Another evolution of a family heirloom

Yesterday, moonshinegnomie demonstrated the application of the new Topaz Photo AI tool with his photo of the ISS. Over the past few months I was lucky to have been part of the beta testing for this new software. One of the most astounding new features is something for the enhancement of faces.

I don't do people photography, but tested it on my Uncle Roy heirloom photo. He was a radioman on the Enterprise during the war, not with the Klingons, someone else. But I digress.

This first photo is the original print, the second, with the software applied. I cleaned up all the surroundings manually, repairing the tear and removing the stain and dirt. I did not touch the face, the software did that.

The third photo is with auto color applied in PS. I need to do a little more cleanup on the neck yet. Which do you like best for framing, the old or the newest? I lean toward leaving it aged.

I will be adding this to my "Reconstruction" gallery at smugmug.

DeSantis paid $615,000 to aviation company for migrant relocation

Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration last week paid an aviation company $615,000 as part of a new Florida program to relocate immigrants lacking permanent legal status out of the state, according to state records.

Records show the company, Vertol Systems Company Inc., was paid on Sept. 8. A week later, DeSantis took credit for sending a group of 48 migrants — most, if not all, from Venezuela — to Martha’s Vineyard, a summer island destination for the rich and powerful in Massachusetts.

Vertol Systems’ website shows it is based in Hillsboro, Oregon, but has operations in Destin in Florida’s Panhandle.

The payment, which records say was for a “relocation program of unauthorized aliens,” was made by the Florida Department of Transportation, which earlier this year received $12 million to transport “unauthorized aliens from this state” to other parts of the country.

https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/2022/09/16/desantis-administration-paid-615000-aviation-company-relocate-unauthorized-aliens/

What happened to Steve Bannon, in jail, bailed out

can't find anything about after the perp walk?

Not going to lie, these are difficult but rewarding!

Give CNN your feedback

Summer Vibes

Dragonfly, spider, butterfly, hummingbird, Summer Vibes Collection
https://jamesdevore.smugmug.com/FEATURED/n-kdkJrJ

Teaser, guarding my Red Savina Habaneros:

Liftoff from neighbors Norfolk Island Pine,

one of my resident Hawks, severe lighting at high noon






Add full photo link

https://jamesdevore.smugmug.com/60-YEAR-JOURNEY-IN-PHOTOGRAPHY/A-LITTLE-BIT-OF-EVERYTHING/PANORAMA/i-7tGW3xT

You are invited to view "1776 CIRCA 1976", a gallery

As I traveled for work in 1976, I was taken by the sheer volume of Bicentennial artwork and advertising that was everywhere. When possible, I stopped and grabbed a photo, hope you enjoy!
https://jamesdevore.smugmug.com/60-YEAR-JOURNEY-IN-PHOTOGRAPHY/1776-CIRCA-1976

If so inclined, you are also invited to view a gallery intended for my coworkers, job sites, portraits, and artifacts collected over more than 40 years. It is a rather large gallery that would be boring for most, but the invitation is offered. TELEPHONY CIRCA 1970'S TO 2010'S
https://jamesdevore.smugmug.com/60-YEAR-JOURNEY-IN-PHOTOGRAPHY/TELEPHONY-CIRCA-1970-TO-2011

GOP senators block bill expanding care for veterans exposed to toxins

Republican lawmakers blocked passage of a bill in the U.S. Senate Wednesday that expands healthcare coverage for military veterans who were exposed to toxins and burn pits during their service.

All Democrats and eight Republicans voted for the Sgt. 1st Class Heath Robinson Honoring Our PACT Act, but the 55 yes votes fell short of the 60 needed to end a filibuster in the Senate. Three Senators did not vote.

The PACT Act, which the House passed earlier this month, would enable additional healthcare coverage for more than three million veterans who were exposed to toxic burn pits and Vietnam-era veterans exposed to the deadly herbicide Agent Orange.

https://news.yahoo.com/gop-senators-block-bill-expanding-032616654.html


February 2011, the Veterans Administration published its final regulation regarding the PRESUMPTION OF HERBICIDE EXPOSURE (AGENT ORANGE) as it pertains to veterans who served in or near the Korean DMZ during the Vietnam War. Specifically, VA now PRESUMES HERBICIDE EXPOSURE for any veteran who served on the DMZ between September 1, 1967 and August 31, 1971.

I was assigned to HHC 3rd Brigade 2ID from March 1970 to March 1971 on the DMZ. I am awaiting confirmation of prostate cancer.

Time for my two cents worth

By default the approval mechanism for entries falls mostly on the winner of the previous contest with input from the public facing moderator. As the winner of a few contests, I have had the occasion to deny entries because the SUBJECT matter did not qualify, not because I deemed the vision and method of the photographer to not be to my liking.

My personal opinion, and I have stated this many times, is that the subjects listed should be open to the ARTIST'S interpretation and vision. The subsequent judging by the larger population of the General Discussion Board is then responsible for determining the applicability of that vision to the subject listed and if that population doesn't like the entry they are free not to vote for it. But to be told that one's vision is not photography is ludicrous.

I understand not everyone holds this opinion and would want a more strict interpretation of subject matter, and might feel any change to the photo as received by the sensor or surface of the film to be an abomination. I disagree however. Would you stand before a painting and turn to the artist and admonish them for using the blue and not red and claim this is not painting?

I pre-approved Andy's photo and I stand behind my decision.


ADDENDUM FOR SECOND THOUGHTS

the winner of the previous contest is free to stipulate anything they want, i.e. no photoshop, major photoshop only and let your freak flag fly, (the kids don't still say that do they?) no noise cleanup, virtually anything.
thank you