Upde Designs

Photography, Video, Web Design, and Other Stuff

  • Drones
  • Upde’s Gear
  • About Me

Tuesday ~ Novemver 04, 2014

Posted by Dave Updegraff on November 4, 2014
Posted in: Daily Posts. Tagged: Cataract Surgery, Fall Colors, Harvest Scenes, landscape photography, Living with Diabetes, Photography.

October-31-2014-A

Happy Tuesday!

The images I have for you today are from last week.  I was just trying to capture the fall / harvest scenes.

Today I’m going to discuss my cataract surgery, which occurred yesterday afternoon.  If that is something you would rather not hear about, just take a quick look at the images and move on.  I’m going to talk about it while it is still fresh in my mind.  I know that some of you may have to go through this at some point or are already scheduled to have it done soon.

When I asked people about it, everyone either knew of someone who had the procedure or they had it themselves.  My Mother had it done in both eyes and I remember her and everyone else I’ve talked to saying that it was a piece of cake.  When I hear that I think, “no big deal, in and out and back to work the same day.”  Well it’s not quite like that.

First of all, there is the food and water thing.  I was very hungry and a little weak (because of my diabetes) since all I had to eat was some toast at 5:30 a.m.  I didn’t get into surgery until almost 2:00 p.m.  Nothing to drink after 10:00 a.m. and I drink a lot of water, so I was major hungry and thirsty.

October-31-2014-B

The preparation (like so many procedures) is the thing that takes the most time.  I spent two hours in a short recliner having 5 different drops put in my eye about every 15 minutes.   After the drops were put in I had to keep my right eye closed all the time.  Then they start an IV and hook you up to a heart monitor.  Finally the surgeon came in and wrote something on my forehead over my eye.  Each time you interact with someone they ask you what is your full name and why are you here.  He did too.

Then they wheeled me in my way to short recliner to the operating room, which as always is very cold.  I moved to a table and then had oxygen and other junk hooked up.  The anesthesiologist then tells me that he’s going to give me something that will make me feel good.

What I remember after that was seeing two bright lights and hearing people talk but I couldn’t tell what they were talking about.  I did hear the doctor say that my cataract was out and then later he said your new lens is in.  I guess the whole thing took about 10 minutes.

October-31-2014

Back in the recovery room Jeanne had a snack for me and they gave me some apple juice.  They put some more drops in my eyes, a plastic shield over my eye and said goodbye.

We went home and had a bite of lunch and then I laid down.  I got up for a little bit of dinner and then back to sleep.  Waking up this morning.  My eye is a little sore and scratchy.  I would love to rub it, but of course I can’t.  My vision is blurry because I can’t see very well yet out of that eye and I can’t get my glasses on because of this shield so I’m hoping I’m proof reading this correctly.

I see the doctor later this morning for a post operation evaluation.   Hopefully he will tell me that everything is fine.  I do seem to notice (or at least I think I do) the new lens rotating in my eye.  I know it is supposed to implant itself onto the eye and become permanent.  The plastic shield has lots of holes in it for ventilation, which doesn’t make for good vision either.

October-31-2014-C

I suppose in a couple of months when someone asks me about the procedure I will say, “It’s a piece of cake.”  Right now it is like any other surgical procedure.  There is some discomfort, some adjustments to be made, and some anxiety about the final outcome.

If you read this clear though, I hope it was helpful.

Thanks for stopping by.  Enjoy your day and be careful.

Share this:

  • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
Like Loading...

Monday ~ November 03, 2014

Posted by Dave Updegraff on November 3, 2014
Posted in: Daily Posts. Tagged: Cataract Surgery, Children Photography, Grand kids, landscape photography, Living with Diabetes, Photography.

Tree at sunset

Happy Monday!

It’s been a while since my last post.  Nothing wrong, just a lot going on.  I did go on a photo run Saturday and got some nice fall scenes.  I even ran into Jessica Riley, who is a photographer for the Telegraph Herald.   More on that in a later post.

Last evening we went over to Angie and Ben’s for dinner.  Mark and Taylor were in town and I hadn’t seen any of them for some time.  On the way over I saw this tree against the setting sun.  I love to take silhouette images against an interesting sky.

Gabby

We had a wonderful time with the kids.  Ben and Angie are such gracious hosts and it is always a treat to get to see Josh and Gabby.  As soon as I sat down Gabby grabbed her favorite book, “The Hungry Caterpillar” and brought it over to me.  I love reading books to the kids and watching them pick out colors and objects in the book.  🙂

Josh & Gabby

This is the only shot of Josh I got for the evening.  He does not want me to take his picture and I had to bribe him to let me get this one.  He loves to push the test button on my speed light and if I let him do it he will pose.

I told him he could push it three times if I could take his picture with Gabby.  He said, “How about 4” and I said okay and then he came back with “maybe 5.”  The kid drives a hard bargain but I agreed.  🙂

I have my cataract surgery today.  It was originally scheduled for this morning but got pushed back until 1:00 p.m. this afternoon.   Doesn’t give me as much recovery time as a morning procedure but it’s all good.

That’s it for today.  Hope you enjoy your day.  I’m looking forward to being able to see without all the fogginess.  🙂

Thanks for stopping by and be careful.

Share this:

  • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
Like Loading...

Thursday ~ October 30, 2014

Posted by Dave Updegraff on October 30, 2014
Posted in: Daily Posts. Tagged: Bird Photography, Photography, Wildlife Photography.

Birds of a feather

Happy Thursday!

All I have for you today is this image of two birds on my makeshift tree branch.  It was either show you this and babble a little or not post at all.   When I don’t post (and take pictures) something is missing from my life.  So it’s birds today.

I wasn’t feeling well yesterday and so laid down after dinner last night just to rest.  I woke up early this morning after the Royals had lost the World Series and past the deadline for entering the photo contest.  😦

I was happy with my potential entry so maybe I’ll save it for next year.  There is no expiration date on the photo.

I showed it to a friend yesterday at lunch on my iPhone and his comment was, “Oh Wow!”  That made my day.  🙂

That’s all I have for today.  Hope you have a great day today.  Thanks for stopping by and be careful.

Share this:

  • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
Like Loading...

Wednesday ~ October 29, 2014

Posted by Dave Updegraff on October 29, 2014
Posted in: Daily Posts. Tagged: God Beams, Harvest Photography, landscape photography, Living with Diabetes, Photography, Windmills.

Combine @ Dusk

Happy Wednesday!

A challenging day yesterday and to make it even more of a challenge I was supposed to have my pre-op physical yesterday afternoon, which got canceled because my Doctor was sick.  I had moved most of my appointments to Thursday and the bulk of them on Friday to accommodate yesterday.   The only time they could get me in was Friday at 11:00 a.m., it was either that or reschedule the surgery, which I did not want to do because it’s getting harder to drive in the dark.

Anyway, after having a little pity party I got things rearranged and if that hadn’t happened I would have never been able to get the shot above.  I think this is my image to submit for the contest, which closes at the end of today.  🙂

Windmill @ Sunset

It was gray and cloudy when I left work and I really didn’t think there was going to be a photo opportunity.  Then about halfway home the sun broke through the clouds and it got very interesting.  I decided to take a route home that I rarely take and then stumbled on this combine as the sun was beginning to set.

I thought the light was over but the closer I got to home there was still some light shining up into the clouds so I captured this windmill with the many wonderful colors of the setting sun.

God Beams

This was actually the first image of the evening.  When the sun broke through the clouds and showed the “God Beams.”    Lots of cars passing me while I’m on the side of the road wondering, “What the hell is he taking a picture of?”  🙂

Anyway it was a fun ride home and I got to take pictures.  Top that off with KC winning last night and it was a good evening.

That’s it for today.  Hope you enjoy your mid-week hump day.  Thanks for stopping by and be careful.

 

Share this:

  • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
Like Loading...

Monday ~ October 27, 2014

Posted by Dave Updegraff on October 27, 2014
Posted in: Daily Posts. Tagged: landscape photography, October Harvest, Photography.

October-26-2014-A

Happy Monday!

Not an eventful weekend for me.   Just the normal yard maintenance, naps, and cleaning up after the birds.  They are certainly filthy creatures and just poop anywhere and everywhere.  🙂

Yesterday afternoon Jeanne and I took a long drive through the country looking for nice harvest scenes.  There is still a lot of corn standing in the fields and there weren’t many farmers out harvesting yesterday.

This image was taken of a combine sitting in a half-finished field.

October-26-2014

No harvesting going on in this image but I liked the way it looked when I went past it so had to grab the shot.

I stopped at one farm to shoot some images of a combine picking corn and the farmer came out and asked if I was from the newspaper.  When I told him no I was just shooting for my pleasure he invited me to pull into the field for a better view of the operation.  🙂

October-26-2014-B

These older 4 row pickers of among my favorites.  They have been replaced by the larger behemoths on a lot of farms but there are still a few of these around.

I got the car washed Sunday morning as it was pretty dirty and by the time we got finished with our photo run I had to stop by the car wash again.  Lots of dusty roads and fields on our little trek and black cars don’t get along with dust very well.  🙂

That’s it for today.  Busy week ahead.  Thanks for stopping by the blog.  Enjoy your day and be careful.

Share this:

  • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
Like Loading...

Friday ~ October 24, 2014

Posted by Dave Updegraff on October 24, 2014
Posted in: Daily Posts. Tagged: Goblins, GoPro Hero 3+ Black edition, Halloween, Halloween House, Photography, Scary video.

Halloween House Goblin

Finally it’s Friday!!

Today as promised I will show you the images I have from last Sunday night’s visit to the Halloween House in Asbury, Iowa.

I shot a lot of video at the house but I was paying more attention to the still photography and as I reviewed the video it’s not very representative of the experience.  I’m going to show it to you anyway but if I were to do it over (next year) I would pay more attention to the video part of the presentation so you could really get a feel for how amazing this place really is.

Scary

When we were there, I would guess there were 50 people visiting with lots of young children.  It is not so much frightening as it is awesome.  When you are listening to the audio track of the video you will not hear screaming from fright you will hear a lot of laughing and conversation about the marvel of mechanics involved in the presentation.

October-19-2014D

The whole process is run by two computers.  I’m going on what the owner told me last year.  He said there were 5 smoke machines and all the strobe lights and movement of the characters are controlled by a computer program.  He purchased much of the animation from various Hollywood special effects studios

October-19-2014A

I apologize for the lack of professionalism of the video and editing.  Like I said I didn’t pay much attention to the details of making the video.  I used a GoPro Hero 3+ Black edition mounted on a hand-held gimbal.  It was the first time I had used the gimbal and I was holding it in one hand and shooting stills with the other hand.  In much of the unpublished video the camera is in the video more than the actual scene. 🙂

October-19-2014E

We learn by doing.  That’s it for today.  Hope you enjoy the video below.  Have a great Friday and weekend.  Thanks for stopping by the blog and be careful, it’s dangerous out there.

 

Share this:

  • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
Like Loading...

Thursday ~ October 23, 2014

Posted by Dave Updegraff on October 23, 2014
Posted in: Daily Posts. Tagged: Halloween Scene, landscape photography, Photography.

Harvesting Beans

Happy Thursday!

I saw this scene on my way home and passed it up as the combine was going the wrong direction for me and it was going to take it a very long time to come back.  Then I paid some attention to the landscape around the machine and decided that it was the main theme  of the image.    So I turned around and went back.  As it turned out this was the only opportunity to capture any harvest scenes I found yesterday.

Halloween Guy

I have not made the time to work on the Halloween House images and video but I’ll give you a tease with this guy.  He stands about 5′ 10″ tall and raises to over 13 – 15 feet high all the time spewing his evil laugh and looking very menacing.

Yea!!  The Royals won last night and tied the series up.  🙂

That’s it for today.  Hope you have a great day.  Thanks for stopping by the blog and be careful.

 

Share this:

  • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
Like Loading...

Wednesday ~ October 22, 2014

Posted by Dave Updegraff on October 22, 2014
Posted in: Daily Posts. Tagged: Eagles, Fall Foliage, Photography, Wildlife Photography.

Fall Colors

Happy Wednesday!

I decided to take a different route home last evening hoping to find some more harvest scenes.  The contest deadline I want to enter is rapidly approaching and I haven’t found what I’m looking for.

I didn’t find any harvest scenes so I decide to shoot some fall foliage.   I’m not thrilled with the images I have for you today but they are what I have.

An Eagle Takes Flight

So while shooting trees I came across this guy sitting in the top of a pine tree.  I did a turn around and found a place to park.  I was trying to be stealthy but of course that’s hard for me.  Once I got close he took off. This image is a little soft as the light was quickly setting and I really didn’t have the camera set up for an eagle shot.  When I get a chance to capture an eagle in flight or just sitting I’m going to take it no matter.  🙂

Fall Colors

I went to a ribbon cutting yesterday afternoon at a local care center in Maquoketa.  The manager is a good friend of mine and we have been on several projects and boards together.   They added a new section to their facility to take care of people transitioning from the hospital to their home.  It is really a nice enhancement and the care center is well run by my friend.

That’s it for today.  Hope you enjoy your mid-week hump day.  I’ll do my best to get the Halloween House images and video processed for you tomorrow.

Thanks for stopping by and be careful.

Share this:

  • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
Like Loading...

Tuesday ~ October 21, 2014

Posted by Dave Updegraff on October 21, 2014
Posted in: Daily Posts. Tagged: Harvesting The Crop, landscape photography, Living with Diabetes, Photography, Soft light.

Harvesting the corn

Happy Tuesday!

Challenging day yesterday.    I went to lunch with my friend Steve and after lunch we had about 20 minutes so we took a drive on some of the black top roads around Maquoketa looking for harvest scenes.  In all that time we only found one combine in harvest mode and it was far enough away that it didn’t make for a good image.

I found this harvest scene on the way home.  I was actually following the sun and trying to find something worth shooting in that nice orange light.

Corn Crib at Sunset

About 4 years ago I shot this old corn crib at sunset.  I decided to make an image of it again last evening.  The lighting was quite a bit different four years ago but I’m happy with this image.

I am getting anxious about my up coming surgery.  My right eye is so foggy now it is really affecting my vision.  So I’m anxious to get it done so I can see properly again.

Old Police Car

I had seen this old police car a couple of weeks ago coming back from Cedar Rapids.  But it was early in the afternoon and the light was harsh.  Last night I had the soft light of the setting sun to work with and it caressed this old car in its orange beauty.   That sounds a little sappy as I reread it but what the heck it was a wonderful light. 🙂

I’m still working on the Halloween House images and video.  I should have it ready for a post later in the week.

Thanks for stopping by the blog.  Enjoy your Tuesday and be careful.

Share this:

  • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
Like Loading...

Monday ~ October 20, 2014

Posted by Dave Updegraff on October 20, 2014
Posted in: Daily Posts. Tagged: Halloween, Haunted House, Photography, Wedding Reception.

Nick & Caitlyn Miller

Happy Monday!

Hope you enjoyed your weekend.

Jeanne and I went to a wedding reception Saturday evening.  This is Nick and Caitlyn Miller.  Nick works at one of our banks and they are a great couple.

They had a nice reception in Monticello, Iowa and we enjoyed seeing our friends from work.  I’m not a big fan of weddings or funerals so we didn’t stay all that long.

Last night Angie, Ben and the kids came over for dinner.  After dinner we decided to go see the amazing Halloween House West of town.  I took a lot of still pictures and shot a fair amount of video.  Time did not permit any editing of either so I will have those for you later in the week.  If you live anywhere near Dubuque you owe it to yourself to come see this amazing home.  It is worth the trip and is on display until Halloween.

I wrote about it last year and had a few shots but this year I was better prepared.

That’s it for today.  Short post as I am as usual running late.  Thanks for stopping by.  Enjoy your day and be careful.

Share this:

  • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
Like Loading...

Posts navigation

← Older Entries
Newer Entries →
  • April 2026
    S M T W T F S
     1234
    567891011
    12131415161718
    19202122232425
    2627282930  
    « Mar    
  • Upde.net

    Visit My Photography Web Site

    Visit My Photography Web Site

  • Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

    Join 418 other subscribers
  • Archives

    • March 2026
    • November 2025
    • August 2025
    • July 2025
    • June 2025
    • May 2025
    • April 2025
    • March 2025
    • January 2025
    • December 2024
    • November 2024
    • October 2024
    • September 2024
    • August 2024
    • July 2024
    • June 2024
    • May 2024
    • April 2024
    • March 2024
    • February 2024
    • January 2024
    • December 2023
    • November 2023
    • October 2023
    • September 2023
    • August 2023
    • July 2023
    • June 2023
    • May 2023
    • March 2023
    • February 2023
    • December 2022
    • November 2022
    • August 2022
    • July 2022
    • June 2022
    • May 2022
    • November 2021
    • October 2021
    • September 2021
    • August 2021
    • July 2021
    • June 2021
    • March 2021
    • February 2021
    • January 2021
    • December 2020
    • November 2020
    • October 2020
    • July 2020
    • April 2020
    • March 2020
    • January 2020
    • December 2019
    • July 2019
    • June 2019
    • April 2019
    • March 2019
    • February 2019
    • January 2019
    • December 2018
    • November 2018
    • October 2018
    • September 2018
    • August 2018
    • July 2018
    • June 2018
    • May 2018
    • April 2018
    • March 2018
    • February 2018
    • January 2018
    • December 2017
    • November 2017
    • October 2017
    • September 2017
    • August 2017
    • July 2017
    • June 2017
    • May 2017
    • April 2017
    • March 2017
    • February 2017
    • January 2017
    • December 2016
    • November 2016
    • October 2016
    • September 2016
    • August 2016
    • July 2016
    • June 2016
    • May 2016
    • April 2016
    • March 2016
    • February 2016
    • January 2016
    • December 2015
    • November 2015
    • October 2015
    • September 2015
    • August 2015
    • July 2015
    • June 2015
    • May 2015
    • April 2015
    • March 2015
    • February 2015
    • January 2015
    • December 2014
    • November 2014
    • October 2014
    • September 2014
    • August 2014
    • July 2014
    • June 2014
    • May 2014
    • April 2014
    • March 2014
    • February 2014
    • January 2014
    • December 2013
    • November 2013
    • October 2013
    • September 2013
    • August 2013
    • July 2013
    • June 2013
    • May 2013
    • April 2013
    • March 2013
    • February 2013
    • January 2013
    • December 2012
    • November 2012
    • October 2012
    • September 2012
    • August 2012
    • July 2012
    • June 2012
    • May 2012
    • April 2012
    • March 2012
    • February 2012
    • January 2012
    • December 2011
    • November 2011
    • October 2011
    • September 2011
    • August 2011
    • July 2011
    • June 2011
    • May 2011
    • April 2011
    • March 2011
    • February 2011
    • January 2011
    • December 2010
    • November 2010
    • October 2010
    • September 2010
  • Search The Blog

  • Meta

    • Create account
    • Log in
    • Entries feed
    • Comments feed
    • WordPress.com
Blog at WordPress.com.
Upde Designs
Blog at WordPress.com.
  • Subscribe Subscribed
    • Upde Designs
    • Join 418 other subscribers
    • Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
    • Upde Designs
    • Subscribe Subscribed
    • Sign up
    • Log in
    • Report this content
    • View site in Reader
    • Manage subscriptions
    • Collapse this bar
 

Loading Comments...
 

    %d