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This is the obligatory photo.

There are a lot of unknown creatives out there. The promise of Social Media has not paid off. It’s actually harder now to get noticed than ever before. It’s probably better they don’t know because it can dilute your work. Keep creating and when they finally do discover you they will kick themselves for not noticing sooner.

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Random photography thoughts.

Bright colors in frozen places seem to be a relief from the white. Mixing the man made with the natural world is a paradox because everything we see came out of the ground in one way or another.

Categories are a defense against the vast confusion that comes against our eyeballs.

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Imagine everything you own in one suitcase. Possible but difficult if you have a lot of attachments. The current culture is based on consumerism but there are certain core needs. Food, clothing and some kind of roof over our heads. These things lead to a whole host of other “considerations”. What seems like an idyllic notion is to some degree constrained by the expectation we have and what kind of life we wish to lead.

I won’t attempt to solve that here. If we expand this focus to include ideas and experiences it gets more complicated. Imagine if you took your cues for everything from one source. There are few sources that are all encompassing.

The responsibility then becomes an individual thing and we must realize that our friends, colleagues and family all have their own ideas and biases which make up our understanding and values.

The responsibility for how we live and act falls squarely on our shoulders.

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If you’re a regular Citizen Photographer Watch this. Especially the first 1:55…

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Social Media, The Quick Takes

After 14 years on social media here are a few things I’ve noticed.

1. It’s dominated by women

2. It helps if you’re under 60

3. Gaining followers is a lot of work

4. There are no guarantees

5. Face to face is still important

6. People are not very curious

7. If your question is answered rejoice

8. Cost is still important

9. Decision is influenced by emotion

10. Everybody wants a hug

11. Don’t expect reciprocation

12. It’s considered serious advertising

13. I can’t believe any of this works

If this seems too simplistic it’s really not. It’s been carefully distilled and I don’t believe in droning on. The details are revealed from pondering each one.

I guess 14 would be, it is a waste of time but not for the reasons you might imagine. Overall it is sorely lacking in truth. If you’re advertising something and trying to keep all the plates spinning; plan to work very hard.

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We’re working on our photography.

In the days of film photography the hierarchy was film, lens and then camera. Nowadays we have it just about the other way around with a few exceptions. Whether this is good or bad will be debated till the cows come home.

I should say at the outset that I am a citizen photographer, meaning that I do not derive my living from making pictures. I have a modest stable of cameras both film and digital but I’m lacking the latest developments in picture making devices. Arguably these are some of the most complex gadgets we own or have access to. Making pictures has never been easier and yet the capturing of a memorable moment is as illusive as ever. I will make an attempt to explain why. It seems obvious to say but we are living in the most photographed time in history.

Neither this writing or any other book, course or means of instruction will contain everything you want or need to know about photography. The history of photography would easily require several volumes.

Due to the proliferation of cell phones everyone becomes a photographer with the opportunity to snap those family, friends and vacation photos. For some reason there are those who venture beyond these borders to attempt something more interesting, even artistic and there are a brave few who dare to call it a career.

Any kind of art is what you do over a long period of time. It may be a lifetime. The UK photographer Martin Castein calls this “the long walk” a process whereby you never give up because your dedication is to become that photographer that is in your mind. Whether it’s a hobby, a pastime or a career is not easy to define and it may not emerge until we look back on it. There are also no guarantees of recognition. There are only so many spotlights and those who achieve this coveted place are a combination of personality, longevity, commercial viability and peer recognition.

Most of those who end up in the spotlight did so without it being a goal.

It’s a common phrase nowadays that “nobody cares about your pictures”. That is until they do. What makes people care about your photos is partly an accumulation of ideas and the people you encounter along the way. Even the solitary landscape photographer eventually brings the images to someone and that often makes the difference.

I suppose by now you have guessed that I’m talking about those who have ventured beyond the boundaries of those happily snapping away because they can.

So! How does one go about taking a memorable photo. Those we might put on the wall or in a book. The short and not very encouraging answer is, there is no formula. There are some things that will help and I’m happy to list what I’ve learned so far.

In no particular order, they are:

You will spend more money on travel and things surrounding your pictures than you ever will on photography equipment.

You will buy several cameras and other accessories before you find the right combination for you.

Your eye removes all the distracting elements from a scene and the camera puts them all back in.

Not in all cases but photos with people in them are usually more popular.

When in doubt take the photo, at least you’ll have something.

Learn your camera. There are no perfect cameras.

Have a story, theme or idea in mind. Often crucial and one of hardest to master.

You will look at your photos in a much different way, 6 months from now.

Edit what you present. Be ruthless. Your audience may not understand but there will be no doubt about what you meant.

Photography is subjective but if you’re hired, deliver what they asked for.

All this and a thousand other things. There is no substitute for taking lots of pictures. Composition, light and studying others is all part of the photographic world. Look at iconic memorable photos and also realize that they were there with a camera ready to make the picture. Making the most of our opportunities often makes the difference.

Finally I would recommend keeping a hand written journal ( we refer back to what we write down ) the benefit of doing this is to provide a perspective that we won’t get just looking at our pictures.

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Sage advice regarding the Olympus OM-D E-M1

As you can probably tell this was written by AI as a test. I do think the camera does have viability for street work. Olympus is a pretty good workhorse.

Street photography is a genre of photography that requires a camera that is compact, lightweight, and capable of capturing high-quality images in a variety of lighting conditions. The Olympus OM-D E-M1 is a mirrorless camera that is well-suited for street photography, thanks to its advanced features and compact design.

One of the key features of the OM-D E-M1 is its autofocus system. The camera uses a hybrid autofocus system that combines both contrast detection and phase detection autofocus. This means that the camera can quickly and accurately focus on subjects, even in low light conditions.

Another advantage of the OM-D E-M1 is its compact size. The camera is smaller and lighter than most DSLRs, making it easier to carry around for long periods of time. This is essential for street photography, where being inconspicuous is often key to capturing candid moments.

The OM-D E-M1 also has a built-in electronic viewfinder (EVF) that allows you to preview your shot before you take it. This is especially useful when shooting in bright sunlight, where it can be difficult to see the LCD screen on the back of the camera. The EVF also allows you to see the effects of any exposure adjustments in real-time, which can help you create better images.

In terms of image quality, the OM-D E-M1 is capable of producing high-quality images with its 20.4-megapixel sensor. The camera also has a wide ISO range (up to 25,600), which means that you can shoot in low light conditions without having to worry about excessive noise in your images.

Finally, the OM-D E-M1 has a number of advanced features that are useful for street photography. These include a high-speed burst mode (up to 60 frames per second), built-in Wi-Fi for sharing images on the go, and a variety of creative shooting modes that allow you to experiment with different effects.

In conclusion, the Olympus OM-D E-M1 is an excellent camera for street photography. Its compact size, advanced autofocus system, and high-quality sensor make it a great choice for capturing candid moments on the streets. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced photographer, the OM-D E-M1 is definitely worth considering for your next street photography adventure.

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Don’t let the punks be the only ones.

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We are all looking for some kind of recognition whether we admit it or not. Not always aware of it, otherwise we wouldn’t put it out there.

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Minimalism

I took this picture 13 years ago on a photo walk, looking for a clean background. The bike rack was a bonus but it would have been better if there was a bicycle and better still a person in the scene. Pictures of people tend to be the most interesting.

The picture however will serve to anchor this topic. Minimalism is a word that everyone has a definition for which usually doesn’t correspond to yours. It usually means a paring down to a few essentials. It’s a good concept because we all have a lot of stuff. The reason describes the way we shop. We don’t carefully select, it’s more spur of the moment buying. The result is we end up with trends, temporary or one time use things. To eliminate this habit is an explanation that comes with a personal commitment.

What I can say from experience is that minimalism requires a lot of work and discipline to achieve and maintain. Whether we take it as a challenge or continue to live with the Victorian clutter it’s good to understand where they come from and perhaps get a little closer to where we want to be.

Some say less is more and others say less is boring. Mies has been dead for some time now but we’re still talking about it.

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On Walden pond

Henry David Thoreau

A brief essay

https://www.commonlit.org/en/texts/where-i-lived-and-what-i-lived-for (for reference)

The pond is actually a 65 acre lake

It’s roughly 2 miles from the Cabin to the center of Concord Mass

His aim, among other things, was to drive life into a corner. He accomplished that but only kept it there for 2 years.

A number of people have set out to live alone, to escape the demands of city life but often overlooked are the reasons described by Thoreau himself. The discovery that comes from being self sufficient and in the process find out what he was capable of.

It wasn’t to isolate, after all he was only two miles from town. His goal being to confront the basics of living and I dare say there was much more discovered than what he wrote about.

On Walden Pond is often used as a springboard to various romantic notions of how to live. Each person will interpret these ideas in a different way. Adapting to a certain way of life is not an end but a foundation for carrying out one’s purpose.

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History adds perspective, especially when viewed from a distance. The perception is often greater than the reality. We are fortunate in that regard.

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Only 136 days till Christmas

Instead of rushing around at the last minute not knowing who, what or how much and then grabbing a gift card. Here is a little pre shopping strategy.

It’s a 136 days so hopefully there is time to figure it out. Although the times may be uncertain I have come up with a few ideas to mitigate my own stress.

We all have interests or hobbies that no one really knows about because we think no one will understand or maybe they will think you’re weird. Relax, we’re all weird anyway. There are 3 questions you have to answer first. Who, what and how much.

To have a remote possibility of getting something you like as opposed to the dreaded whatever. Here’s what I recommend, make a special wishlist that features the items that reflect your personality and interests. Most online outlets offer a chance to make a wishlist. You could call it something like Christmas (the current year).

But wait! I have too many to buy for and a limited budget. A couple of things that are budget friendly for your consideration. Most “big box” stores offer the printing of post cards. Or you can make your own. One of the nicest gifts I ever received was a hand painted card. Use one of your photos, or write a poem. A personal touch is always memorable.

Another great gift is a letter. The fact that you put your thoughts on paper and took the time to remember them, will bring a smile to their face. Everyone has a creative side and the giving of a letter is great way to express it. The gift of a letter is the title of a book I read many years ago. You can never go wrong with a gift of yourself.

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The all new J pad

With mobility being all the rage, this new lightweight device is lighter and more affordable than anything on the market. Use it with any stylus you prefer and select the user movable clip of your choice. Requires no battery or internet connection and incorporates the one app to rule them all, paper. This ground breaking device is only limited by human imagination and can be had for a short trip to the dollar store or even things you have lying around. As they say, throw anything at it and it can handle it. Text, notes, images or even glue in the odd bits. The all new “J” pad, sometimes referred to as a Journal.

(Cut down clipboard, copy paper, grocery sack cover, binder clip, pen)

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Art is a skill that shouldn’t be wasted and design is part of that genre. A deep rusty yellow is a good foil for black and white, whether it is a photo or pen and ink.

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Social Media and Beyond

There are lots of reason people make social media posts or blog posts. Some of the reasons include, entertainment, influence, or broadcasting their personal opinions, not all of these things are well guided. Being “followed” on social media is not a guarantee of success. It could mean that a lot of followers indicates you have found the lowest common denominator of human nature.

I’ve been doing the social media thing for over 14 years, I’m old and the byproduct is a fair amount of experience. I attended my first computer conference in 1977. A designer for over 40 years, dealing with people from all walks of life.

The people who are doing things that you admire were going to do them anyway. It is not likely that you will see/read something that is going to change your direction, but it does happen from time to time. Wise people are teachable and are not particular about who they learn it from.

The experts and people of influence are those who are well connected. If there is any real benefit in what they say it is in the content, not their celebrity status. There are a lot of unknown folks who have much to offer but their ability to promote is not as important to them as others. If you have changed one life then the effort was worth it.

We are all unique and the reason you won’t be able to copy someone else’s success is that your skill set is not like theirs. What you do is different than what I do and when you shine I am ready to celebrate your contribution.

The preceding is flawed and incomplete but I hope you get the idea.

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Journals, Sketchnotes, Zines - Oh My!

Journals, Sketchnotes, Zines - Oh My!

It dawned on me one day that I’ve spent nearly 40 years making marks on paper. We all jot things down from time to time but what if you took it a step further?

The first question that comes to mind is why? The answer can be as broad or as personal as you like. There are two main purposes to putting things on paper. One is to understand what you think and believe and the other is to distribute or leave some kind of legacy for others to read. The way to accomplish this is by using words and or pictures to convey your meaning. These can be done with whatever instrument you choose on whatever media you wish to select. The great thing is that there are no rules except those rules you choose. If you do decide to change the way you are doing things, you are free to make that choice. I have changed my methods a lot over the years.

This brief missive deals with three kinds of writing or sketching and the overlap that does frequently occur.

1. Journals - Usually bound and may contain daily entries or rambling free thinking whenever inspiration strikes. 2. Sketchnotes - Can be loose or bound but the idea is to capture what others are saying via words and pictures rather than trying to capture the whole presentation and it’s key points. 3. Zines (short for magazine) - These can be anything any size, and  are usually distributed. Hand made and created because the author is passionate about some subject. ( you can even make a zine into a personal letter )

These are very brief descriptions and also be overlapped into something of your own design. These can be hand written, typed or taken to the next level of Print on Demand. Blurb, Magcloud, Apple and a host of others provide these avenues.

If you make a physical object it’s more likely to read. Doesn’t require a battery or an operating system and with the papers available today will likely be around for a long time. Easier to consume than sifting through  the contents of a computer hard drive or a smartphone. Tell your story. It may seem unimportant at the moment but yours may be the only record of that idea or event that happened.