1092 PICS

The World in a Bubble

In a time when a fresh perspective is most certainly needed, my ultimate goal is to travel worldwide and capture recognizable natural and man-made icons within the reflection of an unorthodox and playful perspective: a floating bubble.

The circle. The sphere. The bubble. These shapes are so ubiquitous in the world around us and deeply rooted in our very own imagination and psyche. Bubbles are fleeting, fantastic, and other-worldly yet familiar. We can look closely and find momentary reflections, small worlds within these floating orbs that too quickly pass away, never to be seen again. Unless you have a camera.

While I was enjoying a street fair in Galway, Ireland in the summer of 2006, bubbles from a nearby vendor floated past me. I saw a reflection in the spheres and quickly took a few shots and moved onto other subjects. When I returned from my trip and reviewed these shots closely I found a whole world in perfect focus. Since that moment I now carry bubble solution with me when I travel.

I have been seen blowing bubbles by Neptune's fountain in the old town Gdansk, Poland; among the tall walls of Geiranger Fjord, Norway; in front of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin; behind the Blue Mosque in Istanbul, and a number of other locations across western and eastern Europe. People watch and stare as I follow these floating bubbles around with my camera pressed to my eye. Crowds form, and my bubble blowing partners (friends or willing strangers) do their part to help make sure I don't wander into traffic, for example, while in Times Square in New York City, or into the random passersby.

It's photography. It's is great social experiment. It's a show.

It takes time, patience, teamwork, and a light-hearted approach. The very act of capturing these reflections is a meditation on virtue.

I see icons such as the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Pyramids and Sphinx, statues on Easter Island, and the Sydney Opera House within my bubbles.

In a time when a fresh perspective is most certainly needed, my ultimate goal is to travel worldwide and capture recognizable natural and man-made landmarks within this unorthodox and playful perspective.

Rank: 17

248 Comments

givemeclarity

amazing idea, i lovee the pics you have so far. cannot wait for more!

<3

millysuazo

AWESOME idea!!! I am already imagining some of the places back home photographed this way... If you check out Jeremy's pictures from last Summer's trip to PR you'll see what I mean; specially the pictures in Old San Juan

mikeym

some of the best stuff i've ever seen... great work!

DBStrauss32

An absolutely awesome idea. Your photography is stunning!

tostao

Great idea!!!

capnintl

Very creative and highly technical approach -- from getting the best lighting, to capturing color, to mastering wind conditions!

syanity

This is most definitely a fantastic idea! Your photography is stunning to say the least.

zinniamars

I don't see a link to the amazing bubble photos you've already taken: tomstorm.net

You know what they say, a picture is worth 1000 votes! :)

sholsinger

Nobody does this as well as Mr. Tom Storm. Good luck!

hope7grey

you inspire me... good luck senor storm!

prisca

you know how much i looove your bubbles!
i really wish for you to get this, you deserve it and so do all the bubbles in the world that have yet to be photographed:-)

ziume

let's go bubbles and let tom win!!!!

JustinBohl

you have a personality that shows through your photos. good luck.

nathi

hi, great work. interesting thoughts. hi from Germany! :-) nathi*

anbennick

Good Luck tom!
I love the bubble pics... and especially picking out the few you took in JT!! The one almost looks like broadway is on water! could you imagine?
(and the pic of mr. gunser is awesome!!!!)
-amber

brian

Congratulations on successfully realizing a playful and innovative idea. Good luck, Tom!

jmorykin

These bubble pictures are symbolize our current economic climate and represent the fragility of the global economic environment. This project can grow to also encompass reflections of the world's major financial centers to really drive this home: Davos, London, Tokyo, Shanghai etc.

gutzeit88

these pictures are the best i have ever seen i think you deserve it tommy

jayday

:-) love it!

c1j62

Tom, Great work. Love it....good luck....cj

wildernessjosh

Tom ur the man and you know. you art is amazing and i envy that motivation you have to pursue the art you do.

marty

Bubbles, Bubbles, Who has the Bubbles? Why Tom of course. I hope all goes well for you and if you need someone to help you with bubbles add me to the list. Love Marty

dino38

hey good luck little brother!

rsroombe

I love bubbles. I used to pass the time in amusement park lines blowing bubbles. It makes you a little lightheaded after a while.. But I totally love the photo idea. Good luck. --Robyn

runningaway

Amazing, photos are amazing keep up the good work!

littlebluemoonriver

it's probably the first time I see such terrific sceneries in the bubble. Very very inspired work! Good luck!! =)

robertoosterbaan

hello. good luck!

ambyr

ahhh i love bubbles. you truley are an amazing, beautiful, and awe inspiring man tom storm!

emilee

bubbles! :)

ohhhsuzylicious

your work absolutely stunning and motivating, and i've told you this before. i truly admire you for your ambitions to make this world look so much better through your art as well. love you much, and good luck! love!

Polishgirl32

This was amazing! You are such an artist. Your photographs are very clever and skillfully taken.

marty

What a multi-talented artist-man you are! Your "world in bubbles pictures" reminds me of that saying that "Everything you need to know for life you learned in Kindergarden" I cannot quite explain why I connect the two but I do. Good luck on your adventures

elephantsweaters

THIS IS AMAZING, i love the photographs so much, please keep doing this!

fuzzyglasses

your pics are AWESOME!! WOOOO

jetcruz77

It's really awesome how you got the photos of houses so crisp, almost like a painting.

pbatts

super awesome mannnn. good luck and keep going!

FedExman

Good luck in your venture ^_~

givemeclarity

woot woot. doing goood!!! keep it up Tom!! top 20 in no timeeee
<3

runningaway

Awesome job, your almost there keep it up!

fuzzyglasses

wooooo keep it up!!!

Wrestling17

very unique i like it alot

shanesthename

wow...this is pretty fricken coool man, the bubbles are a great idea, you are really talented...good luck.

workitt

one word, amazing.

nickgaro

This is really, really amazing. I wish I had this much creativity.
Good luck!

ashleymay16

i hope you win :)
your pics are amazing

jsmith5

great idea!!!

kremm2

very interesting Tom and good luck

BrownEyedGirl82

You're pictures are amazing! Can't wait to see more!

ChinasGirlie

Great idea :)

pytam

The pictures are really nice!

miket

i really like it! its coool

good luck.

workitt

keep it up!! looking goooddd

MizuSpock13

Hey! This is so cool! I really hope that you win!

jacy332

Great idea and your photos are beautiful! Best of luck!

lilshortii

hey amazing pix! u deserve 2 win, good luck!!

gunsser

your doing a great job! we all need to get the word out. Can't wait to see a "world" full of bubbles.

givemeclarity

woooohooo. keep the comments comming!!!
getting there tom!! and you totally deserve it, your pictures are fantasticc! <3

runningaway

Keep it up! Awesome job i wanna see some more pictures after this is over!

givemeclarity

there were 59 comments...i just had to make it 60 haha, besidesss the more the merrier haha.

beautiful pictures. :D

ping9686

Extreme amazing!!!
Successfully realize to capture the spherical environment mapping on a bubble.
(Spherical environment mapping is one of the technology used in virtual 3D real time rendering e.g game/simulation)

JohnKlippel

Best of luck Tom!

Deslynne

:) Tom Storm can capture my bubbles anytime!!

win_hk

amazing idea...i'm impressed :0
Let the dream come true, good luck Tom!

>> dear Frank, thanks for sharing Tom's idea with me!

JackTsoi

Good luck !! keep shooting !!!

dorie

Now thats what I call thinking "outside the box" or should I say "in the bubble".
This idea is truly creative and imaginative and I hope you go far with it and I'd like to see you win. Keep shooting the ideas are endless with this theme. It certainly created a spark within me.

dalthouse

Dave and Seth think the bubble idea is really cool and nicely done professional work. Visited Tom's site and other work is very nicely done as well.

Lee2

Tom my favorite one is the blue one. Your bubbles are heartlifting..goodluck to bringing more of them to this world.

webula

Bubble-licious idea!

egpizana

yaaaaaaay tom!!!!!!!!!!!!!

huggabun

It's really neat to see that a small-town boy has such a broad view of this big, big world -- all packaged in a simple little bubble. Keep up the amazing work!

givemeclarity

wooooo getting close to top 10!! lets do ittttt :D

billypilgrim

Great stuff, best of luck!

(Michelle from Neuschwanstein)

notdavinci

:-)You got my vote. Blessings.

mauroc328

I love the idea, Tom. Beautiful and unique way of capturing scenery. I wish you the best! :)

FatherJohn

I like your idea!

Will you vote for me? Let's do this and see how it turns out. Let's help each other!

Good luck!

zurnkay

Hi Tom ~ thanks for including me! What fun! I loved seeing all your photos...and kept asking "how did he do that!"....I am delighted to assist you in achieving a dream you have as you have assist us. I have sent your email out to my database...I am sourcing that you WIN! Kay

randallsellers

Awesome work Tom!! Bubbles!!

bailey_paul

cool. gd luck.

doodlesack

The use of the bubble adds creativity. Quite ingenious. Great job!

pianojoy

I luv the bubbles. You go Tom.

runningaway

Almost to 200 keep going!

ekmetz1981

here your vote bud...kmetz

givemeclarity

woot woot closing in on 200! way to goooo!

if we all get atleast one person to vote, and then they get one person and so on...Tom could win!!! do itttt :D

lbishop72

A Digital Design student at The Art Institute of Pittsburgh and Graphic Artist by profession. Also a lover of all things beautiful. I'm looking forward to seeing more of your work and following you on your journey. Be safe and best of travels in this remarkable adventure. Lori

Cherren_hk

I'm mother of Frank You. I heard of your project from Frank and I very support you. So, I vote for you and I hope you win!

tirabelle

Good luck Tom!

tinker86belle

Love the idea...goodluck! hopefully you'll win! ;) ~Vanessa

emilygee

good luck

btm03

your stuff is amazing!! so great!! wish i could do that!! good luck <33

millysuazo

Several of my friends have already voted, woooo hooooo!!!! It's looking good baby!!!

taidiana08

good luck

megan_lau

tom i don't know how to vote! i clicked "pic it" is that all?

megan_lau

haha never mind!

givemeclarity

haha
yayyy!!
keep it goinng!
well done everyone

:D

NetMagi

All your bubbles are belong to Tom.

reflections

Thanks for all your support guys! moving on to 300 and the top 10. "ALL YOUR VOTES ARE BELONG TO US!"

syanity

go, Tom. Go!!! Almost there!!!!

lilchocolate

This is great. I love it like I love chocolate bubbles. You go Tommy.

givemeclarity

halfway to 300 lets get it!!!!!

mehmet

good luck tom

carobbeean

To a Truly Prolific Man,
The bubble, in all its simplicity, mirroring the shape and faces of our planet, wholly encapsulating the beauty, your beautiful view. Brilliant!
*Love, Ruthe

ray

Tom, you truely are "The Man" I hope you get the votes needed for this great idea

gas7773

Hey bro, those pics are amazing! I have you to thank on teaching me how to use my camera. See you soon. I'm spreading the word for you!

gmag

Hope you have a master bubble blower! Quite a difficult job you have capturing those floaters! Good Luck! Beautiful framework.

Dirt15

Yo Tom these pics are crazy. all the best from Dirt.

millysuazo

There are a lot of really good ideas for extremely good causes, however this is a PHOTOGRAPHY contest and I think your idea is the one that most closely showcases that. Take a picture of the reflection of something amazing in a bubble? WOW, just wow

Groovnon09

This is wonderful and original. Good luck! Please check out my idea and toss me a vote :)

givemeclarity

go get 'em Tom!!!! :D

come on peopleee keep it goinnggg!!!!! we're getting there!!!

Amazonian

Unite against the “network” that is scheming votes. Support ideas that are “lost” due to unworthy ideas using low tactics. “Insulin” is not the best idea. Something is wrong here and many fantastic ideas are getting lost due to the “network.” If you like my idea on “Vanishing Cultures,” vote for it.

u2pesh

tom has taken so many fantastic photo, his portfolio it is worth the time to check it out

rrwhite4

I loved viewing your photographs and listening to your songs last night at Dorrie's cafe in JT. Good luck - I hope you win and can create bubble reflections from the four corners of the world!

millysuazo

I agree with amazonian, "Insulin" is NOT the best idea but is number 1... WTH? Juvenile diabetes is a worthy cause, don't get me wrong, but this is a PHOTOGRAPHY contest, people!!

kevindowden

Mr. Storm, hopefully I can find some more friends to push you over the top. Best of luck everyone in JT is pulling for you.

reflections

thanks kevin! keep spreading the word!

givemeclarity

keep them comming!!!!

WisePoney

many comments hints you're a good photographer! where can i see your work?

I submitted my dream this morning, please have look! (documenting a very remote temple in Tibet)
good luck!

reflections

thanks wiseponey. I think someone put a link to my work in one of my comments so you may find it there.

karebear211

just a heartfelt note of thanks for your imagination - God does give gifts and you certainly have one - may you continue to be richly blessed and may what you see be shared with many people of the same heart.

FrannyK

Hey. I voted from you. I heard about your idea from Perdie's blog and looked up your website. You are amazing, have you ever thought of photographing weddings like that? Anyways, if you have time, take a look at my project idea about marriage + hope to see you in the top 20!

Dima

Just read about your idea on sholsinger.com and I found it very creative. Good luck!

reflections

Thanks for voting. Good luck to you too. It would be cool to do bubbles at wedding but haven't worked out a reliable way to do it. Another thing on the list! Onward and upward! (to the top 10)

reflections

Thanks for voting as well Dima. please spread the word and keep tabs with our progress.

jbaker

great work

natals

Hope that 'bubble' will take you to new and fantastic places! Great project and good luck!
Natalya

emgp

Great idea!

magonetx

:-) Love it! Good luck!

tvsapple33

Excellent and visionary BUBBLES!! :)

ergp

good work!

brentsiebenaler

Thanks Tom, for the support it was a lot of hard work for my wife "SRP" Deep in the jungle to climb the ladder but we are so thankful that people believe in our idea and I'm sure you feel the same about yours. Congrats on the top 20
Here is another vote for you
Good luck and have a great day.

DeweyGreen

Great Photos Tom. Please just none of you in that skirt. LOL

cooledge

awesome take ?

givemeclarity

keep voting!! tell your friends!!! <3 Tom totally deservess itttt

jahdisp25

great idea best of luck with it

JHOUCK13

Good work Tom. I'll pass the word on about your art dude.

Flow

Good Luck!

givemeclarity

SO close to 400!! great job everyone keep it goiiinngg!!!!

dejah13

Fantastic! I'm sure such an innovative and unique project will capture the attention of the world. Sra Hauck

reflections

gracias Seniorita Hauck.

grammy06

Good Luck! What a creative idea and photographs are great!

barb74202

Good Luck! Loved the photos. How about "Garden of the Gods" In Colorado.....

givemeclarity

woooo top ten in no time!!!!

runningaway

Keep it up!

lynette

Your ideas come from the center of your soul, they are as special and creative as you are. Good Luck!

mike888

Very interesting idea and a great adea at that. GOOD LUCK

BusyBee

Great to meet you in the coffee shop today. Your photographs are fun and fantastic. Good luck!!

tp

Cool pix! :o)

saphoto4u

What a fresh approach to seeing the world. I hope you win and I can't wait to see the book of finished photos. Good luck!

MusicalPopRocks

Good stuff, man. I really appreciate the pioneering your work is doing.

siblings2tibet

Wow this is a really cool idea, I'd love to see the photos you have so far!

patriciatwalter

the work is a stunning statement within the context of the current global economy. I wish this project the very best of luck!

Kpallorito

Global, Spherical, Wonderful! Good Luck Mr. Tom Storm!

stellas

I hope you have the opportunity to complete this wonderful bubble series by winning your dream assignment. It is a wonderful project.

lfarmer

This is an imaginative project that obviously requires great skill. Taking reflections of the world in a bubble is oh sooo timely!

marinakano

This sounds like a really whimsical idea. Good luck. Of all the ones in the top 10, this one is the best. The others are a bit sketchy if you know what I mean

millysuazo

I can see this turning into a book...

Inquisitoroflife

Hi !you mentioned Neptune's Fountain - that's very cool you've been there. Check out my photo of it here. I am excited to hear someone else has been there on here. I come from Poland so when I went there to visit, took some shots.

http://www.behance.net/Gallery/Poland-Polska/99433

reflections

Czesc! Bardzo dobrze zdj?cie. It brings back alot of memories. Nice composition. I enjoyed your other portfolios as well. Your landscapes have great color. Poland keeps a special place in my heart. I really appreciate your vote. Dzi?kuj? Bardzo

FrannyK

yay! it's really good to see you in the top 10, where you belong :)

FrannyK

ps: will you come photograph our wedding? it would be amazing as a bubble wedding?!

adamjames

You have my vote, If you get the chance, check out my dream "From Australia With Love" and PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE vote for it!

Thanks.

-Adam

Paladin

Hi Tom,

Hope that you win and get to live out your dream. You have come up with a totally new vehicle for art.

reflections

FrannyK, congrats. where would this wedding be? perhaps I can fit it into one of the wonders of the world and do it on the trip! Thanks for the support.

Fiddler

Outstanding , Bubble away and Win your Dream.

Fiddler.

somimi

I love the impermanence of bubbles too, have been fascinated with them since childhood. Good luck, I like the fanciful and playful take on photography!

millysuazo

Brandom13: This a PHOTOGRAPHY contest.
Other ideas are WORTHY causes; nothing wrong with that, I have voted for them too. But the contest is looking for 'inspiring and creative' PHOTOGRAPHY ideas, which this one is.

millysuazo

If you think this is selfish then don't vote for it and move on, there are a lot of other unselfish ideas for you to support.

No need for your comment, if you ask me.

bellabluesclues

What an amazing idea, Tom. You're so talented!

givemeclarity

lets go tom!! hang in thereeee :D

runningaway

Keep it up!!

lemonn

well done. noice pics. good luck mate

jamcato4

Great idea Tom, I enjoyed the pictures very much, Amanda was very excited to show me them. Good Luck!

bmxer4life

amazing man, manda was sooo right.

good luck! there are other great ideas on here...but this is a photography contest. go get em.

relentlsspursuit

Voted. Check mine out. http://www.nameyourdreamassignment.com/the-ideas/relentlsspursuit/capturing-asias-captured/

free2Bkate88

absolutely phenomenal!!!
Best of luck!

hamza0404

good luck, buddy

justListen

[always enjoyed your work, Storm, but the bubbles strike a cord with me. there's a network of travelers whom carry bubbles and i believe you've tapped that special vein.]
[may the magic of the perfection in the reflection of the sphere follow you far and be with you near.]

=]

tigerlily


original you got my vote..mine idea is lost in as i dont do facebook,twitter,mysepace etc...but please check it out and vote!

Laura18229

I saw your spread in the Times News.....amazing photos and awesome idea! Your idea sounds like so much fun!! Good luck and stay safe!

tigerlily

a monk i know has a great personal bubble story..if you win let me know

reflections

will do tigerlily, sounds interesting.

diana36

VERY INNOVATIVE. BEAUTIFUL IMAGES. ENJOYED IT.
DIANA

mconnaughton

Go Tom Go!

Shelli420

Good Luck Tom!
From Shelli at Horizons:)

givemeclarity

amazing how this has grown! keep it up everyone!!

good luck tom

<3

bmxer4life

congrats on getting this far. i can totally see you winning. good luck man.

miket

still pulling for you.

lemonn

well done.

bailey_paul

congrats mate. hope you win it.

silveredges

I think your pics are so beautiful Tom! You got my vote!

BarakaPhotos

what fun! child-like, in the best sense of that word.

GuitarLight

Good Luck Tom!Your idea of pictures in bubbles is fantastic! The circular form is primordial throughout the entire universe, from the tiny sphere of a human egg, to the circular form of our great planet Earth,to the magnificent image of our life giving Sun as it beams briliantly within the heavens.

walvin

GOOD LUCK TOM!!

kbird125

Fun idea! I'll have to try it! Good luck!

mushroommommy

Your photos are amazing. I linked to you from a friend of yours on Ravelry--Milly. I signed up just to vote for you. Good Luck.

mushroommommy

I really hope they pick you. Your dream assignment is truly a photographer's dream. You are not trying to push an agenda or a cause...you are taking beautiful photos of breathtaking places.

millysuazo

I totally agree with you, mushroommommy!!

frcpa69

Good Luck Tommy!

charmedslayer

So freakin fetch, lol. jk. these pics are so awesome. keep it going.

givemeclarity

WOOOO 7th!!!!!

SHOW ME THE LOW NUMBERS!

(high numbers for the votes tho :D )

<3 keep it goinnggg

tomlock

tomS from tomL
I wouldna thunk it...
but looking at it now, knowing what I know and seeing what I've seen... it makes sense.
I hope to see a whole exhibit someday... just bubbles from everywhere you've been

findagravemarker

You got my vote! Make sure you check our blog out http://www.findagravemarker.blogspot.com/ and see our project evolve. We want to record every marker in pictures throughtout the US. Cemeteries are lost or abandond on a daily basis

gbaked

Fun Idea, got my vote

Please check out my idea as well. a tribute to Vonnegut.
http://www.nameyourdreamassignment.com/the-ideas/gbaked/bringing-the-monkey-house-to-life/

staticage138

pictures look great! good luck.

dizzzymisslizzie

Love the idea and I wish you the best of luck!!!

EncouragingTom

Hey it's Mom,
I'm so excited for you and I know the pics are awesome. I'll pray that though there are other great contestants yours will stand out and win the contest. Judges, let us enjoy and experience the world of bubbles through Tom Storm eyes. “Many people look, but few that see.”

jonmccoydesign

AWSOME BUBBLEICIOUSNESS

robbytfc

how do i see the pictures?

givemeclarity

robby- http://tomstorm.net/portfolio/ go there and click on the world in a bubble :]]

jimjod

Good luck --- really enjoyed your whole portfolio! from a jim thorpe neighbor

beglin

Yo dude its chris from guitar center, i'm likin the pic's dude and i'm trying to motavate these lazy bums here to give you some support. good luck dude...

guitartommyz

IT'S ROCK'N DUDE

givemeclarity

COME ON EVERYONE WE CAN DO THIS

if everyone gets atleast one person to vote n then they get one...and so on, we can get Tom back in the top 20

LETS DO IT!!!!!

runningaway

Ahh what happened?? need to get more votess

jypsii

amazing photos!

Allicat5589

Best of luck!

farmette

Bubbles are the meaning of life - water bubbles, emotions bubble, bubbles pop and bubbles expand. Your work is incredible, I wish you all the best!

minicooper

The world is your oyster young man. You have talent.

j529angel

Voted! Good Luck!

givemeclarity

keep goinnnggg!!!

lemonn

keep it up. good luck.

workitt

do it.

miket

good luck.

fsamuel

You're almost there...

givemeclarity

coommmeee onn!!! we can do this!!!

abillings

A perfect spherical metaphor for life and world events. Bubbles are contagious - in positive and negative ways. It is a remarkable project and I hope that you achieve your wonderful and worthwhile dream.

billwilson

What an inspired project - to travel our spherical globe and capture spherical images from hither and yonder! We wish you the best of luck with this promising photography project.

cwilson

You have such a creative mind. What a fascinating project and truly a dream assignment - this can do and say so many things from a global perspective. It is certainly the quintessential metaphor for the existence of man in this fragile global climate.

brittanie91

this was pretty cool

justttbrit

what a great idea. you have one creative mind! good luck (:

twh115

I voted. I'm helping!

givemeclarity

keep the votes comming! gotta keep him in the top 20 until tonighttt!! we can do this!! <3

craze119

Hey Tom, Great Photos as always, see you at the next pancake breakfast.

Christina

bensharkey

great work tom. fantastic idea. im proud to say ive been a part of it!

SadieSam

I hope you win! Keep the votes coming!

klwimmer

amazing work! Love it! Good Luck!

cleobaz

1000! Awesome work!

givemeclarity

over 1000!!! congrats!! WOW you have come SO far Tom, no matter what, i am proud of you and still believe in your work, you are amazing and so are your photos!!!

much love,
amanda <3

runningaway

Congrats man only 30 mins left!!

givemeclarity

keep the votes comminggg

JoeWhittle

i love this idea, have from the start! my idea is toast, as i only have 401 votes and it's zero hour, so i now i can vote for the projects ahead of me that i like! so go for it! very original!

workitt

COME ONNNN

lemonn

GO GO GO!

ESCAPE

AMAZINGG keep it up love the idea!!

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