cagney123

Hi Alan I enjoyed your show. I will probably never see that beautiful part of the world due to finances. Thanks for sharing. I must agree with Dave...you overdid the pans and zooms...in my opinion. I think you just loved the program and used everything you could on your first show. Also, I felt you used a piece of music that ran for the length of time needed. A change of pace might have been nice. These are small niggles on some good images...and some talented work...as in the canon shot. Nicely done. Really, I enjoyed your show and I'm looking forward to your next adventure. Jeff Lunt

Hey Dave...I loved it. Just my cup of tea. It actually made me want to go to Kansas...and that is saying something. The road shots and the old quiet buildings resting in the trees or out in the plains...man that is my nut. Thanks for putting this show together. It's a keeper. Jeff Lunt

Great show. I might have missed it if Ken Cox hadn't given me a heads up. You have a terrific voice which lends itself nicely to narration. I had no problems with stutter, or any other problems to note. Having never been to Scotland, and due to finances I probably never will, I really enjoyed the extra info you passed along and map notations. Just a pleasant show all in all. Jeff Lunt I have just completed an experimental slideshow, which I have had some issues with. There is a link to this slideshow at the bottom of this page. I would appreciate some feedback/comments with regards to the functionality – concept – and content of the show. The issues that I have experienced have related to; A: the synchronisation of the audio track (a voice-over) B: Pan & Zoom stutter. With regards to the sound,,, I have now resolved this issue,,, initially I was using a ‘.wav’ file, recorded and saved (with MP3 compression) through Sound Forge,,, a program that I have always used for soundtrack creation. However, what I discovered was that synchronising the voice-over to the slides themselves was impossible (!!) as the ‘waveform’ in the Timeline did not match the sound that was coming out of the speakers - the waveform and the actual sound itself slid progressively out-of-synch the further through the show you went. Worst still, when the finished ‘.exe’ files were created, the sound-to-slide synchronisation differed again in timing from what was heard during preview. No matter what I did I just couldn’t get an accurate sound-to-slide synchronisation !? Believe me, I made dozens of adjustments and nothing would work. The problem with the sound was eventually rectified by converting the original (uncompressed) audio track to a proper ‘.MP3’ file using Audacity. Having done that, the waveform, and what came out of the speakers, matched exactly, and the resultant ‘.exe’ also synchronised precisely with what was laid out on the timeline. (Lesson learnt) As for the Pan-&-Zoom stutter. This appeared to develop, progressively, the more modifications I made to the show. I have tried re-creating the ‘.exe’ file a number of times (on each of two suitably capable computers) but it would seem that, unless I create the slideshow all over again from scratch, these erratic movements are here to stay. It will be interesting to hear if these animations ‘stutter’ on your computers as well – in particular, the panoramic image early on in the show !? Maybe my computers are not as capable as I thought they were (?). By the way, there are 17 slides in the show that use A&O functions. As for the voice-over itself. It could be better. Unfortunately, there are a number of errors (pronunciations and comments) that I ought to go in and correct,,, but for the time being it-will-have-to-do,,, maybe !? The zip file for this show is a 54MB download – unfortunately the MP3 audio file I used, created by Audacity, was 17.5MB, as opposed to the MP3-compressed .WAV file, that Sound Forge created, which was just 3.25MB. I look forward to hearing whatever comments/observations you might have to offer. Link to file download --- http://www.lsaps.org.uk/PTE/Inversnaid2007.zip bjc

Hey Ken...I just got wind of your situation. Hope you had a nice holiday in spite of that weenie ankle. And have a great new year. Get well soon buddy. Jeff Lunt

Nice gentle mood. I really liked the close-ups the most...but all of it was great. I grew up in Michigan where we would have these storms from time to time. As a child I really enjoyed them...and still do, from a photography point of view. Thanks for sharing, Dave Jeff Lunt

Colin ....I have to agree with Neil, that you made your point very well. I am humbled by your remarks. You brought something to mind with your comments. It is the reason I don't go to the movies anymore...too many distractions. I now rent DVDs and watch at home...and every once in a while some film will transport me into another world. What a wonderful treat. That my little offering did something like that is just wonderful...and pleases me very much. Thanks for taking the time to let me know how you felt about the show. All the best, Jeff

Now that is what I like to hear. I was totally worried that it would be way too much. In the end I hoped that a few would find it of interest. Glad you were one of them. Thanks a lot Paul. Jeff

So, am I hitting the wrong REPLY button or what? I just can't get these replies to go anywhere but at the bottom of the page. When I compose the reply the correct message is there, so it seems I have hit the correct button. Any info? Jeff

Thanks Neil. I thought of making the show in several parts and posting in sections, but I felt it moved along well enough intact. Glad you agree. Thanks for giving the show a look and taking the time to comment. All the Best back atcha, Jeff

Hey Ken. You're right...mother nature has things well in hand. As for the beer...Needles Outpost is at least 1000 feet lower than where I live. I think I'll have another. Jeff

Hi Dave...and thanks for the comments. I know we like similar stuff, as I've seen your shows...and I put in a couple of extra camp scenes that I might have left out...except I really enjoyed what you did on one of your shows. Seeing a spot from an on the road, in the open air and in the field is the way to go. I should have mentioned when I posted the show that you can freeze any frame by hitting the space bar. The music stops too, so that the timing between image and music doesn't get off. The titles for the music were...and I'm doing this from memory as I don't have time to run the show, The Straight Story, Green Card, More Music from Gladiator, 300, and another cut from The Straight Story. In many cases I rearrange the soundtracks and take a lot of time mixing parts, as in taking 3 or 4 cuts and mixing them into one piece...obviously this only works if they're written in the same key, or a complimentary key. This music was taken pretty much as is, so you won't buy the CD and then wonder, "Where is the track Jeff used?" The composers were...my favorite, Hans Zimmer, Green Card and Gladiator... Tyler Bates, 300... Angelo Badalamenti, The Straight Story...and of course the opening with Basil. If I have forgotten one of the composers I'll get back to you. Always good hearing from you...and I will try to take as many trips as I can before I drop. Jeff I just finished watching the full length version of your Utah adventures. Very impressive! The settings, the images, the music, all of them hooked me in ways I can't express. You struck a chord in me for sure. Regarding the music, I was familiar with Basil Poledouris, but not the other artists or music. Would you mind repeating what your last slide says regarding the music. Again, well done. Please take some more trips, please! Regards, Dave

Finally got the full version out. Hope you enjoy it. It is at http://www.beechbrook.com/pte/index.asp It may be a little long for most folks, but I wanted to include photos that helped convey the feeling of camping in such a beautiful place. Feel free to let me know what you think. Jeff Lunt

Your 40D did a fantastic job on several of the images. Eye popping images. I also liked the starkness of the sound. Good work. As for the large size...I say, it is a good example of why people should upgrade. Some images just demand better resolution. Thanks for posting Lin. Jeff Lunt

Hey Lin...thank you very much. I had just downloaded your latest show and was about to send you a little feedback. I'll post directly right after this. I pretty much felt the same about your latest. Mood and feel is very important to me. Of course having an incredible subject sure helps. Thanks again. Jeff Beautiful Jeff, Captures the mood and scenic wonder of the SW. Basil's music is perfect. best regards, Lin

Hey Dave...I know the feeling very well...of wanting to pick up the camera and head out there. I just downloaded your show with the motorcycle camping in the UP and other midwest places. I loved it. Glad you put a link at the end of your post. The ending was perfect. Where was the Ghost Town near what looks like Lake Superior? Also, there was what looked like a fort in another area...where was that? Great show, right up my alley...opening with a campsite...just wonderful. My oldest, dearest friend lives in the UP. He is president of Baybank. I haven't seen him in about 15 years, but we are still close. Thanks for stopping by..and I will download more from your site. Jeff Lunt

Hey Bill...glad you got through all those pictures. Awesome photos. I liked the horses and swans and just all the green. Nothing like that in my neck of the woods. Good Irish music to boot. Great show. Jeff

Hi John...thanks for stopping by. The full show may be delayed as I managed to completely fry the hard drive that had all my work. I was nearly done, just needed to find the right music and mix it together. Luckily I had put most of my photos on another computer, but I still need to totally rework the show. I wasn't quite happy with the music I was putting together, so maybe it was fate taking a hand. As for the location...near Canyonlands National Park. I can't go into the park as dogs are extremely restricted and I enjoy having Sammy with me. The rim isn't in the park{the chair scene} but the view below is in the park. They even have a rule where you can't have a dog in your vehicle while driving through certain areas. Strange, but understandable with the way people tend to abuse their freedom. The chair was a nice surprise and it was nearly the first shot I took. I got the exact same feeling you did when I saw it sitting there. And what a view. By the way that picture is the scene where we watched UFOs for an hour back in the early 1990s. More on that later. Thanks again John. I'll keep pluggin away at the show and see if I can manage to get something out before too long. Regards, Jeff

Hello Colin...and thanks for the comments. My dog, she, amazes me too. She will be 7 years old in February and is still very puppy like. Being near 100lbs and swift of foot is quite a feat. My former dog, Buck, also liked standing at the very edge of cliffs...the only difference is he stood there while I filmed him, just like a movie star, whereas Sammy never stops moving. She is quite difficult to shoot. I have to start working on the full show again as I managed to totally trash my computer...so it may be a bit before the show turns up, and by the time it does everyone will have forgotten my preview. As my students like to say...Oh Well. Thanks again Colin. Jeff

Enjoyed your show very much. Thanks for sharing. Jeff Lunt

Thanks for the comments. I agree for the most part. A little more movement would have fit nicely. And the cliff shots get redundant...just difficult to pick which one is best...and of course anything nice with my dog Sammy is also quite difficult to cut. I would warn you that the full version might even be more redundant. Trying to balance art with a photo journal of a week long trip gets tricky for me. I have thought about just going for art with past photos and just mixing it to music as the mood presents itself...instead of working with photos from a one week trip and keeping it about the trip. Take the music and put images to the music. Sounds like a good idea for my next project. Again, thanks for taking the time to watch the show and give feedback. It is always welcome. Jeff

How do I get my replies to line up under the posted comment I want to reply to?...mine keep ending up on the bottom of the page and it looks like I'm replying to myself. Thanks Jeff

Hey Ken...if you were a teacher you would have to keep me after school...I really need one on one help. Why can't I remember to post the link to my very own show. I guess it can't be said I have a huge ego or I would know how to point people to my own work. As always, thanks. Jeff

Thanks Neil...I replied earlier, but I might have hit the wrong button. Will post full show very soon. Jeff

I'm working on a fun show from a holiday tour we took in October. Most people stick around Albuquerque during Balloon Week, but we like to get out of town while folks from all over the world come to our hometown. They have fun here, and we make extra space for them. We usually go to Utah and enjoy the change of scene. One of my favorite music composers died this year...Basil Poledouris. If you like movies then you probably have heard his work. He was one of the top Hollywood composers. It is an amazing task to create art on demand...and few can do it. Basil was one of the very best...everything from Robo Cop to Lassie. What an incredible range. This is a very short preview with the Opening Theme from On Deadly Ground, by Basil. I hope you at least appreciate his music. As for my work, I may very well regret doing a preview as it is short and to the point...an easy download and easy viewing. 2 minutes plus. The longer version of this holiday will require sitting down with your favorite beverage and taking about 15 minutes of your time. I think it is worth it, but each project is like giving birth, and oh what fun...I can't thank the PTE team enough, without whom I wouldn't be able to enjoy my life and express myself so well. In other words, I'm very biased about each new work, so I leave it to those who haven't put their heart and soul into this particular venture, to decide if the full length version is worth the time. Until that time... Jeff

Hello John. How are things in your part of the world? I almost didn't post this show as I thought I might be the only one that got into it. So glad you enjoyed it. I took the liberty of looking at your profile and noticed we are nearly the same age...hence the similar experiences with friends and family who have come and gone. Just yesterday my doctor died. He was just about our age. He was a great guy and I enjoyed visits with him. He had been talking about retirement. Strange thing was he was the most fit man I ever saw. I had to drive by the office just to see if the information was true. A note on the door said "Doctor Schneider passed away October 3rd". That was it. I am waiting for the obituary to come out so I can rest my mind as to what happened. Live every minute...and thanks for taking the time to post a note. Thanks John. Jeff