While walking with my wife along the alley separating Alabama and Florida, today, I spotted a black and white romping down the cross-street ahead of us. Minutes later, I caught up to the shorthair, which posed long enough for me to shoot the Featured Image.
Lucky me: Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra autodetected the cat and made it the point of focus, rather than the foreground pink flowers. Whew. Vitals: f/4.9, ISO 50, 1/1000 sec, 230mm (film equivalent); 9:30 a.m. PDT.
San Diego’s three-season summer weather creates all kinds of outdoor activities that would be uncommon elsewhere. Consider public schools: Many are indoor/outdoor, meaning classrooms are enclosed but kids go out to move among them. Costco eateries are on the outside of the warehouses rather than within. The examples abound.
As such, I shouldn’t be so amused, but am, about the older gent watching sports programs out of doors. On Aug. 9, I passed him riveted to a baseball game—all by his lonesome. Tonight, it’s tennis—and he has a friend. “Say, could you pass a can of Modelo Especial?” (Because Bud Light is boycotted, the Mexican beer is now top-seller.)
I originally had discarded the Featured Image, but pulled it from obscurity unexpectedly. My router lost Internet connection, causing me to be behind posting. Of all reasons: Loose cable connected to the ISP’s gateway. How did that happen?
The night shot, composed as captured, comes from Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra. I amped dehaze to embolden the darkening sky but otherwise the photo is as shot by the smartphone. Vitals: f/1.7, ISO 800, 1/25 sec, 23mm (film equivalent); 8:05 p.m. PDT, Aug. 17, 2023.
Among my most favorite “Cats of University Heights” is Pepto, who joined the series in October 2020. He roams too much for my comfort, sauntering across once lightly-trafficked streets that bustle because of torrential construction of towering multi-unit complexes like BLVD North Park and the Winslow.
My wife happened to come upon the orange and white fluffer finely set up by one of his owners. What a fantastic photo-op, eh? She used Samsung Galaxy S22 to capture the Featured Image on Aug. 18, 2023. Vitals: f/1.8, ISO 20, 1/470 sec, 23mm (film equivalent); 3:07 p.m. PDT.
I let Google Photos stylize the Featured Image, which is composed as shot. You won’t see saturation like this naturally presenting in nature. This is what happens when some form of artificial intelligence does the job that you should do for yourself. I would never edit like this but must acknowledge to not disliking the photo, which isn’t the same as liking it.
Once again, Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra rises to the occasion. Vitals: f/1.7, ISO 50, 1/120 sec, 23mm (film equivalent); 11:50 a.m. PDT, Aug. 18, 2023.
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.
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.
Something about the American flag juxtaposed with the parrot and complimented by reddish flowers compelled me to stop and shoot the Featured Image on Aug. 11, 2023. Vitals: f/2.4, ISO 800, 1/60 sec, 70mm (film equivalent); 8:33 p.m. PDT.
Once more, I wonder why own Leica Q2 when Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra produces photos with so much character. Professionals prattle about the Leica look. My Samsung shots are distinctive, too. They may not be as sharp but they’ve got style that is dimensional and poignant.
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.
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?
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.
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.