Czech photographer Miloslav Druckmüller from the Brno University of Technology reveals the awesome beauty of the solar corona with these amazing composite images that he created by using 47 photos taken during a total solar eclipse.

To achieve the crystal clear effect the shots are comprised from some 40+ photos taken with two different lenses. Additional clarity was achieved due to the incredibly remote location chosen to view the eclipse from, a pier just outside the Enewetak Radiological Observatory on the Marshall Islands, smack dab in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. You can see several more images from the project at Druckmüller’s website and don’t miss this much higher resolution version including some 209 stars.

[via Colossal]

These beautiful sculptures are part of an ongoing figurative series by Japanese artist Mihoko Ogaki entitled Milky Ways. This awesome fusion of the the beauty and mystery of the night sky with the mortal human form is an exploration of the ideas of life, death, and rebirth.

The fibre-reinforced plastic sculptures depict people either dying or already dead. Their forms have been embedded with bright LEDs that project fields of stars against the walls, floor, and ceiling of a darkened space.

“In a bright room, the dying bodies appear morbid and in pain, but, when the lights go off, the suffering seems to disappear into a delightful, twinkling display. One review states, “Ogaki takes the emotions of our human condition and gives them a physical presence.” The sparkling figures create an environment of tranquility, in which viewers are encouraged to calmly, and without distress, contemplate the human condition of life and death.”

Visit Mihoko Ogaki’s website for more images of these marvelous installations.

[via My Modern Metropolis and Colossal]

From the Department of Awesome Snowflake Photography come these astonishing photos by Don Komarechka, a skilled macro photographer based in Ontario, Canada.

But these images are more than just impressive macro photos. Don uses a “focus stacking technique” that enables us to get an even better look at these microscopic natural marvels. During post processing Komarechkha takes multiple images of the same snowflake shot at different focus distances and merges them. To created first photo in this post, entitled 12-Sided Shimmer, Don stacked 45 separate images. The photo immediately below that one is the result of stacking 34 separate images.

“The process is unlike most other photographers who shoot snowflakes, and allows me to play with prismatic color and surface reflections to a much greater degree.”

While reading about Komarechka’s full process, we learned one extremely fun fact. The black background all of his snowflakes are on is actually just a plain black mitten he received from his grandmother years ago. As he states, “This is so I can have a dark background, and because the snowflakes get caught in the fibers and bring the background out of focus. It also serves as an insulator, preventing the snowflake from melting on contact. I’ve searched everywhere for a better surface, and I keep coming back to the black mitten.”

[via My Modern Metropolis]

These incredibly beautiful flowers are the the painstaking work of a Japanese artist named Sakae. They are a form of Kanzashi:

“a traditional Japanese hair ornament that’s often worn on special occasions and accompanied by a kimono. Although they’ve been around for thousands of years, their popularity peaked in the mid-1800s as they evolved from a simple stick into rather extravagant form. And even though it’s been in decline along with many customary garments and accessories, the tradition is still very much alive and well.”

Sakae uses resin to create these incredibly awesome floral kanzashi. Depending upon their complexity, one piece can take between 3 and 30 days to complete.

Her inspiration to create was a common one: “I saw a girl dressed up for coming-of-age day and I thought she would look just perfect with a blue, translucent hair ornament. But nothing of the sort existed. So I decided to make one. Up until that point I had never made anything.”

Sakae selles her creations via Yahoo Auctions in Japan. None are available right this moment, but she has promised to post updates regarding availability on her facebook page.”

Photos by Osamu Yamazaki

[via Spoon & Tamago]

These beautiful wave sculptures, one made of thin layers of precisely cut glass (entitled Maestrale) and the other wood (entitled La Vague), were created by Italian sculptor Mario Ceroli. Both awesome sculptures look like they’re about to crash against the floor and disappear, exactly as waves do.  

[via Colossal]

Paige Smith, an artist who works under the moniker A Common Name, creates awesome 3D street art installations in the form of resin sculptures that mimic crystals and other geological formations. The walls of brick buildings, drainpipes, and other ordinary public structures and surfaces appear to contain beautiful geodes - Urban Geodes. These enchanting installations have been embedded throughout Los Angeles and Paige has mapped their locations on the A Common Name website.

“‘Geodes’ in the city and the ones you find in nature have a parallel aspect — they are unexpected treasures,” said A Common Name. “You might go hunting for treasures but you generally happen upon them during your adventures or casual interaction with the environment. I enjoy the fact that many people will not notice these, but some astute people will; that these will not last forever and the weather will affect them as naturally as it might in nature.”

[via Hi-Fructose]

Are these new images of distant planets and moons taken with a powerful satellite telescope? Nope! Proving that beauty can be found in the most unexpected and humble places, Norwegian photographer Christopher Jonassen photographed the well-worn bottoms of frying pans for an awesome series entitled Devour.

Head over to Christopher Jonassen’s website to view the entire series and more.

[via Flavorwire]

Paper artist Lisa Nilsson (previously featured here), who uses a time-consuming technique known as quilling or paper filigree to construct intricate anatomical cross-sections, has completed some awesome new pieces.

The natural formation of the paper coupled with Nilsson’s ability to identify the precise materials to mimic organic structures makes each artwork appear uncannily like actual cross-sections of humans and animals. The artist has a number of new works currently on display at the Boston Art Gallery as part of the exhibition Teaching the Body: Artistic Anatomy in the American Academy  through March 31, 2013.

Photos by John Polak.

Head over to Colossal to view more photos of Lisa Nilsson’s awesome new artwork.

Wooly Head is a series of photographs by London/Bournemouth-based photographer Louise Walker depicting women wearing beautifully knitted wigs. They look great and would be more than just awesome fashion statements on a chilly day. 

[via dejoost]

Because of how inconvenient winter can be, it’s easy to forget that it has beautiful aspects as well. Photographer Andrew Osokin reminds us of winter’s remarkably lovely and fragile side with his awesome macro photos of fallen snowflakes.

Visit LensArt to view more examples of Andrew’s wonderful photography.

[via Faith is Torment]