I thought one could live a life devoid of a Salvador Dali leaping into the air photo. But really, one can’t. Thank you kirkaracha . posted by Smedleyman at 12:36 PM on October 17, 2006
I thought one could live a life devoid of a Salvador Dali leaping into the air photo. But really, one can’t. Thank you kirkaracha . posted by Smedleyman at 12:37 PM on October 17, 2006
Why does Marilyn have a halo? posted by smackfu at 12:37 PM on October 17, 2006
Although the old Smithsonian link in the original post is obviously dead by now. posted by koeselitz at 12:37 PM on October 17, 2006
*lame psuedo-snarky comment follows*
Toyota from the 1980s called, they want their ad campaign back. posted by owenkun at 12:39 PM on October 17, 2006
*DavidLeeRothfilter*
Ok, is there some reason my computer just went insane?
I blame Dali. Still - worth it.
(My apologies) posted by Smedleyman at 12:41 PM on October 17, 2006
Why does Marilyn have a halo?
I noticed that too and was guessing either enough hairs jumped off her head to catch the light and blow out the highlights in the dynamic range of the film or this is a rough print where Halsman was dodging out loose hair. posted by spicynuts at 1:15 PM on October 17, 2006
I think it's interesting how many years seem to shed off of subjects when they're jumping. posted by NationalKato at 1:15 PM on October 17, 2006
The floating Nixon is possibly one of the most frightening things I've ever seen. You can just see him flying out the window and shooting lasers out of his eyes, turning cars and people to ash... posted by buriednexttoyou at 1:43 PM on October 17, 2006
Philippe will make you jump, uh huh uh huh... Halsman will make you jump, uh huh uh huh...
Now if only he could have convinced Nixon that outside was wiggeda-wiggeda-wack.... posted by jonp72 at 2:13 PM on October 17, 2006
I apologize profusely in advance. You guys happened to catch me in the middle of procrastinating for a photoshop class, of all things. No offense meant to the original thread or the images (the Dali one is one of my favorites, can you imagine shooting that under hot lights, waiting between each shot to develop the negative and ensure you got the shot you wanted?)
Anyway, I apologize, especially for the quality: posted by ztdavis at 2:44 PM on October 17, 2006 [1 favorite]
Here's an essay on the Salvador Dali photo. It took 28 takes over six hours. They were inspired by Harold Edgerton 's Milk Drop Coronet. (They decided not to use milk because wasting milk might have been offensive in the scarcity of post-World War II Europe. The cats would've liked it, though.) The title ("Dali Atomica") is a reference to Dali's Leda Atomica [Danger: boobies] from the same year.
Although the old Smithsonian link in the original post is obviously dead by now.
It's not even listed on their January 1999 page. posted by kirkaracha at 4:53 PM on October 17, 2006
Too awesome. Jumping makes everyone look ten years younger.
I had a print of Dali Atomicus on my wall when I was in High School, and could never figure out how the cat(shapes) on the painting in the background looked just like the cats being tossed. I assume the photo was retouched. posted by oneirodynia at 5:58 PM on October 17, 2006
I love that Oppenheimer picture. I want a print of that on my wall. posted by ErWenn at 6:55 PM on October 17, 2006
I have a very nice print of Halsman's portrait of John Kenneth Galbraith. nice stuff, thanks for the post posted by matteo at 8:51 AM on October 18, 2006
Seeing Nixon—airborne or otherwise—always brings to mind Richard Nixon's head from Futurama.
"Computers may be twice as fast as they were in 1973...but your average voter is still as drunk and stupid as ever!
The only thing that's changed is me. I've become bitter and—lets face it—crazy over the years.
And once I'm swept into office I'll sell our children's organs to zoos for meat, and I'll break into people's houses at night and wreck up the place!
Muhuhahahahahahaha!!" posted by Merlyn at 11:06 AM on October 18, 2006
Some other jumpers of note include Colette Marchand, Donald O'Connor, a fashion model, Aldous Huxley, Lewis and Martin again
Gina Lollobrigida, Bob Hope, Peter Ustinov, Salvador Dali, and Philippe Halsman.
The photos are collected in Philippe Halsman's Jump Book.
posted by kirkaracha at 12:02 PM on October 17, 2006 [1 favorite]