Posts by PrimateDave

This year will be my third year of being invited to and attending Christmas parties. It feels good to be just another normal human being enjoying the company of good people and not antisocial, contrarian cult member.

Dave

8

The bible just manuscripts of ancient mythology and ignorance

by Homerovah the Almighty in

the bible in my own understanding and others is just a gathering of ancient manuscripts of ancient mythology and of course written history,.

and nothing more, it documents well the history of human ignorance as it logicaly should.. nevertheless people seem to think its a connection to the spiritual world and the god of the universe.. why is it then that people separate that human ignorance of what mankind was living 2, 3000 years ago and then wholeheartedly.

take it as some sort of spiritual wisdom and truth, when there is so much real wisdom and truth coming out of are universities and collages.. maybe its a case of ignorance has no where else to go but to support itself from other ignorance.. the biggest sin may actually be not realizing and accepting are given human ignorance and demeaning of are potential.

PrimateDave

I'm not a Christian, but I will take issue with your assessment of the Bible, Homer. I am aware of the myths and contradictions it contains. However ...

It is literature and contains some history. Perhaps even more important, it is a window into past ways of thinking and believing that is instructive for us today. Among those who are well balanced mentally and spiritually, I think it can still be a useful basis for religious belief. I am glad that we have the Bible and real Biblical Scholarship today. I think that the greatest disservice done to the Bible is its current treatment by Fundamentalists as a literal, inerrant history.

Dave

39

Your Opinions on a Photoshoot, Please.

by SixofNine in

jw
friends

help me out with a little market research on a portrait photography business i'm considering getting involved in.

i'd love to get your feedback (especially if you are a parent who has purchased portraits of your 1-6 y/o child) on the following photoshoot: http://steveshow.exposuremanager.com/g/maura (ignore the first few photos with the mom; that's really just reference).

feel free to speak freely, the child is not mine or a relative, and i only shot about half the photos and another photographer shot the rest.

PrimateDave

Now I understand what you are after. This is a niche portrait market with a gimmick lens for shooting young children. You have a specific formula that apparently works for your targeted clientele. Well, why didn't ya just say so to begin with? You didn't really want my opinion or those of Vinny and a few others, at least not the opinions proffered. Anyway, considering what you are after, I think it is a good idea and wish you well in your venture.

Dave

39

Your Opinions on a Photoshoot, Please.

by SixofNine in

jw
friends

help me out with a little market research on a portrait photography business i'm considering getting involved in.

i'd love to get your feedback (especially if you are a parent who has purchased portraits of your 1-6 y/o child) on the following photoshoot: http://steveshow.exposuremanager.com/g/maura (ignore the first few photos with the mom; that's really just reference).

feel free to speak freely, the child is not mine or a relative, and i only shot about half the photos and another photographer shot the rest.

PrimateDave

The pictures are cute. They appear to be well lit for the most part. However, since it's not my child, they seem dull. Not too much to look at but enough for parents and grandparents to be satisfied. Maybe that's enough for the kind of studio you want to work in.

There isn't much variation from the standard setup. They are all similar in lighting and focal length. There are no close ups, no full length portraits, just head and shoulders. There is only one background. In at least one picture there is a lighting umbrella, generally not a good idea imo.

I like the spontaneous poses, but interspersed with them you could also include tried and true formal poses and lighting setups. I have an excellent book, unfortunately out of print, by Don Peterson that details portraiture and studio management. So far, photography is just a hobby for me, but who knows? What about different backgrounds? Do you have access to large soft boxes and ring lights?

There are so many resources out on the net now that can give a big boost to your technique, and I'm not talking megapixels and the lastest Canikon camera. Striking portraits are still made using simple off camera strobes and 50 year old TLRs.

Dave

23

Are You Afraid of Terrorist Attacks Happening To You Like It Did In India?

by minimus in

jw
friends

it's horrible to see so many innocent people brutalized by terrorists.. new york's trains are the subject of possible terrorism, according to well placed sources.. when will it ever end?.

PrimateDave

No.

Dave

21

Those here who disassociated- do you regret it?

by JimmyPage in

does anyone here who disassociated regret it?

do you wish you had just faded instead?

did disassociating give you a liberating feeling of power over your life?

PrimateDave

I would just like to add that DAing verbally or in writing is NOT playing THEIR game. Playing the WTS' game is going in FS and attending meetings regularly. Of course, everyone has different circumstances and must work within them even if it means continuing to play the game while mentally DAing.

Dave

21

Those here who disassociated- do you regret it?

by JimmyPage in

does anyone here who disassociated regret it?

do you wish you had just faded instead?

did disassociating give you a liberating feeling of power over your life?

PrimateDave

I do not regret disassociating myself. Not one bit. I spoke directly to the PO of the congregation that I attended but never sent any letter. I also contacted my immediate family about my decision and let them know that shunning would not affect my decision in the slightest degree.

Dave

33

Recession? I didn't see it this weekend. What's your take?

by restrangled in

jw
friends

i'm just wondering if everyone has been holding back until the shopping season for christmas.

it was like everyone one was pent up waiting to shop.

(maybe paying off credit cards for months and worrying about the future).

PrimateDave

I have often said to friends that "it isn't a recession as long as you still have your job." Where I live, everything looks normal enough. I try to avoid the malls this time of the year as a general rule.

Dave