In 1962, my then-teenaged father captured a series snapshots that encapsulated the spirit of Mid-Century America —the images of a family road trip out west. I decided to bring them into the modern day using AI animation tools with low expectations. The experiment went about as well as I could expect. In this video,…
Category: Aesthetic
Welcome to the Aesthetic section of Chris Rodgers’ blog, where I showcase my visual art, photography, and videography. Dive into a world of creativity and inspiration through my lens. From stunning photographs and captivating videos to unique visual art pieces, explore the beauty and artistry that drive my passion for visual storytelling.
Google ImageFX vs. Midjourney: A Detailed Comparison
Another week another generative AI comparison. Today it’s reigning champ versus the offering from a little upstart named Google called ImageFX. I’m still shocked they went with the most generic name possible for their most advanced work. ImageFX comes out of Google’s AI Test Kitchen. One interesting feature of ImageFX are the option for changing…
Ending 2023 on a Positive
The year of the lord 2023 personally would fall in the bottom five of worst in my 48 years around the globe. I’m actively planning on 2024 ending the 1 year losing street. Even so 2023 had hundreds if not thousands of amazing moments. In the last week, we spent some time in New Jersey…
What I used for Every Science Project – Kenner’s Iconic Girder and Panel Building Sets
If you were a kid in the 70s or 80s, you probably remember Kenner’s iconic Girder and Panel building sets. These classic toys consisted of plastic girders, panels, wheels and other parts that could be slotted together to construct elaborate imaginative structures.
In their heyday, Girder and Panel sets were a hugely popular toy, advertised on TV and allowing kids an engaging, open-ended building experience. But by the mid-80s, the sets were discontinued as video games and Lego emerged as hot new toys.
While Kenner no longer makes them, the creative spirit of Girder and Panel lives on through modern compatible pieces and building sets. In this post, we take a nostalgic look back at the history and legacy of these fondly remembered construction toys. Relive the magic of slots and beams!
Welcome to the Autumn in Garvin – The Oddest Town on Earth?
@christorychannel We took a trip to the charming town of Garvin, Vermont in the fall to see the leaves changing colors and experience their annual Fall Festival! There were parades marching down Main Street for Matt DemonThe highlight was seeing massive pumpkin stuck in a bridge.The fall foliage against the old buildings created such a…
My New Tiktok Video Tells the Mysterious Story of a Plane Crash Where Everyone Survived and Disappeared
I’m excited to share my latest Tiktok video that recounts a fascinating unsolved mystery. A few years ago I wrote a story about a plane that crashed in remote wilderness, but when rescuers arrived, they found no survivors or bodies – everyone had simply vanished. It’s an eerie tale that has stuck with me, so…
Capturing Fall Foliage by Drone: Tips for Wedding Videographers in New England
@christorychannel Leaves are falling. Drones are flying. #fyp #drone #foiliage ♬ Scene D’Amour – Bernard Herrmann Fall is the most popular seasons for weddings here in Vermont. As a wedding videographer, I’m always looking for creative ways to capture the beautiful colors of the changing leaves in my wedding videos. Using a drone has become…
The Vermont Extended Universe: Hiram Hootshaw put the Fab Back into Fatality
In 1901, Vermont’s most wanted export was not timber or syrup, but a mortuary cosmetologist named Hiram Hootshaw. Though his true name was Samuel Nottingham, an escaped convict who fled to Vermont and assumed a new identity. Nottingham had been convicted as a grave robber, ironically foreshadowing his future talents. Hootshaw had a gift –…
Creating Object Portraits with Midjourney
Object portraits are an artistic genre where portraits are composed of objects rather than literal likenesses. The objects are carefully chosen for their symbolism and connection to the portrait subject. This allows the artist to convey the essence and personality of the subject through meaningful items. It makes sense that AI can do this well. …
Grigori Rasputin’s secret life as a music fanatic. LOL
He was a controversial figure in Czarist Russia, but few know of Grigori Rasputin’s secret life as a music fanatic. Rasputin wasn’t just whispering into the ears of royalty – he was rocking out with the common folk! Recently unearthed photos reveal Rasputin getting down with the crowd at 1950’s Bandstand. Witnesses claim to have…