I wear glasses, and I regularly throw heavy objects, my cameras, against them. The lenses get scratched up. I went to Davis Optical the other day to get them replaced.
Davis is an old-fashioned family run business in the heart of the decrepit University District. "Have you been in before," the woman behind the counter asked. "Yes, of course." "Then let me look you up."
What she did next nearly floored me. She opened a drawer. She pulled out a 4"x6" grey envelope with my records in it.. "Here you are," she said. "There’s no computer!" I exclaimed in astonishment. I looked behind the counters and around the room. There was no computer anywhere to be seen.
She did not need to open a program, then open a file, then type in a query, then select an option, and then scroll down to see my prescription, and then open up another dialog box, and then search for my lens and frame choice. That would have consumed minutes, not counting mistaken mouse clicks. Instead, she opened a drawer, and she pulled out an envelope. It took five seconds.
As with any type of work, the key is to pick the right tools and techniques for the job and the situation. Sometimes computers add unnecessary complexity, but other times, using them is like driving across town instead of having to walk.
Anyway, I enjoy your thoughts on various things affecting photographers these days.
Posted by: Wayne | July 11, 2006 at 04:40 PM