#52 week photography challenge

[52weeks2023edition]

week 18

backlight

This week's photo is showing the most precious thing I have: my wonderful garden. It is in fact the view from one of our livingroom windows. You can just sit there and observe squirrels, woodpeckers, black tits or other cute birds. I absolutely love it.

[ltwharfy]

I have been struggling with feeling motivated to get out of bed in the morning sometimes recently. Like, I always do get up, but it's usually in the nick of time to get dressed, eat breakfast, and go to work. I had developed a morning routine over the pandemic of doing yoga and meditation in the morning but I've fallen off of it recently. I think it's a combination of work related burnout and maybe some seasonal affective disorder.

Today is a non-workday, but I still woke up feeling tired and unmotivated. Then I remembered: I needed to take a black and white photograph today. Photography is actually my favorite artistic hobby, but I had kind of fallen off doing it last year for a variety of reasons. So, one of my New Year's Resolution (the one I'm telling people about) is to do the 52 Frames Weekly Photography Challenge for this year. And tonight is the deadline to submit this week's challenge, a black and white photo.

So, I got up and started taking black and white photos of things around my apartment. I did that for maybe half an hour or less. I got several photos I liked, but even more important, I just felt a lot more energized and awake and happy than I did when I first woke up.

I feel like there is some sort of lesson here, but I'm not quite sure how specific it is. Is it to do something creative each morning? To do something different each morning? To take black and white photos of household objects each morning? I don't know, but I'll try to figure it out.

The photo is one of the ones I took but is completely different from the one I ended up submitting. (I post my photography elsewhere online under my real name, which I have shared with almost nobody on Tumblr.)

[crow-mortis]

༶•┈┈⛧┈ꉓꋪꂦꅏ

⛧°。ᵗʰⁱʳᵗʸ⁻ᵒⁿᵉ ⛧ ⁿᵒⁿᵇⁱⁿᵃʳʸ ⛧ ᵖᵃⁿ ⛧ ʷʳⁱᵗᵉʳ ⛧ ᵖʰᵒᵗᵒᵍʳᵃᵖʰᵉʳ 。 °⛧

ᴬᴼ³⛧ ᵏᵒᶠⁱ ⛧ ᵗʷⁱᵗᵗᵉʳ ⛧ ᵍᵒᵒᵈʳᵉᵃᵈˢ ⛧ ˢᵖᵃᶜᵉʰᵉʸ

⛧°。 ┊ my stuff.

ʙᴏʀʀᴏᴡᴇᴅ ᴛɪᴍᴇ - ᴘᴀᴛʜᴏʟᴏɢɪᴄ - ᴀʀᴛᴇᴍʏ ʙᴜʀᴀᴋʜ/ғ.ʀᴇᴀᴅᴇʀ Jᴏɪɴ ᴍʏ Pᴀᴛʜᴏʟᴏɢɪᴄ Fᴀɴ Dɪsᴄᴏʀᴅ Sᴇʀᴠᴇʀ

⛧°。┊ fandoms.

ᴘᴀᴛʜᴏʟᴏɢɪᴄ, ᴘᴀᴛʜᴏʟᴏɢɪᴄ 2, ᴅᴇsᴛɪɴʏ, ᴅᴇsᴛɪɴʏ 2, ᴅᴀʀᴋᴡᴏᴏᴅ, ᴀ sᴏɴɢ ᴏғ ɪᴄᴇ ᴀɴᴅ ғɪʀᴇ, ᴍᴀss ᴇғғᴇᴄᴛ, ᴅʀᴀɢᴏɴ ᴀɢᴇ, ᴀɴɪᴍᴇ, ᴍᴀɴɢᴀ, ᴛᴏʟᴋɪᴇɴ-ᴠᴇʀsᴇ, ʀᴇᴅ ʀɪsɪɴɢ

⛧°。┊about/dni

Not everyone has all of their info in their "About Me" so I figured I'd provide this list for anyone checking out my profile. DO NOT INTERACT IF YOU ARE:

⛧ under 18

⛧ racist

⛧ lgbtqia+phobic *including transmeds, exclusionists, terfs and illegitmate sexualities/pronouns - i.e. MAP nor/mal, etc. (if they're meant to mock someone, i don't fw you)

⛧ pro-birth/pro life

⛧ xenophobic/islamophobic

⛧ sexist/misogynistic

⛧ pedophilic/MAP

⛧ ableist

⛧ anti-vax/anti-medicine

⛧ I also don't fw animal abuse, MAGA, blue lives matter, or general bigots.

I can/will add to this if I think of/run across more.

more under the cut !

This is the hardest thing for me to do on any social media website. I'm horrible at talking about myself unless it's in relation to one of my interests. Which, I'll briefly list below:

⛧ music

⛧ video games

⛧ creepy stuff/cryptids/ARGs

⛧ gardening/homesteading

⛧ crows

⛧ oddities/"vulturecore"

⛧ writing

⛧ photography

⛧ reading

I'm sure I have more I'll end up adding here eventually, but I can't ever think of many things I like right off the top of my head.

Call me Crow. I'm 31 y/o, nonbinary, pansexual, and my pronouns are they/them. I'm married and we have two dogs, one cat, a parrot, and twenty-four chickens (I post about all of them a lot so you'll probably get to know them well if you follow my blog.) We live on a 2 acre homestead in southern Appalachia. I practice conjure and rootwork that was taught to me by family and neighbors growing up. I love to forage and make my own herbal salves and tinctures, as well as canned items like preserves and jellies. My partner and I are also professional portrait and event photographers, and I love posting our work whenever I get the chance.

My favorite band is Coheed and Cambria, with Sleep Token and Ghost following closely behind. I'm an old school emo kid, and I also listen to a lot of pop-punk, numetal, and post-hardcore. I also dive into j-rock and SOME Appalachian gothic, neotraditional country, bluegrass, and folk music. My tastes are a little all over the place and if it sounds good I'll probably like it.

I am a gamer, and my favorite game is a tie between Bloodborne, Baldur’s Gate 3 and RDR2. I have also been playing Destiny 2 since the launch of Destiny 1 in 2014, and I fall in and out of love with it every few weeks. Depends on what the content is giving me at that time. I also really like Minecraft and other comfy games like Stardew Valley and Animal Crossing. I'm a huge fan of horror games and I especially love the ones with deep and interesting lore and worldbuilding.

I'm a writer, and have been actively doing so since I was 11 years old. I haven't published anything, as it's more of a hobby for me than anything (plus imposter syndrome sucks). I have a world building project/RP that I've had going with a friend of mine for almost a decade now. I love thinking of/writing new characters and short stories. I used to write fanfiction but I'm not consistent enough to post multiple-part fics anymore, and my schedule doesn't leave much time for that sort of devotion. So, for now, it's just a hobby I get to enjoy with a few select friends.

I'm really into creepy content. Cryptids, cosmic horror, ARGs, analog horror, and the occult. I've seen a lot of what there is to offer on YouTube, so I'm always open to suggestions on stuff that I may not have heard of. I also like to collect bones, antlers, and other oddities.

I'm a big reader, and I'm currently doing a 52 week book challenge for 2024. I usually read 2-3 books at a time for when my ADD says I need something different.

I am also autistic and was diagnosed as an adult (age 27). I also have relapsing/remitting MS; it affects my short term memory, vision, and balance, primarily. I also sometimes have some other cognitive issues (forgetting/flubbing words, names, etc.) I am on treatment for a few of the symptoms, but it does impact my daily life.

I think that's about it. Sorry for the wall of text, but I really don't know how else to format this.

[admiralgiggles]

Capture 52 Week 1 - In my backyard

*I very recently decided to engage in another photography challenge. My plans were to simply shoot him in the grass with a bush as the backdrop, but life had other plans. I loved this magnificent bastard, and I’m sad he died by my own hand.

Rest in pieces, Perry.

[darkmaga-returns]

In the third episode of this series, Doug Casey, Michael Yon, and Matt Smith explore current events and global dynamics with "3 observations and 1 prediction" from the past week. This session offers Doug's reflections from Buenos Aires, Michael's international insights, and discussions on critical topics like the U.S. election, media manipulation, and political influence.

---

Time stamps:

[00:01:00] Doug's Thoughts on Elon Musk's Election Influence

Doug discusses Elon Musk’s offer of monetary incentives tied to voting intentions, hinting at potential legal issues and raising questions about the importance of elections in a coercive system. Doug argues that the government’s reach should be limited.

[00:04:00] Michael’s Personal Anecdotes on Election Bribery

Michael recalls personal memories involving bribery in voting, comparing it to similar tactics in Thailand, where candidates offer incentives like whiskey and shoes to voters. He also speculates on Elon Musk’s potential political aspirations.

[00:07:00] Doug on a Constitutional Convention Possibility

The discussion shifts to the idea of rewriting the U.S. Constitution. Doug reflects on potential public support for a leader with a military background, given the volatile times ahead.

[00:11:00] Michael’s Barber Encounter in Okinawa

Michael shares a unique story about a barber in Okinawa who is preparing for a food shortage. This reveals a cultural inclination towards preparedness and tracking global issues.

[00:17:00] Doug’s Observation on Media Bias and Subscriptions

Doug shares his analysis of media bias at The Washington Post and its impact on subscription numbers. He discusses Bezos’s political silence, hinting that media influences elections more than endorsement choices.

[00:21:00] Discussion on U.S. Presidential Candidates

Michael and Doug discuss the Democratic candidate Kamala Harris, expressing skepticism about her qualifications. They analyze the media’s role in shaping public perception.

[00:25:00] Michael's Skepticism of Media Manipulation in Combat Photography

Michael, with extensive experience in combat zones, discusses inconsistencies in a recent photograph of Trump, revealing insight into potential manipulation in media.

[00:34:00] Michael’s Analysis on a North Korean Defector’s Fraudulence

Michael recalls a 60 Minutes interview with a North Korean defector, which he quickly deemed fraudulent. His expertise in identifying inconsistencies led to public validation of his suspicions years later.

[00:37:00] Doug on Election Polls and the "Installation" of Candidates

Doug critiques election polls, suggesting they are unreliable and politically motivated. He predicts Kamala Harris could be “installed” due to media manipulation, despite Trump's popularity in certain regions.

[00:42:00] Puerto Rico's Statehood Movement

Doug discusses the Democrats' strategic interest in making Puerto Rico a state, which would shift political representation in favor of the Democrats.

[00:46:00] Michael on Philippines Statehood Aspirations

Michael shares insights into the Philippines' history and the notion of becoming a U.S. state. He compares the unique culture and perspectives found there with the ongoing challenges in regions like Mindanao.

[00:52:00] Closing Thoughts on Election and Predictions

As the episode winds down, the team reflects on the uncertain future of the U.S. elections. They share varied perspectives on how quickly (or slowly) the election results may be resolved, ending with Michael’s perspective on immigration at the U.S. border and closing remarks from Doug on his rapport with Michael and Matt.

[jcmarchi]

MIT breakthrough could transform robot training

New Post has been published on https://thedigitalinsider.com/mit-breakthrough-could-transform-robot-training/

MIT breakthrough could transform robot training

.pp-multiple-authors-boxes-wrapper display:none; img width:100%;

MIT researchers have developed a robot training method that reduces time and cost while improving adaptability to new tasks and environments.

The approach – called Heterogeneous Pretrained Transformers (HPT) – combines vast amounts of diverse data from multiple sources into a unified system, effectively creating a shared language that generative AI models can process. This method marks a significant departure from traditional robot training, where engineers typically collect specific data for individual robots and tasks in controlled environments.

Lead researcher Lirui Wang – an electrical engineering and computer science graduate student at MIT – believes that while many cite insufficient training data as a key challenge in robotics, a bigger issue lies in the vast array of different domains, modalities, and robot hardware. Their work demonstrates how to effectively combine and utilise all these diverse elements.

The research team developed an architecture that unifies various data types, including camera images, language instructions, and depth maps. HPT utilises a transformer model, similar to those powering advanced language models, to process visual and proprioceptive inputs.

In practical tests, the system demonstrated remarkable results—outperforming traditional training methods by more than 20 per cent in both simulated and real-world scenarios. This improvement held true even when robots encountered tasks significantly different from their training data.

The researchers assembled an impressive dataset for pretraining, comprising 52 datasets with over 200,000 robot trajectories across four categories. This approach allows robots to learn from a wealth of experiences, including human demonstrations and simulations.

One of the system’s key innovations lies in its handling of proprioception (the robot’s awareness of its position and movement.) The team designed the architecture to place equal importance on proprioception and vision, enabling more sophisticated dexterous motions.

Looking ahead, the team aims to enhance HPT’s capabilities to process unlabelled data, similar to advanced language models. Their ultimate vision involves creating a universal robot brain that could be downloaded and used for any robot without additional training.

While acknowledging they are in the early stages, the team remains optimistic that scaling could lead to breakthrough developments in robotic policies, similar to the advances seen in large language models.

You can find a copy of the researchers’ paper here (PDF)

(Photo by Possessed Photography)

See also: Jailbreaking AI robots: Researchers sound alarm over security flaws

Want to learn more about AI and big data from industry leaders? Check out AI & Big Data Expo taking place in Amsterdam, California, and London. The comprehensive event is co-located with other leading events including Intelligent Automation Conference, BlockX, Digital Transformation Week, and Cyber Security & Cloud Expo.

Explore other upcoming enterprise technology events and webinars powered by TechForge here.

Tags: ai, artificial intelligence, Heterogeneous Pretrained Transformers, hpt, mit, robot training, robotics, robots, training

[emh-photos-art]

Capture 52 2024, Week 31: Bokeh

Photo contains a macro shot of a bergamot flower with a green background. For those who aren't into photography, bokeh is the term for the out of focus portion of a photo, especially with the specular highlights. Yes, if you're trying to emphasize bokeh, you want the little round circles in the background.

Tips for getting good bokeh: If you're taking a macro photo of a plant, it helps if there's a varied background behind it, such as leaves with light and dark colors.

You can also use cardstock and sprinkle some glitter on it for object macros, I have done that. Capture 52 is a Facebook photo challenge.

[toughgirlchallenges]

Josephine Collingwood - Middle-Aged Mother of Three. Former Mountain Rescuer, Wilderness Addict, Lover of Nature. Embracing Adventure, Inspiring Others, and Capturing Life's Beauty Through Photography.

Josephine in her own words:  

“I’m a middle aged mother of three. Also, adventurer, rock climber, former Mountain Rescuer, wilderness addict, lover of Nature, doer. Oh, and professional author and award-winning photographer.

Many hats, but a common thread of being outdoors, helping people and sharing a love of wild places.

Having moved on from the confines of Mountain Rescue, I am on a journey with Mountain Training Association to get qualified so that I can introduce people, and especially women, to the indescribable benefits of outdoor adventure. 

Too many women feel that it is beyond them. I want to show that it is not.

I love polar adventure and have been to Norway many times and skied across Svalbard on a 9 day expedition. 

Mountains, moors, wilderness, old mines and rock faces all vie for my time so that it feels there is never enough! 

My mantra is: “Do it now. Life is too short.”

I am not one for “ests” the longest/fastest/highest etc. To me, it is all about being there, in that moment.

My work as an author and publisher includes the Dartmoor Tors Compendium, the Official Visitor Guide to Dartmoor National Park and the Geology of Dartmoor. I also design unique infographics and poster art about Dartmoor in particular. My photography, when not illustrating books, is photographing architectural properties and interiors. Mainly though, photography is about showing how beautiful and amazing our world is.”

***

Don't miss out on the latest episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast, airing every Tuesday at 7am UK time. Hit the subscribe button to stay updated and connected.

Join us in our mission to increase the amount of female role models in the media especially in relation to adventure and physical challenges. Show your support by visiting www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast. Thank you for helping to make change happen.

  Show notes

Who is Josephine

Wearing lots of hats 

Her love for going out and exploring and spending time in wilderness

Studying geo-physics at university down in London

Making the move to Devon

Deciding to re-train in photography 

How her career focuses on photography, design and being outdoors

Having 3 grown children 

Her love and passion for the outdoors 

Growing up in Acton, London

Spending more and more time in Dartmoor 

Age 14, having the opportunity to do an outward bound course (3 week residential)

Discovering different possibilities and wanting to live a life outdoors

Meeting her husband at the Officer Training Core at University 

Making the decision to move to Devon to raise her family

Asking herself the question - what does she really want to do

Buying an old barn to renovate, while raising 3 children and going back to college for 3 years to study photography and media production

Why we have to take a risk and make things happen

Not doing any adventures for 20 years while raising the kids

Starting to do more solo activities at 52

Booking to do a polar training course with Newland Expeditions

Spending time walking on Dartmoor

Losing her mum to Ovarian Cancer 

Skiing across Svalbard on a 9 day expedition (being the only woman and one of the oldest there)

Camp life, dealing with Polar bears and why it’s so challenging 

Imposter Syndrome?

Feeling like an explorer and an adventurer

Cycling the Hebridean Way, Scotland 2022

Being inspired by watching the Reality TV Show Castaway (2000) 

Dealing with the tough days while on challenges

Suffering from covid

Challenges with mental health and seeking therapy  

Dealing with setbacks and failure 

Spending time in the Cairngorms, Scotland and going exploring 

Doing her Hill & Moorland Assessment 

Wanting to train for her Mountain Leader (ML) Award 

Her healing process and wanting to learn new skills

Trying to identify what you want to be

Doing what’s achievable first

Signing up for the Rock Climbing Instructor Course in 2022 

Wanting to share her love for the outdoors and encourage more people to spend time outside

Mountain Rescue and the training program

Hitting a glass wall and dealing with bad people management

Deciding to resign from Mountain Rescue 

Advice and tips for other women who are in a similar situation

Not wanting to rock the boat and what she would do differently now

Why the old school way of thinking has to change

Why we don’t have to put up with bad behaviour 

How the ML training is going 

How you can connect with Josephine

The meaning behind the name ‘Tavicinity’ 

Using Instagram in the old fashioned way - black and white photos

The importance of learning how to navigate

Why you shouldn’t compare yourself to other people 

Why you should try something new

“Make it happen and do it for you”.  

  Social Media

Website: www.tavicinitypublishing.co.uk 

Instagram: @tavicinity 

  Check out this episode!

[52weeks2023edition]

week 17

chaos

Yes, that's me!

If you look at my house, my garden, my desk, my brain,.... you find it everywhere 😁

I could have taken pictures of all the mess around me but that would not have been something nice to look at. So I took a photo of my document "filing" which is just a pile actually. Looks nice, I think. As long as I don't have to do my tax declaration!

[ltwharfy]

Happy 2024! What are you excited to create this year?

Happy New Year, Babs! It's funny, because if somebody had asked me this last year (well, it wouldn't have been on tumblr, since I wasn't here) I would've been super confused because I would've said I don't create things! Then, I wrote 16 "Bob's Burgers" fics last year! So, life is full of surprises!

In terms of fic stuff that I'm hoping on work this year, I would love to do more for the rare pairs I like, Arnold/Kaylee (reminds me of another ask I need to answer) and Henry/Susmita. And maybe get around to Trev/Mickey, too.

And I've got some non-romantic "rare pair" ideas, too-things like Mort teaching Rudy to meditate, or Arnold helping Rudy with his karate (inspired by Rudy's reference to his failed yellow belt test in "Better Off Sled").

And there'll probably be more Roudise. I know I'd like to finish the shirtless drumming WIP. And I may eventually try to write the James Bond-inspired idea I came up with for the Roudise Week roommates/alternate universe prompt. And I would bet other ideas about those kids will come to me!

Also, seeing all the great fanart on here has kind of given me the urge to draw for the first time since grade school. So, I'm hoping to try my hand at that, and if there is anything I like enough to share on here, I will.

Finally, my favorite creative outlet is photography, and I sort of stopped doing that as much last year for a variety of reasons, so my New Year's resolution is to do the weekly photography challenges at 52 frames. I mostly share my photography on other places under my real name, but if there's something I really love, I'll share it here, too!

Thanks so much for the ask!

[alysswhitewood]

Expression of the Self : Photography Challenge Week 1

Made it through week 1 on my photography challenge! If anyone wants to join in feel free there is a link to the Flickr sharing group in the blog post!

So the first theme on my list for this Second Life Photography Challengeis “Self-Portrait”. This seems to be the standard starting off point for most of these things and for good reason. They say that when creating art you should start with what you know and we have to spend all day, every day with our selves, so it makes sense to start there. To be honest my ultimate vacation would be to take a…

[violetofthesea]

Week 4 of the 52 week photography challenge

Storytelling: Warmth - tell a story that makes us feel warm inside

(click on mobile for better quality)

[andihurtado-blog1]

Week 13

[lostwinchestersister]

Week Six: On The Shelf "I solemnly swear that I am up to no good" - J. K. Rowling

[admiralgiggles]

On this day in 2019 this was my photo entry for week 6 of the Dogwood photography challenge. I called it “Vanity.”

I was really meant as backdoor commentary on all of the people in the moment who were OBSESSED with sharing selfies almost hourly … or at least that’s how it felt.

Thanks for the memories Facebook!! It’s about all your good for these days!!! 😛

[debw07]

52 Week Photography Challenge 2017 Advanced—Week 36

52 Week Photography Challenge 2017 Advanced—Week 36

Gnome Sweet Gnome Week 36—Artistic: Low Key

“Low Key is the opposite of High Key. Shoot an image where most of the tonal range is on left side of the histogram.”

(more…)