nancy s.

I knew a guy who should have had one that read:

 

"I am so unsuccessful at Photography/business/life I turned to drugs..."

 

Better yet would be a sign that reads "Bio hazard on board" or is that the same thing?

If you use some soft focus filters at a high f stop the effect can be lessened sginficantly. A low F stop can increase the effect of the filter.

 

If you are in a very bright situation with Hi ISO film, you will be stopping down for correct exposure and this will reduce the softening effect of the filter.

Depends on the day. Somedays the Ibuprofen and coffee do work well. Other days.. neurontin and coffee.. and the coffee is to just keep the neurontin from putting me to sleep along with Skelaxin. It is a fairly "new" situatio so I have to try different things to see what works.

 

I agree taht you may be correct about the # of frames but I must say if I have to sit at the computer for 200 frames I would be in agony. I used to argue film v.s digital based on my hate of the computer work. Rather do the hated computer work than not be physically able to do the hated comptuer work if you get my drift.

 

It is one thing to make a choice and quite another to have the choice taken away from you?

The problem with RAW as I understand it is that each camera manufacturer'e RAW is proprietary. while me Photoshop CS (not 2 or 3 just CS) will convert my Fuji RAW files to TIFF it is a process that I cannot physically tolerate time wise at the computer keyboard. I used to do some fiddling with images in RAW, convert to TIFF, make digital negs of the TIFF files (huge files, several discs) and then convert those files to large Jpegs for 4X6 prints and a cd of small, lo res files for Email etc. The customer got it all. Big ol' TIFFs if they wanted that large print, Big Jpegs for home prints, 4X6 photographic prints (on photo paper) and a CD of lo res stuff to send out email etc. If they wanted a finished album they got the TIFF files after the album cuz that is what I gave the lab for the album photos.

 

I used to bitterly complain about the time it toolk to fiddle with imagea at the computer. There is a vast difference between diliking a job but doing it anyway and being physically unable to do a job whether you dislike it or not!

 

However, even if I price in the cost of the roll of film, right now the same processing at a lab would be WAY more than it is to currently buy the film, have it processed and printed to 4X6 and get a lo res CD.. provide the customer with the prints, negs and CD. Not to mention the fact that I cannot sit at the computer and do most of it at home anyway right now. On top f all that, I don;t NEED the computer or the expense of digital upgrades in equipment and software.. sooooo.. I guess my concerns about shooting film aren;'t rfeally concerns at all. I can used the older equipment I have and just do the job for them.

 

That all being said, I just pray I am physically ABLE to do it. Nerve pain is like nothing on this earth. It is unrelenting. There is no position to get into that is comfortable. It won't stop on percocet. It is, at times, violently horrible.. and it goes up and down but never goes away 100%.

 

Yesterday was not bad. Firday was nearly pain free. This AM I woke up and couild nto wait to do the over the door traction.... tomorrow will likely be a lot better if I sleep in the recliner instead of going to bed (if the pattern persists). However, the sleep I had in the bed was sweet.. it is much sweeter than the sleep (which seems lighter) in the recliner. My kitten curls up next to the bad side of my neck and lays his head on the hurting spot and the other cats find their spots. Dog sleeps on her bed and we really all sleep MUCH better and the DREAMS are better... but the pain in the AM can be attention getting. Last night I was riding a bay horse across the South Dakota Plains on a horse.... Dreams in the recliner are often of the monsters under the bed variety (you know.. ex BF's and Ex husband stuff.. REAL monsters!). LOL.

 

Well, this afternoon I break out the equipment and make sure all is well in flash and Nikon Camera world and we will see how it goes.. get the set up running and do a test roll at the local drug store to make sure the mechanics are working... and I will press on.

 

Lets face it.. that is the only choice after all isn't it? Pressing on.

Oh with film I could buy the film, take the pics, drop off the rolls, pick up the negs and the prints and be on my way. The lab I use now it is about $15-$20 a roll for processing and 4X6 prints (35mm) and they do a nice job.

 

With digitial, can I drop off a CD of RAW files and get 36 4X6 images (all corrected) and a CD of TIFF's (digital negs) for say $25 per 36 shots? So far I have not seen such offrered for that price from a lab? I may be missing something.

 

Sitting at the 'puter is deadly. I have the monitor 10 inches off the floor at work and the keyboard in my lap and the mouse at same height as key board and arm rests on the chair that support my forearms at the proper height. Works for me. Drives the ergonimics tteam nutz. Have to do likewise at home.

 

Right now things are IMPROVING. With that being said, I will continue this path FOR NOW. I love the pool idea but my therapist has no such opportunity to offer. I knw a place that doeose,, but at $4.20 a gallon for gas getting there can be a part of the isue. IF things were not improving, of course I would be looking at that and anything else I could find. I have been offered all sorts of things from herbalists to acupuncuture. One thing no one has recommended, due to the spurs, is a chiropractor, which I find interesting.

 

I have found relief sleeping in the recliner. However, tonight I am going to give the bed a shot.. wish me luck. I use a cervical pillow which is somewhat helpful.

 

It was very frustrating to have made progress on rund one and then to havae totalled the car on the way home first 1/2 day back to work missing a deer.. and being put back to ground zero (no injuries.. just to the car and taking this thing back to the beginning). All those who have treated such things for me b4 have keep saying that as long as there is improvement, then no invasive (surgery) is the answer. IF things suddenly go the other way, then it is time to do another MRI (make the insurance company happy) and surgical intervention (super glue etc.) may be an answer.

 

Meanwhile, the shoot will be of formals (cap and gown etc.) the day b4 the party (actual day of graduation) at the house and then the usual dancing and family shots the next day at the party as people come and go etc.

Marc said: "If there was only some place that would take your digital images and print them out like they have done

with film it would be a better world."

 

No truer words can be said....

 

I have the phone number of two acupuncturists that have been recommended to me. Have to check the cost (no

insurance coverage). Honestly, if it makes the pain go away, I would pay (somehow).

 

I do that PT and it really really helps. Sometimes it hurts like H*LL at the PT's office. One time they were doing that

thing with the combo of ultrasound and electric stimulous on two very raw nerves and I was saying "Oh God" over

and over.. and finally I said to the PT (a young, good looking guy BTW) I BET THE LAST TIME YOU HAD A

WOMAN SAYING THING YOU WEREN'T DOING THIS TO HER! ARE YOU TRYING TO BRING BACK YOUR

DAYS IN COLLEGE OR SOMETHING?" To his credit he responded, "Oh, I was s'posed to go to COLLEGE for

this?"

 

However, the PT works wonders. As the one Dr. in the ER told me four weeks ago, this thing requires "tincture of

time" and this was backed up by my pvt. physicisian and the top guy I also saw.

 

No surgery at this point. There has been improvment. I just hope I can do this shoot OK and eveyone will be happy

with the results.

AND my film order goes thru OK. I have heard of Adorama sending short dated film, tho it doesn't matter as I am

going to shoot this right away anyhow.

After suffering a pinched nerve in C6/C7 of my neck.. and really missing some work and not being able to lift a

camera for the past 5 weeks, I have gone and accepted a shoot of a graduation next week. Went and ordered film..

we will see.. B&H out of what I typically use so ordered from Adorama and it seems that they don't automatically tell

you when stuff is out of stock. Well, I have film so I got it figured out and covered.. but anyway...

 

I have good days (almost pain freaking free) and bad days (which usually follow the good days.. likely because I go

and do more than I should on the good days). I pray I have a good day the day of the graduation (HS). I will just

have to lump it if it is a bad day and suffer in agony if it is a REALLY bad day. The pain drugs just make me loopy

and don't touch the pain so I quit taking them.. took 'em back to the pharmacy (controlled substance crap that

doesn't/didn't work).

 

Back in 2006 I had something similar and it was diagnosed as a labrial tear in my left shoulder. I think it was

misdiagnosed.. this pain from the C6/7 thing is exactly the same (horrible when it ramps up) just the other side.

Seems my neck vertebrae which are supposed to be stacked on top of each other and form a gentle curve (lordosis)

are actually a little too straight and off set like a kid who has a stack of blocks on top of each other.. just crooked...

and this has created some bone spurs that are presssing on nerves. Discs seem fine.. a couple of bulges but no

presssure on the MRI tho some excess reactivity to reflex tests so probably some pressue that is not measurable on

the MRI.

 

The doc's all promise it will go away if I follow the Physical Therapy regime (I am.. like a religious fanatic) and it is

improving. Had opinions from three physicians, one of the top in the US.. all say the same thing.. time will fix it.

Well, it is getting better and I hope "time" will be enough by next weekend... *sigh* When oh when will I learn to say

NO?

 

Anyway, after deciding to not ever again shoot an event.. here I am back shooting an event and praying, hoping and

all the rest that I can do it in spite of the physical limitations outlined above. These folks saw my work and hired me

so there ya go. It just happens. Problem is, they are going to be showing this around to their friends who are all of

marrying age and well.. you can see where this is gonna go whether I like it or not!

 

Oh yeah.. and I thought of shooting this digital but here is the thing.. they think that while the vertebrae damage has

been there awhile, it is the use of the computer (even tho I have it set up to "ergonomic specs" that is causing the

pressure on the nerve. So... I am limited to 30 minutes 2X a day on the 'puter for work which leaves zero time a day

for doing photo stuff.

 

Thank GOD film is still being made or I would truly be up the creek on this one! Ah well, one day at a time.

 

Sure does make you think twice about taking your health for granted!

Marc Williams Said: "If I did not HAVE to use digital capture for commercial work, and have to use them for other work to justify the expense, I'd shoot weddings on film and take back my summers instead of grinding away in the dark at a computer."

 

Amen.

 

If you're not married already, I would marry you. :)

I have two listings for acupuncturists and I may see where that goes ($$ is an object here).

 

I am NOT taking the addictive pain stuff. I did for the first 24 hours it was prescribed and it was as useful as teats on a bull. I took it AGAIN for 24 hours after a PT session just ramped me back up to someplace I don't want to think about because it put me to sleep.

 

I do not, nor will I take, a series of prescribed addictive medications. I had a BF (had being the operative word) who has been a drug addict since about age 13.. I never spent time wiht a more useless, unreliable, untrustworthy, dishonest, waste of humanity in my life. As a result f that experience, I have NO use for addictions.

 

To that end, if I need a drug for a brief period of time to get well, I take it. However, if it is a narcotic of any sort or has a history of becoming addictive, I limit its use drastically.

 

BTW, I was on very high doses of Aleve (naproxene sodium) for 5 days before the Doctor decided that it wasn't waorking and switched me over to prednisone, while stating it might not work any better than the Aleve. It didn't. We tried.

 

He suggested that the best thing was Physical Therapy and "tincture of time." My gegular doctor also suggested that I needed to ramp back on the stresses in my life in addition to ramping back the computer use. Well, I must say that this advice is the best I have could have gotten. Now when I get some crap that is stressful that I don't want to deal with I just say, "I can't handle this right now for health reasons...." Even if I don't VERBALIZE it, the result is like a charm....

 

The trick here, according to the MD's is not to rush back.. take some time.. take a deep breath.. and learn a relaxation technique along with all the other stuff.

 

And I got to say.. the PT is golden. I have lost a lot of weight in the last year and have been very very active, extremely good health so this did hit me like a brick wall.

 

Thanks for the advice.

Walter.. the stuff they gave me was a generic form of Percocet? Just like an off brand lens often is.. cheap and useless... ;)

 

Oh I have NO intention of letting this "get" me. I did for about 2 days.. you know.. the poor poor pitiful me routine. some get stuck in that and point to their thing as a way to get more of the poor poor pitiful me thing. Yeah.. I admit to feeling that way but it gets BORING. I was still in AGONY like I had never felt b4.. I was feeling pitiful, and hurting.

 

I was walking past my kitchen counter and one of the yahoo's who had previously owned my house had decided to cover a perfectly new counter (as the second owner of the house) with an UGLY green marble look Formica type stuff. I had hated this from the day I moved in 3 years ago.. but was afraid if I peeled it off, I would find something underneath that was nasty (er) like a big old BURN mark. Well, I walked past and my shirt caught a corner and a piece broke off. underneath was beautful, new, butcher block look original formica.

 

Remember, I was in agony with no relief? I was feeling pitiful and all of a sudden I was angry. Angry at the unrelenting pain. Angry at no answers. Angry at the world for this happening to me.. and I attacked that ugly green marble stuff like a wild woman.

 

Inside of 40 minutes it was ALL peeled off the counters AND in the garbage AND broken into little pieces (the most satisfying thing in the world was cracking it up.. LOL). Now I have BRAND NEW counter tops in my kitchen of origintal installation quality covered with contact cement! I took some of the drugs as prescribed, got a mask and attacked the underlying contact cement with a single edge razor scraper and acetone....

 

NONE of this was therapeutic to C6/C7. However, from what the Dr's had told me, none of this was damaging either.

 

Inside of a half day I had brand new kitchen counter tops. My next visit to the Dr.. that went right past Lowes, I bought all new drawer pulls.. and a real pretty wall paper border. As the pain ramped back from the PT (and by this time I had quit all the drugs but the stuff for nerve pain that seems to actually work to some degree). I one by one replaced the drawer pulls and then little by little put up the wall paper border.

 

Later this summer when I am better.. and I WILL BE BETTER.. I am going to get that new floor lamiinate Pergo Take off that looks like slate and replace the flooring in the kitchen and on down the hall.. and by golly if this pain has done NOTHING else for me, I have what looks like, for all intents and purposes, a new kitchen. essiree bob.. (or is that Uncle Bob?) my kitchen looks like a champ already. the appliances aren't so bad and I keep 'em in top shape.. so there we go.

 

Meanwhile, I have an over the door traction device for me neck. It works. Not as well as the traction at PT. I have improved enough that they are trying to wean me off traction little by little. If the pain ramps up, the traction unit is invoked at 14 pounds over the door for 15-25 minutes (sometimes I fall asleep with it on). It is another somewhat machievelian device (and I still don't know if I have spelled that right) but I leave it up. When company comes I bring out the TENS unit and the take them over to the traction device and and if I want them to leave I suggest they give it all a try..... (ah, my evil side).

 

PS: My wood burning boiler is NOT one of those smoking stinking exterior shed things. This is a regular wood fired burner that is much like the oil fired burner with a water jacket instead of a coil. It will be hooked up to the second chimney flu which I alredy have and be IN the house immediately adjacent to the existing oil fired burner/boiler. It has a little fan arrangement in it to help the wood go to complete combustion once the fire is going and a bed of coals is laid. It is more like an airtight wood stove you put inside your house, but it has this half inch steel water jacket and piping that ties into the hot water heat. It will have its own thermostat and circulator that feeds to the olil fired boiler and then into the rest of the house for heat. The idea is that if the water is warm enough in the wood stove jacket, the oil heat doesn't have to raise the temperature of the water with the burner (very much if at all, depending on the condition of my fire).

 

Yeah.. those external wood fired shed things are expensive and smoke up the world while making a fine mess of creosote. That is not what I am getting.

 

When I get it in, I will take a photo of it so you see what I mean. It will pay for itself in about 2 years figuring fuel oil at $4.65 a gallon this year and $5.65 a gallon next year. I will also be able to keep the house heat at something higher that 56 degrees. That is what I did last winter. You could see your BREATH indoors somedays.

 

BTW my point of this whole post is that deciding to give up photography and then being forced to not pick up a camera for 3 weeks is a whole bird of a different color....

 

I am glad I did not sell the equipment (as you all suggested I did not) and I am looking forward to shooting again.

Thanks for the ideas on better ways to carry a camera.

 

BTW Bruce M. while my DAY JOB is mostly behind a computer desk, at night when I get home I have this young German Shepherd dog who needs a LOT of exercise. I have been walking 3-5 miles a day winter. summer, rain, snow.. heck.. I ought to just work for the Post Office.

 

In addition to the hiking, and this is not an ambling stroll (German Shepherds are most comfortable in a nice reachy trot.. so I have to keep moving), I have been doing dog training with her as well. She has decided to make friends with the kids at the Skate Board Park and they have her tooling around the asphalt with both front feet on the skate board... (she is too long to get all four feet on the thing).

 

I agree that distraction does help the pain but when it first comes on and the nerve is raw, inflamed and really angry, there isn't enough of a distraction in the world. Someone told me the ONLY thing to stop that pain was a shot of Morphine and I ain't going there.

 

As I laid in bed.. and for a few days it was all I could truly manage.. my kittenalmostacat, Oliver, would lay next to me and lick the side of my neck and shoulder where the nerve was pinched. He woud then methodically move down my arm and lick each spot where the nerve was exhibiting pain. Trust me.. his rough tongue was very distracting and actually proved to be better than the oxycodone (and they didn't hold back on the dose of that either.. it just doesn't touch nerve pain so I didn't use it after figuring that out the 1st 24 hours I had it and took it as prescribed).

 

I am certainly better today than I was 3 weeks ago.. and the Physical Therapy.. I cannot say enough good about that. While at times it seems like machievelian (spelling?) torture, the results are pretty amazing.

 

All in all the Dr. said that eventually I WILL get better and eventually I WILL be able to return to any and all activities. Fact is, they already have me back walking (but not on trails yet). Today I did over 3 miles. It was painful physically but very healing psychologically.

 

However, I left the camera home and missed a shot of a black swallowtail on a Beaurty Bush.

I woke up just over three weeks ago with a pain in my shoulder (the right one this

time) that had my full attention. I had scheduled this day off to move/replace my

fuel oil tank as I am going to install a wood fired boiler next to my oil fired boiler,

tie the two together and heat the house partly with wood. I have access to a wood

lot and have a plan in place.. and it is all good.. just a bit of hard work.

 

As the day progressed, the pain did as well and as soon as the job was done I

paid the guys and headed for Emergent Care where they mis-diagnosed a

shoulder muscle spasm. I made an appointment with my regular Dr. and the

Physical therapist.. and the PT took one look at how I was holding my arm and

said, "You have a pinched nerve.. guessing at C5 in your neck."

 

After getting permission from Insurance for an MRI the diagnosis is a bulging disc

at C6/7 and "degenerative disease of the C6/7 vertebrae with bone spurs pressing

on the nerve there." IOW's the disc is not the issue, the "degenerative disease"

a/k/a OLD AGE and ARTHRITIS is the issue (it ain't the AGE, its the MILEAGE).

The doc told me if I was still a farmer, it is likely NONE of this would bother me.. it

is sitting at this computer that is the culprit so upon my return to work, we have to

change a lot of things around to accommodate my pain in the neck.

 

A while back I posted here and said I was considering giving up photography

yadda yadda yadda... and so this idiocy happened to my neck and I have missed

over three weeks of work. I also have been 100% unable to take a picture of any

kind with any camera and sittting at the computer has been a source of pain that

would make the Spanish Inquisitors jealous. It is in the neck.. rediates down the

right arm.. and well.. it is pretty amazing pain.

 

The date on the calendar says I have so far missed three weeks of work.. Two of

those weeks I don't even REMEMBER due to the pain. They gave me some

narcotics.. I tied them and they didn't even touch the pain so I didn't take 'em

(same stuff Rush Limbaugh was on.. and I don't want a radio talk show anyway so

that was another reason not to take em besides them not working).

 

With Physical therapy, things are improving and I go back to work 1/2 days

tomorrow... will be back full time the week after if al goes according to plan.. thank

goodness for sick leave, health insurance and a GOOD JOB for which I am truly

grateful.

 

I am finally able to again pick up a camera.. not a big SLR, but a P&S or my old

Argus rangefinder.. but a camera.. and take some photos. I have an appointment

in September with an orthopedist in a group that is probably the best group in the

US (if not the world) so we shall see where this all goes. Currently they are not

talking surgery, but I can tell you this, if surgery would relieve the pain, I would

gladly allow them to proceed! I have suggested amputation at the neck, but they

think that might be a bit too radical... (just kidding).

 

Anyway, in my previous whining thread discussing dumping photography, it was

suggested I take a haitus. Well, I have and I gotta tell you.. I am ready to go back

out and take photos. I just CAN'T do what I want to yet. Just yesterday a Tiger

Swallowtail landed on my blue pansies and all I could do is record the image in my

mind. ARRRGH.. it was a real 'money shot' too. At least I got to see it.

 

So, folks, along with suggesting that computers CAN cause you some pretty

unremitting pain, I will also say that if you ARE thinking of dumping photography,

don't rush into dumping your gear (I kept all of mine BTW). DO take a hiatus.. you

may find you may really want to take pictures after all.

 

And BTW, if you are going to take a hiatus I will also recommend another method

than the one forced on me!

I don't get the whole LCD screen thing. This is a FILM camera I am looking for NOT a Digital camera? Mom is 81 and expects a view finder. Thing is, she is learning the view finder faster than most learn the digital LCD screen, so lets stick with what she knows. I don't want this thing to be filled with bells and whistles and options that will be confusing to her. The thing she LOVES about her little Kodak is its simplicity. She does not have, nor will she have, a computer.

 

I am looking into the Olympus Stylus Epic. I note that it comes in various lens configurations with the 80 appearing to be the most common. Can anyone tell me which one is better (easier to use and allowing the greatest range of operation from close up to landscape)? I also checked B&H and it looks as if this model can still be had new out of the box.

 

I am being fussy here because I want Mom to be happy and her photos to be a bit sharper. .

Thanks for the input so far. Also thanks for letting me know the C1 is unreliable. she needs something relatively easy to operate.. and that has a flash when she needs it.

 

My Dad has Alzheimers and she is under a lot of pressure due to that (he isn't real bad yet, but there are problems that can be somewhat reltentless.. I help as much as I can but.. well...). Anyway, she is finding an outlet with her P&S camera taking photos of their flowers, their cat, famiy gt togethers etc.

 

Heck.. she took a photo of me with my dog that would put most pros to shame! But it is a bit soft.. so 4X6 is its limit. She even did an anniversary shoot for a family member (I was off at a sheep dog trial) and the pictures are good!

 

She desn't want the complexity that we all seem to thrive on (light meters, light ratios, F stops, shutter speeds.. etc etc.). She just wants to go out and take photos and she has learned a LOT about subject lighting and composition and she is having FUN. It is a whole new world for her and at her age, I just want to support the process, not instruct unless she has a question.

 

I will look into the suggestions here. Thanks and if you have more, I will keep on checking them out.

A year ago my Mom and I went to the Grand Canyon. I let her use my Point and

shoot Digital camera for the trip and she absolutely LOVED the camera, but I had

to do all the software handling (she doesn't have a computer nor does she want

one). NO Digital for her, so don't go there. Please.

 

Because she had so much fun with my little Point and Shoot I bought her a little

35 mm P&S for Christmas and the woman has become Ms. Photo.. I mean it..

she takes this little thing every where.. has a lab she sends the film to and is

having a BALL.

 

She is 81 an cannot handle the weight of an SLR and really wants to keep it

simple (not get into metering, focusing and all the rest).

 

Well, the little camera I bought her has probably the worse lens ever made. I

mean it. It is soft and well.. what can you expect for $20 at Wally World. It is a

little Kodak and is better than the disposable things and remembre.. it has been

giving her a lot of fun. Honestly.. the best thing I could have given her it seems.

She has that camera with her EVERYWHERE.

 

I have to tell you this too.. her eye is really improving and she is getting some

GREAT photos! Just that lens.. it breaks my heart to see a 4X6 that is soft (and it

is soft on a tripod.. I have fussed with it).

 

So, to that end I have been looking at getting her a better 35mm P&S camera. Of

course, these are few and far between NEW and some of the used ones are real

pricey.. and some are cheaper than processed chicken hot dogs.. I am not made

of money here either. I have been looking at KEH and there are some made by

Canon and Nikon that are $125 or less.. but I have nver truly shopped the Point

and Shoot Market.

 

So here is the question:

What would you suggest in this category (used is fine.. but I will need the book

too for her). It needs to have flash, be able to switch between close up and

distance and just take photos.. date back is not necessary. It does need to auto

meter etc. It has to be compact and light.

 

Honestly.. if I could get her something like she has but with a better lens, that

would be ideal.

 

Suggestions? I have been looking at KEH stuff and will give them a call on

Monday for ideas as well, but they want to sel me things. I am looking for 3rd

party opinions here.

thanks for any ideas!

Yeah Steve, we have been to most of these places he shows and have the images to prove it..

Why not just measure, shoot, and look at the results and, uh.. figure it out from there? If you place your camera on a tripod and the closest object at 2 feet, 2.5 feet, 3 feet., 3.5 feet etc. with the lense focused at infinity that ought to answer your own question.

 

Often this is your advice to others, 'go out and shoot and look at the results.'

 

Go take your own advice and report back the answer. That woud be helpful.

First of all, the Cat Steve Levine posted is a LYNX, NOT a Bob Cat and the image is from a zoo.

 

Bob Cats have shorter ear tufts and note the heavy fur on the legs.. The Lynx has this and very wide paws to be able to walk softly AND to navigate deep, soft snow.

 

Bob Cats are reclusive animals and active at night. They typically have 3-4 kittens with only 1 or 2 surviving to adulthood.

 

I have lived near/in Bob Cat habitat most of my life and I have seen ONE.

Sunset can create interesting images. This was taken at the abandoned Kelley Mine in New Mexico through the wall of a broken down, building. Maybe not the most original thing, but I took it... :)

Josh and Kerry...

Just so you know, I was fly fishing when I was 8 years old. My Dad taught me how and I tie my own flies. Quite honestly I have had more regular success catching fish with a fly rod than with anything else save Minnows in the fall on Brown Trout. I have a couple of killer patterns that seem to wake 'em from the dead... LOL

 

Kerry:

The equipment is still here.. I think I will hang in for a bit yet.

 

FWIW I started my college career in meteorology at SUNY Albany, but abandoned it for Geography with a specialty in air imagery interpretation and mapping. Had to learn how color film worked because I had to learn how Color Infrared film worked. I had a knack for the arial stuff but I wanted to be a farmer and I was a self employed FT farmer for almost 20 years.. then I was a bridge engineer and designer of short span bridges.. Federal Project manager for a NY County and now I work for the State in an entirely different field where I actually use my Geography and aerial stuff at times.

 

I "get" the winter Seattle weather thing.. I would hate all the dark and IF I did not have to go to work or if I had the $$ I would likely escape for a couple of weeks anyway to the South West in winter.

 

and Harry.. don't walk away because of ratings on this site. Better to find different raters.. ;)

 

Seriously I have never cared what my stuff rated. I do care if the image holds your eye, is properly lit and (if it is really good) leaves you with a feeling or a question or with knowledge.

 

Ah well, it is spitting snow (again) and we are to get a squall line with white outs for a bit tomorrow then back into cold and wind. I am not sure there is a sun out there anymore. I heard rumore of its appearance earlier today but it was just a rumor and no sighting was made. :(

To Anthony Stubbs:

 

Well, THAT had me ROFLMAO.... Sure.. I am over 50 and I would LOVE to find a "boy" but no more of 'em living in MY HOUSE. Nope. Not ever again. Don't want to share my living space with another guy.. too much like WORK... I got the DOG to replace the GUY. She is a good dog too. Doesn't make a mess, is always happy to see me and making dinner is a snap!

 

I suspect 1/2 of my problem is I AM settled down. Good Challenging Job which is a part of the equation which may Help to save the World from Humanity, house, all the rest...

 

And the winter blahs..

 

I used to post my work. I should put up more on P-net. Just haven't done it. Dial up here. Probably could burn a CD and do it from another 'puter with fast connection. Just don't get to it. I think in dog training it is called 'avoidance behavior..' or something like that.

 

Well, I won't sell the equipment. Most wouldn't bring me much anyhow.

 

BTW I started out learning and went right into pro photography not t'other way 'round. Teacher was really quite good because he understood the technical aspects. He is a really good street shooter but not so hot on the artistic end.

 

I do fine art. Paint, draw and sculpt as time allows and have since I could pick up a pencil at age 3. I draw better now than then and I do have a talent that never really matured in this (had to do stuff like earn money, work etc.).

 

Anyway.. I coupled the technical and pro stuff with my art ability and I know I am a good photographer. Always can improve.. always a better way to see it... always more to learn...you know the drill.

 

I will give it time and try to get something up on my member page here. I ain't great.. so don't be looking for that.

 

Maybe it is just too much dark weather, too many days in the office (maybe I ought to take a day or two off but with a PLAN to go somewhere.. and I want to bring my dog and my one cat). Maybe start a photo journey putting them in every photo or something like that.

 

I am not blaming photography.. just seems like a lot of things these days (including photography) are gathering dust.

Maybe it is just a slump or maybe it is just this seemingly interminable winter. I am in such good shape these days (phuysically) but I am tired all the time. If not for having to go to work I am thinking hibernation has its benefits.

 

Well, at least others go thru periods with no shooting. I DO still see things that inspire me but it is always on the way to work or some deadline and I cannot stop and give the image justice.

Yup. I am thinking of dumping my stuff on Ebay and walking away from

Photography.

 

I take good photos.. and have a few really great ones in there too. I have

made money with my cameras and I understand settings, light and the rest. I

started with film in 2001 and have been doing better ever since. I have been

successful commercially with photography and I have a dark room for B&W film.

 

However, in the last 6 months I take the stuff out and use it less and less.

I am developing other interests and often I go places without a camera (which

used to be unthinkable).

 

Maybe it is the overwhelming advent of digital and my natural preference to be

outdoors over being tied foot and hand to the computer fiddling with images.

Maybe it is the spiraling costs of equipment and software that has gone well

beyond my financial reach coupled with the spiraling costs of film and lab

work. Maybe it is a lack of time along with a lack of money.

 

Someone gave me a renewal to my subscription to shutterbug and I rarely even

look at it anymore (no idea who.. it should have run out December but I still

get it and the expire date on the label is now January 2009)

 

I am not sure if this is just the winter blahs, or if I have learned what I

needed and done what I wanted with this medium and it is time to move on.

 

Maybe you all get this way sometimes too.

 

So, there it is. I am thinking about it now. No need to make an immediate

dicision.. and wondering if you ever just don't care about taking pictures.

I hate sitting at a computer doing that sort of work. I just really hate it. I have some lovely stuff right now.. RAW files that need the usual tweaking and I just always have something way better to do with my time.

 

Heck.. half the time I don't even turn this machine ON at home. Fact is, tonight is not a usual night or it would not be on now.

 

I sit at a computer all day. I just can't get into this nights and weekends too. So, I shoot film.

 

Once in awhile I do work in my wet dark room as well.. but there feels more craft to that than to this computer stuff.

My XBF hated cats and was afraid of dogs. I kept the cats, got rid of him and got a dog.

 

A more useless man I have never known..

 

He was a not very skilled con man, liked drugs of the illegal variety and was a photographer too.

 

Oh yeah.. and since my cats are of the indoor variety, are parasite free, walk on leashes, ride in the car etc., they do not murder any wildlife. They are Death on Christmas Ornaments tho!