Miniature Chu-ke nu Chinese Repeating Crossbow is now FOR SALE!
The Chinese repeating crossbow. Quite a legend. Online research shows that it originates to the 4th century.
A very famous Chinese strategist, Zhuge Liang (226-481 AD) is believed to have “upgraded” an earlier design from a tomb dating 4th Century BC.
This new design was able to fire multiple arrows (bolts) in succession, was last used in mass formations which helped shape the China-Japan war of 1894. It was named after Zhuge because of his improvements. You can see it spelled a couple of different ways; or “Chu-ke nu” or “Chu-ko-nu”, the first being correct. It literally means “Zhuge Crossbow”
The weapons were very common among the Manchurian troops, and can be seen in photographs from that era.
It was introduce to the Koreans in 1418, and was given the name “sunogung”. Everyone seems to be impressed by it’s mechanism and ease of firing. This rapid firing design is why it was so impressive.
Even though it has a short range, the owner of the weapon would dip the bolts into poison. So even if an enemy were to be hit by a bolt, and not suffer a mortal wound from the bolt itself, the poison would work it’s way into the bloodstream and inevitably end their life with a “slight delay”.
In China, the crossbow revolutionized the war. The warriors would line up and fire multiple bolts at riders on horseback as a fist strike. Because of the rapid fire mechanism of the Chu-ke nu, it was used as the “first strike” defense in close combat situations.
What I like about firing the miniature Chinese Repeating Crossbow is the sound and feel of the bolt leaving the chamber. You can load 6 to 7 bolts, and the firing mechanism is just “push forward and pull back”.
Other people who first fire one will do it slowly, thinking that it needs time to load the next bolt. This is not so! Once they have been exposed to how fast it can fire, the fun begins. The accuracy is good too.
In conclusion, the Chinese Repeating Crossbow, often called the Chu-ke nu, has been around for a long time. The actual detail that goes into the design and assembly of the crossbow is what gives this weapon it’s uniqueness.
Anyone who has fired the Chu-ke nu and realized how fun it is, usually asks the same question: “Where can I get one?” ScanzonCraft, makers of fine wood products, in association with Micro-Weapons.com have answered that question – THEY do!
Liquid Photography A Photography Studio In Melbourne
A photography studio today is the perfect amalgamation of a corporate workplace and an artists personal space. A photography studio is a sacred place for a photographer to pursue his passion and simultaneously earn a living. We, at Liquid Photography, Melbourne, provide an amazing photography experience to all our clients.
Established in 1999, we have successfully kept up with the ever-changing climate of technology. Our aim is to beautify your life by filling colors with our pictures, wherever possible. We have witnessed various shifts in the techniques and ways of photography but what remains common in all of them is the requirement of a studio. People are being experimental about outdoor photography yet the trend remains for photographs to be clicked inside the studio. Outdoor shoots can pose certain problems like that of lighting, ambience, concentration and natural occurrences.
However, it becomes very easy to control such factors while shooting indoors in a studio. Thus, we offer a wide range of services that include corporate, event, advertising, fashion, interior & exterior, product & portrait photography. We provide you with customized services that fit your requirements and help you achieve the heights you aspire to. Our professional and carefully chosen team not only consists of photographers, but also stylists, hair and make-up artists, graphic designers, printers, talent management agencies, etc.
We help you achieve an excellent look for your firm or product, which automatically becomes your selling point. Corporate photography is aimed at giving you that niche in the market that will fetch you better clients and give you a better standing amongst the crowd. Among the most important marketing technique of selling a product, lies in the light in which it is presented. We make sure that your product is set in perfect lighting and shot from its best angle, fetching greater profits and increasing your clientele.
We have extended our service to include kitchen and bathroom photography, helping many of our clients win awards for “Best Design”. Apart from the corporate world, we offer models a folio service. This is open to both upcoming and established models. We help create unique concepts that suit your personality, so your folio can attract the kind of work you aspire to do.
We also provide head-shots, especially for actors and other professionals whose career entirely depends on their looks. Our portrait services capture those perfectly cherished moments. We provide a holistic approach to your endeavor, personal or professional. Providing the finest in tailored services, perfectly fitting your list of requirements. Our detailed and skilled approach is especially designed to give you a great selling point in the market.
We truly believe in customer satisfaction and take pride in producing high-end imagery for the same. Hope your experience with us will be remarkable and one that you will always remember!
[Top]Sweet And Exquisite New Born Baby Photography
If you are interested in getting your babies clicked then choosing a professional photographer is always a good option. They are not only proficient in capturing the best images but have patience which is very necessary. Another advantage with professional photographers is that they have been working on such projects from a long time and are familiar with the extraordinary effects that can be given. So for marvelous new born baby photography, you can go for Stacie and Frank who are in to this business from a long time and know how to proceed with the work. Higher the experience better will be the quality of work.
Most of the parents like the pictures of babies in calendars or over the internet. They expect something like that so if you hire Stacie and Walter, you can be sure that the images will be fabulous and far better that you have come across over the internet. By taking their help you can surely demand for outstanding pictures that are cute, innocent and lovely. Different and exclusive poses make the new born baby photography better as well as highlighted. You will be surprised as the work quality is extremely great and fascinating too.
Rather than choosing the old locations, this couple looks forward for fresh ideas on new born baby photography. Every collection is different and just incomparable. A few light effects can form a beautiful addition. Apart from this, you can also choose some prominent poses for the babies. Cradles or baskets can be a good thought. Focusing on their small legs and hands can add charm to the collection. As they do not make much movement therefore still photographs or a black and white addition can be fantastic. So some of these ideas can be enriching and also be liked by their parents.
As babies do not like too much of lights hence the couple ensures that the photography sessions are fast. This will not create a problem for the baby and the work will be complete quickly. Not much time is wasted in planning as pre- preparations are done before hand so that the entire shoot is completed in one slot only. The new born baby photography is always refreshing because every baby ahs some unique features which make it special so even the photographers love to be a part of this work. So contact Stacie and Frank for enhanced pictures which are full of love and emotion.
Vacation Location- Eye-Catching Santorini, Greece
Santorini Island is considered to be the most striking and lovely destination in the Greek island. It is located at southernmost island of the Cycladic group in the Aegean Sea, and is located 63 nautical miles north of Crete. Its surface area is 73 sq. km. The Red Beach in Santorini, Greece is a very exclusive vacation location due to the amazing display of large red and black rock slabs which cradle the beachfront. The stunning look of these ancient volcanic ruins deliver a stunning contrast to the azure blue waters of the Aegean Sea. This dynamic contrast beckons thousands of beachgoers and seekers of adventurer each year. Lots of vacationers come strictly for the remarkably photographic view, while others come to enjoy the beauty of the cool waters as well. Hotel lodgings designed to satisfy any preference and restaurants and bars for all tastes make the Red Beach a red hot vacation location. Located near the ancient site of Akrotiri, the Red Beach offers a welcome interval from the hustle of city life.
The perfect hideaway location, the Red Beach is reachable by vehicle and boat only and is surrounded on nearly all sides by tremendous rock formations that lend seclusion and add to the fantasy of being lost at sea on a deserted island. Black lava rocks line the seashore and crystal clear waters wash on shore to offer relief from the warm Mediterranean sun. Beachgoers shield themselves with tiki umbrellas and relax on straw chairs in the shade. The added difficulty of reaching the beach rewards the lucky few who make the trek with exceptional scenery and island ambience.
Diverse surroundings differentiate the Red Beach from other seafronts in Santorini, Greece. This locale struggles to maintain an ambiance of peace and serenity, with fewer restaurants and bars for a quieter enclave of vast craggy cliffs and a scenic black sandy coast. Lull the day away in perfect harmony as you enjoy an escape from the demands of daily life and make your way to paradise. Be fascinated by the dynamic contraposition of colors that await you at the Red Beach. The Red Beach is a naturist friendly place, thus you may be privy to nude sunbathers while enjoying this seascape. That’s how relaxing and open visitors feel as they peel off the pressures and fade which accompany urban living and get back to their more natural selves. Enjoy mouth-watering authentic seafood fresh from the sea, and indulge in an exotic cocktail made especially for you. Ancient glamour awaits as you set sail for Santorini, Greece and enjoy the eye candy of the Red Beach. Leave your cares behind and prepare yourself for wonderful surprises and the rekindling of your sense of wonder.
Summary:
The beauty of Santorini is a combination of human efforts and nature. If the individual really wants to spend quality time with his family or loved ones then Santorini Island is considered to be the best place. Person is able to get everything here easily from gorgeous surrounding to luxurious hotels. Red Beach earns its name from the red-volcanic sand that colors the beach and the volcanic rock wall structure just behind it.
The Rules Of Photography Knowing When To Break Them.
Creative photography is a mix of many ingredients; art and technology, skill and patience, cold mechanical knowhow and individual flair.
For a beginner learning the basics, it would be nice if there was a simple set of rules to follow to make the whole thing easier. Surely someone could just tell you what aperture to use in a given situation, or how to structure a composition to get the best results every time?
Photography is a lot like learning to drive. With a car, you need to know the road rules, and you need to know the basic skills of steering, accellerating and braking. These can be learned easily with a bit of practice. But even when you have mastered the essentials, you still need to get to know your car, because each car is a little different. Then you need experience with night driving, wet-weather driving, off-road driving…
What you must understand is that following the rules will only take you so far. In photography, you will find that rules help you in the beginning, and some rules will stay with you throughout your career. The trick is to understand when the rules don’t apply, or when you should choose to ignore them. This is the type of knowledge that can’t easily be taught. It comes with experience, and is what gives you indiduality as a photographer.
Below are just a few of the rules that, for an experienced photographer, are just made to be broken.
Photography Rule #1. Outdoor Photos Should Be Taken In The Early Morning Or Late Afternoon. This is one of the first principles of landscape photography, and can be applied to almost any outdoor photography. The softness and warm colour of the sunlight at these times adds beauty and character to almost any scene. It also creates much lower contrast, allowing you to avoid harsh shadows and over-exposure of the highlights in your photos.
When can you break this rule? I can think of two situations immediately.
Black and white photography is defined by contrast rather than by subtle colour, so you often want stronger shadows to create the best image. For this reason, black and white photos are often best taken closer to the middle of the day when the light is stronger.
Rainforest photography is also best in the middle of the day, but this time you don’t want bright sunlight; you want cloudy weather to create an nice even light throughout the forest. Otherwise the patches of light coming through the canopy will create ‘hot spots’ all over your image.
Photography Rule #2.The Rule Of Thirds. The rule of thirds is an excellent guide for a beginner learning about composition. In simple terms, it divides your photo into three parts, vertically and horizontally. The dividing lines are the best places to position long objects in a photo (like trees and horizon lines). The points where the lines intersect are the most effective places to position smaller objects for most impact.
Photos that are taken according to the Rule Of Thirds appear balanced. They satisfy our natural sense of visual order and simply look ‘right.’ Unfortunately, the world is not so easily organised as the rule, so it is impossible in nature to take every photo this way. Moreover, sometimes you may decide to ignore the rule, giving more impact to the photo by shaking up the normal balance of the composition.
When can you break this rule? Here is one obvious example, but I am sure you can think of many more.
Sunset photos feature colourful skies, and silhoettes in the foreground. If you have a truly spectacular sky, it doesn’t make sense to fill a third of the picture with empty blackness. You may choose to tilt the camera up to make a feature of the sky, and reduce the area filled by the foreground.
Rule #3. Your Lightmeter Is Always Right. Most of the time you can trust your lightmeter. If it indicates your photo is well exposed, it probably will be…but not always.
When can you break this rule? When there is a big difference in the level of light between the subject and the surroundings.
You may be photographing a person, an animal, a flower etc. in full sunlight, but the background is shady. This is a very effective way of making your subject stand out from the surroundings. In this situation, the different levels of light are bound to trick the lightmeter. In fact, if you take your photo on auto, your subject will most likely be overexposed. The best approach is to switch your camera to manual, and adjust your aperture or shutter speed until the photo is underexposed by one or two stops. This will darken your background and bring the subject into perfect exposure.
Can you see a pattern developing here? Rules are there for a reason, and your skills will improve in leaps and bounds if you learn them and practice them. But having done that, you are ready to take the next step. Start experimenting outside the rules and see where it takes you. Knowing and following the rules will make you a good photographer. Choosing how and when to break them will make you even better.
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