This is an odd little film with no real focus other than some advice about birding and a few other things including the idea of dealing with criticism, something that we seem to have developed an aversion to especially when you consider things like online criticism.
You reached out and asked me for advice regarding birding, journaling, and YouTube, of all things, so this was my first attempt at supplying a bit of advice. I’ll eventually get to the journaling thing, which I do believe, is one of the most important things you can do, but also what seems like one of the most misunderstood endeavors I’m involved in.
We now live in an age when people are semi-raised not by parents but by algorithms. This has changed nearly every aspect of our culture and society including how we deal with adversity, praise, and our own basic development. I’m an outsider in this brave, new world. My roots were planted way back when, which doesn’t make me more right or wrong, it just provides a different worldview. I think Miami Vice was the most influential television show of all time. You might disagree. Voicing your disagreement does not make you “a grumpy old man,” it just means you have a different opinion.
Comments 8
I love your updates, Milnor. Can definitely do without a minute of you chewing snacks. Your Albania journal is indeed coming along quite nicely. I would love one, when you feel it’s ready. If that happens. No dissing on spaghetti here. Merlot of pastas made me smile. Oh, I didn’t upgrade to Sonoma for years because I knew it would make unhappiness with my 2018 MacBook Pro. I decided to go with a 2023 Mac Book Pro, since the AppleCare was expired. See, thats how they keep us upgrading. Love seeing you traipsing with the snow. Love the look in black and white. Question: Once you send the XT5 back, are you back to an XT-4? I just discovered the Merlin Bird ID app. “Profound misunderstanding of what the professional industry is.” – Nicely put. Here’s to constructive criticism. My opinion is not 85%, 100% as far as getting the work out there. “It’s not Willy Wonka.” Ha ha. Thank you, Dan. Nice to see you.
Author
Hey Hannah,
Nope, I have both the XH2 and the XH2s and I use a Nikon Zf for my short lens stuff now. Am actually thinking of getting a Z8 and 150-600 for my birding “work.”
Good one! But different and a bit od. I would classify the first half as experimental. I would recommend a bird guide book instead of a app for beginners. Its slower but its like using a dictionary instead of google translate you will find something else way more interesting while you search. With birds, you need exposure as in experience Just watch them an app will not help. A book you can browse back and forward and in many cases enjoy the artwork. For europe i recommend svensson. However i still have my trusty old johnsson which i admire. I recently read an article about svensson how is still working. Thats an artist to interview! Fantastic he is actually drawing the birds in the field. Look him up.
My advice look at the birds behaviour and read the texts. I was forced to watch birds since i cam remember and most species i know i identify by how they move and behave.
Anyway i enjoyed that a lot.
Yours
frank
Milnorist
Author
Good advice. I have found, however, that modern folks have an aversion to carrying ANYTHING outside of their phone. I have both but do use the app more because I am normally carrying so much else.
Wonderful advice to those thinking “pro”. I second every little part of it. In my opinion, as a profession, at least for some of us based in the UK economy, it started to go wrong mid-eighties. Those coming after us didn’t know what had been lost, hence those innocents who mocked the idea of there having earlier been a photographic golden age. Baby, I caught the end of it, and believe me, for a couple of decades, being a fashion/calendar photographer had all the aura and fringe benefits of rock stardom. As I suggested, I grabbed the tail of Icarus just before he began to fall from the skies. I doubt he will ever fly again.
In what was probably his final recorded interview, Peter Lindbergh, apart from talking about the new young turks, of whom he thought little, said pretty much that. I’m pretty sure I watched a video where David Bailey says the same thing. It’s over; the clients have morphed into something else, and that is the irreversible kiss of death.
Author
Yes, it was a decline that happened over several decades. Part of this was caused by new generations not taking the time to learn what came before, so they gave up their rights without even thinking about it, not knowing they could have retained them.
Really enjoyed this, may even watch it again! I love spaghetti. I have a couple of guesses about what’s happening in two weeks that will make us call you a hypocrite. You getting back on Instagram?
Author
Spaghetti is essential.