Posts Tagged ‘Opinion’
11 Lessons Learned in my first 9 weeks.
Life is about balance and the first thing I figured out when I started this photographic journey is that life’s lessons are hard enough without adding complexity and introducing risks that put us in situations that are are at best lost opportunities and at worst costly or dangerous. So far in my explorations I’ve come across decidedly angry dogs, mentally unstable dumpster divers, testosterone fueled security, rotten and weak floors, rusty tetanus inducing nails and skin splitting razor wire. Those were the more dangerous aspects thus far.
When I was younger a neighbor of mine always used the maxim of, “Measure twice. Cut once.” Wise words to say the least and ones which echo the Scouts’ motto of, “Be Prepared.” I’ve been revisiting and reflecting on these two pieces of advice repeatedly over the last 2 months. Being prepared and organized eliminates many self-imposed challenges. During the past 8 weeks I’ve learned a lot about photography but even more about realizing how stupidity and lack of planning can cost you more than just a great photographic opportunity.
Here are 11 pieces of advice to eliminate some of the self imposed challenges I’ve created for myself:
(1) Always get intimate with every piece of equipment you own. Struggling with knobs, settings, buttons and switches is a sure recipe for missing that perfect moment.
(2) Always Use your camera’s ‘Saved Settings’ to store regular or favourite camera presets for specific situations. I now use mine for Auto Exposure Bracketing and Jpg/RAW switching after a card full of mistakes.
(3) When changing lenses Always do it close to the ground and not when standing up. Lenses do NOT bounce.
(4) Always take extra batteries and storage cards. This should NOT be thought of as an option but as a definite rule.
(5) Always Double check your exposure setting and depth of field before you push the button. Many times there will NOT be a second chance to nail a shot.
(6) Understand when to use manual focus and when to switch to Auto. The camera can NOT read your mind or know what you want to stay in focus.
(7) Always ensure your camera’s vibration control is off when using your tripod. This was NOT mentioned in either of the manuals.
(8) NEVER hike to a remote place and not have a map and flashlight to find your way back. See #8
(9) Always pack a first aid kit with your gear – No Exceptions!
(10) Always Bring a lens cleaning kit and dry micro-fibre cloths with you. Do NOT use your T-Shirt if you can avoid it to remove water drops, grime or grit. Lenses cost $$$$
(11) Always listen to your Mother and use the washroom before you leave home.
Photography is fun. Filled with arrays of colour, unique visual opportunities and feelings reflecting a rainbow of emotion. Ensure that you are ready for whatever situation you are in and be prepared.
All I Wanted was a Faster Horse
Disappointment. That was how I felt on January 27th, 2010. The iPad did not come close to living up to my expectations. This wasn’t some new technological AWESOME. It wasn’t a new computer that would change the World. It’s an iTouch with an injection of growth hormone. How could Steve Jobs get something so wrong? #FAIL
It’s now been 6 days and 4 solid hours that I’ve owned an iPad and been forced to reflect on how wrong my initial impression was. Between January 27th and Sunday, April 11 I developed a different perspective on Apple’s newest information device that allowed me to stretch my mind and consider a different viewpoint. For many, including me, the iPad seemed to miss the mark. This was not what people wanted or were asking for. How would this device make their lives better, easier, more complete? It wouldn’t it was simply lacking too much of what everybody expected. How can less equal more?
When Henry Ford created the Model T he was asked about what his customers wanted. His response was, “If I would have listened to what my customers wanted, they would have asked for a faster horse.”
What I wanted and was expecting on January 27th was Apple to unveil a faster horse. I did not realize however that what I needed was a more convenient device to connect me with the content I use and consume daily when I’m away from my computer. The iPad delivers that convenience. It’s small enough to not be a hindrance. Big enough to deliver impact. Portable enough to be taken anywhere and useful enough to be used in spare moments when you don’t want, need or have access to the full power of a computer or laptop.
For photographers the device provides some great out of the box functionality. Loading your visual assents onto the iPad is flawless and the Photo Application allows you to deliver dynamic presentations to clients effortlessly. The fact that they can hold the device and interact directly with your artwork delivers an intimacy that is sorely lacking in any laptop or computer interaction. The tactile interaction delivers an experience with no comparison except for traditional album page flipping or the loose photo shuffling experience when you used to bring your 3″x5″s home from the drugstore photo counter.
When your customers hold the iPad they are holding their pictures. The psychological difference is substantive over simply viewing them on a computer screen. Emotionally they have bought in. Powerful stuff and part of the reason a car dealer wants you to test drive a vehicle and the pet shop allows you to hold that overly affectionate puppy or kitten.
If you have not had an opportunity to play with an iPad or like me if you are in Canada and have just heard the news that the iPad has been delayed an additional month then take the time and make the effort to go to your closest Apple retail outlet and spend an hour wrapping your head and hands around a device that was never meant to replace your computer. It was created to provide a different way for you to interact with the information and content that we want, need and consume every day. This could be the single most important shift in how we interact with information since Gutenburg rolled the first book off the press.
It isn’t the simple fact of the information being available on a new device that is important it is how we now can gain access to and interact with that information in such a natural way that will revolutionize how we move forward.
In retrospect, I am glad that I was not simply presented with and sold a faster horse.