He's Baaaaack....(and still long-winded)

[kenw]

So where have I been for the past year? Mostly offline, that’s all. I decided to take a break and learn to use the “ignore poster” function when certain self-anointed posters felt it was their righteous duty to play nanny. Don’t ask; names aren’t important.

I used the forum’s reviews numerous times for that valuable benefit, and slowly worked my way back online here by simply reading and not posting until recently.

But I found I missed my real photo friends too much to let a single person spoil it.

So what has the Train Guy been up to? Well, you may recall that in October 2008 I lost my father, then in April of 2009 lost my mother. While dealing with all that and life in general, my older brother who was handling their estate died suddenly last July 31. I was thrust instantly into the position of successor executor and had to pick up where he left off, including the sale of their house in San Antonio which was due to close the day he died…..and dealing with all the bills and such we were deferring until we sold the house.

For about 6 months a bad right shoulder made even holding a camera painful and while numerous xrays, MRIs, PT and steroid shots did nothing, a good massage therapist finally got that issue fixed. If I shot for a living it would have been really lean times…PM for a sincere recommendation.

But on a better note, we now have a 2nd daughter-in-law and also now have a grandson; Colby was born in October of last year and is a very willing model. And really photogenic, too! The attached was taken when he was about 30 minutes old: 50d, 50/1.4 no flash, then tweaked to suit no one but me.

Camera-wise, I had previously picked up a gently used Canon 50d from a TPF member and have really enjoyed the improved low-light capability. I upgraded the 50/1.8 to 50/1.4 after reading reviews here and other places. Then having settled the bulk of my parents’ estate, I decided they would want me to have some moderately long and fast heirloom glass, so I picked up a new 70-200/2.8L (nonIS) last year as a ‘gift’ from them. It’s great and fun but I still evangelize the Joy of Primes.

Yes, I still commute from Cypress/Tomball to Sugar Land and back daily. No, Janet, I still haven't made that Yellowstone book yet.

Yes, I still edit heavily; photography is only a step on the path to creating my particular art so I don’t have any issues with all sorts of post-processing. If you don't like it, well, there's that "Ignore Poster" function...

[L Stegall]

Ken, welcome back. We missed you. I don't know how you have handled all of that over the course of the past few years - those are all extremely tough things to go through and I'm so sorry for all your losses. I lost my younger brother about 3 weeks ago very unexpectedly and I'm having a hard time coming to grips with that one event, alone. I will say adding a grandchild to one's life does help immeasurably. Lovely sweet image of him.

[Tom]

Welcome back, Ken!

Sorry to hear about the misfortunes, but great to hear about the new grandson.

Looking forward to seeing your stuff again!

[groovyone]

Welcome back, Ken. Sorry to hear about the bad, but congrats on the good!

[Hanky]

Welcome back to TPF.

[ka5txl]

Welcome Back

[Ahh!]

Welcome back from Frisco!

[PhotoByLeal]

First of all Ken, I knew someone was missing......welcome back!
Next, I'm sorry to hear about the misfortunes......

Congrats on the baby!

[Jim56]

Hey Ken I do not know you but I had to say I too have experienced the grief of losing loved ones. It has been about 20 years since I lost my dad and 15 since I lost my mom. A few years back I lost my best friend who was also my Father in Law however the hardest was on July 31, 2009 when I found my oldest daughter dead in her bedroom. She died from complications due to weight loss surgery. She loved photography and is an inspiration for me. My youngest daughter had our oldest grandson right after my father in law and our youngest right after my daughter died. They have both been a blessing in our lives. I will say we are christians and the grace of the Lord has seen us through some very trying times.