There’s no shortage of funny dog photos on the internet, so to stand out, you’ve got to get really creative with the pictures you snap. One of the latest trends in dog memes is starting to take off in Taiwan; pet owners are turning their small pups into dog cola by sitting them upright, placing a bottle cap on their head, and wrapping a soda label around their bodies. When viewed from their backside, the animal vaguely resembles a refreshing caffeinated beverage.

Absurd memes like this one always have a starting point, and it seems that Instagrammer @yumiliu526 is responsible for this lighthearted pet costume. In January of 2017, she turned her shiba into dog cola, and others have since followed suit. Some look more bottle-like than others, but it’s all in good fun—and not specific to just canines, either. Kitties have also gotten into the meme with their version of cat cola.

Like many memes, this one is easy to do yourself. Just grab a two-liter bottle of soda, find your favorite (and patient) furry friend, and snap a photo. (Please remember to keep your pet’s comfort as the priority though! A distressed pet is never a good look.)

The dog cola meme has our favorite four-legged friends looking like bottles of soda.

You can do it yourself—you just a bottle cap, label, and a very patient furry friend.

Of course, like any “soda” brand, dog cola has competition—cat cola!

h/t: [Kotaku]

Related Articles:

Proud Dog Owners Show Off Their Funny “Dog Beards”

Hilarious Twitter Account Matches People with Their Doppelganger Dogs

12 Funny Photos of Animals On Top of Miscellaneous Things

The post Pet Owners Are Turning Their Dogs into Refreshing “Soda Pups” for Adorable Meme appeared first on My Modern Met.

http://ift.tt/2AmTCgE

Architecture and design has evolved throughout the centuries, offering a range of beauty and structure. From the intricate details of gothic architecture to the livable standards of mid-century modern homes, there’s been a constant focus on aesthetic, which has been reinforced by iconic architects, such as Antoni Gaudí and Frank Lloyd Wright. What’s gained more attention in recent years, however, is translating that opulence, sophistication, attention to detail, and (ultimately) livable quality into a smaller structure—a tiny house.

Tiny houses have been growing in popularity this past decade. Even though 400 square feet of living space may sound cramped and uninviting, there’s an appeal for many to live in these compact abodes. One particular benefit is an ease of travel. There are a number of tiny houses on wheels that let tiny home owners pick up and travel to a new location, whenever they want. In fact, there’s a whole movement of people converting school buses in mobile tiny homes.

Even if you’re not looking to live a nomadic lifestyle, there are cool tiny houses that let you live off-the-grid. Environmentally-conscious people opt for a tiny house to lower their carbon footprint. Best of all, they don’t have to sacrifice design or style in order to do so. Tiny houses come in all shapes and forms around the world. Whether you’re looking for a stylish tiny apartment in Paris, a whimsical caravan in Portland, a futuristic treehouse in Canada, a modern yurt in Colorado, or even a mobile castle truck in New Zealand, there’s a tiny house for all types!

And if you need inspiration throughout the upcoming year, the publishers at Amber Lotus have released a 2018 calendar full of tiny houses from all across the globe. The calendar can be purchased directly through their website.

Scroll down for some cool tiny houses (including tiny houses on wheels) from around the world.

For year-round tiny house inspiration, Amber Lotus has a new 2018 calendar available:

Tiny Houses: Shop

My Modern Met granted permission to use photos by Amber Lotus.

Related Articles:

10+ Tiny Houses That Are Dream Homes You Can Buy on Amazon

Quaint and Quirky Tiny House on Wheels Lets Owners Live Off-the-Grid

College Student Builds Tiny House to Graduate Debt-Free

Seniors Are Buying Tiny Homes to Live Their Golden Years Off the Grid

The post 12 Extraordinary Tiny Houses From Around the World appeared first on My Modern Met.

http://ift.tt/2BksOKG

Born and raised in Reykjavík, photographer Axel Sigurðarson was lucky enough to grow up exploring the magnificent Icelandic Highlands—a location that many landscape photographers only dream of. On a road trip to Holuhraun, a large lava field just north of the Vatnajökull ice cap, Sigurðarson managed to capture the spectacular eruption of Bárðarbunga. It was the largest volcanic eruption in Iceland since 1783, which lasted from August 29, 2014 to February 27, 2015.

The resulting series of photographs document nature’s incredible fury from both land and air. Sigurðarson’s aerial views show red hot molten rock, blasts of lava, huge clouds of dust and gas, and an airplane dwarfed against the epic backdrop. On land, Sigurðarson photographed numerous scientists he met along the way, including renowned Seismologist Ragnar “Skjálfti” Stefánsson, who was conducting on-site research at the time.

Find more of Sigurðarson’s extraordinary work via his website and Instagram.

Icelandic photographer Axel Sigurðarson captured the spectacular volcanic eruption of Bárðarbunga, Holuhraun.

Sigurðarson’s aerial views document red hot molten rock, blasts of lava, and huge clouds of dust and gas.

On land, Sigurðarson also photographed numerous scientists he met along the way who were conducting on-site research at the time.

Axel Sigurðarson: Website | Instagram | Behance

My Modern Met granted permission to use photos by Axel Sigurðarson.

Related Articles:

Cinematic Photos Captured in Naturally Dramatic and Diverse Landscapes of Iceland

Breathtaking Architectural Concept for a Cliffside Retreat in Iceland

Storybook Landscape Photos Celebrate the Enchanting Beauty of Iceland

Wanderlust-Inducing Images Capture Majestic Views of Iceland

Camera Drone Captures Gorgeous Aerial Shots of Iceland’s Diverse Terrain

The post Photographer Captures Iceland’s Largest Volcanic Eruption in Over 200 Years appeared first on My Modern Met.

http://ift.tt/2BtEgo2

Long distance relationships are a challenge for even the most solid partnerships. It’s hard enough when a couple of hours driving separate two lovers, but it’s even more difficult when that division is thousands of miles. Rob and Joli Switzer are a couple whose love has gone the distance—both literally and figuratively. Rob, who is from the U.S. and Joli, who is from the Philippines, met in 2010 at a travelers’ meetup in Cebu City, Philippines. They became friends there and stayed in touch via Facebook.

As their relationship evolved from friendship to romance, the two decided to meet again three years later. Afterwards, they started their long-distance relationship. But despite the obvious logistical challenge—they lived 8,000 miles apart—Rob and Joli turned lemons into lemonade. They both loved to travel, so they made a point to “meet halfway” in different places around the world. From St. Petersburg to San Francisco, the two would explore the cities together. Whether it was a metropolis or vast desert, they would commemorate the journey with the same dip-and-kiss pose.

“Everyone was taking jump shots and signature travel poses, so we thought about creating our own cute romantic pose just for kicks,” Rob and Joli explained. “On a whim, we decided that the ‘dipkiss’ should be it.”

Since first becoming a couple in 2013, Rob and Joli have closed the gap in their lives; Rob proposed to Joli in Moscow, and the betrothed said “I do” in June 2017.

They now share these charming travel photos to inspire others who are in long distance relationships. “To all the LDR couples—always follow your heart, no matter the distance,” Joli said. “Have faith, do your part and it’ll all work out in the end!”

For those wondering how to make long distance relationships work, take a cue from Rob and Joli Switzer.

The couple met in 2010 and despite living in two different countries—the United States and the Philippines, respectively—saw each other on a regular basis.

They would “meet halfway” in cities around the world. Each time, they take a photo with the same dip-and-kiss pose.

Eventually, Rob proposed to Joli on one of their adventures in Moscow, Russia…

…and they got married in June 2017!

Dipkiss Travels: Website | Facebook | Instagram
h/t: [Bored Panda, BuzzFeed]

All images via Dipkiss Travels. 

Related Articles:

Long-Distance Couple Traveling the World Apart Collaborate on Creative Split Photos

Traveling Couple Earns Up to $9K Per Instagram Post and Reveals Secrets Behind Their Awe-Inspiring Life

Couple Travels the World Performing Acrobatic Yoga Poses with Gorgeous Backdrops

The post Long Distance Couple Meet Around the World to Take the Same Sweet Photo appeared first on My Modern Met.

http://ift.tt/2nbjCGa

It’s no exaggeration that social media has changed the way we live. This is especially true if you’re a creative small business or an artist wanting to sell your work. With the right online strategy, you can gain attention from millions of people who are not only fans but potential customers. Instagram is one of the most powerful tools you have to market yourself and your work. If you need proof, consider this—actor Leonardo DiCaprio famously bought an artwork that he first spotted on Instagram.

Whether you’re looking to ramp up your Instagram presence or start an entirely new account, it’s never too late to start growing your business this way. It can seem daunting, especially at first—the company (now owned by Facebook) has made many improvements and features since it began in 2010. But the app is a lot of fun and we encourage you to stick with it. To assuage any fears, we’ve compiled a list of 10 Instagram tips to help you in your creative career.

Do you use Instagram to market your creative business? Check out 10 Instagram tips that will help you grow your influence.

1. Everyone starts with zero followers.

One of the most important things to remember is that everyone starts from zero. Even Kim Kardashian once had an account with no one following it—and now look at her! It can feel discouraging to send posts out and feel like no one is seeing them, but if you can push through the low follower rates, the first six months will prove worth your while. Once you start steadily gaining followers, the rate in which you gain them will increase exponentially.

2. Use hashtags.

Hashtags are the key to others finding your content. They are valuable (and powerful) search tools, and so it’s best to use at least seven hashtags in your post. There are some hashtags, however, (like #art) which have millions upon millions of posts. Super popular hashtags like that will push your content down the timeline almost immediately since people are constantly posting to it. So, add some hashtags that have fewer posts to ensure that your content has a chance at being seen.

3. Engage with your audience.

Instagram is a social media platform for a reason—it encourages you to interact with others online. Engaging with your audience will also help gain more followers. You can do this in two ways. One is to like your follower’s posts; they will notice and do the same. The other way is to leave comments that show that you’re interested in the content that this person is posting. Don’t say things, however, like, “Nice pic! Check out my shop.” It sounds spammy and disingenuous—you won’t win any new fans that way.

4. Convert your account from personal to business.

A business account sounds serious, but it’s essential to make the conversion. One of the biggest perks is that you’ll get to add links to your stories (once you have 10,000+ followers)—it’s perfect for when you have a new product launch or are advertising an exhibition. Additionally, a business account also gives you access to analytics that will show you peak times for your posts; study the stats to see when your followers are most engaged, and post at that time.

5. Plan ahead.

A great social media strategy takes planning. Apps like Tailwind and Planoly allow you to schedule posts ahead of time on Instagram, but they both come with a caveat; Instagram won’t let them automatically post on your behalf. So when it’s time for you to post, they will send you an alert letting you know it’s time. You still hit the “share” button yourself. Despite this fact, they are great for if you’re on the go but still want to remain active on Instagram—it’s one less thing to remember.

The post 10 Easy Instagram Tips to Help Grow Your Creative Career appeared first on My Modern Met.

http://ift.tt/2nagCKi

For months, wildlife photographer George Turner had heard tales of Ghost, a large male leopard that had gained quite a reputation at the Ruaha National Park in Tanzania. And he had just one week, after careful planning, to get a shot of the elusive animal. Fueled by his love of the natural world, Turner patiently waited day after day before finally capturing this magical image of Ghost asleep in his favorite acacia tree.

Turner first heard about Ghost during the planning phase of his trip to Tanzania. At almost 8,000 square miles, Ruaha is Tanzania’s largest national park and filled with interesting animals. “Most big national parks tend to have their big characters and I knew Ruaha would be no different,” Turner tells My Modern Met via email. “Upon hearing about Ghost, I was transfixed!”

Guides at Jabali Ridge first alerted him to Ghost, telling him about the large leopard’s ability to appear seemingly out of nowhere—and disappear just as fast. “Leopards are elusive cats but Ghost was extra special; he was massive. I was sent a few snaps beforehand and he’s (almost) the same size as an average lioness… that’s big!” Turner was determined to show a softer side to the animal, in contrast with the leopard’s reputation as a fearsome animal.

With the help of local guide Sebastian, Turner was able to understand Ghost’s territory, carefully taking in his environment and selecting the perfect location for his photograph. Ghost didn’t make it easy, as Turner wanted to capture the image during the “blue hour” at dusk. It seemed as though they always spotted Ghost lounging in his favorite tree right during the mid-day sun, but never during twilight.

All that changed one day, when they did a quick check of Ghost’s tree after an evening drive. And there he was, fast asleep on a branch. Turner grabbed his shots and then simply watched the leopard for about 30 minutes, soaking in this rare opportunity. “Ghost looks so calm and serene in the image and that’s exactly how it should be and indeed, continue to be.”

Leopards like Ghost are at risk due to local poachers who kill the animals for their skin. Organizations such as the Ruaha Carnivore Project help develop conservation strategies for large carnivores that reside in Ruaha. Aside from leopards, 10% of the world’s remaining lions and one of the largest cheetah populations in East Africa are located in the national park, making their efforts vital to maintaining the ecosystem.

See more of George Turner’s stunning wildlife photography and stay tuned for new work, as he’s just returned from a trip to Namibia and plans to visit more African countries—as well as the Arctic—in the next year.

George Turner: Website | Facebook | Instagram

My Modern Met granted permission to use photos by George Turner.

Related Articles:

Interview: Up and Coming Wildlife Photographer Captures the Spirit of the Natural World

Beautiful Black and White Portraits of African Wildlife by David Gulden

Striking Photos Showcase the Elegant Beauty of Big Cats

Little House Cat Lives Amongst Dangerous African Wildlife

The post Photographer Captures Softer Side of Elusive and Feared Leopard Sleeping Peacefully appeared first on My Modern Met.

http://ift.tt/2ACuJ14

Four years ago, just a month before her 17th birthday, Bailey Sellers’ father Michael passed away from pancreatic cancer. But before he died, Michael found a way to be with his daughter every year on her birthday, even after he was gone. Facing a future where he wouldn’t be able to physically be there for his teenage daughter, he arranged for her to receive a bouquet of flowers and a card every year up until her 21st birthday. Last week, Bailey turned 21 and received one last bouquet from her dad, along with a love letter, as a final goodbye and a reminder that one day, they will meet again.

This year—being the last one that she would receive her father’s gift—was particularly emotional for Bailey. “When I opened this card, I especially felt him with me. It’s a cold feeling, then a happy feeling at the same time.” she said. She tweeted images of the beautiful flowers, the touching letter, and a childhood photo of the pair, together at the beach. This year’s heartfelt message read: “This is my last letter to you until we meet again” and “I will still be with you with every milestone, just look around and there I will be.”

As of today, Bailey’s tweet has received well over one million likes, 350,000 retweets, and over a thousand replies with kind words from strangers. Bailey has even appeared on the British breakfast show, Good Morning Britain, live from her native Knoxville, Tennessee, where she talked to Piers Morgan and Susanna Reid about her late dad’s gifts.

When she was just 16, Bailey Seller’s father died of cancer, but before passing away, he made final arrangements for her to receive flowers and a letter from him on each birthday.

Bailey tweeted the 5th and final heartwarming letter on her 21st birthday.

My dad passed away when I was 16 from cancer and before he died he pre payed flowers so i could receive them every year on my birthday. Well this is my 21st birthday flowers and the last. Miss you so much daddy. http://pic.twitter.com/vSafKyB2uO

— Bailey Sellers (@SellersBailey) November 24, 2017

https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

She received over a thousand replies with kind words from strangers.

Happy Birthday. Your Dad truly loved you. I am so sorry for your loss. May this be a wonderful year coming up for you. I’m sure you’ve made your father proud.

— Jeramie Rain (@jeramiedreyfuss) November 26, 2017

https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

I’m a cancer survivor so I feel like I can understand how your dad was feeling then and how much he loved you. He must’ve been so brave. Happy Birthday Bailey!

— Yoshimi Hikawa (@durian_24) November 26, 2017

https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

@SellersBailey Happy belated birthday from Russia
your dad is definitely the coolest dude in the world

— Джон Дориан (@JohnyDorian) November 27, 2017

https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

Bailey Sellers: Twitter
h/t: [Neatorama, Reddit]

All images via Bailey Sellers.

Related Articles:

Bride Is Walked Down the Aisle by the Man with Her Deceased Father’s Heart

Cancer-Stricken Father Walks His 11-Year-Old Daughter Down the Aisle

Loving Dad Makes Time-Lapse of Daughter Growing Up From 0 to 18 Years Old

The post Daughter Is Surprised with Letter Every Birthday From Her Father Who Died 4 Years Ago appeared first on My Modern Met.

http://ift.tt/2k4skVG

When adventure enthusiasts Cynthia Bennett and her boyfriend Andre decided to adopt a puppy, they thought they wanted a Golden Retriever mix. That’s until they met Henry—a “mix of Shepherd, Husky, Boxer, Aussie, and Staffordshire Terrier”—at an adoption event. Henry became an instant member of their little family, and after just three days, the pair took him on his first hike. A natural climber, Henry scaled the steepest rock he could find, and since then became their “little mountain goat.”

A few months later, in search of a feline friend for Henry, they came across a Siamese kitten mix named Baloo at their local shelter. After introducing him to his new big brother, the pair became inseparable. It wasn’t long before little Baloo was demanding to be brought along on their hikes and would cry at the door if they didn’t take him along.

Hiking in the breathtaking national parks of Colorado, the adventurous rescue pets love to explore forests, sand dunes, mountains, and reservoirs. “Baloo’s little legs do get tired,” says Bennett, so he often hitches a ride in her backpack, perches on Henry’s back, or even on top of his head. Since bringing Baloo along on their adventures,  “Henry has become the best big brother and always checks on him to make sure he is doing okay,” says Bennett.

Keep up to date with Henry and Baloo’s big adventures on Instagram.

Meet Henry and Baloo, the rescue pets who love to explore the great outdoors together.

Come rain, snow, or shine, these explorers never miss out on new adventures.

Baloo likes to travel in style. The pair’s signature look is The Cat Hat.

Henry + Baloo: Instagram
h/t: [Bored Panda]

All images via Henry + Baloo.

Related Articles:

Man Sells All His Belongings and Quits Job to Travel Australia with His Rescue Cat

Beautiful Bengal Cat Explores the Canadian Wilderness with Gorgeous Travel Photos

Woman Creatively Restores Old Van to Travel the World With Her Dog

Pygmy Hedgehog Packs His Tiny Bags and Goes Camping in Adorable Photo Shoot

The post Adventurous Cat and Dog Best Friends Love Exploring the Great Outdoors Together appeared first on My Modern Met.

http://ift.tt/2Aejqc5

Ex-rocket scientist turned filmmaker Julian Tryba of Alinia Media is back with a new timelapse that combines math and art with stunning results. His NYC Layer-Lapse is a two-and-a-half-minute audiovisual symphony that shows us the iconic cityscape from a new dimension, as day and night are blended seamlessly together.

Tryba used his background in engineering to write code and create what he calls a layer-lapse. “In the spirit of Einstein’s relativity theory, layer-lapses assign distinct clocks to any number of objects or regions in a scene,” Tryba writes. “Each of these clocks may start at any point in time, and tick at any rate. The result is a visual time dilation effect known as layer-lapse.”

Each scene has 100 to 300 layers, with a unique equation assigned to every building. This equation helps decide at what time of day to show the architecture. Adding to the fun, audio triggers in the song set off changes, making the scene seemingly move to the beat of the soundtrack. Tryba is still perfecting the process and hopes in the future it can be used in physical or virtual art installations.

So just what is the breakdown in order to capture enough footage of New York to pull together the project? Tryba took 22 trips to New York for 352 hours of filming and over 200,000 photographs captured. That added up to almost 10,000 miles driven and $1,430 in parking fees to create the coolest view of New York we’ve seen in awhile.

Julian Tryba took 22 trips to New York and spent 352 hours filming to create his incredible NYC Layer-Lapse.

Alinia Media: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Vimeo
h/t: [Fstoppers]

Related Articles:

Breathtaking 4K Timelapse of Iceland Showcases Nature’s Masterful Artistry

Incredible Timelapse Videos Illustrate Birds in Motion

Photographer Chases SF Fog for 2 Years to Create Gorgeous Timelapse

Dramatic New Timelapse Video of a City Rising

Mesmerizing Time Lapse Video Captures 30-Day Journey Aboard a Cargo Ship

The post Day and Night Merge in Spectacular Timelapse of New York City appeared first on My Modern Met.

http://ift.tt/2jn8SQ5

South-African photographer and visual artist Elsa Bleda captures moody, nighttime scenes that radiate a dream-like fluorescent glow. Bleda’s cinematic images were taken between Istanbul and Johannesburg, but evoke an alternative dystopian reality. In the case of Johannesburg, Bleda explains, “The city reveals itself in a very surreal way with so many Gothic elements that I haven’t come across in another city before.”

Her hauntingly beautiful images depict fog-filled woodlands, desolate city streets, and snow-covered buildings. In each shot, artificial lights dictate the color palette washing the scenes in rich neon hues. Street lamps, corner shops, and mysterious windows emit eerie hazy glows out into the night. In Bleda’s most recent work, signs of life are rare. Human forms are reduced to silhouettes, stark against vivid fluorescence, or picked out by unknown car headlights. In one shot, street pigeons take flight, uplit by a pink neon glare.

In collaboration with Red Bull, Bleda’s upcoming solo exhibition is due to showcase images of Durban, South Africa. As part of the project, Bleda picks a song to accompany each image, which evokes the atmosphere at the time it was taken. “I use music as my guide while I work, in a way I feel like it gives my work a certain direction. So, for me, the songs I post with my photographs act as soundtracks for them, they are inseparable,” she explains. You can preview the exhibition on Red Bull’s website while listening to Bleda’s song choices.

Keep up to date on Bleda’s ongoing work via Instagram.

South-African photographer Elsa Bleda captures moody nightscapes with neon glows.

Street lamps, corner shops, and mysterious windows emit eerie hazy glows out into the night.

 

Elsa Bleda: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Behance
h/t: [Colossal]

All images via Elsa Bleda.

Related Articles:

Photographer with Insomnia Spends Nights Wandering the Empty, Neon-Lit Streets

Brilliantly Clear Nightscape Photos by Nicholas Roemmelt

Gorgeous Nightscapes Illuminated by Bright Stars and Galaxies

My Modern Shop Spotlight – Terence Chang’s Dreamy Nightscapes

The post Moody Nightscapes Capture City Streets Radiating a Neon Glow Around the World appeared first on My Modern Met.

http://ift.tt/2BbXIEO