things • landscape • picture windows ~ fall without the screaming

October 6, 2023

**(embiggenable)** - as are all the pictures in this entry

WITH SOME VERY UNCHARACTERISTIC OCTOBER WEATHER-85F yesterday-I have been out and about making pictures as I go about enjoying the outdoors…54 holes of golf over the last week included.

Nothing much of note going on out there in the web-o-sphere. Although, Mr. Johnston just doesn’t seem to be able to get off the schneid, re: his idea that the status of photography is starting to decline:

“…hobbies tend to have more status the more rare or difficult or risky they are, and the fewer the number of people who have achieved some sort of mastery in that area…Maybe what's been happening to photography in the last two decades or so is that it's become something that far more people can do satisfactorily without specialized knowledge or experience, so its status is starting to decline.”

I just do not understand this status decline thing he keeps harping about. That’s cuz, in my experience, I am encountering a fair amount of evidence that, because of the vast amount of pictures that are being made, more and more people-those who have at least a modicum of aesthetic sensibility-seem to be recognizing that some pictures have more to offer than just straight off-the-cuff description. And this is especially true of those people regardless of whether or not they are “serious” or not picture makers.

In my personal experience..say…like when I am sharing my made-on-the-spot INSTAX prints-which look for all intents and purposes like mere snapshots of relatively unimportant moments-I repeatably hear comments such as, “You’ve got an eye.” Or, then there is the highest praise I hear when handing out an INSTAX prints, “This picture is going right on my refrigerator.” High praise, indeed.

I believe that this recognition of some pictures are “better” than others comes from the viewing of a zillion not so good pictures. Whether, in my experience, this recognition stems from the moment I capture or how I capture them-most likely a combination of both-is open to debate. However, I can write that when people see a picture they consider to be “special”, they do have respect for and appreciation of the medium and for the maker thereof.

So, iMo, I believe that despite that fact that far more people can satisfactorily make a lot of pictures, there are far more people making pictures that are far more than “satisfactory” than ever before. And, for those who can recognize the difference between shit and shinola ( the cream rising to the top), there is a growing / increasing appreciation for the medium and those who can make pictures with a bit of shinola.

# 6718-22 / landscape • kitchen sink • common things ~ there's no place like home

September 26, 2023

***Rist • the last PM*** ~ (embiggenable)

***Rist • the last AM*** ~ (embiggenable)

BACK HOME AND WORKING WITH PS ONCE AGAIN. After nearly 7 weeks away from home and my desktop set up, I am realizing, now that I am back in the PS saddle, how much I depend upon PS to realize the full implementation of my picture making vision.

It’s not that I make any drastic / dramatic file processing procedures with PS. Rather, it’s a host of small, subtle adjustments that I feel significantly impact the look and feel of my prints. And, many of those adjustments are simply not possible to achieve with any mobile device software. I can come close enough-for web presentation-but not enough for the finished look and feel I want in my prints.

BTW, working from the iPhone RAW DNG files with the full PS software makes me really appreciate the file quality of those files. Really pretty amazing.

WARNING semi-gear stuff: Even thou I have not used it much lately, I have not completely abandoned my µ4/3 gear. However, I do haul it around on trips and shorter get-a-ways just in case I want to make a picture of something that is to far away for the iPhone reach. At which point, I mount up my 50>200mm f2.8-100>400mm eq.-Zuiko lens on my E-P5 and snap away. FYI, that large lens on the small E-P5 is truly a case of the tail wagging the dog.

That written. my E-P5 is getting rather long in the tooth and prudence dictates that it just might be time for a replacement. At this stage of my life it would most likely be my forever camera. However, replacement wise, I have been far less than enamored with the available candidates.

I have no interest in the multi-thousand dollar Olympus wunderbar cameras. That’s cuz, in large part, I don’t want a DSLR form-factor camera. I much prefer a rangefinder-like form-factor. But that’s a form-factor that the Olympus Systems camera maker has seemingly abandoned.

So imagine my surprise and delight upon discovering that a new rangefinder-like Olympus Systems camera, the E-P7, has been introduced. It is, essentially, an E-P5 upgrade or, depending on your perspective, an Oly PEN downgrade (Oly PEN minus a few that-I-don’t-care-about features).

The only problem is that it is not available in the US. However, it is showing up for order on some e-bay and used camera sites. And, at a very reasonable price - $600-700USD range. On the other hand, my son is currently in Japan for a 2 week vacation…hhmmmm.

# 6688-90 / landscape • common things • kitchen sink ~ too much of a "good" thing?

August 28, 2023

***ode to Oppenheimer*** ~ (embiggenable)

AS I PLUMB DEEPER INTO THE WORLD OF INSTAX print making, taken together with my current-while away from my desktop-loss of PS processing capabilities, I have come to an amended interpretation of the adage:

A man who knows the price of everything and the value of nothing. ~ so said Lord Darlington in Oscar Wilde’s Lady Windemere’s Fan

In my amended interpretation, a man is a picture making people (man, woman, or child) whose pictures reveal everything (max detail, resolution, dynamic range, et al) but capture the value (feeling) of nothing. That is to write, to my eye and sensibilities, such pictures project the impression of a coldly analytical, surreal / hyper real, tour de force of technical “perfection” which, once again to my eye and sensibilities, have no “soul” or visual mystery /mystique.

SO, how does INSTAX prints and loss of PS capabilities factor into my price of everything / value of nothing picture making state of mind? Simply put, looking for extreme or small detail(s) in an INSTAX print is a fool’s errand. However, in my experience, the nearly universal reaction to the viewing of such prints is an immediate connection to the feeling the picture is intended to convey. There are few or no distracting details to get in the way of that perception.

And, re: PS capabilities, now that I have been “surviving” for a couple weeks without PS-using PS Express + Snapseed for my photo editing-I have begun to question my pursuit of “perfection” - things such as creating a high degree of shadow and highlight detail, optimizing color balance by differentiating color balance between shadows and mid-tones, and the like. Processing adjustments that I try to perform with a deft / subtle hand so as to be natural looking / not obvious.

Nevertheless, the question being, do I need to tone it down? The answer to that question can only be answered when I get back to my desktop system-with a working PS-and make a few prints from “toned down” files and in order to see what’s what.

# 6685-87 / landscape • common places and things ~ happy and pissed at the same time

August 22, 2023

***the view from the porch*** ~ (embiggenable)

SO, I’M EVER SO HAPPY TO BE BACK IN THE REAL WORLD as opposed to being in New Jersey. I consider New Jersey to be something of an aberration along the lines of:

I believe that there's an intelligence to the universe, with the exception of certain parts of New Jersey. ~ Woody Allen (as Miles Monroe in Sleeper)

That aside, I have arrived at this place with 50-60 INSTAX prints made at the Jersey Shore - fewer than I expected to make but more than I know what to do with. The solution to that situation might be found in editing.

While there is a very high number of good / interesting referent pictures, I do believe it is possible to narrow the field down to 16 (=/- a few) that can at least provide a solid hint at the feel of the event. 16 would a good number cuz 2 frames with a cluster of 8 pictures each would look good. Add a nearby bowl with the balance of the prints for easy browsing and it’s good to go.

Re: easy browsing - I can attest to the fact that people find it nearly impossible to resist the urge to browse when confronted with a pile of INSTAX prints. At the Shore, I would leave a pile of prints on a table at our house and within a few hours most of them had disappeared. They were apparently as tempting and tasty as a bowl full of candy.

On a more tragic note, I discovered that the version of PS that I have been using for years on my lap top is no longer supported by ADOBE, and, if I want to continue using a currently supported PS version I have to buy a new lap top. That’s cuz my long-in-the-tooth lap top air can not support an updated OS that will support the currently available PS versions.

This situation really pisses me off. I don’t want a bloated updated version of PS. My use of PS is centered around a handful of “simple” tools and capabilities. I don’t want no AI. I don’t want no video tools. And, “older” versions have always been more than fast enough for my needs.

In a nut shell, I can write that I really hate-yes, genuinely hate-software companies who constantly update software with “improvements”. “Improvements” designed to keep consumers on the ever-revolving treadmill of “improvements” so they can get into our coffers.

# 6681-84 / common places • common things ~ baby it's hot outside

August 16, 2023

***looking toward Europe*** ~ (embiggenable)

HALF WAY THROUGH HELL WEEK. Although, to be honest, my misery has been tempered by my position at the top of the golf event Leader Board-helped along by an eagle on a par 5 and a birdie on a par 3-and by garnering the longest drive award. However, that consolation was compromised by playing golf in 100% humidity / 86º heat (feels like 92º) during which I rinsed my face, neck, arms and torso with cold bottled water 5 times.

I mentioned in a previous entry that 1 of the things I dislike about the South Jersey Shore was the fact that it is being overrun with the ultra rich and their grossly ostentatious McMansions. See the above old/new normal pictures to see what I mean…it must have been a really quaint unpretentious beach community at one time.

Making lots of INSTAX print pictures. And surprise, surprise - they have kitchen sinks in New Jersey.

# 6676-79 / common places • common things • landscape ~ 2 different neighborhoods

August 12, 2023

***yesterday evening in my neighborhood*** ~ (embiggenable)

***this afternoon in my neighborhood*** ~ (embiggenable)

***yesterday AM from my 2nd floor porch*** ~ (embiggenable)

***the then wife and I 56 years ago in our Japanese abode*** ~ (embiggenable) Canon 7s w Canon 19mm f3.5 lens

SPENT THE DAY ORGANIZING AND PACKING FOR MY so-called annual week in hell, aka: a week at the South Jersey Shore. Don’t like it for number of reasons; fast becoming an enclave for the ultra-rich and their truly gross McMansions, heat and extreme humidity, and people crammed elbow-to-elbow on the beach. This trip I am sharing the place with 110 of the wife’s relatives (both sides of the family). For many, whiskey and weed will be the order of the day (and night). Me, I’ll play some golf and make a lot of pictures - I’m toting 36 10-packs of INSTAX instant print film in my kit.

RE; the last evening in my neighborhood picture in this entry-I can walk to this place-points up the difference between where I live-a place where people visit to escape the extreme summer heat-and the oppressively hot South Jersey Shore. That and the fact that, while I live in an actual park, it nearly impossible to find a place to park at the Jersey Shore.

In any event, I will most likely survive the week cuz I can take solace in the fact that at the end of the week we go directly to our Adirondack Mountain retreat, Rist Camp, for a five week stay.

# 6675 / common things ~life in the photo ghetto

August 9, 2023

OVER THE PAST DECADE-GIVE OR TAKE A FEW YEARS- there has been an emerging sentiment amongst “serious” amateur picture makers that picture making, aka: photography, as they know it is dead and/or dying. The primary perpetrator of this heinous crime is most often ajudged to be the the cellphone with its camera module, picture making function. Although, most recently there is the AI generated-looks just like a photograph-bugaboo lurking in the PS shadows adding to the photography-killing death count.

To paraphrase US broadcaster Herbert Morrison,

“This is terrible; this is one of the worst catastrophes in the world. Oh it's...crashing dying…Oh, the humanity, and all the passengers photographers screaming around here!”

To be clear, I do not subscribe to the death-by-cellphone hysteria simply cuz the fact is, with a zillion billion (exaggeration employed to make a point) cellphone pictures made every second of the day, the cellphone is responsible for exponential growth in picture making and, if not photography, what the hell are those picture makers doing? Sure, Sure. Most of the picture makers are not “taking it seriously” but, nevertheless, they are making pictures - an activity traditionally known as photography.

Re: AI generative stuff - it may be photo-based, but the end result, although it may look just like a photograph, is, in fact, a photo-derived illustration. That is, an illustration / image which bears little or no connection to the real world as captured / recorded by a picture making device.

All of the above written (as a mere prelude to my actual point), I do subscribe to a certain category of the death of-as I know it-photography. One that is defined by the following interview Q&A:

What are some of the biggest obstacles you have faced as an artist?

Early on it was difficult because I don’t have a MFA, I didn’t come from a prestigious university like Yale. So getting the eyes on the work and getting it in front of the right people was challenging.

Despite the artist’s “burden” of not having an MFA, the answer is what I would expect from that cadre of murders, photography wise. A group that I have, for years, labeled as the Academic Lunatic Fringe. The MFA / advanced degree crowd that idolizes content (concept) over form (the appearance of the referent). A fetish which leads to picture making that attempts to photograph that which, iMo, cannot be pictured - emotional states, mental states, conceptual / intellectual ideas that invariably require lengthy artist statements to try to explain what a picture “means”. A meaning which the picture itself can not “explain”. Pictures that in most cases are vehicles for dealing with the picture maker’s deep personal mental, emotional, societal, issues - a self-diagnosed therapy activity for what ails them. To which I write, good for them, have at it, do whatever floats your boat.

However, the problem as I see it, death of photography as I know it, is that the ALF crowd has taken over the gallery / art institution (photo division) directorship world. Which has led to the fact that the ALF gallery / art institutional power structure admits only certified fellow traveler’s work on the walls of such facilities. Traditional photography*-pictures which represent actual, tangible real-world referents as seen / aided by the camera’s eye-is no where to be seen.

That written, I do not believe that “traditional’ photography is dead or dying. In reality, it just might be flourishing as never before. Unfortunately, for me, it is disappearing from gallery / art institution walls. And, no, viewing a photograph online is not remotely the same experience as seeing a print on a wall.

*pictures which evince the joy of seeing. Pictures that do not require an MFA, either to be made or understood - no mental / self-analytical, psychological deep-dive interpretation required. ASIDE: this does not mean that a “traditional” photograph can not have a significant emotional impact or stir up some mental activity. However, that outcome is determined by the punctum found in photograph as the result of what is pictured (and how it is pictured), not a multi-thousand word essay. END ASIDE

# 6671-74 / common things / places • landscape • people ~ TMI

August 7, 2023

***from the Mountain Course 1st tee*** ~ (embiggenable)

***weekend activities*** ~ (embiggenable)

SOMETHING I DO NOT UNDERSTAND…why would anyone interested in the medium of photography bother to follow a (obstensibly) photo site / blog wherein the author constantly loads it up with chit-chat about swimming / pool / other non-photo activities, coffee, broken refrigerators, audio equipment..hell…even the weather. Reminds me of the few times I was the speaker at some camera club events-do actual go-to-meetin’ camera clubs even still exist?-where the assembled crowd mingled about (pre-speechifying) sipping wine and chit-chatting about all kinds of things other than photography. The exception being, of course, showing off and or talking about a new camera or piece of gear.

Now I’m not suggesting that a camera club meet up should be all photo-talk / business and no play. It is, in fact, a social gathering and it’s normal (almost natural) that people might want to talk-faceo a faceo-about their recent skid into a snowbank, how they got right with their maker or some such conversion before they get down to the business at hand. I get it cuz, unlike visiting a blog, it’s an actual face-to-face gathering / event. I been there, done that.

That written and at least for me, when I am on the interweb looking for interesting photography or interesting writing about the medium and its apparatus (aka: conventions, traditions, and practices), I have no use for those sites that are little more than a (chit) chatroom wherein it becomes all about the author and the inconsequential (photo wise) minutia-verbal, not visual-of his/her daily life.

Quite a while back-3-4 years?-when I was contemplating the direction I wanted to pursue, re: this blog, the one thing I promised my self and readers was that I would never turn it into a my-life chatroom. So far, mission accomplished.

And that is why, as an example, I could write all about my weekend…

…like how the wife and had breakfast in Lake Placid with our daughter and soon-to-depart for college (where he will play college hockey) grandson and describe in detail the bloody mary with pickle I had with breakfast after which I picked up some meds and then went to the framing shop to order a frame for an INSTAX picture a local craft gallery wants to display for sale OR like how on Saturday evening the wife and I went to a newly opened, renovated former ski lodge for a drink and live music and write about the sangria I had and how it compared to the sangria(s) I had in Portugal OR like how on Sunday I played golf on the Lake Placid Club Links Course with the aforementioned about-to-depart grandson and give a detailed account of the course conditions (to include the weather), my score (and how it might effect my USGA handicap index) vs my grandson’s score and whine and complain some more about the idiot 4-some in front of us who refused to let us play through even though there was no one on the course ahead of them…

..but I won’t.