One of the reasons why travel photos can be so compelling is that the person shooting them is out of his or her comfort zone, eyes wide open to the new stuff that surrounds them. That's definitely the case with 22-year old, London-based photographer Jess Gough, who says the best opportunities for taking pictures come on the road, without the distraction of work obligations and a buzzing cell......read more
Is there anyone else out there who can't wait to leave work behind and spend some lazy summer days by a body of water? If so, these pics from Daniel Gebhart de Koekkoek aren't going to make you feel any more patient. Last summer, the Vienna-based photographer traveled with his girlfriend and dog to the Finnish forests of Harjumaa, where they settled into a tiny cabin on a lake. The photos......read more
Photographer Steven Perriloux leads a bicoastal existence, dividing his time between LA and NYC shooting fashion editorials for major magazines. But it's his album of personal photos that caught our eye. In the series, the friend and former assistant of Terry Richardson captures California subculture in all its casual, sun-drenched glory. Perriloux discussed his attraction to underground culture......read more
Thanks to Mark Twain, the image of a timber river raft drifting lazily downriver is forever embedded in the American consciousness. Over the years, it's become the ultimate symbol of escapist freedom. Now, you too can enjoy that very activity on your next holiday. The only catch? You have to travel to Sweden to make it happen. During the summer months, a Swedish eco tourism outfit called......read more
If you read new school arty blogs like Dazed Digital and Booooooom!, then you've probably seen -- and obviously loved -- Beth Hoeckel's mind-bending mixed-media collages. It's amazing work. But with summer here and our wanderlust in full effect, it's Beth's gorgeous travel photography that recently caught our eye. From her base in Baltimore, Beth hits the road often, shooting her adventures on......read more
We see a lot of the blurred, soft focus aesthetic in filmmaking and photography these days, but not so much in painting. Here, South African artist Philip Barlow, whose work we spotted at This Isn't Happiness, pulls it off to incredible effect. In the series, titled simply "The City," Barlow depicts hazy, washed out figures and landmarks in the city, nicely capturing the heat island effect......read more
With summer in full swing, many among us will be heading to a body of water, where cooling off is just a splash away. But do you know what the water quality is at your favorite vacation spot? Us neither. Luckily, the ever-resourceful folks at the NRDC have done the work for us. NRDC's 2012 report on water quality at beaches around the US is a useful guide, not only for vacationers looking for a......read more
A long time ago, a genius uttered these immortal words: "Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it." Like all great proverbs, this one has stood the test of time because it carries an essential truth. Sometimes you have to slow it down a notch and appreciate the world around you. Judging from her quiet, contemplative photos, Hong......read more
Well, that's a wrap. Summer is officially over (RIP). We'll look back on the hot season of 2012 and with fond memories of road trips, barbecues, fresh seasonal produce, camping in the woods, skinny-dipping, and outdoor concerts. To memorialize the passing summer, and to announce our new Instagram account (@SHFT), we asked SHFTers and friends to show off their favorite Instagram photos they shot......read more
It's around this time of year again when sleeves get longer and the sun begins to get that familiar autumn slant, signs that shorter days are swiftly approaching. Though this summer was particularly long and hot, it inevitably feels too short, the sweet days and nights playing on repeat in your mind like the perfect film you don't want to forget. I recall watching Bruce Brown's......read more