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| Pizza, Beer (Mammoth Lakes) - Sierra Nevada 2024 |
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| Coffee, Muffin (Mammoth Lakes) - Sierra Nevada 2024 |
My usual pizza and beer at the place next to my motel in Mammoth Lakes. Then, a walk down to a new coffee place for coffee and muffin (Sony RX100 on the table). iPhone photos.
Compare to shot taken earlier this year in Monterey County with my old, now missing, Canon GX5.
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| Sony RX100m7 - Marin County 2024 |
So, my Canon G5XII went missing during one of my recent Los Angeles trips (under suspicious circumstances). One of the contributing problems was that I was mainly using my iPhone for photos during the trip, so I didn't notice when the Canon went missing. (An earlier version of the Canon also went missing, that time in Vancouver.)
Alas, Canon no longer makes the G5XII. Not only that, used models are now selling at a premium, far above what I had paid for the camera new.
I've since replaced it with a Sony RX100 VII (seen above and hereafter known as the RX100m7, or maybe just RX100). I tried an earlier RX100 model in 2015, but preferred a Canon G5X at the time. Since the above photo was taken I've installed an add-on grip, which seems to help in the ergonomic department.
Below, the missing Canon at a coffee shop in Monterey County.
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| Coffee, Morning Bun, Canon G5XII - Monterey County 2024 |
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| Ogden Drive House Afternoon - Los Angeles 2024 |
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| Highlander - Fresno County 2024 |
Leaving Los Angeles . . . making sure that the AC was turned off and the refrigerator unplugged. Then the drive back up Highway 5.
So, actually there were two trips to Los Angeles in July, the first one with Hali and the second with Shawna (and Nolan). The photos I've posted were taken during both trips with an iPhone 12 Pro Max. (I brought my Canon G5XII, but didn't use it. Then it somehow went missing during the first trip.)
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| Railroad Building #1 (Colfax) - Washington 2024 |
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| Railroad Building #2 (Colfax) - Washington 2024 |
These extremely photogenic ramshackle buildings were located around the corner from my motel!
Top photo taken with an Olympus E-M1II / 25mm lens combo. The bottom one was taken with a Canon G5XII.
Alas, the Canon vanished during one of my recent Los Angeles trips, and, to make matters worse, Canon no longer manufactures that camera. What's interesting is that it's commanding a premium price when listed as used on eBay, far above what I had originally paid when new.
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| Canadian Pacific (Fernie) - Canada 2024 |
Raining. I think some drops might have gotten on the Canon's lens. I don't recall the makeup of the rest of the train.
By the way, I just found out that Fernie is located quite close to some open-pit coal mines. Trains travel to west coast ports for the coal to be exported.
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| Cows - Montana 2024 |
Seen from a side road that I was directed to by Google Maps. I slowed down, rolled down the passenger window and took this photo with a Canon G5XII.
The side roads were supposed to get me to my destination faster, but then there were more photo ops. So, probably not faster at all.
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| Google Maps on iPhone - Montana 2024 |
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| Salt Ponds (vertical) - San Francisco 2024 |
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| Salt Ponds (horizontal) - San Francisco 2024 |
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| Buckeyes, Redwoods, Fog (Fairfax) - Marin County 2024 |
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| Oak Branches, Fog (Fairfax) - Marin County 2024 |
Top: Canon G5XII. Next: Nikon Z7II.
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| San Francisco Skyline - Marin County 2024 |
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| Skyline Observers - Marin County 2024 |
Returning from San Francisco and stopping at the overlook. Very blustery! Taken with a Canon G5XII.
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| Jasmine Fine Art Academy - San Francisco 2024 |
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| Kent Cleaners - San Francisco 2024 |
Sightems seen as I was walking to a lunch with Marilyn (my former co-worker) at a Korean restaurant on Geary.
After we left I took a shot of us reflected in the large window across the street with my Canon G5XII.
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| Mike, Marilyn (Brothers Restaurant) - San Francisco 2024 |
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| Coffee, Morning Bun, Canon G5XII - Monterey County 2024 |
The plan was to get coffee and a morning bun (from my regular spot in "The Crossroads" shopping center just off highway 1 near Carmel) then pay an early morning visit to Point Lobos.
Alas, when I arrived at the entrance to Point Lobos there was a problem: a large truck had stalled blocking the road into the park. No definitive time for reopening.
I managed to turn the Toyota around while I contemplated my options.
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| Buckeye, Maple - Marin County 2023 |
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| Trees, Lagunitas Creek - Marin County 2023 |
Top photo taken with a largish Nikon Z7II / 24-200mm lens combo. Bottom one taken with a small Canon G5XII.
Both photos look pretty good to me! But I could make a humongous print from the Nikon photo, if I wanted to.
It looks like the Canon G5XII has been discontinued . . .
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| Alley Sign (Chinatown) - San Francisco 2023 |
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| Building for Sale, Art (Chinatown) - San Francisco 2023 |
The Canon G5XII is great for taking photos in the rain. Nice and small, can be easily tucked under one's parka.
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| Buckeye - Marin County 2023 |
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| Buckeye - Marin County 2023 |
Top photo taken with a Canon G5XII, bottom one with an Olympus E-M1II.
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| Crows, Alpenglow - Bishop 2023 |
7:00 AM, walking around Bishop. Taken with a Canon G5XIII.
Do crows have free will? That's the question that hasn't been discussed enough, I feel. For example, in this photo most of the crows are at the dumpster. One is off to the side, four are on the overhead wire, and one is on the roof. Is this arrangement hierarchical, random, somehow brought about by a special crow algorithm? Or did the birds freely decide on their own where they should place themselves?
I've already asked ChatGPT to weigh in on the subject. Here's another try, this time bringing humans into the mix:
The question of free will is a complex and debated topic in philosophy, neuroscience, and psychology. The concept of free will refers to the ability of individuals to make choices and decisions independent of external constraints or deterministic forces.
In the case of humans, the debate about free will often involves discussions about the nature of consciousness, determinism, and the role of biology and environment in shaping behavior. Some argue that humans have free will, while others posit that our choices are ultimately determined by factors such as genetics, upbringing, and societal influences. It's important to note that perspectives on free will can vary among philosophers, scientists, and scholars.
As for crows, the question is different because animals are generally not attributed with the same level of cognitive complexity as humans. While animals, including crows, exhibit intelligent behaviors and problem-solving abilities, the philosophical concept of free will is often associated with higher-order cognitive processes that may be more developed in humans.
In both cases, discussions about free will often intersect with debates about consciousness, determinism, and the nature of decision-making. The answers to these questions are not clear-cut, and opinions may vary depending on one's philosophical, scientific, or religious beliefs.
I've heard it said the ChatGPT is a kind of advanced Autocorrect. Maybe so, but this is quite impressive!
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| Photographer (Melrose Avenue) - Los Angeles 2023 |
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| Photographer (Melrose Avenue) - Los Angeles 2023 |
Photos taken with the small and discreet Canon G5XII.
Looks like I'll have to work on my down-on-the-sidewalk photo stance.
Somewhat related to earlier 2015 photos.
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| City View - Japan 2023 |
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| River View - Japan 2023 |
The line for tickets was so long that we were wondering if we should leave and try to get a taxi. But we persevered and eventually got to the ticket window, got the tickets and within a few minutes we were on the Skyliner. Quite modern, with nice comfortable seats. Fast, too.
I used the Canon G5XII for some last "out of the window" Japan photos.
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| Rain, Grocery Store (Tokyo) - Japan 2023 |
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| Flowers, Rain (Tokyo) - Japan 2023 |
So, it had rained in Kyoto, and then a few times upon our return to Tokyo. Photos taken at night using a small Canon G5XII.
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| Heron, Playing Field (Fairfax) - Marin County 2023 |
Keeping an eye on me and on the dog romping in the background. I used the extremely lightweight Canon G5XII.
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| Rain, Oaks (Fairfax) - Marin County 2023 |
Standing under the porch during an April downpour. I used a Canon G5XII.
