Something I’ve been thinking about for a long time:

What if this “romantic” notion was a bad one — which leads to decay, decadence, and a decline in our human spirit and human ingenuity?

Anti romanticism in photography

I remember when I first was encouraged to shoot film — I was skeptical. What value did shooting film have in today’s digital age? How much of it was a romanticism of the past— a sort of nostalgia for the “good old days”?

I’d have to say — shooting film is great for a certain aesthetic — beautifully randomly dispersed grain, and the randomness and chaos of film (you don’t know what the photo will look until you shoot it).

But then came an interesting shift and evolution in digital photography— more filters to simulate the look of film (Silver Efex Pro, VSCO), digital cameras with no LCD screens (Leica M-D), and now camera phone apps which create random film-esque images (CALLA CAM, HUJI CAM).

But this is my general thought:

Photography wasn’t “better” in the past. Furthermore, we should channel and leverage new technologies in photography to help us evolve as photographers and visual artists.

Having said that — there are many benefits to studying photographers and the art of photography and art in the past. But the goal isn’t to embrace the old for the sake of it (to think the old is superior to the new is a ‘Romantic’ view).

Steal from the old to benefit the new

I believe the new is superior to the old, but we must steal the best ideas and aesthetics from the old, to integrate it into the new!

For example, stealing the old school Mustang design and integrating it into the newer Mustang designs. Or stealing old Leica M designs, and integrating it into new Leica M designs. But the difficult part is this:

What from the past is superior than the new, and what new things are superior from the old?

For example in photography, obviously not having to deal with the annoyance and cost of buying and developing film is good. Yet, we still prefer the aesthetic of film over the “hyper-clean” digital photo aesthetic.

Thus perhaps the ideal camera is:

1. Ultimate convenience of use (smartphone)
2. Ultimate aesthetic (more random, film-like).
3. No distraction from shooting digital cameras (no over focus on chomping, checking your LCD screen all the time).
4. Randomness and chaos: Not knowing what the final photo will look like before shooting it. Thus the joy of shooting photos is the curiosity: “I wonder how this scene will look like as a photograph?”

Thus it seems that so far — this “Calla Camera” app is the best manifestation of my ideal. Or perhaps the digital Leica with no LCD screen. And the digital RICOH GR-series camera, shooting in JPEG with the great integrated film simulations.

Or if you have the ability, just shooting with a film camera and have someone else develop and scan the film for you (hybrid film-digital approach).

Anti romanticism in life

Another bias:

It seems that many people like “romantic” notions.

For example, consider any “romantic” movie — how does the man act towards the woman, and vice versa?

The romantic notion of traveling the world to exotic places. The romantic notion of sailing across the oceans, going on an epic road trip through the states, or driving a motorcycle through the mountains (Top Gear). Or the romantic notion of owning a bunch of money, cars, big homes, and sexy humans around you.

I’ve been questioning these values for a long time — because I was initially suckered by these notions, and after actually having done it in real life — I’m not quite satisfied. Something feels off. There must be a deeper way to live life than this “romanticism” we are spoon fed by films and the media.

So far it seems the only things that really bring me deep and substantial joy:

1. Powerlifting at the gym: Attempting epic new weights for my “PR” (personal records). To gain muscular strength (personal aesthetics), and seeing my personal strength grow stronger. For example, seeing my deadlift go above 405 pounds over the last few years of training. Also relaxing my body and mind after with a lovely hot sauna.
2. Creative work and activity: Deep thinking, writing, reflecting, creating (beats, music, visual artwork, photos, blog posts, essays, videos, etc). For me all artistic and creative creation is good.
3. Cindy, my family, friends — humans I care deeply for. Also the joy of meeting new people and strangers. Also the joy I get from teaching, sharing, and instructing/guiding others.

Thus a simple takeaway is this:

Disregard what others opine as “romantic”. Just seek whatever lifestyle is superior and supreme for your own personal thriving.

ERICP