Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Breathtaking

The voting is on for Third Annual Wikimedia Commons Picture of the Year. Not just anyone can vote, unfortunately. From The Wiki:

Voting is open for all Wikimedians who were registered before 1 January 2009 and with at least 200 edits on any Wikimedia project (at time of voting).

But that shouldn’t stop you from looking at some breathtaking photography, Gentle Reader. Here’s a single-page gallery featuring all 501 (!) images nominated for the 2008 awards… from which I’ve selected three that caught my eye. There are some spectacular images in this gallery, covering every possible subject known to man. And not all of the images are current… there are some amazing photographs of the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, for example... including one shot from a tethered balloon 2,000 feet above the city.

Credit for the image above (UlvikfjordMountainsPanorama.jpg): Aqwis. This is a full size image... and have you EVER seen calmer water? Ever?

Credit for the images above (Schnepfenfliege Rhagio scolopaceus2.jpg): Richard Bartz, Munich aka Makro Freak. The top image is a 40% re-size, the bottom is a full sized and cropped detail from the original image.

Credit for the images above (Hong Kong Night Skyline.jpg): Base64, retouched by CarolSpears. The same drill applies on these images... top is a 50% re-size, bottom is a full-sized cropped detail.

And the great thing? All of these images are published with a Creative Commons license… meaning they’re free for use as long as the author is credited. As always... click the individual images for larger.

on

9 comments:

  1. Flag Gazer24 February, 2009 00:31

    WOW!!!
    Thanks for the link!

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  2. Liz24 February, 2009 05:00

    Breathtaking, indeed!

    Nice that they include so much info also - thanks for the link!

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  3. Bag Blog24 February, 2009 06:07

    I love the mountain lake photo. The fly is amazing and interesting, but it is a fly. Thanks for that link; I may have to do some browzing.

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  4. Buck24 February, 2009 07:44

    Thanks, Ladies! And yeah, Lou... browsing is MOST definitely in order!

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  5. Dave (aka Buckskins Rule)24 February, 2009 08:45

    I recognized the Hong Kong skyline instantly. IMHO it is the most beautiful city in the world at night (I think all cities are ugly by day).

    When I was on the good ship Houston, we made a port call there in December, 1996. The sides of many of the taller buildings were decorated with Christmas lights that spanned nearly top to bottom. It was truly beautiful to see from the harbor at night.

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  6. Suldog24 February, 2009 10:27

    Thank you for the link, Buck. After the excellent samples given here, I'm on my way to see the rest.

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  7. Barco Sin Vela II24 February, 2009 14:41

    Buck, hate to say it; That bug, with its goatee and sunglasses looksa a bit like kin, no?

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  8. Anonymous24 February, 2009 18:15

    Buck, check the Pixdaus website for fabulous, free, gorgeous photos. It's a great source for bloggers.

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  9. Buck25 February, 2009 07:16

    BR sez: When I was on the good ship Houston, we made a port call there in December, 1996.

    I've only been to HK twice, but I agree with you about the skyline. I flew in to HK at the old Kai Tak airport back in '91... we came in at night and the night-time view as we were on final was simply spectacular... and scary. See the link for explanation.

    DC sez: Buck, hate to say it; That bug, with its goatee and sunglasses looksa a bit like kin, no?

    I don't see the resemblance, DC, but if you think it looks like you, well... And I thought your Spousal Unit didn't like beards on you? Change in the wind? ;-)

    Daphne: Thanks for the tip!

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Just be polite... that's all I ask.