Photography, Backgrounds, and Celebrities

 Many years ago when the IFC Awards first came to Santa Monica by the beach and hardly anyone knew about it, I shot some great photos of those attending.  However, the backgrounds were distracting.  Changing them with Photoshop would have been too time-consuming.  Recently some new photo software made changing the background easier and faster.

In addition to the IFC awards, I ran into Sidney Poitier at Kennedy Airport in NY the day I was discharged from the Air Force and asked if I might get a photo of him.  He agreed and I shot one exposure.  That was all I needed.  Years later, I met Wilt Chamberlain while a photographer for the Jockey Club in MDR, CA.  His photo is below.  I met Cathy Moriarty (Nominated for an Oscar for Raging Bull) through a mutual friend and used to hang out with them in Marina Del Rey.  We visited her on what was supposed to be Oscar night (March 30, 1981) but the Oscars were postponed 24 hours because President Reagan had gotten shot.  So we spent the evening with her at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel, shooting photos and having dinner.

More celebrity photos on my next blog post, including pianist Van Cliburn.

Below are the photos of the people mentioned above with the original and new backgrounds.  Hope you enjoy them.

Sidney Poitier at the baggage claim area, as photographed.  Below is the same shot with only him.

Wilt Chamberlain as shot at the Jockey Club in Marina Del Rey, CA.  The guy next to him was about 6 ft tall.

And with changed backgrounds

The changed background was done without the new software, so the edges could be better.

The photos of Cathy Moriarty (in her Oscar gown) were shot at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills.  It was not a planned session so we had to work with the background wallpaper.  

I tried a few different backgrounds with this photo:

The bottom two changes were before the new software, although they were pretty nice.

As for other subjects this week you can follow the latest health-related news at The Highwire.  The focus this week is on contrails or chemtrails.  Fascinating discussion.  There is also the CHD (Children's Health Defense) site, although it is more than only children.  And NVIC (National Vaccine Information Center).  

On a personal note, I've added a couple of new supplements to my diet:  Pterostilbene & Fisetin.  They are too new to determine if I'll notice any benefits.  Time will tell - you may want to research them, especially if you are over age 50.

And that's a wrap for this post.

Venice Beach Mardi Gras Photos 2024...and other stuff

 Sunday, February 25, was Venice Beach Mardi Gras Day.  It seemed like there were fewer participants this year than in past years, but still fun and something different.  Here are some photos I shot.  Due to my wrist injury, I still have to shoot with my cell phone which actually has some advantages over my camera.  The obvious one is that it's a whole lot lighter than my camera (still too heavy to hold for my wrist), and better for quick candids as everything is in focus, which also allows me to shoot quicker.  On the negative side, the photos don't have as high a quality and detail as they do from a camera.  These photos were shot with a Pixel 4 cell phone.

Not sure if the big hat and clothing is readable here but it says Mardi Gras 2024 in several places

Although, as far as I know, the above photo was not part of the Mardi Gras Parade, they stopped by to check it out and it ended up being my favorite of the day.

The only photo I have of myself at the Parade is in the reflection of the Tuba.  I always forget one of the other advantages of the cell phone camera - it will take selfies.  Then again, maybe that's not an advantage, haha.

Now for the other stuff:  As usual, here is a link to this week's edition of  The Highwire called The Clot Thickens, plus lots of other info.  Now that was a couple of weeks ago.  This week, Del Bigtree interviews Senator Rand Paul, M.D.  A must watch.

Whether you are a Democrat or Republican, the information in this video should make everyone mad as hell and perhaps scared as hell - everyone's safety is being compromised by the open border policies.  We have more than enough homegrown criminals, we don't need more.  https://rumble.com/v4fzlpr-biden-intends-to-continue-with-this-border-crisis-sen.-ted-cruz.html - you can start at the 1 min 25 second mark.  I also just read that crime is way down in the countries in Central and South America that are sending the most immigrants to us.  Gee, I wonder why that is?  You won't hear that on the evening news.

You also won't hear this - 320,000 Illegals Flown into the U.S. by the government!!!  Anf flew them to 43 different cities. That is just for 2023.  If they really wanted to shut the border, they wouldn't have been doing that.  Can't blame that on Trump.  Let's not forget the cost for the 9,000,000 or so illegals coming over the border, getting bussed here and there, and the 320,00 that were flown in.  Imagine what that money could have done for the U.S. and for you!

I just read the NY Governor is sending National Guard Troops to the NY subways to help the police because crime has gotten so bad in the subways.

Oh, one more item:  don't forget to vote in November keeping in mind our border, crime, inflation, etc.

Scary Times Ahead? Thankfully, There Will Always Be Beauty Through Photography.

Old photos and new software can transform old faded and damaged photos into, well, take a look below.  I'm randomly picking some and then experimenting with them.  In the past, I've used a paint program to change some photos which I've posted in various places.

For the girl in the woods (taken near Fredonia, NY) the software added much more detail and sharpened the image overall.  Plus changed the tone.  There are always almost infinite tones and adjustments that can be made, more with color images.  These were shot with B & W film.

Below are some of my continuing series of beautiful people from in and around Venice Beach, CA, and may include other beach areas from Santa Monica to Redondo Beach.

At the Hare Krishna Festival of the Chariots free food feast.

Spectator at Venice Beach Paddle tennis tournament.

Having been a skater for about 27 years (in Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach, Venice, and Santa Monica, I always enjoy photographing beautiful skaters.

Besides TheHighwire.com, another great resource can be found HERE at Children's Health Resource...and it's more than only for children.

I saw the following on my newsfeed on FB:

Whoever wrote this is the one who needs to be educated.  Although you are telling actual facts and the truth based on research, studies, observations, etc., it goes against what some entity wants people to believe.  Everything independent world-leading experts were saying about the Covid response was called a conspiracy theory.  The independent experts all turned out to be correct.  Masks didn't slow the spread, lockdowns didn't work, shots did nothing positive (and, in fact, increased the chances of getting Cvd!), distancing did nothing, etc.  That the shots kill people is still called a conspiracy theory but the research and statistics show it's also the truth.  Thankfully, there are extremely intelligent people researching that.  Here is a link with proof it is not a conspiracy theory.  So I hope you are one of the growing numbers who see through the lies and research the "conspiracy theories" if you value your health and your life - both depend on it.

Once you realize you have been lied to by anyone, why would you believe anything they say?  I'm sure those who post things like the above "Conspiracy Theories" do no critical thinking or research and blindly follow the news.

Here is another person's view about Conspiracy Theories.  

Global Warming, warmest temperatures on record - fact or fiction?  Well, the temperatures have been gradually increasing but have been nowhere near where they once were.  66 Million Years of Earth Temperatures.  Here is the chart:

No industry, no cars or planes, or burning of fossil fuels back then, so how could that be?  But blaming it on these things is sure a good way for a few to make lots of money.  Not to mention taking away your means of travel.  And keep people living in fear.  If you should be afraid of anything, be very afraid of a new virus they just developed in China that has a 100% kill rate.  And of a new vaccine for that virus.  And for their response to global warming.  

Still believe the news?  Remember when they said smoking was good for you?  Smoking causes cancer was a conspiracy theory.  They lied, too, when they said margarine was healthier than butter.  The conspiracy theorists were the smart ones.  How many people believed radio & TV and died from heart disease and cancer as a result.  Not to mention the suffering.  My father was one of those.

So, it's not more satisfying to one's ego, it's more conducive to one's health.  Most of what was written in that box above is the real BS, the only thing that's not is putting in the work and dedication to finding the truth.  Things I look at when choosing which experts to go to are their credentials, their published studies, their motivation, are they risking their careers and life's work by speaking out, does common sense back up what they are saying? etc.

I've put everything I've researched and learned on this blog.  It has a search bar.  I've listed the experts I follow, links to studies, etc.  Some of the old links may not work these days but hopefully, most of them do.  In the future, I may just link to this page unless some new information becomes available.

Surf and the Beach - Venice, CA, January 21, 2024

 Stormy weather can make for some beautiful photos.  Here are some from in between a couple of the recent storms.  After shooting these, got in a couple of sets of paddle tennis.  Perfect day.

I would have preferred to shoot the surfers with my camera's telephoto lens, but had to settle for my phone.  Still not too bad.

As always, suggest everyone watch The Highwire to learn what you won't hear on the evening news but what can impact your life in the future.

Beauty and the Beach

 Beauty and the beach just seem to go together.  I started shooting my first pictures when I was 7 years old.  I was a snapshot shooter from that time until my Air Force days when I got serious about photography and bought my first professional Nikon camera.  I prefer the beauty in life and prefer photographing that, whether people, clouds, sunsets, scenery, flowers, beach scenes, etc.  Most of the photos I'll be posting will be from the Venice Beach area which I've been photographing since 1980.  Here are the first few of those.

The image below is from X about the CDC basically explaining why masks won't block viruses as almost all studies show.  FDNY just mandated them for their workers.

As always, I'll be adding commentary on events related to the past few years.  Keep in mind, that there is a new word (or term) called (mal)information.  That is information that is the absolute truth but goes against official policy or what they want you to believe is true to promote their agenda.  Amazing a word would be needed for that.

I will probably keep repeating this common sense aspect of their mandates:  If something works to protect people from sickness, all anyone would need to do is use the product to be safe.  If people choose not to use the products, the only ones they would or could be hurting are themselves.  They are not hurting grandma or anyone else who decided to use the product.  No mandate would be necessary.  On the other hand, if the products don't work, why would anyone get them (aside from the ridiculous mandates)?  Especially because they can and do have side effects.  

Speaking of side effects, lots of information in this new movie:  Shot Dead - the movie they don't want you to see.

Also, episode 354 of The Highwire, with new information, plus an interview with Michael Nehls, M.D., Ph.D. explaining why people believe what they believe - very interesting.     

The possible harms of wearing masks:  mask mouth (aka gum disease), facial skin irritation, inhaling bacteria that forms on the inside of the mask due to moisture exhaled, inhaling viral particles that your body is trying to detoxify, inhaling fibers contained in the mask, lowering your body's oxygen levels and increasing your CO2 levels.  For more information on masks, just type MASK in the search bar at the top.

And this just in from FOX News.  I've copied some of the article but can't copy the comments at the bottom of the article.  Hopefully, you will read some of them.

"Actor Alec Musser, famous for his roles in "All My Children" and "Grown Ups," passed away on Saturday, Fox News Digital can confirm. He was 50 years old.

His fiancée, Paige Press, says Musser was suffering from "a severe case of Covid," and believes he died from the illness. He was both vaccinated and boosted. She says he died at their home in Del Mar, California."

The Beach, High Surf, Beautiful After Rain Cnouds...and More

 The California coast has had some abnormally high surf over the past few days plus some more rain making for some beautiful clouds and interesting photos.  These were shot on Saturday, December 30th, 2023.  These photos were shot with my Pixel 4 phone and then processed with ON1 Photo Raw 2024.  Shot at Venice Beach.  

An accidental photo of my feet, haha, and the wet sand that had earlier been overrun by the ocean - in many places that the ocean never reaches.  In one spot, even made it to the beach bike path.

Now to the "More" in the title:

About masks and Covid - A Cochrane meta-study that examined 78 previous studies found no statistical difference between those who were mandated to wear masks and those who didn't wear masks.  Another recent study showed those who wore masks increased their chance of getting Covid.  In past posts, I've posted links to the studies.  Just put "Mask" in the search bar on this blog.  

Here are a few files regarding masks:

This is how much a mask blocks the virus from escaping - viral particles are smaller than the smoke particles.  Try this demo yourself - just don't inhale into your lungs.

Finally, the common sense aspect...in addition to the above statistical charts and demo, if masks did work, they would have been mandated long ago and would have wiped out the flu, colds, measles, mumps, chicken pox, pertussis, pneumonia, etc., with no need for vaccines.  No more URI's.  An outbreak of any of those, everyone puts on a mask, outbreak is gone.  If only.  

In addition, if masks worked, no mandates would be necessary.  You put on a mask, why would you care what anyone else did, after all, you are protected, you can't catch anything from anyone.  Also, if only.  And if you can still catch viruses, what's the point of exposing yourself to the many harms masks cause?  The same argument can be made for the vaccines.  

More common sense - if people believe that a mask is effective, they may feel free to go shopping, visit friends & family, and infect them.

Remember the media, Fauci, etc., said if you didn't wear a mask you didn't care about others, you should be fined (and some were), go to jail, etc.?  Yet, if masks worked, why would they say that.  You would be no danger to anyone who wore a mask.  Not even Grandma.  I think the whole reason for all the lies was to fearmonger and turn people against each other and nothing to do with caring or not caring.

If anyone sees something different with the common sense points, please let me know.

And then there are the mask harms - will talk about that next time

Oh, btw, LA County just reinstated a mask mandate in all health care facilities - on the news Dec 30th.  Why are these people dictating health policy when they don't follow the science or the facts?