Posts Tagged ‘Mobile phone’

Sep
13

A few random thoughts from a new media photographer

Sunday, September 13th, 2009

This past weekend I headed to one of those big-box stores to shop for a new electrical appliance for our home.  When I located the product I was looking for, I quickly found myself in a quandary: too many choices, too many models, too many brands. Like most consumers, I wanted to make the smart choice. Since I didn’t do any advance research at home, I did the next-best thing:  I pulled out my phone, opened the Internet browser and searched Google for a few answers.

I’m still amazed that I was able to stand in front of several name-brand models and search the Net for objective information before opening my wallet.

This got me thinking: the world really is available through our mobile computers now.  If someone is shopping for a photographer in your area of specialty, will they be able to find you after a quick search? If they do, will it be easy for them to view your information on a mobile phone?

Which reminds me: I need to think more about you. Blog comments are decreasing due to increased traffic to innovative social sites such as Facebook and Twitter.  People are saving their reactions, comments and opinions for these channels.

I’ve found Twitter to be an excellent source of traffic to my sites.  As a result I’ve seen an increase in comments to my blog.  However, I’ve also realized I’m not commenting on other blogs as much anymore. So, I’ve made it a goal to comment more on the blogs within my community.

It’s important to acknowledge the people who follow you.  I have been doing more to champion people on Twitter.  But, once I started following the  links from Twitter to my community member blogs, a new world opened up.  I’ve discovered you and all your great photographs, blog posts, podcasts and videos. You have inspired me. Take a moment to view the people who appreciate your work.  You might be surprised how good their work is, too.

Speaking of work, I’ve been very involved in growing my speaking business.  New Media Photographer is a success in my life; it’s given me opportunities I could only dream of a few years ago.

Now it’s time to direct my energy at my photography again.

No, I’m not leaving social media. I’m just focusing on the photographer part of my blog title.

Rosh

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Jul
1

The ultimate device

Wednesday, July 1st, 2009

When I was a kid I liked to play with a rectangular wooden block.  I called it my ultimate device.  It could do anything.

block

I’ve not forgotten that device. I’m reminded of it continuously by advances in technology.

Today’s smart phones and the applications created for them are amazing.  I’m coming close to declaring these hand-held pieces of technology equal to my childhood ultimate device.

I’m a big Apple fan.  My first Apple was an Apple IIe.  My family had the first Mac and my parents published one of the first books created on the Mac platform in the mid  1980s.  I really would like an iPhone, but until Verizon and Apple decide they can be friends and place nice together, I’m out of luck. (Maybe I’m just stubborn.)

Last weekend I went swimming. So did my phone. I forgot to take it out of the pocket on my bathing suit.

The next day, I went to the Verizon store to see what was available to replace my waterlogged phone.  I looked at the Blackberry, but ultimately couldn’t justify adding another  $30 to my monthly cell phone bill.

LG released the new enV Touch (Voyager upgrade) at the beginning of June.  I like its features and selected it as my new phone. images

The enV Touch has both a touch-screen system and keyboard with a second screen inside. I’m amazed what these little boxes of technology can do:

The most important feature for me, as photographer, is the ability to display my portfolio.  It is a great advantage to have portfolio images available anytime an opportunity arises.

I need e-mail while on the road and I need a good system to view my feeds and listen to podcasts while I travel.

I’m able to organize my music and podcasts with the MP3 player.

I’m hooked up to all of my e-mail accounts and have the home page of my browser set on my Google reader page.

I have quick buttons that take me to Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, favorite photos, videos and important contacts.

I have a voice-controlled GPS navigation system, 3.2 MP camera and video. Another bonus: editing features. I can edit both images and video in the camera.  Plus, it has an automatic blemish-removing mode; smile detector, color correction, macro- and manual focus.

The name card reader threw me for a loop. This feature allows you to take a photo of a business card. The phone’s technology automatically converts the image information (name, phone numbers and e-mail address) and places it in your contacts files.

Those of you with the really smart phones are yawning.  I’m familiar with the latest technology. But, being able to incorporate it into my daily work flow is new for me. I’m having a blast.

As soon as these little boxes are able to teleport me to Mars and shoot a devastating death ray at a moment’s notice, I will officially declare the arrival of the ultimate devices created in the imagination of my youth.

Rosh

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Jan
27

Camera Phone Predator Alert Act

Tuesday, January 27th, 2009

Recently, Congress proposed the Camera Phone Predator Alert Act (H.R. 414).  The idea behind it is to protect Americans from unscrupulous people with camera phones.  Technology has made it easier for cell phone users to take indecent images and steal private information without the subject knowing. To help curb this problem, the proposed legislation would require phones containing a digital camera to make a sound when a photograph is taken.

    (a) Requirement- Beginning 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, any mobile phone containing a digital camera that is manufactured for sale in the United States shall sound a tone or other sound audible within a reasonable radius of the phone whenever a photograph is taken with the camera in such phone. A mobile phone manufactured after such date shall not be equipped with a means of disabling or silencing such tone or sound.
    (b) Enforcement by Consumer Product Safety Commission- The requirement in subsection (a) shall be treated as a consumer product safety standard promulgated by the Consumer Product Safety Commission under section 7 of the Consumer Product Safety Act (15 U.S.C. 2056). A violation of subsection (a) shall be enforced by the Commission under section 19 of such Act (15 U.S.C. 2068).

Identity theft is a real issue and needs to be addressed.  Installing noise makers on camera phones will not solve the problem. I don’t see a problem with this as a partial solution.  But the law will not prevent people from taking pictures.

Laws  restricting photography are always my biggest concern. This bill only applies to cell phones.   Is this a dumb bill? Would it be effective? Or, is it just a waste of  government time and our money?

What is your opinion?

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