A visit with an old friend

It's 6:00 am.  I'm not ashamed to say that I haven't slept a wink all night.  Last night, I talked to an old friend that recently lost his wife of 23 years. He hasn't been doing much sleeping also.  I felt compelled to stay as he talked, fueled by the beer that he was drinking.  I drank water as I observed his remorse of not spending more time with her and staying by her side more.

I once worked with this man, many years ago.  He felt the need to talk about that as well, between his stories of his happier days when his wife accused me of killing her pet pig (which I did not have anything to do with).  He remembers the time when we went to the comedy club and was almost asked to leave because of the heated argument we got into about Oprah Winfrey.

She had cancer.  She lasted about 2 years and passed away the day after Christmas.  The cancer had spread throughout her body and infected nearly every part of her until hospice was the only option left.  My friend stayed by her side for that entire month, until she passed.

I have been married for 19 years and can't imagine what he is going through.  Every room in his house has a memory of her.  I'm not sure how he copes with his loss, I'm sure I would be devastated.

I listened all night.

All night, without a wink of sleep.

I'm still wide awake.

I'm not sure what is scarier.  Waking up without my wife someday, or watching her go forever.

This has opened my eyes quite a bit and made me appreciate what I've got here and now.

And I'm thankful for every day I get to spend with the love of my life...

Too Much of Me - Combining Exposures

Like everything else, It all starts with an idea.

Some hair-brained thought that maybe I can make this work.

Besides, I have edited photos in the past and had them turn out pretty good.

I once took one picture of myself, a friend, and my wife and I swapped all of our heads.

On another, I made a gif where I turned my brother's picture into some kind of ugly elf.

I went to take a picture of my cousin once and he mooned me.  I fixed his wagon, that goofy monkey!

I added the tail by copying the color of the hair on the back of his head and kept duplicating it using a clone tool in Adobe Photoshop.  This is where I started, way back before I really got into photography, back when I just started learning about the fun you can have editing photos.

I once worked as a Graphic Coordinator for  a company when I was about 21 years old.  I had no college training, but I seemed to have a gift for editing.  I did it my way and I was a fast learner.  My siblings are great artists with a pen or pencil in their hands, but not me.  I can barely color inside of the lines.  But, I could create masterpieces for companies like Braun's R&D, Snap-on, Test Products International, and The Wisconsin Department of Transportation, to name just a few.  Well, that only lasted a few years and then I went back to a career in welding.

It was only a few years ago in 2016 that I got back into photography with the help of a great friend.  That winter, I started experimenting with some settings on my camera and started using a tripod.  I found that if you set up a shot and set the timer (and later a remote) you can have the same shot placement and edit in or out whatever you wanted or didn't want.

This was my first try.  I thought it turned out pretty fun, but I wanted to have a little more fun with this.

This was the second shot.  But I could do better..

There.  Now this picture was a lot of fun.  Some of the fun is the editing, but most of it is in the planning and shooting.

This one was my favorite.  There was quite a bit of planning that went into this picture.  You have to strategically place your tripod and get the right height on the camera.  Lighting has to be right, so does the white balance.  I don't often shoot auto white balance.  Sometimes, I go full manual with it based upon the conditions in the environment I'm shooting.

Next, select manual focus and go big with your f stop.  Most times I shoot these around f/22 so I get all the details in the room and it's easier to overlay shots without having that paper doll effect.  It's all got to be seamless, like 3-D, not cut and paste in 1-D.

So, let's go through my shooting process.  Set up the camera and tripod and get a few test shots to make sure the frame, focus, and white balance it right.  Also, check on the exposure.  You may have to darken the room or lighten it, use fill flash, or adjust your ISO.  You also may have to increase or decrease your exposure levels, which most digital cameras have on them.

This is my test shot and also my base photo.  I'll use this for the background since it's not cluttered or has too many shadows in it.

Now, start strategically placing yourself in the shot.  I did a wardrobe chance every time, but just my shirt and hat.  Remember the small details.  Think of the big picture and how you want it to turn out.

Where does everyone fit in the picture?  What do you want everyone doing?  Make it fun and add some goofy elements.  Hide things that you normally won't see in the first glance.  Make it a picture that you'll want to study like you're looking for Waldo (I'll have to remember this for a later shoot...)

You can use your shots to cover areas of the room that you don't like or use them to accent features that you want to show off.

After you've got all the shots that you think you want, carefully remove the memory card and download them onto your editing computer.  I keep my camera in the same place in case I want to re-shoot a character, or add something.

I use Adobe Photoshop and On1 to edit my photos.  I've worked with Photoshop since the late 90's.  On1 has some great features, and since I usually shoot these scenes in RAW for best quality, I edit first with that program.  You'll have to work in layers, each photo as 1 layer.  Use the masking took on the top picture to remove the areas where you want the picture underneath to show through.  I like working with 2 layers at a time while I hide the rest of the layers. You can also change the other layer's opacity and "ghost" them so you have reference to where the rest of your characters are.  Most programs will let you unmask if you happen to mess up a little bit.  You'll have to play with this for a while until you really get it.  It may take quite a bit of time to get it just right at first, but it'll get easier after you've done it a few times.  That's why I started small and only had 3 elements in the first few pictures.

After editing, this is what the finished picture looks like.  If you render or "flatten" the image and combine all layers, it's easier to finish editing the colors, shadows, exposure, or remove bothersome spots on the walls, if you have any.

I did the same thing with my daughters, using them as my characters.  I can play director with them and tell them where to sit, pose their arms and legs, have them change wardrobes... that sort of thing so I can make it easier to edit.  I can easily review photos and tell them exactly where I want them to be for the best final picture.

I call this one Baker's Helpers.  Looking back, I should've had the tripod centered a little more to the right.  I might do another like this, but shrink her body and make it look like she's a bunch of miniatures of herself.  That would consist of  editing more in Photoshop, since it's easier to cut her out and scale her down.  We'll wait for another rainy day in the future for that.

This is my other daughter.  There's 11 shots here, all combined into 1.  I'm not really happy about the lighting on this one, but that's just me being picky.  I was also using a wide angle lens adapter that screws onto my 18mm kit lens.

Start small and when you've got the hang of it, GO BIG!  This is such a fun way to make memories.  Even if it's only with yourself.  You may even develop your own way to do this.  Might be easier than mine.  Either way, I'm still having fun shooting, learning, and displaying my finished works around the house and online.

Making Chocolate Chip Cookies

Welcome to a special quarantine edition of blogging with U.N.C.A.G.E.D. Adventures.  We just got the word that we'll be restricted to home mostly for another month or so until around Memorial Day weekend.  That, and there's no more school for the rest of the year.  Well, at least, no more showing up at school.  My kids will be homeschooling for the rest of the year.  It'll make it a little weird when I try to throw a dance or two in there and it'll just be them with their phones, looking awkward just like we did in the 80's, but with more technology.

Today on U.N.C.A.G.E.D. Adventures, we'll be making chocolate chip cookies with the help of some special guests.  I'll introduce some of them as we go, but I'm sure most of you will know who most of these guests are!  We're going to take this step by step, so those of you at home can follow along and bake along with us.

We're going to preheat the oven to 375 degrees to start things off.

Next, We're going to need some eggs.  And for that, it's best if you use fresh eggs, straight from the chicken's butt!

You're going to want to combine 2-1/4 cups of flour, 1 tsp of salt, and 1 tsp of baking soda.  We're doubling our recipe to make more cookies because they go so fast around here, so multiply these measurements by 2.  First the flour.

Alright, Mr gnome, please stop skiing on the flour.  It's not snow!

Mr. Yukon Cornelius is adding the flour, I guess a little at a time!

Now we need to add the salt and the baking soda.

Ok, guys.  Do you think you can bring that over here and add that to this bowl?  I'll get it...

In a separate larger bowl, crack 2 eggs per batch.  We've got plenty of help for this step.

Alright, a little further... a little right... a little left... ok now, hand it up to Buzz...

He's got a special technique for cracking eggs.  It's called a karate chop!

This Lego guy uses a different technique.  He just smashes it with a hammer.  Notice how he and Buzz are using their personal protective equipment, such as a face shield.  Don't want egg shell in your eye, that might hurt, and you sure don't want to go to any medical clinic at this point in time.

Buzz helps by beating up the eggs with a whisk.

Next, melt 4 sticks of butter (I did the math for you already for this one).  Add it along with 3/4 cup of white sugar and 3/4 cup of packed brown sugar (no math this time...)  Mix and then add the flour mixture and really mix it.  Woody has offered to help with the electric mixing duties.  

Ok, I think he's settled down on that thing.  Ok boys, open the gate just a little tiny crack and... GO!!!

Look at the strength!  He's really holding on there!  I think... can he... almost there... YES!!! He made it all 8 seconds!

But, it's still not quite mixed, so I'll do the rest of the mixing from this point on.

Now we'll add 2 bags of chocolate chips.

Apparently, the aliens think we're making wine.  Get out of there guys, I've got to mix 'em in still!  Grab a hold of the claw and we'll pull you out!

I just got it all mixed and some really skinny dude decided to have a seat in the batter.  Man, get out of there before I kill you...... um, wait...  Ok, just please exit the bowl...

There's always someone around here that wants to lick the beaters.  We drew straws and Rex and Shermy got the honors.  Now we roll them into small balls and place them on a baking sheet so they're evenly spaced.  Almost like this, except for...

Lowly, please remove yourself before you end up a plastic puddle in the oven!

Bake these for about 10 minutes and then remove them from the oven and let them cool slightly before taking them off of the baking sheet.  

Thank you Jessie!  Those look delicious!  The best part is eating a few while they're still warm!  Enjoy!

My Birthday

Yes.

It's december 20th.  2019.  That means it's my birthday.  It's not necessarily my favorite day.  Those who know me know that this day is a day that I normally run from.  I usually ignore it. I haven't had the best track record on this day, from my memories.  This day was always a shared day with my Grandpa who's birthday was 3 days from now.  He was a man who I never really understood.  He was my mother's father, but not a true grandpa to me.  I'm not going to get into details about him, but instead invite you into the depths into my deepest feelings about this day.

I've never really celebrated this day.  As long as I've known, this day has always been a day to celebrate not just me. but also my grandpa.  I never knew a birthday cake without both of our names on it.  It wasn't my special day, but ours.  I don't remember a birthday that didn't include him until I was older.  After that, It was a day that many people held their companies christmas parties on.  It became a day that only became special to me and my small family around me.

I always wanted a big birthday party to celebrate myself, that I was an special individual, seperate from anyone else.  I never really got that.  This time of year, people go to parties for their companies, for their families, and for their friends, but it never seemed to include me. I always felt sorry for myself.  I started to dread my birthday and feel anxious when the day actually arrived.  I swore that I'd never celebrate my birthday again.  It wasn't worth it, the heartbreak, the let down, the non-importance of it all...

It wasn't until my cousin explained it clearly to me.

I was defining my special day as a day that I remembered in the past, instead of a day that started my future.  As I write this, I just turned 44 years old.  I've been living every birthday 43 years in the past.  Every year I get older I get wiser, I gain wisdom, and I gain clarity with help from those who surround me.

I am in control of my destiny.

I have control on how I live my life.

I have control on how my story continues and what story I tell in the first place.

My story started on a questionable note, but is that the way I'm going to continue to tell my story?

I'll tell you now a few details about me that are definitive:

I love me.

I have some really great friends.

I have a family that really cares for me and is interested in me succeeding in life.

I love photography, fishing, hunting, music, driving, hiking, and, above all, seeing my family truly happy with including me in anything their happily doing.  That's what makes me tick.  Not self preservation, not making myself happy, but making my family happy.  That's when it finally comes full circle for me.  That's what's real to me. 

You all want to know the secret to life?

It's easy.

It's in the people around you.

It's in the loved ones that you hold dear.

It's your own happiness that you have achieved true love with the world around you, with those closest to you, with your surroundings.



I am at the point that I am at peace with all that I have and am grateful with all that I have.



I thank you all for being all that you are and teaching me all that you have.



I have a lot to learn, but I absorb all you have left to teach me.



I love you all!!!

Snow Hiking

My niece has never been hiking in the winter.  Whaaat?  Seriously?  She's only lived in Wisconsin all her life, like 25 years.  We've had a good snowstorm about 2 months ago that dumped about 10 inches on us and after shoveling and snowblowing, we had to really get out in it.  I invited her to come with us.  I told her to dress really warm.  She did.  Hiking in the snow warms you up pretty well so we got pretty steamy, especially walking uphill.

This was the first shot I took

 This is Elisa setting up her camera on her phone

 She stayed dry on land, while I went straight to the middle of the river, which I normally do.  I cant seen to get the shots that I want on the river banks.  Good thing it's not too deep for my muck boots and my boots are good until -40 degrees!  The coldest I've had them in is about -13 degrees with a -35 degree wind chill, although the water temp is warmer if you're standing in liquid water. 

 Another from the center of the river (actually it's called Pike Creek, but it does get deep in spots).

 This is an 8 second shot of Elisa.  She had to hold very still!

I like to shoot this spot also.  It's around the bend from the other shots from above.

This day was perfect to shoot.  Cloudy, a light wind, lightly flowing water, and a fresh snowfall.

This spot is downstream from a small pond that empties into the creek.  I couldn't resist to walk directly up this and explore it, same thing we love to do at our favorite creek on my best friend's property which she calls Awesome Creek.

Some ice fingers hanging over a quickly moving part of the creek.

We have stopped at this log a few times before and set up the tripod with a remote.  I like that this fallen log is like a bridge.  Someday, I'd like to do another multiple exposure shot that looks like a Where's Waldo photo where there's multiple pictures of all of us doing goofy stuff.  There's quite a lot going on in those pictures and it's so fun to coordinate and edit shots like that.

Evelyn walking with her snowboard after tacking a sledding hill with it.

A Christmas card photo of pine trees under a blanket of fresh powder.

After the hike, we tried to do donuts in one of the empty parking lots that hadn't been plowed.  It doesn't work well with a Subaru, those cars have a ton of control.  So, after I turned off the anti-slip control, we ended up doing Kringles and Long Johns instead!  I haven't laughed that hard while I've been driving and everyone else (excluding Scout possibly) had a really fun time letting me go crazy.  I may have even traveled off road at one point or another but there's no evidence of that.

Winter is almost over now, but that doesn't mean that I can't look forward to one more decent snowfall still this year (I secretly hope).  And there's always the promise of next winter!!!  I'm already dreading the heat and humidity that this summer will bring, but the hope of winter will hopefully carry me through!

Starved Rock in the Winter

We've been to this park once in the spring and once in the summer.  It was about time to get here in the winter.    

This first picture is the first canyon that you see from atop of the bridge before you get to the main lodge and the gift shop.  There is a honeycomb type of concrete work that helps in the erosion of the canyon below this, about 50-75 feet below the bridge.

The trails were easy to recognize for the most part, but the entrances to the canyons were any but familiar.  The stairs down to the normal starting trails were iced over which were a good suggestion that we were in need of our Yaktraks, which I put on after we were already down on the bottom by the Illinois river.  We were in search of some Eagles, which we heard had taken up residence along the river.

The spot along the river where the eagles were spotted.  

An adult Eagle in one of the trees.

 One of the Eagles flying above us.

 The trail down to the river.

 One of the leaves from a sycamore tree, one of the largest leaves we've ever seen.

The treacherous trail down the French Canyon.  It was entirely ice covered, to the point that you had to hang onto the rail to get down the stairs.  Scout (our 4 legged family member) slipped down these stairs and had to be helped by mom.

 This is how French Canyon looks in the spring...

This is how it looks in the Winter!!!

 The Trail down to the canyons...

 One of the treacherous trails from French Canyon to Pontiac Canyon that were entirely iced over!

Wildcat Canyon in the spring...

 Wildcat Canyon in the winter...

 A closeup of the Wildcat Canyon waterfall...

 Along the trail atop the Wildcat canyon...

After this hike, we trekked back to the Subaru and had a bite to eat or lunch.. Roast beef, ham, and deep fried turkey sandwiches with Colby-jack cheese and Western salad dressing!  A good meal that was well deserved.  After lunch, we drove to the Eastern part of the park and got out at the Counsel Overhang parking lot.

This is the Counsel Overhang.  It is absolutely huge!!!  Large enough to fit our meager house under it!!! 

 This is Kaskaskia Canyon.  after we ventured back there, we discovered that there were ice climbers in there scaling one of the frozen ice pillars.

 This is one of those men climbing the ice pillar.  It was fun to just sit there and watch.  They didn't seem to mind as long as you gave them some space.

After that, we took the other end of the forked trail to Ottawa Canyon.  This was the view at the end of that very long canyon.  The trail ended at 2 frozen waterfalls.

 Here's the girls, relaxing at the end of a long day hiking on ice.

 Of course, my beautiful wife loves the ice, and get's as close to it as she can!

 Here's a 20 second exposure of the ice waterfall that has water flowing in the middle of it.

 An other view of the waterfall at the end of the canyon.

This is a shot of one of the many overhangs that this canyon offers.  It is unique that this overhang has areas that the earth's water seeps through areas in the ceiling that aren't on the edge, but are in the center of the overhang roof.