The night sky holds endless wonders. For centuries, people have looked up in awe. Telescopes helped bring the stars closer. But traditional telescopes are complex…. The post Vaonis Vespera II: A Smart Telescope for the Modern Stargazer appeared first on DIY Photography….

You've delivered beautiful photos exactly as promised, but the client is furious. What should have been a celebration of great work becomes a nightmare of disputes, revision requests, and threats of negative reviews. [ Read More ]…

Photo: Fujifilm Fujifilm is moving the production of some of its most popular cameras to Japan, potentially due to the steep US tariffs on Chinese products. The Fujifilm X-T5, X-T50, X-M5 and X100VI all appear to be impacted. The latter two have had availability issues since their respective releases. Fujifilm did not formally announce the move, but new listings with unique product names and SKU numbers have appeared on Fujifilm's online US store, as Digital Camera World and PetaPixel reported. Listings for the X-M5, X-T5, X100VI and X-T50 cameras now have "-JP" in the product name, suggesting that those are produced in Japan. The existing X-M5 and X-T5 SKUs both show discontinued notices when you search for them at B&H. Screenshots: Abby Ferguson There are also new listings up for the X-M5, X-T5, X100VI and X-T50 at US retailer B&H, along with discontinued product notices. When you search for the X-M5, for example, a note will appear that it has been discontinued, asking, "May we suggest FUJIFILM X-M5 as a possible replacement?" Clicking on that second name takes you to a product page for an X-M5 with "Japan" at the end of the name, and a "J" at the end of the SKU. The SKUs for the other camera have "JP" at the end. Fujifilm's UK website doesn't have any models with JP in the name. It appears, then, that production could continue in China for cameras headed to other countries. Fujifilm had previously paused pre-orders of the X-M5 and…

Millions of photos hit the internet daily, yet very few stick in your memory. Knowing how to make your photos stand apart from the crowd isn't just helpful—it's essential for your growth and satisfaction as a creative. [ Read More ]…

Last night, I got a chance to have an early peek at the upcoming Fuji GFX Eterna cinema camera. Set to be released later this year, the camera puts a large format sensor in a cinema-focused body that promises to be a serious tool for high-quality filmmaking. [ Read More ]…

The alleged attack follows Moscow’s promise of an imminent retaliation to Kiev’s drone raids on Russian strategic airbases Ukrainian officials have claimed that Moscow launched multiple waves of missile and drone strikes on Kiev and other cities across the country overnight. The Russian Ministry of Defense has yet to comment. Multiple explosions were reported across several districts of Kiev and its suburbs early Friday morning, with mayor Vitaly Klitschko claiming that the Ukrainian air defenses were engaging incoming missiles and drones. The official initially said that debris fell on the territory of non-residential buildings only. He later claimed that at least four people were killed and 20 injured. Surveillance footage allegedly captured by a CCTV camera somewhere in the Kiev region appeared to show the moment a US-supplied Patriot air defense system attempted to engage an incoming missile with four interceptors before seemingly being hit. 🇷🇺 New footage from Kiev shows U.S.-supplied Patriot PAC-2 and PAC-3 systems launching interceptors amid a Russian Iskander missile strike.Multiple impacts visibly captured on camera despite defensive launches. pic.twitter.com/cxivXJbzpC— DD Geopolitics (@DD_Geopolitics) June 6, 2025 Blasts were also reported in the western regions of Ternopol and Lviv, in the western Ukrainian city of Lutsk, in Kremenchug in central Ukraine, and elsewhere across the country. Multiple blurred out videos shared across Ukrainian social media appeared to show the aftermath of the strikes, but the exact locations and the facilities targeted were hard to verify. The Russian Defense Ministry has not yet issued a statement on the incident….

Google AI Mode adds interactive charts for financial searches. See how this data visualization may affect SEO and content marketing strategies. The post Google AI Mode Introduces Data Visualization For Finance Queries appeared first on Search Engine Journal….

The SpaceX CEO said he would decommission the only US spacecraft certified to fly American astronauts, before changing his mind hours later SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has claimed that his company “will begin decommissioning its Dragon spacecraft immediately,” after President Donald Trump threatened to terminate all US government subsidies and contracts with Musk’s firms. Trump and Musk engaged in a dramatic exchange on social media on Thursday over the US president’s “Big and Beautiful” federal tax and spending bill, which the former White House government efficiency czar had blasted as a “pork-filled, disgusting abomination” that would push the US into “debt slavery.” “The easiest way to save money in our Budget, Billions and Billions of Dollars, is to terminate Elon’s Governmental Subsidies and Contracts,” Trump stated on Truth Social, arguing that the only reason the Tesla CEO “went CRAZY” about the legislation was because it would cut tax credits for purchasers of his electric vehicles. “In light of the President’s statement about cancellation of my government contracts, @SpaceX will begin decommissioning its Dragon spacecraft immediately,” Musk responded in a post on X just minutes later. In light of the President’s statement about cancellation of my government contracts, @SpaceX will begin decommissioning its Dragon spacecraft immediately pic.twitter.com/NG9sijjkgW— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 5, 2025 Hours later, the billionaire appeared to walk back the threat, after one X user urged Musk to “cool off and take a step back for a couple days,” noting that both he and Trump were “better than this.”…

It’s hard to buy a bad pair of wireless earbuds these days, and with constant discounts and deals wherever you look, now is as good of a time as any to splurge on the pair you’ve been eyeing. The market has come a long way since the early era of true wireless earbuds when we had to deal with mediocre sound quality and unreliable performance, all for the sake of ditching cables. Things are much different now. After several product generations of learned lessons, companies like Sony, Apple, Samsung, and others are releasing their most impressive earbuds to date.  You can get phenomenal noise cancellation and sound quality in the premium tier of earbuds if you’re willing to spend big. But those aren’t always the most important criteria for everyone: maybe you’re looking for the perfect fitness earbuds or for a set that works just as well for Zoom calls as for playing your favorite playlists and podcasts. Tech companies are increasingly making their earbuds work best with their own products through exclusive features and functionality, so that’s another thing to consider as you shop around. If you want a perk like head-tracking spatial audio, you’ll need to use AirPods with an iPhone, Samsung buds with a Samsung phone, and so on. Featured in this article How we test wireless earbuds Whether you’re using earbuds to check out a newly-released album on Spotify, as motivation at the gym, or to tune out distractions around the office, they must deliver on…

The Android ecosystem is all about choice. While iPhone owners have a smaller pool of new devices to pick from when it’s time to upgrade, there’s a wider range of choices on Android. Some Android phones even fold in half! Imagine. On the flip side, all that choice can make for some hard decisions. Here’s where I’d like to help; I’ve tested a whole boatload of recent Android phones, and I think there are some real winners in the current batch. It’s all a matter of what you’re looking for, what you’re comfortable spending, and what your definition of a “reasonably sized phone” is. (I have my own, personally.) As you sift through the options, you’ll almost certainly come across tech’s favorite buzzphrase of the moment: AI. Generally speaking, AI has yet to really impress me on a phone. The Pixel 9 series has some potentially useful features, like a Screenshots app that uses AI to tag relevant info in metadata, and Galaxy devices can translate a phone call for you in real time. These things are nothing to sneeze at! But none of it feels like the platform shift that the big tech companies keep promising. Best not to put too much stock in any company’s AI claims just yet. How we test smartphones There’s no shortcut to properly testing a phone; I put my personal SIM card (physical or otherwise) in each phone I review and live with it for a minimum of one full week. I set…

photo: Anna Delores Photography | see more from this chic summer party Looking for unique and unforgettable bridal shower ideas? We’ve got you covered! To help you host a bridal shower (or wedding shower) that your crew will be talking about for years to come, we put together this killer guide with our GWS editorial team and wedding experts, with epic party ideas and creative themes for every style. From classic ideas to the top trends for 2025, there’s a little something for every bride-to-be — along with gorgeous decor, drool-worthy food ideas, and fun games and activities that are anything but cheesy. Let’s get into it! photo by Keri Calabresephoto: Liz Barnes Photo, as seen in this modern + fresh bridal shower theme inspiration“fresh off the market” bridal shower invitation ideas: ElleBeaPapery on Etsyphoto: Foreverly Photo | design: Events by Em via @nomswithnoorphoto: Alex Wysocki | planning: the fíor collective as seen in this 2025 wedding trends articlephoto: Kelly Payeur Photography via this pickleball themed celebration“that’s amore” bridal shower sign ideas: CallMeKZ on Etsyphoto: Karla Garcia Costa via @lutzkarpfphoto: Eye Eaters – Paul Octavious via this intimate Chicago celebrationphoto: Ali Beck Photography as seen in this western boho-chic celebrationphoto: Julia Stockton | designer: Ashley Creative Eventsphoto: Jessica Lynn Photo, as seen in this beach themed bridal showerphoto: Anna Delores Photography, as seen in this lovely, vibrant wedding shower inspirationphoto: Lindsey Marie Photography, as seen in this intimate + boho bridal showerphoto: Wisteria Photography, as seen in this garden party theme inspirationphoto: Jessica…

There were a few early culinary disasters. But I got better – better in regards to cooking, and to all the other stuff tooIf there was a single feeling that defined my 20s, it was a generalised allergy to the very concept of home: I learned it’s a myth that you only run away from it once. If you have the skills, you can spend a lot of your life dodging comfort, security and a place to return to. Which I did because I was an alcoholic, and alcoholics are always suspicious of safety. The only true way to be safe is to not drink, after all, and you do not want to stop drinking above all else.This in turn informed my relationship to food. It goes that way for all of us: food is home. You’re not really staying in a place unless you’ve cooked in it. Otherwise you’re just a visitor. And because I had always wanted to be a visitor, I’d long been almost deliberately malnourished. I often boasted about my profoundly undistinguished palate, because everybody wants to ensure the worst decisions they make sound like some sort of quirky character trait. Continue reading……

[section title=”The Planning”] [field title=”Wedding Colors”]From Ginevra, the wedding planner: Pink/Dusty/Orange/burnt vibrant and romantic[/field] [field title=”Design / Vibe / Vision”] From Ginevra, the wedding planner: The contrast of a vibrant color palette with the typical Tuscan stones gave a beautiful and romantic vibe with a modern touch that fit the couple’s vision. [/field] [field title=”Proposal Story”] From Courtney, the bride: Ben and I met when we were in school, we’re childhood sweethearts, and have been together since we were 15. Ben proposed to me on our 10th anniversary. We rented a cottage in the countryside in Donegal to celebrate our anniversary, it was so intimate & romantic. The cottage was filled with fairy lights, which made the atmosphere so cozy. After a day spent together, Ben got down on one knee and asked me to marry him, We had plenty of champagne to celebrate! [/field] [/section] [board_carousel title=”Getting Ready”] [/board_carousel] [board_carousel title=”Bridal Portraits”] [/board_carousel] [board_carousel title=”Flat Lays”] [/board_carousel] [section title=”The Fashion”] [field title=”Wedding Gown”] From Courtney, the bride: My gown was made by Maggie Sottero in the style Harlem. I bought it from a local Bridal Boutique called Eden Bridal. I had always pictured myself in a romantic style dress, I truly felt like a princess. It was the first dress I tried on in the boutique and instantly fell in love, it was everything I had wanted. I love the lace & boning detail in the top and my veil matched the lace details in the dress. [/field] [field…

link to all these products on our LTK page Sardine girl summer is officially here, and it’s the most unexpectedly delightful trend taking over 2025! If you’re wondering what sardine girl summer means and how to nail this quirky sardinecore aesthetic, you’ve come to the right place. This comprehensive guide will show you exactly how to embrace sardine girl summer fashion, from must-have sardine bags to the perfect sardinecore outfits that’ll have you looking effortlessly chic all season long. sardinecore dress from Staud (also available here)Shop this Staudines BagShop this Pink Sardines BagShop this Raffia Toteshirt from ASOSShop this Pink Sardines ShirtShop this Cream Sardine PulloverShop this Tinned Fish ShirtShop this fish necklaceShop these beaded sequin earringsShop this pearl fish necklacesardine platter via AnthropologieShop these sardines napkinsShop this sardinecore doormatShop these sardine candlesles sardines baseball cap via Anthropologie See the rest of this post →…

link to all these products on our LTK page Sardine girl summer is officially here, and it’s the most unexpectedly delightful trend taking over 2025! If you’re wondering what sardine girl summer means and how to nail this quirky sardinecore aesthetic, you’ve come to the right place. This comprehensive guide will show you exactly how to embrace sardine girl summer fashion, from must-have sardine bags to the perfect sardinecore outfits that’ll have you looking effortlessly chic all season long. sardinecore dress from Staud (also available here)Shop this Staudines BagShop this Pink Sardines BagShop this Raffia Toteshirt from ASOSShop this Pink Sardines ShirtShop this Cream Sardine PulloverShop this Tinned Fish ShirtShop this fish necklaceShop these beaded sequin earringsShop this pearl fish necklacesardine platter via AnthropologieShop these sardines napkinsShop this sardinecore doormatShop these sardine candlesles sardines baseball cap via Anthropologie See the rest of this post →…

She appeared in Playboy and sci-fi films in the 1950s. Later, in Clint Eastwood’s “Sudden Impact,” she was a hostage until he uttered five famous words….

Julia Chance modeled for Jimmy James Greene, an artist, who, in exchange, painted her apartment with great flair. Afterward, their connection deepened….

Over the span of a month, I was engaged, married and widowed….

Dr. Kevin Chi and Brian Chiu promised to love each other in sickness and to the tune of Taylor Swift….

By 2016, Morgan DeBaun had found major professional success with her media company, Blavity. Joshua Shaw hadn’t heard of her when they met, but he still managed to sweep her off her feet….

A £3.8 million ($5 million) appeal has been launched to prevent a rare Barbara Hepworth sculpture from leaving the United Kingdom after it was sold to a private collector at auction in 2024. The campaign, supported by the national charity Art Fund, aims to acquire Sculpture with Colour (Oval Form) Pale Blue and Red (1943) for permanent public display at the Hepworth Wakefield in West Yorkshire, England—the artist’s hometown. Artists and cultural leaders including Jonathan Anderson, Antony Gormley, Anish Kapoor, Rachel Whiteread, and Katy Hessel have pledged their support.Before last year, Sculpture with Colour (Oval Form) Pale Blue and Red had been in a private collection since its creation. The plaster prototype for the work was destroyed, making it the only surviving version of the work. Last March, the sculpture was sold at Christie’s London for £3.54 million ($4.44 million). In December, the British government placed the work under a temporary export bar, preventing its sale outside the U.K. to allow time for a regional institution to raise the funds needed for its acquisition.The Art Fund has already pledged £750,000 ($1.07 million) toward the campaign, alongside early commitments from some private donors and charitable organizations. However, the effort requires £2.9 million ($3.93 million) of additional funding by August 27th to prevent the sculpture from being acquired and taken overseas by the Christie’s buyer. “Barbara Hepworth’s Sculpture with Colour (Oval Form) Pale Blue and Red must be saved for the nation,” Kapoor said in a statement. “Art Fund has put up…

Alma Thomas spent nearly 70 years living on 15th Street NW in Washington, D.C.—a street that now bears her name. The pioneering abstract painter’s former block, between Church Street and Q Street, has officially been renamed “Alma Thomas Way.” At a ceremony on May 21st, members of the D.C. Council joined friends and family of the artist and local arts advocates to unveil the new street signs. The event was led by council members Christina Henderson and Brooke Pinto, who co-sponsored a bill recognizing Thomas’s legacy in the Logan Circle neighborhood.“When we do these street renaming projects, it’s in honor of individuals, but it’s also in an effort to try to elevate and introduce local heroes to folks for the next generation,” Henderson told Culture Type. Born in Columbus, Georgia, in 1891, Thomas moved with her family to Washington, D.C., in 1906. The following year, her parents purchased the red brick house on 15th Street NW that would remain her home for nearly seven decades. Thomase graduated from Howard University’s fine arts program in 1924 and went on to teach art at Shaw Junior High School, while also earning a master’s degree in arts education from Columbia University. During this time, she served as the founding vice president of the Barnett-Aden Gallery, one of the first Black-owned art galleries in the United States.Thomas retired from teaching in 1960 to focus on her painting. She became known for her color field works, often composed of vibrant, blotch-like marks. Her paintings transformed…

Established thirty years ago, JSTOR has made a name for itself as a go-to resource for scholars and students of all ages. The number of people who’ve availed themselves of JSTOR since its launch has grown in concert with the robust expansion of materials made available in partnership with publishers, libraries, archives, and other institutions. To mark this anniversary, JSTOR Daily speaks with Roger Schonfeld, author of JSTOR: A History, from Princeton University Press and long-time ITHAKA employee recently named managing director, JSTOR Digital Stewardship Services about earning users’ trust, the evolving challenges JSTOR faces from AI and social media, and much more. JSTOR Daily: Tell us a little about the genesis of JSTOR. Roger Schonfeld: William “Bill” Bowen was president of the Mellon Foundation and a trustee of Denison University in the early 1990s. As was quite common at the time, college leadership was proposing capital expenditure to add storage space to the library because the collections had outgrown the building’s footprint. Previously, Bill had been president of Princeton, where he explored new technologies and had begun asking whether it might be possible to digitize the library—or at least parts of it. At the Mellon Foundation, that exploration took on greater urgency and resulted in the funding of a series of grants to start JSTOR as a project of the University of Michigan. The basic value proposition was for libraries to use technology to save space. Then they saw the potential for JSTOR to grow into a continuing service….

In a reformist push to reduce the widespread use of the death penalty in the new Commonwealth of Virginia, Thomas Jefferson drafted “A Bill for Proportioning Crimes and Punishments in Cases Heretofore Capital” in 1779. This was Bill 64 of 126 bills put together by Jefferson and the Committee of Revisors to rationalize law after the colonial period. The draft in Jefferson’s hand contains many reasonable reductions of penalties but then comes to a couple of sections that make for bizarre reading today. Instead of executing those found guilty of “rape, polygamy, or sodomy with man or woman,” Jefferson proposed castration for men and, for women, “cutting thro’ the cartilage of her nose a hole one half inch diameter at the least.” Jefferson also proposed proportionate maiming for those who intentionally maimed the faces of others. His variation of the eye-for-an-eye system of justice, the lex talionis or law of retaliation, read, “Whosoever on purpose and of malice forethought shall maim another, or shall disfigure him, by cutting out or disabling the tongue, slitting or cutting off a nose, lip or ear, branding, or otherwise, shall be maimed or disfigured in the like sort…” When this package of bills was finally put before the Assembly in the sessions of 1785–1786, Jefferson was away serving as the US Minister to France. Fifty-six of the Committee of Revisors’ bills were enacted. James Madison reported to Jefferson that Bill 64 lost by one vote. This was because, writes historian Emily Cock, the holdout…

It would be a worthwhile exercise for any of us to sit down and attempt to draw up a list of our 100 favorite paintings of all time. Naturally, those not professionally involved with art history may have some trouble quite hitting that number. Still, however many titles we can write down, each of us will no doubt come up with a mixture of the near-universally known and the relatively obscure, with paintings we’ve been seeing reproduced in popular culture since birth alongside works that made a strong and unexpected impression on us the one time we came across them in a book or gallery. The 100-favorite-paintings list in video form above by Luiza Liz Bond is no exception. You may recognize Bond’s name from her work on the YouTube channel The Cinema Cartography, many of whose videos — on David Lynch, on Quentin Tarantino, on animation, on cinematography, on the greatest films ever made — we’ve previously featured here on Open Culture. Recently rebranded as The House of Tabula, that channel now makes its aesthetic and intellectual explorations into not just film but art broadly considered. And though painting may not be the art form with which we spend most of our time these days, it’s still one of the first art forms that comes to our minds, perhaps thanks to its twenty or so millennia of history. It’s from a relatively narrow but enormously rich slice of that history, spanning the fourteenth century to the twentieth, that Bond…