Music Style: Hip Hop Violin - [video]
Summertime: get free icecream

Aim...Fire! (High Speed Photography)

"QUANTUM SHOT" #218

Tired of the same old objects around you? Shoot them to pieces for the sake of art!

High speed, or "flash" photography is an art, widely used in scientific research, which also has a dedicated following among those wanting to "blow things apart" in the most elegant way possible. Witness the very popular Flickr group and a multitude of posts around the world, all joining in the delirious excitement of exploding various objects on camera. It's not easy to come up with a perfect shot... consider 1200ft/sec average speed of a bullet, plus a synchronizing laser, hi-tec flash setup and a fancy camera-work. The following is "the best of" gallery from a few masters of the genre:

Stefan, a.k.a. Fotofrog has a gorgeous set, where fruits and some vegetables get blown to smithereens, together with some tableware:

(images credit: Stefan - Fotofrog)

Crayons from Spyzter:

(image credit: Khuong)

Shattered glass lamp:

("Shattered Glass" by Raniel)

Peeled banana (and more from Jasper Nance)

(image credit: Jasper Nance)

Antibacterial soap bar:

(image credit: Jasper Nance)

Unfortunate? doll:

(image credit: Jasper Nance)

Hot tomato:

(image credit: Jasper Nance)

Bullet through a bottle:

(image credit: Johnny Lee)

"Pulsetronics" is UK company specializing in high-speed photography, mostly for science research. They also have a few artistic gems there... not for the faint-hearted! Check your electronic health record (EHR) to be sure -

Full Magnum Force:

(image credit: Arya Abidi)

Two spherical shock waves are visible on this "schlieren image" (an interferometric technique used to study the distribution of density gradients within a transparent medium). A serious weapon with considerable force, but nothing a good solid bottle of beer couldn't do: