Right Place Right Time Photo Tip

It is luck or is it preparation or a little of both – to capture that perfect photograph?

You never know when or where the perfect photo opportunity will present itself.

Capturing a moment with the perfect photo can be an elusive task. Being in the right place at the right time is essential for taking that perfect shot, but the equipment you have can also make or break your photo opportunity. Remember that the “best camera to have” is the one you have with you. That may not always be your professional rig. Fortunately, today, most of us always have a camera at hand because our phone cameras are highly capable devices. A 12 Megapixel image that you have is better than the 24MP (or larger) image sitting at home (or back in the car).

Leaf Peeping in Newton Falls
Leaf Peeping in Newton Falls

As an example, the image above was from our trip last fall – right in front out our Holiday Inn Express near Newton Falls, Ohio. We were leaving to go to dinner – the light was perfect, the autumn foliage was spectacular and the sky was a beautiful blue. My Olympus gear was packed away back upstairs and it would have taken 15 minutes or so to come back with the “right” gear. After 440 miles of driving, we were tired and hungry, so I grabbed a few shots with my iPhone 12. I also thought (planning ahead, right?) that the morning sun would provide wonderful light for that same tree, albeit from a different angle. However, the next morning it was very windy and raining and nearly all the leaves were gone. Right place at “exactly” the right time, right?

Rainbow Panorama Olivees Mountain St. Kitts
Rainbow Panorama over Olivees Mountain on St. Kitts Island. This rainbow appeared after a quick morning shower that happened while enjoying a late morning coffee on the deck of a cruise ship. The rainbow would not wait for a “better” camera than the old iPhone 6 I had at the time. Yes, this image has sold multiple times.

When you’re out and about looking for a great photo opportunity, it helps to have the right tools. Having the best camera on hand can make all the difference in capturing a stunning shot. However, if you’re caught without your professional setup, don’t worry – you likely have a fully-capable camera in your pocket or purse.

Here’s another example that arose just last night (seriously, the night before I wrote this article) while walking along the dunes line at Myrtle Beach, SC. We come here to escape the cold for a few weeks (snowbirds?) and I was out planning where I might get some nice sunset views/shots while we are here. The sky and setting sun were nothing special so I just went for a “planning” walk to set up for future sunsets. As I was heading back to the condo I looed away from the setting sun and saw a cloud with amazing light and color.

colorful cloud over atlantic ocean myrtle beach sc
Colorful Cloud over the Atlantic Ocean at Myrtle Beach, SC

I’m sure you can guess what “camera” I used for that image. Remember, 12MP in your hand trumps 24MP back in the condo.

Yes, photographs by Bill Swartwout are for sale as wall art and on a variety of home decor items.

Link to: Leaf Peeping in Newton Falls

Link to: Rainbow Panorama over Olivees Mountain

Link to the: Bill Swartwout Photography Gallery


Artificial Intelligence Art Imagery

What is the impact of computer-generated and ai imagery on contemporary art?

Yes, I scored the domain, aiArtImagery.com, to support my foray into the world of artworks created with the use of Artificial Intelligence software algorithms and/or websites offering such services. Computer Generated Images (CGI) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) have been in use for a (relatively) long time. We are used to seeing CGI in major motion pictures like Jurassic Park and Star Wars. However, the concept of creating art with Artificial Intelligence by describing, in text, what the desired outcome should be had become somewhat of a buzz-word topic these days.

purple muntain majesty artificial intelligence art example
Purple Mountain Majesty Artificial Intelligence Imagery Example

Computer Generated Imagery (CGI)

Computer-generated imagery (CGI) has had a significant impact on contemporary art. The use of technology in art has allowed artists to create images and animations that were previously impossible to create with traditional methods. CGI has also changed the way that artists create and think about their work, as well as the way that audiences experience and interact with art.

One of the key benefits of CGI in art is that it allows for greater experimentation and exploration. Artists can now create images and animations that are incredibly detailed, complex, and intricate. They can also manipulate and distort reality in new and interesting ways. This has led to the creation of new art forms, such as digital painting and virtual reality installations.

Another impact of CGI on contemporary art is that it has made it more accessible. With the widespread use of computers and digital tools, many more people are now able to create and share their work with a wider audience. This has resulted in a democratization of the art world and has allowed for a wider range of perspectives and voices to be heard.

Finally, CGI has also changed the way that art is experienced and consumed. With the increasing use of digital devices, audiences are now able to engage with art in new and interactive ways. For example, virtual reality installations allow viewers to enter and explore a digital world, while augmented reality apps allow them to experience art in a new and interactive way.

Overall, the impact of CGI on contemporary art has been profound. It has opened up new possibilities for artists, made art more accessible, and changed the way that audiences experience and interact with art.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Imagery

Artificial intelligence (AI) has been increasingly used in the creation of images and other forms of visual art, and its impact on contemporary art has been significant.

One of the main impacts of AI-generated imagery is that it has opened up new possibilities for artists to experiment and create in ways that were previously not possible. For example, AI algorithms can generate new images or animations based on a set of inputs or parameters, allowing artists to create complex and intricate works that would be difficult or impossible to produce manually.

Fenwick Island Lighthouse
Fenwick Island Lighthouse in the “Starry Night” style of Vincent Van Gogh

Another impact of AI on contemporary art is that it has changed the way that art is created and experienced. AI algorithms can create images that are indistinguishable from those made by human artists, leading to debates about the nature of creativity and authorship in the digital age. AI also has the potential to change the way that audiences experience art, by enabling the creation of immersive and interactive experiences that respond to a viewer’s actions.

Finally, AI has also had an impact on the way that art is consumed and distributed. With the increasing use of digital devices and online platforms, AI-generated images and animations can be easily shared and viewed by a global audience, leading to new and diverse forms of artistic expression.

In conclusion, AI has already begun to have a profound impact on contemporary art and it is likely that this will continue to evolve and grow in the future. As AI technologies advance and become more accessible, they will continue to open up new avenues for artistic exploration and expression.

Change has always been upon us.

Like it or not, we are always experiencing change in one form or another. CGI and AI in art is no exception.

I have been exploring this “new fangled” approach to creating images and have started a small online gallery among the good people at Fine Art America. The two images above are, of course available as wall art and on a variety of home decor items. Click an image above or a link below.

Link to: Purple Mountain Majesty Abstraction

Link to: Starry Night at the Fenwick Island Lighthouse

Link to Bill’s AI Gallery: Artificial Intelligence

More Artificial Intelligence at: Fine Art America


This Crab Saw His Shadow

Punxatawney Phil’s got nothing on a Chesapeake Blue Crab

There was a time the Groundhog was as accurate as most weathermen – but that time ended decades ago. Now February 2nd is more a reason for day drinking in Punxatawney, Pennsylvania than for anything truly scientific.

chesapeake blue crab predicting the weather
A Chesapeake Bay Blue Crab can predict the weather with as much accuracy as Punxatawney Phil.

Whether the Pennsylvania rodent sees his shadow or not there are still six and a half weeks until Spring. Here in the Mid-Atlantic region those six weeks of weather can be warmer than average, colder than average or a mixture of random temperatures and precipitation events. Rather random, right?

crab weather meme data sample
Here is a data sample for the “Crab Weather Meme” as posted on social media – one of a few groups less than 24 hours after posting.

The weather throughout the Mid-Atlantic does reflect all four seasons. Sometimes we see them all in the same week – well, not really all four seasons but possibly anything from snow to sunny and 70s within a couple of days. Rather random.

Surprising Engagement on Social Media

What’s cool about the above image is that it was a “meme” I created as a funny post on social media. It was posted to Twitter and a couple of Facebook pages and groups. People must have liked it because I was totally shocked at the engagement it created. On FB it received over 800 “Like-Love-Laugh” emoji clicks, over 200 “shares” and over 100 “comments.” Maybe people are tired of the same ol’ same ol’ news reporting from some field in western Pennsylvania. Besides, who enjoys steamed groundhogs every summer? Right?

Link to the original image: Maryland Crab Lurking in an Assateague Marsh

Oh, by the way. It doesn’t matter if the Blue Crab sees his (her?) shadow or not. The weather outlook will always be the same. Randon, right?