My Favorite Stuff in 2021
So these aren’t necessarily new things released in 2021, just the favorite things that I’ve read, watched, bought or used this year. Plus some stuff that I haven’t, but would like to.
Books
Unseen (Sara Hagerty)
The Freedom of Self-Forgetfullness (Tim Keller)
On Photographing People and Communities (Dawoud Bey)
The Photographer’s Playbook (Aperture)
Love Does (Bob Goff)
Film Art (Bordwell & Thompson)
I realize I haven’t read any fiction this year. I need to rectify that in 2022. I’d like to re-read Asimov’s Foundation, at least the first book in the series.
Movies
The Lighthouse
We Bought a Zoo
Palmer
The Boondock Saints
Garden State
Photograph
TV
Ted Lasso
The Morning Show
Foundation
Photo Gear
Panasonic Lumix S5
Panasonic Lumix 85mm f/1.8
Sony ZV-E10
Sony 20mm f/2.8
iPad Pro
The S5 is the camera I’ve used and enjoyed most for photography. After years with Fujifilm gear, I expected it to be capable but maybe not as much fun. But it’s surprised me in terms of how nice the design and ergonomics are, as well as the technical specs. The video autofocus is still frustrating for moving subjects though.
I’m enjoying the little Sony ZV-E10 more and more. The image quality is excellent and it’s very light and comfortable so I carry it pretty much everywhere. Comparing it to my previous Fuji cameras, it’s cheaper and more simple, but without a viewfinder and the nice film simulations.
Software
Somewhat reluctantly I’m back with Adobe. I need to use Premiere Pro for video projects, so it makes sense to get Creative Cloud and use Lightroom for stills too. I still think that Capture One, Exposure and DaVinci Resolve are great options though if you’re not tied to any one system.
For mobile, these are the apps currently on my home screen:
Notes
Journey
YouVersion (Bible)
Squarespace
Lightroom
Pixelmator Photo
Musicbed
Apple Photos
I still usually edit photos on the iPad, and typically use Lightroom for RAW files and Pixelmator Photo (which accesses the Apple Photos library directly) for JPEGs.
Wish List
After some frustrations with the S5, I’m thinking of gradually migrating further to Sony. So maybe the new Sony A7iv (or A7C and FX3). Top of my list to watch at the moment are Dune, The Matrix Resurrections and Licorice Pizza.
Mostly though I want to become a better videographer and filmmaker. To continue learning the craft and how to tell more engaging stories. And to collaborate on some interesting and important projects.
