As I break more and more into Studio photography, I find myself intrigued and attracted to photography in advertising. Particularly the manipulation of the image to deliver a nuanced, polished and often clever concept. The merging of photographic skill and intense (and thorough) Photoshop manipulation in print advertising has never been stronger. Aside from going to your local Barnes and Noble or Borders (which I highly recommend to give yourself a boost of creativity, research and to get off your butt and outside), there are a hand full of sites which feature great print advertising from around the globe.

I believe in advertising [ ibelieveinadv.com ]
• A simple blog format site that pools together some great print ads from around the world. A bonus is that they the firms responsible for designing, directing and photographing each piece. A few of my favorites include: "Stay Alive" for Alfa Romeo, "Dont' wait too long" for Stihl, "Invisible assistance with every picture" for Nikon Coolpix, "Any old clothes will do" for Salvation Army, "Big Toy Sale "for Target and Tonka (which reminds me of what I'd like to do)
  
Ads of the World [ adsoftheworld.com ]
• Very much like I believe in advertising, Ads for the World has a different assortment of ads. Some of my favorites are: "Made In Manchester" for Boddington's, "Rejected" for Chemistry.com, "Lacking Energy?" for Ginsana (I think I could do better than that), "Now Even Losers Win" for Delaware Lottery and "Was Last Night Really Worth It?" for Alac
  
  
Best Rejected Advertising [ bestrejectedadvertising.com ]
• For a glimpse of what not to attempt in print advertising, this site has a collection of often gruesome, often risque and overall controversial ads (that never made it past the board room -- well, until now).