View allAll Photos Tagged stability
Purple combines the calm stability of blue and the fierce energy of red. The color purple is often associated with royalty, nobility, luxury, power, and ambition. Purple also represents meanings of wealth, extravagance, creativity, wisdom, dignity, grandeur, devotion, peace, pride, mystery, independence, and magic.
Purple Represents Wisdom, Bravery, and Spirituality
Purple also represents wisdom and spirituality. ... For instance, light purples are associated with light-hearted, romantic energies while darker shades can represent sadness and frustration.
Being a personality color purple, you have a peaceful and tranquil quality and a quiet dignity about you. People are drawn to your charismatic and alluring energy. ... With your personality color purple you inspire others with your creative thinking and your ability to deal positively with adversity.
There could have been a Motto, Compartment, Escutcheon, Charge, Field, or Coat of Arms. There could be damage and ageing obscuring such features. This Helmet and Stars have thrilled since I first saw them decades ago. The stars may not be stars at all. Their cross design is of two lines bisected to make four arms radiating from their centre. The foil pattern from very similar moulding at the castle is here around the door aperture. This seems to be a robust quatrefoil symbol used on the Castle and here at the Chapel. The flower is strong in design and gives an impression of fixed stability. The star panel and helmet may not have been made to fit together. There are unequal stones fitted to the edge of the star panel. There are stars and quatrefoil flowers in Rosslyn Chapel with some in the roof panels. Once within the chapel you are in partial cubes of stones and you can think of the Stone of the Wise being written with chisels all about you. The many images and icons are a stone song still being sung with the voices held within the symbols.
The amount of stars, the number of rows and the position of the pattern all give rise to thoughts. Yes they are a great detail on an old external door and also they are maybe more. The pictures show some fine stone work. Just under the chin on the helmet there is a feature that looks a little like three stars and do look further on and under too.
This is one picture photographed on a quickly darkening evening. The 20mm lens has captured an amazing amount of detail. Many 20mm lenses will be directed at stars for astrophotography. Here the stone stars even in dim light have revealed much detail.
© PHH Sykes 2023
phhsykes@gmail.com
Welcome to Rosslyn Chapel
Aston Martin DBS is a 6.0-litre V12 powered, race-bred, two-seater shaped by the aerodynamic demands of high performance, with an exquisite interior that marries beautifully hand-finished materials with the very latest in performance technology. Race-derived materials and components and Aston Martin’s unrivalled hand-build expertise makes the DBS a luxury sports car without equal.
Aston Martin DBS Specifications:
Body:
- Two-door coupe body style with 2+0 seating
- Bonded aluminium VH structure
- Aluminium, magnesium alloy and carbon-fibre composite body
- Extruded aluminium door side-impact beams
- High Intensity Discharge headlamps (dipped beam)
- Halogen projector headlamps (main beam)
- LED rear lamps and side repeaters
Engine:
- All-alloy, quad overhead camshaft, 48-valve, 5935 cc V12. Compression ratio 10.9:1
- Front-mid mounted engine, rear-wheel drive
- Fully catalysed stainless steel exhaust system with active bypass valves
Projected Performance figures:
- Maximum power: 380 kW (510 bhp/517 PS) @ 6500 rpm
- Maximum torque: 570 Nm (420 lb ft) @ 5750 rpm
- Maximum speed: 307 km/h (191 mph)
- Acceleration: 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) in 4.3 seconds
Transmission:
- Rear-mid mounted, six-speed manual gearbox
- Alloy torque tube with carbon-fibre propeller shaft
- Limited-slip differential
- Final-drive ratio 3.71:1
Steering:
- Rack and pinion
- Servotronic speed-sensitive power-assisted steering
- 3.0 turns lock-to-lock
- Column tilt and reach adjustment
Wheels & Tyres
Wheels:
- Front: 8.5" x 20"
- Rear: 11" x 20"
Tyres:
Pirelli P Zero
- Front: 245/35
- Rear: 295/30
Suspension:
Front:
- Independent double wishbone incorporating anti-dive geometry
- Coil springs
- Anti-roll bar and monotube adaptive dampers
Rear:
- Independent double wishbones with anti-squat and anti-lift geometry
- Coil springs
- Anti-roll bar and monotube adaptive dampers
Adaptive Damping System (ADS) with Track mode
Brakes:
Front: Ventilated carbon ceramic discs, 398 mm diameter with six-piston calipers
Rear: Ventilated carbon ceramic discs, 360 mm diameter with four-piston calipers
Dynamic Stability control (DSC) with Track mode, including anti-lock braking system (ABS), electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD), emergency brake assist (EBA) and traction control.
Dimensions:
Length: 4721 mm
Width: 1905 mm excluding door mirrors, 2060 mm including door mirrors
Height: 1280 mm
Wheelbase: 2740 mm
Fuel tank capacity: 78 litres
Weight: 1695 kg
Interior:
- Semi-aniline leather and Alcantara interior
- Matrix alloy facia trim and Iridium Silver centre console finish
- Carbon-fibre door trims and door pulls
- Auto-dimming rear-view mirror & garage door opener (USA and Canada only)
- Sports seats with ten-way electric adjustment, including height, tilt and lumbar adjustment
- Memory seats & exterior mirrors (three positions)
- Dual-stage driver/passenger front airbags
- Side airbags (sports seats only)
- Heated seats (sports seats only)
- Heated rear screen
- Automatic temperature control
- Organic Electroluminescent (OEL) displays
- Trip computer
- Cruise control
- Hard Disk Drive (HDD) satellite navigation system*1,2
- Bluetooth telephone preparation*1
- Powerfold exterior mirrors
- Front and rear parking sensors
- Tyre-pressure monitoring*1
- Alarm and immobiliser
- Remote-control central door locking and boot release
- Battery disconnect switch
- Battery conditioner
- Tracking device (UK only)
- Boot-mounted umbrella
*1 Not available in all markets
*2 Includes Traffic Messaging Channel (TMC) in Continental Europe
In-car entertainment:
- Aston Martin 700 W premium audio system with Dolby® Pro Logic II®
- MP3 player connectivity
Optional Equipment:
- Lightweight seats with six-way adjustment, including front and rear height adjust (Does not include side airbags or heated seats feature. Not available in USA or Canada)
- 20" alloy wheels with graphite finish
- Satellite radio system (USA only)
- Piano Black facia trim and centre console finish
- Leather storage saddle
- Personalised sill plaques
- Auto-dimming interior rear-view mirror*1
- Auto-dimming interior rear-view mirror with garage door opener (Europe only)
- Alarm upgrade (volumetric and tilt sensor)
- Tracking device*3
- First-aid kit
- Ashtray and cigar lighter
*1 Not available in all markets
*3 Complies with UK Thatcham Category 5 requirements. Excludes subscription. Standard in UK.
Another detail from the carved coridor of Gavrinis - an early Neolithic passage tomb on an island towards the entrance to the Gulf of Morbihan of Brittany.
I have seen it asserted that at the time of construction, the island of Gavrinis was attached to the land, so part of the claw-like entrance to the Morbihan bay. It has been argued that the bay of Morbihan was then closer to two sprawling rivers than a vast natural harbour or ria cluster. Here sea levels are said to have since risen by 10 metres from the early Neolithic (Harbison 2017). I had thought rises had been less dramatic at around 5m (Alexandre Guyot et al 2019). Did the Gavrinis 'knoll' escape seasonal flooding, ie was it indubitably connected to dry land? There are many texts that talk of moving stones over water to the island - even sliding on deep winter ice - and I had taken this slant in the past and currently remain open minded.
Two axeheads are here pictured as a lone icon pair, elsewhere repeated, always blade up and without haft. The blades are surrounded by a pattern of parallel 'ripples'. Carving in granite such consistent and deep furrows from an age before even a hint of metal, and one must suspect ready supplies of the then precious obsidian, coupled with perfect eye to hand coordination and a patient and motivated rhythm.
The sharp points to the 'tails'/counter weights of the un-hafted axe heads seem to suggest that this is a representation of jadeite axe heads. Jadeite stone was sourced in the Italien Alps around 2400m on the Massif du Mont Viso. Green and flesh-like polished jadeite axes show far fewer marks of usage than many other models, and a symbolic role has been mused: 'symbols of power' and so on. In past posts I suggest the idea that groups within the clan mosaic of the Neolithic protected the hyperbolic axe, resulting in organic between-group ties to resolve problems of banditry, in effect, a focal point for an early function of stability, 'policing' and greater 'society'. A symbol of far reaching stability rather than a symbol of individual power.
At this point, by seeing the space between the axes as a path to a rolling destination of hills or waves, we can see a symbol that solidifies a sense of alliance, the two lower points being an example of a path diminishing to a point of far off perspective. A precious axe that is then stolen or under threat becomes a threat to the idea of the axe, and so all relevantly local axeholders unite to tackel the antisocial and thus protect the symbol. A similar function for the Langdales over the channel. An animal stolen might be seen as a potential future threat to the symbolic axe and initiate talks for a reaction.
Banditry, threat, impulsive theft and greed are regularly sold by commentators as heartbeats of the Neolithic prehistory. I would argue that they became the heartbeat of the civilised way. I will also qualify an opinion that dealing with judgements by 'collectivity' would not have been a Rousseauian utopic, rather an effective working system of values prone for vigilante specialists and harsh and fast judgements.
Good day-to-day local axes for hacking trees came from quarries of 'métadolérite à grain fin' - known as 'Les haches de Quelfennec' or 'Plussulien': a quarry which was a 19 hour walk due north from the Gavrinis zone, so obviously more practical than Mont Viso which is a 200 hour continuous walk. Dates of exploitation from 6200 ybp would place this within the optic of Gavrinis, but the shape of Plussulien axes tend to be known as "hache à bouton de Bretagne" Gardez 1932. Rather than an elegant tail point that seems to point to a perspective in a far distance, the "hache à bouton's" tail curves as a local mirror to the curve of the blade, again not the axe of the above Neolithic illustration. As with jadeite axes, examples of Quefennec axes turn up far and wide; in the Alps, British Isles and so on, so a measure of the Neolithic trade routes aside the new sedentary.
It seems that a clear chain of production for Neolithic axes of different mineral aspect and silhouette needs to be asserted, as the place of quarrying can differ from a zone of 'rough out', which can also be different from the place of final polishing.
When the jadeite was transported, was it closer to rough shaped 'ingots' before being polished in Brittany into a standard form for the Alpine sourced stone, or were fully finished Italien axe heads transported far and wide? The same problematic can be issued to the Quefennec axes.
A recent article published in 2021 by Oscar Lantes-Suárez et al talks about a jadeite axe fountd in north eastern Spain: "This artefact - as other “Tumiac type” axes (long polished blades, generally butt-perforated) - would have been produced in Brittany during the Neolithic (5th millenniumBCE) using jadeitite as raw material, a green-coloured rock for which there are sources in the western Italian Alps."
For contrast, this quote is from the 'Museum of Scotland' and describes one example of over 100 Jadeite axes found in the UK : "(jadeite axes) were made over 6,000 years ago, high in the Italian Alps".
As with issues of sea level, there seem to be differences of opinion. I report the differences even if they do not impact upon my unfolding hypothesis.
Transporting the raw stone was perhaps safer than transporting rough cut stone, which was in turn safer than transporting finished large, svelte Jadeite axes, where safety might be measured as the impact of a slip and fall; an accident crossing rivers, a night fire and contact with bandits and compulsive individuals.
The greater Quiberon bay area of Carnac and the Morbihan has sands liberated by time and sea - sharp from granite and refined metamorphics such as mica. Waters of every possible salinity were everywhere. The coastline was concertinaed and greatly tidal - perfect for beachcomber foraging. Surface freshwater was appreciated by fowl and gibier, and new neolithic boat technology helped access deeper water fish.
The region has a history of specialist production with small oil lamps known to have been produced on a specific island (knoll) with the production apt for visiting persons. These lamps are on display in the Vannes archeological museum and the exact reference will be added when my notes surface. Visiting to see and exchange for finest tools and widest selections?
If axes were polished into final form using the waters and sands of this food fertile zone, then the distribution of raw materials and finished goods might justify a series of identifiable and considerable late period 'transport dragons' (a hypothesis I have developed over recent years). Here whilst the climate and the predator base may no longer justify 'Transport Dragons' as a way for all clans to move their diverse members and habitat elements, cultural inertia would keeps vivid and divers 'Transport Dragons' alive. Gods, traders and saltambenques; vigilantes, eccentrics and worshipers all being possible sub cultures that maintained a tradition that now took the time and needed designated spaces to stop.
AJM 23.03.23
L’economia reale può produrre lavoro e stabilità sociale. Quella fittizia sottrae risorse al mondo del lavoro, produce instabilità sociale e favorisce i pochi signori della finanza.
Gustavo Zagrebelsky
The real economy can produce jobs and social stability. The fictitious diverts resources to the world of work, produce social instability and favors the few lords of finance.
Gustavo Zagrebelsky
From an old shoot. I just really wanted to post one up in color. I know I should've posted in comments; but I like to read what you guys think of it. So, what do you think?
I'll write more in my next post :)
You know I love you,
CTB :)
A story in two frames... rain covered Chalice Vine blossom falls to the ground. Wet and beautiful, it is picked up and enjoyed!
Solandra Grandiflora, more popularly known as Chalice Vine or Cup of Gold, is a perennial fast-growing climbing vine or liana. This vine quickly takes root and grabs onto surrounding vegetation for support. The base stalk is thick, heavy and rope-like. These vines can easily exceed over 100 feet (30 meters) in length. Each node will sprout tendrils and take root, giving the whole plant more stability and a larger root system to improve its ability to access essential nutrients: water, minerals, sunlight, etc. The leaves grow directly from the main stalk and side branches and are uniformly dark green and thick, with a smooth supple texture. They can grow as large as 6 inches long and are oval shaped.
Chalice Vine is well known among gardeners and admired for its large ornamental flowers, which are distinctly shaped like bells or chalices. The flowers begin bright, brilliant white and turn yellow with purple or brown stripes inside as the flower ages.The flowers bloom in the evening or night and produce a strong sweet fragrance which smells like coconut. In the wild they produce large yellow, white berries that contain many tiny seeds. As the berries ripen, they change from light yellow to deep red. When Solandra Grandiflora is cultivated as an ornamental, it is usually grown from cuttings. The fruits are rarely if ever seen.
Biscayne Park FL
Technical specifications
Kerb weight..................................................1350 kg (2,975 lbs)*
Dry weight ....................................................1250 kg (2,754 lbs)*
Weight distribution ................................... front 43% / rear 57%
ENGINE
Type .................................................................................. 90° V8
Total displacement................................... 4.3-Liter (263 cu in)
Maximum power.........................................510 hp at 8,660 rpm
Maximum torque........................................ 347 lbs/ft at 5,250 rpm
Specific output............................................................. 119 hp/l**
TRANSMISSION
F1 Superfast2 Gearbox .................................................. Manual or F1 paddle shift
Electronic Differential (E-DIFF)
F1-Trac Traction & Stability Control (TSC)
TYRES
Front .................................................................. 235/35 ZR 19
Rear ................................................................... 285/35 ZR 19
BRAKES
Front .......................................... 370 x 34 mm (15.6 x 1.34’’)
Rear .......................................... 350 x 34 mm (13.7 x 1.34’’)
PERFORMANCE
Maximum speed......................... over 318 km/h (198 mph)
0 - 62 mph ............................................... 3.6 sec.
Manual gearbox F1 -Superfast2 gearbox
Shift times...................................... 60 ms
Lights, Camera, Action! 🎥 🚗
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Finally.. at long last I present to you the fruits of nearly a year and a half of blood, sweat, and tears.. my Volkswagen Beetle Type 1. This small car has so much history behind it in real life, as well as in my career as a builder in this amazing community.
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I cannot stress how proud I am to finally lay this project to rest as this project had many issues in its production from stability, lack of parts, and proper proportion especially when it comes to the front hood.
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I also would like to draw your attention to the background set ups which are all 100% my own custom builds as from the studio like to the table.
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For 2022 I will be making instructions for purchase of the VW as many of you have requested it! This is my first step into the new year and I plan to make it my best year yet! Thank you to all those who gave wonderful improvement opinions and stuck with me on this painfully repetitive journey haha!
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▇▇ All content interactions are appreciated!
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Stats :
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Scale - 1/45
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Model/s - Volkswagen Beetle Type 1 & studio set
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Parts Comp. - LEGO & Brickmania molded elements,
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Accesorios Comp. - Accesories for figs from @valiantbricksofficial & @brickmaniatoys
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Parts Est. - 200~
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Build Time - 1 year~
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Instruction Progress - None as of 01/01/2020
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#lego #legocar #legovw #legovwbeetle #custombuild #legomoccar #car #vwbeetle #volkswagenbeetle #volkswagen #brickmania #customcar #beetle #ww2 #legoww2 #legoww2moc #legomoc #legomoccar #germany
Terrace Falls Reserve
Blue Mountains National Park.
The Blue Mtns received some torrential rain for a couple of days, so it was a great time time to explore the waterfalls in the mid mountains area.
These waterfalls only flow strongly after decent rain.
I waited for a day after the rain finished to so that all the sediment that normally turns the water an ugly brown would’ve settled back down.
My friend Bez and I headed down into the Reserve and we were met by a rainforest wetland.
The waterfalls were flowing like I’d never seen them before, and there was water and mud everywhere.
The walking track had a temporary creek running thru it and all the usually dry creek crossings became tricky & slippery wades.
There were cascades tumbling down where previously there were none.
The cliffs were ‘weeping’ moisture which made it quite a refreshing walk.
And of course, the wet brought out the leeches in force.
The conditions were exhilarating but made for challenging photography.
The torrent of water that was flowing down the creeks was creating a fine mist that continually covered camera lenses.
This mist also created a rather hazy washed-out looking landscape.
All the usual spots for waterfall compositions were now under water, and the force of the water played havoc with tripod stability.
Also the amount of water made longer exposures trick due to over-exposure.
We reached the Bedford Ck junction and Bez had to head off for a family function.
I continued left towards Bedford Pool and headed upstream on un-named creek that headed towards Pyramid Falls.
This gully is normally pretty dry but was alive with flowing water with temporary cascades and rivulets flowing in all directions.
It was certainly quite a memorable day with conditions that are pretty rare for these parts.
In the meandering vastness of the space-time continuum, between the fixed points of Nevertime and Evertime, if you are lucky, you will find Sometime. Sometime manifests itself as temporary vortex of stability where wonderful things can happen, if only for a short period. Reality is semi-suspended, and magic becomes semi-real. Some call Sometime, “The Photo Trip.”
At the edge of Sometime, three beings set off on a Quest. Travelling from the Realm of Perpetual Misery* on the backs of Huginn and Muninn, Odin’s ravens, they are taken deep into the vortex, into the Land of Ice. As with all good Quests, the main protagonists need to be introduced. There was:
- Vilinda Bangtidy, Keeper of the Keys to the Backdoor; a lady elf of the finest visage and a surprisingly broad vocabulary of Norse curse words **
- Paulvik Cliffscrambler, regularly voted The Vanir*** Most Lacking In Common Sense.
- Sveinn Fishbreath, the Bloody Stupid; a dwarf so downright stupid that he failed to graduate from kindergarten until the age of 43.
There are many tales to tell about the week-long Quest into Sometime. Most of these are associated with specific locations and will probably be told as part of subsequent posts. For now, let me give you a summary…
Vilinda Bangtidy may be a beautiful elf but her habit of loudly regaling stories of her youth, combined her lack of social filters, resulted in a most unfortunate incident when a family of travellers overheard one of her tales about a birthday card. A mere birthday card has to be innocent, right? Well, what this family heard resulted in them running screaming back to their campervan, hands over ears, and making the most rapid of departures. Unfortunately for them, they seemed to be on exactly the same travel itinerary as our intrepid three Quest-goers. Every time Vilinda, Paulvik and Sveinn pulled up at a location, there would be a squeal of studded tyres as our campervan enthusiasts disappeared in cloud of black dust and snow. It is believed that they are still in therapy. And they probably will be for the rest of their natural lives. And afterlives.
Paulvik Cliffscrambler is a master of photography imagery. But. And it is a big “but”. Sometimes there are cognisant disconnects between his well-refined academic neurons and their grasp of basic reality. A big disconnect. Here are two (of many) examples:
While sitting in the car, sheltering from the truly ferocious winds, he was contemplating the best angle to shoot an adjacent steam vent. The plan was to position the vehicle as a kind of windbreak to protect photographer and equipment. While gazing upon the high velocity super-heated water and admiring how photogenic it looked as it was bent at 90 degrees to the horizontal by the gale, Paulvik enquired of his companions, “does anyone know which way the wind is actually blowing?”
A sea stack is a landscape photographer’s delight. Period. So obviously, any serious photographer would make every effort to climb down the mud-encrusted slippery cliff face to reach the beach. Only, most sensible photographers would give at least a smidgeon of consideration if they could make it back up. Paulvik didn’t. After much slipping and sliding, and using his top-of-the-range tripod as a climbing pick, Paulvik made it back up to the starting point, looking very much like an extra from The Walking Dead****. He had a very similar demeanour, too*****.
Sveinn Fishbreath, the Bloody Stupid got his name through one incident for the former part and multiple incidents for the second part. While stopping off in a local trading post, our protagonist, Sveinn, spies some Icelandic Jerky******. Obviously he just has to purchase a jumbo-sized family bag. For some bizarre reason, his comrades do not want to partake in this fishy feast, despite his enticing encouragement. “It’s full of protein”, he said. “It’s very tasty”, he said. “You should try some”, he said. “I can’t stop eating it”, he said…. “Stop the car”, he said, “I feel very sick!”. Despite brushing of the teeth, four times a day, the taste was still there at the end of the Quest into Sometime*******. Alas, there are too many tales of Bloody Stupidity to fully document here. Let’s just focus on one. When most people are reversing out of a parking space and there is a sort of grinding sound and something is impeding motion they stop and get out to see what the obstruction is. They don’t pull forward and then try reversing at higher speed to overcome the obstacle. Repeatedly. Sveinn is now the owner of a very bent tripod.
All of the above is true. Some bits were left out due to censorship rules. It was an epic trip into Sometime, and I am deeply grateful to my companions, shutterbug_uk2012 and Lindi m for not throwing me out of the car during the dried fish incident.
*Heathrow airport in the common tongue of humans
** the Anglo-Saxons take the credit for swearing, but in reality they plagiarised the utterances of Thor when he, rather stupidly, attempted to do DIY with Mjölnir, his famous hammer. His thumb will never be the same shape again.
*** a group of gods that, in modern culture, have been relegated to “lesser gods” compared to the Æsir. The Æsir have a better PR department. Paulvik is not happy about this.
**** One of the ones that have been lurking in the bottom of a swamp for the past few years, gently decaying and developing a murderous personality
***** With hindsight, Vilinda and Sveinn could have provided a bit more practical help. And not spent the twenty-or-so minutes doubled up laughing and taking snaps on their phones.
****** This commonly known as salted rotting dried fish. The fish bit is debatable, the rotting bit is not. Whatever is was, it stank. And I mean truly stank. But this was not known at the time of purchase as it was cunningly stored in a hermetically sealed bag.
******* On returning home, Mrs Sveinn was very suspicious as to why Mr Sveinn had a distinctly fishy breath. Enough said.
© All rights reserved 2013.
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EXIF Info
Camera Canon EOS 60D
Lens Canon EF-S 18-55mm
Exposure 131
Aperture f/8.0
Focal Length18 mm
ISO Speed100
Manfrotto 055XPROB & 488RC2 Head
Calumet Pro Series digital shutter release
Lightroom 4
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Re-Edited my Long Exposure shot i uploaded a few weeks ago (below) as the colour was slightly off, I think i have nailed it this time though, what do you think?
David and I went on a lighthouse cruise a few weeks back, out of Orient Point...
The day was glorious, but the wind on the top of the boat was horrible... I had to hold on for dear life to get these shots and thankfully we took our monopods for stability....
The Sea Jet... perfect name... went so fast and didn't really get close enough for a decent shot...
but it was a wonderful day in the sun and wind....
It’s Polaroid Week again, the time when this corner of Flickr really comes to life and I get to see and share Polaroids with the film lovers of the world! Such a great time of year!
I figured I’d start off with the coolest double exposure I’ve taken all year (I know it’s only April, but I take a lot of photos). I bought a construction tripod to velcro a Polaroid Now Camera to the top since it lacks a tripod mount, and recruited Carly to test it with me. Wasn’t sure what I was hoping for from our experiments, but I definitely got more than my lil brain could imagine with this one. So I share my successes with you, and hope to see all of the photos you’ve been hoarding for the Spring!
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Spring Polaroid Week Day 1, part 1
100% crop and a few tweaks to the lighting. I am surprised how well the image has come out considering the equipment used and lighting conditions. I did use a tripod for better stability.
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And fences of course.
After all, it is fence friday, que no?
As most of you who have seen my sliders sunday posts know, I'm a photoshop guy. I use Lr for basic editing, mostly drawing things back from blocked blacks and clipped highlights. Then I go to Ps for editing using ideas from Tony Kuyper, who teaches the utilization of luminosity based channels and masks. This creates self feathered selections that can be used for dodging, burning, etc.
Well, being off this week from work, I downloaded the Google Nik collection of editing apps. I've spent a lot of time watching youtube videos teaching me how U Point technology and Control Points work.
Let me tell you, my world has been expanded!
The U Point technology underlying the Control Points creates self feathering selections that allow very fine control over brightness, contrast, structure (clarity-ish) and other stuff.
The above image was first turned to black and white in Lr. Then I did my customary editing in Ps. Wondering what I could do with it in Nik, I created a new Ps file, duplicated the background layer and made it a smart layer so that the Nik stuff would be a smart filter and I could reopen it and do more or change things.
Since the image was already b/w, I chose to use the Nik Viveza 2 plug-in. I am amazed at the fine control that can be achieved for selective dodging and burning. I may have been able to do some of this in Ps with what I know, but Viveza gave me extraordinary control.
I would add a few control points, make adjustments. Then click OK in Viveza after every few adjustments. The apps then made the changes in the smart layer in Ps, and I would Save. I have to do that as my computer is getting long in the tooth, and there are stability problems with my Ps CS4. And because the Nik stuff was a smart filter in a smart layer, I could go reopen Viveza and do more.
In the first comment box below I have embedded my first version of this scene, done just in Lr and Ps, without Nik Viveza. I think you'll agree that the Viveza version is much more dynamic, and gets the eye moving through frame in a much more directed fashion.
So, thank you for listening to my gushing praise of Nik, and I hope that it spurs some research into how it might allow more creativity in our artistic endeavors.
De taille moyenne, 50-60 mm d'envergure, le Paon du jour est très largement répandu, y compris en zone urbanisée. Contrairement à bon nombre d'espèces, il ne présente pas de variations géographiques, ou saisonnières, d'où une remarquable stabilité morphologique sur l'ensemble de son aire. L'espèce a le plus souvent 2 générations, sauf en montagne où il atteint 2500 m, et n'en a qu'une.
Medium sized, 50-60 mm wide, the Peacock of the day is very widespread, including in urbanized areas. Unlike many species, it does not present any geographical or seasonal variation, resulting in remarkable morphological stability over its entire area. The species most often has 2 generations, except in mountain where it reaches 2500 m, and has only one.
Pure AI from a new package, or old? forge running on Stability Matrix. These are right out of the "camera" so to speak, no edits, framing, crops ... nuthin' just pure AI fun! Love them or hate them ... either choice is valid. Gurr, squawk, ssssss, baby!
SOUTH CHINA SEA (Oct. 15, 2020) An F/A-18E assigned to the “Eagles” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 115 launches off the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) while conducting security and stability operations in the South China Sea. Ronald Reagan, the flagship of Carrier Strike Group 5, provides a combat-ready force that protects and defends the U.S. as well as the collective maritime interests of its allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Codie L. Soule)
Mini vacation / visit with my girlfriend in Tennessee.
Had to improvise stability for the camera... didn't have any kind of tripod to photograph the waterfalls. (ended up setting the camera on the railing and / or rocks to get sharp exposures)
Frozen Head State Park
Wartburg, Tennessee
Saturday, December 30th, 2017
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Today’s session focused on a compatibility test between the Nikon AF-S TC-14E III Teleconverter and the NIKKOR 500mm PF, paired with the Nikon Z8.
The test was carried out in both shaded and open light conditions, with particular attention to feather detail, contrast, and AF stability.
Conditions were challenging — temperatures slightly below average, but a sharp, face-cutting wind made it feel well below freezing.
All images were captured in natural light, under real field conditions.
© All rights belong to R. Ertuğ. Please refrain from using these images without my express written permission.
If you are interested in purchasing or licensing them, feel free to contact me via Flickr mail.
Lens & support:
Nikon AF-S TC-14E III — hand-held or monopod, SPORT VR enabled.
Aperture set to f/8, full focal length.
All images were converted from RAW to JPEG.
During long walks, I use either a Nikon cross-body strap or a monopod.
Monopod setup:
Gitzo GM2542 Series 2 4S Carbon Monopod
Really Right Stuff MH-01 Monopod Head (Standard Lever)
Really Right Stuff LCF-11 Replacement Foot for Nikon AF-S 500mm f/5.6E PF
Your comments and constructive criticism are always appreciated.
Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to explore! 😊
Stability over chaos. Rare stays rare for a reason. When it's solid, it's not replaceable. #BuiltToLast
You only live once, so live on your terms.
Canon FTb, Canon 35-105mm f/3.5 - Kentmere 400
This is the famous Pontypridd Bridge, an 18th-century stone arch bridge crossing the River Taff in Pontypridd, South Wales. Built by William Edwards in 1756, it was once the longest single-span bridge in Britain!
The unique circular cutouts aren’t just for looks - they help reduce weight and improve stability. Even after centuries, the bridge still stands strong, a reminder of some seriously impressive old-school engineering.
Specifications:
Stability: Maintains balance unaided
Capacity: One full minifigure slightly under torso
Armament: Dual missile lauchers, and any appropriately sized weapon
This is my first large-scale humanoid mech, and it's different than most. That being said, I rather like it. Note that photographing/posing it was difficult due to its size and also due to the issue of balancing it and not having it fall down and break into a million pieces. Which happened more times than I can count on one hand. The design was slightly inspired by my favorite Transformer. Other than that, I just built it in the way that I saw fit, trying to keep it humanoid and with clean lines, and no gaps. The detail shots I took of the legs and arms came out fairly awful, and the build has since fallen over. I might rebuild it and add some more pictures later on. /rant
Fun editing:
www.flickr.com/photos/magusthemando/8063857454/in/photost...
Closer view/Back view:
www.flickr.com/photos/magusthemando/8063275874/in/photost...
PHILIPPINE SEA (Nov. 16, 2018) Ships with the Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group and John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group transit the Philippine Sea during dual carrier operations. Ronald Reagan and John C. Stennis are underway and conducting operations in international waters as part of a dual carrier strike force exercise. The U.S. Navy has patrolled the Indo-Pacific region routinely for more than 70 years promoting regional
security, stability and prosperity. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Kaila V. Peters)
PHILIPPINE SEA (Sept. 16, 2022) An MH-60R Helicopter assigned to the “SABERHAWKS” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 77 conducts flight operations with Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Chancellorsville (CG 62) in the Philippine Sea. Chancellorsville is forward-deployed to U.S. 7th Fleet in support of security and stability in the Indo-Pacific and is assigned to Commander, Task Force 70, a combat-ready force that protects and defends the collective maritime interest of its allies and partners in the region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Justin Stack)
was in my "should i or shouldn't I post" file
still not sure but
and it is not square
:~)
have a wonderful day !
photo rights reserved by B℮n
For no less than 35 years, Marshal Tito was the face of Yugoslavia. He moved on the stage of world politics with bravado: he opposed the almighty Soviet Union, his Tito-ism formed the ideal buffer against Stalinsm for the West. In short, Tito put Yugoslavia on the world map. More importantly, Tito has managed to maintain stability in Yugoslavia all these years. How did he manage to keep those very strong nationalistic feelings in check all these years? Tito just said: Don't whine, shut up. Most importantly, Tito, with a sophisticated strategy, made sure that no people felt like a minority. No one is better or more valuable than another. As the leader of his partisan army, which consisted of different population groups, he was the only one who really stood above the parties. Especially in the early years of his reign unsavory things happened. Indeed. People who opposed him during the war or shortly afterwards have been disabled. Thousands of people have been murdered and beaten to death. The problem with dictators, and Tito was of course a dictator, is that they don't have suitable successors. No one can and should stand in their shadow, so when such a ruler dies, power falls into the hands of all kinds of incapable figures. After Tito's death in 1980, Yugoslavia is rapidly declining. The increasingly poor relations between the different population groups eventually culminate in a civil war. You can still find slogans of Tito, also here at the abandoned Prevlaka Fortress: Tito - leads our way - to je naš put -
Prevlaka is a peninsula at the entrance to the Bay of Kotor - Montenegro. It is the southernmost point in Croatia. There is a neglected fortress from 1870. It was bombed in 1943 and this is still clearly visible. There are plans for restoration. The reserve is totally overgrown, but nature is breathtaking. There is a beautiful view from the terrace. Prevlaka's strategic location and proximity to a naval base have led Prevlaka to several quarrels between Croatia and Yugoslavia. In the early 1990s, during the Croatian War of Independence, Yugoslavia occupied the peninsula. In 1996, the two countries agreed to demilitarize it, and UN observers came to monitor it. Recognized as a territory of Croatia in 2006. Worth a visit if you like abandoned ancient ruins.
Maar liefst 35 jaar lang was maarschalk Tito hét gezicht van Joegoslavië. Met bravoure bewoog hij zich op het toneel van de wereldpolitiek: hij joeg de almachtige Sovjet-Unie tegen zich in het harnas, zijn titoïsme vormde voor het Westen de ideale buffer tegen het stalinisme. Hoe slaagde hij erin die zeer heftige nationalistische gevoelens al die jaren in toom te houden? ‘Tito zei gewoon: “Niet zeuren, bek houden.”‘ Het belangrijkste was dat Tito er met een uitgekiende strategie voor zorgde dat geen enkel volk zich een minderheid voelde. Niemand is beter of meer waard dan een ander. Als leider van zijn ,b>partizanenleger, dat uit verschillende bevolkingsgroepen bestond, was hij de enige die werkelijk boven de partijen stond. Vooral in de eerste jaren van zijn bewind zijn er onverkwikkelijke zaken gebeurd. Inderdaad. Mensen die hem tijdens de oorlog of vlak daarna tegenwerkten zijn uitgeschakeld. Duizenden mensen zijn vermoord en doodgeslagen. Na Tito’s dood in 1980 gaat het snel bergafwaarts met Joegoslavië. De steeds slechtere verhoudingen tussen de verschillende bevolkingsgroepen culmineren uiteindelijk in een burgeroorlog. Er zijn vandaag de dag nog steeds slogan's te vinden van Tito, zo ook bij het verlaten Prevlaka Fortress -Tito lijdt ons de weg - Tito - to je naš put.. Prevlaka is een schiereiland bij de ingang van de baai van Kotor - Montenegro. Het is het meest zuidelijke punt van Kroatië. Er is een verwaarloosd fort uit 1870. Er zijn plannen voor restauratie. Het reservaat is totaal overwoekerd, maar de natuur is adembenemend. Vanaf het terras is er een prachtig uitzicht. In het begin van de jaren negentig, tijdens de Kroatische Onafhankelijkheidsoorlog, bezette Joegoslavië het schiereiland. In 1996 kwamen de twee landen overeen om het te demilitariseren, en VN-waarnemers kwamen het volgen. Erkend als een grondgebied van Kroatië in 2006. Een bezoek waard als je van verlaten oude ruïnes houdt.
A commissioned model of an MH-53 Pave Low.
Model features removable roof for accessing interior, folding landing gear, and and opening rear ramp.
The Old Stone Church, long a downtown Cleveland landmark, has a congregation dating back to 1820. Officially known as The First Presbyterian Society, it was founded at a time when Cleveland was just a village of a few hundred people. As Cleveland has grown in size and importance, The Old Stone Church has kept pace, becoming a symbol of spiritual leadership, community involvement and stability in the heart of the city.
Willemstad is the capital city of Curaçao, an island in the southern Caribbean Sea that forms a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Formerly the capital of the Netherlands Antilles prior to its dissolution in 2010, it has an estimated population of 150,000. The historic centre of the city consists of four quarters: the Punda and Otrobanda, which are separated by the Sint Anna Bay, an inlet that leads into the large natural harbour called the Schottegat, as well as the Scharloo and Pietermaai Smal quarters, which are across from each other on the smaller Waaigat harbour. Willemstad is home to the Curaçao synagogue, the oldest surviving synagogue in the Americas. The city centre, with its unique architecture and harbour entry, has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Insel Air, the national airline of Curaçao, had its corporate head office in Maduro Plaza.
Tourism is a major industry and the city has several casinos. The city centre of Willemstad has an array of colonial architecture that is influenced by Dutch styles. Archaeological research has also been developed there.
Owing to its location near the Venezuelan oilfields, its political stability and its natural deep water harbour, Willemstad became the site of an important seaport and refinery. Willemstad's harbour is one of the largest oil handling ports in the Caribbean. The refinery, at one point the largest in the world, was originally built and owned by Royal Dutch Shell in 1915.
The four companies comprising the Royal Dutch Shell refining operation; the actual refinery, oil bunkering, the tugboat company (KTK) and the local distribution of refined products (CurOli/Gas) were each sold to the government of Curaçao in 1985 for the symbolic sum of one guilder per company, or a total of 4 guilders and is now leased to PDVSA, the state owned Venezuelan oil company. Schlumberger, the world's largest oil field services company is incorporated in Willemstad.
Numerous financial institutions are incorporated in Willemstad due to Curaçao's favourable tax policies.
The Avalon University School of Medicine is located in Willemstad. The Caribbean Medical University is also located in Willemstad, close to the city centre.
Major League Baseball players Jair Jurrjens, Wladimir Balentien, Jurickson Profar, Andruw Jones, Ozzie Albies, Kenley Jansen and Jonathan Schoop are from Willemstad.
Pabao Little League has appeared in five Little League World Series, winning in 2004. They were crowned the International Champions in 2019 after a victory over Japan. They were defeated 8-0 in the World Championship by River Ridge, Louisiana. In 2008, another Pabao Little League team won the Junior League World Series, after winning the Latin America Region, then defeating the Asia-Pacific Region and Mexico Region champions to become the International champion, and finally defeating the U.S. champion (West Region), Hilo American/National LL (Hilo, Hawaii), 5-2.
Willemstad is served by Curaçao International Airport, located 12 kilometres (7.5 mi) north of the city, which is annually used by about two million passengers.
Credit for the data above is given to the following website:
New York : Rockefeller Center the GE Building Lee Lawrie and depicts' frieze located above the main entrance
"Wisdom and knowledge shall be the stability of the times," an excerpt from the Biblical book of Isaiah inscribed on the Plaza-side entrance of 30 Rock
Visible in Explorer 01/2014 : here : thank you all for your interest ! (Highest position: 343 on Saturday, March 8, 2014)
["Sagesse et Connaissance sont la stabilité de tes jours" New York : Rockefeller Center au crépuscule vu depuis le haut de l'GE Building]
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