View allAll Photos Tagged Pullbacks
Reminding me a little of the impressive but unlicensed models made by the likes of Y.T.G.F. and Miniauto is this range of three inch sized supercars made by a company called AMZ Toys/Aimingzheng. Very accurate for their low price point and non approved status and possesses a semi-premium vibe certainly not found in similar priced Hot Wheels and Matchbox.
Think of this Lamborghini Aventador as a cut price Majorette featuring precise fitting opening front doors and rear hatch plus as much detailing as they dare and a pullback mechanism.
Mint and boxed.
1/34 scale Kinsmart diecasts, pullback-motor toys detailed as models. Nice, well-detailed bodies , pad-printed emblems, a lot of the other detailing is mine.
I have a thing for models of mainstream cars; both of these were downgraded to base models- the Corolla was no definite trim level but originally had blacked "B" pillars, the Caliber was explicitly an R/T. I'm half-tempted to fill in the Caliber's sunroof and enter it into a model contest's "military" category as a GSA sedan.
In 2006, McDonald's issued a series of eight Hummer vehicles. These were around 1/50 scale and all had some kind of gimmick--wind up motors, friction motors, pullback motors, winches, or in the case of the H2H; a light up bit representing the hydrogen fuel cell.
I had the H1, H2 SUT (pickup), H2H Hydrogen Concept, and H3T Concept.. All got a ton of play growing up. They were pretty detailed, and held up pretty well (H3T and H2T's mechanisms are both half-stripped now, however).
The H1 got the most play, however. Its winch is fairly powerful, and can pull about twice the model's weight. It is self-retracting. Pull it out, and a clockwork mechanism retracts it.
I have to personally admit, these were the best toys McDonald's did when I was a kid. It was even better than the somewhat crude Hot Wheels that were made MUCH cheaper than the ones I found in stores then.
These next two images were taken on Kauai at the famous Hanalei Pier. I shot both within about 30 minutes of each other, and this will help explain why I carry at least 2 camera bodies when I travel.
You'll notice a lot of my long exposure work is done during golden hours, or even during the middle of the day for black and white conversions. I get really anxious shooting long exposures during sunrises/sunsets as the light is so limited you only get a couple shots to get it right. And there's nothing quite like committing to a multiple minute exposure only to see the sky really blow up with intense detail. There are just times when I'd prefer a shorter exposure to retain all that detail.
So for this solo trip back in March I brought my D800 and D7000 and rented the Nikon Df (LOVE that camera). I brought a couple tripods as well. While this long exposure was firing with the Df I was over in the tide with my D800, shooting much shorter exposures to get that tide pullback effect I enjoy so much.
I set up in tides for all my slow shutter work, but for the really long exposures, no matter how robust a tripod is, you need to be set with solid footing. So I read the tide and set the Df up in a spot I knew wouldn't be affected by the incoming tide, and opted against a really wide angle shot.
I knew the long exposure would give a pretty reflection, and with all the folks walking and stopping at the end of the pier this approach helped in removing people in-camera. While I often like how "busy" a shot can look with the blurring of clouds, zooming in here made the shot much more simple, and when I only have a couple static subjects in a frame I think in terms of "square format."
I'm a BIG stickler for straight horizon lines. That should always be a huge priority when composing a landscape. With that said the straight portion of the horizon is hidden in this image (the shot is level, but the land heading out to Na Pali Coast almost appears otherwise). I originally got really low so I could see the horizon below the top of the pier, but the gap was a little too small with the zoom I selected, and I wanted to be set up closer to eye level to get more reflection in the cove's negative space.
Nikon Df
Nikkor 24-70mm/f2.8
Really Right Stuff TQC-14 Tripod with BH-30 LR Ballhead
LEE 0.9 Soft Grad ND
Formatt Hitech PRO IRND 10 Stop (I loathe this filter and have sold it - NO, it's not the same as the new Firecrest I'm raving about. This filter had such a nasty color cast I did have to do a lot of correction in post)
44mm
f14
ISO 100
405 Seconds
The clouds weren't moving too incredibly fast and I wanted a painterly blur here, so needed to go quite long with the exposure time, thus I went f14. f8 would have been plenty for depth of field.
Post production:
Again, I had to work a decent amount to get rid of the magenta color cast, but luckily the scene was a firey red to begin with.
1.) LR5 for lens corrections and chromatic abberation removal.
2.) Nik's Dfine for denoising--I pushed the Df's sensor to the limits here and did get a pretty noisey shot with a TON of hot pixels.
3.) Back into LR5 to bring up shadows, take down highlights, and then re-add lights. (That lights slider is right below the basic sliders, underneath the tone curve box--I tend to take down highlights a lot and add the lights).
4.) Into Nik's Color Efex for:
a.) Pro Contrast (remember, this helps with dynamic contrast and color correction)
b.) Polarization
c.) Sunlight on the foreground water and the brightest part of the sky.
d.) Very minimal Glamour Glow to help with more smoothing and tone warmth
e.) Graduated Neutral Density to darken the top-most section of the photo--to help isolate the pier and the sunset glow as much as possible.
f.) Brilliance and Warmth to help with a little more color enhancement.
5.) Back into LR5 to do another pass on chromatic abberations (simply checked the "remove chromatic abberations" box in the lens corrections section)
6.) Brushed in a little more highlights in the forefround
7.) Into Nik's Output Sharpener for slight sharpening on the pier and mountains, only.
The next image was again, taken during the same sunset, and only about 40 feet away from this location.
Pullback model, aprox 1:36 scale.
Salido como parte de la colección "Deportivos de Lujo" de La Tercera, el 17 de junio de 2013.
ripituc.blogspot.com/2013/04/nueva-coleccion-la-tercera-d...
As Qizhuo Toys only produce lower end cheapo diecasts which are completely unlicensed its perhaps forgivable that their interpretation of a Ford F-150 is rather chunky and heavy handed. Styling traits are present in terms of the signature F-150 side windows and shaped headlights but nothing is done with any real finesse though at this price point did you expect anything different?
Sturdy construction to its credit with a pullback motor and decent looking alloy effect wheels.
Mint and boxed.
Test Product shot.
Stetson Black Cologne Spray.
My first impression when I saw this was, "That bottle is black."
When I went to shoot it, light was coming through it and making it grey. So, as per helpful information in Light: Science and Magic, I cut a small piece of black paper and taped it to the back of it. They were using white paper behind a glass or bottle of beer to brighten it and snooting an extra light onto the paper. I needed to darken my image.
Nikon SB800, ebay trigger firing it at half power on a desktop setup. Large rollup paper from a conference room easel pad. 11x17 inch paper hung on the sides with strobe bouncing off of side. Extra pads of paper set upright for fill reflectors.
Exposure: Manual, 90th sec at f22, 200ASA. White balance was on auto this time. Nikon D50.
Pullback view in my stream. www.flickr.com/photos/photoshoparama/677485356/
Retouching in Photoshop to remove a few spots of dust that were on my sensor (removed now for NEXT time)
Other notes, Get down to the same level as the product and vertically center its center in your viewfinder or you may get keystoning. Watch the level at the sides in your viewfinder. Watch the reflections on face so -all- of the lettering shows. Place reflectors there to help lettering if necessary.
Image _0617
The products of AMZ Toys definitely have a very Majorette Premium aura in their execution despite costing much less and being unlicensed. This casting goes one stage further by actually replicating an actual Majorette casting in the form of their Bugatti Chiron Pur Sport. I'm not suggesting its actually a copy but its hard not to compare the two castings and seeing lots of similarities. Both are pretty much the same size, both feature opening doors with full interior and smart alloy effect wheels though this does go one stage further by offering a pullback mechanism.
What you can't thankfully see in this pic is the plastic arm which is supplied and attaches to both baseplate and your car dashboard!
Mint and boxed.
An old Shell promotional model from c.1995, made by Maisto/MC Toy from their Sportscar Collection, of the much-maligned Aston Virage, an ungainly coupe with VW Scirocco rear lights and Aston's aged 5340cc V8 engine under the hood. It became the V8 Vantage eventually.
Routemaster bus caricature made of plastic with pull-back motor, made in China but with ads saying 'Best of British'! This has the name Elgate on the base sticker, assumed to be the distributer. Length approx 60 mm.
This is the "pullback shot" of the waterdrop shoot scene.
For more details please read the set information.
Pullback model, aprox 1:36 scale.
Salido como parte de la colección "Deportivos de Lujo" de La Tercera, el 17 de junio de 2013.
ripituc.blogspot.com/2013/04/nueva-coleccion-la-tercera-d...
My entry to "Wacky Races" contest. Captain BrickBeard on his small vessel. Slow but powerfull :)
Wicked racing machine built with pullback brick.
In recent months, investors have flocked to gold, helping to drive up its price to record highs.
Some market watchers have attributed the gold rally merely to investors seeking a short-term inflation hedge or a perceived “safe-haven” investment in the face of a slowing global economy, ongoing global sovereign debt problems and Friday’s downgrade of US debt. Gold prices, however, have been on the rise for a decade and I believe there are a few key reasons why.
First, high gold prices can’t be blamed on fears of near-term inflation. While investors have historically paid a higher premium for gold when inflation expectations are high, inflation expectations have receded since a spring spike. In addition, the last decade has been characterized by low inflation in most developed countries.
But the rally in gold can be partly explained by longer-term inflation fears tied to deficit-related spending that would increase the money supply. When deficits are high, investors rationally worry about whether the government will ultimately deal with large deficits by creating a surge in the money supply. Today, this appears to be a growing concern among investors and as the US fiscal situation remains precarious, this may support gold prices, even in the absence of any near-term signs of inflationary pressures
Rising gold prices are also explained by another sort of inflation — inflation as the erosion of the purchasing power of the dollar. Historically, the deterioration of the dollar has been a more important determinant of the performance of gold than traditional inflation. Gold tends to do best when the dollar’s value is eroding and we have seen a significant pullback in the value of the dollar versus other currencies over the past 2 ½ years.
Part of the relationship between gold and the dollar is mechanical. As gold is valued in dollars, a declining dollar by definition will lead to higher gold prices. However, the relationship between gold and the dollar also reflects a second dynamic. In those periods when investors are uncomfortable with any fiat currency, including the dollar, gold is the natural beneficiary — and increasingly these days, so is the Swiss Franc.
Now onto the final reason behind gold’s rise. One of the key drivers of gold and other commodities is the level of real interest rates, which are the nominal rates minus the inflation rate (or more accurately, inflation expectations). Over the last decade, we’ve been in an environment where real rates have been at historically low levels. Low real rates mean the opportunity cost of owning gold is low.
In other words, when real rates are high, you can get a return from owning paper assets like stocks and bonds. And there’s an opportunity cost to holding a commodity like gold that produces no income. When rates are low, however, that opportunity cost is very low, another explanation for why commodities are doing well in today’s environment.
So ironically, if we continue to be in an environment where the Fed helps keep real interest rates low, we’re likely to see an environment that continues to be supportive of gold and other commodities.
BUY GOLD NOW: bit.ly/pvOEve
Pullback model, aprox 1:36 scale.
Salido como parte de la colección "Deportivos de Lujo" de La Tercera, el 17 de junio de 2013.
ripituc.blogspot.com/2013/04/nueva-coleccion-la-tercera-d...
Pullback model, aprox 1:36 scale.
Salido como parte de la colección "Deportivos de Lujo" de La Tercera, el 17 de junio de 2013.
ripituc.blogspot.com/2013/04/nueva-coleccion-la-tercera-d...
Pagani Huayra. From a series of six cars packaged for Poundstretcher. The same castings were sold by Haribo in two sets of three: www.flickr.com/photos/adrianz-toyz/53320313447 although with slightly different wheels and different decoration. Four of these six are in the same colours as the Haribo releases; this was gold (for Goldbears) in the Haribo version: www.flickr.com/photos/adrianz-toyz/53359644404
Food shot.
Sample dish (small Asian food dish) of Beans and Wild Rice Casserole.
Onion, carrots, Wehani Dark Brown rice, and brown rice. Cream of chicken soup. Mixed variety beans.
Contact me if you want the recipe. Even my 9 year old liked it after he got over the "Ugh, that looks wierd" thought. Sure is fun talking a nine year old into eating something that doesn't have any sugar in it.
Lighting, Nikon SB800 bounced off side of paper hung at my desk. See pullback view in my stream. www.flickr.com/photos/photoshoparama/677485318/
image 0598
I couldn't resist grabbing a second example of the Qizhuo Toys Fire Engine Ladder Truck which is clearly a copy of the original Tomica Nissan Diesel P-AZ30D Morita Ariel casting. A very unusual vehicle which wouldn't look out of place in a Thunderbirds episode with its pseudo-futuristic styling and huge front overhang. Fully functioning with its pullback motor and rotating ladders which do of course extend.
Mint and boxed.
www.cnbc.com/2021/11/26/stock-futures-open-to-close-marke...
Dow slammed by 1,000 points in worst drop of 2021 on fears about new Covid variant
U.S. stocks dropped sharply on Friday as a new Covid variant found in South Africa triggered a global shift away from from risk assets.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 1000 points, or 2.8%, for its worst day of the year, while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite slid 2.3% and 2.2%, respectively. Friday is a shortened trading day because of the Thanksgiving holiday with U.S. markets closing at 1 p.m. ET.
The downward moves came after WHO officials on Thursday warned of a new Covid-19 variant that’s been detected in South Africa. The new variant contains more mutations to the spike protein, the component of the virus that binds to cells, than the highly contagious Delta variant. Because of these mutations, scientists fear it could have increased resistance to vaccines, though WHO said further investigation is needed.
The United Kingdom temporarily suspended flights from six African countries due to the variant. Israel barred travel to several nations after reporting one case in a traveler. Two cases were identified in Hong Kong. Belgium also confirmed a case.
“When I read that there’s one [case] in Belgium and one in Botswana, we’re going to wake up next week and find one in this country. And I’m not going to recommend anyone buy anything today until we’re sure that isn’t going to happen, and I can’t be sure that it won’t,” CNBC’s Jim Cramer said.
Bond prices rose and yields tumbled amid a flight to safety. The yield on the benchmark U.S. 10-year Treasury note fell 12 basis points to 1.52% (1 basis point equals 0.01%). This was a sharp reversal as yields jumped earlier in the week to above 1.68% at one point. Bond yields move inversely to prices.
Asia markets were hit hard in Friday trade, with Japan’s Nikkei 225 and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index both falling more than 2%. Bitcoin fell 8%.
The Cboe Volatility Index, often referred to as Wall Street’s “fear gauge,” rose to 28, its highest level in two months. Oil prices also tumbled, with U.S. crude futures down 10% and breaking below $70 per barrel.
Travel-related stocks were hit hardest with Carnival Corp. and Royal Caribbean down 13.5% and 11.9%, respectively. United Airlines dropped more than 13%, while American Airlines dropped 12.5%. Boeing lost more than 7% and Marriott International fell nearly 10%.
Bank shares retreated on fears of the slowdown in economic activity and the retreat in rates. Bank of America dropped 5.3% and Citigroup slid 4.8%.
Industrials linked to the global economy declined led by Caterpillar off by 4.9%. Dow Inc. shed 3.8%. Chevron dropped 3.6% as energy stocks reacted to the rollover in crude prices.
On the flip side, investors huddled into the vaccine makers. Moderna shares surged 27%. Pfizer shares added 5%.
Some of the stay-at-home plays that gained in the earlier months of the pandemic were higher again. Zoom Video added more than 7% and Peloton gained 4%.
“It’s important to stress that very little is known at this point about this latest strain, including whether it can evade vaccines or how severe it is relative to other mutations. Therefore, it’s hard to make any informed investment decisions at this point,” Bespoke Investment Group’s Paul Hickey said in a note to clients. “Historically speaking, chasing a rally or selling into a sharp decline (especially on a very illiquid trading day) rarely ends up being profitable, but that isn’t stopping a lot of people this morning.”
Several investment professionals told CNBC on Friday that the sell-off could be a buying opportunity.
“Friday is the day after Thanksgiving, probably not as many traders on the desks with an early close today. So potentially lower liquidity is causing some of the pullback,” Ajene Oden of BNY Mellon Investor Solutions said on CNBC’s “Squawk Box.” “But the reaction we’re seeing is a buying opportunity for investors. We have to think long-term.”
www.bbc.com/news/business-59428927
Covid: Shares hit as new variant rattles investors
Chevrolet Camaro (top pic.) and Pagani Huayra (bottom pic.) From a series of six cars packaged for Poundstretcher as 'Motor Madness Street Racer' and also sold by Haribo in two sets of three. In these photos the Haribo cars are on the right. The two appearances feature slightly different wheels; four of the cars are in the same colour in both.
Pullback view - macro lightbox.
I used a styrofoam frame, craft foam sheets and black 2mm card stock on top to redduce top reflections. One Nikon SB800 with ebay trigger to camera right at 1/2 power. Watch was propped a half inch above black foam background.
image_DSC1549
Pullback model, aprox 1:36 scale.
Salido como parte de la colección "Deportivos de Lujo" de La Tercera, el 17 de junio de 2013.
ripituc.blogspot.com/2013/04/nueva-coleccion-la-tercera-d...