Scattered Thoughts

Where to start and where to end...

For the past two months I’ve been unable to put into words the feelings I’ve had about photography these days. There are so many items that have been going through my mind, all in a scattered mix of thoughts and messages. Part of the reason, I feel, tends to be the multitude of information coming through and the lack of focus I’ve had with it. Even my last post was really just me grasping at straws as I coped with the concept of photography. Since photography is just a hobby to me, life does sometimes get in the way.

Scattered thoughts, like the pigeons

Where do I begin? Let’s start with my shooting preferences. I tend to follow the philosophy of shoot in the method that you prefer. Meaning, if you shoot aperture mode, or jpeg only or whatever settings give you the best results with the least amount of work with the maximum amount of enjoyment, do that. For a while, I was content with shooting jpeg/raw with film simulations programmed into my camera with the EVF. But lately I’ve been thinking about shooting solely in raw format using the optical viewfinder and considering the post processing a bit more. Sometimes I fiddle around with the settings, trying to find the right simulation or camera mode, rather than taking the photo itself. Thereby missing potential opportunities. Lots of people tell you the virtues of shooting raw, and while there are benefits, it doesn’t always translate to the most sound advice for others. Ditto for the other way around. I get it, shoot for what you prefer and enjoy, but there is this nagging feeling of “what if?” And yes, preferences change over time, so what I say today, will not necessarily be what I say in the coming months or years.

I’d rather be here.

What’s with all of the theft?! Yes, camera theft isn’t new, but it’s gained some attention lately. A lot appears to be in San Francisco for some reason, but I recently saw an article where someone in Toronto was almost robbed of his camera in broad daylight. A little too close to home for me. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t go out with your camera, but remember to have your wits about you. The fear of being robbed is very real so please be careful out there. put it away if you aren’t using it. Does it mean you could miss a shot? Possibly. Does it also mean your stuff will still come home with you at the end of the day? More than likely. Be discreet, be smart, and go enjoy creating and learning your craft.

Be careful out there. But have fun.

And finally, Artificial Intelligence. No AI is not photography (I even question if it is art). In my opinion, part of photography is the act of taking the photograph, with a camera (yes, phones included). Not having an AI generate the image for you, despite how many inputs you have in the creative process. You can certainly print the image as a photograph, but it is not created through the act of your own (or someone else’s) photography. The act of taking a photo and the learning process of understanding settings, location, timing, etc… this is what makes photography. It’s no different than using AI to generate a painting or a written article. What you first start out, it may suck. But thought time and experience, you develop a respect for the amount of work you put into it. The ability to think about what you want made, without even attempting to make it doesn’t make you a creator.

I took this photo years ago, almost by accident. The person happened to have their headlamp pointed at the Milky Way during an astrophotography shoot. No AI involved.

“The ability to speak, does not make you intelligent”

- Qui-Gon Jinn

---

Thank you for taking the time to stop by.

This newsletter will always be free. Why? Because these days, not everyone can afford a paid subscription and who wants to be nickel and dime’d to death?

But if you do have the means, I can always use a cup of coffee to help me keep writing and creating.

Thank you!

https://www.buymeacoffee.com/thebrandonluk