Technology Advances

Many of the Photography YouTubers I used to follow have seemed to morphed into sensationalists regarding their topics and I thought this might be another one.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OF7MJOSXO0w&t=637s

Had a recent discussion on another forum about technology advances and do they scare you, and my response was no, but they do concern me because there is usually an added cost (obviously) to utilize the technology as the old slowly becomes obsolete. Sometimes the obsolescence comes from a decoupling of past industry partners, for instance former movie media partners such as Netflix are parting ways with Sony, LG and removing apps from video players requiring users to buy new or make do with whatever apps remain on the media platform. Computer operating systems have been doing the same, moving on or beyond the current video game platfforms, requiring gamers to either hold onto older computer systems or buy new or upgrade in order to play new video game offerings. So it wouldn't be surprising to see photography graphic interfaces to advance beyond what has been a standard for decades. I'm the type of technology user that hangs onto older platforms until I can no longer utilize the past standard or really feel I have a need for the new.

Tony Northrup has to be one of the least credible YouTubers out there.

Every time I see one of his videos, I come to the conclusion that he has no idea as to what he is talking about (or perhaps he does and likes misleading viewers). This video is no different. Total waste of time...

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Originally Posted by Shadowman

I'm the type of technology user that hangs onto older platforms until I can no longer utilize the past standard or really feel I have a need for the new.

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Me too. Some time back, I even had a newly-purchased Windows 7 laptop retro-converted to Windows XP! But then XP support vanished followed by new apps that wouldn't run under XP. Now I am stubbornly sticking with 7 Pro and ignoring Windows 10 ever since I got round Microsoft's "auto update" ... wasn't that fun?!

Also my 5-12MP cameras (all about 10 yrs old) still exceed my photographic abilities, so no reason to "upgrade" them either. :D

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Originally Posted by Manfred M

Tony Northrup has to be one of the least credible YouTubers out there.

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I automatically distrust any smooth-faced 50-something with a full head of salt-and-pepper hair who waves his hands around continuously and wobbles his head. :D

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Originally Posted by xpatUSA

Me too. Some time back, I even had a newly-purchased Windows 7 laptop converted to Windows XP! But then XP support vanished followed by new apps that wouldn't run under XP. Now I am stubbornly sticking with 7 Pro and ignoring Windows 10 ever since I got round Microsoft's "auto update" ... wasn't that fun?!

Also my 5-12MP cameras (all about 10 yrs old) still exceed my photographic abilities, so no reason to "upgrade" them either. :D

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Ted,

Have you had any hiccups with web browsers by continuing to use Windows 7?

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Originally Posted by Shadowman

Ted,

Have you had any hiccups with web browsers by continuing to use Windows 7?

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Not yet, John. FWIW, I only use FireFox v. 70.0.1 (64-bit) on a 4-core Dell desktop.

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Originally Posted by xpatUSA

Not yet, John. FWIW, I only use FireFox v. 70.0.1 (64-bit) on a 4-core Dell desktop.

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Ted,

I had a feeling you were using an alternative OS, I tried to hang onto XP myself and the web browser issue was the deciding factor in upgrading, system was too slow online and kept getting too many popups. I use Firefox on my tablet as the Windows based browser is compatible with YouTube video for some reason.

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Originally Posted by Shadowman

Ted,

I had a feeling you were using an alternative OS ...

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Yes, as a Sigma/Foveon guy you might have had me figured as an e.g. Linux dude but, to be honest, I'm getting a bit old for fancy software ...

... this from someone who used to write Forth '83 stuff on a Macintosh ... a LONG time ago!

What is YouTube?

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Originally Posted by Manfred M

Tony Northrup has to be one of the least credible YouTubers out there.

Every time I see one of his videos, I come to the conclusion that he has no idea as to what he is talking about (or perhaps he does and likes misleading viewers). This video is no different. Total waste of time...

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YouTube...

I think that Tony gets his followers by continually espousing off the wall theories. Like an old boxing term: He talks a good fight:D Funny thing however despite Tony sounding like the guru of all things photographic, I don't remember seeing any images created by either of the Northrups that blew my socks off.

On the other hand, Jason Lanier has generated a lot of brouhaha about his dealings with his models but, he does create some very creditable imagery.

Manny Ortiz has no ax to grind and produces some excellent female portraits...

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Originally Posted by rpcrowe

I think that Tony gets his followers by continually espousing off the wall theories. Like an old boxing term: He talks a good fight:D Funny thing however despite Tony sounding like the guru of all things photographic, I don't remember seeing any images created by either of the Northrups that blew my socks off.

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Agreed. He continuously makes statements that any experienced photographer can shoot holes through. I find that Ken Rockwell is another author who has similar issues; confusing opinion with fact.

Fortunately for them, there are enough people out there believe their material without questioning what they have read / seen.

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Originally Posted by William W

What is YouTube?

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It's a site where you can post your own videos:

https://www.youtube.com/

Very popular. Also lots of old snips from gun cameras, old pop stuff, old photo sequences, and much more.

Sorry... Post #9 was meant as humour. Not my usual forum style to include humour. Considering the banter about 10 year old cameras and computers sporting Windows XP... I thought the question was funny.

On the other hand, Ted might know that I was attempting funny and his straight-faced comment is taking the Micky out of me. If so - that's funnier.

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Originally Posted by William W

Sorry... Post #9 was meant as humour. Not my usual forum style to include humour. Considering the banter about 10 year old cameras and computers sporting Windows XP... I thought the question was funny.

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Oops, Bill, I've been here too long! I say that because over here if there's no winking emoticon, the author is deemed to be serious. I did wonder though, to be honest.

In my other forum, there's a Rockwell-esque guy who ends all of his many, varied, and often wrong opinions with the winking emoticon - a kind of insurance against rebuttals - kind of "I was only joking" ...

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Originally Posted by xpatUSA

Oops, Bill, I've been here too long! I say that because over here if there's no winking emoticon, the author is deemed to be serious. I did wonder though, to be honest.

In my other forum, there's a Rockwell-esque guy who ends all of his many, varied, and often wrong opinions with the winking emoticon - a kind of insurance against rebuttals - kind of "I was only joking" ...

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I think it's more of a hook when the emoticon is left out. :cool::rolleyes:

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Originally Posted by xpatUSA

I say that because over here if there's no winking emoticon, the author is deemed to be serious.

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Interesting how the emoticons have made their way into the "grammar" of the web. Kind of like laugh tracks used in TV sitcoms? ;)

What is an emoticon?

I'll pull my head in now, have a great week, all. Regards.

I think youtube is the best tutorial this time....

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Originally Posted by katto

I think youtube is the best tutorial this time....

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In my experience YouTube and to a lesser extent Vimeo tutorials range anywhere from excellent to downright garbage.

There are some that are accurate and great learning while others are put together by people who don't understand the topic and are in fact supplying misleading and inaccurate information. People who understand photography and the science and technology behind it will likely see through the problematic ones quite quickly. Unfortunately, less knowledgeable viewers will be taken in. There's not much one can do about it.

In my experience some of the worst ones deal with subjects like sharpening, printing, composition, etc.

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Originally Posted by Manfred M

In my experience YouTube and to a lesser extent Vimeo tutorials range anywhere from excellent to downright garbage. . . Unfortunately, less knowledgeable viewers will be taken in . . . There's not much one can do about it . . .

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Misinformation is everywhere. As to not much we can do about it - we can try; though it doesn't work if the reception is switched to "Off".

[Indulge me, please]
We walk every morning. Many folk in our neighbourhood do and they always say hi and sometimes engaged in chit chat. Our reward is excellent coffee.

We have extensive pollution due to smoke haze from many bush-fires which surround our vicinity as well as bush-fire being a major problem in two States.

Yesterday the sun was simply a red ball set on thick translucent smog of grey brown – all day: it was commonplace to see people point their phones and cameras skyward to make photos. It was a good scene, photographically, one could make some eerie images I am sure.

This morning the air is clearer: we were stopped at the intersection waiting for the pedestrian go sign. Two women were stopped talking to each other, standing next to us – paraphrasing “my photos just didn’t turn out, the sun wasn’t red, it was white, Jack (assumed husband/partner) said that I need a better camera, I don’t know . . .”

I said, “hello, do you want to know why your sun turned out white and not red? . . .”

She said quizzically and emphatically, “I do know, I need a better camera.”

I was shocked enough to asked my Wife – “Am I that scary and having an unapproachable manner?”

Funny isn’t it? At least I feel better telling you this strange happening to me this morning.

WW

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Originally Posted by Shadowman

Ted,

I had a feeling you were using an alternative OS, I tried to hang onto XP myself and the web browser issue was the deciding factor in upgrading, system was too slow online and kept getting too many popups. I use Firefox on my tablet as the Windows based browser is compatible with YouTube video for some reason.

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You may find you are left with the same situation not long after January 14th, when all Windows 7 support ceases.

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Originally Posted by Manfred M

In my experience YouTube and to a lesser extent Vimeo tutorials range anywhere from excellent to downright garbage.

There are some that are accurate and great learning while others are put together by people who don't understand the topic and are in fact supplying misleading and inaccurate information. People who understand photography and the science and technology behind it will likely see through the problematic ones quite quickly. Unfortunately, less knowledgeable viewers will be taken in. There's not much one can do about it.

In my experience some of the worst ones deal with subjects like sharpening, printing, composition, etc.

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I agree totally. However, if I need to find out something like how to change the blade on an electric saw, YouTube is the first place I go for the info and I usually find it there...

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Originally Posted by William W

What is an emoticon?

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Please don't ask what a fix is? It is still usually acid based but it's no longer acetic even if often used in a rather dark room....:)

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Originally Posted by rpcrowe

I agree totally. However, if I need to find out something like how to change the blade on an electric saw, YouTube is the first place I go for the info and I usually find it there...

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The problem is that it is uncurated. Anyone can put whatever they want there. So just like elsewhere on the web, you can find a mix of good advice clearly expressed, good advice unclearly expressed, and stuff that is wrong. I suspect that the simpler and more concrete it is(changing a saw blade), the fewer the bad ones,


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

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Originally Posted by Shadowman

Ted,

I had a feeling you were using an alternative OS, I tried to hang onto XP myself and the web browser issue was the deciding factor in upgrading, system was too slow online and kept getting too many popups.

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FWIW, Opera still maintains security for XP. It's an old browser so short on newer features but still works on many sites.

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Originally Posted by proseak

FWIW, Opera still maintains security for XP. It's an old browser so short on newer features but still works on many sites.

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Peter,

Thanks for the info.

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Originally Posted by Tronhard

You may find you are left with the same situation not long after January 14th, when all Windows 7 support ceases.

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Trev,

Thanks for the info.

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Originally Posted by katto

I think youtube is the best tutorial this time....

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Personally I would vote for Lynda.com. I have access to it via my local public library (it's listed in the catalogue) and use the link to fill in my library credentials and have access to a HUGE host of excellent training on a myriad of subjects - including (obviously) photography. I often recommend that beginners look at the series of Photography Foundations with Ben Long - he is an excellent host. If you want to download the videos your can right click (for Windows users) on the video and select to save video. It works a treat. There are tutorials on technique, technology and post production. Well worth a look. For those who don't have access via their library, the first month is free.

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Originally Posted by DanK

The problem is that it is uncurated. Anyone can put whatever they want there. So just like elsewhere on the web, you can find a mix of good advice clearly expressed, good advice unclearly expressed, and stuff that is wrong. I suspect that the simpler and more concrete it is(changing a saw blade), the fewer the bad ones,

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True, but even then one can find solutions that are suspect or liable to cause issues.

When it comes to subjects that are more complex or less clearly defined, the problem gets worse with people who clearly do not have a full understanding of what they are shooting making suspect advice. Curation would be a good idea, but who would do the curation?

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Originally Posted by Tronhard

Personally I would vote for Lynda.com.

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In general I would agree with you because the posters are vetted as having a reasonable of expertise, but even here this is not 100% correct.

When I teach technical topics at local photo clubs, I often send out some information and will identify some Lynda.com videos for people to watch to get a better understanding of the topic. I recently put together a workshop and each of the videos I watched on the topic on that site had serious deficiencies and I recommended against watching them or at least ignoring particular sections of the videos.

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Originally Posted by Manfred M

In general I would agree with you because the posters are vetted as having a reasonable of expertise, but even here this is not 100% correct.

When I teach technical topics at local photo clubs, I often send out some information and will identify some Lynda.com videos for people to watch to get a better understanding of the topic. I recently put together a workshop and each of the videos I watched on the topic on that site had serious deficiencies and I recommended against watching them or at least ignoring particular sections of the videos.

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I agree that their site is not 100% perfect - there are some presenters I prefer over others, but I would trust that site more than picking up something unverifiable off youtube. Certainly, I would not accuse them of sensationalism, which was one of the points of the original post I believe.

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Originally Posted by Tronhard

You may find you are left with the same situation not long after January 14th, when all Windows 7 support ceases.

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I'm another one still running W7. When W7 becomes untenable, I'll need to decide on a new desktop or buy another hard drive and see if I can rig up a triple boot. My desktop is currently a dual boot, from when I added a second hard drive so I could run W7 on my XP machine.

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Originally Posted by Manfred M

Curation would be a good idea, but who would do the curation?

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Aha! Quis custodiet ipsos custodes? ... ;)

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Originally Posted by Cantab

I'm another one still running W7. When W7 becomes untenable, I'll need to decide on a new desktop or buy another hard drive and see if I can rig up a triple boot. My desktop is currently a dual boot, from when I added a second hard drive so I could run W7 on my XP machine.

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I came across a chap at my local camera group still running a Windows 98 machine, and using Office 95... go figure.

For a "dead" language, there is always and Latin phrase to suit every occasion. . .

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Originally Posted by William W

What is an emoticon?

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Whaaaaaat!

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Originally Posted by Cantab

I'm another one still running W7. When W7 becomes untenable, I'll need to decide on a new desktop or buy another hard drive and see if I can rig up a triple boot. My desktop is currently a dual boot, from when I added a second hard drive so I could run W7 on my XP machine.

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Semi-good news. "
Writing drivers for Windows 7? You have our sympathy, and three more years

The end is nigh for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008, with extended support coming to a screeching halt on 14 January 2020. However, with various paid options potentially keeping the lights on for another three years, Microsoft has reassured those unfortunates tasked with producing drivers for the legacy OSes that their toils can go on through January 2023."

https://www.theregister.co.uk/2019/1...osoft_roundup/

FWIW ...

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Originally Posted by xpatUSA

Semi-good news. "
Writing drivers for Windows 7? You have our sympathy, and three more years

The end is nigh for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008, with extended support coming to a screeching halt on 14 January 2020. However, with various paid options potentially keeping the lights on for another three years, Microsoft has reassured those unfortunates tasked with producing drivers for the legacy OSes that their toils can go on through January 2023."

https://www.theregister.co.uk/2019/1...osoft_roundup/

FWIW ...

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Interesting indeed, we use temperature/humidity data loggers from a particular manufacturer and they haven't updated their compatibility software in years, when looking at the latest specification for their latest version, it stated compatible with Windows up to version 7, not compatible with 8.1 or 10.

As Manfred stated - YouTube videos range from the excellent to the ridiculous! However, the PixImperfect videos on YouTube seem to be generally excellent.

There are usually several ways to accomplish anything using Photoshop. Manesh, in his Piximperfect videos, usually explains things in a way that I can grasp...