The natural world is bizarre and beautiful. 

Portfolio: Behind the Curtain at the New York City Ballet

“This is the secret,” says photographer Henry Leutwyler. “To completely blend in, to become invisible.” Leutwyler spent last winter as the most observant ghost in New York City Ballet’s rehearsal studios, capturing the uncommonly raw backstage images that now compose Ballet, which is both a book (out in December from Steidl) and an exhibit (on view at Foley Gallery November 28 through January 6). The shots here exemplify the peek-behind-the-curtain feel of Leutwyler’s photos, like a ballerina’s feet after a day of matinée and evening performances (“when the feet are demolished”). “If I had to title the picture, I would call it Reality and Dreams,” says Leutwyler. “The foot en pointe is what every little girl dreams of. The other is the hard, hard work, and the reality.”

Space is beautiful. Still blows my mind that we have all these beautiful photographs. 

From the Archives: Bathing Suits in Vogue 

http://www.vogue.com/vogue-daily/article/from-the-archives-bathing-suits-in-vogue/

Last month, the health food company Kashi was caught in an uproar when complaints went viral regarding its use of genetically modified and non-organic ingredients. All the attention brought to light another open secret about Kashi: While it may seem like an independent mom-and-pop operation, it’s actually owned by Kellogg. Consumers are drawn to brands that seem created based on indie passion and dreams. Sometimes, though, these brands fall under the domain of huge companies—companies that rarely go out of their way to reveal who owns what.

Cave Paintings at Lascaux: Rare Early Photos: LIFE

more: http://life.time.com/culture/inside-lascaux-rare-photos/#1

Where did you sleep when you were growing up? Did you have a room or share one? What did it look like?

Italy-based English photographer James Mollison says that for him, it would depend on the age. Thinking back to his earliest years in Kenya, where he was born, he remembers teddy bears. A few years later, it was all about mice. Then Duran Duran posters. And later, Army paraphernalia.

Mollison is of the mind that a child’s bedroom speaks volumes about his or her circumstances. And if you haven’t seen the photos from his book Where Children Sleep yet, take a look and you will probably agree.

Before and After D-Day: Rare Color Photos

21 more from LIFE:

http://life.time.com/history/d-day-rare-color-photos/