Cop Copter

I could count dozens of ways Southern California is oddly different from anywhere else I have lived, or traveled. With respect to the USA, I have been to every state—and Puerto Rico—but one: Hawaii. Among the oddities: Around San Diego, and presumably Los Angeles, helicopters frequently fly over with loudspeaker blaring some warning or notice.

“Suspect six-foot-ten black male wearing black hat, black hoodie, black jeans, and black backpack. Last seen scaling the fence at the 4500 block of Cleveland Avenue. Stay inside and lock your doors. Call 911 if you see suspect six-foot…” You know, repeats.

Photo by Joe WilcoxSep 23, 202310:04 pm

Merry and Macabre

Six years ago today, I shot the Featured Image to mark then what continues now: Neighbors putting out Halloween decorations in September. Welcome to Southern California, where residents celebrate pagan holidays with reverence.

This one comes from iPhone 7 Plus. Vitals: f/2.8, ISO 20, 1/396 sec, 28mm (film equivalent); 11:10 a.m. PDT, Sept. 23, 2017; composed as shot.

Photo by Joe WilcoxSep 22, 202310:12 pm

The Winslow at Night

University Heights’ biggest, newest apartment complex—with 379 units—is anything but affordable housing. Rentals at the Winslow start at $2,400 for a 484-square-foot studio and go up to $5,945 for 1300-sq-ft apartment with two bedrooms and baths. San Diego officials propagate the myth that building more residences will decrease housing costs and therefore increase availability across lower income brackets.

But the opposite is reality: As newer complexes open, higher rents go with them, lifting the so-called “market rate” that other landlords watch as measure for what they charge their tenants. More is more, meaning rents rise with the new builds raised.

Photo by Joe WilcoxSep 21, 20239:40 pm

They All Look the Same to Me

Could Ralphs supermarket make coffee shopping any more confusing? That’s the question I ask regarding the Featured Image, taken today while trying to choose from the selection of on-sale house brands.

Notice that all are “medium roast” but somehow distinct. Supreme Blend is rich and pure, which supposedly differs from Premium that is rich and balanced. Well, both are rich but is balanced therefore not as pure?

Photo by Joe WilcoxSep 20, 20239:35 pm

The Cats of University Heights: Muffy

San Diego is a city of renters—about 52 percent of households, based on U.S. Census Bureau data. One reason this series continues nearly seven years later is the high turnover of tenants; pets with them. Today’s kitty is the third photographed at the same house, all with different owners.

Sophie joined in August 2017 and Vivienne in June 2018. Those are real names for both animals; I must assign one for the newcomer. The Featured Image comes from Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra on Sept. 7, 2023. Vitals: f/4.9, ISO 50, 1/120 sec, 230mm (film equivalent); 11:27 a.m. PDT.

Photo by Joe WilcoxSep 19, 20239:15 pm

Skyline Seating

Early iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max buyers are just days away from receiving their preorders. Good luck with that. My Galaxy S23 Ultra is a more versatile, worthy shooter. I’ve seen some of the professional reviews, where photos aren’t as impressive as what I enjoy daily. This is no fanboy talk. Go online and look for yourself.

In addition to the default 12-megapixels, photos can be captured at 50MP or 200MP; the Featured Image is the former, and, whoa, look at that detail. Both exceed Apple’s device, which zoom capability tops out at 5x. The Samsung offers 10x, which is 230mm film equivalent. Pro mode puts you in control, and the separate Expert RAW app delivers exactly what the name indicates.

Photo by Joe WilcoxSep 18, 202311:04 pm

Oriental Garden

The Featured Image has undergone numerous edits—none of which satisfies me. How about you? Problem is busyness and there being no obvious thing upon which eyes can focus. That said, I kind of like the clutter, for there is plenty to explore if you take the time.

The setup is part of the front entrance and lawn area of a house situated along Alabama Street in San Diego neighborhood University Heights. Location is the same as dusk captures “Light the Way” and “Night Garden“.

Photo by Joe WilcoxSep 17, 20238:50 pm

Fox on the Run

If you think there are too many nighttime shots from Galaxy S23 Ultra, I understand. Photos are noisy and not the sharpest, but I like the Samsung aesthetic—colors, light, shadows. Stated differently: Ambiance and mood.

Also motivating: Evening walks are easier during San Diego’s longest season—mid-Summer—but cooler and/or wetter nights will soon come, and I will venture out onto the streets less often. Then there is the dream of moving to the countryside in another state. Moments like this one will then be impossible.

Photo by Joe WilcoxSep 16, 20239:17 pm

Six Dollar Gas Returns

Yikes! When I walked by my local Valero two days ago, price per gallon held steady at godawful $5.50—as when I filled up on Sept. 10, 2023. The Featured Image tells the story: 50-cent increase to, gasp, six bucks a gallon! This is typically a bargain station, too.

The photo comes from Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra. Vitals: f/2.4, ISO 250, 1/30 sec, 70mm (film equivalent); 7:57 p.m. PDT.

Photo by Joe WilcoxSep 15, 20239:08 pm

I Do Hope So

About four minutes before observing the rocket launch last night, I passed by a neighbor’s seasonal hanging that beckoned to be photographed. I started to pull out Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra then stopped, seeing the camera beside the screen security door. I moved along.

Then I thought: What the hell. Maybe the homeowner(s) won’t be offended and post my mug, with flaming caption, on Nextdoor. I backed up, shot the Featured Image, and quickly walked away. Who knows? Maybe the 10x zoom put me just far enough away from the door-cam.

Photo by Joe WilcoxSep 14, 20238:27 pm

Alpha Rises

The best camera is the one with you—and that proved true tonight with Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra. As I walked down Monroe Ave. in my San Diego neighborhood of University Heights, something odd caught my attention in the sky.

I spent too much time trying to make sense of the oddity and as such missed the best shot—of continuous cloud trail. I mistakenly thought that the setting sun illuminated the exhaust of an airplane. Then the notion clicked, examining the trailing bloom, that I watched a rocket launch in the far distance.

Photo by Joe WilcoxSep 13, 202310:39 pm

For Her President

On Sept. 10, 2023, as I pulled up to the pump at my local filling station, a looming, white pickup truck came in behind me. The other driver was quicker getting out of her vehicle (because I lumbered gathering together cash).

I stepped inside to pay and found her jabbering away with the clerk; she had a friendly mile-a-minute mouth. She spoke about how bad is the economy when the last person to fill up could only afford $3.75 of gas. Context: Price at the pump paid in cash or by debit card was $5.50. So that customer got less than one gallon’s worth.