Nurturing my new creative inner child
In my quest to nurture my creative side and cultivate a more sustainable business model, I’ve found myself ever increasingly navigating the intricate realm of computer software. For nearly two decades, WordPress has been my trusted companion. The transformations it has undergone over the years have left me both impressed and intrigued.
These changes have significantly accelerated the process of delivering content, be it words or images. However, achieving this level of proficiency demanded a fair share of deep learning and practice.
Once upon a Time…
Yes, once upon a time, a new website would miraculously appear in Google search results within 20 minutes. Alas, those days are long gone! It seems that the digital giants now play hard to get, requiring a bit of financial persuasion before they shower new sites with their advertising algorithms. Nevertheless, the age-old tactic of linking, be it on vintage or modern websites, remains a sturdy endeavour. The inclusion is akin to receiving a “vote of confidence” from established sites.
A future we never imagined has not only arrived, it’s taking over
Speaking of efficiency (and feelings), the advent of AI, including ChatGPT, has been a game-changer. These tools have undoubtedly saved countless hours, but heed their cautionary advice – it’s vital to have a firm grasp of your subject!
Of concern for sometime has been the big AI corporate players setting up computers to “scrape” images from web sites, without the consent of creators/artists. Then using it so the great-unwashed can upload an image and ask AI to modify it in the style and likes of a great artist. Currently some clever people have figured out how to embed a sort of poison in a pixel that’ll potentially bring down the AI collection/ stock of scraped image content on their servers. Watch this space!
WordPress has introduced nifty features to assist us in crafting well-structured content. Still, I tend to prefer a more direct approach. Perhaps subconsciously, I believe that my chosen AI machine is gradually assimilating my style across various ventures. After all, drafting a submission for a legislative committee differs greatly from creating content for a client’s website or crafting the next great novel!
Let’s shift our focus to the world of search engines. The traditional approach involves inputting a query and sifting through countless results. In contrast, AI offers a unique perspective, a conglomerate of information from various sources. If all goes well, it can save you a considerable amount of time, but, as always, user discretion is advised. And by-the-way having found Google Analytics to be a bit of a pain to setup, let alone understanding the results; I note they now have an upgrade underway, but for me too late… WordPress has nailed it neatly (message me if you’d like to get on the path to knowing what’s going on in your WP site).
Now, as we all transition to the realm of even more photography, it’s evident that high-end mobile phones, like the iPhone 14 and onwards, are a force to be reckoned with. Professional photographers find anonymity among crowds, but for those of us who chase extreme weather conditions for the perfect shot, these devices are akin to slippery bars of soap, especially when our fingers lose all sensation. And I find touch screens do not like wet fingers!
A full-bodied DSLR makes for faster and sure image captures
Post-production remains a time-consuming task, whether it involves cropping and enhancing images taken or created. The key to efficiency lies in establishing a robust workflow. Surprisingly, many are unaware that a Mac’s Finder allows us to add keywords to images, aiding in quick retrieval, especially when our memories are hazy after an event.
While matching keywords to image files on portable devices seems elusive, numerous competent apps are at your service. In fact, many professional photographers now wield tablets with styluses to perform extensive edits. The possibilities are endless!
In closing, my friends, I hope you’ve enjoyed this brief glimpse into the evolving landscapes of website management and photography. Feel free to peruse my blog post for a deeper dive into these realms, and as always, thank you for entrusting me with your websites.
My latest folly:
Wishing you a wonderful day, and if you ever need assistance with your hosting or website, I’m just a message away.
Warm regards,
Donald Lousley
