Evolving In The New Reality

Time continues to march forward, and technology continues to evolve.
My last post, I was discussing having a hiatus from photography, published on December 25th, 2019.

Little did I know that the following year, well. All hell broke loose!

Suddenly we're slammed into the middle of a crazy pandemic, with people scared, and the doors are closed everywhere for weeks on end.
Grocery Stores were deserts, with little patronage, as they had queues lined up outside, everyone forced to stand six feet apart.

I didn't do a lot of shooting much after that, at least not on film, and I sold my digital gear during that time at home, no longer using it I decided it'd best serve someone who will use it.

I sold several of my film cameras as I am downsizing my collection, significantly, not to mention sending giving away many to old friends, who I haven't had much contact with after the Pandemic, and it seems I'm not alone as many people grew distant during that time in forced isolation.

However, here we are, almost 5 years after that post, and I've learned to appreciate how far technology has actually come over the past few years. 
Now picking up a new hobby, 

Pulling apart these small engines, and repairing them.
It's actually led me down a path to start a YouTube channel, which has been quite an enlightening, and fulfilling experience.

Now what does this have to do with appreciating how far technology has come?
Well, the video capabilities of my cell phone has surprised me immensely, plus the multitude of different accessories that you can get for them, for the purposes of recording video seamlessly, is astonishing. From wireless microphones that have crystal clear audio quality, to 4k 60p video that has stunning detail.  Sure, it may seem like I'm giving massive praise to digital technology, but in all fairness, digital technology is far superior in cost, to production, to value, for video recording, that ya, I will have to give Digital that win.

But with photography, there's no reason for the image to be instantaneous, as it's meant to be a memory captured for a lifetime, where as video trends are fleeting.

However for the niche I do on YouTube, I appreciate the "How-To" style videos, as those style have helped me learn multiple different techniques, and skills in video and photo editing, plus how to maintain, service, and repair the small engines I make videos of doing just that.

Lawnmowers, generators, weed trimmers, chainsaws, etc. Pretty much anything with a small engine, I'll happily toot around with it and see what I can figure out how to repair it.

Sometimes I am able to, sometimes I'm not. Most times I have been able to get them running, and have even had a small side hustle selling refurbished machines for a small profit.
Keeps them out of our landfills, and helps others get a much more affordable machine, and they're often better built.

Now, this being a photography blog, I cannot lie, I do often use my phones as a camera. 
Whether on a walk with my youngest, and the dogs, where the phone does a pretty impressive job in low light, keeping the image together, without losing the detail.

I have to give digital photography a win in this aspect, as low-light situations are definitely a lot easier to do with a digital sensor that can keep the detail at a high ISO, than a film equivalent version can, however I'm sure a film version is more than doable, as I have done it. I just find that cost vs reward just isn't.

Using a phone, as I always have it on me, does give me a bit of liberal use of the camera on it for some lovely landscapes, especially of the sunsets while traveling on the country roads, with the vast farm fields around.
It can be quite picturesque.

But there's a certain aspect that I cannot lie, it is somewhat lost, using a phone for the imagery, but honestly, in the end, I can't be bothered to make the argument anymore.
I've lost a significant amount of interest in shooting film, in general, as I have just lost the desire to spend countless hours of processing, developing, scanning, and editing the images. The time freedoms allowed by just pulling out the phone, double pressing the power button, and using the volume button as a psuedo shutter button, with multiple cameras set up for multiple different functions, such as a built in telephoto, wide angle, and standard angle, all which can work in unison for some impressive photos.

Anyway, I digress... If you have interest in learning about small engines, do check out my YouTube channel, and I do plan on making the odd post in the future.  As the feelings take me to post.

Until next time...