Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Picture this

Awhile back, I learned that cameras requiring film to be developed (with chemicals) have been phased out. Although I enjoy digital photography, it hadn't occured to me that film cartridges were going the way of the dinosaur.

I remember clearly getting a small Kodak 110 camera as a young lad. I constantly took random pictures (many I'm sure including a big blurry thumb) and sent them off to be developed once the roll was finished. After a few days of waiting, I would tear through the envelope and admire my photos. Often I would be disappointed by an out-of-focus or over-exposed shot, but the thrill of finding out how my pictures turned out was undeniable.

With today's technology, photography is a different beast. It's possible to view results instantly, and trash photos that don't make the cut. Continually elevating pixel quality and easy-to-use cameras mean that just about anyone can get that 'perfect shot'.

Although I appreciate modern photography, I miss the sense of anticipation I got from awaiting my pictures return from the lab, as well as the surprise in viewing the results (rarely did a photo match my recollection of what I thought I captured while peering throught the view-finder).

It saddens me a bit that photography has evolved to mirror our world of instant 'gratification'; today's cameras are far superior to my plastic Kodak wind-and-click, but an exciting aspect of the experience of taking pictures, simple patience, has been forever lost.

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Talking about a resolution

Over two weeks into the New Year (my, time flies, doesn't it?), I realize I haven't made any formal resolutions for 2011.

Hmm, writing the date makes me feel like I'm living in some pulpy sci-fi movie... remember when the 2000s seemed so tantalizingly distant in terms of time?

I tend to establish arbitrary dates to start or end projects. I guess it's an aspect of my mind, I like a certain structure, and deciding things based on a date or time just makes sense for me. As a freelancer, I plan my workload in a similar way, although this approach can encourage laziness or a lack of discipline.

All to say that I wasn't inspired to make any resolutions this year, except for the vaguely generalized hope that I improve as a person, and find that ever elusive peace of mind in troubled times. Maybe I'm figuring that setting January 1st as a point for personal change might be a waste of time, since resolutions are easily broken or ignored.

We should all resolve to be better human beings, physically and spiritually, every single day!