Bus

Arnol

The convenience of vegetarian eating

More than a year ago, I became a vegetarian. Actually, I am a pescatarian; I do eat fish, although I try to limit that, too.

Sometimes, it’s hard to eat vegetarian. When visiting people who are not prepared for it, for example, and also at home, when the rest of the family does want to eat meat. (And I’m not the evangelical type; they have to decide for themselves.)

But it also has advantages. In a restaurant, a vegetarian diet pleasantly limits the choices to no more than a handful of options. Easy, no choice, stress.

Sometimes the choice is limited to a bare pasta, but then you’re in the wrong restaurant anyway.

Haloumi burger
Haloumi burger

Sconser

Uitzicht vanuit Sconser lodge hotel

AI, duh

When Artificial Intelligence-generated images win photo contests, should we oppose that?

I just think the developments of AI are telling us to do things differently, to stand out. AI has become the competition (and maybe just a tool), just like all other photographers are. So, we have to treat AI as competition, too. You can try to deny this reality, but you can also look at how you, as a photographer or artist, can differentiate yourself from this new collegue/competition.

Ideas:

  • Stories instead of single images. Combine with text.
  • An analog version of your work: a print, a book, wallpaper, toilet paper, t-shirts, quilt covers, printed bags, whatever.
  • Combine your photos into a video.
  • Handmade books.
  • Collages.

Personal and analog distinguish you from the aggregated, statistically generated products of AI.

ai photographer
The competition

Naar Ullapool

Eerst via Eilean Donan castle, een van oorsprong dertiende-eeuws kasteel, in de 20e eeuw gerestaureerd en opengesteld. Beroemd kasteel blijkt een enorme tourist trap. We zijn niet de enigen die van bezoek afzien en van de andere kant van de rivier wat foto’s maken van dit kasteel en de stroom mensen die het kasteel in gaan. Er zijn twee kamers van het kasteel te bezichtigen, sic!

Naar Achnasheen, The Midge Bite waar we eerder al waren en nogmaals een fijne cappuccino drinken. Tent doet zijn naam eer aan. En het is laagseizoen, qua midges en dus bites ook. In de auto termineren we nog een paar midgets voor ze hun slag kunnen slaan.

Verder langs Loch Maree, een driesterrenmeer volgens Michelin, en oud-Caledonisch bos. Een exclusiviteit die grotendeels achter bosschage langs der weg voor ons verborgen blijft.
Gairloch is leuk kustplaatsje waar we de benen streken en onze broodjes opeten.

Bij waterval Corrieshalloch Gorge National Nature Reserve er weer even uit om de benen te strekken en de hoogtevrees te bedwingen in een diepe kloof met hangbrug.

Dan naar Ullapool. Stadje in, klein maar aardig. Veel kleiner dan gedacht, nog kleiner dan Thurso. Maar ook leuker.

Eilean Donan castle
Eilean Donan castle
Gairloch
Gairloch
Corrieshalloch Gorge National Nature Reserve, Schotland
Corrieshalloch Gorge
Achnasheen, The Midge Bite
Achnasheen, The Midge Bite

Elgol

Via Broadford – shopping – to Elgol.
There, the locals walk with mosquito nets in front of their faces. We soon notice the reason: very small midgets. Fortunately not much trouble. We make a small along the coast over not very well-trodden paths.

To Torrin pools. Here, a river flows from the steep slope into Loch Slapin. The walk along the cascades of fast-flowing water is very pleasant. Some try to bathe in the small pools below the falls. The icy water almost hurts from shrinkage.

Back to Broadford. Walked to the pier. Not much more to see than breathtaking views and fishermen. Enough to do it for.

In the bar, Gabbro, we have a beer. Make plans for tomorrow.

Schotse Hooglander
Elgol