Here is another example of stock photo perfection. No other description suits the work of William Warby, who shot self-titled “Macaw” on Aug. 13, 2013, at the zoo in Santa Barbara, Calif. Vitals, using Olympus E-3 […]
Category: Living
What Is Your Flickr Anniversary?
I can’t count how many times my relationship with Flickr nearly ended over the past decade. I subscribed in October 2005, making 10 years ago this month. For reasons I cannot guess, my oldest uploaded photo is the Pelican, on Ground Hog’s Day 2006. I shot the bird with Nikon D70 and Nikkor 70-300mm f/3.5-5.6 lens while vacationing in San Diego (where I now live) in August 2004.
I don’t have an exact date during the month, just a receipt for a Pro membership on May 6, 2006. I maintained Pro until Flickr (more or less) ended the option in May 2013. But Yahoo brought back Pro accounts in July 2015, offering perks to previous subscribers. Last month, I renewed mine for two years, for $44.95.
Flickr a Day 282: ‘Aero Club Bad Nauheim — Tag der offenen Tür’
Complimentary colors and perspective take the Day, with this simple shot from Sept. 6, 2014. Barbara Müller-Walter used Sony Cybershot DSC-H5 to shoot self-titled “Aero Club Bad Nauheim—Tag der offenen Tür”. Vitals: f/5.6, ISO 125,1/400 […]
Flickr a Day 279: ‘Lama. 2 am.’
Punctuation punctuates self-titled “Lama. 2 am”. Identification and time with two periods makes a statement that causes reaction yeah, and then of course when reading accompanying description: “Paris, FR”. Somehow, the beast in the window makes sense. What […]
Where No Values Have Gone Before
For more than two weeks I have kept open in a browser tab essay “How Star Trek Explains the Decline of Liberalism” by Timothy Sandefur. Someone shared the story in one of my social feeds in mid-September—and apologies for not recalling whom. I don’t agree with the title, set against the writing, but I do largely agree with the analysis about Star Trek’s reflection of our society over the course of 50 years.
I loved the original series, which aired in 1966. Much as I liked, and even imitated Spock, Kirk’s bravado and moralism rapt my attention. He acted rather than hesitated. Meanwhile, series creator Gene Roddenberry and his producers, directors, and writers used the storytelling as metaphors and allegories commenting on American society and its values. I aspired to be like James Tiberius Kirk: Do the right thing, for the greater good of all, regardless the risk.
Flickr a Day 277: ‘Obi’
Smartphones can produce surprisingly good photos in competent hands. Physical contrast caught my attention in our Day taker—the small dog set against the big cars. But after seeing that Ryan Hyde used iPhone 5, I […]
Who Mourns for the Fourth Estate? (Part 2)
June 2009, the future of 21st Century journalism moves with protestors across Iran’s capital. In an area somewhat removed from the commotion, philosophy student Neda Salehi reportedly steps from a car and is soon shot by a sniper. A bystander videos her death and uploads it to YouTube. The moment becomes the rallying point for demonstrators in the country and for spectators from around the globe. It is a seminal moment of change for the news media.
The next night, June 21, I write:
Flickr Day 271: ‘Thelma and Louise’
Professed car and technology enthusiast Kārlis Dambrāns is a photo editor by trade, and it shows in the images he captures or post-processes. He shot self-titled “Thelma and Louise” on Aug. 29, 2015, during the “Retro auto” […]
What’s Next for Project Fi?
As September 29th approaches, and Google’s annual autumn launch event, rumors increase in frequency, and a few in absurdity, about what will be revealed. The gadget-obsessed shouldn’t forget what else might arrive with one, or even two, rumored new Nexus smartphones: Expanded support for Project Fi. I am surprised how little buzz there is among the fan base. Where are the rumor-wagging tongues?
The search and information giant introduced the invite-only cellular service in April 2015, piggybacking Sprint and T-Mobile networks for a cool $20 a month, plus 10 bucks more for each gigabyte of data (refunding for portion unused). The gotcha: Project Fi only supports one device: Nexus 6. You buy one or you bring your own. Otherwise it’s fee-Fi-fo-dumb for you.
Flickr a Day 266: ‘Vibrant Hot Air Balloons’
Color and composition take the Day and brilliant blue sky as canvas. Nicolas Raymond shot “Vibrant Hot Air Balloons” on Aug. 17, 2013, using Canon EOS 5D Mark II and E F24-105mm f/4L IS USM lens. Vitals: […]
Flickr a Day 263: ‘Fireworks’
By including the crowd, and making it primary point of focus, Eser Aygün gives great perspective for the light show, which also appeals for color. He shot self-titled “Fireworks” on Jan. 1, 2015—Happy (belated) New […]
Cali can’t wait for Caturday
My daughter’s cat takes possession of a tapestry; I snapped the pic using Nexus 6, which is my main smartphone again. I sold iPhone 6 Plus, and, unbelievably, the buyer shattered the screen not long later. […]