Stumbleupon really is a huge treasure vault of  incredible and talented artists.

A while ago I found this guy that makes amazing images from cut-out pulp book covers.

As I’ve already stated here and there in this blog I like vintage stuff and imagery, and seeing those creations really made me stunned.

Inspired by children pop-up books he loves, Thomas has had one of those ideas each creative always starves for, but his work goes beyond that.

His job is not limited to cut the paper and putting in position the slices.

He is an inspired director of stage, light, and composition, really bringing  photos to life, projecting you in the  world he’s seeing.

By making tri-dimensional sets of what once was a bi-dimensional picture, all carved pieces becomes part of a whole new story to tell, adding to it mistery, tension, irony, just like in a typical ’50 movie, a western, a noir, a spy story.
Decay of the paper itself is part of the tale.
Then, a spotlight and a new shot, make the  image bi-dimensional back again to freeze the moment to eternity.

Am I a bit visionary?

It may be, but considering the success the man is having I’m not the only one.

He takes part in several exhibitions and has even printed a book Thomas Allen: Uncovered, a 48 page “jewel” featured in Amazon Top 100  Best book of Year 2007, and whose reviewers speak of very highly (not to mention that his blog really worth reading).

Recently Thomas has teamed up with the webdesigner and blogger Kitsune Noir (another blog I follow) for his “Desktop Wallpaper Project”, so now all of us can have a piece of his creativity to download for our desktop at various resolutions even for Iphone and PSP.

This is called “INFECTIOUS” and features a man with a wrapped slightly bloodied hand, looking worried toward the woman standing at his shoulder.

Still there? What are you waiting to download?

This Sunday, I’ll list my 10 favourite websites of the week.
They may include articles, video and portfolios.
Let’s start.

• Most Comprehensive is Your Rights as a Photographer by Tutorial9.net: a complete and extensive guide about commercial and legal rights when you use your fotocamera, there also are two downloadable samples of models releases;

• Most Creative is A little something to remind me… by CR Blog that shows how photographer Michael Hughes renew the concept of tourist attractions in his new book Souvenirs, where he take a shot of a postcard of them, skillfully merged with the real view;

• Most Outrageous is Shavethepussy.com. Yes, as the name says, you have all the tools to shave a pussy and get a score to win the foam/moisturizer set. Honestly, I didn’t understand if this site was made to really promote the set or the amazing mastery of the flash design, but one thing for sure it gets noticed!!;

• Most Funny is Make my logo bigger video on YouTube. How often customers obstruct us from doing our work with request of the kind: “I want my logo bigger”, “All of that white space is wasted”, “I want more colors”?. Well, it has been created a new set of tools right for this purpose.

• Most Useful is How to Write An Effective Design Brief By JCD Blog. Starting from the definition of design brief itself it analyzes what goals of design could be, then it draws a roadmap through target market, design specifications, benchmark and deadline.

• Most Interesting is Typographic Nostalgia: Bell Centennial by Speak Up. This article talks of the creation of the typeface Bell Centennial, used for the AT&T telephone book, as an update of old Bell Gothic. A lot of good pics of the rare booklet that illustrate the process.

• Most Beautiful is The beauty of old maps by Design Daily. I just love vintage photos and illustrations. Period.

• Most Valuable is 10 Timeless Business Tips From 10 Millionaires by Quick Sprout. From venture capital to savings, from starting a business to investing in ourselves.

• My favourite portfolio: Philipp Zurmoehle at http://www.phillennium.com/ is a fine and creative graphic and web designer from Norway.

Do you know what IStockPhoto.com is? Noo?

Don’t be afraid, I’m here to tell you about it.
First of all it is probably the largest and growing royalty free stock photography website, secondly, it is a HUGE community of creatives where you can:

• exchange your knowledge with your peers;
• enroll in exciting “battle cage” where community judge the most talented illustrator;
• sell your photography/ illustration/ flash creation;
• download your FREE hires photo of the week;
• download your FREE (really HIGH quality) vector image of the month;
• take part in contests;
• find a lot of articles with fabulous tutorials;
• show your designs to community;
• a lot more! You only have to subscribe to check by yourself!

As I said in subject line, there are a lot of news at IStockPhoto’s.
Let’s see some:

• IStockPhoto is about to launch a new backend search engine that will result in faster searches;
• IstockPhoto is offering to subscribers a special code (all subscribers!) that will allow them to save 50% off Photoshop Live Conference or Creative Suite Live taking place August 25-27 in Melbourne, Australia. Too good!
• Rob Sylvan, site Director, is launching his first book Photoshop Lightroom 2 For Dummies (For Dummies (Computer/Tech)) (roll over link to see a preview). Being a Photographer himself he wants others photographers to have the same ease with this software, in 318 pages he will teach you everything about the program, from installing to how modules work together.
• Last but not least, IStockPhoto has a referral program that pays $10 for each new subscriber you send to the community as soon he makes his first purchase. The great news here is that from September 1-30, there will be double reward: $20!

Still here reading? Go to IStockPhoto and watch yourself, you’ll thank me!
(Yes, it was a referral link, but it will do you no harm, I promise)

If you work in graphic design business you already know PANTONE color guides are a must have in your studio.

On THIS PAGE you can both download and request a printed copy of the 2008 product catalogs.

Extremely brilliant the INSPIRATION catalog, illustrated and colorful.

Each catalog includes an exclusive offer for PantoneDIRECT customers.