On 29 July 2022, on a shore of Lake Baikal, Evenki people from all over Russia gathered for the first time. The Evenki are Indigenous people of reindeer herders, and at the Tungus congress they had the opportunity to visit their original homeland, the cradle of their culture. More recently, the Evenki have occupied a vast territory from the Yenisei River to Kamchatka, from Yakutia to China.
Above: A children’s reindeer race during the herders’ festival. Right: Valery Evseev was born in the taiga into a family of reindeer herders. With the fall of the USSR in 1991 they lost all their animals. In 2020, the government of the Republic of Sakha reopened the Syuldyukar state farm. Far right: Alla Kourbaltinova has spent her entire life camping near the village of Iengra, in the Neryungri region, in the taiga of southern Yakutia. Despite the death of her husband three years ago, she continues to raise her herd of 215 reindeer, with her son Aleksei and three employees. Below: Prokopiï, an Evenki hunter renowned throughout Yakutia, celebrates his 60th birthday in Yakutsk
Nature is everything for the Evenki people. They are traditional hunters who have been roaming the eastern forests of Siberia for centuries. The Evenki settled in the taigas of Yakutia, among larch, blueberry and reindeer moss. They lived in the presence of deer, elk, brown bear, fox, capercaillie, sable, taimen, pike, whitefish, perch and trout. It is therefore no coincidence that names of many natural sites here have Evenki roots.
Clockwise from top left: the Evenki have a history of bartering fur from reindeer and hunted animals; the patterns of traditional Evenki costumes are inspired by nature; a construction worker and activist from Yakutsk visits Oymyakon, the coldest village in the world; Aliona Antipina, 11, of Russian origin, was born in Iengra
For their nobility and courage, these nomads were called “the aristocrats of Siberia”. It was the Evenks of Yakutia who guided Russian prospectors to the riches of the subsoil, playing the role of mushers for geologists whom they taught to survive in a harsh climate. Like many Indigenous peoples elsewhere in the territory, they enabled the industrial development of the Soviet Union.
The photo at the bottom left: A hereditary reindeer herder, working as musher of geological expeditions. The photo at the bottom right: Sadynsky taiga, reindeer herding brigade, 1967. The photo at the top right: Three men working as reindeer mushers and guides in 1964 in Yakutia’s Lensky district
Today, Russia is the third largest producer of gold, while one out of three diamonds mined in the world comes from Yakutia. Somehow, the Evenki cohabit with the industrialists who exploit their lands, sacrificed on the altar of economic growth. They regret it all the more because they hoped for a better tomorrow for their children.
The diamond industry organised drilling and extraction in the forest near the rural town of Syuldyukar, attached to the town of Mirny – the richest region of Yakutia – without warning its residents or local authorities. Here, the mayor came to meet the site manager to invite him to speak to the locals and offer to pay them compensation
The taiga is massively demolished, the beds of rivers are ransacked and the water tables are polluted.
Above: Children are taught the Evenki language in a kindergarten in Iengra, the only village in Yakutia where the inhabitants have retained its use. Right: on the Iengra fur farm, the Evenki breed sables and foxes. A sable skin can sell for 3,000 rubles (£25), and a white fox skin for 8,000 rubles. Far right: Galina Lazareva lives alone in Iengra. In the late 1960s, she worked with mining company geologists. For several years she was a guide for gold prospectors in southern Yakutia. Below: Galina’s great-granddaughter sings at the Baptist church House of Prayer. Representatives of this evangelical Christian movement arrived in Iengra in 1992
The preservation of nature is the priority for the Evenki. Without the reindeer and the environment that nurtures them, they will no longer be able to exist as a people. They are native and attached to their land, and an integral part of the ecosystem.
Top left: Radik eats pork rillettes on the back of a snowmobile after a day of fishing with his father in the frozen taiga. Top right: Victor Starkov, a retired coal boiler driver, fishes in Oymaykon, the coldest permanently inhabited rural Yakut settlement on the planet. That day, it was -55C. Above: Georgy Sofronov practises lasso throwing. He is a multiple Russian champion in northern combined events, including lasso throwing and sled jumping, two traditional Evenki sports. Right: traditionally in the taiga, the wife of a reindeer herder is responsible for bringing firewood and water, sometimes from a frozen river
Nikita Zimov, the director of the Northeast Science Station in Yakutia which is used as a year-round base for international research in arctic ecology, observes the thawing of permafrost layer in Duvanny Yar, located along the Kolyma River above the Arctic circle in Yakutia
In addition to unveiling its new iPhone 15 lineup and releasing iOS 17, Apple finished off September by sending out the first beta of iOS 17.1 to developers and public beta testers alike.
While we’re still in the early stages of exploring what iOS 17.1 will ultimately bring to the table, it appears to at least be laying some of the groundwork for iOS 17 features that are yet to arrive, and it’s also fixed a few annoying bugs along the way.
However, it also brings a few other fun and useful tweaks. One of which is, as the folks at 9to5Mac discovered, a much more flexible way of displaying your favorite photos on your Lock Screen.
One of the most significant and fun features to arrive in iOS 16 last year was the ability to customize your Lock Screen far beyond a single static wallpaper. A wealth of new options let you turn your iPhone screen into something more akin to an Apple Watch face, complete with complication-style widgets, live backgrounds for things like astronomy and weather, and even dynamic photo galleries.
That last one was a breath of fresh air for those who like to keep things interesting, but sadly, it had a few limitations that meant you weren’t always seeing the best of your photo collection whenever you picked up your iPhone.
The Lock Screen, dubbed Photo Shuffle, could randomly cycle through images, either changing them up on an hourly or daily schedule or each time you unlocked or tapped your iPhone. However, your selections in the dynamic album were limited to filtering by four categories: People, Pets, Nature, or Cities.
While the People category let you choose who you wanted to include pictures of, the other three relied on Apple’s machine learning to select images that Apple thought might be worth putting on your Lock Screen.
Although iOS 16 later added a way to remove specific photos from the shuffle, that had to be done individually for each image and could get quite cumbersome if your iPhone brought up a larger list of photos you didn’t want to see.
Thankfully, Apple has added a new option in iOS 17.1 that should prove highly useful for Photo Shuffle fans who were disappointed with what iOS 16 had to offer.
As 9to5Mac discovered, creating a new Photo Shuffle now offers the option to use an Album instead of the predefined categories. For now, at least, this is an either-or choice — you can use a single album, or you can choose the People/Pets/Nature/Cities categories, but you can’t mix both.
For the most part, the album selections are also mostly limited to those you’ve manually created. The Favorites album is available, but other Smart Albums like Selfies, Portrait, and Recents aren’t included.
Further, once you’ve saved a Photo Shuffle Lock Screen using an album, you won’t be able to switch it over to the categories or vice-versa. You can change the selected album, but if you want a Photo Shuffle Lock Screen for people or pets, you’ll need to create a new one.
The same applies to using an album for an existing Photo Shuffle Lock Screen. The album option doesn’t appear when editing a current screen, only when creating a new one. However, it’s important to remember that we’re dealing with the very first iOS 17.1 beta here, so that could change before the final release.
Note that even when using an album for Photo Shuffle, iOS 17.1 will still try to limit what appears to those photos that are appropriate for your Lock Screen, but unfortunately, there’s no Don’t Feature Photo option on the pop-up menu when pulling photos from an album, so the only way to get rid of a picture you don’t want is to remove it from the album entirely. Again, though, that might change by the time iOS 17.1 is released to the public.
Last year, iOS 16 introduced a whole new world of dynamic lock screens to personalize your iPhone experience.
One of these options was the Photo Shuffle lock screen, which randomly cycled through images from your photo library. However, it was missing a critical point of customization that made it hard to use for most people. But thankfully, this functionality gap has now been filled with iOS 17.1 …
Since the launch of iOS 16, the Photo Shuffle wallpaper let you choose from several categories, based on the types of images detected in your Photos app library and camera roll. You could choose to shuffle images of People, Nature or Pets.
The problem was these automatic collections were often incomplete, and could not be edited – you couldn’t add or remove photos other than filtering out particular detected faces altogether in the People collection. This made the lock screen often useless as it would surface images that weren’t necessarily relevant or interesting, and no real way to fine tune it.
As of iOS 17.1, there’s a new option when you create a Photo Shuffle lock screen: the ability to choose a specific album. This gives you the control to choose what images you want to see on your lock screen, by curating a specific album or simply using the Favorites album.
The iOS system will still analyze the content of the album to find the most suitable pictures, such as portraits to apply the overlapping subject over the time effect. But it means you will only ever see the photos that you want to see. Point it at a hand-crafted album of holiday or baby pictures and it will now dutifully oblige.
iOS 17.1 is currently in developer and public beta. It will be available as a free update for all iPhone and iPad users later this month.
How to create a Photo Shuffle lock screen
Long-press on your current lock screen to open the gallery view.
Press the blue ‘Add’ button at the bottom of the screen.
Press Photo Shuffle at the top of the Add New Wallpaper panel.
Press the new Album option and choose your album.
Select Shuffle Frequency to customize how frequently you will see a different photo.
Press ‘Use Album’ button to confirm and optionally choose a color filter by swiping side-to-side, like black and white.
Finally, press Add button in the top-right corner of the screen to start using your new lock screen.
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At just 11 years old, Blue Ivy Carter has proven she’s nurturing several artistic talents — and her grandma, Tina Knowles-Lawson, just revealed yet another one.
On Sunday, the doting grandmother shared a video on Instagram. Recording herself in a dressing room mirror, Knowles-Lawson said, “Hi! I’m here with the makeup guru, makeup extraordinaire, Miss Blue Ivy Carter.” Blue waved in the background as her grandma shared, “She just did my makeup. She’s been doing my makeup for years, and I really like it.”
HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 14: Tina Knowles-Lawson attends a special screening and brunch for Warner Bros’ “King Richard” at NeueHouse Los Angeles on November 14, 2021 in Hollywood, California. Photo by Maury Phillips/Getty Images.
Knowles-Lawson’s gorgeous look included red lipstick, a shimmery smoky eye, contoured cheeks, a wash of blush, and filled-in brows. She continued, “I just don’t know about… I don’t know if you can see it, but I’ve got, like, little glittery stuff on the top.” Knowles-Lawson opined, “I think I might be a tad bit too old for glitter on the top of my eyes,” and Blue emphatically refuted in the background with a firm “No!”
The businesswoman asked her followers what they thought about the makeup, and they all agreed with Blue. “Mama Tina that shimmer is popping,” one person wrote. They added, “Age ain’t nothing but a number.” Someone else commented, “Look so good!!! Blue is very gifted.” Another follower funnily wrote, “If the legend Blue says the glitter works, it WORKS ”
Other fans simply praised the 11-year-old’s skill, with one effusing, “That’s right! Princess of many talents .” Another person expressed how impressive it is that Blue has been doing her grandma’s makeup for so long, writing, “For years??! wow! This is crazy! I love it!”
In the caption of the post, Knowles-Lawson wrote, “Blue IV Carter. never ceases to amaze me. She can draw, she can paint, she can do makeup, she can play the piano and the list goes on!” The proud grandmother added, “She reminds me so much of my multi-talented younger babygirl! @solangeknowles who could do well just about anything she put her mind to! But I love her makeup it is so amazing!!!”
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Blue really is a young lady of many talents, and with Beyoncé as her mom, Solange as her aunt, and Jay-Z as her dad, it makes sense — icons raise icons!
These celebrity kids want to follow in their parents’ footsteps.
The large photograph hanging on the wall of Hall 1 at the Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath (CKP) is a particularly endearing one. It depicts three tigers huddled close together, staring into the camera lens with unblinking amber eyes.
M. N. Jayakumar, the man behind the photo, recalls being in a particular part of the national park very early one day—around 6.15 in the morning—when he saw a tiger, Gowri, rush past them and disappear into the woods. They spent the next few hours circling around that block of the national park, he says, but could simply not spot her till much later in the morning, feeding on a sambar deer.
She wasn’t alone, but was accompanied by her four sub-adult cubs. “She had made the kill and gone rushing back to bring her cubs,” says Mr. Jayakumar, who spent the next couple of hours, watching the little family feed. “I think she wanted some rest so she brought the cubs to the waterhole to play in the water,” says Mr. Jayakumar, who clicked the snap when the family was frolicking in the waterhole. “I liked this image because it looks like a family portrait,” he says.
Fiery-Throated Hummin bird .
| Photo Credit:
M N Jaykumar
A forest official in the wild
This photograph is one of the 231 that form part of Encounters in the Wild 2.0, a solo exhibition both celebrating global wildlife as well as commemorating 50 years of Project Tiger, the wildlife conservation movement launched in 1973 to protect and preserve the Bengal tiger. Talking about his obsession with wildlife and conservation, Mr. Jayakumar recalls the incident that started off his passion for the wild.
In 1971, his father took him to watch a khedda, or wild elephant capture in Mysuru, among the last conducted in India before the practice was banned under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, of 1972. He was only 19 back then, and the incident impacted him greatly, remembers Mr. Jayakumar. Looking back, he thinks, “I was destined to join the forest service.”
Humpback Whale.
| Photo Credit:
M N Jaykumar
He went on to pursue agriculture at the College of Agriculture, Bengaluru, graduating with the second rank there, before turning his attention to forest service. “I wanted a career that took me outdoors,” he says. So, he joined the Indian Forest College (now the Indira Gandhi National Forest Academy) in Dehra Dun, before becoming part of the Forest Department.
Photography happened rather serendipitously back in 1993 or so. He was working as a deputy range forest officer in Mysore, and would often host wildlife photographers from all over the country who would stop by for a meal while visiting Bandipur or Nagarahole.” On one occasion, a colleague jokingly remarked that while the whole world came to the Mysore District for photography, you—being the head of the district—are wasting your time,” he says, with a laugh. “That really spurred me to learn.”
African Elephant with Wildebeest.
| Photo Credit:
M N Jaykumar
25 years of photography
Encounters in the Wild 2.0, which is spread across four halls in the CKP multiple species, documents multiple species of animals from all across the world. Held in collaboration with the Karnataka Forest Department, the display includes 47 species of mammals, 109 types of birds, and 8 species of reptiles and frogs shot on Mr. Jayakumar’s travels to different parts of India, Southeast Asia, Africa and the Americas.
Tiger Jumping.
| Photo Credit:
M N Jaykumar
From the gloriously-plumed birds of the Galapagos to tawny Bengal tigers; giraffes, elephants, and lions silhouetted against twilight skies shot with ochre and vermillion and even an aerial large shot of Machu Picchu, that icon of the ancient Inca empire, every photograph on display is evocative and stunning, a visual representation of Mr. Jayakumar’s love for the great outdoors. “Thankfully, all of us (his wife and two children) are lovers of nature. So, it doesn’t come in the way of my activity,” he says, adding that three of the images exhibited at the show were taken by his wife.
Mr. Jayakumar had his first solo exhibition in 1998, beginning with a series in New Delhi to commemorate the silver jubilee of Project Tiger. This was followed by what he thinks of as the first edition of Encounters in the Wild at CKP in 2008 and another titled Birds as Art at UB City, Bengaluru.
Red-Shanked Douc.
| Photo Credit:
M N Jaykumar
Post-retirement pictures
Most of the images in this exhibition, his fourth, were shot after he retired in 2012. “I have a group of friends, all my age, who I travel with regularly,” he says, adding that these travels enable him to continue observing and photographing wildlife. “As soon as I have my back and legs intact, I hope to keep on documenting nature,” says Mr. Jayakumar who is all set to visit Kenya in November, followed by Rwanda, Uganda, Columbia and the U.S. early next year.
Toucan Barbet
| Photo Credit:
M N Jaykumar
As with all his shows, he hopes to “experience, educate and engage viewers,” with Encounters in the Wild 2.0. “Every image in this exhibition will have a QR code that you can scan to get to know about the animal,” he says. And yes, if you don’t like reading or are visually impaired, there is an audio option too. “All you need to do is bring your headphones,” he says.
Wildebeest Migration.
| Photo Credit:
M N Jaykumar
Way to conservation
Mr. Jayakumar firmly believes that exposing urban dwellers to the magnificence and beauty of nature through exhibitions such as this one can go a long way toward driving conservation in this country. “I hope the people who attend my exhibition will engage with the forest department afterwards, in times of crisis, to protect our precious earth,” he says. As human beings encroach into the habitat of wild animals, leading to an increase in conflict, it is more important than ever before to learn how to peaceably live with the natural world, believes Mr. Jayakumar. “We need to know how to adjust their lives to see that it is not disturbed.”
Encounters in the Wild 2.0 is on till September 8 at the Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath from 10 a.m. to 7.30 p.m. Entry is free for all.
Ancient Sentinels | Exploring the World’s Oldest Trees
Nature has witnessed the rise and fall of civilizations, the passing of centuries, and the evolution of countless species. Throughout human history, trees have stood by silently, serving as living witnesses to history, carrying within their rings the secrets of time itself. While they hold a profound and enduring fascination for many of us, trees are vital symbols of wisdom, change and the journey of life. From the towering redwoods of California to the ancient yews of Eurasia, trees have woven their roots deep into every culture and human consciousness. They provide shade, shelter, sustenance, and inspiration, and their significance transcends mere biology.
In this blog post, we are going on a journey to uncover the unbelievable tales of Earth’s ancient, upright guardians – trees that have continued to grow and thrive for thousands of years. These arboreal giants have borne witness to the rise and fall of civilizations, silently chronicling our planet’s dramatic history. Each one tells a unique story, and as we venture into the world of these venerable giants, we’ll uncover some of those stories while also gaining a glimpse of the future where conservation and preservation efforts are paramount.
The serpentine roots of a stand of Moreton Bay figs in Kauai are like the iron walls of a living fortress. Anchored in the damp earth, the lavender trunks are free to conquer the sky above. Fine Art Limited Edition of 100.
Methuselah | White Mountains, California
Residing in the remote White Mountains of California, Methuselah is a truly remarkable tree – estimated at approximately 4,900 years old, which would make it the oldest known living bristlecone pine on the planet. This ancient sentinel has endured millennia of harsh environmental conditions including extreme cold, arid soil, and relentless winds. Its resilience serves as a living, breathing testament to the enduring power of nature’s forces. Methuselah is a symbol of longevity, evoking awe and reverence from all those who are blessed to gaze upon it.
Jomon Sugi | Yakushima Island, Japan
A gigantic, looming Cryptomeria tree (colloquially known as a Japanese sugi pine or Japanese red cedar), takes up the second spot on our list. Jomon Sugi can be found on Yakushima Island, Japan, and is estimated to be anywhere from 2,100 to a staggering 7,000 years old. This historic tree has weathered countless storms, typhoons, and changing climate conditions, yet it continues to thrive in the lush, mystical forests of Yakushima.
Revered by locals and tourists alike, Jomon Sugi is evidence of Japan’s deep-rooted cultural and historical connections with nature. Its enduring presence serves as a reminder of the enduring prowess of nature, inviting all who encounter it to reflect upon the beauty of these ancient trees.
Transform your space with Aaron Reed’s luxury fine art photography print, Embers, from his Panoramic Wall Art collection. Order yours today! Fine Art Limited Edition of 50.
Llangernyw Yew | Conwy, Wales
Located in a serene churchyard of the Llangernyw village in Conwy, Wales, the Llangernyw Yew watches as the seasons come and go. Estimated at around 4,000 to 5,000 years old, this ancient yew is a living relic, predating even Stonehenge. It holds a revered place in Welsh folklore and history, serving as a symbol of strength, perseverance, and continuity.
The Llangernyw Yew’s gnarled branches and lush, green foliage have offered shade to generations of visitors who have sought solace or reprieve beneath its sprawling canopy. Its longevity and connection to Welsh heritage make this a cherished and respected living monument, embodying the deep-rooted bond between people and trees.
Sarv-e Abarkuh | Yazd Province, Iran
Also known as the Zoroastrian Sarv and the Cypress of ABarkuh, Sarv-e Abarkuh is a Persian cypress in the Yazd Province of Iran. Like most of the trees on this list, Sarv-e Abarkuh is also thousands of years old – estimated to be between 4,000 and 4,500 years old. Not only is this behemoth one of the oldest living trees on Earth – it’s also a cultural icon that’s deeply ingrained in Persian and Iranian history.
Its name is in reference to a nearby village, and the tree itself has survived millennia in the desert amid war, regime changes, drought, and much more. This ancient sentinel continues to inspire awe while reflecting the enduring spirit of the region and its people.
Heavenly beams of cold sunlight swell like a mandala through the thick canopy of a redwood forest along the Del Norte Coast in Northern California. The trees themselves, shrouded in a diaphanous mist, stand like dark sentinels watching over the surrounding beds of bracken. Fine Art Limited Edition of 50.
Gran Abuelo | Alerce Costero National Park, Chile
Like many of the world’s oldest trees, Gran Abuelo’s home is in a secluded, remote valley in southern Chile (within the Alerce Costero National Park). Gran Abuelo – or “great grandfather” – is thought to be approximately 3,650 years old. What sets Gran Abuelo apart is its status as an Alerce tree, a species that’s closely related to the giant sequoias.
The conservation efforts surrounding this primordial giant underscore its ecological importance. Indeed, the existence of these trees serves as a poignant reminder of humanity’s responsibility to protect these elder giants and ensure they continue to enrich the Earth with their enduring presence.
O Patriarca | Amazon Rainforest, Brazil
Lovingly known as “The Patriarch Tree”, O Patriarca resides deep within the Amazon Rainforest in Brazil. Estimated to be between 3,000 and 3,600 years old, this giant Samaúma tree stands tall as a symbol of the ecological importance of the Amazon. Not only does it shelter a vast array of biodiversity within its colossal trunk – it also connects deeply to the indigenous cultures of the region and is revered as a sacred, living entity.
As the Amazon continues to face threats from deforestation and climate change, O Patriarca is a reminder of the irreplaceable value of these ancient sentinels. They help maintain the delicate balance of the planet’s ecosystems while also absorbing carbon from the atmosphere and replenishing oxygen levels.
Fall aspens, like Grecian columns, reach towards transient puffs of cloud in a brilliant blue sky. When the days grow chill, groves of clonal aspen turn hillsides like this one near Aspen, Colorado into cascades of rippling gold. Fine Art Limited Edition of 50.
Sajama Tree | Sajama National Park, Bolivia
Deep within the high-altitude terrain of Sajama National Park in Bolivia, the Sajama Tree has grown for 2,000 to 3,000 years. This ancient Queñua tree has shown the adaptability and perseverance of natural forces even at high altitudes. It has served as a crucial resource for indigenous communities – providing wood for fuel and shelter.
Beyond its practical uses, the Sajama Tree holds immense cultural significance, as it’s featured prominently in indigenous rituals and various traditions. The Sajama Tree is a living connection to the rich heritage of the Andean highlands, reminding us of the profound role that nature plays in sustaining and shaping human civilization.
Chestnut Tree of One Hundred Horses | Mount Etna, Sicily
More commonly known as the Hundred-Horse Chestnut, this tree is the tallest, broadest, and oldest known chestnut tree in the world. Located on Linguaglossa road in Sant’Alfio, on the eastern slope of Mount Etna in Sicily — only 8 km (5.0 mi) from the volcano’s crater. While experts figure this tree is somewhere between 2,000 to 4,000 years old, it has borne witness to centuries of human history. In fact, it gets its name from allegedly having sheltered a group of one hundred Aragonian horsemen during a tempestuous rainstorm. Its sprawling canopy and impressive girth reflect the interconnectedness all humans share with our arboreal siblings.
Wisps of fog drift silently down a lush hillside in the foothills of Mount Rainier National Park. Wraithlike, stands of fir and aromatic red cedar keep watch in the sheltered vales. Fine Art Limited Edition of 50.
General Sherman | Sequoia National Park
According to the National Park Service, the General Sherman Tree is the world’s largest tree when measured by volume. Located in California’s Sequoia National Park, General Sherman has stood for around 2,200 years.
Named after Civil War General William Tecumseh Sherman, this looming colossus captivates with its immense size while symbolizing the enduring spirit of our species’ conservation efforts. This tree in particular reminds us of how important it is to preserve these ancient trees and the myriad ecosystems they support.
Living Testaments of Earth’s Rich History
In the tapestry of our world’s greatest natural wonders, ancient trees are the remarkable threats that weave together stories of endurance, adaptation, and perseverance. All around the world, trees both large and small bear witness to the history of our planet and human civilization. These trees inspire us with their resilience and remind us to be diligent stewards of our planet and the life that calls our planet home.
While the images in this blog are not representative of the oldest living trees in this list, they are a living testament to my personal love of and connection with trees. Tree photography has always been my favorite subject and all types of trees, from smallest to greatest and youngest to oldest, continue to inspire me every day of my career and my life.
These ancient sentinels are much more than mere artifacts from the past; they are living treasures, fragile yet robust, and they hold the key to unlocking a greener, more sustainable future. In nurturing and safeguarding these timeworn beauties, we enshrine their stories in our own history. May they continue to be a part of our planet’s legacy for generations to come.
The wild gnarled branches of the ancient Angel Oak snake across the sky and burrow into the ground in a forest in South Carolina. A uniform blanket of copper leaves adorns the soil beneath a grey sky. Fine Art Limited Edition of 50.
The bleached skeleton of a leafless tree weathers the cold chill of a desert valley in Zion National Park. The rosy sandstone, vibrant even in the depths of winter, bleeds through the spider’s web of bare branches. Fine Art Limited Edition of 50.
The early morning sun breaks through a strand of dancing aspen trees that fought though years of heavy snowfall to to grow against all odds near Telluride, Colorado. Fine Art Limited Edition of 50.
The blazing crown of a gnarled Japanese maple stands stark against the emerald tapestry of the surrounding vegetation. Suspended above the ringing waters of a reflecting pool, the diffused rays of the sun give the tree a numinous glow. Fine Art Limited Edition of 100.
1stDibs vs Singulart | Where To Buy Photography Online
eCommerce art platforms are where creativity and consumerism combine to disseminate art, furniture, and other luxury items to the masses. Two such marketplaces have risen to prominence in recent years: 1stDibs and Singulart. Both of these platforms have their distinctive approach to the art market, and they cater to diverse tastes, budgets, and artistic sensibilities. Because I am a photographer, let’s take a dive into the photographic art for sale that these two platforms have to offer.
1stDibs, which is known for its lavishness and exclusivity, offers a curated selection of premium, high-end art, antiques, and other shiny baubles. It beckons to collectors and connoisseurs of the rare and extravagant, although the price tags can definitely get out of hand. You can purchase original contemporary photography from various artists as well as rare artworks such as The Museum Set by Ansel Adams for $850,000 or the most expensive piece of photography on the website, a family of elephants for just over 1.4 million, but hey, it even comes with a frame!
In contrast, Singulart has taken a more democratic approach by championing contemporary art and seeking to make art more accessible to a global audience. Singulart serves as a launching pad for emerging artists and the platform helps connect these burgeoning talents directly with buyers. Where else can you purchase Louis Vuitton lips for your wall for under 25k, or this visually stunning masterpiece for $17,960?
Beyond their marketing rigmarole and glossy websites – are these platforms really all they’re gussied up to be? Or do buyers and artists have different experiences to share?
1stDibs The Most Beautiful Things On Earth
For designers and appreciators of a wide range of luxury items, 1stDibs might seem like a great online marketplace to score some new swag. Their website boasts just about everything: furniture, lighting fixtures, decor and gifts, art, jewelry and watches, fashionwear, knickknacks, paddywhacks, and even a few things made out of bone. However, the prices on some of their wares are simply outrageous, even by big spenders’ standards.
1stDibs positions itself as a platform for “the most beautiful things on earth” – rare and unique finds that you cannot access anywhere else. Many listings are antique or vintage pieces, often curated from high-end dealers and galleries. But this exclusivity comes with a hefty price tag, which is partly why 1stDibs is a playground for the wealthy. It’s a place where you can find a $100,000 antique chandelier or a $10,000 Sterling Silver wine goblet set without breaking a sweat.
The appeal of 1stDibs is in its ability to connect buyers with these items and provide a glimpse into the realm of lavish luxury living. However, for the average consumer, it may feel more like windowshopping in an opulent dreamland. Bargain hunters beware; 1stDibs is not the best place to snag a good deal. It’s more about indulgence, sumptuousness, and showcasing a curated collection of truly unique pieces.
While 1stDibs may not cater to everyone’s budget, there’s no denying it has made a significant impact on the world of interior design and luxury retail. It’s become a go-to source for designers, collectors, and the hyper-wealthy seeking one-of-a-kind statement pieces – but at what cost?
Bands of gold cross the foothills of the Rocky Mountains near Aspen Colorado. Mature aspens serve as a seasonal clock in the mountains, heralding and celebrating the arrival of autumn, then falling quiet again at the first snow. Fine Art Limited Edition of 50.
Singulart | Your Online Art Gallery
Singulart’s focus is less on ‘stuff’ and more on art, as its name coyly implies. It’s an online platform where contemporary art caters to both creators and consumers of fine art – investors, too.
Serving as a bridge between emerging artists, established artists, and art enthusiasts worldwide, it’s a place where visitors can discover and purchase original paintings, sculptures, and digital art – all from a vibrant, contemporary art scene. Singulart fancies itself as a benevolent force in the art world, nurturing artistic talent and connecting artists with their global audience.
Singulart’s artist-centric approach seeks to empower artists to take control of their careers by providing a digital nexus for direct interaction with buyers and art lovers from around the world. This kind of exposure between the artist and collector not only fosters a greater sense of community, but also helps artists sell more of their work.
Oh, you’re curious about pricing? The pieces available for purchase on Singulart’s platform range from below $1,000 to over $10,000. Prices are determined by the artist and a Singulart expert, and are based on proven sales records, so buyers know what they’re getting into.
Exploring the Singulart website is actually quite intuitive and enjoyable. Visitors can browse by artist or medium, and there are helpful categories to guide buyers to exactly what they’re looking for. Like an artist’s work? You can follow them and receive emails about new works and exclusive deals. It’s a very handy, accessible site that makes the shopping process much easier and more enjoyable. But is there more to Singulart’s polished visage?
The placid waters of a seaside lagoon reflect the fires of dusk along Iceland’s western coast. Suspended as if in midair, the verdant monolith of Kirkjufell sits like a forgotten ziggurat, guarding the land of auroras from the frigid waters of the Arctic. Fine Art Limited Edition of 100.
1stDibs and Singulart Online Reviews
Internet critics can be a loathsome, scathing bunch. Ravenous, ill-tempered, and delusional at times. But more often than not, especially when it comes to providing helpful ratings to warn other buyers of potential scams and poor customer service, online reviews can be trusted when scrupulously considered. That said, you can find plenty of good and bad reviews for both 1stDibs and Singulart.
Most buyers’ frustrations with 1stDibs seem to revolve around unpleasant experiences with buyers, receiving damaged products, and not having helpful interactions with customer service representatives. Similarly, Singulart critics were chagrined by gross shipping costs and lengthy shipping times. Many users, however, have also reported positive interactions and successful art acquisitions on Singulart, praising the quality and diversity of artwork available for purchase.
While online reviews can offer valuable insights, it’s essential to approach with a discerning eye. Both 1stDibs and Singulart have their share of satisfied customers and detractors, making it crucial for potential buyers to research their options and take calculated risks when attempting to procure fine artwork.
The whites and indigos of an alpine meadow of lupine mirror the crags and glaciers of Mount Rainier National Park’s eponymous peak. The highest summit in the Pacific Northwest, the dormant volcano slumbers peacefully beneath the quiet grandeur of a midsummer sunset. Fine Art Limited Edition of 100.
Clash of the Titans | Singulart Vs 1stDibs
While both companies find themselves on a number of ‘best places to buy art online in 2023’ lists, how do they measure up against one another?
1stDibs caters primarily to affluent collectors, interior designers seeking rare antiques, vintage hunters, and buyers of top-tier contemporary art. The platform boasts exclusivity, prestige, and they frequently partner with well-known dealers and galleries from around the globe. With the prestige, however, comes a premium price tag which makes 1stDibs largely inaccessible to the average art enthusiast.
Singulart, on the other hand, has taken a more inclusive route. This platform prioritizes direct connections between artists and buyers, offering more affordable options for those seeking to purchase contemporary art, paintings, sculptures, and even digital creations.
In lay terms, 1stDibs is kind of like a high-risk, high-reward dealer. You will likely pay a lot of money to get something decent or even of exceptional value. But you might also have to deal with poor customer service, difficulty communicating with sellers, and other headaches that make the cost seem ludicrous. Artists and buyers on Singulart may have an easier time facilitating purchases, but there are still risks associated with eCommerce platforms – items can arrive late, damaged, or with missing elements, etc.
The choice between the two will ultimately boil down to your budget, artistic preferences, and how much patience you have to deal with artists and artist platforms.
The gnarled branches of a Japanese maple spread forth a flaming crown in a sculpted garden in Portland, Oregon. Beside a tranquil pond, the winding footpaths and soft beds of moss are scattered with the gold and crimson stars from this dazzling display. Fine Art Limited Edition of 100.
Artist Direct Original Art For Sale
If you’d like to preserve your sanity, it’s generally best to buy photography directly from the artist. While these platforms can certainly do a lot for aspiring creators and artists who have made careers from their practices, the only surefire way to support an artist whose work you love is to hand them money directly. This way the buyer knows where their money goes, and the artist gets to buy dinner for another day – everyone wins!
As a family-owned and operated business you will always work with me (the artist) directly, never disconnected office staff, wholesale distributors or pushy gallery directors. I believe in offering the highest quality photographic art available in the world today, while continuously going above and beyond for collectors of my work, providing exceptional and personal customer service. Whether you are simply looking for a single showpiece to transform a room or have a grand vision to fill your home or office with the world’s finest photographic art, my level of dedication to you never wavers.
The choice is yours, you can purchase beautiful nature photography for your home or office, or you can get that elephant print with the killer frame. I think you know the right choice.
A moss-covered tōrō or Japanese lantern sits in contemplative repose beside the tranquil waters of a reflecting pool in Seattle, Washington. A slight breeze caresses the surface, stirring the shades of the maples beyond into a cloud of red and gold. Fine Art Limited Edition of 100.
Torn ruins of crumbled cliffsides are pummeled by the Pacific to create a tattered tableau of towers and archways along California’s Big Sur. Beds of ruddy ice plant melt down the hillside, clinging to the smallest fissure for purchase against the forces of gravity. Fine Art Limited Edition of 50.
A royal carpet of scarlet leaves winds through a stand of maples in the deep of fall. A quiet country road bears its hidden splendor before the snows that will hide its brilliant chromatic display until next year. Fine Art Limited Edition of 50.
The European Southern Observatory (ESO) shared a beautiful new image of stars trailing across the night sky. It was taken at the ESO’s Paranal Observatory, located in the Chilean Atacama Desert. The observatory is home to the Very Large Telescope (VLT), which consists of four Unit Telescopes and four smaller, movable Auxiliary Telescopes, like the one in the foreground of the image on the right.
Astronomers used a long exposure technique in which the night sky is photographed over several hours, capturing the movements of stars as they travel overhead. This creates a dazzling trailing effect, where starlight appears to arc over the observatory’s ground-based telescopes.
Two bright orange lasers are also seen beaming out of one of the Unit Telescopes. These laser beams, known as laser guide stars, are used to correct the distortion of starlight caused by Earth’s turbulent atmosphere, according to a statement from the ESO. The beams are pointed in opposite directions because the long exposure technique took several hours to complete, during which the telescope moved to observe different targets in the sky, ESO officials said.
Related: Amazing space views of ESO’s Very Large Telescope (photos)
A laser guide star creates an artificial star by shooting a laser beam into the sky, which excites sodium atoms in the upper layer of the atmosphere and causes them to glow like stars. This, in turn, provides a reference point for ground-based telescopes, enabling them to cancel out the effects of atmospheric turbulence and create a sharper image of the sky.
“Each laser delivers 22 watts of power — about 4000 times the maximum allowed for a laser pointer — in a beam that’s about 30 centimeters in diameter,” ESO officials said in the statement. “This remarkable display doesn’t just look pretty: the twinkling of these artificial stars is measured in real time and used by the adaptive optics system to correct for the blurring caused by the Earth’s atmosphere so that the telescope can create sharp images.”
When we look up at the night sky, we see stars as individual points of twinkling light. However, the new image of the star trails over ESO’s Paranal Observatory remind us of Earth’s constant rotation, or spin, around its axis. Long exposure images such as this capture the beautiful motion of the sky as the Earth rotates relative to the backdrop of stars.
Hello and welcome to This Week in Farming, your regular round-up of the best Farmers Weekly content from the past seven days.
Here’s a selection of the key topics the FW team have been focused on as party conference season kicked off and the latest State of Nature report once again pointed the finger at intensive farming.
Politics, politics
The Liberal Democrats kicked off its autumn conference in an upbeat mood in Bournemouth, with a clear aim to target the so-called “blue wall” constituencies, where it believes its candidates might oust any sitting Conservatives at the next general election.
As part of the process, the party promised an extra £1bn in funding for agriculture, taking the total UK pot to £4.4bn should they come to power, with much of it targeted to more nature-friendly farming.
The party also passed a wide-ranging motion, setting out its priorities for the rural economy, with a particular focus on food security and trade.
Former party leader and rural affairs spokesman Tim Farron also used an NFU fringe meeting to lambast the Tories’ record in government, warning that the steep cuts in Basic Payment Scheme funding, which have not been fully returned to farmers, is putting their livelihoods at risk.
The Conservatives struck back, saying the £1bn funding pledge was uncosted, and claiming the Lib Dems wanted to “take us back into the EU and the hated Common Agricultural Policy”.
State of Nature
Farming’s environmental impact came in for further scrutiny with publication of the State of Nature report, which is put together by a consortium of conservation groups every few years.
As ever, intensive agriculture was blamed for the 19% drop in species abundance since the 1970s, with birds and pollinators badly affected.
But the NFU mounted a strong defence, pointing to ongoing efforts by farmers to work with and restore nature through hedge planting and flower margin creation, for example.
Pro-science think tank Science for Sustainable Agriculture said the report also ignored the enormous progress made by Britain’s farmers in the area of precision agriculture and low-till cultivation.
Green lobbyists also took a pop at Defra this week for what they said was a “rowing back” on plans to require housebuilders to deliver 10% biodiversity net gain (BNG) in relation to construction sites.
Initial fears that the policy was being kicked into the long grass were quickly dismissed by government, which said BNG would be a legal requirement from January 2024, just two months later than originally planned.
Welsh angst
Welsh farmers and landowners expressed their anger and frustration, as rural affairs minister Lesley Griffiths announced the new Habitat Wales Scheme would be open for applications from Friday 29 September, but she was not able to say how much farmers would be paid.
The scheme is supposed to bridge the gap between the old Glastir agri-environment scheme and the new Sustainable Farming Scheme, which starts in 2025.
But with government money clearly short – to the tune of £900m according to Ms Griffiths – farmers say they have been put in an “impossible position”.
Meanwhile, English farmers looking to join Defra’s new Sustainable Farming Incentive have had their lives made a little easier, with the setting up of a new online landing page designed to simplify the process.
It is understood that more than 10,000 farmers have now submitted expressions of interest in the scheme.
Machinery news
In more news…. the Farmers Weekly machinery team has been as busy as ever, with a number of new pieces of kit placed under the editorial microscope.
Machinery editor Oli Mark takes a detailed look at tractor manufacturer Valtra’s revamped flagship S-series range, with deliveries anticipated in the middle of next year.
He also finds time to study JCB’s latest addition to its Loadall range, in the form of the new compact 530-60 Agri Super.
There’s a quick look a Horsch’s new Xeric 14FS fertiliser spreader, “designed for high-output, accurate applications using a wide range of fertiliser products, with boom widths of 36m and 48m”.
And then there is Makita’s first cordless air compressor…
Photography
If a picture speaks a thousand words, then this year’s Farmers Weekly Harvest Photography Competition is a veritable magnum opus, with more than 1,600 brilliant entries received.
Selecting an overall winner was not easy, but the judges finally settled for a stunning shot by Jacob Dennis from Cambridgeshire.
It shows his brother Joshua driving the New Holland TF78 combine and Joshua’s partner Kate grain carting during their first-ever harvest as council farm tenants in Cambridgeshire.
The image graces this week’s print front cover.
And if you’re in the mood for more photography, then our annual competition for amateur photographers, covering eight categories, opens next week. Check next week’s magazine for details.
The results will be shared in our Christmas double issue on 15 December.
Listen to the FW podcast
Don’t forget the latest edition of the Farmers Weekly podcast with Johann Tasker and Hugh Broom.
Listen here or bring us with you in the cab by downloading it from your usual podcast platform.
Ric Flair sported a white tux and bowtie to his prom more than 50 years ago
And some fans even joked that he looked like a popular ‘Karate Kid’ character
DailyMail.com provides all the latest international sports news
By Jake Nisse For Dailymail.Com
Published: | Updated:
Ric Flair has shared a photo from his high school prom, and the wrestling legend looks unrecognizable in his younger days.
Flair can be seen with a full head of blonde hair, a white tux and a youthful smile as he posed next to his date.
Given that the photo was taken at his senior prom, it’s about 56 years old as Flair is now 74.
He captioned the snap, ‘Throwback To My Senior Prom! I’ve Always Been A Handsome Son Of A B****! Stylin’ & Profilin’ For Decades! WOOOOO! #ThrowbackThursday.’
Multiple fans joked that Flair resembled Johnny Lawrence from ‘The Karate Kid.’
Ric Flair shared a picture from his high school prom to his Instagram last week
Flair is now 74 years old following a legendary wrestling career in his younger days
Flair’s fans joked that he resembled Johnny Lawrence from ‘The Karate Kid’ in the old snap
Flair recently appeared on comedy show ‘Kill Tony’ as a judge.
Last month, Flair broke the news of Terry Funk’s passing on social media, posting, ‘In My Entire Life, I’ve Never Met A Guy Who Worked Harder.
‘Terry Funk Was A Great Wrestler, Entertainer, Unbelievably Fearless, And A Great Friend!
‘Rest In Peace My Friend Terry Funk Knowing That No One Will Ever Replace You In The World Of Professional Wrestling!’
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Ric Flair looks unrecognizable as the ‘Nature Boy’ posts a photo from his high school prom: ‘I’ve always been a handsome son of a b****’
