Month: April 2021

Is satisfaction the goal we truly desire? And once we are “satisfied”— then what?

For a long time, I thought of and labored for a “perfect”device (phone). Now I’ve discovered it — iPhone Mini (in black, with a red silicone case). And this is the strange zen I now feel and experience:

I no longer think about, or worry about my phone or having the *best* or “perfect” phone.

In terms of devices, I got the perfect tablet (iPad Pro, 10.5 inch)— I actually prefer the home button for screen shotting. And for laptop, the best and perfect laptop is probably the new 13’’ MacBook Air (Space Grey).

For cameras, RICOH GR III as the perfect camera.

So the thought is this:

When we labor so much for the perfect things … towards what ends? And once we do get perfect (I think it is possible), then what?

A thought and realization:

With strength, and strength/physical culture, the apex is to maximize your maximum power output (once, a la powerlifting) than arbitrary ‘reps’ (repetitions).

I am convinced this is the best way to *enjoy* “working out”, to prevent injury, and to also become more superhuman:

The new re-edited JUSTICE LEAGUE by Zack Snyder as insanely great:

A strange bias I notice in modern society:

We are more interested in objects (cars, watches, design objects, devices, etc) over human beings.

Why? Some thoughts:

For more effective street photos, try to include the face of the subject in your photos. And as a plus– add your own photo into the frame too!

In praise of photographing faces:

We love human faces.

Almost above everything else. The joy of watching movies and films is based on faces. Close ups on human faces and conversations.

Even babies and children — they’re mostly drawn to faces, far more than any other stimuli.

Thus the simple thought:

To be “happier”— perhaps expose ourselves with more human faces?

Also in photography and art, more focus on faces?

A thought and realization:

No more hierarchy of “good” and “bad” stimuli.

Anything which gets you going and inspires and motivates you is good!

This means music, films, videos, sunlight, coffee, social stimuli, visual novelty, art, books, literature, poetry — it’s all good!!

Dear friends,

It seems one of the most difficult things in photography is to self-motivate yourself towards photography– this means:

1. Motivating yourself to shoot and make new photos
2. Motivating yourself to review your photos, select (edit) them, process them, export them, publish/share them, then figure out which photos to share, etc.
3. Finding and discovering deep joy from your photography, which will motivate you to continue your photographic journey.

But why is self-motivation in photography so difficult, and how can we motivate ourselves further in photography? Some thoughts:

I’m very enthusiastic and interested in the new ultra wide angle lens for the iPhone in terms of the new creative perspectives and views and compositions it will open up to us!

To advance in your photography means:

To become more fascinated with your own photos than the photos of others.

The goal isn’t to just have a life in which we have aimless leisure — in which we just sit around and ‘do nothing’. The goal is to have a life of artistic and creative leisure — in which we have the mind space, time, opportunity, energy and power to focus on our artistic and creative pursuits and ends!

In life there are many things we want to do— things we desire to do, and want to do.

However on the other hand, there are other things in which we *MUST* do— things we don’t need to force ourselves to do— things that no matter what, we will self-compel ourselves to do it.

Then the thought is this:

Perhaps in life the best course of action is to simply pursue things you MUST do, instead of things you *want* to do.

With design– small, compact, and light is the apex:

Everything that happened to you is for the betterment and strengthening of you.

Everything that happened to you is the best possible thing that could have ever happened to you, and the most desirable thing to have happened to you.

A thought while watching the new Zack Snyder cut of Justice League:

Wow— you can achieve soooo much more artistically when *NOT* given the basic constraints of the typical 1.5-2 hour film.

This is why the future for (great) films must be online and streaming— directors aren’t stuck in this “Procrustean Bed” of arbitrary constraints, just how there is arbitrary constraints on 30 minute TV shows (for the 5 minute commercial break), or how the typical pop or rap song is around 3 minutes long (or how the typical music album is around 12 songs long).

Then which makes me think: What other (arbitrary) creative Procrustean Beds do we put ourselves into? Social Media as a creative Procrustean Bed— you must follow their restraining template and format. Same goes with the typical photo book: printed matter as a Procrustean Bed because of costs, and production distribution costs.

When it comes with decisions or life events, best to think: everything happened as it ought to have happened.

Also realize all decisions are just a continuum — and your decisions (and your life) is always in a mode of becoming.

A simple thought:

When you shoot and create photos which bring you delight, share that delight with others by sharing/publishing your photos!

And it ain’t even about your ‘best’ photos — it is about your *FAVORITE* photos — photos you love.

The artist as shaping form. You as an artist — you have the power to form and shape yourself. You are the ultimate clay, the ultimate thing to be reshaped, reformed and to shape yourself into a greater you!

My interest and passion in design — applied to photography:

The greatest boon of studying design is applying the concepts to photography.

For example:

1. How to design a frame (composition is designating what is of importance to you in the frame).
2. Dynamic design (dynamic composition concepts)
3. The aesthetics of your photo (color combinations or black and white) and post-processing styles, etc.

To design: to designate. If you designate what you show is important (you designate and select the subject-matter and what to and what *NOT* to photograph) and you also design the composition (you designate what you find is beautiful or not in a frame).

Also:

A designer seeks to beautify the world, by creating beautiful things.

As a photographer, you do the same — you desire to create beautiful images, and bring them into the world!

My interest in design:

A realization … not to just admire and continually obtain “design objects”, but instead to seek to *UNDERSTAND* the beauty behind design, and to use these insights to create your own designs and things!