As you look at the set of pictures created by Tom Kondrat during his travels in Iceland, the first thing that comes to mind is the word “loneliness.” These pictures lead you to believe that Iceland is a desolate expanse of icy wasteland. You can almost imagine the strong wind howling in your ears, as it chills you straight to the bone. And as you’re walking down so beaten path, you’re all alone, with not a human soul for miles in any direction. This may prove unbearable for some, yet others find comfort in such places. With no one there to bother them and distract them from their thoughts, they can finally be at peace. (Photo by Tom Kondrat)

Those lights are actually bioluminescent shrimp, better known as sea fireflies, or, in Japan, as “umibotaru”. Visible every year from May until the end of October, they live in the sand around very shallow sea water and are often seen floating between the extremes of high and low tides. Here: Bioluminescent sea fireflies glittering like diamonds on the rocks and sand. Okayama, Japan. July 2016. (Photo by Trevor Williams/Jonathan Galione/Getty Images)

Filippo Negroli (ca. 1510–1579) was an armourer from Milan. He was renowned as being extremely skilled, and may be considered the most famous armourer of all time. Working together with his younger brothers Giovan Battista (ca. 1511-1591) and Francesco (ca. 1522-1600) in the Negroli family workshop headed by their father Gian Giacomo Negroli (ca. 1463-1543), Filippo was specialized in repoussé of armour, whereas his brother Francesco was renowned for his damascening skills.

We are all drawn to fire, entranced by its beauty and ferociousness. Its brilliance draws us in like moths to a candle flame. Thus, many of the celebrations that humans have involve lighting fires. They can be big or small; there could be many little lights or one giant inferno; they may float on water, burn on land, or rise high into the skies. Loi Krathong is a festival that is held each year in Thailand and a number of other places. During this festival thousands of little fires are lighted, presenting a marvelous sight for all the onlookers. It is believed that this tradition is an adaptation of Brahmanical festival, which was adopted by Thai Buddhists to honor Buddha.

These pictures show the beautiful ruins of abandoned temples. The incredible shots, taken at temples in Angkor, Cambodia, show the striking yet haunting temples as they crumble to ruins. While they may have lost some of their former glory, the stunning temples show the beauty of the Cambodian landscape through the historic architecture. Here: Sun rises over the 5 towers of Angkor. (Photo by Alex Teuscher/Caters News)

These spectacular landscapes may look like something from another planet – but they are in fact colorful salt ponds which stretch for miles. Despite being better known for tech companies and expensive property – San Francisco, California is also home to this vibrant quilt of color spanning the South Bay Area. From eerie green pools to gothic shades of red the surreal landscapes are caused by the organisms or micro-algae living within them. Photo: Aerial view of the salt ponds in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Cris Benton/Caters News)

The underwater fashion photos featured in the May 2014 Sun Magazine were taken by Sun photographer Lloyd Fox in a pool at the home of Mary Kay and Chuck Nabit. Styling was provided by Sun reporter John-John Williams IV, and the art director for the shoot was Sun design editor Leeann Adams. Photo: The Sun magazine's under water fashion shoot with resort style clothes, March 25, 2014. (Photo by Lloyd Fox/Sun Photographer)

A set of pictures taken by Kellie Netherwood on the northern-most island located in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland perfectly captures the spirit of the Scots: wild, free, and majestic. It is no wonder that Scottish people fought tooth and nail to gain their independence all throughout their history. The green fields, rocky hills, and the beautiful waterfalls all sing to the spirits of the Scots, instilling pride into everyone who considers this place to be their motherland. However, no matter what your origin may be, you cannot help being fascinated by the beauty of these landscapes, drawn to them as if by a powerful force. (Photo by Kellie Netherwood)