The Other Reasons Why Podcasting is Hot

Near the end of this Pivot podcast, starting at about the 55 minute mark, Kara Swisher and Scott Galloway give a great summary of why podcasting is “the fastest-growing ad-supported medium.” Among other things, they say “People actually listen to the ads,” and that host…

Tenfold Knottiness

While reading this article about the structure of complex knots, I ran across this diagram drawn by scientist Peter Guthrie Tait in 1885 for a paper called On Knots Part III. It’s one of two figures that together show all of the possible variations of knots with 10 crossing…

Instead of Losing Democratic Elections, What If We Just...

Instead of Losing Democratic Elections, What If We Just Stopped Having Them Altogether? “My goodness, imagine the efficiency. No long lines. No campaign ads. No need to pretend Wisconsin matters every four years.”

The Wind in the Willows and reading out loud

The Wind in the Willows right? Kenneth Grahame, 1908. We all know the children’s story inside-out. Mole and Ratty and gruff Badger and conceited Mr Toad with his motorcars and all their adventures. I picked up the book as an adult - I can’t remember why - and it wasn’t…

The Single Best Nikon Camera for Landscape Photography

Landscape photographers have often needed a device that is sturdy, quick, and can capture detailed images with ease. Nikon has some offerings in the domain to choose from, but there is only one that truly stands out for professional photographers: the Nikon Z8. Here is a look at…

Husband and Wife

How The Heck Does Shazam Work? “By throwing away...

How The Heck Does Shazam Work? “By throwing away almost everything and keeping only a handful of landmark peaks, a noisy 5-second clip from a coffee shop becomes a set of coordinates precise enough to pinpoint one song out of millions.” Fascinating!

It’s Friday, Let’s Do an Open Thread

What’s on your mind lately? What’s going on in your life? Witnessed anything amazing? Anything you’d like to share with the rest of the class? Here in Vermont, it’s barely spring (which means it’ll probably snow at least one more time before I need to start mowing th…

Frylings

Reheating Death Kept Warm is a post I put up in 2007 and forgot about. But it is getting some action now. No idea why, but I do notice that most of the links in it fail. Later, when I have time (if ever), I'll find what can be found and fix the links. Same […]

The Single Best Point and Shoot for Portrait Photography

When it comes to portrait photography, one often gets themselves the best cameras and lenses. After all, portrait photographers want to create detailed images like other genres of image makers. While there are some wonderful cameras out there, there are some who prefer a smaller…

1D Chess . “You might initially find it more...

1D Chess. “You might initially find it more difficult than expected, but assuming optimal play, is there a forced win for white?”

These Odd New Canon Patents Seem to Challenge Sony

Canon has some wonderful lenses for photographers, which they intend to grow with time. The RF mount is relatively young, and it has already introduced some great models. For instance, the VCM models are the latest addition, that are priced well, and work perfectly. Now, it appe…

Everyone’s Favorite Leica Camera is Auctioning for $400,000

Last year, Leica's Leitz Photographica Auction was really something special. And this year, there doesn't seem to be as much of a party. However, that's not to say that the auction house isn't allowing for bidding on some very special pieces of photography history. There are a f…

The Curious Canon Powershot Listing for $15,500

When it comes to purchasing a point and shoot camera, the most one can think of spending is a few hundred dollars. While that is pretty great for many entry-level and enthusiast cameras, there are also instances where a camera can cost a lot. However, none cost over $6000 for a…

Leaving Neverland director Dan Reed on the Michael...

Leaving Neverland director Dan Reed on the Michael biopic out in theaters right now: “How can you tell an authentic story about Michael Jackson without ever mentioning the fact that he was seriously accused of being a child molester?”

Twin Peaks × LCD Soundsystem: a video mashup of Dance...

Twin Peaks × LCD Soundsystem: a video mashup of Dance Yrself Clean and the Twin Peaks theme music. Perfect. A damn fine cup of coffee, even.

OM System Cameras are Tough. But This Really Helps

Big claims from OM System, but the warranty won't cover the issues we're talking about. Our photography insurance program is designed to be there when photographers really need it! We're giving you more than the competition can in different ways! Here's a little-known fact: the…

ProPublica explores what a future without vaccines would...

ProPublica explores what a future without vaccines would look like in the US. Hundreds of thousands of deaths, tens of thousands of children paralyzed, and many other children stricken with serious but easily preventable health issues.

The earliest-known recordings of whale songs (from 1949)...

The earliest-known recordings of whale songs (from 1949) were recently discovered in the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution’s archive. The scientists who recorded the audio didn’t even know what they were listening to.

In reply to: The output doesn't matter

In reply to: The output doesn't matter Over on Lambda Create, Will writes that the output isn’t the part that matters. It has never been the part that matters for any Craftsman in the pursuit of any craft. Aristotle, who he leans on to make this case, agrees, and so would…

Eye Contact With a Humpback Whale

I’ve never seen anything like these photos before. In October 2024, Rachel Moore had a close encounter with a humpback whale in French Polynesia and took these photos of the whale’s eye. Moore wrote of the experience: This moment of eye contact was beyond my wildest…

The Single Best Mirrorless Camera for Landscape Photographers

Landscape photography has often needed a camera that can withstand any challenge, but also deliver images that are detailed, have good color rendition and accuracy. While most full frame cameras are capable today, there is something entirely different about utilizing a mirrorles…

Worried About Teens Today? So Were Adults in the 1920s....

Worried About Teens Today? So Were Adults in the 1920s. “A century ago, new technology and mobility reshaped what it meant to be young, linking rural life more closely to the city.”

Peak Cherry Blossoms

I got the chance to go to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden with friends recently and it was magical, otherworldly, lovely. I think we hit peak blossom down to the second. It was cold and gray and windy, which kept the crowds down, provided the perfect photographic cont…

The Truth About Rangefinder Cameras Tells You a Lot About Yourself

Rangefinder cameras are hot; they've gone through a period of glory, then spent time in the darkness, then returned, and now they've returned again in one of the biggest ways. The type of camera typically associated with Leica and used as an icon for loads of different graphics…

If you want to surf elsewhere in the galaxy, it...

If you want to surf elsewhere in the galaxy, it doesn’t actually look that promising. “Surfing on Titan would likely be a surreal, slow-motion, and tenebrous experience.” Or there’s also a planet with a sulfuric acid ocean?

Traitors to the Project of Patriarchy

On a recent mini-episode of the Becoming the People podcast, Prentis Hemphill talked about traitors to the patriarchy. Here’s a short excerpt: I only want to spend time with men who are traitors to that project, the project of patriarchy and patriarchal violence. I want t…

I love the chutzpah of this: all 35 of...

I love the chutzpah of this: all 35 of Shakespeare’s plays ranked. Romeo & Juliet didn’t crack the top 20 but Macbeth, Hamlet, and Twelfth Night made the top 5. Worth it for the old photos of productions feat. Ralph Fiennes, Judi Dench, Brian Cox…

7Artisans Just Dropped the Leica M Lens Nobody Saw Coming. And It’s Only $428

Leica has some spectacular manual cameras that professional photographers love and adore. While they have multiple lenses to work with, some can be far more expensive than many other offerings. If you are someone who is looking to purchase a lens that offers precision but under…

It’s Time to Make Photos. Not Shoot Photos

A while back, I attended a talk hosted by Harlowe lighting and discussing photojournalism today. The dialogue between the three accomplished veteran photographers and a younger photojournalist around my section of the Millennial identity was quite fascinating to watch. As she ac…

The 3 Best Leica Point and Shoot Cameras To Buy Used

Leica has some exceptional cameras for professionals and serious enthusiasts. While they are more expensive than most offerings, the company has already worked around smaller and slightly more cost-effective point and shoots for those who want to own a Leica. If you are one such…