Here's a collection of art for the DIGIT-AL age as these fascinating illusions of landmarks, places and even a banana are made using just a pair of hands. The quirky collection of images were created using hand models and body paint to create visions of a castle, church, and two footballers flying into a tackle. London based photographer Ray Massey KNUCKLED down to capture the images with each of the designs each taking a day to paint and shoot with the help of hand artist Annie Ralli. Together they made a FIST of also bringing to life a pen and pencil pot, a ribbon, mosque and cute wildlife adaptations of a daisy and a ladybird. Each image sees the hands and fingers carefully crossed, bent, or partially hidden to the millimetre to cleverly angle the palms and digits into the lifelike images. The intricate detail was then painted on the shapes and blended in to create the illusions, including one creation that sees a hand arch down to appear to become a banana skin. In others a sporting trophy is created by two joined hands bending at the knuckles and two hands are cleverly pushed together to form what appears to be a cosy bed. Ray said professional hand models had to be used for the shoot because fingers are often so unattractive to look at. He said: "Hands are always particularly difficult to shoot, they are not pretty items, they're basically very ugly. "The benefit of a good hand model is not just having good hands, it is also important to be able to pose your hands. "So we had to employ professional hand models. Our biggest concern was to use proper body painting materials, in order not to damage their skin. "Most of the images took four to six hours to paint, the rest of the day is spent capturing images and the hand painting artist adjusting elements accordingly.
An elegant snowy owl spreads her wings and glides effortlessly above the snow covered field .
A SERENE turquoise glow glimmers from underneath these powerful icebergs .
A diver attempts to control rising numbers of lionfish by feeding the venomous species to Caribbean reef sharks .
WITH STUNNING colours and serene scenes, these photographs capture the otherworldly beauty of the English coast .
It's incredible to think anyone could live in such horrendous squalor - yet two men have been prosecuted for keeping their homes in such revolting conditions that it was no longer fit for their animals .
LYING flat out on his back, this little meerkat makes the most of the English sunshine .
EAGERLY BITING his nails, this little squirrel is clearly nervous of looming predators as he searches for his meal .
THIS is the awesome moment an Osprey catches its prey travelling at 50mph, giving new meaning to FAST FOOD .
ROLLING around in the snow, these young brown bears take a break from their play fight to share a tender hug with one another .
A cheeky gorilla sticks her tongue out and plays up for the camera at Bronx Zoo .
SQUABBLING over the last piece of grain, these hungry squirrels are determined to stock up on as much food as possible .