Tag: Galaxy S23 Ultra

Photo by Joe WilcoxAug 21, 202310:04 pm

The Cats of University Heights: Tsuki

At one home, three kitties once lived: Booger (who was hit by a car in November 2017); Sebastian (who vanished in October 2022, possibly by coyote); and Ash (whose status I don’t know; my last photo of him is Feb. 8, 2023).

Few months ago, a Calico appeared but inside the home rather than roaming the lush yard. Presumably, with recent surge of cat disappearances in the neighborhood, the owners choose to keep her indoors—oh, but with great vantage to the outdoors. She is the one-hundred-thirteenth feline found behind door or window since the series‘ start in October 2016.

Photo by Joe WilcoxAug 20, 20238:54 pm

Sports Cars Don’t Get Much More Classic Than This

The strangest, and unexpected, cars show up on the streets of my neighborhood of University Heights. Perennial San Diego sun may be hard on the paint, but arid Mediterranean climate assures that a well-maintained vehicle can last for decades—free from the abuse imposed by extreme temperature swings, frequent rain, high humidity, or seasonal changes. The SoCal coastal region has one season: Summer, in three variations of early, mid, and late.

Unsurprisingly, and fitting with California stereotypes, Volkswagens of various vintages, typically circa 1960s and 70s, are commonly enough seen. But this Jaguar XK120, in the Featured Image and companion captures, is a first. I saw it once, April 22, 2023, and never again.

Photo by Joe WilcoxAug 19, 202310:11 pm

Calm Before the Storm

This evening, I snagged one last dry walk for the next day or so. Rain is expected to start overnight as the outer edge of Hilary—the hurricane become tropical storm—blasts through Southern California. As I write, the weather is remarkably pleasant: Cozy muggy and 23 degrees Celsius (74 Fahrenheit).

The Featured Image, of apartment complex BLVD North Park, marks the moment. Vitals: f/1.7, ISO 640, 1/40 sec, 23mm (film equivalent). I used Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra‘s 50-megapixel mode for this one.

Photo by Joe WilcoxAug 18, 20239:40 pm

Essential Eating

As Hurricane Hilary approaches Baja California, Mexico, on its way through San Diego County, we make some preparations. Today, my wife and I topped off our non-perishable foodstuffs in the event of electrical failure or even flooding.

Too bad that I bought frozen goods last week that will be ruined should there be prolonged power outage. Well, better to eat up now than let burgers and burritos spoil. I bought both cases at Costco Business Center, where I took the Featured Image, using Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, on Aug. 10, 2023. Vitals: f/1.7, ISO 100, 1/120 sec, 23mm (film equivalent); 9:02 a.m. PDT.

Photo by Joe WilcoxAug 17, 20239:47 pm

Come On In, Have a Seat

I am maximizing my evening walks ahead of potentially foul weather. Hurricane Hilary approaches from the South. Current track puts landfall along Baja California, then across San Diego County, and headed towards Los Angeles. The thing is currently Category 3 and may only rate as a tropical storm if passing over our area. Heavy rains and winds would nevertheless unleash.

Hurricanes are uncommon in San Diego. The last recorded was, wow, in 1858, according to a report by CBS 8 News. Whatever the extent of turmoil might be, Sunday and/or Monday should be when (I write on Thursday). Surely, I will have something to share with you during, or after, the event.

Photo by Joe WilcoxAug 16, 202310:49 pm

Where is Everybody?

Walking about my neighborhood of University Heights last night, I passed few people on the streets. Some small crowds gathered at several restaurants along El Cajon Blvd, but few folks appeared elsewhere. The Featured Image, taken at 8:28 p.m. PDT, provides timeframe.

Desolate best describes the scene, which would have made great setting for shooting an apocalyptic movie. Zombie. Viral Armageddon. Alien invasion. You suggest one. Where was everybody? This is summer-year-round San Diego. The cool evening—21 Celsius (71 Fahrenheit)—appealed to me. Was everyone else home streaming content and ordering GrubHub? Is that the sorry state of society?

Photo by Joe WilcoxAug 15, 202310:05 pm

Galaxy S23 Ultra RAW Roars Past an Iconic Sign

This isn’t my first Featured Image of this sign—and certainly not at night. But this one is the first using Samsung’s Expert RAW app on Galaxy S23 Ultra. Results do surprise, because I didn’t expect this much character or clarity from a smartphone’s small sensor.

I chose 50 megapixels and let S23 pick the settings. They’re easily adjustable, and I will do so on another day’s test run. Vitals: f/1/7, ISO 1600, 1/25 sec, 23mm (film equivalent); 8:39 p.m. PDT, tonight.

Photo by Joe WilcoxAug 12, 20238:35 pm

‘I Like That One More’

Last night, when I walked by Gnarly Girl Pizza, a collection of beer glasses and discarded box on an outdoor table caused me to stop and shoot the Featured Image. But, yesterday, I chose to share the other, where cheese appears to drip from the mural behind into each mug. Oh, and that sloppy eater is the slimer from film “Ghostbusters”.

This morning, when I showed both pics to my wife, she surprisingly said: “I like that one more than the photo you posted”—referring, of course, to what you see today. When I suggested straightening the slanted shot, Annie objected. She praised painting-like appearance and cinematic feel that the angle imbues. But I couldn’t resist, nevertheless, which explains the companion capture that is the original composition.

Photo by Joe WilcoxAug 11, 20239:58 pm

Lucky Shot

If like me you own Galaxy S23 Ultra, rush to the Samsung Members app and opt-in for the One UI 6 beta. The camera app receives some refinements that are worth trying out. Why wait, if you mustn’t—and testers help improve the software. The changes are topic for another day, after I spend some serious time exploring them.

But I can attest to improved low-light shooting from the walk taken this evening. Colors are richer and more accurate; previously, washed out highlights was a problem. As the shooter in my pocket improves over time, and subsequently I carry around Leica Q2 less often, the question emerges: Is a full-frame camera even necessary?

Photo by Joe WilcoxAug 10, 20239:54 pm

Garden Wall

About a half hour after sunset, I set out on another early evening walk. By San Diego standards humidity is high—granted Floridians would smirk and choke back laughter at what passes for muggy here. But, hey, it is 82 percent as I write but comfortable 20.5 degrees Celsius (69 Fahrenheit).

Where was the Nativity outside the home of Carl, one of the “Cats of University Heights“, I stopped to gawk at the charming backlighting behind plants and trees. A sucker for contrasting areas of dark or light and competing colors, I pulled out Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra and utilized the 3x optical zoom capability.

Photo by Joe WilcoxAug 9, 20238:38 pm

Batter Up!

The appropriate action would be to ask this gentleman why he watches television outside. But I instead chose to shoot stealthily from across the street because mystery makes the moment. The answer could ruin the curiosity.

Perhaps his partner or spouse doesn’t like baseball. Maybe he is lonely and hopes the outdoor game will draw some company. Perhaps ambiance is the reason: He wants a taste of remembered experience of going to the stadium and watching the game. I will never know and don’t want to.

Photo by Joe WilcoxAug 7, 20239:29 pm

Night Garden

On the same property where are the solar-powered lamps that I shared with you last month are decorative lights that surround a sculptured montage of rocks, succulents, and waterfall. When walking by this evening, I decided to stop for a shot—several, actually.

The Featured Image is my selection of the set, and it is edited to taste. While taken after sunset, the original photo isn’t nearly as dark. I amped blacks, dehaze, and highlights, looking to more strongly contrast areas of light and dark—particularly shadows upon the stonework and light on the greenery.