I’ve been looking for an everyday minimal carry and to reduce dependency from an iPhone for some time. I want to limit distractions, I don’t want to carry my iPhone with me everywhere, until I do. But I want the freedom of choice sometimes to leave it at home but still be able to communicate if needed. Then I realized, I have a perfect, minimalist iPhone on my wrist- the Apple Watch series 7 with cellular capability.
With the Watch I can make/receive phone calls, text, e-mail and receive notifications from employees all while leaving the iPhone behind.
I can leave my wallet behind and simply scan my Watch over a pay terminal for transactions via Apple Wallet. Eventually, my state’s drivers license will be digital so no more wallet and physical cards to keep up with. Availability sometime in 2022. Not holding my breath.
Music and podcasts stream well thanks to the AirPods connectivity.
What does a photography enthusiast do without the use of his powerful iPhone camera? Bring a physical camera instead. Duh.
Now that I have this realization, I cannot wait to test it out. Sure, I’ll take my license while driving about, but when I am on a walk, a hike or a photo walk? No more phone weight or distractions. Watch me.
Anyone else notice the continuing trend of athleisure wear? I’m not one for jumping on to band wagons but I am for utility, comfort and looking good while doing it.
One of the many things I want to do this year is to get outdoors, explore more trails, hunt for geocaches, and grab fresh air because these four walls close in on me while working from home.
I grabbed the new Nike All Conditions Gear trail shoes and dry-fit shirt in anticipation of getting outside more. Just like Apple, Nike is a luxury item with excellent quality materials that last. Leisure, luxury and the outdoors, apparently is something more of us can do with during these pandemic years.
After my previous post I have thought of even more active practices to apply a mindset for more purposeful photography.
Thirty-Six Exposures
36 exposures waiting for something beautiful
When shooting digital images in the past, I would try to capture anything and everything with little to show for it. Using a 35mm film camera, you have only 36 exposure of film in one roll so every shot has to count. Digital is cheaper than analog so I can snap all I want, but with film, you have to be more intentional, more deliberate. Setting a limitation of only 36 images with my digital camera is a good thing. I can relax, focus on the present and focus on those images I want.
One Camera, One Lens In the past, I would walk out with a camera and multiple lenses because “You never know when you’ll need it.” How many of those lenses were used- only the one. How liberating and relaxing is it not to think about that extra weight carried in the camera bag? Again, setting out with limitations creates intentionality.
Simply The Workflow Shooting in jpeg as opposed to RAW format produces smaller images and faster transfer times to speed up the process. Removing Adobe Lightroom from the workflow allows me to work faster. Apple Photos app has improved to a degree where no other software is needed. However, if I want to process images even more, I have Pixelmator. Both are tied into the Apple photo ecosystem and allows you to focus more on what I want to do, such as make more images.
Delete Social Media Followers, Likes and heart emojis do not ascertain your photograph’s worth. They do not reflect on what the image means to you. I publish photos without expectations or delusions of grandeur on my own websites because it makes me happy. With your own website you control the aesthetics, no algorithm, no tracking and no advertising. This is Zen.
Also, publish your work digitally, in the form of an e-book or portfolio. It is a better way to distribute to your website followers and loved ones in a .pdf format than print is. This is the way.
Less Gear, More Comfort Instead of investing in that shiny new camera or lens, put your money into yourself such as a good pair of shoes. When I plan for a photo walk or hike, I want to enjoy the experience, in the moment without discomfort. If possible, donate your unused gear to someone just starting out. New photography from other budding artists is always a good thing.
Airplane Mode The desire to check your notifications, read email or catch up on the latest news in your feed distracts focusing on the here and now. Your image quality will be affected. Be present in the moment.
Reflection Seeing your image materialize on photographic paper in a darkroom is one of the most amazing experiences you can have in photography. Likewise the experience when reviewing on your digital device. Apple Photos displays images much like an analog contact sheet. On an iPad it is glorious to swipe through, favorite, delete, edit and save. Looking at each image with intentionality is a rewarding experience after all your time and effort.
Reliving those beautiful experiences in digital or analog
Grounding Reconnect with yourself in the outdoors while shooting. Focus on your breathing while focusing on your image, then snap. Create opportunities to get out and enjoy your surroundings, there is beauty in everything now go find it.
More Practices To Be Discovered That’s it for now, but until next time- This is photographic zen. This is the way.
After studying but putting forth little effort into the zen philosophy last year, I think I will attempt it again this year. But what if I can apply those principles into something I enjoy such as photography? I can create a hybrid of the two and enjoy both even further. There are more than seven practices of course, but these seem to be fundamental and can be applied to photography.
Curiosity Having a camera is a passport to explore the world with different perspectives. By keeping an open mind and seeing your subjects differently we can open up new opportunities and more rewarding images.
Focus Sure, I desire to fly towards exotic destinations and capture those epic scenes, but reality says I must be present in my current situation. This requires the discipline of focus. Likewise if I try to capture all the things around me, I will capture nothing of consequence. Focus on the moment, the subject and the outcome for best results.
Positivity I am generally an optimistic person but I haven’t been lately. Staying positive in all situations makes me and those around me better. I can get frustrated if a scene or shot doesn’t go my way. If I remain calm, slow down and focus this will lead to happiness with my photography and my life. Fun fact: zen is dependent on happiness.
Seek beauty in all things Admittingly, this is a challenge for me. I’ve been disappointed in shooting my current surroundings because they were boring, over-shot, repetitive, and wanting more. If I slow down, focus and stay positive. A good photographer sees something in the moment that no one else does. All things do have a certain beauty in them.
Live in the moment This can be applied under “Focus” as well. A general acceptance of the here and now. An acceptance of myself, and of others. Minimizing distractions and enjoying where I am currently.
Minimalism or simplicity I’ve done what I can do minimize possessions and to simplify my life, why not do the same for photography? Why not minimize distractions in the viewfinder and focus on something simplistic? This can include simplifying subjects or a scene, simplifying your gear and enjoying the process.
Walking meditation A lot of issues can be solved with walking. It offers clarity, strengthens the mind and the body. Taking a camera along for a photo walk affords a lot of opportunities. Your mind and body are clear, so now too your images.
Practicing the art of zen photography emphasizes who we are and is reflected in the images we make. Do I make the world around me a better place, am I a better person for it and do my images reflect this? I don’t know but I am eager to apply these practices the next time I go out with the camera.
Today is the day! February 2nd is the annual, eleven month trek to better myself. Nutrition and fitness are the priority followed along with improving on my hobbies.
I’ll check in at various waypoints through the year. The first waypoint is on March 3rd. Down the road will be the 4/4 waypoint, etc.
The Keto diet is in effect today. No added sugars, mostly meat. I tried this before with great results and I am eager to see it again. Already my body is feeling lethargic and craving that sugar. Like most journeys, the first steps are always uphill. I hope it levels out soon.
Recently I wrote about my software and services that I pay for to create with. This was an eye-opening post at all the money spent going into these services. After analyzing some options and costs, I’ve decided to post an update for myself reminding me why and how I choose services going forward.
Adobe Photography Plan- I’ve been using Adobe products for 15 years and hated it when they switched to subscription model. A lot of value here for $10 monthly. Plus, they host my photography website. Is it possible to do without it? Yes. I have made software purchases ahead of leaving Adobe, but…it’s a tough one. I have canceled my Adobe plan in favor of the one time purchase of Pixelmator Pro. This software is compatible with all of my devices and ties into Apple Photos. This means my photography website, once hosted on Adobe Portfolio is now moving over to WordPress. $120 annually in savings.
WordPress- My website host for the past 19 years. They’ve been outstanding but lately quite proud of their offerings and the subscription costs jump as a result. This is why I’ve been looking at Micro.blog as an alternative. $80 annually. This past weekend I created a self-hosting option from WordPress to shave that cost in half. This ended in disaster. Nothing worked right from the installation into my server, all the way to the basic coding scripts. Multiple errors and frustrations. The hosted (costlier) version of this website stays. WordPress have made their hosted version foolproof and therefore worth it to me to stick with them.
Feedbin- Consider it to be a podcast player, but for blogs, YouTube videos, newsletters and more. There are other feed readers out there for a hell of a lot less but FeedBin checks all the right boxes, and it has been great, but $50 a year with no software improvements? Why? Subscription ends in February and I will not renew in favor of a one time purchase called Reader. Compatible with all devices. $50 annually in savings.
Micro.blog- I was looking for alternative blog hosts such as Ghost.org or Micro.blog. Both have amazing features but I cannot see the difference from where I am at now.
Ulysses- One of the best software tools around for writers. $50 annually versus the one time paid app I also have called iA Writer. I’m typing this up with it now. Subscription renewed in November. Status is: will not renew Ulysses. $50 annually in savings.
I’m coming out of a gorgeous winter weekend filled with disc golf and geocaching.
I’ve only played disc golf a few times but it is quickly becoming one of my favorites. I’ve been geocaching for over ten years and it just keeps getting better.
It’s almost that time of year again! The 14th annual intent at creating life-long habits for myself (formerly known as Ground Hog Resolution Day). I’ve discovered that because of the after the end-of-year holidays, I am not mentally or physically capable of sticking with resolutions for the upcoming new year. (Truth be told, I was failing at this for the rest of the year too.) The idea was to take January as a break, so I could reflect and plan. And I have given a lot of consideration to dropping the Groundhog Resolutions altogether to come up with a more do-able plan.
I’ll be taking this year-long trek up to December 12th (12/12) and will stop and reflect on my progress each month until then. These will be known as monthly waypoints. A waypoint is a reference point that helps us know where we are and where we’re going. Whether we are walking, driving, or navigating a journey to better yourself, waypoints help us find our way.
On 2/2 I will start at the trailhead of this journey to the first waypoint check-in on March 3rd (3/3). The next waypoints will be on 4/4, 5/5 to the end of the trail on December 12 (12/12.)
Since this will be a long trail, I need to pack light. The previous years have been weighed down and overburdened with too many goals and habits, and then failing at most of them. Time to lighten the load and focus on the essentials.
Nutrition & Training
This is priority one. I am not at my heaviest, but it feels like it. I feel it daily, and I don’t like it. This means I have to focus on my nutrition first. Eating out almost daily for lunch and then sitting at my desk during the workweek is hurting me. I’ll need a lot of help with this one. There are too many temptations out there for me. But I want and need to eat cleaner. This means I will be cutting out most sugar and hopping back on the Keto diet.
Next up is training. There are numerous activities I am interested in to help my goal of dropping those forty pounds. Health calculators project 24 months to safely lose 40 pounds. I’ll do my damndest to knock at least half of that off before journey’s end. Strength training will help burn off some fat and regain some muscle definition.
Let’s throw in some other issues like smoking and drinking. Once the tobacco runs out, I will clean out the pipe and store it. Alcohol intake has been limited, and I will do even more than that. Beer has carbs, and the keto diet hates carbs. Maybe some whiskey every two weeks at the pub will suffice. We all want some small vice, don’t we? I’ll start to wean off the diet soda, too. Enough is enough.
Yoga & Meditation
I have participated in a few group yoga practices, and it was lacking. I find yoga to be a personal endeavor as I try to relax and concentrate on what I am doing. A guru just gets in the way instead of guiding. I’ve subscribed to a fitness app that provides guidance and can be silenced as I work out.
On meditation, I have realized it can be done anywhere at anytime there is even a free minute. This makes me happy and gives me zero excuses to not focus and relax.
Photography & Writing
Here we go again- the annual intention to enjoy my hobbies properly. Regarding my two decades worth of unorganized images: progress. I will get the archives organized this year. Only then can I advance in what I really want to do with them. I intend to make memories by developing physical prints, books, and even zines. I’ve also switched up my genres to focus on landscape and urban photography. A lot to learn here this year.
Regarding my writing? It seems I enjoy writing about my intentions rather than just writing the damn things themselves. No more. I am hoping a clear mind and a healing body this year will assist in putting words down.
Journey Prep
I need to find ways to quantify and track these individual goals that makes sense to me, both analog and digital. This year, I am not adding or subtracting to these intentions. I am taking all of these on this year-long journey, and I am not leaving anything behind. I am positive, I am optimistic, and I want these changes, hell, I need these changes to happen.
I’m starting at the trail head on February 2nd and not stopping until December 12 with these goals accomplished.
