Brain currently addled by the after-effects of the Covid Vaccine Booster. And so, I give you.....random stuff. All from a Fuji GFX 50Sii and the Fuji GFX 50mm f3.5. Lots of people in downtown. The big Capitol 10K race is tomorrow and, of course, the riveting moments of the total eclipse on Monday.

 

I'm thinking this used to be an internet hub. I wouldn't depend on it now...

I could blame my choice of locations and subject matter on the effects of my Friday morning booster. I think it's my sixth round of anti-Covid vaccination. I timed my vaccine so that my immunity from any random infection would at its strongest during the week of the 15th through the 19th of this month. Why? Because I'll be spending three days in hotel ballrooms, breakout rooms and crowded dining rooms photographing for a bank conference. Why take chances?

I usually walk on the major streets that crisscross downtown but last week a commenter opined that my camera would only last minutes if I took it out in a major city on the west coast. Austin's crime numbers are not as bad but I decided today that instead of taking the safest routes through downtown I would alternate the back alleys with the main streets. Just to see if urban Austin would transpire to scare the crap out of me or even relieve me of my medium format camera. Strangely, the alleys were mostly well groomed. And the few unhoused people I came across seemed more concerned about my potential impact on their safety than vice versa. 

The nice thing about actually walking the alleys is seeing all the wild textures of rapidly aging doors, hundred+ year old brick walls and ersatz electrical work draped from short poles up across the crossing between the backs of businesses and the next block over. 

The thing about the Fuji GFX is how great it is for shooting in a square format. You just don't lose much information. Just a trim off the sides. And the black and white "formula" I have set up for C1 is perfect. Makes images that are so much like the old prints I used to make when using Tri-X.

Antone's. The world famous live music venue. It's been in five or six different locations since I first moved to Austin. I remember seeing Clifton Chenier play some wild Zydeco there back in 

1975 or 1976. That was before most people were able to get over their fears of going into a 

nearly empty downtown after dark...

I'm wondering if they flew in new mannequins for the Summer fashion season...

Michael Johnston asked on his blog how often people shoot with their lenses set to

wide open. I did right here. They actually work well. I wonder which keys on a piano

people shy away from using...

My happy, quiet back porch. Great place to have friends over for happy hours

and even better for a quiet morning breakfast and the (online) newspapers.

Thank goodness for laptops.

All the kitchen essentials. An ice cream scoop and my coffee funnel for pour overs.

Actually pretty much over the side effects from the vaccine. According to my doctor the stronger the side effects the better the immune response and the longer the efficacy. Part of every photographer's 21st Century "Kit"

I hear a lot about how quickly consumer electronic products become "obsolete." Can you make a list of consumer electronics products from 2003 that you are still using all the time? That still work perfectly? That have returned incredible value compared to your initial investment?

I was playing some music through my noise canceling headphone/buds yesterday. Donovan sounded just great. And I started thinking about the actual music player I was using. It was absolutely portable and the user interface was simple and elegant. The unit I was using holds thousands and thousands of songs. The 21 year old battery still holds a very good charge. The design still looks modern and timely. Luxurious almost. 

This started me thinking about cameras, laptop and desktop computers and various other products. I started to wonder why this small unit in my shirt pocket had survived all the "obsolescence" that other products didn't. Part of it is the classic design sensibility of the original industrial designer and part of was just plain, good engineering. And the use of high quality components.

The product? Why it's one of the Veblen goods from Apple. The "insanely overpriced"  30 GB iPod. I'm sure one of you out there will swear to the heavens that you still use a Microsoft Zune but I'll call you out on that one. 

My iPod, with a spinning hard drive, is a classic example of a single use product that does exactly what it is supposed to do --- and has done its job for over 21 years. That's a heck of a lot of music enjoyment... And outrageously good R.O.I.

I just thought to call it out because of the old saw, "It's always cheaper to buy the best quality once than to keep upgrading and buying bargain stuff over and over again." 

Here's my fully functional, totally fun, reliable and wonderful sounding iPod. Played for hours yesterday and still showing a full battery charge. Admiration! 

What's on your list of consumer electronics products that have stood the test of time? I'd love to know.