So in case any of you were wondering—although no one really asked—my posts had disappeared over the past week because, well, I disappeared. Disappeared into the desert, that is.
I guess a needed a little contrast and perspective. I needed to go from the cold, wet and grey of Seattle. and experience a place I have not been in a few years: the southwest.
I have felt a certain calling from the states of AZ, UT and NM for a long time now. I think I had forgotten how much the place had transformed my life and fueled my creativity over the years.
The trip was a wee bit different. Not only did I fly AND drive (previous trips always involved driving the entire way from Seattle), but on this trip I also had a digital camera… and a new toy… my iPhone.
Yes, getting lost in the desert is a little harder when you have a compass, the ability to use social networking, maps, and last but not least: the amazing camera of the iPhone 4.
Holy CRAPOLI!
Although I only have a Canon Powershot for a digital camera, I quickly found myself surprised that I was suddenly taking more shots with my iPhone. Could it be because it was more convenient? More available to share photos with others? An unexpected penchant for more dramatic, truer, warmer lighting and colors? Man, I just don’t know—perhaps all of the above.
New technology has created a new (or at least a renewed) relationship with photography.
And I’m LOVIN it!
It’s an amazing time to be alive. On one hand, we have the potential to get completely lost in the immersive worlds of all of our various amazing inventions, unplugging from human relationships and creating our own individualized environment. Perhaps on the other end of the spectrum, we also have the ability to transform the world into a better place through access to data, and the sharing of content, which in the past was either not possible, or involved too much work to expediently bother doing on a regular basis. These things never really became a regular part of our experience because they simply weren’t very practical.
The simple physicality of everything has also changed. From antiquated computers that were once the size of very large rooms, to desktop computers, to laptops, mobile devices and immersive tools like the iPad, we now have the convenience and mobility to forge relationships with technology virtually everywhere we go (assuming we have a fully charged battery or a large generator). So the size, portability and now the quality of our inventions have exponentially increased, and now everybody gets to see and share with each other what they’re doing.
Ummm… is that always a good thing?
We’ll save that conversation for another post.
So, back to getting lost in the desert... Well, I think I could have gotten lost, even with a compass. (Wait, I DID get lost... Mojave has poorly marked trails for trail-running). Oh, yeah, back to Sedona... heck, I think Sedona loves my iPhone and would have gladly kept my new toy, had I allowed it. It freely gave itself to my camera and display, and represented the contrasts of the reds-oranges, greens and blues beautifully. Main criticism: weak depth-of-field. This land of photographic and artistic primaries held up wonderfully, and even gives up some fantastic effects when you should directly into light sources (AKA the abundant gift known as the sun).
From San Diego, to the Mojave Desert—from Sedona to Joshua Tree National Park—this camera never failed me. The quality of this thing was amazing. My biggest concern: running out of storage on the phone. Good thing I had my laptop with me for some muscular photographic file transfer!
I have been to the southwest at least 5 times now, but this trip was different. There are many reasons for this comment, but I can’t help wondering how much of it was due to technology, and my renewed passion for photography and composition.
The tools we use affect our experience so profoundly. It’s always good to try some new ones.
I think for the first time, I camped alone.
New experience, familiar technology.
I flew and drove.
New experience, familiar technology.
I used iPhone, paper maps, and word of mouth to assist my journey.
New experience, familiar technology.
All this said, it’s hard to imagine the journey without all these inventions—from human language, to paper maps and symbols, mobile devices, and human shelter… There is a fascinating ‘retrieval of the human voice’ happening right now. We’re experiencing a cultural renaissance of communication that has the power to divide, or the power to unite. Let’s err on the side of responsibly moving forward.
Ok, but let’s have a little fun at it at the same time…
See ya next time.
m
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