HumanistJohn's Profile

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ToolGuy comments on Apr 8, 2020:

Great depth of field. Rich colours. Did you enhance them?

HumanistJohn replies on Apr 8, 2020:

Raw format saves so much more data although many times the picture needs tweaking. I've been using Affinity Photo as a photoshop replacement ($50 and you own it). I also use Luminar. Cameras can't adjust for bright skies and darker landscape. Luminar has a tool which will automatically select the sky without you having to mask it. It's a grerat time saver.

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gigihein comments on Apr 7, 2020:

I dont k ow what the photography terms mean, but the results are amazing if you were standing still, let alone in a moving train.

HumanistJohn replies on Apr 8, 2020:

Thank you. I took many pictures from the train. I would usually have the camera in burst mode, which means the camera keeps taking pictures as long as the shutter is held down.

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ToolGuy comments on Apr 8, 2020:

Great depth of field. Rich colours. Did you enhance them?

HumanistJohn replies on Apr 8, 2020:

I shoot raw, so many times I have to adjust brightness/contrast. I may adjust vibrance, but just a tad.

Nothing better than spring in NC.

HumanistJohn comments on Apr 6, 2020:

Nice shot of the dogwood. Was that sunrise or sunset? Like the colors. I think the vertical pictures are more dramatic than the horizontal one- the height of the trees adds to the impact. The wind chime picture is very creative. Does the ball light up itself or did you illuminate it? And the ...

HumanistJohn replies on Apr 7, 2020:

You did a great job on the chimes. I would encourage you to step outside your box, as you called it. Sure sometimes the shots won't work out (you ought to see some of my bad shots!). But you probably will be surprised and delighted sometimes.

More crimes

Freedompath comments on Apr 7, 2020:

I read this back earlier! It was disbanded, god forbid that we should work with other countries to keep us all safe! Same principle...with this Administration, when The Navy Sec, Thomas Modly, made his hellious damning speech aboard the Roosevelt, slamming Capt Crozier...he literally blamed China...

HumanistJohn replies on Apr 7, 2020:

The way they treated Captain Crozier is another disgusting action by this administration. Asshole-in-chief and his enablers talk about a deep-state. But that's what they are working for- a dictatorship of the rich, corporations, and evangelicals (who, by the way, support crony capitalism- their code words is 'free market') The only part of the constitution they support is the 2nd amendment and of course they interpret that incorrectly. Let's see- firing departmental Inspectors, trashing a free press, silencing critics... their power plays and the creation of a secret government goes on and on... And were you aware that some gop led states have made protesting a pipeline or fossil fuels illegal?

I guess I'll vote for the old white guy???

Theresa_N comments on Apr 7, 2020:

Bernie is neither a democrat nor a do nothing. I'm voting for him by write in if necessary.

HumanistJohn replies on Apr 7, 2020:

I voted for Bernie in the Virginia primary. But a write-in vote in the national election will only help trump.

Nothing better than spring in NC.

HumanistJohn comments on Apr 6, 2020:

Nice shot of the dogwood. Was that sunrise or sunset? Like the colors. I think the vertical pictures are more dramatic than the horizontal one- the height of the trees adds to the impact. The wind chime picture is very creative. Does the ball light up itself or did you illuminate it? And the ...

HumanistJohn replies on Apr 6, 2020:

I'm sorry. I was looking at the pictures and failed to look at your notation where you said it was a sunset.

This is the dogwood tree in my front yard: 1 1/125 sec.

jdubose comments on Apr 6, 2020:

My dogwoods in East Texas are having problems this year. I think too much rain.

HumanistJohn replies on Apr 6, 2020:

We've had a good bit of rain also. The tree's not as full of flowers as it usually is.

early spring

HumanistJohn comments on Apr 6, 2020:

I liked the 1st photo the best. Nice balance between the land in the foreground and the blurred buildings in the background. It makes the plant really stand out... and yet... it also joins the plant with the buildings in a kind of surreal almost mystical sense.

HumanistJohn replies on Apr 6, 2020:

Have you checked youtube for videos , not only for photographic tips but also for videos on using your specific camera? Tony & Chelsea Northrup have tutorials on using different camera models. If you don't mind me asking, what kind of camera do you have?

This is the dogwood tree in my front yard: 1 1/125 sec.

Heidi68 comments on Apr 6, 2020:

I took a photo yesterday similar to your #3 I will post it later ❤ the delicate flowers against the beautiful blue.

HumanistJohn replies on Apr 6, 2020:

I'm looking forward to seeing it!

Warren is the best

TheDoubter comments on Apr 5, 2020:

i bet he picks Klobuchar. She can deliver Michigan

HumanistJohn replies on Apr 5, 2020:

I voted for Bernie in the primary in Virginia. But the goal now is to oust orange blob and all his backers. And Democrats need to keep control in the house and take control of the senate. I am not a fan of Klobuchar but she might help in the midwest states. The thing is, though, ANYBODY but trump. Well that's not quite true... wouldn't want pence, for example. Nor would I want a libertarian or tea party. If trump and party win the election, we will have a theocracy. A dictatorship in the guise of democracy.

Trump Fires Inspector General Who Handled Impeachment Complaint In what critics say is ...

Freedompath comments on Apr 5, 2020:

I would not be surprised if Kushner lands that gig next! He is a man for all ‘hours!’ How sad that the reputation of professionals has been ripped up by lunatic trump! The people who have their ‘wits’ about them know exactly what is taking place, even as we are helpless to do anything ...

HumanistJohn replies on Apr 5, 2020:

I hope it's only 9 more months... I do have hope... And a dream that this country (and the world) will acknowledge everyone as having equal rights. And housing, food, medical care, education... But I must admit that a part of me is fearful that orange blob will sabotage the election one way or another. Still, the fight for equality and decency goes on!

This picture was taken summer 2019.

fishline79 comments on Apr 4, 2020:

Bees are fun. And these are Lady Slippers, they're rare and only last a couple of days. The second group are wild and I happened to see them along side of a road through the woods.

HumanistJohn replies on Apr 4, 2020:

I liked the framing in the 1st photo- the 3 flowers in a sloping line is a nice touch. On the 2nd picture, the pinks and greens give nice contrast, as well as the vertical lines of the greenery and the curves of the flower.

This picture was taken summer 2019.

Heidi68 comments on Apr 4, 2020:

Did you alter the colors at all? The green is so vivid. Lovely shot.

HumanistJohn replies on Apr 4, 2020:

Yes, I did. I wanted to give this photo a painting-like quality so I adjusted the foliage. The included photo is the raw image with no changes except for pixel density (to reduce file size). I always shoot raw format so many pictures need some adjustment. The photo editors I use: Affinity Photo - it will do most anything that photoshop does but the program is better organized.and you buy it ($50 US) Luminar- Very powerful yet extremely easy to use. For example it's almost impossible to take a landscape and get both sky and land both in proper contrast. This program has a tool called Sky Enhancer which automatically can adjust the sky without you having to do any masking. There are many demonstration programs and tutorials for both programs on youtube. There is a lot of controversy in the photographic community pertaining to how much adjustments are "allowed".

This picture was taken summer 2019.

Gmak comments on Apr 4, 2020:

Autumn bee: October 15, 2019.

HumanistJohn replies on Apr 4, 2020:

And nice autumn colors too!

Mike Huckabee Claims COVID-19 Death Risk Small and Sin Risk Lethal Former Republican ...

TheDoubter comments on Apr 4, 2020:

he'd be dangerous if he had any power

HumanistJohn replies on Apr 4, 2020:

People like huck... I was going ro say 'huckabee' but had a thought...'huckster (with all the worst connotations of the word) fits just as well. As I started to say, evangelicals have a lot of power- they helped elect shithead-in-chief and he caters to them (open up by easter, anyone?)... And, of course, evangelicals want 'religious freedom'. What they really mean is that they want the 'right' to discriminate and want to receive government money for their so-called religious schools, and... OK, I'll shut up for a moment. But not for long.

Nuns on a bike ride...

Theresa_N comments on Apr 4, 2020:

Funny, but that's gravel not cobblestones.

HumanistJohn replies on Apr 4, 2020:

When they turn around and head back they'll hit the cobblestones again...Laugh.

This picture was taken summer 2019.

Budgie comments on Apr 4, 2020:

Beautiful the only thing I would try to do (and I understand that it may have not been possible without scaring the bee) is to get the flower in the center of the frame, but that could just be my OCD talking.

HumanistJohn replies on Apr 4, 2020:

Thank you. I wish more people would give suggestions on this site. There wasn't time to do any framing. I saw this and got this shot in before the bee flew off.

Another nice tree I saw yesterday while strolling down near the house...

Budgie comments on Apr 2, 2020:

I really like the second photo showing all of the sweeping branches.

HumanistJohn replies on Apr 2, 2020:

Ditto.

Through the eyes of a child.

HumanistJohn comments on Apr 2, 2020:

I really liked the first two where I could see the grain of the wood. Having said that, and it's only a personal preference, I would have liked to see the wood a little brighter and have more detail visible. Do you use any software to adjust your photos? A camera will typically use settings (if ...

HumanistJohn replies on Apr 2, 2020:

What camera do you have? Tony and Chelsea Northrup have training videos on different cameras on youtube. As far as photo editing software goes, I have given up on photoshop and lightroom. I am not going to pay adobe $$$ for the rest of my life, I currently use Affinity Photo $50 and you own it) and Luminar 4. Affinity Photo will do almost everything thatphotoshop will do but it's organized better. They have a trial version. Luminar 4 is very easy to use and has some amazing features and is driven by sliders. You might check out youtube videos on both products.

While I normally post witty, funny, ironic, or political memes I would like to offer one of thanks ...

St-Sinner comments on Apr 1, 2020:

Mothers? They are super caring for the young in these times.

HumanistJohn replies on Apr 1, 2020:

And they always have. And women are treated by most societies as second class citizens... And worse......

You can support Trump's economic recovery plan with the My Pillow guy - its easy

Mooolah comments on Apr 1, 2020:

See the replica of the torture device around his neck. CRINGE! He is one of those!!!!

HumanistJohn replies on Apr 1, 2020:

djt and his followers have the earmarks of a cult. See The Cult of Trump: A Leading Cult Expert Explains How the President Uses Mind Control A Leading Cult Expert Explains How the President Uses Mind Control by Steven Hassan

Taken from a moving train. Cropped of course.

jdubose comments on Mar 31, 2020:

Which line?

HumanistJohn replies on Apr 1, 2020:

AMTRAK between Chicago and Sab Francisco area.

Arlington Naional Cemetaru

NoMagicCookie comments on Mar 31, 2020:

Lovely cemetery. Haven't been there in a very long time. Always brings to mind the JFK Eternal flame and a story about how homeless used the flame to cook hot dogs.

HumanistJohn replies on Mar 31, 2020:

It's a shame (and I have other words for the situation) that we have homelessness and hunger in this country. My girlfriend's parents and grandparents are buried there.

Can he stoop any lower?

silverotter11 comments on Mar 30, 2020:

The lower trump goes the better pundits, comedians and everyone not a fan of trump and his supporters get.

HumanistJohn replies on Mar 30, 2020:

But we all know that his base and the gop won't give a damn but will justify everything he does. Or ignore it (e.g., statements that the pandemic is a "hoax".

Biggest Asshole by Far!!!!!

BirdMan1 comments on Mar 29, 2020:

These work, too: Cockwomble! Pinche culler! And good old Fuckhead!

HumanistJohn replies on Mar 30, 2020:

Did you get those names from The Thinking Atheist podcast?

These were taken from the top of the Asoteague Lighthouse.

Budgie comments on Mar 30, 2020:

Stunning views although as I am not good with heights the second one made my stomach turn. So well done you for getting the right angles etc to make it visually stomach turning. (sorry no matter how I wrote that it seemed wrong this is the fifth iteration of that sentence I think you should be ...

HumanistJohn replies on Mar 30, 2020:

Thank you. I've never been afraid of heights. But sometimes I wonder if that's because I've always had bad vision. Auto focus is a great invention.

What does it mean when someone tags you?

glennlab comments on Mar 29, 2020:

That means that they have either placed you name in a post or are answering your comment.

HumanistJohn replies on Mar 29, 2020:

Thank you.

What does it mean when someone tags you?

Robecology comments on Mar 29, 2020:

If you wanted to "tag" someone, you simply write a @ symbol, followed by their name - and this is important...You have to spell it just like they do. So if I write @humanistjohn....you might not get "tagged" (and thus might not get notified that you've been "tagged")...but if I spell it exactly ...

HumanistJohn replies on Mar 29, 2020:

Thank you.

In 2017 we took a train trip from Norfolk VA to San Francisco and then north to Bend Oregon to view ...

dede18 comments on Mar 29, 2020:

there are spectacularly beautiful stretches of mountainous country from Redding northwards, I’ve been on that one a few times. Love the sky in your pic. Did you have to get off the train at Chemult in order to get to Bend? and I hope you had the time to explore Oregon ... I lived there for 10 ...

HumanistJohn replies on Mar 29, 2020:

We had taken the train from San Francisco north. The train let us off in a national park and AMTRAK bussed us to Bend. That took about an hour. After the eclipse the bus left Bend around 5:30. We didn't get to the National Park until almost 1 in the morning. Unfortunately we didn't have time to explore Oregon. I would love to live in Bend. Great place! And Oregon is sch beautiful country. We watched the eclipse on the road between Bend and Madras. Here's a picture of the eclipse and the view behind us.

In 2017 we took a train trip from Norfolk VA to San Francisco and then north to Bend Oregon to view ...

Fernapple comments on Mar 29, 2020:

Well done that took timing.

HumanistJohn replies on Mar 29, 2020:

I adjusted my shutter speed depending on how fast the train was moving. Although I tried to frame the pictures there really wasn't much time to do that. I usually shot in burst mode which helped.

Wild flowers from across the street.

HumanistJohn comments on Mar 29, 2020:

I particularly like the background of the first photo- the green background makes a nice contrast. I would like to see a photo of the field of flowers taken from a low vantage pint.

HumanistJohn replies on Mar 29, 2020:

Too bad they mowed... Akin to "they paved paradise and put up a parking lot." Why do people think they need a manicured lawn? When I was a kid, a neighbor bought in tons of dirt, boulders, tallish trees and put that 'forest' on part of his lawn. He moved, and the people who bought the house ripped it all out and put in a manicured lawn. Sigh

UNBELIEVABLE!!!

silverotter11 comments on Mar 28, 2020:

The propaganda show he puts on every day.

HumanistJohn replies on Mar 29, 2020:

He's a consummate con artist, always pulling 'facts' out of his ass.

Something is wrong with this picture

Cutiebeauty comments on Mar 28, 2020:

It's trump.... He's wrong with this picture...

HumanistJohn replies on Mar 28, 2020:

It's not just trump; it's the entire republican party. GOPers bitched that unemployment benefits were too generous whilst giving corporations %500 BILLION.

Something is wrong with this picture

Charlene comments on Mar 28, 2020:

The Dems are working on another bill regarding that issue..

HumanistJohn replies on Mar 28, 2020:

Yes they are. But will Moscow Mitch even allow it to come to the senate? The bill just passed is typical republican: Give corporations truckloads of steak and throw everyone else a few cans of dog food... Speaking of throwing... remember the paper towels being thrown in Puerto Rico after the hurricane?

These were taken from the top of the Asoteague Lighthouse.

glennlab comments on Mar 28, 2020:

Nice view, had to look it up to see where it is. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assateague_Light if anyone else is interested.

HumanistJohn replies on Mar 28, 2020:

From now on I'll give more information.

These were taken from the top of the Asoteague Lighthouse.

Heidi68 comments on Mar 28, 2020:

My 1st pony was a Chincoteague pony! Beautiful view!

HumanistJohn replies on Mar 28, 2020:

I have some Chincoteague photos on my profile.

These were taken from the top of the Asoteague Lighthouse.

Cast1es comments on Mar 28, 2020:

Wow , with climate change , that land is going to be underwater , in a very short period of time .

HumanistJohn replies on Mar 28, 2020:

Rising sea levels will, of course, affect Asoteague island. Being a barrier island it's changing all the time. The lighthouse is not at sea level but on a hill which takes a few minutes to climb.

trump's approach to the pandemic....

zeuser comments on Mar 28, 2020:

That boy, I say that boy is about as sharp as a sack of wet mice. LOL

HumanistJohn replies on Mar 28, 2020:

How about a wet noodle?

Very cool example

yvilletom comments on Jan 31, 2020:

Homo semi sapiens want to believe we are more special than we are.

HumanistJohn replies on Mar 28, 2020:

You've got that right. We have a sad educational system in my country. God forbid (pun intended) we should teach science and critical thinking skills. People want creationism/(so-called) intelligent design taught in schools. As has been said, after the astronomy class we'll have our astrology class.

This is so true.

Freedompath comments on Mar 27, 2020:

Let them go to work...if they want too! They are rich enough to have a hazmat suit to work in! The selfish rich idiots! I intend to stay put and keep right on living...

HumanistJohn replies on Mar 27, 2020:

Are people aware that they started the tea party?

This is so true.

Charlene comments on Mar 27, 2020:

Koch and co. should be strung up in public..or shot like rabid animal.

HumanistJohn replies on Mar 27, 2020:

They, like orange-blob, have committed, and are committing, crimes against humanity.

A Tom Swiftie is from the eponymous character Tom Swift, the hero teenage inventor.

Merseyman1 comments on Mar 27, 2020:

That space station looks like a gyroscope...

HumanistJohn replies on Mar 27, 2020:

Yeah. The books weren't known for their scientific accuracy. Stereotypical characters. Good guys vs bad guys plots. Still, they were fun reading them as a kid. BTW, I also read Dr Doolittle books and have been collecting them also. One in my collection came from Ireland. When I say 'Doolittle', please don't think of the musical or any of the horrible movies based on the concept of talking animal talk.

Karma hits fast and hard

DenoPenno comments on Mar 27, 2020:

His family and friends will likely claim he died of something else. If they admit the truth they might claim something he needed was withheld from him and that caused him to die.

HumanistJohn replies on Mar 27, 2020:

What they might say is something about the devil attacking him because of his faith. Or some such excuse for their bullshit.

A Tom Swiftie is from the eponymous character Tom Swift, the hero teenage inventor.

bobwjr comments on Mar 27, 2020:

Enjoyed the books as a kid

HumanistJohn replies on Mar 27, 2020:

I've been collecting them- at least the ones I read as a kid. I also have a number of the Tom Swift (Sr) ones. I recently found "Tom Swift and His Giant Robot", which I couldn't find when I was actively looking years ago. I think I'll read it. Sometimes escapist books are good to read to ase the overwhelmingly bad news.

Every year there is a festival in June in Norfolk, Virginia called Harborfest.

Heidi68 comments on Mar 27, 2020:

My dad was there a few years ago. He had a blast, met tons of folks.

HumanistJohn replies on Mar 27, 2020:

At 12:00 on Friday they have the Parade of Sail where the tall ships come in and dock. Unfortunately last year that event was cancelled because of an impending storm. The ships would come in as soon as they could get there. Hopefully they'll have it this year. It's on the first weekend in June; this year it's June 5th through 7th.

What does a street photographer do in times of social isolation?

Lincoln55 comments on Mar 26, 2020:

Bonus shot. Apple blossoms - Midtown

HumanistJohn replies on Mar 26, 2020:

Great composition. I would have liked to see the flower a little brighter personally.

This application for Android is very useful.

Charlene comments on Mar 26, 2020:

No link?

HumanistJohn replies on Mar 26, 2020:

It's for android. You'll need to go to the PlayStore. Do search for 'Sun'. The application will show up as Sun, Moon and Planets.

Dr. Anthony Fauci unveils a mask that could save millions of lives

EllenDale comments on Mar 25, 2020:

I have more rolls if needed. Then we can duct tape his hands and legs and spank him with a magazine. Wait, no. He’d like that. 🥴

HumanistJohn replies on Mar 26, 2020:

Don't forget Pence and all the other enablers of orange blob and all his (and theirs) anti-democracy anti-science bullshit.

It's ironic - yet typical- that the so-called pro-life (aka republicans) want people to die for the ...

SeaGreenEyez comments on Mar 25, 2020:

But they're sure worried about stopping abortions during this crisis. Texas just mandated criminal charges for any provider that refuses to Cease and Desist. Shameful group. Each and every one of them.

HumanistJohn replies on Mar 25, 2020:

I want to puke every time I see orange-blob on tv. And now he wants governers to kiss his ass before they get any help at all.

It's ironic - yet typical- that the so-called pro-life (aka republicans) want people to die for the ...

Mooolah comments on Mar 25, 2020:

Repudlicans so pro- zygot. Pro children in foster care, not so much.

HumanistJohn replies on Mar 25, 2020:

Once the baby is born, they don't give a shit. They want to stop ACA, WIC, and Medicaid. Until the 70s they supported a woman's right to choose. Then they discovered the evangelical voting block.

trump is a demagogue. he thinks he's a demigod. then again, his vocabulary never was very good.

Freedompath comments on Mar 24, 2020:

And...is deteriorating by the day! He can hardly read his notes...if he wasn’t ‘gaslighting’ us on his ‘beautiful’ genius, he would get a break! So we refuse to celebrate his stupidity with him!

HumanistJohn replies on Mar 24, 2020:

He's skilled at one thing, a skill he's honed all his life. He's a con artist. Which is one of the reasons that he has such a base. The other is that republicans have been anti-education, anti-science for years.They don't want anyone to actually think, just pull the voting lever (or whatever) to keep them, and their rich oligarchs, in power. The fight for equality goes on, even against such as republicans.

Most of us are familiar with the story of Adam and Eve in te garden.

Killtheskyfairy comments on Mar 24, 2020:

If you are looking for logic and fairness in the Bible, you are going to be sadly disappointed.

HumanistJohn replies on Mar 24, 2020:

The point is... That's the question that I'd ask the christian who says the snake is satan. I'm attempting to point out how silly their interpretation is.An attempt to remove a plank from their theological foundation.

Took this from a moving car...

ToolGuy comments on Mar 23, 2020:

What did you take? Faster than light!

HumanistJohn replies on Mar 23, 2020:

I saw the thumbnail but for some reason the photo didn't get attached to the post.

I took this picture handheld- wish I'd had time to change my camera settings but that would've meant...

p-nullifidian comments on Mar 22, 2020:

I tried taking photos, but quickly turned to a high-powered pair of binos. I too saw Mercury, and was amazed to see a prominence of reddish orange at the base of the corona, which extended many more degrees than I had anticipated. Looking at the shadow of the moon was like peering into a black hole....

HumanistJohn replies on Mar 23, 2020:

We thought about Maine for 2024 but don't know about the weather. We obviously want to maximize our chances of a clear sky of course.

I took this picture handheld- wish I'd had time to change my camera settings but that would've meant...

p-nullifidian comments on Mar 22, 2020:

I tried taking photos, but quickly turned to a high-powered pair of binos. I too saw Mercury, and was amazed to see a prominence of reddish orange at the base of the corona, which extended many more degrees than I had anticipated. Looking at the shadow of the moon was like peering into a black hole....

HumanistJohn replies on Mar 23, 2020:

We had taken the train from San Francisco to Bend Oregon. The train actually stops in a national park and there's not even a station there. AMTRAK busses you from there to Bend. The trip to Bend took about an hour. Coming back that evening: we left Bend at 5:30 but did not get to where the train was until almost 1 in the morning. The day of the eclipse we drove from Bend to Madras but the sky was hazy so we headed back toward Bend.

I'm so damn tired of all the illogical inconsistent bullshit.

glennlab comments on Mar 22, 2020:

Bad aim.