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immobile

immobile
Haven’t posted (or done) an HDR in a while, this one seemed alright. I especially liked that I processed it through plugins only – Photomatix, Lightroom, and ColourEfex Pro… no Photoshop.

This week I was supposed to get an iPhone. I had been wanting one for a while as the “photographers” phone of choice. Big pretty screen, built in camera, applications to post and do stuff to images that you take. The ability to carry around a portfolio was a strong compulsion to my own self-justification; “if I can show my work, and get a job, it’ll pay for itself!”

Mel knows this and decided it’d make a good Christmas present this year. So when Bell announced they’d launch the iPhone last week I was online ordering one up right away.

See, what you may not know (what I didn’t know) is that you can’t order a new phone for an existing account online. You’d think that with me logged onto my account and clicking a “buy” button they’d think ‘this guy’s buying himself a new phone to replace the old one.’ Nope. They figure you want a new account (that’d make 3 – one for work, one for home, and one for iPhone).

I went through a bit of an ordeal over the phone, trying to let them LET me keep my phone, pay whatever ridiculous difference the upgrade is vs. a new activation [read: $750] and the reps were helpful, for the most part, they really were. But all this time on hold (about 2.5 hours) really made me THINK about what the heck I was doing. Waiting around to pay a lot – pretty much a percentage of a new computer, or camera, both of which are getting a bit out of date for me – PLUS trying, desperately, to LET them have me increase my monthly bill… double it really.

I realized how fucking crazy I was.

I hardly use my phone now. Sure, maybe I’d use a smart-phone more, but not as a phone, and all things in perspective my camera body is 4 years old and my PC just about the same… so screw it. I took advantage of what was, apparently, my only option: sending the phone back, contract cancelled, money refunded.

Sure, I may not have an iPhone this week. But I’m not out about a grand a year in data plan fees and I’m certainly not down a $750 device. I’ll manage fine without one. Surprisingly, it was the time spent on hold with Bell that lead me to this epiphany – so thank you Bell, your immobility in letting me keep the phone shipped to me ultimately let me exonerate myself of any need or desire of the purchase.
A sobering experience.

7 thoughts on “immobile

  1. calusarus says:

    A very nice perspective

  2. Eugene says:

    Great post. I enjoyed reading the introspective though process behind NOT getting the iPhone. I don't have one, and though I think it would be nice to own, I don't think the expenses justify the benefits…I'd rather save up some money for the Canon 5d Mark II, haha!

  3. Great shot!!!! Love that 15mm perspective and the colors are very punchy and nice. That may be the best shot of that bridge I've seen, ever!

  4. Erinn says:

    Nice one. The warped perspective doesn't quite do it for me, but the colours and tones are pleasing enough.

    I also have been toying with getting an iPhone, but the data plan and the fact that I don't use my phone much also has turned me off of it.

  5. Ariel says:

    Really nice image. Doesn't look as an HDR at all, which is good!
    Regarding the iPhone, I think it's just crazy, but many people do it anyway. If you want a portable device to take picture, spend the same amount of money to get a Panasonic GF1, Olympus E-P1, or any other of these new great pocket cameras. Don't waste your money on an hybrid device. Just my 2 cents…

  6. Travis. says:

    This great HDR because *I can't tell it's HDR!* Well done.

  7. Matt says:

    I love this photo.

    But I also love my iPhone.