Taking pictures of estrangers

Contrary to popular belief, many people enjoy being photographed, even when they know the photos will likely be shared on social media. This sentiment stems from various psychological and social factors:

1. Validation and Confidence Boost
   Having their photos shared publicly can make individuals feel valued and acknowledged. Positive reactions—likes, comments, or shares—often serve as a form of validation, boosting self-esteem and confidence.

2. Expression of Identity
   People often see social media as a platform to showcase their best selves, whether it’s through personal achievements, a sense of style, or even just a fun moment. A good photograph can capture these aspects and help them present their desired image to the world

3. Preserving and Sharing Memories
   Many view photographs as a way to immortalize special moments. Knowing that these images will be shared on social media makes the experience feel more significant, as it allows the memory to be revisited and shared with a broader audience.

4. Desire for Authenticity
   In an era where authenticity is celebrated, candid or natural photographs shared online resonate with others. People are often willing to be photographed to showcase their genuine selves, whether they’re being silly, relaxed, or in the moment.

That said, while many enjoy the process, it’s crucial to respect personal boundaries. Not everyone feels comfortable with their images being shared, and understanding individual preferences is key to fostering a positive and respectful photographic experience.

 

The Afghan Girl

Courtesy of Flickr.

 The "Afghan Girl" is one of the most iconic photographs in modern history, taken by photographer Steve McCurry in 1984. The image features Sharbat Gula, a young Afghan girl with piercing green eyes, who at the time was a refugee in Pakistan. McCurry captured her photograph in a refugee camp near Peshawar, and it was later published on the cover of National Geographic in June 1985. This cover image quickly became a symbol of the struggles faced by refugees during the Soviet-Afghan War and of the broader human impact of conflict.

Gula’s intense gaze and the contrasting colors of her red scarf and green eyes create a visually arresting image, full of emotion and depth. Her expression, both haunting and defiant, conveys the hardship and resilience of those caught in war zones, particularly women and children. McCurry himself did not know the girl’s name when he captured her portrait, and she remained anonymous for many years. In 2002, after a long search, McCurry and a National Geographic team were able to locate her, confirming her identity through iris recognition technology.

The "Afghan Girl" photograph has since become a powerful cultural symbol, highlighting the plight of refugees around the world. Sharbat Gula’s story, marked by struggle and resilience, continues to resonate today, reminding us of the human cost of conflict. The photograph also raises important questions about privacy, representation, and the ethics of photojournalism, as Gula’s life was significantly impacted by the fame of her image—a reality she didn’t anticipate.

Object removal in Lightroom Classic

Object removal in Lightroom Classic recently received an upgrade that includes AI technology. I've used the feature a few times, and recently, I decided to put it to the ultimate test.

Here is a picture that I took while back in one of the my grandsons soccer games.

I’ve always loved this picture but found the water bottle in front of the little girl and the soccer ball behind her distracting. So, I decided to remove them using Lightroom’s new AI-powered removal tool. Here is the end result.

As you can see, the result is unbelievably good! Lightroom removed the water bottle and seamlessly restored the background, making it look impressively realistic.

Making history

We survived a world pandemic. Today, these few words might sound like ancient history, but I can’t stop thinking about the cost it came with—especially for families who lost someone during that difficult time. This album was all about that. How we cared for each other.

 

Curiosity

I think birds are sometimes curious about you and what you’re doing with a camera and a huge white lens.

For example, this tricolored heron was flying around and chose to perch just a few feet from me, posing there for several minutes.

Taken using a R6 / EF100-400L Mk2.

Electromagnetic Shutters

One of the biggest problems photographers face is shutter shock—a vibration produced by the shutter mechanism that can cause photos to be less sharp than they should be. To eliminate this Canon is experimenting with a new type of shutter: Electromagnetic Shutter. 

Keep in mind that this video was posted two years ago. Will we see this in the future? Who knows...
 

Big surprice

During the weekend walk I had an encounter with a fresh water turtle. I believe it's a COASTAL PLAINS COOTER (Pseudemys floridana). A very colorful turtle.

Click on the picture to see all the details.

Normally, these turtles are in the water all the time, so finding one on land was a big surprise! 

The Coastal Plains Cooter (Pseudemys floridana), also known as the Florida Cooter, is a freshwater turtle native to the southeastern United States, particularly in Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas. This species thrives in slow-moving rivers, ponds, marshes, swamps, and other freshwater habitats. Known for its strong swimming ability, it’s most commonly found in water and rarely ventures onto land except to bask or lay eggs.