We end the first half of the year with something not seen in this series until today. Joe Dyer is a high-speed photographer—taking “natural, mostly birds, and studio shots of liquids glass and other props”, […]
Why iPhone Matters
Happy Birthday! iPhone is 8 years-old today. Oh my, it seems so much longer because so much has changed. Think back. Eight years ago, there was no Android. YouTube was but 18 months available to the public, and Facebook or Twitter only about a year. There was no market for tablets, or smartwatches.
The iPhone marks everything right about the Steve Jobs era of risk-taking design. More changes: He is gone from this world and some of that other-worldly innovation with him. In 2007, the smartphone was a decade-old slow seller that few people owned. Now it’s everywhere! Apple deserves credit for the transformation, whether or not anyone wants to give it.
Flickr a Day 180: ‘Strolling in Venice’
Someone please explain how we come to yet another photographer whose first name is Stefano (see Days 24, 67, and 68 for the others). “Photography for me is about escaping from my technical mind and […]
Flickr a Day 179: ‘Hola, Greetings from Machu Picchu’
The Jeopardy answer is: “Because I laughed”. You can guess the question. 🙂 Geraint Rowland shot self-titled “Hola, Greetings from Machu Picchu” on Sept. 10, 2014, using Canon EOS 5D Mark II and EF 85mm f/1.8 USM […]
Responsible Reporting Section 2 ‘The New Journalisms’: Chapter V
Last Sunday, we interrupted our weekly serialization of my ebook Responsible Reporting: Field Guide for Bloggers, Journalists, and Other Online News Gatherers, because of Father’s Day. Another interruption comes July 12, during San Diego Comic-Con. This week’s return completes the last of five journalisms, and the one that more than any other can lead to irresponsible news reporting.
Timing is interesting in context of the landmark Supreme Court ruling just two days ago that opens way for marriage between people of the same gender in all 50 states. There is a force of collective will washing across the Internet that could cause some journalists to bow before social pressure rather thcan offer probing analyses in second-day stories. For example, I see lots of quick criticism of the dissenting judges that doesn’t delve into the Constitutional concerns they raise, nor negative implications for rights-gainers with respect to taxes or other legal constructs. How much does the mob’s mood influence followups? My concern is process, and I express here no opinion about the ruling—just timing and context with respect to today’s mob journalism excerpt.
Flickr a Day 178: ‘Taking Cover’
Glastonbury Festival 2015 wraps up tomorrow, which is reason enough to feature a photo from last year’s musical and arts brouhaha today. Rain is the forecast, again, making self-titled “Taking Cover” timely selection. Americans doing fests like Coachella are more accustomed to sandals, sneaks, or bare soles rather than the rubber boots Glastonbury-goers wear.
I originally chose “Glastonmudbury” from the photostream of Paul Townsend. He explains the history of the event, and his storytelling is worthy of taking the Day. But I couldn’t authenticate the image, which in context of others on his Flickr is unlikely his to share. This series respects copyrights. So Tom O`Malley wins with a photo shot using iPhone 5 on June 28, 2014. Vitals: f/2.4, ISO 80, 1/120 sec, 41mm. The Glastonbury Weather Twitter feed promises brighter skies today than yesterday’s bleak rain.
Flickr a Day 177: ‘Windmill Farm in Mid-Michigan’
I don’t think much of modern, electricity-producing windmills. Surely there will be negative environmental effects on wildlife (eh, birds) and air currents (eke, weather), when solar is free energy if only we would take more […]
Apple Watch (Stainless Steel) vs Sport (Aluminum)
After spending 7 days with Apple Watch Sport—and largely enjoying it—time comes to test the next pricier model. When trying to compare the two, I find very little useful from Internet searches. So a primer is in order for other folks also wondering: Which one is right for me? Ultimately, the best answer will come from going into an Apple Store (if there is one nearby) and putting the timepieces on your wrist.
Last week, I compared Android Wear and Apple Watch platforms, starting from the different design ethics behind them. Obviously, timepieces from the bitten-fruit logo company are more alike, with the main differences being materials, pricing, and target customers. Interestingly, the combinations offer subtle changes in benefits that will matter much to some shoppers. Henceforth, I will refer to the devices as Sport, for the aluminum model, and Apple Watch for the stainless steel sibling.
Flickr a Day 176: ‘Cowboy’
Welcome back to the street! What a return comes with this bold and busy pose that Sebastian Rieger captured on May 31, 2014. He shot self-titled “Cowboy” with Canon EOS M and EF-M22mm f/2 STM kit […]
Don’t Go There
While sitting with my 93 year-old father-in-law outside the Starbucks in San Diego’s Hillcrest district, I observed a directional sign for two shops, today. Then I read them as a sentence and laughed. Okay, you—think like an imaginative kid and not a stuck-up-the-butt literal adult: Ignore the K. It’s funny, yes?
Strangely, I came to live the sign not long later. As we walked into Trader Joe’s, a neighbor said hello on her way inside. I politely introduced my father-n-law, then she started on about the Neighborhood Watch group that she recently organized. The first meeting went well, but she wasn’t sure how to contact me. That’s when I blew her holy smoke up her arse.
Flickr a Day 175: ‘The Ladybug’
This series doesn’t feature enough large-as-life closeups. So we remedy that misstep today. “The Ladybug”, says Steffen Ramsauer, “is from my garden”. What a gorgeous poser she is captured with the Canon EOS 550D and EF […]
Flickr a Day 174: ‘Dog’s Life’
Sometimes the best composition frames question “WTF?” That quality takes the Day—for symmetry, focus on the dog, depth of field, beautiful bokeh, and busyness of people and debris. I mean, frak, is this place always […]