The 5 Minute Photos Weekend Digest #13
PHOTOS UPGRADES FOR YOUR MIND • RAINY DAY PHOTOS • SIMPLE VIDEO STORIES
MIND OVER MEMORY
Memory is a hot topic when you get to a certain age. I’ve read dozens of posts about ways to keep your mind sharp, from cognitive exercises to crossword puzzles, but a recent article in Substack added a new factor to the discussion and reminded me of a regular comment I see in photo forums.
The post argues that a common differentiator of sharp, mentally active people in their 80’s is that they’ve been challenged and adapted to elements of lifestyle. That, more than games and mental exercises, dealing with new things and overcoming uncertainty is what maintains a flexible, active mind.
Conversely, routine and certainty let the brain rely on familiar tasks and comfortable habits that avoid mental exercise; the ‘use it or lose it’ rubric we apply to physical fitness.
Which brought to mind the complaints and social media posts I’ve seen about constant changes in the Apple software. And technology in general. Anxiety over the change of a button placement, or fear that the update will delete something important every time they apply an update or upgrade.
At the same time, I have clients in their 90’s who are excited about each change and look forward to having new features to play with. Better ways to stay connected with their community and their lives.
And the article poses that it’s more than just mind games and exercises; that some level of discomfort in the task - real problem solving - builds stronger neural connections that support brain health.
Yes, the inevitable glitches and confusion that result from well-meaning software changes are a nuisance, but they are just digital speed bumps in the larger scheme of things. And if one practices sound backup strategies, you aren’t at risk of losing anything important.
Which is better than losing your mind.
SHOOTING IN THE RAIN
Growing up as I did in the Pacific Northwest, you come to accept the weather as one of the subjects in your photos. Sometimes THE subject. If you can’t deal with rain or clouds you’ll never take a photo.
Now that I live in the Northeast, I have to recalibrate every time we have 2 or 3 days of rain. It’s like someone pressed a cosmic ‘pause’ button on activities and hunkered down to wait for relief.
Nuts to that!
Rain, clouds, and everything in between can be marvelous backdrops for your photos. In fact, they offer unique opportunities for pictures that you’ll love.
Portraits with a colorful umbrella.
Raindrops in water.
A downpour blurred in Live Photo or caught in Slo-Mo video.
A neon sign blurred through a rain spattered windshield.
Red boots standing in a mud puddle.
Passing thunderstorms.
As it happens, iPhones have been sealed against water damage for several years. The iPhone 12 and newer are rated for immersion to 6 meters for up to 30 minutes, so a little rain isn’t a deal breaker. It’s the perfect camera for wet weather.
Just keep that lens clean and have fun.
THE VIDEO EDITOR IN YOUR POCKET
One of the challenges with taking video is editing clips together. Long videos of a slow moving scene can get tedious, but cutting it into several shorter clips adds extra work after the fact. Best intentions that you never get to.
Shooting video on your iPhone, though, offers some nifty options for doing the edit while you’re shooting.
One and done.
It’s all in the buttons.
Tap the big red button to start recording.
Grab a few seconds; not too long. Happy faces. Laughter.
Tap the Pause button.
Wait for the cake/present/puppy reveal.
Tap the big red button (used to be the Pause button) to restart.
Get a few more seconds. Just a bit.
Pause again.
Change position. Maybe a close-up.
Unpause.
A little bit more.
You get the idea.
Suddenly, instead of recording an event, you’re making a movie.
And when it’s done, you tap the button with the red square to stop.
One and done.
You movie maker you.
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