self imposed computer ban?

pesphoto

pesphoto

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Been thinking....could I impose a self ban on all things digital for 1 year?
Could you do it? Of course for some who need computers for work and such that must continue. But for your personal photography, your everyday non work lifestyle. Could you do it? No computer, ipod, no digital camera. Nothing for 1 year? Concentrate on your personal work printing in the darkroom, shooting in the streets or whereever. No scanning, no website, no blog, no forum postings.

Or are we all addicted to these things........?
 
After shooting mostly digital for 7 years I went back to shooting mostly film this year, and the soul returned to my work. Like double Negative I make a living at this and editors and publishers do not care how you get the shot as long as it is digital when they get it! My local Wal Mart in formed me yesterday that they are no longer doing 1 hour processing or for that matter any kind of processing in the store. They will be only doing digital printing service. I will be saving my Sheckels to buy a Sigma SD 14 as that is the only digital I have seen that the output actually looks like film. I will have some very nice equipment for sale soon. The Canon digital I shoot with id technically fantastic, It just does not
 
I still haven't mastered scanning or P-shop or posting pix on-line. A friend does that for me. A few years ago I was given a digital camera. My daughter-in-law has it. I'm still all film, mostly B&W, which I process and print myself. A couple of weeks ago my account with blogger got all screwed up so I can't even post on my blog! I still use the 'puter for email, posting on forums, and writing in general. I still have my old Hermes typewriter! I'll probably start a new blog at some point in the not too distant future. It was a lot of fun!
 
No, I couldn't do it.
Most of my interaction happens on a computer. I work half of my day from home, and I use a computer home schooling one of my kids.

I can see how it might be good for me if it were possible, but I'm afraid there's no going back.
 
There was something in the news a couple of years ago: a student doing an MA in history decided to forgo all technology from after 1960 for a month... and wrote an MA theses on the experience. That meant, of course, that she made sure to be healthy, stocked up on foodstuffs that would be compatible with her aim, and even stopped using a computer and wrote her notes instead on a block. She said later that without going online and keeping a restricted TV schedule, she really got ahead in her reading and found herself having a lot more time than before her experiment.

Who knows... it may be worth a shot! :)
 
Predictable answer, Fred :)

At work I couldn't. We develop software used for chip design (image sensors, among others :) )

At home, it would mean getting rid of

- the internet
- scanner/photoshop
- cell phone & TV

(there is already a ban on ipod &| blackberry).

My car has no electronics. So I guess it would work :) Would be a pain to not use the scanner/photoshop any more.

Roland.
 
I have always thought in my old age I could get a trailer with some, cute trashy girls living on both sides, a lawn chair, and a few cases of beer a week and be happy -- just shooting telephoto shots from my lawn chair...[/quote]

I always refered to my dream spot as a "tar paper shack" someplace quiet. Never got there.
No, can't do without the emails and scanner. Maybe I'll look into a darkroom rig.
 
Microwaves
Stoves
Refrigerators
Washing Machines
Dryers
Televisions

Call your car a work related necessity

lots of stuff is digital or has digital components.

What do you do about just about everything that you buy which is mostly is managed to market by sophisticated inventory control systems?

That said, I heard a story about a person who in the 1970s stopped traveling by any motor vehicle, and did it for 30+ years. No driving, no rides, no buses, planes, trains...... along the way he stopped talking too. That went on for just about ever too. I think it started as a short term protest regarding the oil crisis in the early 70s, and just kept going.

It would take dedication.
 
My car has no electronics. So I guess it would work Would be a pain to not use the scanner/photoshop any more.
Click to expand...

It wouldn't even start Roland. Electronic fuel injection and the like. Every system in the car is managed by computers and electronic. Of course if you are driving around in a 1968 Pontiac Ventura, one of my dogs when I was young, then you would be ok.
 
Just spent some time arranging the darkroom. I would love to do this. Just realized my tv is digital cable, and my phone is digial. I'd have to ditch cable or just not watch. BUt since i dont live alone I cant ditch it. This would be more difficult than I thought. Ok, maybe one could limit severly the amount of digital or technological stuff and concentrate more on analog. Say maybe go 80%-20%. I guess, bottom line, Im trying to find a way to find more time for my photography and the traditional process I enjoy.
 
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ferider said:
My car has no electronics. So I guess it would work :) Would be a pain to not use the scanner/photoshop any more.

Roland.
Click to expand...

I'd love to see a car work without a battery and spark plugs. Do you have one of those "Fred Flintstone" cars?

Back to the original topic, I have managed to leave my cell phone turned off and in the car over the weekend, and sometimes I'll go an entire day without the computer, but when I'm not online I'm clearing space off of my Tivo...
 
I'd be a hell of a lot more productive, but much less happy. Most of my music is digital, sure I still have some LP's and 45's, but yikes- some of that stuff is pretty lame twenty-five years down the line. I communicate 75% via the computer, so that would be hard to get used to. Soon all our TV will be digital- even the old analog broadcast stations, not a big deal to most Americans but to those of us still using the old rabbit ears it means a new TV or a converter box. The government decided to sell the airwaves that currently broadcast TV. A nice boost to the economy...

I use little digital for my photography- been playing with a D-Lux 3, but it is play, not work. I scan and PS mostly for promotion, posting or emailing pictures to friends.

I lived for a long while without electricity or an indoor toilet, I could easily do it, (well it was easy) but I already proved that to myself. :D

Actually, after living for 6 months in an 18' RV without electricity or running water with my wife, two dogs and three cats, moving into the building above was like going to the Hilton.
 
When I wake up on the weekends or before going to work weekdays the first compulsion is to turn on the computer(after i get my coffee). Check into RFF of course, check some blogs I like to follow. I pay so many bills online and do banking online. How did people get along without this stuff? Still there has to be a way to make my photography my focus, my priority.
 
Al Patterson said:
ferider said:
My car has no electronics. So I guess it would work :) Would be a pain to not use the scanner/photoshop any more.
Click to expand...

I'd love to see a car work without a battery and spark plugs. Do you have one of those "Fred Flintstone" cars?
Click to expand...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronics

"Electronics refers to the flow of charge (electron) through non-metal conductors (often called semi-conductors), where as electrical refers to the flow of charge through metal conductors".

No semi-conductors in my car - if you remove the stereo that is. And 4 diodes behind the alternator. But that's it :) You get my point ...
 
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ferider said:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronics

"Electronics refers to the flow of charge (electron) through non-metal conductors (often called semi-conductors), where as electrical refers to the flow of charge through metal conductors".

No semi-conductors in my car - if you remove the stereo that is. And 4 diodes behind the alternator. But that's it :) You get my point ...
Click to expand...

Most cars made since 1990 have computers controlling the engine. The chips regulate fuel/air mixture, spark plugs (modern cars no longer have distributers).
 
To answer the original question...NO. I am a professional photographer and digital is a requirement in commercial work today, for better or worse. My fine art work is all film, but I depend on my website for most of my sales.
 
Chriscrawfordphoto said:
Most cars made since 1990 have computers controlling the engine. The chips regulate fuel/air mixture, spark plugs (modern cars no longer have distributers).
Click to expand...

Chris, are you explaining to an engineer how things work? ;)


Pesphoto, I don't know....back to porn in paper form.........:mad:


(Disclaimer: I am in no way promoting exploitation of cameras, people, cars, chia pets, or any other form of porn. This is a joke, likely not funny, but whatever.)
 
MikeL said:
Chris, are you explaining to an engineer how things work? ;)


Pesphoto, I don't know....back to porn in paper form.........:mad:


(Disclaimer: I am in no way promoting exploitation of cameras, people, cars, chia pets, or any other form of porn. This is a joke, likely not funny, but whatever.)
Click to expand...

Just because he's an engineer doesn't mean he knows anything about cars. There are lots of types of engineers who wouldn't know a thing about it. I know a man, he is my best friend's father, who is an optical engineer. He designs lenses for satellites. He is so clueless about cars that he cannot even change the oil in his.
 
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