View allAll Photos Tagged Inherently

Sometimes when you sneak-up on butterflies for a close photo, you get more than one chance instead of them directly taking off.

 

This means you can either try a new angle/composition, or just get even closer - but there is another option: focus stacking.

 

Typically focus stacking is done in the studio with a stationary (ie dead) subject and the camera on a rail and a huge number of photos, but that's not really that interesting to me. Instead, I prefer to battle the inherently short depth of field in macro shots by taking multiple shots from the same angle with slightly different distance to the subject, resulting in different parts of it being in focus. Feeding these shots into stacking software like Helicon Focus or Zerene Stacker (I prefer the latter), it can then combine the sharp parts into a single image and give a bit nicer DoF.

 

Here is a pearly heath (Coenonympha arcania) which allowed me to take four shots without moving which I subsequently combined into one using Zerene.

 

This one really has some nice detail on the beard and moustache so if you're watching this on a computer, try and tap L and then Z on your keyboard to zoom in close.

Quite an amazing read! Especially that last paragraph.

 

Taken on the quite amazing rooftop of the place I intern.

It's a lot of work maintaining the illusion that gay men are inherently stylish, well-dressed creatures. But lord knows someone has to do it.

Bill a traditional Stickmaker in his workshop. 5th August 2020.

 

I’ve been looking a traditional stickmaker for over a year after I broke my shepherd’s crook. I photographed Bill in his workshop in deepest rural Lincolnshire where I’d taken him my crook to get it repaired. If I’m lucky it’ll be ready by the autumn and instead of an inherently weak wooden handle, this time it will have one made of Buffalo horn which looks like Whitby Jet when polished and is much stronger than wood!

 

Nikon D90

Elusive glimpse

Inherently fleeting

This moist world

Red has more personal associations than any other color. Recognized as a stimulant, red is inherently exciting and the amount of red is directly related to the level of energy perceived.

Red draws attention and a keen use of red as an accent can immediately focus attention on a particular element.

  

Note: My latte in the photo is a cinnamon latte, not a mocha latte. But the idea is the same.

 

Mocha Latte

Published: Dec 3, 2023 · Modified: Dec 7, 2024 by Maria Doss ·

 

This Mocha Latte is the easiest and fastest! Forget high-end coffee shops and make it in your microwave using instant coffee, for a fraction of the price, using only 4 ingredients and in under 2 minutes!

 

Like the Peppermint Hot Chocolate, mocha latte is the perfect drink to warm you up on a cold chilly day!

 

What is mocha latte? Also known as a Mocaccino (alternatively spelled as Mochaccino or Mochachino), is a chocolate-flavored hot beverage made by blending chocolate syrup, coffee, and hot milk. Its name is derived from the city of Mocha, Yemen, which was one of the early centers of coffee trade.

 

Typically, coffee shop versions are laden with excessive sugar, artificial flavorings, and other ingredients that aren't particularly healthy. The price range for a mocha latte at Starbucks is typically between $3.45 to $5.25, depending on the size and location.

 

The advantage of making a mocha latte at home is that you can not only control the sugar content and use natural ingredients but also make it at a fraction of the cost.

 

If your mornings can never begin without a freshly brewed cup of coffee, then you will love this easy homemade recipe without a hefty price tag. However, there is something magical about that combo of coffee with chocolate, that makes is irresistible. Have you tried my popular mocha mug cake or in a cake form like the tirimisu tres leches cake.

 

Jump to:

Why you'll love this?

Ingredients

Variations

Latte vs Cappuccino vs Machiato vs Mocha

☕️ Note: My latte is a cinnamon latte, not a mocha latte. But the idea is the same.

 

Mocha Latte

Published: Dec 3, 2023 · Modified: Dec 7, 2024 by Maria Doss ·

 

This Mocha Latte is the easiest and fastest! Forget high-end coffee shops and make it in your microwave using instant coffee, for a fraction of the price, using only 4 ingredients and in under 2 minutes!

 

Like the Peppermint Hot Chocolate, mocha latte is the perfect drink to warm you up on a cold chilly day!

 

What is mocha latte? Also known as a Mocaccino (alternatively spelled as Mochaccino or Mochachino), is a chocolate-flavored hot beverage made by blending chocolate syrup, coffee, and hot milk. Its name is derived from the city of Mocha, Yemen, which was one of the early centers of coffee trade.

 

Typically, coffee shop versions are laden with excessive sugar, artificial flavorings, and other ingredients that aren't particularly healthy. The price range for a mocha latte at Starbucks is typically between $3.45 to $5.25, depending on the size and location.

 

The advantage of making a mocha latte at home is that you can not only control the sugar content and use natural ingredients but also make it at a fraction of the cost.

 

If your mornings can never begin without a freshly brewed cup of coffee, then you will love this easy homemade recipe without a hefty price tag. However, there is something magical about that combo of coffee with chocolate, that makes is irresistible. Have you tried my popular mocha mug cake or in a cake form like the tirimisu tres leches cake.

 

Why you'll love this?

 

Ready in 2 minutes.

Costs pennies to make.

No expresso machine needed.

Easy microwave recipe.

Only 4 ingredients.

Customize to exactly how you like it.

Ingredients

 

Scroll down to the recipe card below for full information on ingredients and amounts.

 

ingredients needed to make mocha at home.

 

Coffee - Coffee shops like Starbucks usually make their beverage with a shot of espresso as the base. However, some variations might use strong brewed coffee instead of espresso. But, for the ease of this recipe, I used instant coffee granules, such as Nescafe Classico.

 

Cocoa powder - Like in my slow cooker hot chocolate recipe, I opt for Dutch process cocoa powder instead of conventional chocolate syrup or melted chocolate. Feel free to adjust the quantity of cocoa to suit individual preferences for sweetness and the intensity of the chocolate flavor.

 

Sugar - At Starbucks, a selection of sweeteners such as classic syrup, raw sugar, Stevia, Splenda, honey, or agave is usually on hand for customizing your beverage. You're welcome to choose from these alternatives instead of using white sugar as suggested in the mocha latte recipe.

 

Milk - Frothy, steamed whole milk is added to the espresso-chocolate mixture, creating a creamy and smooth texture in the drink.

 

Variations

 

Iced Mocha - Skip the last step of heating your drink after mixing milk. Pour into a glass filled with ice.

Peppermint - Crush a few candy canes to a fine powder and stir until completely dissolved. I like to break it into pieces and grind into a fine powder using a Nutri bullet or coffee grinder.

 

White Chocolate - Opt for white chocolate chips as an alternative to cocoa powder and consider decreasing the sugar quantity, as white chocolate tends to be inherently sweet. Have you tried this white chocolate bark?

 

Caramel - Stir in some salted caramel sauce or salted caramel sauce and reduce the sugar. Have more caramel sauce? Try serving with the apple hand pies.

Dulce de Leche - Use dulce de leche instead of caramel sauce.

 

Turtle - Use caramel sauce and top with crushed toasted pecans.

 

Cinnamon - Top your drink with a dash of cinnamon.

Vanilla - Add ½ teaspoon vanilla extract.

Chocolate syrup - Use chocolate syrup instead of cocoa powder.

 

Latte vs Cappuccino vs Machiato vs Mocha

 

A latte is an espresso-based coffee beverage made with a shot of espresso and milk. It is known for its creamy texture, created by combining espresso's rich, bold flavor with a generous amount of steamed hot-frothed milk, often topped with a thin foam layer.

 

A cappuccino is similar to a latte but consists of equal parts espresso, steamed milk, and milk foam. Known for its balance between espresso strength and velvety milk foam, it's characterized by its creamy texture and often topped with a sprinkle of cocoa or cinnamon powder.

 

A macchiato, AKA caffe macchiato or espresso macchiato, consists of a shot of espresso with a small amount of steamed milk or foam. The word "macchiato" translates to "stained" or "spotted" in Italian, which indicates that the espresso is marked with just a touch of milk, creating a strong and bold coffee flavor with a hint of creaminess.

 

A mocha is much different from all the above because it includes chocolate, espresso, and steamed milk, typically in the form of chocolate syrup, cocoa powder, or melted chocolate. It creates a deliciously rich and slightly sweet coffee drink with a distinct chocolate flavor.

 

How to make?

 

You can find full printable recipe below, but here is a quick overview of the procedure along with step-by-step photos.

 

a hand stirring coffee with water in a white mug, using a spoon.

white mug with instant coffee granules and water.

1 & 2. Add water into a large microwave safe coffee mug and microwave for 40 to 50 seconds, until it gets hot. Stir in sugar, cocoa powder and instant coffee, until it is completely dissolved.

 

Pro tip: Make it your own! Customize the intensity of chocolate or coffee boldness in your mocha latte recipe by adjusting the amount of coffee or cocoa powder used.

 

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a hand stirring homemade mocha in a white mug using a spoon.

3. Mix in milk and heat in the microwave for 30 to 50 seconds until it's hot. Give it a stir and serve it hot as it is, froth it with a handheld milk frother, or add a dollop of whipped cream on top.

 

Tip: Like a smaller drink? Simply halve the recipe to make a smaller drink, reducing the microwave time by a few seconds for both heating intervals.

 

two hands holding a warm homemade mocha in a white mug.

How to serve?

 

Once your homemade mocha latte is ready, you can serve it hot as is or froth it, or you can add a dollop of whipped cream on top of the drink for extra richness or dust it with cocoa powder or chocolate shavings for decoration, like in black forest mug cake.

 

This homemade mocha latte is best enjoyed immediately when steaming hot. It's not advisable to prepare it in advance as the taste and the creaminess might change, affecting its flavor.

 

What's the best way to froth at home?

 

There are two ways to make your homemade mocha latte frothy like you get from a high-end coffee shop.

 

Using a milk frother - Froth using a hand held milk frother for a few seconds, just before serving.

Using a mason jar - In a large mason jar (or a medium one for smaller quantities), pour 1 cup of milk or ½ cup for a smaller portion and seal the jar. Vigorously shake the milk for 20-30 seconds until it becomes frothy. Remove the jar's lid and microwave the foamy milk, without the lid, for 30 seconds. Finally, pour the hot, frothy milk over the mocha latte.

Helpful tips

 

I prefer to use whole milk for a creamy beverage.

I used Nescafe Classico instant coffee.

Adjust the quantity of cocoa powder, instant coffee or sugar to make the drink your own.

Use raw sugar, honey, agave, brown sugar or powdered jaggery instead of white granulated sugar.

Why you'll love this?

 

Ready in 2 minutes.

Costs pennies to make.

No expresso machine needed.

Easy microwave recipe.

Only 4 ingredients.

Customize to exactly how you like it.

Ingredients

 

Scroll down to the recipe card below for full information on ingredients and amounts.

 

ingredients needed to make mocha at home.

Coffee - Coffee shops like Starbucks usually make their beverage with a shot of espresso as the base. However, some variations might use strong brewed coffee instead of espresso. But, for the ease of this recipe, I used instant coffee granules, such as Nescafe Classico.

Cocoa powder - Like in my slow cooker hot chocolate recipe, I opt for Dutch process cocoa powder instead of conventional chocolate syrup or melted chocolate. Feel free to adjust the quantity of cocoa to suit individual preferences for sweetness and the intensity of the chocolate flavor.

Sugar - At Starbucks, a selection of sweeteners such as classic syrup, raw sugar, Stevia, Splenda, honey, or agave is usually on hand for customizing your beverage. You're welcome to choose from these alternatives instead of using white sugar as suggested in the mocha latte recipe.

Milk - Frothy, steamed whole milk is added to the espresso-chocolate mixture, creating a creamy and smooth texture in the drink.

Variations

 

Iced Mocha - Skip the last step of heating your drink after mixing milk. Pour into a glass filled with ice.

Peppermint - Crush a few candy canes to a fine powder and stir until completely dissolved. I like to break it into pieces and grind into a fine powder using a Nutri bullet or coffee grinder.

White Chocolate - Opt for white chocolate chips as an alternative to cocoa powder and consider decreasing the sugar quantity, as white chocolate tends to be inherently sweet. Have you tried this white chocolate bark?

Caramel - Stir in some salted caramel sauce or salted caramel sauce and reduce the sugar. Have more caramel sauce? Try serving with the apple hand pies.

Dulce de Leche - Use dulce de leche instead of caramel sauce.

Turtle - Use caramel sauce and top with crushed toasted pecans.

Cinnamon - Top your drink with a dash of cinnamon.

Vanilla - Add ½ teaspoon vanilla extract.

Chocolate syrup - Use chocolate syrup instead of cocoa powder.

Latte vs Cappuccino vs Machiato vs Mocha

 

A latte is an espresso-based coffee beverage made with a shot of espresso and milk. It is known for its creamy texture, created by combining espresso's rich, bold flavor with a generous amount of steamed hot-frothed milk, often topped with a thin foam layer.

 

A cappuccino is similar to a latte but consists of equal parts espresso, steamed milk, and milk foam. Known for its balance between espresso strength and velvety milk foam, it's characterized by its creamy texture and often topped with a sprinkle of cocoa or cinnamon powder.

 

A macchiato, AKA caffe macchiato or espresso macchiato, consists of a shot of espresso with a small amount of steamed milk or foam. The word "macchiato" translates to "stained" or "spotted" in Italian, which indicates that the espresso is marked with just a touch of milk, creating a strong and bold coffee flavor with a hint of creaminess.

 

A mocha is much different from all the above because it includes chocolate, espresso, and steamed milk, typically in the form of chocolate syrup, cocoa powder, or melted chocolate. It creates a deliciously rich and slightly sweet coffee drink with a distinct chocolate flavor.

 

How to make?

 

You can find full printable recipe below, but here is a quick overview of the procedure along with step-by-step photos.

 

a hand stirring coffee with water in a white mug, using a spoon.

white mug with instant coffee granules and water.

1 & 2. Add water into a large microwave safe coffee mug and microwave for 40 to 50 seconds, until it gets hot. Stir in sugar, cocoa powder and instant coffee, until it is completely dissolved.

 

Pro tip: Make it your own! Customize the intensity of chocolate or coffee boldness in your mocha latte recipe by adjusting the amount of coffee or cocoa powder used.

 

a hand stirring homemade mocha in a white mug using a spoon.

3. Mix in milk and heat in the microwave for 30 to 50 seconds until it's hot. Give it a stir and serve it hot as it is, froth it with a handheld milk frother, or add a dollop of whipped cream on top.

 

Tip: Like a smaller drink? Simply halve the recipe to make a smaller drink, reducing the microwave time by a few seconds for both heating intervals.

 

How to serve?

 

Once your homemade mocha latte is ready, you can serve it hot as is or froth it, or you can add a dollop of whipped cream on top of the drink for extra richness or dust it with cocoa powder or chocolate shavings for decoration, like in black forest mug cake.

 

This homemade mocha latte is best enjoyed immediately when steaming hot. It's not advisable to prepare it in advance as the taste and the creaminess might change, affecting its flavor.

 

What's the best way to froth at home?

 

There are two ways to make your homemade mocha latte frothy like you get from a high-end coffee shop.

 

Using a milk frother - Froth using a hand held milk frother for a few seconds, just before serving.

Using a mason jar - In a large mason jar (or a medium one for smaller quantities), pour 1 cup of milk or ½ cup for a smaller portion and seal the jar. Vigorously shake the milk for 20-30 seconds until it becomes frothy. Remove the jar's lid and microwave the foamy milk, without the lid, for 30 seconds. Finally, pour the hot, frothy milk over the mocha latte.

Helpful tips

 

I prefer to use whole milk for a creamy beverage.

I used Nescafe Classico instant coffee.

Adjust the quantity of cocoa powder, instant coffee or sugar to make the drink your own.

Use raw sugar, honey, agave, brown sugar or powdered jaggery instead of white granulated sugar.

The "Thunderbirds" is the air demonstration squadron of the United States Air Force (USAF), based at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada. Created in 1953, the USAF Thunderbirds are the third-oldest formal flying aerobatic team (under the same name) in the world, after the French Air Force Patrouille de France formed in 1931 and the United States Navy Blue Angels formed in 1946.

The Thunderbirds Squadron tours the United States and beyond performing aerobatic formation and solo flying in specially marked aircraft.

The Thunderbirds have performed at over 4,000 airshows worldwide, accumulating millions of miles in hundreds of different airframes over the course of their more than fifty-four years of service. Flying high-performance fighter jets is inherently dangerous; when flying in extremely close formation, the danger is compounded. In total, twenty-one Thunderbirds pilots have been killed in the team's history. Three fatal crashes have occurred during air shows, two of them in jets:

The Thunderbirds perform aerial demonstrations in the F-16C Fighting Falcon. Over 4,600 aircraft have been built since production was approved in 1976. Although no longer being purchased by the U.S. Air Force, improved versions are being built for export customers.

@Tate Modern, LDN

 

Experimenting with the Xpan* 65:24 wide crop (about 2.708:1, my "usual" wide crop is 2.4:1). Interesting that the 45mm on the Xpan "medium format" fov works out to be about approximately 28mm** on full frame.

 

*it costs almost the same as a Leica Q nowadays.. lol

**there seems to be something inherently cinematic about the 28mm fov, however way you slice (crop) it - but not the 35mm, strangely.

 

N.B. Almost binned this one several times, but liked the way the poster interacts with the column

In Being who we inherently desire to become we grow past failure from strength to strength.

 

Quotes Mrs Happy Face

I've been awake for almost 30 hours, I'm sailing on a drink right now and I think my eyes are bloodshot. But oddly enough I still have some semblance of energy. Others have left by now (or maybe because it's a Japan shot and they're received inherently worse for some reason on this site). I think I might be sick, but I sure as hell still feel alive enough for another. Turn it up DJ!

I was fully aware places like this exist but I had no idea I'd wander right into one looking for dinner. Kabukicho Tower's main floor is a giant commercial area built specifically for nightlife. And if I remember my research correctly, there's a real nightclub a couple floors beneath this one.

But yeah, this is someplace I wouldn't normally end up at because of the place's nature, just not my kind of place. The sit down bar was actually amazing though, and the music choices weren't bad either (at least compared to the crap I heard before at similar spots in America). I kinda wish I had more angles so I could make a wider frame (but I couldn't have my tripod out, I wasn't in a corner or anything, I had to make it quick). But the main reason I got it right here is that paper fish in the top right, it's just the easiest indicator that this is genuinely Japanese, I like it.

In editing I did various smaller tweaks. In the top left I made the reflection sharper but darker so it wasn't blown out as much. I didn't edit anyone out of the shot because this is the kind of setting that begs those kinds of subjects, but I was still a tad bitter so I dimmed the bottom right corner. I got rid of one or two tables to get rid of their overly reflective (and distracting) surfaces. Doing all of this, your eyes should be drawn to the top half of the image, which has everything I want you to look at anyways.

This is my 4th "electric/vibrant" shot in a row so I'll have something a little different next time. But only when I finally leave or am forced to go, cause I'm havin' the time of my life! (Have I been slurring my words at all? Eh, doesn't matter).

Edit after explore: I continue to shoot myself in the foot over these claims, I guess the algorithm really is that unpredictable. Another Japan shot is propelled, ride on folks!

The Cicada, spotted in the center of the capital city Seoul in South Korea.

 

Cicadas, for many, represent personal change, renewal, rebirth, and transformation.

Unlike a butterfly, moth, or other insects that undergo complete metamorphosis, cicadas have no pupal state. They transform from one fully-functioning state (instar) to another — one viable form, in a small amount of time, changing to another.

A lot of people use cicadas to symbolize their own personal transformation, in art, song, poetry, or even a tattoo. The cicada inherently symbolizes what they were (nymph) and all the glory of what they have become (adult form).

 

This was an interesting project.

 

I'm not sure what the key focus was when I conceptualized this photo, but there was this nagging idea in the back of my head of Doctor Fate in pursuit of Ra's Al Ghul and the Lazarus magic.

 

I talked briefly about it over on Patreon, but I was thinking that perhaps I would have built a series of different set-ups for Dr Fate searching for Ra's inside that temple that you can see in the background.

 

Inherently, this was going to be a much larger project, but considering I've been working with this idea a little more than six months now with no follow-up taking place (most of my major focus last year was for GoJ content, naturally). So I figured it would be okay to share it here and maybe a year or two down the track revisit it with fresh eyes!

  

***

  

Some build inspiration came in the from of one of Roman’s old builds! flic.kr/p/heF1qZ

And Steven Woolfe's Johnny Thunder Yeti Hideout set redesign flic.kr/p/qqZjN3

 

Conceptual inspiration came from The League of Shadows hideout from Young Justice, and the foothills of the Himalayan Mountains from Batman Begins.

 

See more info and bts content at my Patreon! :)

  

Patreon: andrewcookston

 

Facebook: adrewcookstonphotography

“It could be argued that there is an element of entertainment in every pie, as every pie is inherently a surprise by virtue of its crust.”

― Janet Clarkson, Pie: A Global History

 

This is my shortbread pie crust topped with cream and strawberries. Just top with fresh whip cream. 😋

Litli Bær

 

The ruined outbuildings of Litli Bær Farm beside Skötufjörður in the Westfjörds, Iceland. The F61 or Djúpvegur running alongside the fjörd at the left.

 

The farm was established around 1895 but is now a cafe and museum (closed for the winter when we were there). These are the remains of the barn and sundry buildings behind the original house.

 

Westfjörds, Iceland September 2017

 

Fuji X-T2, XF18/2, 1/420th sec at f/8, ISO 400

 

I've discovered that my images will never be picked up by explore because of the borders - something I choose not to change.

But I wonder then if explore is inherently discriminatory given some of the sub-standard images that do get picked up and where is the incentive to improve? :P

"You definitely must have seen a Highland Coo or two by now, they’re very famous you know. Highland Cows or “heilan coos” aren’t just dominating many a Scottish field, but they also dominate social media every Tuesday under the hashtag ‘coosday.’ Heilan Coos are inherently Scottish; hardy, forceful, bonnie, can be found in Scotland, and are often, although not always, ginger. There’s nae shortage of a Heilan Coo up here in the Highlands, but how much do you really know about this horned beast?" Source: www.visitinvernesslochness.com/itinerary/where-to-find-hi...

Tailgating is the act of driving on a road too close to the vehicle in front, such that the distance between the two vehicles does not guarantee that stopping to avoid collision is possible.

The safe distance for following another vehicle varies depending on various factors including vehicle speed, weather, visibility and other road conditions. Some jurisdictions may require a minimal gap of a specified distance or time interval. When following heavy vehicles or in less than ideal conditions (e.g. low light or rain), a longer distance is recommended.

Tailgating can occur because of a lack of perceived risk in so doing. Thus, it is done unconsciously or negligently, very often by people who consider themselves safe drivers and generally obey the other rules of the road. Evidence shows that more experienced drivers are more likely to be involved in rear-end collisions, possibly because they overestimate their skill and become complacent about allowing sufficient distance to avoid an accident.

In its most uncivic form, it can be a case of road rage and/or intimidation. An example would be where the tailgating driver (the driver in the following vehicle) threatens damage to the leading vehicle and its occupants by driving aggressively — perhaps also with use of headlights and horn — to bully the leading vehicle's driver to get out of the way. The driver being tailgated might not wish to comply, especially if doing so would involve breaking the law, such as by increasing speed beyond the speed limit or changing lanes without due regard for safety. Note, however, that in some jurisdictions flashing high beams is a normal and polite method used to signal the intention to overtake. Tailgating can also be dangerous to the tailgater, especially if they are driving closely behind a large vehicle (such as a tractor-trailer, or gas tanker). If the leading vehicle decelerates suddenly (such as when encountering a traffic jam, traffic lights, avoiding pedestrians, etc.), the tailgater has a high risk of causing a rear-end collision.

A form of deliberate tailgating known as slipstreaming, "draft-assisted forced stop", or "draft-assisted forced auto stop" (D-FAS) is a technique which has been used by people known as hypermilers to achieve greater fuel economy. D-FAS involves turning off the engine and gliding in neutral while tailgating a larger vehicle, in order to take advantage of the reduced wind resistance in its immediate wake. Note that this practice is extremely dangerous: while tailgating itself is inherently risky, the danger of collision is increased with D-FAS as power for power brakes can be lost after a few applications of the brake pedal and, with older cars, the pressure that causes power steering to function can be lost as well.

A form of deliberate tailgating known as slipstreaming, "draft-assisted forced stop", or "draft-assisted forced auto stop" (D-FAS) is a technique which has been used by people known as hypermilers to achieve greater fuel economy. D-FAS involves turning off the engine and gliding in neutral while tailgating a larger vehicle, in order to take advantage of the reduced wind resistance in its immediate wake.Note that this practice is extremely dangerous: while tailgating itself is inherently risky, the danger of collision is increased with D-FAS as power for power brakes can be lost after a few applications of the brake pedal and, with older cars, the pressure that causes power steering to function can be lost as well.

 

one can experiennce this all over the world but the worse I have seen is here in Portugal

more candids here

 

www.flickr.com/photos/23502939@N02/albums/72157622769131641

  

More Iceland here :

www.flickr.com/photos/23502939@N02/albums/72157622730716467

I think I may be the only one who has ever captured this California sunrise! I first captured it two years ago, and I have been waiting to see if anyone else has captured it since!

 

One of the keys to shooting Epic Landscape Photography is exalting the photograph's soul via golden ratio compositions, thusly wedding the photographic art to the divine proportion by which life itself was designed and exalted.

 

Dr. Elliot McGucken's Golden Number Ratio Fine Art Landscape & Nature Photography Composition Studies!

 

instagram.com/goldennumberratio

 

www.facebook.com/goldennumberratio/

 

facebook.com/mcgucken

 

Greetings flickr friends! I am working on several books on "epic photography," and I recently finished a related one titled: The Golden Number Ratio Principle: Why the Fibonacci Numbers Exalt Beauty and How to Create PHI Compositions in Art, Design, & Photography: An Artistic and Scientific Introduction to the Golden Mean . Message me on facebook for a free review copy!

 

www.facebook.com/goldennumberratio/

 

The Golden Ratio also informs the design of the golden revolver on all the swimsuits and lingerie, as well as the 45surf logo!

 

The Golden Number Ratio Principle: Dr. E’s Golden Ratio Principle: The golden ratio exalts beauty because the number is a characteristic of the mathematically and physically most efficient manners of growth and distribution, on both evolutionary and purely physical levels. The golden ratio ensures that the proportions and structure of that which came before provide the proportions and structure of that which comes after. Robust, ordered growth is naturally associated with health and beauty, and thus we evolved to perceive the golden ratio harmonies as inherently beautiful, as we saw and felt their presence in all vital growth and life—in the salient features and proportions of humans and nature alike, from the distribution of our facial features and bones to the arrangements of petals, leaves, and sunflowers seeds. As ratios between Fibonacci Numbers offer the closest whole-number approximations to the golden ratio, and as seeds, cells, leaves, bones, and other physical entities appear in whole numbers, the Fibonacci Numbers oft appear in nature’s elements as “growth’s numbers.” From the dawn of time, humanity sought to salute their gods in art and temples exalting the same proportion by which all their vital sustenance and they themselves had been created—the golden ratio.

 

Ansel Adams is not only my favorite photographer, but he is one of the greatest photographers and artists of all time. And just like great artists including Michelangelo, Monet, Degas, Renoir, Leonardo da Vinci, Vermeer, Rembrandt, Botticelli, and Picasso, Ansel used the golden ratio and divine proportions in his epic art.

  

Not so long ago I discovered golden regions in many of his famous public domain his 8x10 aspect ratio photographs. I call these golden harmony regions "regions of golden action" or "ROGA"S, as seen here:

 

www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1812448512351066.107374...

 

And too, I created some videos highlighting Ansel's use of the golden harmonies. Enjoy!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGnxOAhK3os

www.youtube.com/watch?v=WFlzAaBgsDI

www.youtube.com/watch?v=D3eJ86Ej1TY

 

More golden ratio and epic photography composition books soon! Best wishes for the Holiday Season! Dr. Elliot McGucken :)

Thank you all for watch, comment and/or award.

 

(Please use "Actions > View all sizes" to see the detail in the picture, stay away from the black flash slideshow, its antialiasing feature inherently causes some noticeable amount of blurring. Thanks!)

Lowenstark’s Information Files: Undated

-Updated, 12-19-XX

 

Rith. Former Matron of the Catwalker Pride. Weapons dealer. Mystery.

 

Initial gut reaction of Rith was the same I get when I approach any other villain. Her methods are extreme, her attitude reprehensible, and he outlook rather negative.

 

That said, there may be some hope for Rith. I’m starting to believe she does the things she does out of some outlook of goodness in her actions, or social responsibility. Maybe she’s shouldering the burden of villainy to draw attention away from other good people, Dark Knight Style. Maybe she simply thinks that her doings are justified, and her intentions, to a degree, good. Either way, there is more to this black cat than meets the eye.

 

That said, there is no denying there is a powerful sexual tension between us. This was further proof in my eyes that she was a villain, as for some reason evil women are inherently attracted to me. In this case, however, it could just be the common attraction between smart people. This could have nothing to do with the fact that she’s an exotic beauty of undeniable levels. Naturally not.

 

It was reported earlier this week, that a red-neck was parked on the side of a country road, pointing a gun out of the window. In fact, and to be precise, they reported it was a rather large gun - a Canon.

 

Now this is not the first time I have had this arresting experience, in fact I think this is the 24th time or so.

 

Let me explain: I make no bones about the fact that I am an inherently lazy photographer. I prefer to drive the bush rather than walk! No bears, no blackflies, no mosquitoes, never spill my coffee, can have a snooze if the shooting is bad, get to listen to the radio going on and on about Demoncrats, Reprobates, Covid and masks blah blah blah... trust you understand and forgive my laziness.

 

However, there is a drawback to this type of shooting. I get reported often. This week I was parked on an obscure country road (Old Pegs Mountain Road, Burk's Falls - the name says it all), perhaps 2 or 3 vehicles per hour, when I noticed flashing lights and two cruisers crawling up on me.. I was careful to keep my hands in sight, no sudden movements, smile on my face.

 

Now this is second time in three days that this has happened in the same area. Makes me wonder what idiot takes the time to call in a report and is dumb enough that they cannot distinguish the difference between a gun, Canon or Nikon. Duhhh. If you are that dumb, you should not be driving. If you are that blind, your license should be revoked!

 

I must commend the Police department of Burkes Falls. Good people, had a good laugh, enjoyed viewing a couple of images, let me be. Wish next time they would bring me a coffee though...

 

PS - had 4 cars surrounding me last year lol.

I've found Twitter the best place to find news and commentary on the unfolding events on Ferguson, MO.

 

These are quite solid:

 

STL Public Radio: twitter.com/stlpublicradio

 

Gene Demby: twitter.com/GeeDee215

 

Ta-Nehisi Coates: twitter.com/tanehisicoates

  

Of course I'd like to speak on the events...but there's so much to say. I'm angry at the shooting. Furious at the police response. Exhausted by the continued racism in this country. Heartened by the resilience of the protests.

 

I have known several police officers in my life, and am sensitive to the weight of that profession. It's with the understanding they have imparted to me that I am still repulsed by the actions of police officers everywhere.

 

It's about power, this one small aspect of this huge problem. The police have the power. It's up to them to use it with responsibility.

 

It's about interaction, seeing the citizens you police as part of your community, part of your extended family, as part of you. Not as The Other.

 

It's about racism, which I could write about for days. And that, also, goes back to the Other, that some are inherently Less Than, some are inherently Superior, that skin color Means something.

 

I was fortunate enough to be raised in a progressive city, in a multicultural school system, among people for whom skin color was a non-issue. I have seen that, when you do Not teach children about "differences" between Races, those differences cease to exist.

 

What should we all do. Examine your perspectives. Take action whenever possible. Participate in improving things.

 

Not being a racist is, unfortunately, not enough. Be an evangelist for equality.

 

Name: Jeffrey Smith

Alias: Henchman for Hire

Powers: He’s good at listening

 

Origin:

Everyone needs a job, and Jeff is part of everyone. In a world of superheroes and supervillains, many of those supers need hired help. So, Jeff became the Henchman for Hire, setting up a small website where he gets jobs almost every day. He mostly gets hired by villains, but occasionally he’s hired by heroes. He isn’t inherently evil, that’s just his job.

——————————————————

Jeff is one of my favorite characters that I’ve made. He’s just interesting to use, because he’s just some guy caught up in the war between heroes and villains, trying to make a living.

Campbell, Hartman and Gibb discovered copper in a water hole on the ridge behind where the Cobar Heritage Centre now stands in 1870. Sidwell Kruge, the Cornish wife of Henry Kruge the owner of the Gilgunnia Hotel, identified specimens of ore collected by Charles Campbell and his team of contractors from the Kubbur Waterhole as copper. As a young woman, Sidwell had worked in the Cornish copper mines and was able to accurately identify ore. Campbell and his contractors, George Gibb, and Thomas Hartman, immediately set off to secure a mining lease to the land. For the price of 20 pounds, these three men, in partnership with the local postmaster and part time financier Joseph Becker, took up a mineral conditional purchase of 40 acres (approximately 16 hectares) over the waterhole on the 6th of October 1870. The partners eagerly awaited the results of samples of the ore that were sent away for assay. They were not disappointed as the samples sent to Adelaide gave spectacular assays of 33% fine copper. Other samples assayed returned similar high percentages of copper. Copper fever struck nearby Bourke and Joseph Becker quickly secured an additional 10 acre selection north and south of the initial mineral selection in May and June of that year.

 

The full strike length of the Cobar copper lode extended over the three leases. The central lease, which covered the discovery waterhole, was situated on the richest portion of the lode. The workings of this lease became known as the Cobar Copper Mine. The lease was transferred to the Cobar Copper Mining Company which was formed in late 1870, with an issue of 200 shares set at 10 pounds each. Shares subsequently sold for up to 250 pounds a piece. The northern part of the lode, owned by Becker, became known as the North Cobar Mine. The southern portion of the lode, also owned by Becker, became the South Cobar Mine operating by South Cobar Mining Company. Later the two companies merged to form the Great Cobar Copper Mine in January 1876.

 

The Great Cobar Copper Mine opened in 1871 and at its peak it had fourteen smelters, a 64 metre chimney stack, and employed over 2000 men. Little above ground evidence of the substantial mine workings now remain. The most obvious feature is an "open cut" or "Mullock Tank" east of Lewis Street. It was not actually a mine but a quarry from which the material was used to backfill the stopes of the mine and build up the ground level so the miners could gain access to the ore bodies above them. It was dug by hand with pick and shovel. According to stories handed down by old miners who worked the open cut, at least one horse was accidentally killed every day. At its deepest, the Open Cut is 430 meters.

 

Between 1876 and 1919 the Great Cobar produced 114, 809 tonnes of copper, 9, 670 kilogrames of gold, and 46, 700 kilograms of silver. It was during this boom that the late Victorian, early Federation administration office was built, north of the smelting heads, in 1910.

 

The Cobar North Mine, where the Miners Heritage Park now stands, was the "poor relation" of the Great Cobar Mine. Nevertheless, the owners continued to have faith in the mine. During the period 1910 - 1913 the mines undertook a considerable amount of development work, perhaps stimulated by the apparent success of the nearby Great Cobar Mine. In 1911, the North Cobar shaft had reached a depth of 466ms. Crosscuts opened up across the northern extension of the Great Cobar lode showed that the lode was improving in depth. Drives on the 1500ft (457m) level found wide zones of low grade copper ore up to 30ms of 2.3% copper, although these grades were not payable. The shaft was further deepened to 519 meters in 1913 before shaft sinking was abandoned. An inclined drive was then constructed from the 1300ft (397m) level to connect with the nearby Great Cobar workings, thereby improving the quality of ventilation in both mines.

 

Fortunes however crashed after World War One when the demand for copper decreased and the mined ceased operations in March 1919.

 

The Miners Heritage Park opened in 2002 now commemorates the "Cobar Miner". From the 1870s until today underground mining has been the predominant activity in the Cobar Mining field. In the early days the mining method was "hammer and tap" - a crude physically exhausting process which was akin to chiselling out the hard sulphide ores to make the holes for explosives. Large teams of men were required working in dark, cramped and wet conditions. The 1900s saw the introduction of machine mining which utilised hand held pneumatic drills. From the 1960s, mining became more highly mechanised with the advent of mobile drilling, loading, and hauling machines.

 

Whilst safety in underground mines is of paramount importance in today's mining operations, historically it has often been treacherous and inherently dangerous activity. Between 1870 and 2000, over 120 men lost their lives in the underground workings in the Cobar mining field. Within the Miners Park is now displayed the "Cobar Miner" a bronze cast life-size miner portrayed with a modern air leg drilling machine. The figure was designed and cast by renowned Australian sculptor Terrance Plowright and weights over 600kg. It is a commemorative memorial by the Cobar community to the contribution of miners and their families to the area.

 

The Chesney No. 1 Headframe:

 

The Chesney No. 1 Headframe was erected by New Occidental Gold Mine No Liability (NOGM) when it reopened Chesney Mine in 1938. The Chesney Mine began producing coppergold ore in 1943 in response to a request from the Commonwealth Government to increase copper production to assist wit hthe war effort. Ore was trucked nearby New Occidental for treatment. The mine operated until 1952 when it and the New Occidental Mine closed in response to poor metal prices and rapidly increasing costs.

 

The Chesney No. 1 headframe, being of steel construction, differed from the other headframes in the Cobar goldfield, which were made of timber. As a result, this headframe better withstood the test of both termites and weather. The headframe was reportedly originally used at the Youanmi Gold Mine in Western Australia.

 

In 2000, the headframe was relocated to the Cobar Heritage Park by Peak Gold Mines as a community project. Chesney No. 3 headframe, which is still at the Chesney Mine, was brough in from Mount Isa for the No. 3 shaft sink in 1970, but the headframe and winder were originally used on thr South African Goldfields.

 

Source: Cobar Heritage Park & New South Wales Heritage Register.

N579UP (ex EVA Airways B-16465) as UPS 33 to Shanghai (PVG/ZSPD) getting up and away in the warm afternoon light (even though it was quite ‘fresh’) from 16R Sydney Airport (SYD/YSSY). Love how you track a departure and something inherently gets in the way - thanks Emirates 😂

Rules are made to be broken

but promises should count as exception

In a world where new discoveries erupts

Are we ready for life changing realizations

 

Since modern age,men had learn to play with fire

As fighters we inherently aim for the best

We believe in the so called rights

You crinch at any form of make believe injustices

 

I play with the rules, stick to my own promises

There's only one personal rule I gave up

And I'm thankful I did

So like I said rules are made to be broken

But it doesn't follow that promises should be too

And it's disappointing if they do...

 

Have a great 16th of may

Happy weekend to everyone!

The Moulton bicycle is a unique design with many features that set it apart from other bicycles. Back in the 1950s, Alex Moulton defined the key features of the Moulton bicycle - small wheels, suspension, stiff unisex frame, adaptability to suit intended use, and innovation in design, engineering and manufacture.

 

Small wheels with high pressure tyres have been integral to the Moulton design from the beginning. The combination of the lower rolling resistance of high pressure tyres and the lower aerodynamic drag of small wheels, allows the bicycle to go faster with less effort.

 

In contrast to large bicycle wheels, the smaller Moulton wheels are immensely strong. Their lower moment of inertia allows faster acceleration and more responsive steering. Smaller wheels also reduce the overall length of the bicycle, making it compact and easier to transport.

 

In order to accommodate the hard ride of the ultra-rigid frame, strong wheels and high pressure tyres, full suspension has been a mandatory feature of all Moulton bicycles. This coupling of advanced suspension and small wheels provides superior comfort and road holding.

 

As with other vehicles, bicycle frame stiffness is a key element of performance. Lateral rigidity is vital, as any of the rider's energy spent flexing a frame is lost. A stiff frame also ensures accurate wheel tracking for secure road holding and cornering stability.

 

The unique Moulton space frame, a highly engineered lattice of small diameter tubes, is far stiffer than a conventional diamond frame. This frame architecture fits riders of all sizes and the low step-through allows the bike to be mounted with ease by both sexes. The low weight and high stiffness of the Moulton frame produces a ride that is lively and amazingly efficient.

 

All Moulton bicycles are inherently more compact and most feature separable frames for storage or transport. This separability introduces no compromises other than a little extra weight; there is no loss of stiffness or ride quality. When disassembled, the two halves of a Moulton fit easily in the boot of a car or travel case.

 

www.moultonbicycles.co.uk/

 

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This is my 34th photo to make Explore.

John Fitzgerald Kennedy (May 29, 1917 – November 22, 1963)

 

My collection of images comes exclusively from within London's ringroad motorway, until today when I make an exception. Today marks the 55th anniversary of the death of JFK. Have you noticed how many bad things happen on the 22nd of the month?

 

“The very word ‘secrecy’ is repugnant in a free and open society; and we are as a people inherently and historically opposed to secret societies, to secret oaths and to secret proceedings. … Even today, there is little value in insuring the survival of our nation if our traditions do not survive with it. … And there is very grave danger that an announced need for increased security will be seized upon by those anxious to expand its meaning to the very limits of official censorship and concealment. … And no official of my Administration, whether his rank is high or low, civilian or military, should interpret my words here tonight as an excuse to censor the news, to stifle dissent, to cover up our mistakes or to withhold from the press and the public the facts they deserve to know. … And so it is to the printing press--to the recorder of man's deeds, the keeper of his conscience, the courier of his news--that we look for strength and assistance, confident that with your help man will be what he was born to be: free and independent.”

 

Times change but they really don’t.

  

Hello there. Relevant comments welcome but please do NOT post any link(s). All my images are my own original work, under my copyright, with all rights reserved. You need my permission to use any image for ANY purpose.

 

Copyright infringement is theft.

Excerpt from burlingtonculturalmap.ca:

 

Stacked Bikes (3 of 3)

Martyna Dakowicz, 2010

Laser cut steel

 

Stacked Bikes stems from the geometric alignment of bike wheels. The layered pattern of the design signifies multiple bikes attached to the steel rack. Its graphic simplicity is inspired by the fixed gear aesthetic, with the aim of inherently promoting urban bike transportation. This artwork is part of the Downtown Bike Rack Series - a series of 24 artist designed bike racks installed throughout the downtown core. Beyond providing additional bike parking, the bike racks act as an urban art gallery that citizens can enjoy year-round. In 2010, regional artists were asked to submit designs that reflected either the unique character of downtown or cycling culture. More than 180 original designs were submitted by 75 artists. A volunteer community jury reviewed the submissions and narrowed down the selection to 10 finalists. The public then voted for their favourite designs. The jury received 883 public votes, from which they selected six winning designs.

As those of you who read my interview know, I've been hitting eBay recently. My new (old) 50mm f/1.4 AIS came in yesterday, and I couldn't wait to try it. As I've said, the true reason that SLRs can make you better photographers isn't that they're inherently better, it's that they're harder. Using the D2X really did improve my focusing technique, for instance, because it's so easy to tell when you're doing something wrong. So, in that light, my newest lens not only doesn't zoom, it doesn't focus itself. And, for the time being, it doesn't meter on my camera, so I have to guess. But it's a beautiful performer as seen in the hands of fellow users like moufle, so I'm excited.

 

Of course, that means more eBaying. If anyone wants to buy my 50mm f/1.8D, the lens that took these pictures, I have it listed here for $33.33 (at the moment).

 

But that's not the bombshell. After all, I generally stopped using the f/1.8 after buying the Sigma 30mm f/1.4. But I'm also selling … my D70s!

 

Yes, my trusted partner, camera that I love, which has been a constant companion since June, is going on the auction block as well. The listing is here for $450, if you're interested. This is the camera that took all these photos (including this one).

 

Why? Well, simply put, it made me enough money to buy the forthcoming Nikon D200, which outclasses it in almost every way, including cost. It's a poignant good-bye, though -- I'll take 1/500th speed flash sync photos all week just because I can.

My sympathies to those families who have lost loved ones on the White Island eruption yesterday. Such a sad day for New Zealand too !

This photo is the view towards White Island (with the smoke) from Whakatane harbour. I visited there some years ago with my mother and wanted to visit the Island to look at the Crater, but didn't want to leave Mum.

Some years before I had walked on Mt Etna as puffs of steam emitted beneath my feet and the rocks were black, crumbly and warm!

NZ is a land of adventure - tourism in these conditions is inherently dangerous but you do wonder whether the company needs to look at it's processes. Tough indeed as many alerts produce no eruptions!

"Symmetry:" Looking for symmetry in nature sometimes requires waiting for the wind to calm so the water can reflect its inherently irregular beauty. Dead Horse State Park, AZ.

Matera may look inhospitable, but people have been settling here for a long time: it is often cited as one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, in a league with Aleppo and Byblos. There is something inherently alluring about this natural fortress, which towers above fertile plains and the Gravina River. A cave near Matera contains the remains of a hundred-and-fifty-thousand-year-old hominid; another has tools and bones from ten thousand years ago, and dozens of Neolithic sites dot the surrounding ridges. Matera was already a significant settlement in the Bronze Age.

Norio knows how handsome he looks, from any angle. However some angles are inherently less dignified than others...

While studying photography in Pathshala, I developed new technical and aesthetic skills at an academic level and gained a fresh perspective on seeing the world around me. However, I still felt that something was missing. That missing piece was the ability to articulate aesthetics through language and to experience aesthetics with the basis of life itself.

 

During this time, I developed a deep desire to understand philosophy. Within a few months, I decided to pursue academic studies in philosophy. There were two main reasons behind this decision: first, to gain knowledge of philosophy, and second, to reshape my photographic view point through a philosophical angle—essentially, to integrate aesthetics with philosophy.

 

As I delved into this complex subject, I found myself particularly influenced by three philosophical ideologies: the philosophy of Nihilism, Engels and Marx’s materialism, and Gautama Buddha’s theory of Functionalism. These perspectives began shaping my understanding of life, humanity, society, and aesthetics. My way of seeing the world started to transform.

 

Nihilism and materialist philosophy argue that humans are not a special species. According to Buddha, life itself is full of suffering. Since humans are not inherently special and life has no predetermined purpose, people often experience restlessness. My photographs reflect this idea through landscapes, where excessive negative space in the frame symbolizes despair, purposelessness, and solitude in human life. Most people live under the illusion that they are unique compared to the surroundings. This belief prevents them from feeling truly connected to nature.

 

Lalon once said, "He and Lalon exist together, yet they are separated by infinite distance." Even though humans exist within nature, they somehow remain detached from it. In my frames, vast negative spaces with tiny human figures symbolize this very detachment. Here, nature is immense, and humans are small—serving as a reminder that humanity is not any superior to nature.

 

The mist in my photographs enhances the minimalist effect, further detaching people from their surroundings. The presence of human-made structures in the background represents our ongoing struggle to prove our superiority. However, the blurred, barely visible architecture behind the fog reflects the failure of this pursuit. Humanity is trapped in this endless contradiction, deepening its existential despair. Meanwhile, the fog thickens, and the distance between humans and nature continues to grow.

 

"One of the magical things about photography is the transformation that takes place when photograph something. Something that inherently has very little going for it, in terms of interest you take in it, can become infinitely more interesting when renderd as a potograph."

Grant Mudford

 

acrylic on canvas, 70 x 100 cm, 2017

 

Fake News - Fake Kompromat !

 

Europarat-Chef warnt vor staatlicher Zensur:

Im Kampf gegen Fake News hat der Generalsekretär des Europarats vor zu großem Aktionismus gewarnt. Es bestehe die Gefahr, unliebsame Meinungen verbieten zu können.

www.faz.net/aktuell/politik/europarat-chef-warnt-vor-staa...

 

La menace que je vois se dessiner ce n’est donc pas celle des Fake news, mais celle de l’autoritarisme de l’État et son autonomisation en tant qu’agent de contrôle de l’opinion(Emmanuel Todd, historien et anthropologue)

 

Le déni de la réalité est devenu le cadre de vie de nos dirigeants (Jan Theuninck, 17.01.2017)

 

The very word "secrecy" is repugnant in a free and open society; and we are as a people inherently and historically opposed to secret societies, to secret oaths and to secret proceedings. We decided long ago that the dangers of excessive and unwarranted concealment of pertinent facts far outweighed the dangers which are cited to justify it. Even today, there is little value in opposing the threat of a closed society by imitating its arbitrary restrictions. Even today, there is little value in insuring the survival of our nation if our traditions do not survive with it. And there is very grave danger that an announced need for increased security will be seized upon by those anxious to expand its meaning to the very limits of official censorship and concealment. That I do not intend to permit to the extent that it is in my control. And no official of my Administration, whether his rank is high or low, civilian or military, should interpret my words here tonight as an excuse to censor the news, to stifle dissent, to cover up our mistakes or to withhold from the press and the public the facts they deserve to know. * We are opposed around the world by a monolithic and ruthless conspiracy. That relies on primarily on covet means for expanding its fear of influence. On infiltration instead of invasion. On subversion instead of elections. On intimidation instead of free choice, on guerillas by night instead of armies by day. It is a system which has conscripted, vast human and material resources into the building of a tightly nit highly efficient machine that combines military, diplomatic, intelligence, economic, scientific, and political operations. Its preparations are concealed, not published. Its mistakes are buried, not headlined. Its dissenters are silenced not praised. No expenditure is questioned, no rumor is printed, no secret is revealed. * It requires a change in outlook, a change in tactics, a change in missions--by the government, by the people, by every businessman or labor leader, and by every newspaper. For we are opposed around the world by a monolithic and ruthless conspiracy that relies primarily on covert means for expanding its sphere of influence--on infiltration instead of invasion, on subversion instead of elections, on intimidation instead of free choice, on guerrillas by night instead of armies by day. It is a system which has conscripted vast human and material resources into the building of a tightly knit, highly efficient machine that combines military, diplomatic, intelligence, economic, scientific and political operations. * Its preparations are concealed, not published. Its mistakes are buried, not headlined. Its dissenters are silenced, not praised. No expenditure is questioned, no rumor is printed, no secret is revealed. It conducts the Cold War, in short, with a war-time discipline no democracy would ever hope or wish to match. * Nevertheless, every democracy recognizes the necessary restraints of national security--and the question remains whether those restraints need to be more strictly observed if we are to oppose this kind of attack as well as outright invasion. * And so it is to the printing press--to the recorder of man's deeds, the keeper of his conscience, the courier of his news--that we look for strength and assistance, confident that with your help man will be what he was born to be: free and independent.

John F.Kennedy

www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Jb8KqaerhQ

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Is er een enorm verschil tussen wat de burger in het dagdagelijkse leven ervaart en wat er in de "vrije" pers wordt meegedeeld? Zijn de journalisten hondjes die aan een korte ketting liggen en alleen blaffen op bevel van hun baasje: zijn zij de promotors van het politieke "correct" denken? Is dit een symptoom van wat men een geleide democratie (of zachte dictatuur) noemt? Dient de pers om de aandacht van de burgers af te leiden van nog erger? (Jan Theuninck in Poetrylifeandtimes, begin 21ste eeuw)

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Equal enslavement is also evident in the media: journalists have accepted – without any scruple of conscience – prostituting themselves to the powerful, going so far as to censor the truth and spread shameless lies without even trying to give them the appearance of credibility. Up until last year journalists counted the numbers of the “victims” of Covid by presenting anyone who tested positive as terminally ill; today those who die after being vaccinated are always and only taken by a vague “illness,” and even before the post mortem examinations they officially decide that there is no correlation between a person’s death and the administration of the gene serum. They twist the truth with impunity when it does not confirm their narrative, bending it to fit their purposes. Mgr Vigano, 28.08.21

www.lifesitenews.com/opinion/vigano-considerations-on-the...

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"Luister alleen naar ons, naar niemand anders. Wij zijn de enige bron die de waarheid vertelt"

Jacinda Ardern - the 40th prime minister of New Zealand and leader of the Labour Party. "We will continue to be your single source of truth" May 16, 2020

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Jan Theuninck is a Belgian painter

www.boekgrrls.nl/BgDiversen/Onderwerpen/gedichten_over_sc...

www.forumeerstewereldoorlog.be/wiki/index.php/Yperite-Jan...

www.graphiste-webdesigner.fr/blog/2013/04/la-peinture-bel...

www.eutrio.be/nl/expo-west-meet-east

www.eutrio.be/fr/expo-west-meets-east

 

www.holocaust-lestweforget.com/jan-theuninck.html

"Far over the Misty Mountains cold,

To dungeons deep and caverns old,

We must away, ere break of day,

To seek our pale enchanted gold."

 

"Dear Flickr,

 

Jack and I are back with our latest creation from Tolkien's Middle Earth, this one from his book, The Hobbit. When we saw the first movie last year, we loved it too much not to build a scene from it. Of course, we couldn't build any thing less than the iconic dwarf city. So here it is, our third and latest collaboration (our first was Amon Hen, our second was Rivendell). We chose Erebor for many reasons, not the least of which was that we love building mountains [sarcasm]. This build was a ton of fun, and we hope you enjoy it. And now, it is our pleasure to present Erebor, the dwarven hall of kings."

 

Signed,

Blake Baer, 17, and Jack Bittner, 18

 

To start things off, here are some stats about Erebor:

-16 32x32 baseplates arranged in a 4x4 pattern totaling a base area of 16,384 studs or 1,600 square inches.

-More than 80,000 pieces were used in this creation making it weigh close to 200 pounds.

-The peak is 56 inches tall.

-Comes apart into 11 separate sections.

-A combined 400+ hours time investment was spent on this creation.

 

Hey all,

 

Well, after almost 6 months of work, here it is. Erebor, I am proud to say, is the largest creation I have had the pleasure of working on and completing. I guess I had a lot of fun with the rocks in Rivendell (although I was probably traumatized by them, and I got psychologically mixed up) so Jack and I decided to build an entire mountain. Bad idea that. But we somehow slogged our way through the mind-numbingly tedious hours, and managed to finish it off.

 

I had a blast working on this project. There is something so inherently satisfying about seeing a project like this come to a close and enjoying the attention it receives that really makes all the hard work worth it. Jack is an incredible guy, and it means a lot to me that he can stand to work by my side for such long periods of time, haha. You're the best buddy!

 

Also, this will likely be my artistic "swan song" for a while in the community. I am at the point in my life where I need to focus on things other than LEGO. It is becoming too much of a distraction. Don't worry, I am gonna keep my Flickr and MOCpages, and I will likely still be very active in the community. Just not as much building from my end. So with that said, please enjoy this creation in light of my temporary retirement from the community.

 

And I also recog-- oh, lets be real here, nobody even reads this stuff. You all just want to see the creation, so here it is!

 

Ladies and Gentlemen, I present to you... Erebor!

 

God bless you all.

SOLI DEO GLORIA!

-Blake

 

Main Picture | Full Gallery | Video | Picture with Builders

Seems like I'm inherently going the wrong way.

 

Central Trainstation in Luxembourg-City.

Globular clusters are inherently beautiful objects, but the subject of this NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope image, Messier 3, is commonly acknowledged to be one of the most beautiful of them all.

 

Containing an incredible half-million stars, this 8-billion-year-old cosmic bauble is one of the largest and brightest globular clusters ever discovered. However, what makes Messier 3 extra special is its unusually large population of variable stars — stars that fluctuate in brightness over time. New variable stars continue to be discovered in this sparkling stellar nest to this day, but so far we know of 274, the highest number found in any globular cluster by far. At least 170 of these are of a special variety called RR Lyrae variables, which pulse with a period directly related to their intrinsic brightness. If astronomers know how bright a star truly is based on its mass and classification, and they know how bright it appears to be from our viewpoint here on Earth, they can thus work out its distance from us. For this reason, RR Lyrae stars are known as standard candles — objects of known luminosity whose distance and position can be used to help us understand more about vast celestial distances and the scale of the cosmos.

 

Messier 3 also contains a relatively high number of so-called blue stragglers, which are shown quite clearly in this Hubble image. These are blue main sequence stars that appear to be young because they are bluer and more luminous than other stars in the cluster. As all stars in globular clusters are believed to have formed together and thus to be roughly the same age, only a difference in mass can give these stars a different color. A red, old star can appear bluer when it acquires more mass, for instance by stripping it from a nearby star. The extra mass changes it into a bluer star, which makes us think it is younger than it really is.

 

Image credit: ESA/Hubble & NASA, G. Piotto et al.

 

NASA image use policy.

 

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The absence of people makes Vienna's inherently dingy Prater entertainment district look like a cheap horror movie.

It was 1941, war raged across Europe and in the Far East, the United States of America not directly involved but had just elected President Franklin Delano Roosevelt for an unprecedented third term in 1940, when he gave his ‘State of the Union’ in January of 1941 FDR extolled the ‘Four Freedoms’ that are inherently the universal freedoms that all people possess. The freedoms are the freedom of speech, freedom of worship, freedom from want and freedom from fear which became the foundation of the United Nations principal of the United Nations declaration of 1942, the term United Nations was also first coined by President Roosevelt himself and the name would be adopted by the body after FDR’s passing.

So when the time came to choose a location for this new international body, many suggestions and much controversy occurred but eventually New York City was chosen. The site had been a slaughter house, Turtle Bay located on the banks of the East River, purchased for 8.5 million by John D. Rockefeller and donated to the city New York. The land became technically an extraterritorial plot of land through a treaty with the United States where the UN is the administrator including things such as security. The 39 story United Secretariat Building seen in this image opened in 1952 and houses the offices the Secretary General and other high ranking officials of the United Nations. In the foreground the United Nation General Assembly Building, where the general assembly meets with representation of all member nations.

The entire site has been undergoing renovations, the first major one since it opened in 1952. I actually haven’t been on a tour of the facility since 1993, so it’s on my list to re-visit soon. Taken with an Olympus E-5 with a 12-60mm F/2.8-4.0 Olympus Zuiko Digital Lens mounted on Slik Pro 340 DX tripod, HDR of 5 images tone mapped using Photomatix, cleaned up in Adobe Lightroom.

 

visit.un.org/

 

bigger and blurrier!

 

More often than not, my morning trip through the newspaper leaves me frustrated and angry. People can just be such dumbasses, you know?

 

So imagine how thrilled I was this morning to find... not one but TWO sane, common sense ideas getting some time in the public eye.

 

First was a column about polygamy. We have this polygamist community in BC and people have been tearing their hair out about it (selectively) for decades. Finally today... for the first time in print... I see that someone shares my opinion. That polygamy... in and of itself... is about arrangements among consenting adults and should not be legally prohibited. And that... if people are concerned about the sexual abuse of girls within the sect... well then, they should get on investigating child welfare concerns and leave the issue of plural marriage by adults the heck out of it.

 

Next I was treated to a (FINALLY!) sane discussion about prostitution. Some long-time local advocates for working women's rights are planning to open a brothel - and I'm right here, cheering them on. When the interviewer raised concerns about violence, the project proponent wisely pointed out that sex and violence (just like polygamy and child abuse) are separate issues. She said, "The only reason there's a problem with violence in the sex trade is because it's been allowed. Because we just don't want to see it, period. There would be a problem with violence in the banking industry, too," she said, "if anyone who cared to could just punch a teller in the face and walk away without consequences. Sex is not inherently violent," she pointed out, "any more than banking is."

 

She also pointed out that the guys who buy sex from hookers are, by and large, "average" guys. So why shouldn't the women (and men) who serve them be afforded the same basic workplace rights as your average guy?

 

Ahhh... it's all so sane and common sensical that it boggles the mind. Now if we could just get past those archaic superstitions about marijuana...

Wrong

Wrong

Wrong

Wrong

 

I was born with the wrong sign

In the wrong house

With the wrong ascendancy

I took the wrong road

That led to

The wrong tendencies

I was in the wrong place

At the wrong time

For the wrong reason

And the wrong rhyme

On the wrong day

Of the wrong week

I used the wrong method

With the wrong technique

Wrong

Wrong

 

There’s something wrong with me chemically

Something wrong with me inherently

The wrong mix

In the wrong genes

I reached the wrong ends

By the wrong means

It was the wrong plan

In the wrong hands

With the wrong theory

For the wrong man

The wrong eyes

On the wrong prize

The wrong questions

With the wrong replies

Wrong

Wrong

 

I was marching to the wrong drum

With the wrong scum

Pissing out the wrong energy

Using all the wrong lines

And the wrong signs

With the wrong intensity

I was on the wrong page

Of the wrong book

With the wrong rendition

Of the wrong look

With the wrong moon

Every wrong night

With the wrong tune playing

Till it sounded right, yeah

 

Wrong

 

Wrong

 

Too long

Wrong

 

Too long

Wrong

 

Too long

Wrong

 

Too long

Wrong

 

Too long

 

I was born with the wrong sign

In the wrong house

With the wrong ascendancy

I took the wrong road

That led to

The wrong tendencies

I was in the wrong place

At the wrong time

For the wrong reason

And the wrong rhyme

On the wrong day

Of the wrong week

I used the wrong method

With the wrong technique

 

Wrong

  

Ten of Spade people can appear aloof or secretive, but they are actually very sensitive with quick, ever-changing..minds. Inherently protected, the Ten of Spade will always get by, no matter what!.........apparently.........

"If you think people are inherently good, you get rid of the police for 24 hours - see what happens."

 

Sylvester Stallone

 

What on earth is a “Shut-in” – A shut-in is a rock formation that carves through a mountain range system, causing a complex of pools, rivulets, rapids and plunge pools. They are found in streams in the Ozarks. Shut-ins are inherently confined to a narrow valley or canyon, with the river valley widening out both above and below the formation.

I love how this turned out with some simple ingredients: a flower, some highlighter ink, and ultraviolet lights! Here’s a photo of the setup: donkom.ca/bts/IMG_20191124_141144.jpg

 

A soon-to-be wilting Gerbera daisy was ideal, as it was spilling out pollen which made for an nice accent to the image. A flower like this would naturally fluoresce, but nowhere near as much as the orange highlighter ink used, becoming a “campfire” or a pool of lava in the center of the flower.

 

The lights here are important – two Convoy S2+ and one Convoy C8 Fyrfly – the latter being my favourite, but a little more expensive ( www.engeniousdesigns.com/product-page/fyrfly ). They are all positioned with Platypod Maxes and gooseneck arms, which is now my standard way to light every macro scene. Far more robust than standard tabletop tripods which I had used for years. Just an FYI here, they’re on sale at the moment - platypod.com/tripods/max-macro-bundle

 

Normally at this level of magnification, focus stacking would be required to get the depth seen here. Thankfully my life is made easier by shooting the Lumix S1R in high-resolution mode, outputting 187MP files that allow me to excessively crop in to the center of the frame and still have detail. The closer you get to your subject, the shallower your depth of field is; by intentionally getting farther away, the depth of field is inherently greater, but your subject will no longer fill the frame – which is where cropping comes in! I don’t need 187 megapixels, but if I crop down to a 10-20MP image, it’s still incredibly usable and my depth of field has been maximized. You’ll want to avoid apertures smaller than F/11 or so, since diffraction will ruin your critical sharpness at these resolutions.

 

Funny thing – the intensity of the UV light hitting the flower was enough to cause damage to the flower almost immediately. The petals started drooping down towards the center, which can be seen fully fallen in the “behind the scenes” photo. The amount of UV output here is MANY times that we would find in nature. I had to work quickly once I realized this was happening!

 

This technique and many more will be outlined in my upcoming book, Macro Photography: The Universe at Our Feet: skycrystals.ca/product/pre-order-macro-photography-the-un...

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