Category: Aspiration

Photo by Joe WilcoxAug 22, 202310:58 pm

Sapphire Showers Duranta

I let Google Photos stylize the Featured Image, which is composed as shot. You won’t see saturation like this naturally presenting in nature. This is what happens when some form of artificial intelligence does the job that you should do for yourself. I would never edit like this but must acknowledge to not disliking the photo, which isn’t the same as liking it.

Once again, Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra rises to the occasion. Vitals: f/1.7, ISO 50, 1/120 sec, 23mm (film equivalent); 11:50 a.m. PDT, Aug. 18, 2023.

Photo by Joe WilcoxAug 20, 20238:54 pm

Sports Cars Don’t Get Much More Classic Than This

The strangest, and unexpected, cars show up on the streets of my neighborhood of University Heights. Perennial San Diego sun may be hard on the paint, but arid Mediterranean climate assures that a well-maintained vehicle can last for decades—free from the abuse imposed by extreme temperature swings, frequent rain, high humidity, or seasonal changes. The SoCal coastal region has one season: Summer, in three variations of early, mid, and late.

Unsurprisingly, and fitting with California stereotypes, Volkswagens of various vintages, typically circa 1960s and 70s, are commonly enough seen. But this Jaguar XK120, in the Featured Image and companion captures, is a first. I saw it once, April 22, 2023, and never again.

Photo by Joe WilcoxAug 15, 202310:05 pm

Galaxy S23 Ultra RAW Roars Past an Iconic Sign

This isn’t my first Featured Image of this sign—and certainly not at night. But this one is the first using Samsung’s Expert RAW app on Galaxy S23 Ultra. Results do surprise, because I didn’t expect this much character or clarity from a smartphone’s small sensor.

I chose 50 megapixels and let S23 pick the settings. They’re easily adjustable, and I will do so on another day’s test run. Vitals: f/1/7, ISO 1600, 1/25 sec, 23mm (film equivalent); 8:39 p.m. PDT, tonight.

Photo by Joe WilcoxAug 13, 20239:55 pm

Patriotic Parrot

Something about the American flag juxtaposed with the parrot and complimented by reddish flowers compelled me to stop and shoot the Featured Image on Aug. 11, 2023. Vitals: f/2.4, ISO 800, 1/60 sec, 70mm (film equivalent); 8:33 p.m. PDT.

Once more, I wonder why own Leica Q2 when Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra produces photos with so much character. Professionals prattle about the Leica look. My Samsung shots are distinctive, too. They may not be as sharp but they’ve got style that is dimensional and poignant.

Photo by Joe WilcoxAug 12, 20238:35 pm

‘I Like That One More’

Last night, when I walked by Gnarly Girl Pizza, a collection of beer glasses and discarded box on an outdoor table caused me to stop and shoot the Featured Image. But, yesterday, I chose to share the other, where cheese appears to drip from the mural behind into each mug. Oh, and that sloppy eater is the slimer from film “Ghostbusters”.

This morning, when I showed both pics to my wife, she surprisingly said: “I like that one more than the photo you posted”—referring, of course, to what you see today. When I suggested straightening the slanted shot, Annie objected. She praised painting-like appearance and cinematic feel that the angle imbues. But I couldn’t resist, nevertheless, which explains the companion capture that is the original composition.

Photo by Joe WilcoxAug 10, 20239:54 pm

Garden Wall

About a half hour after sunset, I set out on another early evening walk. By San Diego standards humidity is high—granted Floridians would smirk and choke back laughter at what passes for muggy here. But, hey, it is 82 percent as I write but comfortable 20.5 degrees Celsius (69 Fahrenheit).

Where was the Nativity outside the home of Carl, one of the “Cats of University Heights“, I stopped to gawk at the charming backlighting behind plants and trees. A sucker for contrasting areas of dark or light and competing colors, I pulled out Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra and utilized the 3x optical zoom capability.

Photo by Joe WilcoxAug 9, 20238:38 pm

Batter Up!

The appropriate action would be to ask this gentleman why he watches television outside. But I instead chose to shoot stealthily from across the street because mystery makes the moment. The answer could ruin the curiosity.

Perhaps his partner or spouse doesn’t like baseball. Maybe he is lonely and hopes the outdoor game will draw some company. Perhaps ambiance is the reason: He wants a taste of remembered experience of going to the stadium and watching the game. I will never know and don’t want to.

Photo by Joe WilcoxAug 7, 20239:29 pm

Night Garden

On the same property where are the solar-powered lamps that I shared with you last month are decorative lights that surround a sculptured montage of rocks, succulents, and waterfall. When walking by this evening, I decided to stop for a shot—several, actually.

The Featured Image is my selection of the set, and it is edited to taste. While taken after sunset, the original photo isn’t nearly as dark. I amped blacks, dehaze, and highlights, looking to more strongly contrast areas of light and dark—particularly shadows upon the stonework and light on the greenery.

Photo by Joe WilcoxAug 5, 20239:31 pm

Mom’s Prom Dress

Mom passed away six years ago today. Last night, I came across a portrait digitized a few days later but not published. This evening, I spent some time editing, and also applying preset black-and-white filters, but in the end present the Featured Image as it was recovered in August 2017.

Photographer is unknown, as is timing. Mom is dressed for prom, but I am not sure what year of high school. She doesn’t appear to be pregnant, as she was during 12th grade. She already was married during junior year, having eloped to Canada at (sweet) sixteen.

Photo by Joe WilcoxJul 29, 20239:00 pm

Hidden Bunch

I occasionally share some of the things people put out in San Diego alleys, like the Apple PowerMac G3 (circa 1999), art gallery, big face clock, family room, profane hat, rustic mirror, rusty typewriter, Seventies stove, snowboarding boots, solid wood dresser, Victorian-style sofa, or Vitamaster Slendercycle—to name but a few.

But humans aren’t alone; nature puts out a few surprising finds, too—as the Featured Image demonstrates. These tempting grapes grow along a fence in an alley whose location I choose to withhold other than to say somewhere in University Heights. Interestingly, some vines have riper ones than others.

Photo by Joe WilcoxJul 28, 20239:36 pm

Big Band Bubble Brigade

Summer never really ends in San Diego but ebbs and flows throughout the year. Yet the last Friday night live music event in Old Trolley Barn Park feels like end of the season, even as the dog days of August are yet to come.

I walked over this evening, beckoned several blocks away by the boisterous big band sound of Sue Palmer & Her Motel Swing Orchestra. She drew quite the crowd, and sizable group—mostly older folks—danced before the stage. If mosh pits were for kids and grandmas, well I observed one tonight.

Photo by Joe WilcoxJul 27, 20238:52 pm

Crisis is the Best Measure of Character

One of my direct neighbors—meaning living in the same apartment building—had her SUV stolen four nights ago, while visiting a friend in Mission Valley. We live in University Heights, which overlooks that San Diego community. Also taken: Cell phone, purse, and wallet. To say the least, this is a devastating event.

Rather than rant, or be angry, she nervously laughs about what happened. I understand. There’s an absurd, “this can’t be real” quality that is tragically laughable. She takes charge of the situation and doesn’t whine “Why Me?” or seek sympathy as a victim. She is determined and matter of fact in her resolve to recover life quickly.