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Here are some awesome scratchboard portraits of famous historical figures from illustrator Mark Summers. I love how they were done in the caricature style, but at the same time aren't overdone.  Each one has their own signature look and detailed attire. I also think the scratchboard method also sets this series of portraits apart from similar illustrations.

To truly appreciate these photos, you must go visit The Big Picture and see the higher resolution photos with captions. Here are just some of the entries for National Geographic's 2010 Photo Contest or you can check out the winners from previous years.

I am loving these 30 Rock portraits by Andrew Salomone. They feature characters Liz Lemon (Tina Fey) and Jack Donaghy (Alec Baldwin), and the best part is, they are made of Nerds! I am absolutely certain that Liz would appreciate this fine tribute. If you haven't watched the show before, I highly suggest it.

This text accompanies Cole Thompson's Harbinger project.:

Harbinger:

 ˈhär-bən-jər       noun

1. one that goes ahead and makes known the approach of another; herald.

2. anything that foreshadows a future event; omen; sign.

I love this addition and how it adds a bit of context to the photos.  Each photo has a solitary cloud that definitely adds to their interestingness. I also like the choice of making the photos black and white. It helps to create a sharp contrast between the cloud and its surroundings. If you like this series, I definitely suggest checking out the rest of his portfolio.

If someone showed you these pictures, would you believe they weren't photos? Well, they're not. They are ultra realistic paintings by New York based street artist Dan Witz. If you like them enough, you can go buy the prints. The amount of detail and realism that goes into each and every person is truly extraordinary.