mitchellsthoughtsphotosetc

Shooting with AI: Why It’s a Tool for Creators, not a Replacement.

Maverick, The Beatles, and AI: A Photographer’s Solo Birthday Adventure

A few days ago, I went solo to the USS Intrepid as part of my birthday festivities. I am not into birthdays. But feel the need to do something special. Maybe it is a cultural thing. I haven’t been to the ship in many years. Last time, I probably needed Goose, Maverick, and Iceman to fly in and save me—long story.

I spent some time taking pictures on the ground level at Pier 86. I shot the Growler and Concorde. It was quite sunny, and I was using a Nikkor 24-70 F2.8 with a polarizing filter—sunglasses for my lens. I was wearing those for my eyes. All was well; I decided to go onto the Growler Submarine. It is gray. I wish it were yellow another long story. From the second I boarded the Growler until I left the Intrepid, I sang “Yellow Submarine” in my head.

How AI helped My Shots on the Intrepid and a Few Weeks Ago at Coney Island’s Sand Sculpture Contest

Filter Issues

While waiting in a short line to enter the Growler, I wanted to switch to a clear filter. No need for such a polarizing filter indoors. At least not in this case. I could not get the polarizer off. A few weeks ago, while in camp, I had a similar issue with my 24-120. I gave up and spent more time in Photoshop. I was determined to switch filters.

I Googled my issue. Google sent me many sites. All I wanted was a clear answer. I switched to asking in AI mode. It was so direct. It gave me three straightforward options. I didn’t have what was needed for the first two choices. So, I was left to try the third one. It told me to make my index finger and thumb into a C and place it on the filter. It then said to start turning, and it should loosen. It also had a video, which I watched. I tried it, and the filter popped right off, and I swapped on the one I needed.

Yellow Submarine

As I was boarding, I asked the attendant to take a shot of me in front of the Regulus missile. I was far from the only one. I texted the shot to a few friends with the caption: It is gray. But I wish it were yellow. An hour later, a friend texted back with her birthday wishes and said she was having fun with AI. She took the picture and made the sub yellow. She then took a picture of me and transposed me in front of the yellow submarine from the cover of the Beatles’ album and placed me on Coney Island’s boardwalk with the Cyclone and Wonder Wheel in the background. It was great that she took my shot from an iPhone and still had fun with AI. The shot wasn’t really created with AI. It was just edited. I still believe in taking the shot yourself – be it with a mobile device or traditional camera.

Transposed to Coney by a Yellow Submarine

Sand Sculpture Contest

Recently, I headed to my home away from home, Coney Island, for its 34^th Annual Sand Sculpture Contest. Dozens of people created great sand art. I had the same lens and polarizing filter. I packed the night before. I put in the lens hood. I popped it onto the lens, and it fit. I didn’t think anything else. I tossed it in my camera bag.

I got to the beach and noticed I was seeing parts of the filter through my lens. I was not happy. I never had that issue. I panicked. I shot without it for a while, and it was fine. But wanted to avoid the glare. I did the usual Google search. It led me to many sites. Finally, I typed in the lens hood model into AI. It responded that I was using the wrong hood. The one I mistakenly bought is for one of my other lenses. I was a little surprised. All of my lenses are different sizes. I never thought this hood I bought was wrong. Alas, it was. It is slightly different in size and does not fit on the lens I brought. But not properly.

Conclusion

I believe the work should come from someone’s creativity. Over the years, many tools have been created to help us when we need them. AI is one of those. If it were not for it, I’d still be stuck trying to get the filter off my lens; I would not have realized my lens hood miscues, and my pal wouldn’t have been able to make her birthday greeting for me. AI will keep offering us help and making our lives easier. I am not sure if it is an infant, toddler, or tween. Not sure it is a teen yet. But maybe. Bottom line, we need to watch it grow and let it help us so we can move ahead.

Good Grief, Google: How AI Saved My NYC Birthday Walk

A few days ago, I celebrated my birthday. I am not into them. To me, it’s just another day. But I do try to do fun things on that day. I started at the Intrepid and spent over three hours there. I took tons of photos on the carrier’s flight deck. I wish Maverick were there. Stay tuned for my AI photography post. It’s gonna land soon.

After I left the Intrepid, I headed down to the Meatpacking District to see the “Snoopy in Style” exhibit on Little West 12^thStreet. My family loves the Peanuts. They say I resemble Charlie Brown. One day I hope to hit that homer or strike out the batter. I am fine with my shortstop using his supper dish for his glove.The Village’s geography is chaotic and how its streets are cut off from each other, is interesting.

I asked Google for directions for the exhibit. Typical of a traditional Google, or any other search engine for that matter, it directed me to many links. Some useful. Some useless. It told me which train or bus to take. Or what streets to walk. Bear in mind I was about 5 minutes away. I told the search engine my exact location.

I switched to an AI search. I was quite direct. I said I was in front of the Gucci store on West 14^th Street. It said I was less than two minutes away and told me exactly what to do. For kicks, I tried it again one block later. This time I said I was in front of Sephora on West 13^th Street. AI told me I was about 30 seconds away. All I had to do was make a right on the next block, onto Little West 12^th Street, and the Peanuts exhibit would be a few doors down.

It was. The line was around the corner. It was closing in less than an hour. So, I went over to City Winery. I plan to try again to see the exhibit.

AI was so direct. I was always taught to explain something like you are explaining it to your grandmother, who might need more direct instructions, rather than being directed to too many options. I was very pleased that it spoke to me as a person who needs a little help and coached me along.

Will AI Create Puzzles in the Tech Age Gap?

From “What is Word” to “What is AI?”

How many times have you heard, “I am too old for this technology. I remember when we did it like this.” This tech could refer to email, texting, social media, and countless other things, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, or the Google Suite.

I am involved in many community activities and chair one of them. My responsibilities include creating and distributing our newsletter using Constant Contact, hosting meetings on Zoom, and managing social media across Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, X, etc. To do most of this I shoot the images with a mirrorless Nikon Z, I use Adobe’s Bridge, Lightroom, and Photoshop. I write most of the material in Word and keep my spreadsheets in Excel or Google Sheets.

Here are three different tales.

Tale 1

At one point, someone was supposed to type reports for a committee. I sent back my edits in Track Changes in Word. He was very confused. He did send his report typed up in an email. He asked me what Track Changes was. I said it is Word’s editing feature. He said, “What’s Word? Is that something new?”

I said no, it was created when I was in the eighth grade, and the editing feature came out a few years later. Bear in mind this person was 71.

Tale 2

At the same time, I worked on a PowerPoint for a podcast I was coordinating with one of my heroes. He and I created the slides and ran the event in unison. He was 91 at the time.

A week ago, to help me with my newsletter, he sent me an amazing article totally ready to go. All I needed to do was insert it into Constant Contact and pick some images, which I shot and edited.

Tale 3

A week ago, a buddy of mine invited me to a baseball game. He was lucky enough to get field-level seats at the Stadium at no cost. He had to transfer my ticket to me via Ticketmaster.

That was the ride from hell. He tried and tried. Eventually, the ticket landed in my inbox, and I transferred it to my Apple Wallet. He’s only a few years older than me.

AI – The New Wrench

I can go on for several pages with similar stories. But you get the picture. Let’s jump ahead.

Now we have AI. I have been using it to do research and cut back on the menial tasks. I let AI do the work so I can focus on the bigger picture. When I bring this up with some of the people I just spoke about and others, I feel like I am scaring them. I mentioned new apps for them to test. Some have said that we are still learning email.

Yeah, I know someone who still goes to a teller and has never used an ATM. I remember using them in the 80s. I remember lots about that decade – great clothes, music, and leadership.

The Conclusion

Technology will keep offering us ways to make things better and easier. No matter what, there will still be people of all age groups who grasp it and those who do not.

AI and NYC Transit

Do They Mix? Which is Smarter?

Most of us use AI. We find it helpful. We might find it confusing. But we need it, and it makes things easier and helps our lives in countless ways. Now it’s time to discuss how AI interacts with public transportation. In my case, it is the NYC subway system. I am sure all of you can take your city’s public transit system and write your own dialogue. Do it and let’s compare notes.

A few days ago, a buddy I haven’t seen in a decade texted me to ask if I wanted to go to the next day’s Yankees game, v Houston. I immediately asked how much and where the seats were. He texted back images of seats in Field Level Section 110 right between first base and right field. We all know Judge has been out for too long. So, I wouldn’t get a close-up view of his plays.

Nevertheless, I jumped at the opportunity and was thankful. For the record, I miss Paul O’Neill in RF. I trust him more than Judge.

My real worry was the rain. I have been to a few games where Mother Nature was not my friend. The rain delayed the start of the game for only ten minutes. I am sure by the end of the night the Yankees wished the game had been delayed forever or forgotten.

I rarely go to night games. Getting home is not easy. Lately, day games, with all the subway changes, have turned into a trip from hell. I need to take the 4 line from 161 Street – Yankee Stadium and transfer to the Queens-bound R at 59^thStreet and Lexington Avenue.

What to do? The LIRR usually works decently. Yes, I could write an essay about it, too. I could transfer to it. But those trains run hourly. Sometimes late at night the subways run hourly. No, they are not supposed to, but they do. So, I used AI to check my options and checked the respective MTA service change sites and the individual line maps and schedules. Hell, the game was a disaster. I needed something to keep me entertained.

AI told me the R would be running its regular route in Queens. At night, the R doesn’t usually run all the way into Queens. It makes one stop, and you need to transfer to the E. That line is known as the hobo or public restroom train.

AI claimed it pulled this from various MTA sites. I checked myself and the information was mixed. Mixed up, that is.

With my head down after our loss, my friend and I exited the Stadium and walked to our respective subway lines. I took the 4 and decided to transfer to the Queens-bound R. AI told me it was gonna go to my stop. I boarded the R, and it ran it’s one stop, and I transferred to the E. I do have to say, the trains ran on time and didn’t have their usual delays. So, I was better off doing this v. transferring to the LIRR. Sure, I would have rather taken two trains than three. I wish I’d gotten better advice.

I do not blame AI. I blame NYC Transit. AI is getting there. NYC Transit is still trying to get us there.

Yankee Stadium and Tradition

What Happens as You Get Older and Things Cause You to Update?

I follow a lot of traditions. Most are the ones I created myself. I created the first ones at the original Yankee Stadium, when I was 7. I have kept them wholeheartedly. I am very strict. But what happens when things in your life change? Do you keep the tradition, or do you update it to fit your needs?

So here it is. When I exit the 4 subway station, I go down the same flight of stairs and use only one of two turnstiles to exit. I alternate turnstiles at each game. Yes, I remember from the previous one. These days I walk through the park where the original stadium was situated.

Once I am in the Stadium there is much work to do. Before the first inning ends, I must eat a hot dog with mustard, a potato product, and finish a Pepsi. As for the potato product, a knish ranks at the top. But chips or fries will do. Not every stand sells knishes. That’s a shame. The kosher ones do. They are delicious. In the fifth inning, you need to eat peanuts. I never finish the bag. I have a bunch at the top and bottom of the fifth. I bring the bag home and finish. Often, I hand it to one of the people experiencing homelessness outside the stadium.

Current Stadium and Park Where the Old One Lived

Any flavor of ice cream is required in the sixth inning. It can be in a Yankee helmet cup, cone, regular cup, or an ice cream sandwich. Not enough vendors sell ice cream. The lines at the ones that do are too long. I usually go in the middle of the fifth to make sure I have it by the sixth. As for the brand, I am hoping for Good Humor, Mrs. Fields, or Häagen-Dazs. I will not get Ben & Jerry’s. That ice cream is disgusting. You are better off skipping it, and speaking of skipping it. Sometimes you must. It is not unusual for the machines to break down or they run out. That’s not my fault.

Once the 7^th inning starts, I can eat or drink whatever I want. They no longer sell beer after the 7^th inning. Once, I had one in the 7^th. I went with my cousins, and they bought me one for that inning. Anyway, the beer in Stan’s across the street from the real House that Ruth built is cheaper, and they have a better selection. Plus, Stan’s is like Cheers.

Over the last decade, probably longer, I have had less and less soda. It is not good for you because of the sugar, and it can irritate your bladder. As someone who has had four kidney stones, I am careful. Soda is at the top of the list of no-nos. Spinach is up there. But I have never seen it at the Stadium. I do miss both.

So, what to do? I buy the Pepsi and take a sip or two, and somehow it falls and spills on me. Or spills into the sink in the bathroom. I am too clean to let it spill on the floor in the stands. Sadly, too many people do. Water is the best thing to drink for bladder health. Heck, we all know it is the healthiest thing to drink. I have added water to my beverage mix. I sometimes drink it before the 7^th inning. I do not want to dehydrate. I do wish to overhydrate. I have had that problem.

So, as long as I follow as closely as possible, with minor medical adjustments, I believe I am staying within my traditions. By the way, when the game is over, I exit via a certain stairway and try to enter the 4 subway station through a specific entrance. However, I am not beholden to that.

Anat and Dan Return to the US

Aside from the incident during dinner at La Maggiore, Anat and Dan had an amazing time. They have been home for two days. Both took the day after they landed to chill. Anat sent their laundry out, and they unpacked all the new clothes and jewelry they’d purchased. Dan got some things for his parents. Anat was a little upset she couldn’t do that. But at this stage in her life, she knew the deal and carried on.

A bruised Christy A. was still causing trouble throughout the city. She barely recovered from the beatdown she took a few weeks ago. Rumor had it, Jay was still in bad shape. She could move as fast as she normally did. Christy figured her speed would return in due time. But it was taking too long. Impatient she is.

Anat actually had to go into her office. She had meetings that needed to be in person. She was not pleased. But she was thrilled to be wearing her new Zegna dress with shoes from Ferragamo. She walked down to her office and heard people screaming. She figured the city’s usual nuts were going wild. She kept heading toward her office on Park Avenue.

The screaming was getting louder. She heard everything over her AirPods, which were playing Lebanon Hanover and Strawberry Switchblade. She stopped and took a look around. She saw Christy limping away. She also saw some people on the ground and lots of stale bread.

Anat had no interest in a fight. She walked to the front door of her building and smiled at the security guard. He waved. Christy was a few feet behind her. Her arms shook. Anat turned away from her office building and headed toward Dunkin, which was where Christy was outside sipping coffee. Anat fired some raisins and prunes at Christy. A few landed in her coffee, which wound up splashing Christy in the face. She dropped her coffee cup and rubbed her cheeks. Anat just stared at her.

Christy started yelling. She fell to the ground. Anat laughed, walked back to her building, and went to work.

Holy Places. The Places that Make You Feel at Peace.

Yankee Stadium, Coney Island, Ten Mile River Scout Camps and the Kotel

We all have places we visit that calm, energize, and bring peace and a sense of reason. They change over the years. Some get stronger. Some weaker. Some you eliminate.

For me, the top places include Yankee Stadium, Coney Island, Ten Mile River Scout Camps (TMR) and the Kotel (Western Wall). For the record, all of Israel does it and so do a few other camps. But TMR is at the top of the list.

How does this work? Well, it is different in each case. For example, as the 4 subway line pulls into 161^st – Yankee Stadium, I feel a certain charge. I stand up as it approaches the station and stand by the exit door. I always go down the same stairwell and alternate between two turnstiles, depending on which one I exit from. Then you see greatness – The Stadium. Yes, the original Stadium was far superior and brought a deeper feeling. But the new one has its merits and is growing on me. It has been since day one. I look at it in awe. And all is right with the world. I take a walk to the hallowed grounds where the original one sat and say a few prayers to win the World Series. Hasn’t happened in a while. Too long. But I try.

After I go through security and enter this holy building, I am ready. Of course, as the game goes on and if we start losing, the happy feelings turn to despair. But I keep coming back, ready for victory and the joy it brings.

When I get off the train at Stillwell Avenue and see the lifeguard chair in the station as I am walking towards Nathan’s Famous and the boardwalk, I feel this excitement. You never know what the day will bring. I see the Cyclone, the Wonder Wheel, and in the distance the holy waters where the Coney Island Polar Bears swim, and during the regular season families go and spend their day(s) enjoying the beach. Who says the winter isn’t the regular season? Many think it is. I do.

Walking along the boardwalk and seeing all the characters and the little kids hoping they are tall enough for the Cyclone makes you feel all is right with the world. I usually go straight to the Cyclone and ride it several times. Then I decide on my next ride. I always walk along the beach and let the sand pile up in my sneakers. I head over to the Wonder Wheel and play some games. I win lots of toys. Then the time comes when you need to board the subway and head home. I look back at the beach and rides and board, knowing I had a great time and probably ran into many of my Coney pals.

I am chairman of the Ten Mile River Scout Museum. As we drive along 97, the road that leads to camp, I feel I am 12 years old again. I jump a few years into my teens and remember all the friends I made at this camp. I am still friends with many. Sadly, some, like My Leader and Uncle Funky, are at the great campsite in the sky.

I always make sure I get to the section where I spent my teen years earning merit badges, listening to great music, such as the Ramones, U2, Depeche Mode and the Clash, as well as spending lots of time in Rock Lake; it rocks. That section is now gone. Nature has taken it over. But when I am there, I channel back to the 80s and feel incredible. I still jump into the lake and hike the trails. I walk by the cement blocks that once held important buildings, such as the nature and handicraft lodges, offices and latrines. Then we get to the gate and drive back to the other sections, full of kids, great programming, and camp food. We are all smiles.

When the El Al jet lands at Ben-Gurion Airport, I feel at home. The first time I went to Israel, I didn’t feel like a tourist. I felt I was returning home. Yes, I had no idea where I was. But I didn’t feel that way. There is something about that place that makes you feel you’ve always been there. I went through security, got my luggage and got to my hotel. I have done this many times. The excitement grows each time.

I check my bags and immediately walk to the Kotel. Tears fall from my eyes as I get there and place my head against it. Yes, I stuff notes in it. Some are mine and some were given to me by others. I feel connected to the world and the higher one. Sometimes I talk to others. We all take pictures of each other to text home to Mom and others.

I spend a few days in Jerusalem and travel. I might go north to Safed or south to Eilat. The feeling never leaves me. Eventually, I wind up on Tel Aviv’s stunning beaches. I am often the first one out. I am an early riser and am often sitting on my lounge chair or in the Mediterranean Sea around 7 a.m. or 8 a.m. Walks along the boardwalk are different than walks along Coney’s boardwalk. Although sometimes they are similar. You meet lots of interesting people and partake in lots of great food and drink.

Bottom line, everyone has these places locked into their hearts and souls. I don’t know which one(s) will come next. I know the places I discussed will always remain at the top.

Tripping Up AI with Apple Music and YouTube

It Knows What Tunes I Like. Or Does It?

Many of us who work from home, or are home most of the day, spend a lot of time listening to music. We all have our music apps of choice. For the most part, I use Apple Music and YouTube. I have more albums and homemade playlists on Apple than I can count.

Those of you who have read my posts know I favor ’80s new wave and goth tunes, with classic rock and a few other things mixed in. The mixed-in includes some disco. Yeah, I remember the Disco Sucks pins in the 70s. A lot of it does suck. But not all. Classical, opera, and theater music are also in heavy rotation. Country has never been, and never will be, mixed in.

Other than when I go to sleep, all my music is from the digital platforms. Bedtime is from my CD player. Yeah, they still exist and sound fine. I often let Apple Music or YouTube make a mix. It almost always has mixes I can click on as soon as I log in.

AI creates the setlist. It knows what bands I listen to most often, as well as the songs from those bands. It is not unusual for the lists to be heavy on Bauhaus, Bowie, the Beatles, the

Cure, Erasure, Echo & the Bunnymen, Elton John, Depeche Mode, Love & Rockets, the Ramones, Siouxsie and the Banshees, and a few other bands. You get the picture. I am sure you can pick the rest. Feel free to enter your comments in the chat section.

For the most part, my AI music lists are spot on. But I trip it up. It’s not hard. I often add stuff like ABBA, the Bee Gees, Jackson Browne, “La Bohème,” the Village People, and “Tosca.” Feel free to guess some of the others. You’d be right if you picked Prince, Led Zep, and the Who. All are heavily in the rotation.

Apple often says, “Mitchell’s Mix.” It adds a hyphen and says light, rocking, chill, etc. For the most part, it does a decent job. I guess it is learning my tastes. Occasionally it adds the Grateful Dead. When that happens, I immediately exit the list. I have never listened to them and never will.

AI is doing a great job with my playlists. However, like all of us, it is still learning. I think it’ll get there. But who knows what I will pop in to confuse it?

Anat and Dan Go Away

A Crazy Woman Attacks Little Kids at Lake Maggiore

Dan dropped Jerry and Gili off at his parents’ home for babysitting. He and Anat were getting ready to go to the airport for their flight to Milan. Anat’s been there before. Dan’s first time. She loves swimming in Lake Maggiore and, of course, the Italian food and wine. She knew it would be hot when they went. But they didn’t care. It was their first vacation since Gili was born.

All was well at JFK. Security and boarding were easy. Anat had her TSA pass, and Dan had his NYPD ID. They chilled at the gate and walked onto the jet. They fastened their seatbelts and took off.

Several hours late they landed and took a cab to the hotel. They went for pizza, wine, and gelato, changed into their swimwear, and jumped into the lake. They were very happy. Anat was so pleased she learned to swim. She pushed her bad days at her camp’s waterfront behind her. Heck, she was even friends with her old nemesis, Jen. She realized Jen wasn’t evil. She was just an obnoxious little kid and teen. Anat was mature enough to let bygones be bygones.

The two exited the lake, went back to their room for a shower, and got ready for dinner. They took an evening walk along the lake before reaching the restaurant, where they sat down and ordered wine and fish. All was well.

Suddenly, they heard strange noises by the fence near Lake Maggiore. They figured it was nothing and sipped their wine. Then they heard screams. A crazy person was attacking little kids. Anat thought they were away from all the crazies. She was hoping for peace and fun with her husband. She glanced at the nut. She figured the police would take care of things. But nothing happened. She kept watching.

Finally, she had enough. She put down her wine glass and quickly walked over to the lake. A few kids were crying. Two were bleeding. The crazy person looked familiar. But Anat couldn’t place her. She figured it was her eyes playing tricks on her. Anat yelled at her in English and Italian. The woman kept going after people.

The next thing people saw were prunes and raisins flying out of Anat’s hands and eyes. All landed on the attacker. She tried to block them by crazily swinging her arms. She slowed down. Anat told her to go away. The person ran toward Anat and tried to punch her.

She missed. But Anat’s raisins didn’t. She was hit right in the head. She started spinning around. The injured kids were being cared for by their parents. Most already left the area. Anat kept firing. Finally, the woman screamed and fell over the fence into Lake Maggiore. Anat walked back to her table and ordered another glass.

Marc and Alana are Still in Camp

A Fight with the Camp Staff Occurs

They woke to sounds of a truck. They saw that the ranger staff was driving around. It was odd that they were in the same section as Marc and Alana. That site has been left for the dead. But they figured they were making their rounds and just checking on things. Sometimes people abandoned autos and dumped trash here. Sad.

Driving the truck was the idiot who destroyed parts of Marc’s childhood. Alana was washing up with water from one of their canteens. This site’s water and electric was turned off in the 90s. The two of them brought in all the supplies they needed to survive. They did purify some of the water from a stream. They bathed in the lake. At least they bathed.

Marc saw the guy get out of his truck. The two eyed each other. Marc was told he wasn’t supposed to be at this site. Marc told the guy where to go. He responded by coming after Marc with a shovel. Marc laughed.

Pomegranates shot out of Marc’s hands and eyes. Barley followed. The shovel-carrying ranger fell. Marc laughed. He kept firing. The ranger started crying. Marc asked him why he destroyed parts of his former campgrounds. The guy was shaking and too scared to answer.

Marc was usually mild-mannered and peaceful, and he only used his powers to protect those being attacked. But he felt like this was using them in self-defense. He believed he had been attacked and would stop at nothing to make sure the attacker was down for the count.

The ranger started to cry. Marc pelted him with more barely. Alana was oblivious. She was too busy dealing with her hair and texting Marc’s mom to see how her twins were doing.

Marc finally stopped. He told the idiot he fought with never to cross him again. The guy, hysterical and crying, shook his head in the affirmative. Marc walked away and poured a bowl of Frosted Flakes.