mewcomm

Analog Photographer in the Digital Era

If you're a student of photojournalism or a member of the Washington DC press Corps in the 70's and 80's you will  recognize Pulitzer Prize winning photographer David Hume Kennerly . Kennerly is often referred to as a "Political Photographer" after his many years in Washington.  Other American Political Photographers include PF Bentley, Dirck Halstead Wally McNamee, and Diana Walker.  These were huge visual journalists in the Pre-Digital era.  A photo by one of these photographers on the  cover of Time, Life or Newsweek could shape events in a way 1000 images cannot in the visually flooded world of the Internet.  There will not be another group like them. And I was lucky enough to have met all in the group.

Today as I walked through the media compound at the Michael Jackson Memorial service I was surprised to see  a prominent "analog' photographer from the Pre-Digital Era  shooting  images with his CELL PHONE!!!  I pulled up my camera and squeezed off the image below.

Photographically it's not much. But there's much symbolism in the image. Think about it. I did!

WA4D

Ham Radio: A tired and old hobby that should be radically reconsidered.

LIttle has changed in a half century.  But there are some very creative technologists out there.

N9VV is one.

"I don't like you! Really I don't!"

Why do so many Twitterers follow dozens and dozens of other Twitterers?  I don't get it. Yes Twitter has burst on the scene in the past year and offers some intriguing new ways of communicating socially. The truncated 140 character limit keeps the verbose reined in and the ability to link to various other forms of media is also useful. But how much of it do you really want to see?

Indeed why aren't people more selective?  I don't want to follow lots of people. When I first received a  "John Doe is following you on Twitter" I was deluded into believing that someone actually cared about what I might have to say! It was a Sally Field moment:  "I can't deny the fact that you like me! You really really like me!"  It's ridiculous!  Take a random look at active Twitterers. Many follow dozens and dozens of other Twitterers! 

When I receive a "following alert", I take a peek at the person's postings. If I feel they are especially bright, perceptive, witty or unique, I follow. The majority don't make the cut. I don't like them. Further, I dump those whose postings fail to live up to their initial promise.

Why would one just follow anyone else just because they're following you? Is there some sense of reciprocity? Do you feel "guilty" for not following someone who follows you? (I don't)   Do you like everyone you meet walking down the street? Of course not. (FYI for you Ham Radio operators, I have never  sent a QSL card  just because someone requested one.I send  cards only to those who I engage with in some form of meaningful/amusing or interesting discourse.)

Most Twitterers need to cleanse their "following" box and cull down to a few that fit their interests or curiosity and discard the many who bring so little creativity to the party.  Engage with a small group on an intellectually stimulating level.   The rest are just noise.