A place where I post unscripted, unedited, soulless rants of a insomniac madman
The 1960 DiDia 150 is a one-of-a-kind, hand-built luxury car designed by Detroit clothing designer Andy DiDia. Taking seven years to complete (1953–1960) and costing over $150,000 (around $1.5 million today), the car was known for its bold, unconventional style. It became the dream car of singer Bobby Darin, who drove it to the Academy Awards and featured it in movies. Darin donated the car to the Museum of Transportation in 1970, three years before his death. The vehicle features a V8 engine, a 125-inch wheelbase, and was originally built in Detroit, Michigan.
Yesterday, before the sky opened up and unleashed all kinds of nastiness, it was a beautiful serene day. Though, it was a little on the hot, I pulled out my phone and took a few shots. It felt good.
My submission for Hugh’s Views & News blog, Wordless Wednesday post.
My submission for Hugh’s Views & News blog, Wordless Wednesday post.
Today, I wanted to do something a little different, so I decided to play around with AI. Here is the result I came up with for the challenge.
First, I used a text prompt to generate an image that depicted the three challenge words:
Clown
Crowd
Citrus
Next, I took the above picture and created a video. I wanted to see what would happen. The result is below:
I hope these responses satisfy the challenge. I hope you enjoy them
My submission for Hugh’s Views & News blog, Wordless Wednesday post.
Tell me your thoughts, please
When I found these photos, I had chucked them up as a loss. There wasn’t anything I was going to use them for. I’m surprised I hadn’t deleted them. Then, this morning I saw this challenge and remembered I had these shots.
Most of the time, my brothers and I don’t have any problems. We deal with the normal issues in this strange, cryptic thing called life. However, from time to time, an asshat appears out of nowhere. It’s almost like they waiting in the shadows for the precise moment to be a nuisance. It’s quite difficult to avoid asshats because you can recognize them from sight. However, once open their mouths, they are now easily recognizable.
They say things like, “How are guys related?” Or some other variant of dumbness.
The reply…
It’s in the eyes!
I felt good the other day and decided to take a walk at a local park. It was spur of the moment thing, so I didn’t have my Nikon. I whipped my trusty Samsung and started snapping away. Before I knew it, I was looking up at the picturesque sky because I had tripped over the pavers, falling right into a nearby flower bed. I looked around to see if anyone had noticed, and the entire affair was witnessed. Is it a requirement for someone to witness someone fall to be a fall? Otherwise, a firm denial works. Here is what I got before I bit the dust.
i listened to track as collected myself. A Stevie can do wonders for the soul.
It was such a gorgeous sky today. So, I played around in PS Express. This is what I came up with this evening
My response to Cee’s CMMC – Macro Close up
I enjoy taking two types of photos more than any other composition; candids and close-ups. In these photos are close-ups of a project my brother worked on last fall. He was working on a fuel tank for a motorcycle. I kept getting in the way of photographing the entire process. I complained about not being able to catch the shot I wanted. Sometimes, you get lucky a find something you weren’t looking for.
My response to CWWC – Signs
I love to drive. It is one of the most relaxing things for me. However, I usually can’t take pictures of what I see while on the road. Here are a few I was able to catch.
One of things I enjoy about photography is the ability to make the mundane into something interesting. Well, it works out that way sometimes. I compare it writing. Sometimes you just can’t get a sentence the way you want. Or you write this complicated sentence when a simple will do just fine.
So, this is what I come with for today…
I was walking into an office and saw this toolbox. Nothing about it is unique. I’ve owned several of the years. However, that day I just stopped snapped a photo. I wondered what I would do with it. I’m sure I’m not finished with it either. Well, at least I don’t think so.
As I look at this picture, I’m drawn to the symmetry of the pattern and the surface’s texture. I also notice a slight reflection of the adjacent building I hadn’t noticed before. At any rate, to me, what I’m seeing just illustrates the point I’m trying to make.
Insomnia has a hold on me, so I decided to play around with image generation. I used the text from the post In the Wee Hours and it generated the following images. I enjoyed difference within each image, but the general concept is the same.
I haven’t been taking many photos for the last few months. However, last month, I snapped a couple of decent images. They aren’t my best work but call it me working my way back into it.
My submission for Hugh’s Views & News blog, Wordless Wednesday post.
I love this challenge. Although, I probably have never done it correctly. I find it challenging to find a photo that truly speaks for itself. However, each week, I attempt to discover the undiscovered.
It’s been awhile since I posted one of these. The weather is changing and flowers are poking their little heads out.
It’s been awhile since I posted one of these. The weather is changing and flowers are poking their little heads out.
Here is my response to Cee’s Photo Challenge – CMMC’s X & W – February
Over the last several weeks, I have been playing catch-up. Since retiring, I’ve sat back and enjoyed the wonderful world of blogging. I don’t have to tell you about the fantastic posts from around the world. When it came to finding images for this post, I had to do a little digging. Trust me, that was the fun part. Here is what I discovered.
I was trying to get my camera to focus during a shoot and had no idea I accidentally snapped this shot. I remember hearing the shutter. I immediately went to work and did not pay attention to all the pictures.
I was doing research last week and discovered groundhogs are also called woodchucks. So, here is one of the first pictures I took of my woodchuck, “Emmitt.” He was so shy back then. We’ve come a long way together over the years.
This last photo fits several categories. It basically depends on the mood I’m in at the moment. So, today, As I gaze upon this photo of me and a few of my granddaughters, I think “Weirdo’s”.
Here is my response to Cee’s CFFC – Tools
When I hear the word tools, I immediately think of the various instruments I’ve used over the years for countless projects. So, for this post, I wanted to look at things a little different. Today, I will not only display tools, you know standard one’s people know. I’m display some pictures of things created by various tools.
As a tradesman we use so many tools and sometimes we have to make the tools we need in order to complete the job. We use a sander in body work. I use a different type of sander in woodworking. Those drivers you see in the picture of the wood project, in that shop I’ve used those drivers in various other projects, such as mechanical, hydraulics, electrical, and pneumatics.
As a writer, one of my most important tools is a laptop. I do most of writing, research, and general clowning on it. Also, I edit video and photos on it. I love my laptop and iPad, but the tool I use for writing the most are books. I can’t describe how valuable books have made a better craftsman, writer, and visual artist.
Cinematography
As a visual artist, I spend a ridiculous amount of time behind the camera. In cinematography, I’m involved in aspects of filmmaking, such as Pre-production, production, and postproduction.
Initially, I doubted my abilities as a still photographer. So, I would hire a photographer for location scouting and various shots I needed. I found myself arguing with them more than getting any work done. This disagreement occurred because I had vision in my mind, and they weren’t capturing what I wanted for the project. Each of them were good photographers, but I couldn’t get them to understand what I wanted.
One day, I worked on a project where I was just a camera operator. I got an opportunity to work with a couple of still photographers. One photographer handed me a camera and said ” show me”. I started taking pictures. Now my framing and composition was a little off, because I was used to video where we would just cut out the useable portions. They gave me some tips and told to go buy a camera and the rest is history.
The most important tool I have learned over the years is that every skill I learn is another tool in my toolbox. I just have to remember to be patient enough to use the right tool for the job.
Here is my response to Cee’s CFFC – Pairs
One of my favorite forms of therapy is a Metal Concert.
Here is my response to RDP’s Shoots
A toddler unleashes a shriek of glee as he shoots past an elderly gentleman with his unsure footing. He balances himself with his tiny arms outstretched. He giggles a little more with each step. We stand silently, watching him go. My soul churned in the warmth of his happiness as it spurred my own. His happiness brought back vivid memories of my grandchildren learning to walk and run. I missed my children’s milestones; otherwise, I was engaged.
I stopped to fuel up pickup before heading to a photo shoot. I’m excited about this one because it is the first time in months I’ve been well enough to even consider pulling out my camera. I’m startled back in the present by a metallic clang of debris hitting a dumpster. I watch the trash chutes flex as the waste finds its way down. AC/DC’s Shoot to Thrill starts the road trip playlist.
After, a few minutes of chatting after arriving at shop I discover I have everything in my camera bag, but an SD card. We laugh about the ridiculousness. I finally got myself together to do the shoot and realized I’m so rusty I have no idea if any pictures will be good enough to post. I show a few to the fellas and assure me that concerns are justified.
Here are a couple shots:
Today was first day all three been in the shop in months. The first time in forever, where there wasn’t constant look of concern on whether I was going face plant at any moment. I lasted several hours before I plain tuckered out and needed to make the drive home.
My first photo shoot back was disaster as photo shoot’s go, but it felt damn good to be working in the shop again. Round 2 is tomorrow; wish me luck
Towards the end of fall, my brother and I decided to take a trip downtown for some sightseeing. It was a welcomed distraction from our usual agenda as of late. Doctor’s office, Hospital, and doctor’s office again. I have a thing for pocket watches, so we stopped at this store to see what they had in stock.
One of the things I love about photography is you never know why you take a picture. There’s something about the lighting, the feel, or something else that captures you and makes you snap the shutter. I’ve had these photos for years. When I first took these photos, I had no idea what I would do with them. Yet, I hung onto them, wondering If I would see something different the next time I looked at them.
This is my response to the tangled web prompt. I took this photo this fall. I forgot about it until I was deleting some of the horrible photos, I took last year.
Over the years, I watched my late wife restore and sell these milk jugs. So, I snapped a picture of this one as I drove through a small town.
Participating in this challenge last year, I actually learned the names of a few flowers. I’ve been organizing my photos and found a few archived photos of the bearded iris that grows in my front yard. I find this flower interesting because it just showed up one year. I didn’t plant it and I haven’t done anything to get it going.
I’d completely forgotten taking this shot and I’m pleased how well it came out. According to my records, I took this picture in the spring of 2020. I hope you guys enjoy it.
My submission for Hugh’s Views & News blog, Wordless Wednesday post.
Yesterday, I felt better than I had in weeks. I’m not sure if I actually felt better or was it more of not letting my illness mess with me during the holidays. In any case, I looked up at the sky and saw a beautiful cloudy sky. Such a wonderful cloud pattern. I’m a junkie for a cloudy day. There’s no snow, but the day is good all around. I feel pretty good today as well, so I will take the opportunity and get some writing done. Who knows? I might get crazy and take a few photos while the getting is good.
So, wherever you are in the world, happy holidays to you. Enjoy the break, do your thing, and be blessed.
Here is my entry for Cee’s – CFFC – Fun colors – Blue.
When I discovered this challenge, I got excited because it was an opportunity to use some of the photos I took at a car show earlier this year. It was the first photo shoot I did this year that wasn’t for my personal use. I was nervous, to say the least. My photos from earlier this year have a little lack of luster, in my opinion. Mainly because I have been out of practice. However, like most things in life, the more you practice, the better you become.
Let’s take a look, shall we?
I hope you enjoyed these!
Here is my entry for Cee’s CWWC – Clouds
Throughout the year, I developed an obsession with the patterns in the sky. So, I took an obscene amount of photos of clouds this year. Here are a few of my favorites. I hope enjoy them.
Here are my responses to the Lens Artist Challenges in November
Lens Artist Challenges #274 – Asymmetry
Lens Artists Challenges #275 – Filling the Frame
Lens Artists Challenges #277: Empty Spaces
I have been playing catch-up all month. So, I figured I’d do one post featuring the challenges for November.
Here is my response to CMMC – Macro or Close-Up
Here is my response to CMMC – Pick a Topic from her photo
Here is my response to CMMC – Red Color
Here is my response to CMMC – Alphabet ending in R
For the last few weeks of the month, I’ve been ill. So, I haven’t been on top of my posts. I haven’t done any real shooting with my camera and haven’t been writing. I’m not 100 percent, but I do feel much better than I have in weeks. I was going through my files this morning and found some photos I snapped during the month. Some have been posted, but I found that were shot at the end of the month.
Due to my illness, I got behind on a few challenges and other posts for the blog. So, I decided to combine several a few challenges. I used the challenges listed below.
CWWC – Which Way with People
CWWC – Which Way with Bridge
Lens Artist Challenge #276 – Looking Up, Looking Down
Here is my entry for Cee’s Cee’s Foto Fun Challenge – Any type of light fixture
I enjoy the most about these challenges because they push me away from my comfort zone and allow me to explore different aspects of photography.
I decided to play around with the challenge and take a few night shots.
Typically, I don’t stage my photos, but this time I got tired of tripping over these dang things.
I know clouds can’t be on fire, but the reflection is epic. It reminded me of sitting in front of the fireplace watching the embers fight for life. Just a corner at first. Slowly, it stretches until the entire clouds in engulfed
This post is in response to the Travel With Intent blog One Word Sunday Challenge.
I’ve said on this blog that we have two families in life. The one we are born with and the one we choose. This concept has always been more than words for me. It’s been the way I was raised, and I live still. Today, Veteran’s Day, I going to take a moment and showcase my brothers.
The above picture is one of the few times we were together. Our lives are hectic, but we made it happen that day. The gentleman flashing the peace sign is the oldest. He was in the Marine Corps and whipped my skinny butt into shape before Army basic training. On the opposite side, he was in the Army Signal Corps and taught me what it meant to be a member of the Signal Corps. Their guidance and toughness laid the cornerstone of who I am.
Each of these men also served in the military; the top three were in the Navy, and my cousin was in the Army. These men helped me put the pieces back together again after my wife died. They reminded me who I was and what I stood for. I’m indebted to them for life.
As veterans, service and duty aren’t things we are born to; it’s what we learn. In many ways, we are the better for it. In others, that is a cost. Some more than others, but a cost, just the same. During the time we wore the uniform, we did our thang. Nothing or no one can take that away from us. It’s an honor to be among you all.
I was trying to focus my camera to get another shot and accidentally took this picture.
Here’s my response to XingfuMama’s One-To-Three Photo Processing Challenge – November 2023
I’ve been working on a daily prompt response for nearly a week, and I can’t quite figure out what I want to say. All I know is that I wanted a tree in the post. So, I have been taking photos of trees. However, none of them entirely do the trick for the original I took them for. Yet, I ran across this challenge and they may work for this challenge.
Let’s take a look.
For this photo, I used Photoshop Express on my iPad
I’m not sure how the challenge works, but I posted three different processes from the original. I hope I got it right. Either way, it was fun playing around with the various presets.
Theme: Motion
I’ve always had difficulty capturing motion in stills. Perhaps, this may be an underline reason I chose to work into with video. However, I can’t conceal my work love for still photography. Often, I look for ways to incorporate the two mediums.
However, every now and then I get lucky and capture an image that can be viewed by the public.
Here are a few:
Usually, I use a technique called Photo Roman.
Photo Roman is a mesmerizing photography technique that combines the art of visual storytelling with stunning imagery. Its ability to captivate and engage viewers has made it popular among photographers in the digital age. With its origins in France and its growing popularity worldwide, Photo Roman continues to push the boundaries of traditional photography, offering a unique and immersive experience for both creators and viewers alike. As we look to the future, the possibilities for this captivating technique are endless, and we can’t wait to see what lies ahead in the world of Photo Roman.
Here is an example:
Thank you for being patient and letting getting all this out. It’s not often I get to talk about a topic in photography I actually know about.
Here is my response to Bushboy’s Last on the Card
Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra
I did a lot work with my cell phone camera last month. More than I usually do. I always have it on it with me, so there is a convenience factor. But, I wanted to capture ordinary things and see if I could make a decent shot with the photos.
Nikon D3200
Yeah, I’m struggling with understanding how macro photography works. I probably should have done more research before I brought something. However, I get these wild hairs from time to time and do things willy-nilly. I do it ain’t right. The Madre said it’s understandable from now and again, but get that it check.
Memoirs of Madness 