Reframing Reality: 35+ Fascinating Photos Of Iconic Subjects From A Different Angle
Why and how does something become ‘famous’? This is a question that, no doubt, would warrant and receive a plethora of answers influenced by different perspectives. For the purpose of simplicity, we will offer one reason as an answer to our own question.
Things often become famous because they leave a visual impression on those who see and come across them. Whether that fame stems from the object being breathtakingly beautiful or morbidly unsightly is up for debate. Regardless, this subject led us to an exciting topic for this article.
Today, we’ll feature supposedly famous and familiar images from a new angle. They offer a new perspective that you would otherwise never have seen or even thought about. From the soles of a ballerina on stage to how the underside of an aurora looks like, they are sure to leave you fascinated.
The Strings of a Grand Piano
If art is said to imitate life, we wonder if the same can be said for instruments that mimic their purpose. That’s the thought that sprung from this fascinating image of a close-up shot of the strings of a grand piano.
What makes the image particularly interesting is that the inside of the piano almost looks like the type of concert hall you would find a grand piano in. This looks like a surreal concert hall under a sea-blue sky with a sandy beach around it.
A Queue of Climbers at Mount Everest
When people share photos of themselves atop some great mountain, you seldom see more than a few solitary climbers peering off the edge of the world. You also don’t see the long and arduous trip they had to make to get there.
That’s something this photo captures as we see a long line of climbers waiting to make their way to the summit. This photo was taken near the Khumbu Icefall, a slope near the South Base Camp and considered one of the most dangerous parts of the route.
The Venice Beach Skatepark
Watch any movie or series set in Los Angeles, and the chances of Venice Beach appearing in a scene are extremely high. And with good reason. The beach and neighborhood have almost become synonymous with L.A. and the Hollywood experience.
The beach is famous for its picturesque location, a wide range of attractions, and spotty attractions. One example is this skatepark that takes on a completely new appearance thanks to this stunning aerial shot. You can’t even tell it’s a skatepark.
The Making of a Famous Album Cover
When you think of iconic bands of the ‘60s, few were likely as popular and successful as The Doors. That said, things did not really go according to plan after the release of their third album, Waiting for the Sun.
Recorded during a turbulent time in the band’s past when tensions were high, the album failed to impress critics. Yet, it would become its most commercially successful album. This photo shows a behind-the-scene perspective on what would become the album’s cover art.
Exploring a Wind Turbine
Sometimes, you have no real way of comprehending how big something is until you’ve seen it up close. You will probably think this is a weird kind of motorway tunnel at first. That’s until you learn it’s the inside of a wind turbine.
To be more specific, this is the inside of the blade of a wind turbine. The skateboard you see inside confuses you even more. But it provides an excellent example to use for scale. The average turbine blade measures around 50 meters in length.
A Bug’s Life
Speaking of perspective, this next picture made us wonder how much we really miss because of our size. This ground-level shot transforms regular delicate tulips into fine yet gigantic trees. A perspective only ants and other bugs have seen before.
This image also makes us think of some kind of alien or fantastical plant on a planet that’s not ours, like the strange plants in James Cameron’s Avatar. If for nothing else, we hope this image inspires you when taking your own pictures.
The South Pole of Jupiter
You often hear how crucial first impressions are. But as we have seen, they can also be quite misleading, like this image. Answer honestly; how many of you thought you were looking at a marble? Well, surprisingly, it is not.
What you are actually looking at was the first-ever picture taken of the south pole of Jupiter in 2016 by one of NASA’s numerous capable spacecraft. While we don’t know much about the poles, apparently, cyclones frequently form around them.
The Mouth of a Sawfish
The ocean is filled with as many interesting animal species as it is with extremely weird-looking ones. For example, the world’s one and only Kraken. Another example is the sawfish, also known as a carpenter shark. You know, the ones with the chainsaw-shaped nose thing.
While the topside and nose profile are pretty memorable, how many have actually seen where its mouth is? Well, thanks to this photo, we now have a better idea. This thing looks like it has an alien’s face underneath! Yikes!
The Statues of the Acropolis
Of the many ancient wonders of the world, few are as iconic as the Acropolis of Athens, a pantheon to the Greek gods built nearly 2,500 years ago. When speaking of the Acropolis, it’s mainly its columns that are remembered.
Its smaller details and carvings – much like other finer details – are often overlooked or unnoticed, such as this exquisite column – one of many – carved into the shape of the female figure. They’re known as caryatids. If you’ve seen Disney’s Hercules, you undoubtedly spotted something like this.
An Inside View of the Leaning Tower of Pisa
And speaking of world wonders, let us take a stroll over to nearby Italy. Amongst many things, Italy is globally known for its numerous architectural marvels that decorate each of its famous cities, for example, the Leaning Tower of Pisa.
Located near the base of the Pisa Cathedral, the bell tower is known for its 4-degree lean, an irregularity that mostly left the tower unstable. Due to this, the interior of the tower is actually hollow, as you can see in the picture.
Behind This Famous Lady
The US is also known for the many impressive monuments found across its states. Arguably, the most famous, recognizable, and iconic one has to be New York’s Statue of Liberty. It’s an incredible sculpture designed and gifted by France in 1886.
The crown, proud face, and lifted torch are easily the most recognizable features of the statue. The backside, however, is lesser known and rarely photographed. That said, even from the back and partly obscured by buildings and trees, the statue is still just as marvelous.
Jenny Joseph and Columbia Pictures
Speaking of iconic American female figures, Columbia Pictures’ Torch Lady logo is as recognizable as Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer’s roaring lion. And while we have been seeing it for decades thanks to hundreds of films, how many of us know about its history?
The current reiteration of the iconic logo was modeled after Jenny Joesph in 1992, a graphic designer from New Orleans who had never and would later never model again. Even more fascinating is that she got the gig completely by chance, and it was shot during a single lunch break!
A Kidney Stone Under an Electron Microscope
Among the less severe or serious medical issues, kidney stones have to be one of the worst. For those who don’t know, kidney stones are solid pieces of material that form in the urinary tract and can be rather painful to… expel.
Thanks to this photo, you can tell why. These nasty things ensure you have the worst time doing something that would normally not hurt. If you didn’t know better, you would think you were looking at a horribly jagged mountainside.
The Passage of an Empty Plane
If you have ever moved houses, you must have realized how different and almost alien your once-familiar home looks when empty. This is a situation that is perfectly showcased in this image of the empty walkway of a Boeing 787 plane.
Without all the numerous seats filling up the space, the interior of the plane almost looks like a set piece for a sci-fi movie. Most 787s usually hold around 234 seats, with larger ones capable of holding around 296 seats.
The Soles of a Ballerina
Among the many forms of dance, few are as classically elegant and iconic as ballet. Everything from the stages, the music, the movements, to the costumes simply sets it apart from the rest. Perhaps that’s the reason for its continued popularity and longevity.
And while dancers may make it look effortless, there is no denying the hours of commitment the dance demands. Though that’s a relatively known fact, nothing makes it quite as evident as the weathered and battered state of this dancer’s pointe shoes.
The Underside of the Golden Gate Bridge
When you think of San Francisco, a few iconic features instantly come to mind. These include the unnerving Alcatraz Island, Chinatown, and, of course, the cable cars (or trams for those outside the USA). And yet, there is one that is even more iconic.
That’s right, we are, of course, referring to the Golden Gate Bridge. A bridge that was once the tallest and longest in the world and upon which close to 90,000 cars travel daily. This feat is made possible thanks to the incredible metalwork beneath it.
Why no one Sneaks up Behind a Tiger
It should come as no surprise that many of the features that make a particular animal iconic are there for a reason. Some are obvious, such as the long tongue of an anteater. Others are more mysterious, like the stripes on a tiger.
Interestingly enough, the stripes help them camouflage and blend in with their environment. Even more interesting are the patterns on the back of its head and its white ears. They ward off potential attackers because they almost look like eyes. So cool!
Under the Aurora
Of the numerous famous natural phenomena that exist around us, few are as breathtaking and mystifying as the aurora borealis – or Northern lights. Most people tend to take a wide-angle shot when they see them to capture as much as possible.
This choice is perfectly logical and sensible, yet it makes you wonder what a change in perspective could capture. Well, you won’t have to wonder for long, thanks to this ground-level shot of the magical sky above that shows how the lights play around the trees.
The Studio of Claude Monet
An appreciation of perspective is a concept that is likely all too familiar to artists. A fantastic example is Impressionism, an art movement from the 19th century that focused on shades of light, angles, and movement to replicate something lifelike.
Out of all fans of this type of art, Claude Monet has to be the most famous. That said, we aren’t here to talk about his paintings. No, we’re here for a different purpose. We often marvel at his stunning paintings, but have you ever seen what his Water Lily painting looked like before completion?
Aerial Shot of Wyoming’s Devil Tower
While Wyoming might be one of the largest states in the USA, it is also the least populated one. It is likely because of this – and conservation efforts by the government – that the natural environment of the state is as untouched as it is.
Wyoming is home to many natural attractions, such as the Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks. That said, Devil’s Tower is arguably the most recognizable feature of the state. And thanks to this aerial shot, we’re able to truly appreciate its grandeur.
Hollywood, Visible from Sea
At this point, it seems that every movie or show set in Los Angeles has to make a point of including a close-up shot of the Hollywood Sign. Kind of like how you cannot have a movie set in Paris without showing the Eiffel Tower.
And while the Hollywood Sign is certainly massive – standing at over 15 meters – you never really realize just how big when it’s shown fast in the background. Something this offshore photograph resolves with the sign still visible even from miles away.
A Golf Course Near the Pyramids
Perception truly is a fascinating concept when examined beyond its dictionary meaning. Sometimes, all it takes is one photo, an impression made by others, or an artfully crafted sentence to cement the perception of something in the minds of others.
When most people think of Egypt, the towering pyramids or maybe the Valley of Kings are some of the first images that come to mind. But did you know that just a stone’s throw away from that desert-like scene, there’s a huge green golf course? Neither did we!
A Surprise at the Zoo
At first glance, you wouldn’t think much about this image. You wouldn’t be blamed for thinking you were looking at a group of people staring at a particularly hairy person. That is, until you learn that you’re actually looking at an orangutan.
Yep, this image was taken from inside the orangutan enclosure at a zoo. It offers a second interesting perspective as we see what we look like from the other side of the glass partition. Someone should take a pic like this from inside a massive aquarium.
A Hover Car from Total Recall
It’s amazing how the use of practical effects and CGI has been able to create truly impressive – and, in most cases, impossible – visuals and creations for our entertainment. Something equally as interesting is seeing how the crew does it.
Since its debut in 1990, Total Recall has become a cult classic and is mentioned among the best sci-fi films ever made. However, the 2012 remake of the same name is not as highly regarded. That said, the design of its hover police cars was nevertheless praised. It’s exactly how we pictured it.
Burning Man Festival
Burning Man is a celebrated week-long event that is sure to be on the bucket list of most live event and music lovers. Held in Nevada’s Black Rock Desert, it consists of a makeshift temporary camp-city of sorts that stretches across 160 km.
If you are struggling to picture just how large the site is, perhaps this aerial shot will give you a better idea. The site is divided into entertainment venues, party areas, eateries, and tenting spaces to accommodate thousands of attendees.
An Ancient Greek Amphitheatre
We have no way of knowing if one inspired the other, but it’s quite interesting how the shape of the Burning Man venue resembles another structure famous for live performances. We are, of course, talking about Greek amphitheaters, which were places of speeches, plays, and music.
Their imposing essence has carried on through the years. This particular amphitheater is located in the ancient city of Epidaurus on the Argolid Peninsula. It was built around the 4th century BC and was able to seat around 14,000 attendants.
The Sleeping Giant of Easter Island
Speaking of iconic and century-old structures, Easter Island has plenty of those. Located in the southeastern Pacific Ocean and off the coast of Chile, it is the tiny island home of the globally recognizable Moai statues of the Rapa Nui people.
It’s astounding how people were capable of building such massive figures 1,500 years ago. While the tallest standing moai is 10 meters high and weighs 82 tonnes, this carved, yet never erected, moai would have reached a height of 21 meters and weighed over 150 tonnes.
That’s a Big Giraffe
Have you ever stopped to think how weird-looking some animals actually are? Like what happened during the evolution track that led them to look the way they do? The giraffe is one such species. But at least we understand their evolution process.
Though we have a decent idea of how big they are thanks to nature documentaries and books, it still catches us by surprise whenever we see them up close. Something this photograph perfectly captured as an over 5-meter-tall giraffe loomed above.
The Other Side of the Moon
When presented with the same viewpoint of a thing or object over and over, it is not surprising that people will always perceive it that way. A good example is the moon, an iconic sight with deep roots entrenched in histories and cultures the world over.
Its profile is something we are familiar with thanks to its near-constant presence and documented imagery. That said, we only ever see the same side of the moon. But thanks to the Orion spacecraft, we now know what the other side looks like.
A Less Glamorous Side of a Peacock
Speaking of always seeing something from the same perspective, peacocks are another fantastic example. For those who didn’t know, only the male peafowl (the name of the species) are the ones with the colorful feathers. But only from the front.
While the male’s front is famous for its dazzling and eye-spotted plumage, the back of a peacock looks as ordinary as that of a peahen (female peacock). The extravagant colors and patterns are used in courtship rituals when attracting a mate.
The Back of the Hoover Dam
Completed in 1936, the Hoover Dam is one of the most famous and impressive dams in the USA. With an estimated cost of over $710 million (adjusted for inflation), we cannot even begin to imagine how much of an undertaking it was to build.
There’s a fair chance many of you have already seen the Hoover Dam to some degree, even if you don’t live in the States, as it has featured in a fair number of movies. That said, it’s mainly only seen from the front and rarely from the back.
A Different Way to Shop
Grocery shopping can be quite a chore, more often than not. That’s half due to having to deal with queues of other shoppers and half due to the fact that you have to navigate through dozens of aisles to find that one particular thing you need.
Most times, you don’t even realize how absurdly big supermarket stores can be. Something this photograph perfectly captures. Not only does it put things into perspective, but it also offers a different way of tracking down those elusive items on your shopping list.
Space Shuttle Columbia in Transit
It is fascinating how the build-up to the launch of the next spacefaring voyage has the ability to capture the attention of millions of people all over the world. Everyone eagerly awaits lift-off and the confirmation of a successful entry into space.
And while those are the most nail-biting moments, the whole experience leading up to it is captivating. A good example is the process of transporting the space shuttle to the launch pad zone, with the crawlers used to transport the shuttles weighing 2.7 million kg.
The Set of NPR’s Tiny Desk Concerts
Even if you aren’t a frequent listener of NPR – the American nonprofit public radio network – you are bound to have come across or heard about their Tiny Desk concerts. If you are familiar with them, then prepare to have your perception forever changed.
What always looks like your favorite musicians performing in a cramped office space isn’t actually that cramped. Glancing at this image, you can see that the space around the performance area is actually quite spacious. This one has to be one of our favorites.
Aerial Shot of Mount St. Helens
The US county of Skamania, in the state of Washington, is home to the stratovolcano Mount St. Helens. And while the volcano hasn’t erupted since 2008, its eruption in 1980 is regarded as the deadliest and most destructive eruption in US history.
Though this ancient giant remains sleeping, geologists have theorized that future eruptions will only become more destructive. And yet, the area remains a popular climbing and hiking attraction for many tourists. It’s certainly quite a picturesque – though somewhat unsettling – sight.
A Close-up of the Washington Monument
Among the many famous monuments of the US capital of Washington, D.C., the Washington Monument is amongst the most iconic. Completed in 1884, the 169-metre-tall obelisk – dedicated to the legacy of George Washington – was once the tallest structure in the world.
At some point in the digital age, a fascinating trend developed among tourists who come to visit the monument. The trend in question was standing as close to the obelisk as possible while taking a picture. The result was quite intriguing.
Da Vinci’s The Last Supper
The Italian Renaissance birthed and nurtured some of the greatest artists, writers, and philosophers of history between the 15th and 16th centuries. That said, the exact starting date is hotly debated by academics. One of the most noteworthy artists of the age was Leonardo da Vinci.
A renowned polymath, da Vinci’s legacy lives on through his paintings, sculptures, and engineering endeavors – even if many of the latter were never completed. Even if the Mona Lisa is his most famous painting, The Last Supper is easily a close second.
Inside a Pipe Organ
If there is one thing we’ve realized while exploring this topic, it’s that something can take on a completely different appearance depending on the angle. For example, this photograph easily evokes images of a futuristic city featured in a sci-fi book.
This image, in a way, relates to another earlier entry. What you are looking at is actually a close-up shot of the interior of a pipe organ. More than anything, we think this photo effortlessly captures how complex they must be to craft.
The Secret Room of Mount Rushmore
A shared characteristic of famous and iconic monuments is how they instantly demand full attention thanks to their grandiose nature. It’s a power that often leads to some of their smaller details going unnoticed, like the statues of the Greek Acropolis.
Take the impressive Mount Rushmore National Memorial as an example. While we are all familiar with the four stony faces of presidents passed, how many people know about the tiny secret room located at the very top of the monument?
Eruption at Mount St. Helens
We thought it would be interesting to show you how different something can look from one moment to the next. And since we have already mentioned Mount St. Helens, we thought showing its eruption would be the perfect example of that.
This photograph was taken on the day of the infamous 1980 eruption. The force of the eruption created an ash column that rose 24 km into the atmosphere. A height so great that its ash spread to eleven neighboring states.
On Top of the Forest
The redwood subfamily of coniferous trees holds the privilege of having some of the tallest and largest trees in the world. It’s a species that dates back to the Jurassic period. One of the tallest species is the Sequoia sempervirens, California redwood or simply sequoia.
Most members of the species are capable of reaching heights of over 110 meters and are some of the longest-living organisms in the world. For the curious ones, this is what the view looks like from 100 meters at the top.
The Set of the Titanic
James Cameron’s 1997 film, Titanic, is one of the most recognizable and acclaimed films of the 20th century. It was the first movie to reach and surpass the billion-dollar mark and remains tied with two other files for the most Academy Award wins.
While all the people involved are surely very proud of what they achieved, it couldn’t have been easy. The film was also notorious for its extremely demanding production, which required innovative solutions such as this to achieve extraordinary visuals and set pieces.
The Actor who played Wednesday’s Thing
Speaking of extremely successful pieces of entertainment. Netflix’s 2022 adaptation, Wednesday, was a smash hit. The series, based on the characters by cartoonist Charles Addams, became the second-most watched English language series on the platform and garnered many positive reviews.
Critics and viewers praised many elements of the series, such as Jenna Ortega’s performance, the plot, and the special effects. One of the most praised special effects was Victor Dorobantu’s performance as the character “Thing,” a disembodied and sentient hand.
London’s Abbey Road
What may at first glance look like an ordinary road crossing is actually one of the most recognizable album covers in history. All you need to do is look at it from the front. We are, of course, referring to the Beatles album Abbey Road.
While the album is now regarded as one of the band’s best albums, it received largely mixed reviews in its day. And yet, it managed to garner the acclaim it now has today. You only need to picture John, Patrick, George, and Ringo crossing the road to get the full picture.