Tag: urban photography

Photo by Joe WilcoxFeb 28, 20238:23 pm

Another Alley Treasure

I sometimes wonder why San Diegans put such valuable items in alleys for free. Take this bureau that my wife and I came upon yesterday. The condition is, at the least, very good. Craftmanship is excellent, and the dresser is solid wood—no particle board! Some antique shop might even put a hefty price tag on the discard. If we had need, or space, I would have stood guard while Annie fetched the car.

The find presented opportunity to test one of Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra‘s higher megapixel modes. Standard default is 3:4 at 12MP. But 50MP and 200MP are available at the tap of a finger. The Featured Image and companion were shot at the former. Original files measure 8160 x 6120 pixels and weigh in at 14.6MB and 13.1MB, respectively, before being cropped 3:2.

Photo by Joe WilcoxFeb 27, 20238:30 pm

Wow, Samsung, 200MP is for Real

If you are considering purchasing Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra look no further than the Featured Image—or, rather, the original digital file, which weighs in at 51MB and monstrous 16320 x 12240 pixels. Click at your own risk, and if you do be sure to zoom in and regard the detail—all the while remembering that this moment comes from a smartphone, not a dedicated camera.

The classic Ford, which I passed parked in an alley, today, is my first shot taken at 200 megapixels. You know, the feature some people regard as a gimmick, given the device’s tiny image sensor. Call me skeptical, too, until randomly stopping to test the capability. The photo is presented as captured. No cropping. No editing. If you aren’t amazed, I surely am.

Photo by Joe WilcoxFeb 25, 20238:24 pm

Mother Nature’s Remedy

Crazy best describes the year’s winter weather across California—so much rain has fallen that the drought is effectively over. Snow blanketed Los Angeles today. There is a (gasp) blizzard warning, too, that remains in effect. You won’t see many, if any, scantily-clad roller skaters this weekend.

The white stuff piles up across the more mountainous areas here in San Diego County, such as Julian. Closer to the coast, rain is Mother Nature’s prescription for an area that had been sick with drought. Thank you!

Photo by Joe WilcoxFeb 22, 20238:28 pm

A Christmas Tree for Lent

Wicked winds roared through San Diego on this Ash Wednesday, which is also President George Washington’s birthday (in 1732 by the Gregorian calendar). Sustained, from the West 32 to 40 kilometers per hour (20 to 25 mph) and reaching 72 kph (45 mph) or more.

When the gusts were greatest, my wife and I chose to walk around Westfield Mission Valley rather than endure blowing debris and risk being pelted (injured or killed) by falling/flying palm fronds. We started at Bed, Bath, and Beyond, which was absolutely deserted. I mean, day-after-apocalypse abandoned.

Photo by Joe WilcoxFeb 18, 20239:26 pm

Real and Surreal

For this sunny Saturday, we once again go back 10 years to a Featured Image that I don’t recall taking—neither why nor where. The location data claims the 4500 block of Campus Avenue in San Diego neighborhood University Heights.

This one comes for the LG-produced, Googe-branded Nexus 4, on March 31, 2003. Vitals: f/2.4, ISO 100, 1/1000 sec. 33mm (film equivalent); 2:16 p.m. PDT.

Photo by Joe WilcoxFeb 16, 20237:58 pm

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra First Photos

Last night, I set up the Galaxy S23 Ultra, using Samsung’s Smart Switch app. I connected the new smartphone to the older (S22 Ultra) and followed the prompts. What a superbly smooth process followed. Sometime in the next day or two, I will pack up and ship the other device, as per my trade-in agreement.

For every new smartphone, there is a first photo, which is the Featured Image. Vitals: f/1.7, ISO 10, 1/1200 sec, 23mm; 9:58 a.m. PST. While walking to San Diego neighborhood Hillcrest, I detoured off Washington onto Normal to avoid sidewalk congestion. There I passed this helmet, which unusual placement beckoned to be shot.

Photo by Joe WilcoxFeb 11, 20239:12 pm

The Sunbather

Two days ago, our cats Cali and Neko were beside themselves with excitement, as they sat transfixed—and chirping—looking at something outside in our apartment courtyard. I peeked through the window numerous times trying to see what, which typically would be a squirrel. I looked low when my eyes should have turned high.

A pigeon, or is it a dove, perched on the upper balcony railing directly across the way. My camera was in the office, so I used Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra to capture the Featured Image. Vitals: f/4.9, ISO 64, 1/120 sec, 230mm (film equivalent); 4:53 p.m. PST; composed as shot. The bird basked in the last rays of the setting sun.

Photo by Joe WilcoxFeb 9, 20238:55 pm

Because It’s Garbage Day

I am not as wowed with the photos coming from Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra as anticipated. Inconsistency best describes my overall gripe. I have possessed the smartphone since Dec. 15, 2022. The pics are a bit too artificial, even by small-sensor mobile standards, and color could be more accurate or as the eyes see. That said, if unique look is standard of measure, then the sometimes somewhat smudgy shots are impressionistic-painting worthy.

The Featured Image is one of the better (cropped) captures, which underwent a fair amount of post-production tweaking—or as much as can be expected when working with a JPEG original. Vitals: f/1.8, ISO 12, 1/220 sec, 23mm (film equivalent); 2:26 p.m. PST.

Photo by Joe WilcoxFeb 7, 20239:57 pm

The Lost Dog and the Ukrainians

Rarely is the frequency with which I go to one of the local banks. But need pulled me across the bridge over Washington Street into San Diego neighborhood Hillcrest, where I and others looked on gasping at the most terrifying spectacle: A little dog frantically running up Vermont from Robinson and then zigzagging into moving traffic along University Avenue.

Cars braked, pulled to the side, and honked. I was sure the lost pup would get hit, but somehow he (or she) sprinted into the Hub plaza unharmed. I followed along, hoping to corral the animal to safety. The dog ran around the side of Ralph’s Supermarket and disappeared. As I pursued, a woman pulled her car alongside and asked about the animal. Was I following? She was late for an appointment but said she cried seeing the poor thing. I explained my intentions.

Photo by Joe WilcoxFeb 6, 202311:29 pm

Grand House

Due to a necessary visit by the plumber in the afternoon and late Zoom meeting in the evening, I share something quick—being behind schedule. San Diego location is unknown, but Banker’s Hill is one possibility. Architecture appeals to me. You?

The Featured Image comes from Samsung Galaxy S II Skyrocket‘s 8-megapixel rear camera. If I rightly recall, the Android smartphone was an early 4G LTE for AT&T, which would have been my carrier 11 years ago.

Photo by Joe WilcoxFeb 5, 20238:39 pm

The Things That Make You Old

When our car went into the repair shop recently, my wife used the occasion to explore public transportation options. Annie discovered that we are both eligible for reduced fares, even though neither of us is 65. Being born before Sept. 1, 1959 qualifies, the privilege being half-price: $1.25 per ride or $3 for a day pass.

Oh, the things that make you old. I’d rather pay more and feel less geezer—thank you very much, San Diego Metropolitan Transit System. If I ride at all, seeing as how walking is my preferred mode of transportation. We are fortunate that all amenities that matter are within a couple miles on foot. Yee-ha.

Photo by Joe WilcoxFeb 3, 20239:51 pm

The North Pole Goes South

What odd timing is this alley find. An Arctic airmass assaults my home state this weekend—and what a shocking contrast to San Diego. As such, my wife and I watch weather forecasts more than typical. This afternoon, when our high temperature reached 19.4 degrees Celsius (67 Fahrenheit), the Caribou, Maine weather station reported -28.9 C (-20 F) with windchill of -43.9 C (-47 F).

On the Fahrenheit scale, that’s a difference of 80 degrees air temp and 100 degrees when considering windchill. The difference is as pronounced this evening. In San Diego, it’s 10 C (50 F). Caribou: -31 C (-24 F) with windchill of -46.7 C (-52 F). Brrr.