I had to lean in and look closely before my brain rationalized this interesting and unexpected concert capture. Matilde Zacchigna shot self-titled “A Contemporary Fairytale” on June 20, 2008, using Nikon D40. Vitals: f/5.6, ISO 800, […]
Take the Pledge and Stay Off the Internet This Saturday
You spend too much time online. Take a break from the Net on November 14th. Show us all that you aren’t a connected device junkie—that you can step out into the real world and enjoy fresh air and sun, and prove your ability to talk to real people face to face (pack the breath mints!).
Aren’t your thumbs tired from texting and Facebook Liking? Don’t your eyes need a break from squinting at flat-screens? If you must stare at a screen, make it a big one—catch an early matinee. Take the pledge to give up the Internet for one hour. You could even go 90 minutes. Turn off the PC, smartphone, or tablet. Join others taking the challenge. Let’s everyone start at 8:45 a.m. PST and commit to staying offline until 9:45, or later. You’ll feel better for it.
Flickr a Day 314: ‘Balloons’
We wrap up our three days focusing on the Leica X2 (see 312 and 313). Maybe it’s technique of the photographer’s I chose, or the camera. But I don’t find any of their photos shot […]
Flickr a Day 313: ‘Morning Light’
Following yesterday’s camera spotlight, we continue with Leica X2—the pricey compact succeeded by the X-E. Lorna Brooks commands the Day with self-titled “Morning Light”, taken on July 15, 2015. Vitals: f/3.2, ISO 100, 1/8 sec, 24mm. […]
TAG Heuer Connected makes Sense?
In a post to Google+ this AM, journalist Kevin Tofel asks: “Who else doesn’t think many people will buy a $1,500 Android Wear watch simply because it’s made by TAG Heuer?” His question is spot on. The timepiece maker introduced its new line of smart wristwear earlier today.
I see TAG Heuer Connected differently. The high-end brand is carried in fine jewelry stores everywhere. This watch will make Android Wear visible to millions of buyers who might never see the platform. Demographically, many of these same people might never encounter or consider purchasing Apple Watch, either.
Flickr a Day 312: Leica Look
Some shooters swear by the “Leica look“, that the German manufacturer’s cameras produce distinctive color and contrast. The attribute is applied to rangefinders, but I’ve seen supporting claims for others—like the fixed-lens mirrorless compacts. I […]
Sennheiser Momentum 2 First Impressions
In middle age, my ears can’t tolerate booming bass any longer. Seems like amped lows is the state of audio design, and this is unfortunately standard among wireless cans. That’s one reason I use Grado Labs’ Rs1e reference headphones, which give better balance across the range, particularly warm midrange and highs.
But the RS1e means a cord, which largely inconveniences my digital lifestyle. I would rather listen to music, podcasts, and such while on the move in the apartment, or elsewhere. My last set of Bluetooth cans delivered way too much bass, and I sold them when buying the Grados. Last night, after reading professional and purchaser reviews, I bought a pair of Sennheiser Momentum 2.0 wireless headphones from Amazon, My quick, out-of-box impressions follow.
Flickr a Day 311: ‘Fishers’
September 7, 2014: “The sun is rising and starting to eat away at the fog—revealing two fisherman who were up before the crack of dawn to drop their lines”, says Jamie McCaffrey, who shot self-titled […]
The iPhone 6s Doppelgänger
Without even turning on the HTC One A9 (which I haven’t yet), the physical similarities with iPhone 6/6s are unmistakable. The smartphones share striking design ethic, separated by the shape of the home-button fingerprint sensor, placement of the rear-facing camera, and left-side SIM and microSD card slots. But these differences aren’t immediately obvious.
My question: Is this the Android for people wanting the iPhone 6s look but something more flexible than the iOS platform? If there is truth in marketing, HTC’s tag lines reveal much: “Design worth imitating”, which while referring the company’s One legacy also could be interpreted as backhanded praise or even fist-to-snub about Apple’s device, which some could argue imitates earlier One models. “Power to choose”—customization and personalization options not offered on fruit-logo handsets.
Flickr a Day 310: ‘Clumsy’
For being interesting and giving great composition, Alexis Mire takes the Day with self-titled “Clumsy”, captured using Canon EOS Digital Rebel XSi on March 1, 2009. Vitals: f/3.5, ISO 800, 1/6 sec, 28mm. The photo is […]
Flickr a Day 309: ‘Vicars Close, Wells’
Our featured shooter, Mike Beales, describes the subject of our selection as “probably one of the best looking streets in the UK—also happens to be one of the oldest; what lovely place to live”. According to […]
I Love ‘X Factor UK’ But Must Leave It
Six months ago, nearly a year after cutting the cord, the Wilcox household reattached—to AT&T U-verse. At the time, my daughter was moving back home, and Cox cable comes into the room where she would reside. Given the importance of the Internet to my daily work,and not wanting the modem and WiFi access point to be in a place with limited access, we signed up for AT&T Internet service and television with it. The connection is in the main room of our apartment, where Cox can’t come without drilling and cabling the landlord won’t allow.
Before the Fall college semester started, Molly moved out to a group place near the ocean. Around the same time, U-verse started to behave badly. We had bandwidth, but some websites consistently hung or slowly loaded. Top of list: Anything Google. I would later learn that, coincidentally or perhaps not, Google Fiber courted San Diego County.