Category: Samsung

Photo by Joe WilcoxMar 7, 20239:17 pm

My Moon Shot

Driving home tonight, I came upon the most magnificent moon rising on the Eastern Horizon. I pulled over the car at Georgia and Meade, which crests a hill, here in San Diego community of University Heights. I had read that, using the 100x zoom (optical and digital), Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra can produce impressive moon shots. Is it perfect? No. Is it fantastic coming from a device carried in the pocket? Absolutely. Wow.

The Featured Image has a little help from Adobe Photoshop Lightroom, which I used to tweak the white balance and to amp dehaze and texture settings. Vitals: f/4.9, ISO 50, 1/120 sec, 230mm (film equivalent); 6:48 p.m. PST. Composed as captured.

Photo by Joe WilcoxMar 1, 20238:33 pm

The Cats of University Heights: Bristle

From the door we go to the window: Different resident owners and different wonderous pets. In August 2019, we met Misty, during her last days living in an apartment listed for rent. Same flat, on Jan. 21, 2023, a seemingly scowling tabby looks onto the world where he (or she) cannot go. That’s lucky, too, because it’s pup season and more coyotes hunt the neighborhood streets than is typical. These are dangerous nights (and days) for any of the scrawny scavengers’ potential prey. This situation also partially explains why so many of our recent profiles are indoor kitties.

The Featured Image comes from Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra. Vitals: f/4.9, ISO 40, 1/900 sec, 230mm (film equivalent); 3:16 p.m. PST. For perceived manner and fur coloration that reminds me of a brush, this fine feline earns nickname Bristle.

Photo by Joe WilcoxFeb 28, 20238:23 pm

Another Alley Treasure

I sometimes wonder why San Diegans put such valuable items in alleys for free. Take this bureau that my wife and I came upon yesterday. The condition is, at the least, very good. Craftmanship is excellent, and the dresser is solid wood—no particle board! Some antique shop might even put a hefty price tag on the discard. If we had need, or space, I would have stood guard while Annie fetched the car.

The find presented opportunity to test one of Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra‘s higher megapixel modes. Standard default is 3:4 at 12MP. But 50MP and 200MP are available at the tap of a finger. The Featured Image and companion were shot at the former. Original files measure 8160 x 6120 pixels and weigh in at 14.6MB and 13.1MB, respectively, before being cropped 3:2.

Photo by Joe WilcoxFeb 27, 20238:30 pm

Wow, Samsung, 200MP is for Real

If you are considering purchasing Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra look no further than the Featured Image—or, rather, the original digital file, which weighs in at 51MB and monstrous 16320 x 12240 pixels. Click at your own risk, and if you do be sure to zoom in and regard the detail—all the while remembering that this moment comes from a smartphone, not a dedicated camera.

The classic Ford, which I passed parked in an alley, today, is my first shot taken at 200 megapixels. You know, the feature some people regard as a gimmick, given the device’s tiny image sensor. Call me skeptical, too, until randomly stopping to test the capability. The photo is presented as captured. No cropping. No editing. If you aren’t amazed, I surely am.

Photo by Joe WilcoxFeb 26, 20239:33 pm

Better Than Mardi Gras

The days when rain isn’t falling, but the ground is wet and the air sweet Spring fresh and moist, are delightful. Over on Louisiana Street, some young men made festive the late afternoon of Feb. 22, 2023. They skateboarded to boombox rock, and I absolutely loved the spirit and ambiance they created. Why not bang on doors and have an impromptu block party?

Pepto, who is among the “Cats of University Heights” sauntered through the mayhem, taking up observant position by a car. That’s his block, baby.

Photo by Joe WilcoxFeb 25, 20238:24 pm

Mother Nature’s Remedy

Crazy best describes the year’s winter weather across California—so much rain has fallen that the drought is effectively over. Snow blanketed Los Angeles today. There is a (gasp) blizzard warning, too, that remains in effect. You won’t see many, if any, scantily-clad roller skaters this weekend.

The white stuff piles up across the more mountainous areas here in San Diego County, such as Julian. Closer to the coast, rain is Mother Nature’s prescription for an area that had been sick with drought. Thank you!

Photo by Joe WilcoxFeb 22, 20238:28 pm

A Christmas Tree for Lent

Wicked winds roared through San Diego on this Ash Wednesday, which is also President George Washington’s birthday (in 1732 by the Gregorian calendar). Sustained, from the West 32 to 40 kilometers per hour (20 to 25 mph) and reaching 72 kph (45 mph) or more.

When the gusts were greatest, my wife and I chose to walk around Westfield Mission Valley rather than endure blowing debris and risk being pelted (injured or killed) by falling/flying palm fronds. We started at Bed, Bath, and Beyond, which was absolutely deserted. I mean, day-after-apocalypse abandoned.

Photo by Joe WilcoxFeb 21, 202310:02 pm

Android and Me: Back to @Work

With a sigh of resignation, I handed the shipping box containing Galaxy S22 Ultra to the guy behind the FedEx counter, today. The smartphone is headed to a Samsung facility—fulfillment of my trade-in commitment. The manufacturer already credited the (expected) vaue to my purchase of successor S23 Ultra.

Considering that I only possessed the now older model for about two months, and because of otherwise overall intrinsic value, letting go was a bit challenging. Sentiment also weighed into my reluctance. The S22 Ultra marks my return to Android, after a long hiatus.

Photo by Joe WilcoxFeb 17, 20238:33 pm

The (Honorary) Cats of University Heights: Cotton

The 10x zoom camera capability is considerably improved on Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra compared to its predecessor. Look at the Featured Image for confirmation and realization the benefit of having the equivalent of a telephoto lens in your pocket. Vitals: f/4.9, ISO 50, 1/240 sec, 230mm (film equivalent); 10:49 a.m. PST.

How did this moment come to be? Our car came out of the repair shop today; my wife and I walked to fetch it. But we arrived a tad early and stretched out the time by going down a side street, which I won’t name because of the amount of detail the portrait reveals (the homeowner’s privacy should be respected). Suffice to say that we had ventured a few blocks beyond the neighborhood boundary into North Park, which is why this fine furball, who earns nickname Cotton, joins the esteemed honorary contingent.

Photo by Joe WilcoxFeb 16, 20237:58 pm

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra First Photos

Last night, I set up the Galaxy S23 Ultra, using Samsung’s Smart Switch app. I connected the new smartphone to the older (S22 Ultra) and followed the prompts. What a superbly smooth process followed. Sometime in the next day or two, I will pack up and ship the other device, as per my trade-in agreement.

For every new smartphone, there is a first photo, which is the Featured Image. Vitals: f/1.7, ISO 10, 1/1200 sec, 23mm; 9:58 a.m. PST. While walking to San Diego neighborhood Hillcrest, I detoured off Washington onto Normal to avoid sidewalk congestion. There I passed this helmet, which unusual placement beckoned to be shot.

Photo by Joe WilcoxFeb 15, 20238:49 pm

Out with the New, In with the Newer

My ownership of Galaxy S22 Ultra is short lived. The smartphone arrived on Dec. 15, 2022, and, today, FedEx delivered its replacement: successor S23 Ultra, which Samsung launched on Feb. 1, 2023. Feelings are mixed. For one, two months seems such short amount of time. For another, I am quite satisfied with the now older model. Additionally, I somewhat regret my color choice.

The smartphone comes in a choice of four standard colors: cream, lavender, green, and phantom black. Samsung sells four more direct: graphite, lime, red, and sky blue. Ordering from the manufacturer’s website, I opted for red, but hours later changed my mind. Unfortunately, undoing the decision would have meant cancelling the purchase and making another; I worried about losing the discounts and extras already given.

Photo by Joe WilcoxFeb 14, 20238:48 pm

Love is Consequential

For Valentine’s Day, I share a card that my wife made me for Feb. 14, 2017. I keep it in the desk drawer on top of my computer, which in 2023 is Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio. The sentiment means much to me, and you can see some wear and tear from being moved about when my notebook is removed or replaced. Love is consequential, after all.

Annie adores this plush Yeti, which to me seems perfect way to show off her card craft. I also use the moment to give glimpse of the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra‘s 108-megapixel camera. The Featured Image is straight from the smartphone—composed as shot and unaltered. Color is spot-on accurate and dynamic range satisfies. Vitals: f/1.8, ISO 250, 1/40 sec, 23mm (film Equivalent); 8:05 p.m. PST, today.