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Yosemite Winter Fine Art Landscapes! Sony A7RII yosemite National Park Winter Snow! Dr. Elliot McGucken Fine Art Landscape Photography! Ansel Adams Tribute!
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John Muir: "When I reached the [Yosemite] valley, all the rocks seemed talkative, and more lovable than ever. They are dear friends, and have warm blood gushing through their granite flesh; and I love them with a love intensified by long and close companionship. … I … bathed in the bright river, sauntered over the meadows, conversed with the domes, and played with the pines."
"Between every two pine trees there is a door leading to a new way of life."--John Muir
"I would advise sitting from morning till night under some willow bush on the river bank where there is a wide view. This will be "doing the valley" far more effectively than riding along trails in constant motion from point to point. The entire valley is made up of "points of interest." --John Muir on Yosemite!
Follow me on instagram for more!
Had a great time waking up at 5 AM every day to shoot tunnel view and then driving around down in the valley to Half Dome, Bridalviel Falls, Cook's Meadow and the glorious Cook's Meadow elm tree, Sentinel Bridge, Valley View, Swinging Bridge, and more! Yosemite winters are made for black and whites, and Ansel Adam's ghost haunts the brilliant landscape scenery!
The most epic "Ansel Adams" view is tunnel view where one can see El Capitan, Bridalviel Falls, and Half Dome over magnificent trees, snow, rising fogs, and breaking mists. Enjoy!
Been busy traveling and shooting landscapes and working on my books The Golden Hero's Odyssey about the golden rectangle and divine proportion I use in a lot of my compositions! Also working on my physics book on Dynamic Dimensions Theory! The equation dx4/dt=ic is on a lot of the 45surf swimsuit and shirts and all! :)
Follow me & 45surf!!
www.facebook.com/45surfAchillesOdysseyMythology/
www.facebook.com/elliot.mcgucken
My fine art landscape lenses for the A7RII are the Sony 16-35mm Vario-Tessar T FE F4 ZA OSS E-Mount Lens and the Sony FE 24-240mm f/3.5-6.3 OSS Lens ! Love the Carl Zeiss and super sharp Sony Glass!
Winter fine art landscapes!
Epic Yosemite valley village winter snowstorm!
Yosemite Winter Fine Art Landscapes! Sony A7RII yosemite National Park Winter Snow! Dr. Elliot McGucken Fine Art Landscape Photography
On Saturday 12 November, Egyptian activists from all across the UK joined up with protesters in London demonstrating for climate justice, to demand an end to Sisi's murderous dictatorship and the immediate release of Alaa Abd El-Fattah, a British-Egyptian citizen on hunger strike, and at least 60,000 other political prisoners held in appalling conditions in Egyptian prisons.
As COP27 continues, Sisi's government intensifies its repression against civil society, arresting anyone in Cairo and other cities found with any mention of Alaa or other political dissidents on their phones, as well as targeting anyone suspected of planning strikes or protests.
I'm still working on individual captions for each photo - sorry for the delay - but in the meantime I'm reposting an earlier commentary I posted about Alaa Abd El-Fattah.
Last weekend on Sunday 6 November, activists gathered outside Downing Street for a candle-lit vigil as British-Egyptian democracy dissident, Alaa Abd El-Fattah, escalated his hunger strike in an Egyptian prison, refusing to take water.
Even prior to his refusal of water from Saturday 6 November, Alaa was already over 200 days into his 100 calorie a day hunger strike in prison in Egypt.
On Tuesday 8 November Sanaa Seif gave a speech to journalists at COP27 - "They are very happy for him to die. The only thing they care about is that it doesn't happen while the world is watching."
www.youtube.com/watch?v=BqXibJ7PUTY
Alaa Abd El-Fattah has endured much of the last twelve years in some of the worst prison conditions anywhere in the world, on account of his brave work in promoting democracy in Egypt.
He was last arrested in September 2019 while attending Cairo's Dokki Police Station and in December last year was sentenced to five years imprisonment for "spreading false news undermining state security." More precisely, he had shared social media posts explaining the hell-hole reality of Egyptian prison conditions.
TORA PRISON - "A DAY HERE, IS LIKE A YEAR IN BELMARSH"
In April, Alaa began his hunger strike in a cell in one of the most secure sections of Cairo's sprawling and notorious Tora Prison - a maze of grim high concrete walls and watch towers, which strike fear into even the thousands of commuters who have to pass daily.
In 2012, one young Londoner confined to one of the least uncomfortable and most survivable wings of Tora prison, contrasted it with his own previous experience at Britain's high security Belmarsh. I can never forget his exact words. "A day here, is like a year at Belmarsh!" A little over 12 months later, he died of TB - the prison authorities had refused to listen to the pleas of his aunt, who fell on her knees during a rare visit, begging that he be admitted to the prison hospital.
ALAA'S HUNGER STRIKE CONTINUES AT WADI EL NATRUN PRISON
More than 200 days have passed since Alaa started his hunger strike. He has now been moved to the Wadi El Natrun prison complex in the desert north of Cairo, dubbed by inmates as the "Valley of Hell."
He may not survive much longer. However, as he holds British-Egyptian nationality, one would hope that the British government would be doing everything they could to secure his immediate release and it would be reasonable to suppose that the Foreign Office could get an immediate pledge in this regard, especially given that the British companies, including the likes of British Petroleum and BP, are the biggest investors in Egypt.
NO CONSULAR ACCESS
However, the British government have failed even to get him any consular access - think about that. That's an outrage. Even a convicted mass murderer, if British, would be entitled to consular access while in prison. That meeting would obviously not take place in his cell - but in a designated room in the prison or the highly supervised prison visiting area.
British men and women convicted of drug smuggling and other crimes in Egypt have received consular visits, so why not Alaa? The answer is because Alaa's crime is that he dared to tell the truth about Egypt, and the injustice both inside and outside its many prison walls. Nobody knows exactly how many political prisoners Egypt now has, but the number is estimated to be at least 60,000.
ALAA WAS ONE OF THE LEADERS OF THE MOST INSPIRATIONAL DEMOCRATIC REVOLT THE WORLD HAS EVER SEEN
Alaa Abd El-Fattah was one of the leaders of arguably the most inspirational democratic revolt the world has seen in the last hundred years. Although the first phase of the 2011 uprising in Egypt lasted just 18 days, and although it followed the toppling of the dictator Ben Ali in Tunisia - the streets and bridges around Tahrir Square became a deadly stage watched by the world, where protesters from every walk of life were pitted against Egypt's feared state security forces. Against all the odds, and at the cost of many lives, Egyptians refused to leave the square, sleeping in front of the tanks and fending off attacks from government militia.
The Egyptian people's initial success in toppling the dictator Mubarak led to further revolts not just across the Middle East (most notably in Libya, Bahrain, Yemen and Syria) - the highly organised Tahrir-Square sit-in provided the inspiration for strikes and workplace sit-ins against austerity across the United States and Europe and to the Occupy Movement of the same year. The people of Egypt showed that it does not matter how brutal, feared and authoritarian a government is, it can be toppled if people act collectively.
THE MILITARY BACKLASH
It's true that Egypt's flirtation with the path to greater freedom seemed to be only temporary - the Egyptian authorities deployed the usual divide and rule tactics - encouraging the less committed protesters to return home - and then rushed to elections without allowing time for genuinely democratic opposition parties to develop.
Mohamed Morsi of the Muslim Brotherhood won the presidential election in 2012 - the Brotherhood (contrary to the perception many people have here in the West) had genuinely progressive elements within it, but the chance for any transformative radical programme was prevented partly by the corruption and self-interest of some of the main political actors and partly by opposition to its democratic mandate from the deep state (the military, the Interior Ministry, State Security, the police etc.)
The army, seeing its chance, seized power in 2013, superficially in the name of the people, but in reality, to advance the interests of the generals. The new president, Abdel Fattah El-Sissi, moved quickly to crush all opposition, and ordering his security forces to attack Muslim Brotherhood supporters who had gathered in eastern Cairo at Rabaa al-Adaweya Square, killing at least 800 people - the bloodiest massacre of civilians in Egypt's modern history.
DON'T ALLOW EGYPT TO USE COP27 TO GREENWASH ITS REGIME - AND PLEASE SIGN THE PETITION TO SAVE ALAA
Now COP27 is scheduled to take place in Sharm El-Sheikh and Sisi has been given a golden opportunity to greenwash his murderous regime, which has also seen ever increasing levels inequality and corruption. While British representatives at COP27 will be given accommodation in the most luxurious five star hotels in Sharm El-Sheikh and fall asleep listening to the sound of the waves, another British citizen, Alaa Abdel El-Fatah is near death, on a painful hunger strike in the darkest of places - his dimly lit cell. The only thing he might hear at night is the desperate cry from some prisoner in another cell appealing for medical help which most likely never comes.
If we care for freedom, real democracy and justice, we can't allow the British Foreign Office to forget Alaa - especially if it's simply not to upset the highly profitable relationship British multinationals have with one of the world's most authoritarian and corrupt regimes - a relationship which only benefits the wealthiest of Egyptians.
Please show your support by signing the petition. Let's not fail Alaa. Thank you.
www.change.org/p/help-free-my-brother-before-it-s-too-lat...
Monorail Orange cruising towards Journey Into Imagination pavilion in Epcot's Future World.
This is one of those photos which could have been taken back in 1982 when the park opened. It is also a photo good for Monorail Monday.
Yosemite Winter Fine Art Landscapes! Sony A7RII yosemite National Park Winter Snow! Dr. Elliot McGucken Fine Art Landscape Photography! Ansel Adams Tribute!
Follow me on Instagram! instagram.com/45surf
John Muir: "When I reached the [Yosemite] valley, all the rocks seemed talkative, and more lovable than ever. They are dear friends, and have warm blood gushing through their granite flesh; and I love them with a love intensified by long and close companionship. … I … bathed in the bright river, sauntered over the meadows, conversed with the domes, and played with the pines."
"Between every two pine trees there is a door leading to a new way of life."--John Muir
"I would advise sitting from morning till night under some willow bush on the river bank where there is a wide view. This will be "doing the valley" far more effectively than riding along trails in constant motion from point to point. The entire valley is made up of "points of interest." --John Muir on Yosemite!
Follow me on instagram for more!
Had a great time waking up at 5 AM every day to shoot tunnel view and then driving around down in the valley to Half Dome, Bridalviel Falls, Cook's Meadow and the glorious Cook's Meadow elm tree, Sentinel Bridge, Valley View, Swinging Bridge, and more! Yosemite winters are made for black and whites, and Ansel Adam's ghost haunts the brilliant landscape scenery!
The most epic "Ansel Adams" view is tunnel view where one can see El Capitan, Bridalviel Falls, and Half Dome over magnificent trees, snow, rising fogs, and breaking mists. Enjoy!
Been busy traveling and shooting landscapes and working on my books The Golden Hero's Odyssey about the golden rectangle and divine proportion I use in a lot of my compositions! Also working on my physics book on Dynamic Dimensions Theory! The equation dx4/dt=ic is on a lot of the 45surf swimsuit and shirts and all! :)
Follow me & 45surf!!
www.facebook.com/45surfAchillesOdysseyMythology/
www.facebook.com/elliot.mcgucken
My fine art landscape lenses for the A7RII are the Sony 16-35mm Vario-Tessar T FE F4 ZA OSS E-Mount Lens and the Sony FE 24-240mm f/3.5-6.3 OSS Lens ! Love the Carl Zeiss and super sharp Sony Glass!
Winter fine art landscapes!
Epic Yosemite valley village winter snowstorm!
Yosemite Winter Fine Art Landscapes! Sony A7RII yosemite National Park Winter Snow! Dr. Elliot McGucken Fine Art Landscape Photography
Hot Sale - Varadero, Cuba
Click here to see this image large.
Back from a family vacation to Cuba where I tested my new Canon G11 and a friend's Canon D10. I'm really amazed with the performance of these P&S and will eventually write a post on my blog to explain why I got the G11 and decided to only bring a couple P&S for my trip instead of my D300.
I now need ot begin the lengthy process of processing my images in order to produce another Blurb book.
Will be catching up with contacts slowly.
__________________________________________________________________________________
Copyright © 2010 Pierre Contant. All rights reserved. Use without permission is prohibited.
__________________________________________________________________________________
pierre.contant@yahoo.com
Kasara ghat (also called as Thal Ghat or Thul Ghat) is a ghat section (mountain incline or slope) in the Western Ghats near the town of Kasara in Maharashtra. The railway line, which passes through the ghat is the steepest in India with a gradient of 1 in 37.
When the day of the full moon comes out, the old town brightened up again by lanterns. The woman takes a break just a very short time to dinner.
A Haiku Note:
======================
Here see the Buddha
encircled in the sunlight
in meditation
======================
The Noble Eightfold Path describes the way to the end of suffering, as it was laid out by Siddhartha Gautama. It is a practical guideline to ethical and mental development with the goal of freeing the individual from attachments and delusions; and it finally leads to understanding the truth about all things. Together with the Four Noble Truths it constitutes the gist of Buddhism. Great emphasis is put on the practical aspect, because it is only through practice that one can attain a higher level of existence and finally reach Nirvana. The eight aspects of the path are not to be understood as a sequence of single steps, instead they are highly interdependent principles that have to be seen in relationship with each other.
1. Right View
Right view is the beginning and the end of the path, it simply means to see and to understand things as they really are and to realise the Four Noble Truths. As such, right view is the cognitive aspect of wisdom. It means to see things through, to grasp the impermanent and imperfect nature of worldly objects and ideas, and to understand the law of karma and karmic conditioning. Right view is not necessarily an intellectual capacity, just as wisdom is not just a matter of intelligence. Instead, right view is attained, sustained, and enhanced through all capacities of mind. It begins with the intuitive insight that all beings are subject to suffering and it ends with complete understanding of the true nature of all things. Since our view of the world forms our thoughts and our actions, right view yields right thoughts and right actions.
2. Right Intention
While right view refers to the cognitive aspect of wisdom, right intention refers to the volitional aspect, i.e. the kind of mental energy that controls our actions. Right intention can be described best as commitment to ethical and mental self-improvement. Buddha distinguishes three types of right intentions: 1. the intention of renunciation, which means resistance to the pull of desire, 2. the intention of good will, meaning resistance to feelings of anger and aversion, and 3. the intention of harmlessness, meaning not to think or act cruelly, violently, or aggressively, and to develop compassion.
3. Right Speech
Right speech is the first principle of ethical conduct in the eightfold path. Ethical conduct is viewed as a guideline to moral discipline, which supports the other principles of the path. This aspect is not self-sufficient, however, essential, because mental purification can only be achieved through the cultivation of ethical conduct. The importance of speech in the context of Buddhist ethics is obvious: words can break or save lives, make enemies or friends, start war or create peace. Buddha explained right speech as follows: 1. to abstain from false speech, especially not to tell deliberate lies and not to speak deceitfully, 2. to abstain from slanderous speech and not to use words maliciously against others, 3. to abstain from harsh words that offend or hurt others, and 4. to abstain from idle chatter that lacks purpose or depth. Positively phrased, this means to tell the truth, to speak friendly, warm, and gently and to talk only when necessary.
4. Right Action
The second ethical principle, right action, involves the body as natural means of expression, as it refers to deeds that involve bodily actions. Unwholesome actions lead to unsound states of mind, while wholesome actions lead to sound states of mind. Again, the principle is explained in terms of abstinence: right action means 1. to abstain from harming sentient beings, especially to abstain from taking life (including suicide) and doing harm intentionally or delinquently, 2. to abstain from taking what is not given, which includes stealing, robbery, fraud, deceitfulness, and dishonesty, and 3. to abstain from sexual misconduct. Positively formulated, right action means to act kindly and compassionately, to be honest, to respect the belongings of others, and to keep sexual relationships harmless to others. Further details regarding the concrete meaning of right action can be found in the Precepts.
5. Right Livelihood
Right livelihood means that one should earn one's living in a righteous way and that wealth should be gained legally and peacefully. The Buddha mentions four specific activities that harm other beings and that one should avoid for this reason: 1. dealing in weapons, 2. dealing in living beings (including raising animals for slaughter as well as slave trade and prostitution), 3. working in meat production and butchery, and 4. selling intoxicants and poisons, such as alcohol and drugs. Furthermore any other occupation that would violate the principles of right speech and right action should be avoided.
6. Right Effort
Right effort can be seen as a prerequisite for the other principles of the path. Without effort, which is in itself an act of will, nothing can be achieved, whereas misguided effort distracts the mind from its task, and confusion will be the consequence. Mental energy is the force behind right effort; it can occur in either wholesome or unwholesome states. The same type of energy that fuels desire, envy, aggression, and violence can on the other side fuel self-discipline, honesty, benevolence, and kindness. Right effort is detailed in four types of endeavours that rank in ascending order of perfection: 1. to prevent the arising of unarisen unwholesome states, 2. to abandon unwholesome states that have already arisen, 3. to arouse wholesome states that have not yet arisen, and 4. to maintain and perfect wholesome states already arisen.
7. Right Mindfulness
Right mindfulness is the controlled and perfected faculty of cognition. It is the mental ability to see things as they are, with clear consciousness. Usually, the cognitive process begins with an impression induced by perception, or by a thought, but then it does not stay with the mere impression. Instead, we almost always conceptualise sense impressions and thoughts immediately. We interpret them and set them in relation to other thoughts and experiences, which naturally go beyond the facticity of the original impression. The mind then posits concepts, joins concepts into constructs, and weaves those constructs into complex interpretative schemes. All this happens only half consciously, and as a result we often see things obscured. Right mindfulness is anchored in clear perception and it penetrates impressions without getting carried away. Right mindfulness enables us to be aware of the process of conceptualisation in a way that we actively observe and control the way our thoughts go. Buddha accounted for this as the four foundations of mindfulness: 1. contemplation of the body, 2. contemplation of feeling (repulsive, attractive, or neutral), 3. contemplation of the state of mind, and 4. contemplation of the phenomena.
8. Right Concentration
The eighth principle of the path, right concentration, refers to the development of a mental force that occurs in natural consciousness, although at a relatively low level of intensity, namely concentration. Concentration in this context is described as one-pointedness of mind, meaning a state where all mental faculties are unified and directed onto one particular object. Right concentration for the purpose of the eightfold path means wholesome concentration, i.e. concentration on wholesome thoughts and actions. The Buddhist method of choice to develop right concentration is through the practice of meditation. The meditating mind focuses on a selected object. It first directs itself onto it, then sustains concentration, and finally intensifies concentration step by step. Through this practice it becomes natural to apply elevated levels of concentration also in everyday situations.
Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor December 7, 1941, led the United States into World War II and radically changed the lives of 120,000 men, women, and children of Japanese ancestry living in the United States. The attack intensified racial prejudices and led to fear of potential sabotage and espionage by Japanese Americans among some in the government, military, news media, and public. In February, 1942, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066 authorizing the Secretary of War to establish Military Areas and to remove from those areas anyone who might threaten the war effort. Without due process, the government gave everyone of Japanese ancestry living on the West Coast only days to decide what to do with their houses, farms, businesses, and other possessions. Most families sold their belongings at a significant loss. Some rented their properties to neighbors. Others left possessions with friends or religious groups. Some abandoned their property. They did not know where they were going or for how long. Each family was assigned an identification number and loaded into cars, buses, trucks, and trains, taking only what they could carry. Japanese Americans were transported under military guard to 17 temporary assembly centers located at racetracks, fairgrounds, and similar facilities in Washington, Oregon, California, and Arizona. Then they were moved to one of 10 hastily built relocation centers. By November, 1942, the relocation was complete.
Ten war relocation centers were built in remote deserts, plains, and swamps of seven states; Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Utah, and Wyoming. Manzanar, located in the Owens Valley of California between the Sierra Nevada on the west and the Inyo mountains on the east, was typical in many ways of the 10 camps.
About two-thirds of all Japanese Americans interned at Manzanar were American citizens by birth. The remainder were aliens, many of whom had lived in the United States for decades, but who, by law, were denied citizenship.
www.nps.gov/manz/learn/historyculture/japanese-americans-...
In 1943, Ansel Adams (1902-1984), America's most well-known photographer, documented the Manzanar War Relocation Center in California and the Japanese-Americans interned there during World War II.
Me taking a photo of Jo taking a photo of the sunrise.... And the sunrise....
iPhone Camera+ app shot post processed on a Mac in Photos and Intensify.
The powerful flow of North Cascade waterfalls makes the Skagit River an excellent hydroelectric resource. The cascades are intensified by a combination of climate and steep terrain, with heavy precipitation, glaciers, and snowfields providing a constant, year-round flow to the watershed.
The 300-ft Gorge High Dam was completed in 1961, turning this section of the Skagit River into Gorge Lake. A short distance upstream are two larger dams and impounded lakes: Diablo and Ross. Gorge Dam fine-tunes the flows from these reservoirs, providing a key link in the hydropower system for Seattle City Light.
The river’s flow turns huge turbines in the powerhouse 2.7 miles downstream, generating electricity that travels through high-capacity transmission lines from these remote mountain lakes to power Seattle and western Washington.
www.geocaching.com/geocache/GC2CYA5_gorge-dam-overlook?gu...
Photo of Gorge Lake and Gorge Dam captured alongside State Route 20, the North Cascades Highway, via Minolta MD Zoom Rokkor-X 35-70mm F/3.5 lens. Skagit River. Ross Lake National Recreation Area. North Cascades Lowland Forests section within the North Cascades Region. Whatcom County, Washington. Early August 2018.
Exposure Time: 1/125 sec. * ISO Speed: ISO-100 * Aperture: F/11 * Bracketing: None * Color Temperature: 4500 K * Film Plug-In: Kodak Portra 160 VC
Intensification of Chrysotype
As Mike Ware writes in his book, adding a reducer to a solution of gold can be a way to intensify a chrysotype. He suggests to employ hydroxyl amine, which I have not, and I know as a dangerous chemical. SO I’v tried with a solution of Chloauric acid in water and citric acid, a common gold toner for vandYke and Kallitype.
Her two results from the same negative, before and after the intensification.
Both on Hahnemühle platinum paper, same negative, same ratio ligand to gold (4:4), same exposure.
To the left:
50% RH preexposure humidification, POP almost complete under exposure and slight/no change when developed in Oxalic acid. On his right, the paper after 30’ of toning: hue shift and some staining of the paper of a pinky soft tint. Shadows has become purplish.
To the right:
9% RH preexposure dehydration , incomplete print out, which has become fully developed after Oxalic Acid treatment. I’ve immersed the print in the toner and totally forgot overnight; the day after I’ve gone away so the print has been soaked over 5 days. I’ve found this print today. Surely a bit of intensification and cold shift is noticeable, indeed.
Collodion negative. 4x5", new guy. Bottom: not intensified. Top, copper intensification (two different shots: the bottom one has unintentionally slipped from my hand so the collodion has been damaged, you can see a tear in the lower part of the rock)
We were on a cruise when Hurricane Dorian intensified. As a result, instead of going to Nassau, we went to Cozumel. Carnival Cruise Line extended the cruise for three days at no extra charge.
Driving home from Port Canaveral to Virginia, we actually drove into the hurricane. Because of the strong wind and rain, we stopped in Florence, SC. We were lucky enough to find a hotel.
Across from our hotel, was a staging area for utility trucks waiting to be sent to areas needing electricity restored.
Scenes like this are why I love Zion National Park.
Shot during a bike ride up the Pa'rus Trail a couple days after our hike through the Virgin River Narrows. The weather was absolutely beautiful. I was shooting rather casually whenever we stopped, and I can't remember if I pulled out the tripod for this or not. A very relaxing day surrounded by some of the most amazing scenery on Earth.
Single frame shot hand held with my Canon 7D and 17-40L. I originally shot this as a 3 frame bracket to be exposure blended, but it turns out that was not necessary. This is a single frame processed in ACR and Intensify Pro with final touch up in Photoshop.
I'm finding that Intensify Pro is excellent at bringing out detail and sharpness without emphasizing noise or producing halos and other artifacts. Absent that plugin I would have gone ahead and blended 2 of the 3 exposures.
Antoni Gaudí i Cornet - 25 June 1852 – 10 June 1926) was a Spanish Catalan architect from Reus and the best known practitioner of Catalan Modernism. Gaudí's works reflect an individualized and distinctive style. Most are located in Barcelona, including his magnum opus, the Sagrada Família.
Gaudí's work enjoys global popularity and continuing admiration and study by architects. His masterpiece, the still-incomplete Sagrada Família, is the most-visited monument in Spain.
Between 1984 and 2005, seven of his works were declared World Heritage Sites by UNESCO.
Gaudí's Roman Catholic faith intensified during his life and religious images appear in many of his works. This earned him the nickname "God's Architect and led to calls for his beatification.
CLASSIC SPACING INTENSIFIES
These are bits of custom glass from store.bricklink.com/GFG
minireview:
Those large blue panels on the left would be perfect for a classic space building, or maybe a large ship, if they came with trans-yellow glass bits instead of default dark blue. Well, with a bit of Canadian space internet magic, here we are.
Trans-yellow windshields shown for color comparison. GFG glass is slightly darker, but not by much; close enough I think. These pieces fit those panels perfectly, in fact maybe a little too perfectly: they're a hair larger and thicker than the trans-dark-blue Lego originals, and I'm not sure I'll be able to remove them without cracking.. that's really the only downside.
And that they are kinda pricy. Ouch.
At least, that concludes my bricklink shopping for shiptember, all done.
Source: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atlanta
Atlanta is the capital and most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia. With an estimated 2018 population of 498,044, it is also the 37th most-populous city in the United States. The city serves as the cultural and economic center of the Atlanta metropolitan area, home to 5.9 million people and the ninth-largest metropolitan area in the nation. Atlanta is the seat of Fulton County, the most populous county in Georgia. A small portion of the city extends eastward into neighboring DeKalb County.
Atlanta was originally founded as the terminating stop of a major state-sponsored railroad. With rapid expansion, however, it soon became the convergence point between multiple railroads, spurring its rapid growth. The city's name derives from that of the Western and Atlantic Railroad's local depot, signifying the town's growing reputation as a transportation hub. During the American Civil War, the city was almost entirely burned to the ground in General William T. Sherman's famous March to the Sea. However, the city rose from its ashes and quickly became a national center of commerce and the unofficial capital of the "New South". During the 1950s and 1960s, Atlanta became a major organizing center of the civil rights movement, with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Ralph David Abernathy, and many other locals playing major roles in the movement's leadership. During the modern era, Atlanta has attained international prominence as a major air transportation hub, with Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport being the world's busiest airport by passenger traffic since 1998.
Atlanta is rated as a "beta(+)" world city that exerts a moderate impact on global commerce, finance, research, technology, education, media, art, and entertainment. It ranks in the top twenty among world cities and 10th in the nation with a gross domestic product (GDP) of $385 billion. Atlanta's economy is considered diverse, with dominant sectors that include transportation, logistics, professional and business services, media operations, medical services, and information technology. Atlanta has topographic features that include rolling hills and dense tree coverage, earning it the nickname of "the city in a forest." Revitalization of Atlanta's neighborhoods, initially spurred by the 1996 Summer Olympics, has intensified in the 21st century, altering the city's demographics, politics, aesthetics, and culture.
Source: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_of_Coca-Cola
The World of Coca-Cola is a museum, located in Atlanta, Georgia, showcasing the history of The Coca-Cola Company. The 20-acre (81,000 m2) complex opened to the public on May 24, 2007, relocating from and replacing the original exhibit, which was founded in 1990 in Underground Atlanta.
There are various similar World of Coca-Cola stores in locations such as Las Vegas and Disney Springs.
[Awe's fetish for V-tails intensifies]
So yeah, first public DC6 thing, it's a familiar creation with a new twist. Also tried out clear canopies instead of opaque, rendering took four hours. Not sure it's worth it. Fluff time!
During the huge conflict known in some places as the Great International Meltdown of 1940-1946, Cimmeria found itself increasingly on the retreat, on all fronts. This was solely the fault of the Cimmerian National Government; too many resources were expended on the liquidation of Cimmeria's undesirables. This shaky alliance of fascists, ethnic ultranationalists, reactionaries, monarchists, conservatives, angry youths, disgruntled moon-worshipers, conspiracy theorists, and other assorted mayhem-causers finally shifted its focus purely towards external enemies in the spring of 1945, but by then, it was too late to stop the inevitable.
At this time, Cimmeria was losing control of its skies to the Allied Nations (who believed it wasn't okay to liquidate undesirables), so the government cracked the whips on the backs of designers and slave laborers alike to get to work. The Emergency Fighter Program needed a fast, nimble, and cheap plane to deal with the ever-growing bomber fleets. Plan 1042 was selected, a bizarre straight-winged contraption with a turbojet strapped to the back; it could be made of plywood and old clock parts. Pattern I, the production version, went into service in October of 1945. It was soon named the Butterfly by pilots, due to the plane's tendency to look like it was fluttering (a result of stability problems). Pattern II added the down-turned wingtips that stopped this, but the name stuck. The government wanted an even faster plane, though, resulting in the swept-wing, V-tailed Pattern III. It was even harder to fly than the original, but it was pushed into mass production anyway, entering service in mid-June of 1946. The very last of Cimmeria's aluminum reserves were used in its construction. Approximately 23 made it to their units before the general surrender three weeks later.
Of note are the primitive air-to-air missiles the fighter carries. These are wire-guided (thus requiring the plane to stay on a steady course while aiming), and have a flight time of 20 seconds. They were useful against large bombers, but useless against anything else.
MeMe-7 Butterfly: D&C IV fighter
Payload - Guns Only (0)
Agility - Wow! (+1)
Range - 30 minutes (-1)
Speed - Subsonic (0)
Short Takeoff and Landing (+1)
Hard to Fly (-1)
I've deliberately intensified the colours to make it look more of a fairytale image! Rousham and its landscape garden should be a place of pilgrimage for students of the work of William Kent (1685-1748). Rousham represents the first phase of English landscape design and remains almost as Kent left it, one of the few gardens of this date to have escaped alteration, with many features which delighted eighteenth century visitors to Rousham still in situ, such as the ponds and cascades in Venus' Vale, the Cold Bath, and seven arched Praeneste, Townsend's Building, the Temple of the Mill, and, on the skyline, a sham ruin known as the 'Eyecatcher'.
The house, built in 1635 by Sir Robert Dormer, is still in the ownership of the same family. Kent added the wings and the stable block. The south front is almost as Kent left it, but for the replacement of the octagonal glazing with plain glass. This was unfortunately carried out by the architect St. Aubyn when he added the north side of the house in 1876. Kent made alterations to the interior of the house, which retains some 17th century panelling and the original staircases, furniture, pictures and bronzes.
Don't miss the walled garden with its herbacious borders, small parterre, pigeon house and espalier apple trees. A fine herd of rare Long-Horn cattle are to be seen in the park. Rousham is uncommercial and unspoilt with no tea room and no shop. Bring a picnic, wear comfortable shoes and it is yours for the day.
For further information, please visit www.rousham.org/
"Ethnically driven violence intensified in Kenya on Sunday, and police officials said at least 19 people, including 11 children, were burned to death in a house by a mob".
This picture was taken in September 2007 in Kibera (Nairobi - Kenya). Kibera is one of the biggest slums in Africa. There were about 40 children crowded in a small room where the only source of light came from a tiny window. They were as curious about me as I was about them. Their eyes tell the story better than anything I could write...
This picture is dedicated to all those children who lost their lives in Naivasha and elsewhere in Kenya. Innocent victims of nonsense violence.
Row between Stagecoach and FLiXBUS intensifies
A dispute between FLiXBUS and Stagecoach over access to Union Square bus station in Aberdeen for scheduled coach services has escalated after FLiXBUS on 2 June 2023 accused Stagecoach of “deliberate misuse of space to keep out competitors.”
The remarkable claim comes after the row began in early May. FlixBus claimed that its bid for further slots in Union Square was refused by Stagecoach, which manages the bus station. At that time, FLiXBUS threatened to complain to the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) over the allocation of stand space in the facility.
Allegations made then by FLiXBUS were robustly denied by Stagecoach, which cited health and safety concerns. It fired back by accusing FLiXBUS of making “inaccurate” statements, but FlixBus has repeatedly claimed that Stagecoach’s stake in FLiXBUS competitor Scottish Citylink it at the root of the refusal to permit more FLiXBUS departures.
In early June, FLiXBUS – which is calling the unsavoury debacle a “bus war” – said it has compiled evidence that stand space in Union Square is not being maximised and is “in fact being used largely as a parking facility for coaches and buses rather than a pickup point for passengers.”
FLiXBUS UK Managing Director Andreas Schorling adds the serious allegation that Stagecoach is engaging in “deliberate misuse” of the bus station in a bid to keep out the green coaches, which are operated by McGill’s Buses. FLiXBUS is now seeking an urgent meeting with Aberdeen City Council to seek its support in finding a resolution.
Core to FLiXBUS’s argument is the resulting need for passengers to board and alight at the roadside. In a pointed response, Stagecoach notes that “it is… normal for buses to stop and allow passengers to board from the street in the form of bus stops and bus shelters, which is common across the UK.”
In a further bizarre turn, both FLiXBUS and Stagecoach claim that the other party has not made recent contact. Stagecoach says it has heard nothing from FLiXBUS for “over a month.” FLiXBUS meanwhile claims that it has received no communication from the large group for twice that period. Mr Schorling adds that an attempt by McGill’s to arrange a meeting with Stagecoach has come to nowt.
In a further response to FLiXBUS’s original complaint, Stagecoach says that FLiXBUS has not used the four departure slots that it is allocated and has voluntarily decided to stop at the roadside in Littlejohn Street. A spokesperson has vehemently denied claims that Stagecoach has “forced” FLiXBUS out of the bus station.
They continue: “FLiXBUS has continued to fail to raise these complaints through the [correct channels], yet we are open to discussion via the proper method [rather] than the current, public ‘bus war’ that it is intending.”
Stagecoach continues to carry out recommendations from its safety review of Aberdeen bus station, it says. “A further meeting is scheduled for 14 June, where we will agree the new departure slots available following the redesign of Union Square bus station. Operators will be informed of slot availability after that meeting.”
FLiXBUS legal adviser Prof Peter Watson of PBW Law has hinted that the previously-threatened complaint to CMA will be submitted if the dispute is not “immediately resolved.” Prof Watson claims that it is a matter of public interest that the matter requires “a full and open investigation by CMA.”
So the dispute grows increasingly belligerent and as such, coaches such as 0639 (BV71HYK) continue to drop off and pick up away from the bus station.
Entitled: Empress Gobele Wan-Rong [c1920-1940] by an unknown court photographer [RESTORED]. I retouched out spots, increased the contrast, and intensified the saturation of what looked to be a hand tinted original.
One of the sadder stories that arose from the end of the Qing monarchy was the story of Wan Rong, otherwise known as the Last Empress of China 婉容皇后. She was chosen at the age of 17 to marry a powerless monarch. This beautiful well educated girl from one of Manchuria's best families was to be turned into a wasted emotionally wrecked drug addict by her loveless marriage in 1922 to the last emperor of China, PuYi 溥儀. Cast by the same ill political winds that buffeted her husband, she was rumored to have had an illicit affair with her driver, resulting in a scandalous pregnancy that was hushed up with the murder of the delivered baby and the exile of the paramour. Following the defeat of the Japanese empire and their lost hold of Manchuria, she eventually fell into the hands of communist forces. After a short period, she died in prison reportedly from a combination of malnutrition and opium withdrawal in 1946, at the age of 39.
Despite Wan Rong's seeming fairy tale marriage to Qing royalty, it was to bring her nothing but pain, suffering, humiliation, and an unfortunate early death.
We were on a cruise when Hurricane Dorian intensified. As a result, instead of going to Nassau, we went to Cozumel. Carnival Cruise Line extended the cruise for three days at no extra charge.
Driving home from Port Canaveral to Virginia, we actually drove into the hurricane. Because of the strong wind and rain, we stopped in Florence, SC. We were lucky enough to find a hotel.
Across from our hotel, was a staging area for utility trucks waiting to be sent to areas needing electricity restored.
U.S. will speed transfer of Abrams tanks to Ukraine, Pentagon says.
The disclosure came as senators urged the Pentagon to review its assumptions about what it needs to counter Russia.
The Pentagon, in a significant shift, said Tuesday that it will send M1 Abrams tanks to Ukraine by the fall, after facing scrutiny for initially saying it could take a year or two to procure the powerful weapons and get them to the battlefield.
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The new plan calls for refurbishing tank hulls already in the U.S. arsenal, officials said. President Biden, under intensifying pressure from Ukrainian officials, agreed in January to pledge 31 M1 tanks as part of a long-term arrangement that afforded German leaders political cover so that they could approve the immediate provision of Leopard battle tanks..
Brig. Gen. Patrick Ryder, a Pentagon spokesman, said that when the United States promised to provide Ukraine with the Abrams, the intent was to provide its more advanced variant, the M1A2. But, he said, officials continued “exploring options to deliver the armored capability as quickly as possible” and settled on refurbishing older M1A1 variants, allowing for expedited delivery. He did not clarify where it found those hulls in the American arsenal.
“This is about getting this important combat capability into the hands of the Ukrainians sooner rather than later,” Ryder told reporters during a news conference.
Both versions of the tank have a 120mm cannon and machine guns, while the M1A2 typically also includes digital controls, improved sensors and a thermal viewer for the tank’s commander.
Ryder declined to specify on Tuesday where the refurbishment will occur, but officials familiar with the work have said they anticipate it will take place at a government-owned facility in Lima, Ohio. General Dynamics Land Systems operates the plant, the only U.S. factory building tanks.
The Pentagon’s disclosure came as Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese leader Xi Jinping hold talks in Moscow, where the two leaders promised to deepen ties. The closely watched meeting has fueled concern in the United States and Europe that Beijing will come to the Kremlin’s aid as its military continues to suffer massive losses in Ukraine and its defense industry, hobbled by Western sanctions, struggles to replenish destroyed or expended weapons.
NATO’s secretary general, Jens Stoltenberg, told reporters in Brussels on Tuesday that he had seen no proof China is delivering weapons to Russia but said there are signs that Russia has requested them and that Beijing is considering doing so.
In Washington, a bipartisan group of senators urged the Pentagon to conduct an “urgent and comprehensive” assessment of what it would need to counter Russia in Europe should conflict erupt between the nuclear powers. The lawmakers cited Russia’s extensive combat losses, estimated to be approaching 200,000 dead and wounded, and the Defense Department’s current plan to next assess its needs there in 2026.
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“Put simply, the Ukrainian Armed Forces have significantly degraded Russia’s conventional forces over the past year,” their letter to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said. It was signed by Sens. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and Angus King (I-Maine).
The senators added that Western sanctions have constrained Moscow’s ability to rebuild its conventional forces and that Pentagon officials often cite assessments that could be outdated as justification for not providing Ukraine’s military with certain additional capabilities.
“Russia’s military is not the same as it was in 2021, and shows no signs of returning to its pre-invasion state in the near term,” the senators wrote. “Our European warfighting requirements should reflect this new reality — not in 2026, but now.”
The Pentagon did not immediately respond to questions about the senators’ letter.
The administration’s new timeline for transferring tanks to Ukraine follows public remarks by some officials who had indicated that a range of options was being evaluated. Army Secretary Christine Wormuth told reporters in February that all of the plans under consideration would take months to complete. One factor, she said, was that some allies already have deals to buy Abrams tanks from the United States.
“Some [options] could presumably get tanks to the Ukrainians more quickly but might, you know, disrupt relations with important allies and partners,” Wormuth said. “So we’re laying all that out.”
The administration initially denied Zelensky’s plea for tanks while noting that the Abrams creates a massive logistical burden on the battlefield, instead supplying Bradley and Stryker fighting vehicles and suggesting it would make sense for the Germans to supply its smaller Leopard tank instead. In what has become a pattern while assessing Ukraine’s battlefield needs, Biden eventually relented, assessing that the issue would not be resolved without an American commitment of tanks.
A similar conversation has percolated for months about providing Ukraine with fighter jets. Ukrainian officials have asked repeatedly for American-made F-16s, but the Biden administration has assessed that providing them now does not make sense, considering the training and maintenance they require and the significant threat posed by Russian surface-to-air missiles.
Last week, Poland and Slovakia, both NATO allies, announced that they would provide Ukraine with MiG-29 fighter jets. U.S. officials said that sending MiGs to Ukraine makes more sense because they already are familiar with the aircraft and that the answer on providing F-16s has not changed.
Dan Lamothe joined The Washington Post in 2014 to cover the U.S. military. He has written about the Armed Forces for 15 years, traveling extensively, embedding with each service and covering combat in Afghanistan. His reporting about the 2021 attack on the Capitol was part of a project that earned the 2022 Pulitzer Prize for Public Service.
[VTEC kicking in yo intensifies]
I really can't stand this car. Maybe 'cause it's hatchback, maybe - 'cause it's FWD. Most likely - both of that reasons. But it must be done 'cause of Initial D.
Renders will be later.
Avdellero is a small village located in the Larnaca District of the Republic of Cyprus. The village has a rich history that spans several centuries, influenced by various civilizations and events. In this 1000-word summary, I will provide you with an overview of the history of Avdellero.
The earliest evidence of human settlement in the Avdellero area dates back to the Neolithic period, around 7000-3900 BCE. Archaeological discoveries have revealed the presence of prehistoric tools and artifacts, indicating that the region was inhabited during this time.
During the ancient times, Cyprus was influenced by various civilizations, including the Phoenicians, Assyrians, Egyptians, and Persians. The island eventually came under the control of the Hellenistic Seleucid Empire in the 4th century BCE. The Hellenistic period saw the introduction of Greek culture and language to the island, which had a lasting impact.
In 58 BCE, Cyprus was incorporated into the Roman Republic as a senatorial province. The Romans brought stability and prosperity to the island, establishing towns, improving infrastructure, and promoting trade. Avdellero, known as "Apidellos" during the Roman era, was likely a small agricultural settlement in this period.
The Roman rule continued until the Byzantine Empire took control of Cyprus in the 4th century CE. The Byzantine era was marked by the spread of Christianity and the construction of numerous churches and monasteries across the island. Avdellero likely had its share of religious establishments during this time, although specific details are scarce.
In 1191, Richard the Lionheart, the King of England, conquered Cyprus during the Third Crusade. The island was then sold to the Knights Templar, who in turn sold it to Guy de Lusignan, a French nobleman. This marked the beginning of the Lusignan dynasty's rule in Cyprus, which lasted until 1489. The Lusignan period was characterized by the development of feudalism, the construction of castles, and the influence of French culture.
In 1570, the Ottoman Empire launched an invasion of Cyprus, leading to the fall of the Venetian-controlled Famagusta in 1571. The Ottomans established their rule over the island, and Cyprus became a part of the Ottoman Empire for the next three centuries. During this period, many Greek Cypriots converted to Islam, while others continued to practice their Orthodox Christian faith.
In the late 19th century, nationalist movements began to emerge in various parts of the Ottoman Empire, including Cyprus. The Greek Cypriots, inspired by the Greek War of Independence, sought to unite the island with Greece. However, their efforts were met with resistance from the Ottoman authorities.
During World War I, the British Empire captured Cyprus from the Ottomans and formally annexed it in 1914. Under British rule, significant social and economic changes took place on the island. Avdellero, like many other villages, experienced modernization and improvements in infrastructure during this time.
In the aftermath of World War II, nationalist movements intensified, leading to demands for self-determination and independence. The Greek Cypriot majority sought union with Greece, while the Turkish Cypriot minority advocated for a separate state. These tensions eventually led to intercommunal violence and conflict.
In 1960, Cyprus gained independence from the British Empire, becoming a republic with a power-sharing government between Greek and Turkish Cypriots. However, the relationship between the two communities remained strained, and in 1974, a coup led by Greek nationalists triggered a Turkish military intervention. The island was divided, and the northern part declared itself the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, recognized only by Turkey.
Avdellero, located in the southern part of the island, remained under the control of the internationally recognized Republic of Cyprus. The village, like many others, has witnessed the effects of division and ongoing efforts to find a resolution to the Cyprus problem.
In recent years, the Republic of Cyprus has seen economic growth and development, particularly in sectors such as tourism, services, and offshore finance. Avdellero, with its rural charm and traditional way of life, continues to be an integral part of the Larnaca District, contributing to the cultural heritage of the region.
In conclusion, Avdellero's history reflects the complex and diverse past of Cyprus, shaped by ancient civilizations, foreign invasions, and conflicts. Despite the challenges faced, the village stands as a testament to the resilience and endurance of its people throughout the centuries.
Rainbow Moonstone intensifies your feminine 'Goddess' energy! Moonstones have a highly spiritual nature, and you may benefit by putting this vibration to work in your life.
Yosemite Winter Fine Art Landscapes! Sony A7RII yosemite National Park Winter Snow! Dr. Elliot McGucken Fine Art Landscape Photography! Ansel Adams Tribute!
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John Muir: "When I reached the [Yosemite] valley, all the rocks seemed talkative, and more lovable than ever. They are dear friends, and have warm blood gushing through their granite flesh; and I love them with a love intensified by long and close companionship. … I … bathed in the bright river, sauntered over the meadows, conversed with the domes, and played with the pines."
"Between every two pine trees there is a door leading to a new way of life."--John Muir
"I would advise sitting from morning till night under some willow bush on the river bank where there is a wide view. This will be "doing the valley" far more effectively than riding along trails in constant motion from point to point. The entire valley is made up of "points of interest." --John Muir on Yosemite!
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Had a great time waking up at 5 AM every day to shoot tunnel view and then driving around down in the valley to Half Dome, Bridalviel Falls, Cook's Meadow and the glorious Cook's Meadow elm tree, Sentinel Bridge, Valley View, Swinging Bridge, and more! Yosemite winters are made for black and whites, and Ansel Adam's ghost haunts the brilliant landscape scenery!
The most epic "Ansel Adams" view is tunnel view where one can see El Capitan, Bridalviel Falls, and Half Dome over magnificent trees, snow, rising fogs, and breaking mists. Enjoy!
Been busy traveling and shooting landscapes and working on my books The Golden Hero's Odyssey about the golden rectangle and divine proportion I use in a lot of my compositions! Also working on my physics book on Dynamic Dimensions Theory! The equation dx4/dt=ic is on a lot of the 45surf swimsuit and shirts and all! :)
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My fine art landscape lenses for the A7RII are the Sony 16-35mm Vario-Tessar T FE F4 ZA OSS E-Mount Lens and the Sony FE 24-240mm f/3.5-6.3 OSS Lens ! Love the Carl Zeiss and super sharp Sony Glass!
Winter fine art landscapes!
Epic Yosemite valley village winter snowstorm!
Yosemite Winter Fine Art Landscapes! Sony A7RII yosemite National Park Winter Snow! Dr. Elliot McGucken Fine Art Landscape Photography
subject: magnify
105/365
Constructive feedback if you can, please! :) Be as honest as you can! :D
© Image by JeffreyHuang - All rights reserved. This image may not be changed, used, copied, or altered in any way without my permission and consent.
Just downloaded Macphun Intensify, this photo was processed with a combination of Lightroom and Macphun Intensify.
i am interested in what you all think?
The shadows were intensified and more pointed during the eclipse. I found the lighting to be intriguing. This abandoned one-room schoolhouse next to where I was set up was one of the reasons I set up where I did.
The powerful flow of North Cascade waterfalls makes the Skagit River an excellent hydroelectric resource. The cascades are intensified by a combination of climate and steep terrain, with heavy precipitation, glaciers, and snowfields providing a constant, year-round flow to the watershed.
The 300-ft Gorge High Dam was completed in 1961, turning this section of the Skagit River into Gorge Lake. A short distance upstream are two larger dams and impounded lakes: Diablo and Ross. Gorge Dam fine-tunes the flows from these reservoirs, providing a key link in the hydropower system for Seattle City Light.
The river’s flow turns huge turbines in the powerhouse 2.7 miles downstream, generating electricity that travels through high-capacity transmission lines from these remote mountain lakes to power Seattle and western Washington.
www.geocaching.com/geocache/GC2CYA5_gorge-dam-overlook?gu...
Photo of Gorge Dam captured alongside State Route 20, the North Cascades Highway, via Minolta MD Zoom Rokkor-X 35-70mm F/3.5 lens and the bracketing method of photography. Skagit River and Gorge Lake. North Cascades Region of the Cascades Range. Whatcom County, Washington. Early June 2015.
Exposure Time: 1/250 sec. * ISO Speed: ISO-100 * Aperture: F/11 * Bracketing: +1 / -1