Before and After with The Nik Collection

As we all know Google is pulling the plug on Google Reader. Nobody was particularly happy with that, nor was I. But thanks to Florinda and others I am now happily using Feedly and working on getting used to it.

When Google announced shutting down Reader I was nervous about their recent acquisition of Nik software. I only use one of their plug-ins for photography right now, but I planned on buying others. Or, all of them really at some point. The same day Google announced the Reader shutdown they also stated they are not going to update Snapseed for PC or Mac. I became doubly nervous then. I figured they were going to shutter all the Nik software stuff and replace it with something worse.

Well, today Google announced they are reducing the price for the entire bundle to $149, which is a great deal. They also said that if you had purchased any of the other plug-ins already you would receive an email telling you how to get the whole collection for free. That pretty much made my day. Now, I want to say this is not any sort of sponsored post. I was just really excited about this. Do I think Google will still keep this alive? I hope, butI don't know. I'm not sure how Topaz or onOne is going to respond to this. It's not too cool for them, that's for sure.

Anyway, since I downloaded it I thought I'd try them all out with a before and after photo. This was just a test and not a great photo, but it shows what the software can do. I really do recommend the new Nik Collection. Though I'm not a fan of the icons they use, but what can you do about that.

Before

After

Now, again, this isn't perfect, but just a quick tweaking I did with Viveza 2, Color Efex Pro 4 and Dfine 2. Although, the second photo is much closer to what Akaka Falls looked like in real life. So, go, buy, if you are into photography that is. If not, it's cheap enough to buy for a gift for someone you love, or just kind of tolerate.

Playing around with some new software

I'm trying out Nik Silver Efex Pro 2 software for black and white photo conversion. Why? I don't know. I was reading about it, I use their HDR Efex  Pro 2 software, it's Sunday, there is freezing rain outside...and just because. Anyway, I converted one photo from our trip to Wyoming last summer. It's kind of a boring shot in color so I thought I'd try converting it. I think it turned out okay for a first try.

There were some dark shadows on the range that may be a bit too dark here but, hey, I'm not a professional here.

Okay, time to go see if I need to chisel the car out of a block of ice.

Reformatting for photos

I'm testing out some wider margins here to post photos and maybe make them look a little better when I put them up.

I plan to post more photos this year, which a hope is a good thing. I guess it depends if they are any good and if you'd rather look at pictures or read. Pictures are good.

Oh, I've been having some fun with Communities on Google +. Any one else trying them out? No, Google + is never going to be huge, but I certainly like this addition.

Anyway, I thought I'd post a few pictures from our vacation in Wyoming this summer. We had a good time there. The kids loved the animals and it was nice to be almost out in the middle of nowhere. When we were outside our hotel, that is. It's not like we were camping out.

Jenny Lake in Grand Teton National Park

Lone Bison

Barn on Mormon Row

Yeeeee haw! 

Chapel of the Transfiguration

Danger!

Playing with Legos and a camera

Today it is hot. The little thermometer on my computer says it is 98F and the air conditioning says it believes the computer since it (the A/C) hasn't had a break all day. So, since I didn't have to work today, it was a day spent in the house. Well, mostly. See, it's been very dry here this summer. (How dry is it?) It's so dry the grass is wonderful shade of brown and slightly unpleasant to walk on.

Anyway, I was bored and I told my son to get a couple of Lego minifigs so we can set up some kind of photo shoot with them. This is what came of that.

The first one I tried to make it look like he was stranded in the desert. Minus the sand, of course. 

Then I found a little hole in the ground so I shoved one of the guys in there and did these. 

Yes, I'm a dork. And now I'm hot. 

Chicago Architecture Tour

Two weeks ago Jenn and I stayed in downtown Chicago to get away from it all. In other words, spend some time without the kids. While we were down there we went on a tour to see the architecture along the Chicago River. There are some cool old, and new, buildings down there that I tried my best to do justice to with my camera. It turns out it is not all that easy to take a good picture from a moving boat. Who knew?


Here is the Wrigley Building with the Tribune Tower behind it.

Another view of the Wrigley building. The color is slightly off due to the clouds and white balance. My bad on that. 

I don't remember the name of this place but I thought it look cool. Like a condo building from Cloud City or the Jetsons. 

The gigantic Merchandise Mart. This picture does not due justice to the size of this place. 

This is looking down the river and the Sears Tower now known as the Willis Tower, but that is tough for a life-long Chicago suburban person to say. 

This didn't turn out as well as I wanted, again, moving boat, but I liked the old look of the sign that is about to fall into the water. 

This is a look down the river to the old Montgomery Ward building. I forgot what is all in there now. Again, it is much bigger than this looks. 

I just like that this said "Sponge" on the old water tank on top. 

This wasn't on the boat tour, but this is the City Hall building. Imposing. 

I took more pictures but these were the ones that turned out the best. I highly recommend taking a tour like this if you ever come to Chicago. We took the one through the Chicago Architecture Foundation, which I highly recommend, but there are others as well. If you do go, don't be like me and not pay close enough attention. When I got home the next day I had to ask Jenn and look up which buildings were in the pictures I took. 

EMPS 150: A walk in the Park

I haven't participated in one of Carly's photo shoots in a loooooooooooooong time. I'm here to fix that. This week Carly asked for pictures from a walk in the park. I was in a park-like place. It's a nature center that I go to all the time close to the house. It has a little bit of everything in one spot. I always feel very relaxed walking through there.

Anyway, on to the pictures.

As you can see, fall is pretty much done here. There are barely any leaves left, and most everything is brown. At least we are snow free. 

For once it was warm during the Shamrock Shuffle

Jenn and I ran in the Shamrock Shuffle again this weekend. One thing about having a race this early in the year in Chicago is you never know what the weather is going to be like. Two years ago we ran in a blizzard. So this year the race was pushed two weeks later and what do we get? Near record heat. Yes, I know I shouldn't complain about warm weather in April, but I'm going to. See, I haven't run outside in temperatures about 55 so far this year. It's not that easy to all of a sudden shift like that. Especially as you get older and don't prepare the way you should.

Let's backtrack a bit first. Jenn and I were smart this year and went downtown the night before to make it much easier, and less stressful, to get to the race. We had won a night's stay at the Park Hyatt last year in a silent auction so we used it for this race. It worked great, the hotel was super nice and we had a great view.

We walked around downtown a bit and grabbed dinner at Mity Nice Grill in Water Tower Place. We noticed a million cops walking around as we walked to the restauarant. We weren't sure why, but we thought it might have something to do with it being the first nice night of the year and the cops expected undesirables to come out and try to swipe stuff. Who knows? Whoopi was also in town, maybe they were protecting her. (I'm kidding about that.)

Since we had to get up early we didn't walk around much so we'd be well rested and ready to run. Because we are professionals you know. (What?)

The next morning I put on my favorite nerdy running shirt and we headed downstairs to catch a cab to the starting line. Hey, we were about a mile away, we didn't want to burn ourselves out before the race!

We met up with Jenn's cousin, Kim, and waited a long time for the race to start.

It took so long to start because we are slow people and they let all the good people go first and release the rest of us losers in waves. I think it took a little over thirty minutes from the start of the race until we actually crossed the starting line. Those good people up front are finishing the stupid thing before we even get to the start. That's what happens when you have over 30,000 people running at once.

So, since it was warm and humid, my plan was to start of slow and take it easy. So, of course, I took off in the beginning and totally screwed myself up. I was hot and panting way too early and I never really got my groove back. It probably didn't help that I was wearing a black shirt. Idiot.

I finished though. I don't think it was my worst time, but it was nowhere near the time I wanted. After the race Jenn and I made a pledge to be better prepared and not slack off so much during the winter. Sure, we make the same pact every year, but this time we mean it!

We decided to walk back to the hotel so we wouldn't cramp up after sitting in a cab. We walked by the famous Chicago Magic Bean. I don't know if that is it's official name, but what else would you call a giant chrome kidney bean?

After we cleaned ourselves up we went across the street from the hotel and ate at RL, better known as Ralph Lauren Restaurant. Jenn told me she read that the resturant served Jennifer Aniston's favorite burger in Chicago. So, of course, I had the steak sandwich. Jenn had the burger and said it was good, but she also mentioned that Jennifer Aniston should probably go out and try more hamburgers in Chicago.

Now, I don't know why, but after the race when we got to Jenn's parent's house to pick up the kids I felt like crap. I just wanted to sleep. And, actually, I did drift off for a few minutes while we were there. I chalked it up to not being ready for the run and going a bit too hard in the beginning. But then I felt lousy the next day and Jenn was feeling ill today and stayed home from work. I think someone put something in the water. That's probably why I ran so poorly as well. That's my story and I'm sticking to it!

Few words, mostly pictures

I haven't had time to write much here this week since the kids were on Spring Break and I was home with them. We spent a lot of the time catching up on doctor appointments, hiding from the rain and the last few days spent playing Lego Star Wars III: The Clone Wars. Our son has been waiting for that game since Christmas I think.

So, since I don't have much to say I thought I'd add a few photos I've taken the last few days.

This one is the side of an old village hall built in 1907. They don't put these kind of things on the side of buildings anymore.

Here is a random cart hanging out behind a gas station. So lonely.

This is the third of fourth robin of spring. Looks a little chubby.

I didn't pull off the exact shot I wanted here with the railroad tracks, but I was afraid of getting run down by a silent train. Or something.

How has your spring been?

Busy week again. Enjoy some pictures!

It's been a busy week with stuff at the kids' school, getting ready for the second attempt at our son's birthday that was cancelled due to strep throat and all the other stuff that goes on in life.

Anyway, I thought I'd share a few photos from the last week or so.

Here is Quincy and Cruise celebrating Valentine's Day in their own way. This didn't turn out exactly like I wanted, but I like Cruise's eyes in the background.

Here is an old farm and smoke house in the area. The smoke house is actually on the National Register of Historic Places. Cool, no? More on this later.

And last we have the full moon. No werewolves were harmed during shooting of the last photo.

Have a good weekend. I'll be back Monday with some cool news. Really!

Snowmageddon It

We survived the Great Snow of 2011. All I have to show for it is some sore muscles from shoveling and snow blowing the driveway. I don't know our official total, but I know O'Hare recorded 20.2 inches. O'Hare is close enough to my house to count that as the total by me too. The main problem was the drifting snow. We have winds up to 60mph last night so we had some drifts of at least four feet. It looked really neat, until I had to clean it up. I think it took about two hours. I tried to take some pictures to give you an idea what it was like.

Here is a picture down the street about an hour before it started.

I should add that this storm didn't take its time to get going. We went from nothing to not being able to see across the street in a matter of minutes. It only got worse after that.

I took this crappy picture through the front window as it was really going.

The wind was so strong that I thought that light pole was going to crash down on the driveway. It didn't.

This is the street after it was all done and the sun came out. It looks nice here. Now it's all broken up with footprints and ugly piled up at the end of all the driveways.

Quincy and Cruise had a good time running around in the backyard. I wasn't sure how the would like all the snow, but we had a hard time getting them in the house most of the day, so I assume they like it.

Here is a photo of them playing in the snow.

And here is a video. I hope this works. I think this is the first time putting a video up here and I've had a Flip camera for over a year.

Overall, it was pretty neat to watch. The last time we had a storm like this was 1999 and I was at work and then slept through a lot of it. I slept through a lot of this too, but I got to see the thundersnow. Speaking of thundersnow, here is Jim Cantore almost getting killed by it.

I know New York and most of the east coast has it worse this winter, but this was a huge storm covering many states. I think as a whole this was one of the biggest winter storms in a long time. Let's wait until next century for the next one, okay?

Post Christmas Post

So, yes, Christmas is over. I remember always being so bummed when Christmas was all over as a kid. Sure, I had all the toys to play with, but the anticipation was all gone. Also, school was just around the corner. Now it's more of a relief when Christmas is over, especially when you have to host Christmas day. We don't cook all that much, and since it was Christmas we couldn't order out, so that makes us worry a little bit. Luckily my mom brought a ham that just had to be heated up, we made some pasta (I can do that) and we had some au gratin potatoes that needed to be cooked in the oven. Easy as pie. Speaking of pie, as usual we had way too many desserts.

Yes, that is a present cake with and edible bow. No, I didn't make it. See above.

But, what is Christmas about if not to over-indulge in treats? Oh yeah, gifts. I got to stay up until 1:30am on Christmas Eve to put together our daughter's Barbie townhouse. See, Toys R Us were nice enough to ship it to us in the regular box so when I picked up the kids from school one day it was sitting in front of the door for her to see. We tried to play it off that it might not be for here, but she wouldn't have it. Luckily, a friend at work came up with the idea that I put it together the night before and leave a note from Santa saying he had to drop it off early so his elves could come and put it together. She totally bought it. Kids.

The kids did let us sleep a little late on Christmas which was nice, but that meant Jenn and I were scrambling around all day to get things ready. I had actually just come home from picking up sushi, for an appetizer, when my mom and sister showed up. Of course my mom's first words were about the driveway being slippery, but she came early to get the ham going, so what could I say? Overall it worked out well. I think everyone had a good time.

On to other stuff. Because everyone else was doing it, I started a Tumblr blog. Or is it just a Tumblr? I don't know what all I'm going to put up there, but if this space is any indication, you know it is going to be awesome.

Also, if anyone is interested in joining our Flickr group go here and send me a message and I'll put you in. It's not an every day thing, but at least once a week. It should be fun; it was last year.

That's all for now. Happy New Year!

Parents, this is why you don't give your kids clothes for Christmas

Actually, I'm not sure if this is from Christmas or my birthday since the back of the photo just says 1980. Also, since my birthday is in February, it is usually still cold so the fireplace would be going then too. But, just look at this picture, you can tell I'm loving this gift.

Jenn and I were trying to figure out if the shirt is made from terry cloth or velour. It's hard to tell from the photo and the color doesn't help. If it was a nice blue or red you'd see the shine that velour gives off. Now, the shirt I'm wearing in the picture is definitely velour. I actually remember that shirt. I wore it a lot, as I did with a lot of clothes back then that I liked. Hell, I do the same thing now.

How about that watch? I remember I really wanted a watch with those flexible metal bands when I was younger. I didn't think so at the time, but isn't that a girl's watch? Look at the size of the face. I think I got it from my dad, if I'm not mistaken, he probably got me the smaller one since they didn't have a kids version. It's not like he wanted me to wear something meant for girls. At least I don't think so.

Now look at my hair. Believe me when I say I could care less about my hair, I go to Hair Cuttery for Pete's sake, but what is with the sideburns? If you can call them that. Maybe it was just longer on the sides. But how do my ears show? We won't even go into the front of my hair. I have many cowlicks in my hair so it always looks funky if it is too long or tow short. Basically, I have one day of good hair. That is why where baseball caps as often as possible. It's so much easier.

My grandmother seems happy with the gift. Well, knowing how she was, she was probably laughing at me. She was always laughing. She was a lot of fun. My sister, who is ten years older than me, used to go out with her on the weekends sometimes. She was a hoot, as they say.

Anyway, I thought I'd share this awesome photo that Jenn found. You're welcome.

The First Snow of 2010-2011

We had our first snow this weekend. It wasn't as bad as predicted, but it made some things look nice. See:

There are Elk in the woods here. I guess they are mascots in a way since the town is called Elk Grove. As soon as I went to the fence one started walking towards me. He probably thought I had some food, I didn't and your not allowed to feed them anyway. The Elk should know that by now.

Happy Winter!

I stopped to take a picture and thought I was going to get busted

I mentioned this on Twitter yesterday, but I wanted to post the final product here, so you may be reading this again. If at all.

For a while now I've wanted to stop and take a picture of these shopping carts that were tossed into the drainage ditch next to the road near my house. They've been there forever, but with a recent downpour they had been shoved together and closer to a parking lot. Not to mention they looked even more depressing with all the crud that they accumulated with all the water rushing past them.

So yesterday I decided I'd stop and snap a few quick photos while on the way to get the kids at school. Like I said they were lying in the ditch right off the parking lot so it was easy access, but I also knew I'd people driving by would be wondering what I was doing. Sure enough, I could see the people driving by giving me weird looks. Then, after snapping two quick shots I noticed a cop car pulled into the lot. You can see him coming in this shot.

I wasn't sure what he was going to say. I wasn't trespassing, but I wasn't sure if he'd give me a hard time for walking down there. He asked me if everything was okay, saw my camera then gave me 'the look' and asked if I was taking artsy-fartsy pictures. I said yes. He was fine with it and asked me what camera I had and proceeded to tell me what he used and told me about a neat monopod-tripod combo thing her had just ordered. So, he was just as cool (nerdy) as me. We talked for a couple of minutes then he said he'd let me get back to shooting. I was happy to have this experience since I read about people getting harassed when taking pictures sometimes. True, that usually happens in big cities and not in the suburbs, but it was still good to know I don't have to worry about walking around in odd spots with my camera.

Anyway, this was the shot I decided to keep.

The funny thing is there the TJ Maxx is not close to this spot at all. Did someone walk a few miles with there clothes they bought?