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© 2013 tozofoto –Tóth Zoltán- All rights reserved.
Thanks to all for your wonderful comments,faves and invites!!:-))
© 2015 tozofoto –Tóth Zoltán- All rights reserved.
Thanks to all for your wonderful comments,faves and invites!!:-))
The sound of music.
There was no EXIF data as I focused stacked four shots.
But here is the info: Nikon D4s 105mm Nikon lens, natural light 300 ISO, F3.8 I will always try to include camera settings and if you want to know more about this shot or any other of mine I would be happy to explain my methods. If you like what you see please consider following me ☺️
IMPORTANT: for non-pro users who read the info on a computer, just enlarge your screen to 120% (or more), then the full text will appear below the photo with a white background - which makes reading so much easier.
The color version of the photo above is here: www.lacerta-bilineata.com/ticino-best-photos-of-southern-...
THE STORY BEHIND THE PHOTO:
So far there's only been one photo in my gallery that hasn't been taken in my garden ('The Flame Rider', captured in the Maggia Valley: www.flickr.com/photos/191055893@N07/53563448847/in/datepo... ) - which makes the image above the second time I've "strayed from the path" (although not very far, since the photo was taken only approximately 500 meters from my house).
Overall, I'll stick to my "only-garden rule", but every once in a while I'll show you a little bit of the landscape around my village, because I think it will give you a better sense of just how fascinating this region is, and also of its history.
The title I chose for the photo may seem cheesy, and it's certainly not very original, but I couldn't think of another one, because it's an honest reflection of what I felt when I took it: a profound sense of peace - although if you make it to the end of this text you'll realize my relationship with that word is a bit more complicated.
I got up early that day; it was a beautiful spring morning, and there was still a bit of mist in the valley below my village which I hoped would make for a few nice mood shots, so I quickly grabbed my camera and went down there before the rising sun could dissolve the magical layer on the scenery.
Most human activity hadn't started yet, and I was engulfed in the sounds of the forest as I was walking the narrow trail along the horse pasture; it seemed every little creature around me wanted to make its presence known to potential mates (or rivals) in a myriad of sounds and voices and noises (in case you're interested, here's a taste of what I usually wake up to in spring, but you best use headphones: www.youtube.com/watch?v=AfoCTqdAVCE )
Strolling through such an idyllic landscape next to grazing horses and surrounded by birdsong and beautiful trees, I guess it's kind of obvious one would feel the way I described above and choose the title I did, but as I looked at the old stone buildings - the cattle shelter you can see in the foreground and the stable further up ahead on the right - I also realized how fortunate I was.
It's hard to imagine now, because Switzerland is one of the wealthiest countries in the world today, but the men and women who had carried these stones and constructed the walls of these buildings were among the poorest in Europe. The hardships the people in some of the remote and little developed valleys in Ticino endured only a few generations ago are unimaginable to most folks living in my country today.
It wasn't uncommon that people had to sell their own kids as child slaves - the girls had to work in factories or in rice fields, the boys as "living chimney brushes" in northern Italy - just because there wasn't enough food to support the whole family through the harsh Ticino winters.
If you wonder why contemporary Swiss historians speak of "slaves" as opposed to child laborers, it's because that's what many of them actually were: auctioned off for a negotiable prize at the local market, once sold, these kids were not payed and in many cases not even fed by their masters (they had to beg for food in the streets or steal it).
Translated from German Wikipedia: ...The Piazza grande in Locarno, where the Locarno Film Festival is held today, was one of the places where orphans, foundlings and children from poor families were auctioned off. The boys were sold as chimney sweeps, the girls ended up in the textile industry, in tobacco processing in Brissago or in the rice fields of Novara, which was also extremely hard work: the girls had to stand bent over in the water for twelve to fourteen hours in all weathers. The last verse of the Italian folk song 'Amore mio non piangere' reads: “Mamma, papà, non piangere, se sono consumata, è stata la risaia che mi ha rovinata” (Mom, dad, don't cry when I'm used up, it was the rice field that destroyed me.)... de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaminfegerkinder
The conditions for the chimney sweeps - usually boys between the age of 8 and 12 (or younger, because they had to be small enough to be able to crawl into the chimneys) - were so catastrophic that many of them didn't survive; they died of starvation, cold or soot in their lungs - as well as of work-related accidents like breaking their necks when they fell, or suffocatig if they got stuck in inside a chimney. This practice of "child slavery" went on as late as the 1950s (there's a very short article in English on the topic here: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spazzacamini and a more in depth account for German speakers in this brief clip: www.youtube.com/watch?v=gda8vZp_zsc ).
Now I don't know if the people who built the old stone houses along my path had to sell any of their kids, but looking at the remnants of their (not so distant) era I felt an immense sense of gratitude that I was born at a time of prosperity - and peace - in my region, my country and my home. Because none of it was my doing: it was simple luck that decided when and where I came into this world.
It also made me think of my own family. Both of my grandparents on my father's side grew up in Ticino (they were both born in 1900), but while they eventually left Switzerland's poorest region to live in its richest, the Kanton of Zurich, my grandfather's parents relocated to northern Italy in the 1920s and unfortunately were still there when WWII broke out.
They lost everything during the war, and it was their youngest daughter - whom I only knew as "Zia" which means "aunt" in Italian - who earned a little money to support herself and my great-grandparents by giving piano lessons to high-ranking Nazi officers and their kids (this was towards the end of the war when German forces had occupied Italy).
I never knew that about her; Zia only very rarely spoke of the war, but one time when I visited her when she was already over a 100 years old (she died at close to 104), I asked her how they had managed to survive, and she told me that she went to the local prefecture nearly every day to teach piano. "And on the way there would be the dangling ones" she said, with a shudder.
I didn't get what she meant, so she explained. Visiting the city center where the high ranking military resided meant she had to walk underneath the executed men and women who were hanging from the lantern posts along the road (these executions - often of civilians - were the Germans' retaliations for attacks by the Italian partisans).
I never forgot her words - nor could I shake the look on her face as she re-lived this memory. And I still can't grasp it; my house in Ticino is only 60 meters from the Italian border, and the idea that there was a brutal war going on three houses down the road from where I live now in Zia's lifetime strikes me as completely surreal.
So, back to my title for the photo above. "Peace". It's such a simple, short word, isn't it? And we use it - or its cousin "peaceful" - quite often when we mean nice and quiet or stress-free. But if I'm honest I don't think I know what it means. My grandaunt Zia did, but I can't know. And I honestly hope I never will.
I'm sorry I led you down such a dark road; I usually intend to make people smile with the anecdotes that go with my photos, but this one demanded a different approach (I guess with this latest image I've strayed from the path in more than one sense, and I hope you'll forgive me).
Ticino today is the region with the second highest average life expectancy in Europe (85.2 years), and "The Human Development Index" of 0.961 in 2021 was one of the highest found anywhere in the world, and northern Italy isn't far behind. But my neighbors, many of whom are now in their 90s, remember well it wasn't always so.
That a region so poor it must have felt like purgatory to many of its inhabitants could turn into something as close to paradise on Earth as I can imagine in a person's lifetime should make us all very hopeful. But, and this is the sad part, it also works the other way 'round. And I believe we'd do well to remember that, too.
To all of you - with my usual tardiness but from the bottom of my heart - a happy, healthy, hopeful 2025 and beyond.
60026 Helvellyn approaches Hoods Mill user-worked bridleway level crossing east of Stamford, working 6M89 09.11 Middleton Towers - Ravenhead Sidings loaded silica sand (for glassmaking). [Pole, 4/6 sections (~5.4m)]
60026 is on hire to DC Rail Freight, GBRf having stopped using 60s at the start of 2026, with only 60095 having seen use after the turn of the year (for a few days on Lynemouth biomass trains). At the time of this photo, 60026 and 60095 were on hire to DCR.
The new schedule for this train from the December 2025 timetable change has it using the same path between Ely and Peterborough but then standing at Peterborough for about three-quarters of an hour. Not only does that make the sun angle slightly better here than previously (at least, until the clocks go forward in late March) but it also allows plenty of time to move from a location in the Fens to somewhere on the Melton line. Having photographed 6M89 at Turves, I was in position here long before the train was due to depart from Peterborough!
There was some wind around today (and it had increased since my shot at Turves over an hour earlier), so I didn't raise the pole as high as I would usually do. Unfortunately, the wind did pick up as the train approached, necessitating straightening this image by just over a degree.
We were lucky with the sun, as there was lots of cloud around to the west and south, and the sun kept going in... In fact, there was an empty stone train just a few minutes before this, and the sun went behind a cloud as the train appeared and then came back out again after the last wagon went past!
Visit Brian Carter's Non-Transport Pics to see my photos of landscapes, buildings, bridges, sunsets, rainbows and more.
September 1, 2018 - Kearney Nebraska US
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Oh Yeah... Lightning Storm that evening... It came in late, and I had gear packed and ready in case a storm started to brew. Only a 30% chance but that means its gonna storm in Nebraska.
NWS had just issued a severe thunderstorm warning for Phelps & Kearney Nebraska Counties and it was moving right in my direction. I had time to get into position and wait for the show to begin! I ALWAYS have front row tickets to this type of show!
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Copyright 2018
Dale Kaminski @ NebraskaSC Photography
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This image may not be copied, reproduced, published or distributed in any medium without the expressed written permission of the copyright holder.
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Website: www.ajkpix.com
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Best viewed large in black. Click on the image or pres "L".
Created for dA Users Gallery Challenge 135 - Fiddler
Model with thanks to ackermaennchen
Created for MIXMASTER Challenge # 8
Chef jaci XIII's ingredients:
~ You must include an image of a city and ...
~ Elements from a chess set (board and/or pieces) and ...
~ A drop shadow or silhouette and ...
~ And an image from outer space (such as a planet) but ...
~ You may NOT use the color red (orange and pink are okay as long as they're clearly not red).
Thanks to Rubyblossom for pre-made background
Train 15 was labeled as a "common users doublestack containers" train operating four days a week from Chicago to Seattle. Train no.12 was its counterpart. A former tiger-striped GP50 leads the way.
2J74 Southport to Manchester Oxford Road, formed of 150138 trailing 156428, has deposited a solitary passenger at Hoscar station. In the 2016/17 period the station was the least used station in Lancashire with just 1024 recorded passengers although this was up from 900 in the previous year. There are just 8 services, 4 in each direction, that call at this lonely outpost Monday to Saturday.
May 30, 2026 - Harlan County Nebraska
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Late May 2026
South Central Nebraska... along the Nebraska Kansas Border
Late afternoon into early evening. Severe warnings up for counties south of my location here in South Central Nebraska. Made it down to Harlan County as the storms were slowly loosing their steam. Warnings eventually expired and left me with some photographic opportunities
Dark storm clouds gather over a vast open field, illuminated by the warm glow of a setting sun. The sky's hues transition from dark blues to vibrant oranges.
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Dale Kaminski @ NebraskaSC Photography
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This image may not be copied, reproduced, published or distributed in any medium without the expressed written permission of the copyright holder.
#ForeverChasing
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Visit my Photostream Archive (On Flickr) of Severe Weather
July 6, 2024 - East of Overton Nebraska
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Dark, swirling storm clouds dominate the sky over a green, flat landscape, creating a dramatic contrast. A sense of this supercell's impending weather change is palpable as the horizon stretches out beneath the tumultuous sky.
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Dale Kaminski @ NebraskaSC Photography
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This image may not be copied, reproduced, published or distributed in any medium without the expressed written permission of the copyright holder.
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All rights reserved. Please do not use this or any of my images in anyway without my written permission. Please also REFRAIN FROM POSTING YOUR OWN IMAGES within my Photostream. I consider this rude and unwelcome.
An old'ish image from The Maldives given the 'sketch' effect. Our water bungalow was the second from the last on the right...steps direct into the water where there was the most amazing lagoon for us to explore each day...total bliss!
award count
www.cameralenscompare.com/photoAwardsCounterDetails.aspx?...
www.youtube.com/user/thaicucsinhluongnghi#p/u/17/9XW_EiEbJ2I (CHU Y KI VAO NGUOI DANG LAM SLOWMOTION TRONG CLIP AY LA PIK NGAY) minh khong the nao nhin cuoi hon dk nua khi mot nguoi anh cua minh la popper kha noi tieng ngoai HA NOI lai co the co nhng tro dua nhu the nhi ??? noi that ra thi anh ay la D-MACHINE (du~ng) anh d~ung , có cả anh duy nữa :)) [XL~ MOI NG VI MINH DA PR ANH TRAI MINH WA NHIU ] va minh da hua la he nay se ra HA NOI tham moi ngoi : babyT ; A Duyyyyyyy (OMEGA crew) ; A Duy tu ki (lifestyle crew) va A trai cua minh D-machineeeeeeeeeeee. minh vs a du~ng hoi tra'i nguok . vi minh di theo dances con a di popping nhung noi chung thi 2ae minh deu iu nhay nhay .
* biet dang sau may ong dag dung la ai kg ??? nhung "thien than" va cung la " nhung ng anh" trong nhom GAMEON . sau khoi chup hinh ong ay con loi minh vao tu ki chung :s thoi thi hen a d-machine và anh DUY he nay 2ae minh lam lai nhung tro khi nharrrr . E LUN NHO CAC ANH :* :* :*
OI sao hinh nay minh ki waaaaaaaaaaaa :o
NOTICE
moi nguoi oi minh dang tim partner nen ai co kha nang dances haoc cam nhan minh co the dances thi lien he vs minh nhe
DJ : 01265519383
DJ'S YAHOO : dj_pjkopulu_spank
ok . mog hop tac nherrrrrrrr
www.youtube.com/watch?v=k-ImCpNqbJw
minh rat ghien bai nay :)va say goodbye
moi ngay hay lam wen voi mot nguoi ma ban kg pik , de cuoc song nay luon moi nher
Finally :"O !
i'm Canon User !
Thanx Dad 7bibi ! , j3lneee Man7rm Mnk y el.'3aly :* !
Trd Le B el.Salma <33 !
Twinzy : Fdeet 3mrch ! To Manwrt Q6r Brj3tCh !
Miss yeew Mn el.5a6r :| ! Mtaaaaaaa Ashof Facech el.jmeeeeeeeel <33 !
LOVEu (L) !
Spicalle Thanx For Shlon b9br 3 Kl Shy Sweeth 4 Me , :* LUVyew Mn el.5a6r Walla (A) !
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Some Kimono Chicks I met at a marriage
Ben
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Created for dA Users Gallery Challenge 144 – 181
With thanks to....
Background • Nathies-Stock
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© Copyright Parée Erica. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this image in any form without express and written permission from me is illegal
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My favorite tool for weeding is that little folding saw.
It allows me to get under the surface and pull out weeds and grasses with the serrations. It's sure easier than grasping weeds with fingers and pulling.
It was cold today, down to the low 20ºsF/3ºC. Even in the early afternoon I had to wear a sweatshirt and thick vest. The hat and balaclava sleeve are to keep the UV rays off.
So why did I shoot this?
The Photo Forum challenge this week is "Tools Paradise." We are to try to show them in context.
I was out there weeding and wondered if I could get the shot by propping the phone against one of those rocks.
Canon EOS 5DSR
Canon EF 24 70MM L F2.8 II
This is the most prominent, busiest and popular side of Grand Canal. This part of the Rialto bridge is normally full of people all day long. Except if you go for sunrise/dawn; you will find the place for yourself. This evening was not an exception. As I had prior experience of what to expect, I went prepared and went early so that I have time to get the right spot and setup things properly. Setting up a tripod here is close to impossible. So I kept my little pocket tripod with me. It is a bit tough to setup, but it is pretty stable unlike most pocket tripods. It is ruggedly build solid aluminium and has a payload of 8 KG; which is very good for any DSLR. As long as there is a right base to set it up; it is good to go. So I took my time to set it up and then it was all about wait for the right moment to click.
Yet again the mobile photographers were real pain with people almost stretching their arm in front of the camera and even using flash to lit up Venice!!! I had to be very careful and kept the camera strap all the time on my neck as those super excited mobile photographers could anytime hit the camera to send it into the river. I wish there was no mobile camera invented and I wish we were still in the film world where photography was so hard that it was out of reach for most of the people. In modern world, specially with the mobile camera, serious photography is becoming more and more difficult. Specially at the popular places.
However; I am happy as long as people respect others. But unfortunately many mobile photographers have no respect of others and they are mostly unaware of photography. So probably they unknowingly put their arm in front of someone's long exposure without knowing that a camera can capture an image for several seconds. For them, it is just one click. At the same time, the flash is probably also unintentional as the mobiles are in auto and the flash triggers automatically. Many users of the mobile camera don't bother finding out how to switch that off.
Finally when I managed to capture one decent shot, I was super happy as I almost lost my hope. I immediately got out of there leaving rest of the people to fight with their mobile. It was a great relief.
At the end the image was all right and I did manage to capture some of the movements on the water. Even though I wanted a bit longer exposure. It was impossible in that circumstance. So I will content myself with this.
I have read a lot about Venice becoming over crowded. I can relate to it. I visited Venice few times with intervals of some years and indeed; this time I experienced the worse. Many tourists not respectful of the fragile situation of Venice. Throwing garbage all over the place. Throwing bottles into the water. It was a sad scene to experience in this amazing historic city. That is why I liked the dawn photography more. As I could enjoy the calmness with no one around and I could explore the corners at my own pace without any chaos.
Please have a look at my website www.avisekhphotography.com for all my recent works.
Have a nice weekend.
Hope you will enjoy the picture.
Any suggestions or criticisms are always welcome.
This Photo Goes to MyCuzn Maramesh i Upload's l3youn'ha *(L)
Umm what i have to say umm i don't have word's to say about you but i will say one word's for you Maryoom" you are the beest :D " i hope soon you have a true LOVE :P< i know you will kill me bcuz i say that :P but what ever :P umm adrey anch ma t3rfeen english 3dell :P but i don't have arabic latter's :P sow it's oky ^^
تدري لوطلبت حياتي عطيتڪ ~
i hope i say all about you true !
i LOVE u MyCuzn''s (L)(L)!!