Welcome to 2011
Welcome, and Happy new year! (or “Happy Arbitrary Moment in Time” for those who celebrate other calendars)
Well it wasn’t the most productive of years for me coming off 2010 if you look at the business side of things, but as a dad, a whole different story of trials and tribulations.
As the little ones grow and gain a bit more self sufficiency I can slowly drift back towards photography. Don’t get me wrong.. I’m not complaining, especially since if it weren’t for my children I wouldn’t have even discovered photography.
I got into the world of photography later than I would have liked in hindsight. My parent’s never really were much into photography, we had a family camera, some boxy Kodak thing, the equivalent of today’s point and shoot, only with less function and quality… They did try to offer photography to me as an option, but their offering of choice was a Kodak Disc 4000. I guess it could be compared to a camera phone in some ways.. It was small and easy to use, but the film was tiny and brand limited, so it didn’t appeal to my interests in making things work differently, it merely had a power switch and a shutter button.
Canon EOS Rebel 300d vs Canon 40d
So here’s to 2011, and my Christmas purchase from e-bay on Christmas morning (literally hunched over my iPod Christmas morning much to my wife’s dismay) to replace the over used and suffering 300d, it’s got a big brother now! Additionally, thanks to the generosity of friends and family, I’ve got a 35mm Film Camera and a Medium Format 6×6 film camera to play with, expanding the range of both skill and product available.
Moving forward into 2011 I’m hoping to broaden my work with people, probably offering some great deals on portraiture, as well as further connecting with groups such as Toronto’s newest Roller Derby Team “The Chrome Molly’s” and interacting with other artists in the area for collaborative works. Let’s see what else the year will bring.. and make the most of whatever comes our way!
As one final note, I’m hoping to clean up the look of the site over the next little bit.. I’m just searching for a theme/look that fits my wants a bit more than the current one, so stop by now and then or keep track at http://www.twitter.com/@darkelflx
Cheers,
Sean
You know its arbitrary when…
Upon arriving at the airport I was stopped before customs and informed I was only allowed 1 carry on item. As I was being told this I was standing in front of a sign saying that one carry on and one personal item were allowed.
I politely informed the man that my backpack was my personal item and contained my laptop and accessories.
Here’s where it gets surreal…
Officer: “Do you have any paper in there?”
Me: “Yes”
Officer: “Then you’ll need to check one of them”
Me: dumbstruck stare
Now, in the man’s defense he then told me I could just move the paper from bag A(with laptop) to bag B (without laptop), but really. Suddenly paper is the defining line between personal and non-personal items?
What security measures can justify determining bag type by paper content????
I’ll be kind and not submit readers to my furious thoughts about seeing the full body scanner in action.
iPad, too soon?
Whether the critics like it or not, the iPad is coming. Despite all the people who complain about it. It will be purchased. I wish I had stock in Apple.
I own an iPod touch. I rarely miss flash… If I want multi-tasking, I’ll use an actual computer.
That being said, I question some [Photographers] out there that are singing it’s praises. “It will be fantastic for portfolio showing they say.” Yes, yes it will. If I’m going somewhere specifically to show my portfolio, then I want an iPad!
But, what if I’m going on a trip somewhere with my camera, well then I need my laptop, because my iPad isn’t a backup solution, and I need an external hard drive, because it isn’t a photo unless it exists in 3 places. And well I need my smart phone, regardless of who makes it, because who travels without a phone.
Now, since I’ve got all my apps on my phone, and I’ve got an actual computer with me, why do I need my iPad? Well for reading books of course.. Oh, but you say my iPhone and laptop can do that? true.. and Audio books are actually better for flying anyways? Some might agree with that. So really, I don’t my iPad at all on this trip. Exactly. I can save space and NOT bring it, it’s charger, it’s keyboard, it’s case, it’s adapters and stands and do-dads… Hey maybe I can even save money on luggage.. Nah.. but it’s nice to dream!
Ok, we leave it at home on those big shooting trips, no problem, what about just heading out for a coffee? Well I suppose it would be like slinging a $600 newspaper under your arm to walk down the street for some people, perhaps a new fashion for man purses? I sure don’t have a pocket to hold it. Why not just read the news on my iPod touch like I have been for the last year? Ok, I admit it, I’m still young enough to pull this off, but I definitely see the advantages of a larger screen in the future.. just not right now.. Of course in the future I’m hoping I don’t have to settle for a 4:3 aspect ration either..
Again, I’m not bashing the tech, If we had one or two, around the house, my wife and I would use them even more than we already use our iPod touches I’m sure. But we already have iPods, so why by something else? (I’m also betting it would be harder to breastfeed and use an iPad than it is with an iPod Touch, but that’s purely speculation.)
I don’t actually have a “smart” phone yet I’ve been fighting it tooth and nail, but odds are good I’ll buy an iPhone next time around because of my experience with the iPod touch. (us canadians don’t have the AT&T problem our friends down south do)
I want to like the iPad, the geek in me is clawing at it. I just can’t find any reasonable justification to buy it yet. For me, it’s a device without a reason and without a space in my already over laden luggage.
NAPP
