Back in the late 90's I was always the guy to take a stills camera on a shoot, or to various travel destinations. The result was usually a few snapshots, such as of our exhibit booth setup or a group shot after we wrapped.
As the 21st century took hold I continued the tradition with a range of semi-pocket sized digital still cameras. Our first one was a Kodak 1 megapixel unit - for video resolution it was actually pretty good. I got the camera suggested by a colleague who did a doc about the Shroud of Turin.
While the resolution and size of digital cameras has increased, the ease of taking snapshots in everyday situations has not.
Enter the camera phone. Now it is commonplace to grab your phone and take a pic of anything and everything. Since the phone is always with me, I find myself taking pictures of the mundane to the interesting to the merely useful. A phone that takes stills is certainly more useful than a DV camcorder that takes stills. Although a still camera that takes video is another story for another blog. Although the videos from the phone, while low res, are high on convenience and add to the magic of easy access image collection.
Thus, over the past few years, my phone cam has become an extension of my own short term memory. Indeed, I find myself snapping pictures of things that seem interesting at the time, but which I will
A not remember and
B not have time or inclination to take with a better more obvious camera. And sometimes
C you get something just by happenstance that becomes an unexpected treasure.
So take my hand, walk with me, down the road of days gone by.
The places I know, the dates I don't, the phone it does not lie.
I barely knew 2006 the time it really flies.
2007 was the year we had to say goodbyes.
But through it all my trusty phone,
Recorded calls and friends I've known.
And always will I cherish what my brain has not remembered.
Chicago - 2006. Our big medical convention of the year. Love the architecture.
One last visit to Boca Raton - where we spent 20 years of school vacations.
Happy times spent with those we now miss.
Childhood memories embraced by adults!
I always send my wife an action pose before my next trip.
Who could possibly remember a parking garage location a week later?
Making good use of time away.
Landmarks...
Unknown, but worthy of admiration...
Good meals (this is fondue before the fondue)
Not so good meals.
No explanation needed - but seriously folks, who wouldn't want a hot Kosher snack at any time of the day?
One of my old 2 megapixel images wound up on this book cover!
Conventions
Circa 1997
Circa 2008
________________
More Action Shots
Office Renovations
So long VPR-80 - I hardly knew ya!
The Unexpected
This would have been nice at higher quality, but I just don't carry a camera everywhere I go, such as to the Costco parking lot where this was taken!
And of course, everyone takes lots of pictures of their pets. Right? Anyone? Oh well.
Now with the memory clear (on the phone and in my cerebral cortex) I can head off into the sunset knowing that my future memories will be captured for safekeeping.
Thanks for sharing.
Mike Cohen
