My Eyes are Bigger than My Credit Limit

One of the things that I liked about photo magazines was their prolific advertisements. Once a month an issue would arrive, filled with pictures of cameras and lenses and all sorts of interesting accessories.

I would examine each page carefully and figure out the items that I had to have. Sometimes I would revisit a favorite page a half a dozen times or so, and dream about how I would put this new must-have piece of equipment to use. 

I rarely bought anything. There just wasn't the budget for it. And as of the month wore on, I would gradually forget about the whole thing... until a new issue arrived. 

Now, it's like magazine day every day. 

I open my web browser and before me is an entire candy store of photo items to peruse. It's particularly bad right now because Photokina is still in full swing, and practically everyone is rolling out new gear.

Much of it I want. 

I took a quick tally today of the items on the my photography wish list, and it came out to about $4000. There's no way I have $4000 to spend. In fact, I just paid my quarterly taxes. I don't have $40 to spend.  

Once again, my eyes are bigger than my credit limit. 

But, just like that kid with a brand-new photo magazine... 

It doesn't hurt to look. 

-Derrick

How Photoshop Began

Back in 2000, I worked with the folks at Adobe to write an article titled, From Darkroom to Desktop - How Photoshop Came to Light.

It was one of the most popular posts I have ever published. I wrote about how Thomas Knoll began writing graphics subroutines on a Mac Plus in 1987. Then, how he started working with his brother John to create a program first called Display, then ImagePro. Two years later, in 1989, Adobe licensed the app that we know today as Photoshop.

The Knoll brothers represent cornerstones of digital photography. Thomas loved developing pictures in his dad's darkroom at home. John was attracted to personal computing from the very beginning. And they both had an appreciation for the intersection of these two disciplines.

If you like this kind of stuff, I've created a PDF titled, History of Photoshop and placed it as a digital download in the Nimble Store. There's no charge for it. I'm testing how this process works.

If you wish, you can help me. First, jump over to the Nimble Store. Then add the History of Photoshop to your cart and check out. A link to download the document will be sent to the email address that you used in your cart.

If you have time, please add a comment to this post about your shopping experience (and if you want, about the content itself). Or you can send me a private note via the Contact Form.

We're testing the next phase for the Nimble Store: digital downloads. There's going to be all sorts of good stuff in there. Some of it technical. But not all.

For example, in 2015, I will add a book to the catalog. Oddly enough, its title will be

The Nimble Photographer.

-Derrick

My Extra Layer of Security

Before digital cameras, casual photographers used Polaroids to shoot nude pictures.

They had to. Unless you had your own darkroom, it was difficult, and somewhat awkward, to find a commercial lab that would make prints of naked people. Now, all anyone has to do is point their smartphone at the subject, and tap. 

Very convenient.

Photography today is easier... and a bit more risky - especially the part about sharing the images. Doesn't seem like we have complete control over who can access our shots.

I used to send 4"x6" glossies to family and friends (to be clear, fully clothed pictures). I would order "double prints" so I would have enough to go around. I would organize the snapshots on the kitchen table, write the letter, address the envelope, determine the correct postage, and get it all to the mailbox before the postman arrived.

The process was a bit clunky, but relatively secure. Unless I had a rogue lab worker or incompetent mail handler, I was in good shape.

Today, I press a button to take a picture, then another to share it with the world - whoops, I mean my friend. Yes, there's risk associated with convenience. If someone really wants to get in my business, they probably can. 

Our house, computer, and cloud storage site can all be targets for those who think it's acceptable to take what isn't theirs. Does that mean we shouldn't use these services? I don't think so. 

But at least we can make it difficult to break in. Practice good password security, and hope for the best. And in my case, I have a little extra.

The pictures of me aren't as desirable as those of beautiful Hollywood actresses. A few more years and a couple pounds have become my outer layers of security.

I mean, really. Who's going to pay

to see those shots?

-Derrick

Shiny Objects

Samsung just announced a new Galaxy Note. And in just a few days, we'll know everything there is to know about the latest iPhone.

Despite all the new features highlighted, we seem too easily satisfied. Let's stop for a moment and look at the stuff we're not getting.

Alternative ways of charging - These things don't use that much energy individually. But collectively, they are a substantial drain on the grid. I'd like to see solar panels (or other means of smart energy) designed for our homes by the big companies with influence, that we will use to charge smartphones, tablets, LED lights, and low-demand devices. Less fuel consumed, less pollution produced, better for the planet.

Personal storage - It's hard to believe that in 2014, storage is still a hassle. And despite my best efforts, I still have data and pictures at risk. If we are indeed the data age, then we need persistent, robust storage solutions that work for everyone.

Security - I'm tired of the possibility that my business, and the economy as a whole, can be easily corrupted.  If you're going to come out with a cool new service, then you darn well better be able to secure it. If not, then keep working.

Waste - At some point, the landfills will have more precious minerals then our mines. If you're going to sell a million new devices, then there has to be a plan for the million that's going to be replaced. And I don't think that plan should be toss 'em in the trash.

As a whole, I feel like we're easily distracted by shiny new objects.  And as much as I like  toys, we need to be responsible about how we use energy, dispose of waste, and protect individual rights.

The new Galaxy Note and the latest iPhone seem to fall short in these areas.

At this stage of the game,

we should be further along. 

-Derrick

Hello Rocky Nook

Today is my first day working with Rocky Nook Publishing.

They've hired me as their Photography Evangelist. If you're not familiar with this group, you're in for a treat.

Rocky Nook is based in Santa Barbara, CA. Right off the top, they show good taste in location. When I met with them last month to discuss this gig, we had lunch at the Shoreline Cafe that sits right on the beach. It's not too often you get to wear shades during a job interview.

They choose titles based on their appeal to the editorial team - no focus groups, high-priced consultants, or pressure from retailers. "I like to publish books that I find interesting," remarked Gerhard Rossbach, publisher in charge of Rocky Nook. He then asked me what camera bag I was carrying. "That would look nice with my Fujifilm X-T1," he added.

We are of like minds. As I've mentioned before, I only work with companies that I respect and find interesting. If I'm going to promote something to my audience, I need to be excited about it too.

I just posted my first article for them, Tips for Photographing Birds. The editorial calendar for upcoming weeks looks fantastic.

I'm going to love this.

-Derrick