There is a set of mirrors set on an A frame stand out in front of a women's clothing shop called, Sezanne. On either side of the sign are benches. If you sit on either bench you see yourself in the mirror. I sat down and photographed myself in the mirror. I just had to see how chic that faded green bucket hat looked. Impressive. I had to go out and photograph today because I'm banned from swimming until Tuesday morning and the withdrawal effects are starting to get to me. I figured that walking around with a bit, fat, heavy, Veblen Leica and an equally big lens might be a good way to vent some energy. It's rare that I go out photographing with a fast 85mm. And I think it's true what the nuns at my deeply spiritual and very prestigious photo-prep school always said: "When the Lord puts a fast 85mm lens in your hands everything seems like an excuse to put the backgrounds out of focus."
Zen dining al fresco. With ground grid included.
Recuperating with super models at the San José Hotel...
The washroom at Jo's is lit during the day only by sunlight shining through a deep red filter in the ceiling. I thought I should document the effect for posterity. I also had a large coffee so.....
Women being photographed in front of the famous wall at one end of Jo's Coffee.
I don't know how this image got in my camera. Really! I don't know.
I think I was adjusting something on my camera and accidentally hit the
shutter button. Honest. Random chance. Or are Leica cameras so
advanced they can anticipate what you might have wanted and engaged
autonomously without your knowledge?
All supervised under the watchful surveillance of the Mannequin squad.
Discreet surveillance from under a wide brimmed hat...
Kirk: I don't know how this image got in my camera. Really! I don't know.
ReplyDeleteI think I was adjusting something on my camera and accidentally hit the
shutter button. Honest. Random chance. Or are Leica cameras so
advanced they can anticipate what you might have wanted and engaged
autonomously without your knowledge?
Yup, that’s exactly right. You’ll be noticing more and more unintended captures like this as autonomous AI-enabled shutters become common—and increasingly assertive about what and when to snap. The algorithm is what the techies call SWIM. (Nothing to do with your favorite exercise activity: the software practitioners who design this stuff are notoriously static.) SWIM is an acronym for “Shoot What I Meant” (i.e., not what I actually saw in the viewfinder) and it works by collecting tiny electric impulses from your brain and parsing them to determine how you wish the photo would look. You can find many examples on TikTok; all the influencers are pushing this technology and the camera manufacturers are rapidly buying into it as a way to get ahead of the cellphone companies. They figure it’s the next big thing after 100 Mpx sensors.
Love your work Kurt… You should do a book of mannequins.
ReplyDeleteI thought I was.... (Kirk - sp.)
DeleteDepending on where you are in Austin, a bucket hat and a large bandage on your face will make you less noticeable, not more.
ReplyDelete