Category Archives: Not Photography

Not Photography

iPad Typing – It’s a Whole New Weird, iUh, I Mean World

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You might have noticed a bit more “creative spelling” than usual at the blog this week. A bit of explanation is perhaps in order. I decided to try traveling with my iPad rather than my laptop, trying to reduce the weight and bulk of my luggage, especially since I am carrying a significant amount of photo equipment. In most ways this is working out quite well – I can handle most email and web work with its virtual keyboard, and it really is great to be able to use such a small device.

But about that “keyboard?” the iPad has an on-screen “virtual keyboard” that pops up on the screen when you need to type. Unfortunately it provides exactly no tactile feedback. The software attempts to compensate by “interpreting” my error-filled typing and automatically replacing gibberish with actual words. But not always the most appropriate actual words. For example, in one post my attempt to type “other” resulted in the word “mother” appearing in the text!

What about using the iPad to review and post-process photographs? That will br the subject of a later post, I think. For now I’ll just say that it is possible… but less than idea. I did magneto do some very basic editing of a few photos that I posted elsewhere, but the real work will wait until I’m back at my desktop computer.

( Just for fun, I left an iPad-ism in that last paragraph – did you “manage to” find it?)

G Dan Mitchell is a California photographer and visual opportunist. His book, “California’s Fall Color: A Photographer’s Guide to Autumn in the Sierra” (Heyday Books) is available directly from him.

G Dan Mitchell: Blog | Bluesky | Mastodon | Substack Notes | Flickr | Email


All media © Copyright G Dan Mitchell and others as indicated. Any use requires advance permission from G Dan Mitchell.

Not Photography

My Non-Review of the Symphony

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On an almost but not quite entirely unrelated subject…

Although I actually am qualified to offer critical commentary on the San Francisco Symphony concert that I attended earlier this week (my wife the blogger and musician was invited as part of “bloggers’ night” at the symphony, and I was invited as her camera carrying guest), I’ll only say a few things:

    • I enjoyed the concert, even though I recognize that the program was perhaps intended for a different audience than the normal subscription series gang…
    • … but I’m still no fan of Rachmaninoff, who I respect but don’t “get…”,

… despite which I felt the soloist did a fine job under the circumstances, and…… it struck me that the orchestra, even with a lot of subs, often plays tutti with a great deal of passion, but…

  • … some of the orchestra solos seem somewhat thin and timid, but…
  • … a good horn section is a wonderful thing, and…
  • … enjoying art and being willing and able to simply say so is a Good Thing – and often better for the soul than highlighting every tiny increment by which it falls short of the reviewer’s personal expectations.

And thank you to Luisa (sp?) at the Symphony for making it possible for us to attend!

G Dan Mitchell is a California photographer and visual opportunist. His book, “California’s Fall Color: A Photographer’s Guide to Autumn in the Sierra” (Heyday Books) is available directly from him.

G Dan Mitchell: Blog | Bluesky | Mastodon | Substack Notes | Flickr | Email


All media © Copyright G Dan Mitchell and others as indicated. Any use requires advance permission from G Dan Mitchell.