blessingx

Which one of us will become the Genmoji Master first?

Was that opening skydiving video Artificial Looking Apple Intelligence?

Why? It's so easy. ☺️ https://genderneutralpronoun.wordpress.com We'll get there. Kind of fun redefining times.

Nothing interesting yet, but let’s see where this goes. Leica acquires Fjorden https://www.macfilos.com/2024/06/06/leica-acquires-fjorden-and-launches-new-leica-lux-smartphone-application-to-mimic-m-lenses/

“They don’t pick up their negatives,” Cohen said of his customers, guessing that maybe 10 percent of them return for the rolls. Behind him, a colleague corrects him: “Five percent.” Another, laughing: “Zero percent.” https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/06/arts/film-photography-negatives.html?unlocked_article_code=1.xk0.0ezG.Bja9SMUZvLQd&smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare&sgrp=c-cb (gift article)

When two of my childhood worlds collided

Warning: Episode 6 😉🍿🫣

Arooj Aftab's newest, Night Reign. Up there on the beauty scale. Ex.

Usually I like the town I live in.

You're going to be prepped for Phoenix hiking in no time. How about hiking a little bit North in Roseville, Auburn, etc.?

Below is a personal history, but doesn’t really answer your question about what gay pride is, and afraid my answer there is pretty generic and from the outside - a time to celebrate, and show support, for a group of people, hidden and misunderstood too long. I've been very slow to a pickup on a lot of things (it took a biological daughter, not girlfriends or a sister or mother or grandmothers, let alone general history or lit, or eyes simply being open, to really kick off feminism in my life). Likewise, mostly my narrow worldview, but also growing up in a seemingly 183% straight, white, Christian Ohio farm town (our diversity was also having Amish straight, white, Christians), resulted in a radar that would best be described as "inactive." Of course, that wasn't how it really was and I hate in hindsight especially not being a better ally to a couple people. But once I went to college (keep in mind I'm old) for visual arts, it was a whole different picture. You know when some of your white friends really get into Blues, early Rock, R&B, and/or Jazz and it also transforms their view of race and they want to celebrate it? Well, probably not surprisingly substitute painting and sculpture and there are long periods of generally not the straight world where the rebellious magic is happening (even if different than a modern notion of orientation). The slightest tip of the iceberg hits [likely] da Vinci, Caravaggio and Michelangelo through Bacon, Warhol, Kahlo, and Hockney. It's practically an endless list and undeniable the contributions to larger America and the world. They brought a disproportionate shit ton of beauty into the world, we're all so much better for it, and we all should be proud (a little outsiders pride!). And any "issue" less significant than that, seemed pretty silly to continue to argue over to that art student. That was my dam breaking, and that change was certainly quickly reenforced as I got to know more and more people over the years, including you Steve. And next up my child wants to join the club. Also bad/good/great show tunes are bad/good/great!

Thank you much for your words Steve.

Pride weekend today at Filoli. Esmé has been non-binary for a couple years, but today, for the first time, also introduced themself as lesbian.

The Spectacular Failure of the Star Wars Hotel

As I was asked in the consumer thread, the Light Lens Lab 1966 (Leica’s original 50mm f/1.2 ASPH Noctilux recreation) arrived two days ago. Probably wrong to pick up the brass version for solid weightiness, because it’s very solid and very weighty, but feels great in the hand when not mounted. Kind of the opposite of the modern CV 50mm Nokton f/1.0 in traits and balance. Accurate in all the 60s fast lens grand imperfections. And I mean all of them. Some disappear as you close down. These are all toss away snaps shot too wide open for the effect, but work is going to keep me busy for a bit and figured I’d post a few slightly exposure tweaked SOOO jpgs from a SL (typ 601) now. Great potential.

😉 I’m sure. It looks to be the basic hardware design Panasonic released six years ago (and discontinued four years later). Likely a different lens though. I’m sure it’s still a fantastic camera, just priced a little high. I still have the LX5 and like it quite a bit.

Leica responds with their answer (or... Panasonic's old answer) and a m43 sensor camera Also rumored to come in various colors. https://www.reddotforum.com/content/2024/05/leica-d-lux-8-compact-camera-announced

Hope it's a great one.

I dunno. I wouldn't necessarily undervalue the LUT move here, especially with the successes of Fuji generally and X100 specifically, but yeah we're at the point where most models are good enough and it's personal desires greatly weighing differently now. In this space it's pretty much Sigma's fp, with the same electronic shutter, no easy flash, and no built in EVF. Maybe Sony’s ZV-E1, which we have at work, again similar limitations and great at video, but surprisingly sucky at photography. I suspect, based on the X100 success, most buyers, especially those not already trained to suffer, would put accurate WB and default colors over many features, but this is has been a long battle among manufactures. Panny's choice, from a stills perspective anyway, is a novel one and they’re trying to end/minimize editing. It seems to take Fuji's approach further as it does the Oly Pen-F color control knob. Or anyway that's how I see it, at least until we find out how limiting that electronic shutter is. EDIT: I just spent an hour defending the potential of the S9 over on Threads ("most pointless cameras to be released in recent times", etc.), so clearly in the minority here. 🫣

The Panasonic S9 is kind of interesting. Just watched the live intro and they're really stressing the color grade in camera (thru LUTs with a dedicated button) and share immediately. Two new lenses (pancake included free with camera some package deals) also focused on size and slow apertures for snaps. No mechanical shutter though. Not sure if mimicking phone publishing speed will make it less desirable to also carry or bridge the quality jump, but will be interesting to watch. The reviews seem already split on this question.

#minidiscin2025

Worth a listen... The Disastrous Relationship Between Israel, Palestinians and the U.N. or your favorite podcast app

Battles are just starting... https://petapixel.com/2024/05/20/asmp-calls-out-adobe-for-its-shocking-dismissal-of-photography/

I wonder how many of these there are?