United3dArtists Archive

spacekdet · Post by **spacekdet** » 10 Aug 2014, 21:36

After a grueling month I tried to decompress a little by taking a paddle around the lake with one of my nephews.
It used to be a lake where a 'working man' could afford to buy a house, but those days are going, going, gone.
Enjoy the ride, you never know when you'll fall off the boat.

spacekdet · Post by **spacekdet** » 14 Aug 2014, 02:07

Wind picked up steadily from the W/NW so I took the Grumman canoe with the sail rig out on the upper lake.
This was supposed to be video but once again I forgot to check the camera settings before strapping it to my head.
Instead of video, it took a handful of photos.
Here's one.

Finis · Post by **Finis** » 14 Aug 2014, 03:51

That looks like fun Spacekdet. How far did you go?

My Uncle had a big motor boat, about 25'. He would go to the Sea of Cortez (Gulf of California) with his fishing buddies. I went fishing with him a some other family at Elephant Butte lake in that boat. We caught no fish but the night sky filled with stars was awesome.

spacekdet · Post by **spacekdet** » 14 Aug 2014, 04:09

Also forgot to reset the trip odometer on the GPS ... I was just in a hurry to get out there while the wind was blowing. It was at least 3.85 miles plus whatever amount before I reset. Few other boats, most of those anchored on the sandbar. One other sailboat. Spotted a beachball perhaps blown loose from some inattentive kid at the beach from way across the lake. Sailed clear across and managed to catch it. Fancy navigation test. Sailed past the beach later looking for a possible owner but no likely candidates. Oh well, add it to the flotsam collection.

spacekdet · Post by **spacekdet** » 28 Aug 2014, 06:22

Teaser for big new gallery in the works. Check it out.

Finis · Post by **Finis** » 28 Aug 2014, 14:04

That's an awesome dune field! What? Water? Great photo. Beautiful place.

spacekdet · Post by **spacekdet** » 29 Aug 2014, 16:55

Here's the rest of the gallery.
Hover over the images because there are some links to additional videos in the captions.

http://www.spacekdet.com/photo/NMI14/"

spacekdet · Post by **spacekdet** » 12 Oct 2014, 16:16

Back with a mishmash of autumn colors and scenes.
No underlying theme, just a troll thru the camera card from the last couple months.
#linkwhore, #KeepTheBlogAlive, #MostlyForMyOwnAmusement, #ReallyNeedToScoutSomeNewLocations

spacekdet · Post by **spacekdet** » 04 Nov 2014, 04:29

Back from the Cabin. Missed 'peak color' but the couple of sunny days we had were nice.

Melancholy without Mom there.

So anyway, more pics of sticks: http://www.spacekdet.com/photo/11_3_14/"

Steinie · Post by **Steinie** » 04 Nov 2014, 12:14

Great pictures!
Who built the cabin and how old is it? I see lots of history there.
Do you get moose in that area?

MikomDude · Post by **MikomDude** » 04 Nov 2014, 13:03

Nice pics! Looks like Norway

spacekdet · Post by **spacekdet** » 02 Jan 2015, 16:33

Why I'm not doing any 3D today: http://vimeo.com/115780186"

jamesmc · Post by **jamesmc** » 02 Jan 2015, 21:23

spacekdet wrote:Why I'm not doing any 3D today: http://vimeo.com/115780186"

You only breathed once during that whole thing.

spacekdet · Post by **spacekdet** » 04 Jan 2015, 16:53

Breathing now, because I'm sobbing.
Snow + rain = slush + duck feet tromping all over have absolutely wrecked what was once perfection.
The sad state the ballroom floor is currently in: (Click here, not for the weak-stomached)

Compare to just a day and a half ago: Another skate video

Finis · Post by **Finis** » 06 Jan 2015, 01:33

What weather is needed to clean that ice Mr. Kdet?

Steinie wrote:...Who built the cabin and how old is it?...

Edit: oops, moved stuff to reporting back thread.

spacekdet · Post by **spacekdet** » 06 Jan 2015, 02:10

It got pretty wet with the rain and normally that wouldn't be as bad as you might think. It was the snow that fell first that's messing it up. Flipping duck tracks...thru slush... Wet only w/ no snow, then cold and still air might have been fine... But we plunged into single digit temps along with high wind and everything re-froze quickly into a stomped, ruffled, snowy mess. Will see what a few more days of hard cold do...there's still open water on both lakes that has a chance of turning glassy. I can live with bumps- usually do anyway- as long as the heavy snow holds off. Stuff that smooth is rare and fleeting, just glad I had it for a couple days as it was. Went out late the last night it was still good for some moonlight skating. Peak experience if you ever have the chance.
10/10 would skate again.

spacekdet · Post by **spacekdet** » 13 Jan 2015, 03:20

Playing a little catch-up photo blogging.
Here are some pics from a second trip we made to the Detroit Institute of Arts.

spacekdet · Post by **spacekdet** » 30 Jan 2015, 07:14

Sunshine broke the gloom so I went for a hike.

spacekdet · Post by **spacekdet** » 22 Feb 2015, 01:36

Keeping the space in spacekdet, here's a view of the triple conjunction from Commerce Lake:

spacekdet · Post by **spacekdet** » 06 Aug 2015, 02:09

It's been a while, but I finally finished my latest photo essay. I apologize for the length, but it was a long walk.

To see any image larger, hit the 'open in new window' icon.

jamesmc · Post by **jamesmc** » 06 Aug 2015, 07:28

spacekdet wrote:It's been a while, but I finally finished my latest photo essay. I apologize for the length, but it was a long walk.

To see any image larger, hit the 'open in new window' icon.

Stunning, beautiful photograph!

Absolutely a marvel to examine and admire!

Thanks so much for sharing your walk and pics!

bitkar · Post by **bitkar** » 06 Aug 2015, 11:11

26 very nice...

great place.

Finis · Post by **Finis** » 06 Aug 2015, 17:36

Every photo is art! I like the Superior Blue water and the sunset pic 112.

spacekdet · Post by **spacekdet** » 18 Aug 2015, 21:27

Thanks, had a fun time and the weather obviously cooperated.
Here's where we stopped on the long drive home.

http://www.spacekdet.com/photo/Fayette_15/"

Still can't help but collect textures...

bitkar · Post by **bitkar** » 20 Aug 2015, 15:03

hh... nice tower..

about textures - you need even lighting (cloudy) to have neutral texture without shadows. The lighting and shadows should be done in 3D (with bump map)

spacekdet · Post by **spacekdet** » 05 Nov 2015, 17:57

A string of days with very nice weather here in the Mitten.
Here's a shot from the crack of dawn this morning.

Surely winter can't be far.

MikomDude · Post by **MikomDude** » 06 Nov 2015, 11:10

Wonderful photo spacekdet!

spacekdet · Post by **spacekdet** » 06 Nov 2015, 16:41

Thanks. The 'ground fog' parameters were set just right.

spacekdet · Post by **spacekdet** » 25 Nov 2015, 19:15

Had to say good-bye to my best friend this past weekend.

Today, he came back home again.

There's a lot of love in that little box.

spacekdet · Post by **spacekdet** » 08 Dec 2015, 07:42

Pix of foggy sticks.

P.S.: These look like shit on an iPad, better on a PC, or maybe my monitor is set to be too bright.

Finis · Post by **Finis** » 09 Dec 2015, 01:37

My condolences about Barney.

These foggy photos are genius and beauty combined.

spacekdet · Post by **spacekdet** » 28 Dec 2015, 04:06

Like I wasn't busy enough before Christmas, I abandoned the sticks for the thrilling environs of Detroit.
And yes, I took pictures.
Really wish I hadn't left the camera in the car when we stopped in here.

spacekdet · Post by **spacekdet** » 04 May 2016, 03:18

Slow in the photography arena lately, but did scrape up a few appropriate for the season.
http://www.spacekdet.com/photo/5_3_16/"

Finis · Post by **Finis** » 06 May 2016, 00:21

As usual, unusually good photos.

spacekdet · Post by **spacekdet** » 27 May 2016, 11:31

Thank you sir.

Crazy busy @ work.
People are so excited when we show up in their yards to wet their plants.
I did manage to sneak off for a hike because yeah, I don't walk enough miles at work.
Naturally, I took photos.

See them here.

spacekdet · Post by **spacekdet** » 05 Aug 2016, 21:47

Just a couple small photo gallery updates to report back on.

I June, I attended a rare mid-week afternoon airshow at Willow Run, pics with links to some short vids in the photo captions.

In July, I took a nephew and a couple days to explore the easternmost point in Michigan, Drummond Island.
Don't go there, you'd hate it.

Too busy or tired for much 3D, please forgive me.

Finis · Post by **Finis** » 06 Aug 2016, 14:39

The sky! The sky! Also, the sky with planes!

spacekdet · Post by **spacekdet** » 26 Aug 2016, 00:40

Hit the 'big show', and naturally, took too many photos.

The card in the Pentax was corrupt when I got home but recovery software came through in the clutch and saved the photos.

The video all sucked- a GoPro just doesn't do an F-22 doing 600 MPH justice.
'You had to be there'

spacekdet · Post by **spacekdet** » 16 Dec 2016, 07:17

Not my stuff, but an interesting set of photos demonstrating the power one of the Great Lakes.

Dragneye · Post by **Dragneye** » 22 Dec 2016, 06:51

VERY nice photos and albums. Thank you for sharing.

(Dudes... the Batmobile!)

spacekdet · Post by **spacekdet** » 23 Dec 2016, 15:46

Thank you for looking, and also many thanks to all who have take the time to post feedback.
It means a lot, even if I don't say it enough.

It has been a difficult couple of years and my artistic output, such as it is, has taken a corresponding hit.
In a way, my 'online life' mirrors my 'real life'- I don't have many friends but the ones I do have are truly appreciated.

spacekdet · Post by **spacekdet** » 31 Dec 2016, 06:31

Went skating on the lake, words, pics and a video here.

Ice got kind of sketchy, so I went hiking out to Edsel Ford's old hideout, words, pics and no video here.

Finis · Post by **Finis** » 01 Jan 2017, 04:21

What are gutter spikes and what do you do with them when skating? You have a bunch of good videos. Is the Vermont stone texture seamless? May I download it and use it in CG?

spacekdet · Post by **spacekdet** » 01 Jan 2017, 05:19

Yes, two of the stone textures are seamless , free to use.
Hit the 'open image in new window' icon and download from there.

Used this tool to make them seamless: http://www.imgonline.com.ua/eng/make-se ... exture.php"
I used to use my old copy of Micrographix Picture Publisher to do them myself, not sure where that program CD even went.

Use of gutter spikes:

spacekdet · Post by **spacekdet** » 06 Jan 2017, 05:00

Back on the ice.
So nice.
Weird how it's somehow less scary skating on glass clear ice after dark.
Another small photo gallery and a video at the link.

spacekdet · Post by **spacekdet** » 15 Jan 2017, 17:24

Vid from last week before the warmth, wind and rain.
Pic from last night:

Crispy, crusty, the overall smoothness that you see in the video linked above is gone, now it's patchy.
Looks smoother further out.
Didn't trust it much and stayed near shore although I did see 3 other skaters cross the middle.
Judging from the cracks, some places looked like a solid 6 inches thick, others only looked like 3.
Lots of creaking and cracking, but that's 'just the normal noises in here' around sunset.
Trying to decide if I want to hit it again today- forecast is for rain tomorrow and steadily climbing temps.
Maybe I'll post a small photo gallery later.

UPDATE: it's later, here's the gallery. http://www.spacekdet.com/photo/1_15_17/
As usual, to see any image larger hit the 'open in new window' icon
I did go back out today, much smoother out in the middle.
Quite a few other skaters were out there. I guess they saw how much fun I am having.
Waiting for the Moon to rise and I'll probably head back out.

spacekdet · Post by **spacekdet** » 23 Jan 2017, 06:09

Phun in the Phog <gallery>

spacekdet · Post by **spacekdet** » 09 Feb 2017, 22:29

Throwback Thursday; here's a set from just before the world changed.
A August 2001 trip around Michigan's Upper Peninsula. It inspired some of my later 3D work.

spacekdet · Post by **spacekdet** » 11 Feb 2017, 05:15

More ice macros and an attempt to view the Lunar Eclipse.
Not sure how much I saw but the skating sure was nice. Best viewed large.

Finis · Post by **Finis** » 11 Feb 2017, 19:16

You can think of endless names for cracks in ice.

spacekdet · Post by **spacekdet** » 13 Feb 2017, 01:19

It takes a little time, but it seams I can usually fissure it out.
Making too many puns can make me seem like an icehole.

spacekdet · Post by **spacekdet** » 20 Feb 2017, 21:52

66* F in February? Say yes to Glowball Warmening!
(Despite what it did/continues to do to my beautiful skating ice)
Naturally had to go for my usual jaunt through the local park.
Lots of bird activity and even a couple snakes spotted.

spacekdet · Post by **spacekdet** » 22 Apr 2017, 01:03

Off work a little early so attempt a hike to photograph the wild dogwood trees that are currently in bloom.
Made it about 5 minutes down the trail before the rain came bucketing down.
Waited out the worst of it and backtracked to the car.
Still managed to take too many photos, but only a couple of a tiny dogwood.
http://www.spacekdet.com/photo/4_20_17/"

Finis · Post by **Finis** » 22 Apr 2017, 02:36

I like "Drizzle". What is the black stuff in "Growing in the Shade"?

spacekdet · Post by **spacekdet** » 22 Apr 2017, 16:42

Not sure what the black stuff is, but I think it may be:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scorias_spongiosa"

I try to spend time with the beech trees, because they will be mostly extinct soon.

spacekdet · Post by **spacekdet** » 23 Apr 2017, 13:15

A real "barn find" I came across cleaning out the shed yesterday.

The only copy of trueSpace I ever bought retail (as opposed to buying directly from Caligari)
As a matter of fact, it's the only specimen of any Caligari product I ever spotted wild in a retail setting, anywhere.

It came on several floppy discs, it's still installed on my 90's vintage IBM Aptiva, and of course I saved the box. I mean, just LOOK at all those cool features!

spacekdet · Post by **spacekdet** » 07 May 2017, 13:25

A two-fer today; one gallery from close at hand, another from slightly farther away.

spacekdet · Post by **spacekdet** » 25 Jun 2017, 03:44

Surprise afternoon free so I hit the woods.
Accompanied by the ethereal song of the hermit thrush, I enjoyed a relatively dry, not insanely buggy walk in the woods on the summer solstice.

spacekdet · Post by **spacekdet** » 07 Aug 2017, 02:51

Last weekend's activities: http://www.spacekdet.com/photo/8_6_17/

bitkar · Post by **bitkar** » 12 Aug 2017, 21:48

i love this kind of nature... so green and calming... you live in a nice place. Nice pics.

spacekdet · Post by **spacekdet** » 16 Sep 2017, 15:28

Thank you Bitkar. It's not always so green and pleasant, so you have to get it while you can.

X-Post to Reporting Back
Finally finished editing photos from our visit to the US Air Force Museum in Dayton, Ohio.

A lot of 'rare birds' are found here. We camped nearby in a state park and paid a visit to the Museum on our way to western Kentucky to view the total eclipse.

Link to gallery---> http://www.spacekdet.com/photo/USAFM/
Link to Museum site--> http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/

spacekdet · Post by **spacekdet** » 16 Feb 2018, 15:49

Gallery from last fall's maintenance trip to the cabin. #BetterLateThanNever
Exterior got a couple coats of fresh varnish- tried a new brand and went with the gloss finish.
Looks wet even when it's dry. I like it. She looks good for being 71 years old.
Bonus link to video where you can listen to the rain on the roof. (May cause drowsiness)
Mostly iPhone photography so don't @ me about quality of larger images.
http://www.spacekdet.com/photo/Fall_2017/

bitkar · Post by **bitkar** » 18 Feb 2018, 17:59

Nice cabin... its like my ideal vacation. I dont like crowds, ppl, cities, ... its just so calming. Just a cabin, woods, water...

spacekdet · Post by **spacekdet** » 27 Feb 2018, 01:02

From the city on the straits: http://www.spacekdet.com/photo/2_25_18/

spacekdet · Post by **spacekdet** » 23 Feb 2019, 17:14

Removed the snow off the roof, then move the piles away from the walls. Fun stuff.

See it LRG: http://www.spacekdet.com/forum_shares/2 ... 6_176.jpeg

bitkar · Post by **bitkar** » 26 Feb 2019, 12:14

that looks snowy... i need a place like this (the cabin, not the snow)

Dragneye · Post by **Dragneye** » 28 Feb 2019, 09:10

Very very nice Spacekdet.

spacekdet · Post by **spacekdet** » 19 Dec 2019, 16:39

Early winter mood.
http://www.spacekdet.com/photo/12_17_19/

EDIT:

Just realized I hadn't updated my photoblog since January 2019. Ooops.
Took care of that and here is one of the galleries I added, with a decidedly warmer theme:

http://www.spacekdet.com/photo/8_18_19/

Finis · Post by **Finis** » 21 Dec 2019, 02:35

Good photos. The captions aren't funny like your usual ones. Back to finding the five things. Sky, trees, water, grass, ice?

spacekdet · Post by **spacekdet** » 19 Jan 2020, 23:22

If you like butts on trees, click here:
http://www.spacekdet.com/photo/12_23_19/

spacekdet · Post by **spacekdet** » 14 Jun 2020, 00:51

Volumetrics.

Finis · Post by **Finis** » 14 Jun 2020, 15:20

Wait until your parents find out you've been smoking in the tool shed.

Street sign: In my town there is a street with a faded sign, one block long, and a dead end. Unfortunately, it is called "American Way". Things are looking better though. It got a shiny new sign recently.

spacekdet · Post by **spacekdet** » 14 Jun 2020, 15:56

The Hippies won the war in Michigan.
Weed is legal and haircuts are outlawed.

spacekdet · Post by **spacekdet** » 23 Aug 2020, 15:39

I did a weekend thing last month despite sketchy tires on the vehicle.
Surprisingly, I took photos...of another Light Station...
A couple from a place called Rockport that I like are below, and more here at this link.

bitkar · Post by **bitkar** » 24 Aug 2020, 08:59

i have a feeling i have seen the first pic before...
the lighthouse looks nice... was a cool employment - light keeper. it sounds awesome :)

spacekdet · Post by **spacekdet** » 10 Sep 2020, 01:02

You may have seen it, it hit twitter first.
Back up for a quick, mostly quiet weekend.
http://www.spacekdet.com/photo/8_31_20/
There are several Lighthouses here where you can apply to be a volunteer keeper for a period of time.

Finis · Post by **Finis** » 11 Sep 2020, 03:00

Not enough of your famous creative titles. As usual awesome pics of awesomeness.

Steinie · Post by **Steinie** » 13 Sep 2020, 16:08

Nice photos Spacekdet. I am glad the Cabin is still being maintained! It is a family treasure!
Beautiful.
What camera did you use? Some nice closeups.

RAYMAN · Post by **RAYMAN** » 14 Sep 2020, 10:00

The camera is called Blenderproject!

e for extrude...s for scale....e for extrude s for scale!
Must be a nice new project modeling that!

spacekdet · Post by **spacekdet** » 19 Sep 2020, 16:11

Steinie wrote: 13 Sep 2020, 16:08 What camera did you use? Some nice closeups.

I use an older Pentax Optio WG-2.
The close-ups are done with the 1 cm macro setting.
I like it because it's rugged (I'm sort of a butterfinger) and waterproof.

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