fresh bread

DSC_0001.jpg, originally uploaded by justinjeffery.

there is nothing like it.

photographic truths

photography is an amazing medium. and as I begin this post, part of me shrinks back in awe with how complicated the subject really is.

BACKGROUND:
BBC news online published a story about research teams that are developing an algorithm that uses existing online libraries (like flickr) to help recreate photos. The tool would search for similar pictures based on light source, camera position and overall composition.

Alright. so here's the deal.

I generally have no problem with retouching - dust, scratches, bad expressions in a portrait, shadows from trees, crazy wires, distinct lines in the background, nose hair, lack of hair, zits, glass reflection, and a wide assortment of other distractions in a picture. And I feel alright with it because it's not changing the real guts of the shot. I'm generally not replacing a nose or eyebrow, or cinching in some waistline, etc. Now as much as I respect the professional retouchers of the magazine industry, I do think they further perpetuate the myth of the perfect body...blah, blah, another topic. And the subject of photography in advertising/marketing is another post as well.

In this post, I am concerned (yes, strong word) that we would take vacation/family pictures and essentially replace elements from totally different surroundings. I'm not sure who's controlling what, but this idea that our memories should be "tidied up" seems like mind control to me.

Let's be honest - memory is a flaky thing. We all join fragments together, we all can be swayed by the memories of a stronger personality, and we all simply forget a lot. Photographs (and I'll bring in the moving picture at this point) are huge elements to help one remember, to feel, and appreciate that one moment. I hate this idea that we can simply alter realities like that. Yeah, sure, the light conditions, etc, in St. Johns, NFLD, may be similar to some picture from Australia, but I would doubt that they have similar dories and jellybean houses. (sorry, a rash example).

I know this technology is meant to improve the picture in a way that allows the user to emphasize the desired element - and I'm OK with that thought process. Photographers and designers have certainly been doing this for years - we alter color and light, and shape and texture. But I always assume we're doing it for the purpose of art, or to convey some intentional message. We haven't been painting historical pictures, that one would reference to help them remember.

It's tough. Could the general public be responsible users of such technology?

hey, check out the movie "Letters from Iwo Jima" - tremendous movie - not at all related to this post - except that I need to watch it's sister movie "Flags of Our Fathers", which is all about truth and photography.

simpsonized. i am.

I am a fan of the simpsons. The movie was decent. But this simpsonizer machine - does it capture the real me?

endurable injuries

so, I'm slightly injured from racquetball on sunday. I've got a good welt on my left calf that did the good bruise transition - originally white center, red outer, transitioning now to the dark blue/purple hair roots, probably moving to the subtle green/blue interior. I've also got a bruise on my thigh, but no color change. Sunday's game was a little brutal; Uncle Larry jabbed his arm into the window brackets in the door and blood was all over his shirt and arm; I wacked him in the jaw with a return shot; and of course I got some intentional shots to my legs.

but it was a great game. It's probably the only place that I feel intensely competitive these days, and it's interesting to see how I act. I never like losing, but I can endure it much more if the match was good and I played well.

presentation/content

I've come randomly onto this topic. but it's important for me to have analyzed it at some point. it's seems I always hear "presentation is everything..." - but, wow, I really don't believe it's everything. which could be a problem, because presentation is my job.

so in pursuing this thought further, I've come up with a list of things that are often shrouded in hype/look/sound/visuals/etc and don't always deliver:

outdoor rock/pop concerts
wedding cakes
mongolian barbecues
free printers w/ purchase of laptop
all forms of rebates
university
anything that says "best in the world"
credit cards
anti-bacterials
desserts
plastic surgery
snacks
low-cost airlines
emo/indie/goth culture

and a list of things that often are poorly/moderately marketed or presented - frankly, because the content can be so good that it doesn't need any extra hype to win it's market:

fresh bread
good sound systems
national geographic
honest doctors
apple computers
herb gardens
rollercoasters
museums
fresh chips (NFLD version)
costco/sam's club
a truly good guitarist
Canada

alright, so not a complete list - and biased to say the least.

I know there are varying planes in this debate. On one level, would I try something that looks disgusting? I say yes. Does this mean I'm more optimistic and hopeful than I am doubtful? I say yes. I guess I'd rather be happily surprised than disappointed. Things that don't live up to their hype leave a sour taste in my mouth.

But another aspect - is there a level of presentation that an item has to exceed for one to even try the item? That's certainly in the lap of the beholder - what their life experience tells them, what their friends tell them, what their mood is, etc.

Marketers are notorious for telling people what they want. I recently watched this PBS documentary, and one section featured this business guru who was basically decoding human psychology to aid the marketing of luxury brands. It made great sense - tap the foundations of human desire, convert them to needs, and increase sales. Doesn't it sound sneaky?

but let's be honest, it happens everywhere. lemonade stands, cutco salespeople, car dealerships. I know I'm not impervious to marketing, but I'd like to think that I'm responsible with my purchases - analyzing need versus cost.

And in how I present myself? Well, I'd like to think that people are happily surprised and the content is good.

fisheye house

20070721_fisheye_007.jpg, originally uploaded by justinjeffery.

hey, check out my current place of unofficial residence (I don't receive any mail here) through the fisheye lens. This is truly one of the coolest houses I've lived in - wood floors, tall ceilings, lots of natural light, porch, gas stove.

Click the pic to follow through to my flickr.