Photo mosaics

A photo mosaic is essentially a modern variant of an ancient art: creating a large image by combining a number (in some cases a vast number) of smaller pieces. The end results often looks like an impressionist painting, or an example of pointillism.

Note: these mosaics are very large. The largest ones, viewed full-size in a browser window, might crash your browser or computer, and have been reduced to something less daunting.

Oceans of Information: National Ocean Service Photo Collage

This first example is of a more basic type. In 2007, in order to show the diversity of Web sites in an organization, a large mosaic was made of nothing but the banners on each site:

National Ocean Service web collage

Click on the image for a full size (9000 x 12000 pixels, 108 megapixel) version.

Celebrating 200 Years of Service: NOAA Logo Photo Mosaic

Created from several thousand photos submitted by NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) employees, this large collage is in honor of NOAA's founding in 1807 as the Coast Survey.

NOAA Celebrating 200 years of service large photo mosaic

Click on the image for a much larger (6000 x 6000 pixels) version. You can read about NOAA's history at celebrating200years.noaa.gov.

Passionate Worship (12 mosaics)

A series of mosaics created for the 2010 Annual Conference of the Baltimore-Washington Conference of the United Methodist Church.

London Eye

London Eye

London's massive Ferris Wheel (also known as the Millennium Wheel) is a modern London landmark; you can see it from miles away. Click on the image below for a much larger (6000 x 3990 pixels) version. The mosaic is formed entirely of photos from England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland.

Very large photo mosaic of the London Eye

Albert Memorial

Albert Memorial near Kensington Park

Erected at the edge of Kensington Park in London, the Albert Memorial is either beautiful or horrifying. Or both. Click on the image below for a much larger (3989 x 6000 pixels) version. The mosaic is formed entirely of photos from England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland.

Very large photo mosaic of Albert Memorial

Road in the Lake District

Road in the Lakes District of England

The Lake District National Park, also known as Lakeland and The Lakes, is an area in northwest England that (obviously) contains lakes, but also all the land in England higher than 3,000 feet. Click on the image below for a much larger (6000 x 4500 pixels) version. The mosaic is formed entirely of photos from England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland.

Very large photo mosaic of a road in the Lakes District of England

Oxford Punts

Oxford punts on the Themes

Punts are as much a part of Oxford, England, as the University spires, and almost as old. Click on the image below for a much larger (3989 x 6000 pixels) version. The mosaic is formed entirely of photos from England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland.

Very large photo mosaic of punts at Oxford on the Thames

Oxford Boats

Boats in Oxford

A much newer, more easily managed boat for touring Oxford, England. Click on the image below for a much larger (6000 x 3989 pixels) version.The mosaic is formed entirely of photos from England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland.

Very large photo mosaic of modern Oxford punts on the Thames

Kristi Toliver

Kristi Toliver

Kristi Toliver, currently a guard with the WNBA, is a former University of Maryland All-American basketball player. Click on the image below for a much larger (6000 x 4000 pixels) version. The mosaic is formed entirely from photos of the 2005-2009 University of Maryland Women's Basketball Team.

Very large photo mosaic of Kristi Toliver

Marissa Coleman

Marissa Coleman, star forward for the University of Maryland

Marissa Coleman, currently a small forward with the WNBA, is a former University of Maryland basketball player. Click on the image below for a much larger (6000 x 4000 pixels) version. The mosaic is formed entirely from photos of the 2005-2009 University of Maryland Women's Basketball Team, the Lady Terps.

Very large photo mosaic of Marissa Coleman, star forward for the Univdersity of Maryland

Marissa Coleman II

Marissa Coleman just a split second from stealing the ball

A second mosaic of Marissa Coleman. Click on the image below for a much larger (6000 x 4000 pixels) version. The mosaic is formed entirely from photos of the 2005-2009 University of Maryland Women's Basketball Team, the Lady Terps.

Very large photo mosaic of Marissa Coleman just a split second from stealing the ball

Severn River at Shrewsbury

Severn River in Shrewsbury and shell

A shell passes on the Severn River at Shrewsbury, England. Click on the image below for a much larger (6000 x 4500 pixels) version. The mosaic is formed entirely of photos from England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland.

Very large photo mosaic of the River Severn in Shrewsbury and a rowing shell

Big Ben

Big Ben, London, England

Technically the tower is the Clock Tower of the Palace of Westminster, London, and the great bell for the clock is Big Ben. Click on the image below for a much larger (3989 x 6000 pixels) version. The mosaic is formed entirely of photos from England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland.

Very large photo mosaic of Big Ben in London

Victoria Tower

Victoria Tower, London, England

Victoria Tower is at the opposite end of the Palace of Westminster, London, England, and far more ornate than Big Ben. Click on the image below for a much larger (3989 x 6000 pixels) version. The mosaic is formed entirely of photos from England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland.

Very large photo mosaic of Victoria Tower in London

Castlerigg Circle

Castlerigg Circle, Cumbria

Castlerigg Stone Circle is a prehistoric monument in Cumbria, England, within the bounds of The Lake District National Park. Click on the image below for a much larger (6000 x 4500 pixels) version. This is one of the oldest stone circles in Europe. The mosaic is formed entirely of photos from England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland.

Very large photo mosaic of Castlerigg Circle in the Lakes District

Stonehenge

Stonehenge, England

Stonehenge, in Wiltshire, England, is probably the best known prehistoric monument in Europe, rising in a ring on the Salisbury Plain. Click on the image below for a much larger (6000 x 3989 pixels) version. The mosaic is formed entirely of photos from England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland.

Very large photo mosaic of Stonehenge

London Bus

London double decker bus

This double-decker Routemaster bus is technically retired, but a number still circulate in London, England, but not for regular commuter travel. Click on the image below for a much larger (6000 x 3989 pixels) version. The mosaic is formed entirely of photos from England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland.

Very large photo mosaic of London double decker bus

White Tower

White Tower, Tower of London

The White Tower is the innermost castle in the complex of fortifications called the Tower of London. Click on the image below for a much larger (6000 x 3989 pixels) version. The mosaic is formed entirely of photos from England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland.

Very large photo mosaic of the White Tower at the Tower of London

Tower Bridge

Tower Bridge, London, England

Sometimes mistakenly called London Bridge, Tower Bridge is both near the Tower of London and also has towers. Click on the image below for a much larger (6000 x 3989 pixels) version. The mosaic is formed entirely of photos from England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland.

Very large photo mosaic of Tower Bridge across the Thames

Tower Bridge II

Tower Bridge, London, England

Another view of Tower Bridge. Click on the image below for a much larger (6000 x 3989 pixels) version. The mosaic is formed entirely of photos from England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland.

Very large photo mosaic of Tower Bridge across the Thames