Random Flickr Links

Photo by Ali Khurshid

Photography is a powerful medium. In the past few years, because of the availability of cheap digital cameras and the incredible popularity of Flickr, the medium has become more powerfully democratic. Now professionals and amateurs alike can share their work with the whole world -- with very little interference from governments or big media. When I explore photos on Flickr, the world seems a lot smaller. Here are just a few of the most compelling examples:

• Tom Stone is a documentary photographer "known for his portraits of people living along the edges of society". His Poverty set on Flickr is an unflinching look at the homeless of San Francisco.
  
  
• Ali Khurshid was recently profiled in Time magazine. His set, The Shadows They Draw, is a collection of dreamy images from one beach in Karachi, Pakistan. Words fail me on this one. You have to check out Khurshid's beautiful photos.
  
  
• The 365 Days pool contains self-portraits of many Flickr members. Each contributor has committed to uploading a self-portrait once a day for a whole year. Honestly, I don't know why anyone would consider such a project. This is definitely a mixed bag, but there are some really interesting ideas here.
  

 

Favorite Christmas Songs

Pete challenged me and others to list our five favorite Christmas songs. This is very difficult. I could probably list a dozen favorite Christmas Carols. They all bring back memories. And then, of course, there are some great Christmas pop tunes and novelty songs. So without further ado, here's my list (although it might change tomorrow):

1. Go, Tell It on the Mountain.
   
   
2. Anything from the soundtrack of A Charlie Brown Christmas, but Skating is my favorite. You know this one. It is the song where Vince Guaraldi's piano evokes snowflakes falling.
   
   
3. What Child is This? because it has the same tune as Greensleeves.
   
   
4. Carol of the Bells or anything else from George Winston's December.
   
   
5. Let it Snow. This is one of the few songs I will attempt to sing when other people are around. I can't help it.

 

World's Largest LEGO Construction

This week, the SEE Science Center in Manchester, NH unveiled the world's largest LEGO construction. It is a three million brick, period replica of Manchester's Amoskeag Mill. It was built by the SEE Science Center and the New England LEGO Users Group. Check out this video courtesy of WMUR-TV.