Jorge Quinteros

On The Things I Carry

Much like John Carey, I’ve also always had curiosity for the things certain people carry with them on a daily basis regardless of how simple they may be because these items have the potential to illustrate a person’s character, personality and what they may intend to represent.

My need for any of the following items doesn’t really vary regardless of whether I’m photographing or at work. I would say that 99% of the time these items are always with me.

1. Pocket-size Ruled Moleskine Notebook - First of all, you could just about walk into any local office supply store or bookstore and find dozens of different brands of notepads for jotting notes but what makes these well-liked black notebooks popular is their quality, their design and the history behind them.

The Moleskines truly do fit everyone’s needs and purposes. I’ve own a couple large softcover ones but when it comes to having just one to use and abuse, I’ve opted for the traditional black cover, ruled sheets in pocket-size format. The paper in them is thick enough that it doesn’t bleed through and just the idea of having random writings in one single place far exceeds having to dig for miscellaneous pieces of paper in your pocket that might have contained information of value and that’s easy to lose.

Here’s something to remember about notebooks. You’re unlikely to use them if they’re not portable, easy to use and if the don’t cater to your workflow. As far as notebooks, the idea of going paperless is overrated for me. As much writing as I may do by means of a keyboard, nothing beats traditional pen and paper every now and then.

Something I’ve noticed about people who use Moleskines is that once they embraced them, they generally become very devoted to them and often find themselves buying more and more regardless of whether they may need a new one or not.

2. Moo Cards - Other than being unique and aesthetically pleasing to look at, the huge advantage for a mind changing person like myself in using Moo Cards is their Printfinity feature - the option of printing a different image on every card in the pack. As a photographer, it’s a very creative way for me to showcase a variety of my work as oppose to opting for the traditional one-image only design.

On top of all that, most people don’t expect to be asked to choose which business card design they would like, so there’s always a wow-factor when I’ve given them out to people who have interest to follow up more on my work. At the moment I’m in dire need of more business cards and despite the inclination to experiment with something different, it’s unlikely I’ll deviate from what I’ve been accustom to carrying with me for the past 3 years.

3. Jetstream Pen - I have to admit that office supplies fascinate me, particularly pens. When ever I see them aligned neatly in their corresponding aisle in a store, I fantasize about how much more writing I could produce on paper if I simply had the perfect pen.

Ballpoints pens are the workhorses of the writing world. They’re the most common in the market due to their low price and durability but I prefer Roller Ball Pens. I find writing with them tends to be more both elegant and effortless. When I find a pen I enjoy, I do everything I can not to lose it because there’s something satisfying about using a pen all the way until it can no longer pinch another speck of ink. The converse is also frustrating. When you’ve found a pen you love and it stops working despite having a lot more ink to offer.

4. Louis Vuitton Card Holder - I’m just as obsessive about leather wallets as I am about my pens. I seek to find one that’s minimalistic, appealing, slips easily into a pocket and can withstand consistent usage. At the moment, I’m using this Louis Vuitton Card Holder that was given to me at work. This handcrafted wallet is mainly intended to hold a few credit and business cards and leaving very little room for any cash unless you fold it it neatly several times into 1 of its 3 inserts but even that is a stretch.

My wife finds my penchant for rarely carrying cash intolerable, so this card holder doesn’t do much to assist me in advancing myself in that department. I’ll be upgrading very soon to something as simple but with more compartments but if you were to pick my pocket in the street at this very moment, this card holder is what you’ll find.

5. iPhone 4 - I never upgraded to the iPhone 4s in spite of the acclaimed enhancements such as a 5MP camera or voice-command software Siri. To me, those two features were never enough to convince me to modernize what I have now. With the amount of “iPhone 5” unconfirmed rumors, I’m willing to just wait it out and see how much of the growing speculation materializes into an actual product.

Much like every iPhone owner, perhaps it’s superfluous to say the device is with me 24/7 as well and since day one, I’ve always been the type to sport a case with it and at the moment I’m using an PhoneSuit Elite Battery Case. I read countless reviews and received several suggestions about which battery case were the most proficient and practical to handle and I eventually settle with the one you see now. I’ve owned it for about 3 weeks and eventually I’ll get around to writing about my experience with it thus far. What I can say about it so far is that it carries out everything you’re told it would do.

6. Stainless Steel and Silicone Fossil Watch - People often assume that in view of everyone practically carrying a cell phone now a days, there’s really no need to sport a watch anymore. According to this article from back in 2006, there is a correlation between increased cell phone usage and decreased interest in people purchasing watches, and that the cell phone is partially responsible for the reduction. I’ve always worn a watch. I feel absolutely lost without it and there’s been times when I’ve risked being late for work because of the rash decision I’ve made to turnaround on instances when I’ve accidentally left the house without it.

I own 3 variations in color of the Fossil watch you see in the photograph. This particular style retails for about $125 but I snagged this one for $75 tax-free while vacationing in Grand Cayman Island 2 years ago.

7. Tungsten Carbide Wedding Band - With the exemption of this ring, I don’t own anything that you would classify as jewelry and that includes any fancy gold piece that some men can’t seem live without. I never cared for it which is probably a good thing because I can’t imagine how much money I would have spent buying gold if I were the flashy type.

I chose an extremely minimalistic Tungsten ring as my wedding band. The strength of tungsten carbide has made it widely used for decades in industrial applications - it is four times harder than titanium, twice as hard as steel and are 100% scratch-proof. I love the ring and I very often get compliments on it. The one characteristic to know about Tungsten is that because the material is extremely hard, wedding bands made from metal cannot be sized like gold, silver or platinum rings. When you are ready to purchase, make sure that you take extra care in determining the proper size.

That’s it. This is pretty much the things I carry. Nothing ostentatious but simple things that define in a way how simplistic I guess you can say I am. If you’re curious as to the things I carry when I’m out photographing, there should be no surprise in stating that it’s just as minimal as what I’ve shared today but that’s for another article.

Wooden & Bamboo iPhone 4 Case

There’s no argument that the iPhone is a beautiful and intuitive device and so the impulse to flaunt it was something that long subsided once it became as ubiquitous as small charming coffee shops in Brooklyn. By flaunting, I don’t necessary refer to the act of announcing that I owned one but more on the aspect of not caring to tuck away its aesthetic appeal by enclosing it in a case.

I realize there’s a stockpile of proud owner that love the tactile feel of the device too much to even chew over the thought of using a case but the way I see it is that if I use a case for it, it’s because I’m equally crazy about it, hence the reason to protect it even more.

I’m a little too picky when it comes to cases. They need to be constructed well enough to hold up heavy use and being spontaneously tossed around but more importantly, the case should not interfere with the iPhone’s functionality.

Hardwood cases are beautiful and from I can tell so far from purchasing one, they’re quite the conversation starter in social settings but before buying it, I was very skeptical about everything. I was concerned about the quality, the fit and quite honestly even the price, even though I knew I was paying for the fine workmanship yet without any guarantee of knowing whether I would like it or not.

The wooden case reminded me very much of when the Kindle was first introduced in that it looked nice enough in photographs but it was difficult to make a concrete assessment on whether you would like it because not many people owned it. I still don’t know anyone that owns a wooden iPhone case but I’ve been intrigued long enough with them that I took the plunge in buying one but not at the expense of paying what they normally go for.

The fine folks of PhotoJojo have the exact wood camera iPhone 4 case for $42 and yet I paid $6.99 for mine on eBay. Talk about a bargain.

Quick Glance

The feel of the case in your hands is fairly bulky but that’s a trait to be expected you’re talking about owning a wooden enclosure. The case is padded and lined with a layer of velvet inside so it protects the phone a bit more and it prevents it from sliding around while you’re mobile.

As far as the fit, it slides in perfectly. I have to say that there is a tiny part of the bamboo that doesn’t seem to fit perfectly when you’re joining the 2 wooden parts that make up the case but it eventually clicks. The impressive and intricate laser etching that makes up the camera design is so beautiful that I can’t help admire the details as much as I would a well-crafted app.

Quick Quirks

I use the standard and highly recognizable white earbuds that come with the iPhone but if you’re the type that has an alternative, its fit on this wooden case will rest solely on the shape of the jack your headphones have because there’s a slight elevation on this case that can prevent an oddly shape jack from fitting properly. Even the Power button is a little difficult to press on because it’s tucked in deeply due to the extra layer of wood the case has.

When it came to charging the iPhone, it found myself removing the lower half of the case frequently because apparently I was still using a much older cable who’s connector was too thick to get passed that same elevation that I mentioned the case has but once I swapped it with a much thinner one, it works without fault.

It did take almost 2 weeks for me to receive the wooden case from China but I deem the wait to be well worth it. I have to say that the product is meant to appeal to a very particular audience. For it’s durability, quality and impressive camera design, I can’t help love this case. I’ve received many compliments from it at work because it’s unique and unexpected.

I wanted a wooden iPhone case regardless but what sold me even more on it was the obvious Leica-inspired design and the fact that I found it at a bargain price.

Syma S107 RC Helicopter First Impressions

I’ve read and seen enough Youtube videos to know there’s a steep learning curve for understanding how to properly maneuvering an RC helicopter and yet it’s a hobby I’ve always admired from afar. As a newbie, splurging on a large gas-powered one is obviously not the best choice because of the higher cost, so the next best thing was a battery-powered one.

I’ve seen mini gyro helicopters being sold at kiosk in the mall where the salesperson is flying it around and landing it easily on the palm of their hand so as to give the impression that they’re extremely easy to operate. I’ve wanted one for myself but the $40 price tag has kept me away from it until I found the exact same model (Syma S107) on Amazon for $20. I decided to give it a try knowing that it is a toy but one that I can utilizing as a platform before moving on to anything remotely bigger.

Once received, I didn’t bother charging it. I immediately loaded the controller with 6 AA batteries and gave it a whirl. Average charging time is around 45min whether from the actual remote control or via USB cable that connects to the computer. Flight time last about 6-7 minutes which quite honestly is not a whole lot but enough to establish a sense for how easy or complicated it can be to get it off the ground.

The toy is very robust and has survived many crashes with no significant damage. It is very stable in the air and responds very quickly to the controls with no lag thanks to its inbuilt gyroscope and rigid construction.

Flying it is unlike controlling an RC car. Once you take off your fingers off the throttle, the helicopter comes to a halt and drops. There’s a lot of continuous adjusting involved to keep it hovering it as well. Once you get the hang of keeping a consistent height with it, you’ve mastered the most difficult part.

With a bit of practice you’ll be able to fly circuits around the house. It’s an excellent value for the price. The little toy has already piqued my interest towards more high caliber RC helicopters that I’ve began drooling over a few already at the local hobby shop.

If you’re considering a larger RC helicopter, get one like this to learn the basics first. Each model will operate differently, but one of the biggest challenges for newbies like me is getting acclimated to the orientation which I did in matter of minutes. This has been the best example video I’ve found give you a taste of the S107G mini helicopter in flight.

Securing Your SD Cards with a Pelican 0919 Case

When it came to reloading SD cards, I would rummage the inside pocket of my Tribeca Sling Bag and I’d know I’d found one when I felt the flimsy plastic case they expect you to store them in when you buy them.

With SD cards practically being the size of a quarter, I’m always afraid of losing them, especially if you’ve paid $60 or $80 for one depending on the brand and capacity. Losing something that pricey is not fun and of course they hold even more value when they contain photographs that can’t be replaced.

Up until this point, I never gave much thought to finding a solution to this “floating of SD card” problem. The ideal thing would be having them consolidated in one place. A quick search on Amazon brought me to a few reputable brands that sold cases specifically for this purpose but none spoke to me more than the Pelican 0910 case which stores up to 8 SD cards or 16 mini SD cards.

What’s So Special About Them

If you’re not familiar with Pelican cases, the one essential quality you should know about them is that they’re built like tanks and the 0910 model is no exception. They’re molded plastic containers made out of tough Polycarbonate resin that seal with an airtight and watertight gasket. Military personnel have used Pelican cases for a long time to transport tools that can stand up against harsh treatment and conditions but now they’re available to civilians.

After an exhausting shoot, the second worst thing to happen to an SD card aside from losing it is to have it get corrupted because it wasn’t stored securely. Much like a lens, you don’t want dirt, water or any other foreign object to come into contact with it, especially the golden terminals on the back. I’ve had my share SD cards corrupted because I failed to handle them correctly.

How Do You Feel About The Case?

I like that the 0910 Pelican case holds the SD cards tightly fasten in these small cutouts but not so tight that it would it make it difficult to remove when needed. The case was well worth the $20 investment. It’s very compact (the size of an iPhone), it’s sturdy and it looks like it will take a beating but I’ll just take the companies reputation on how well they construct their product because I’m not about to pound on mine. I love the way it opens and closes where you can feel and see that nothing is getting in there once you hear the strong hinges clasp.

I’ve read some reviews where people have labeled it as a Con the fact that the case only holds 8 SD cards but that’s personally more than enough for me. When I opened the package, the case itself was smaller than I expected so I wouldn’t mind hoisting 2 or 3 of these in my camera bag if I needed the extra storage.

Just so that I don’t get confused as to which SD card I’ve used already, I do this thing of flipping the used ones upside down so that I can tell at a glance which ones I still have available.

If you’re looking for a industrial-strength case to consolidate your SD cards, I highly recommend the Pelican 0910. This was exactly what I needed. It keeps your photographic work safe and in order when you’re out in the field where you can focus on what you should be which is shooting.

What I Learned About Being a Photographer by Reading Quitter

It must be difficult to find work that you actually love because the amount of stories you overhear about people who settle for dead-end jobs and shattered hopes is far greater than the ones who’ve managed to find satisfaction in doing something they have a genuine passion for.

Last night I finished reading Jon Acuff’s Quitter which came recommended to me via the Kindle. Immediately from the title, you’d think it’s just another motivational book which offers you the finest tips for quitting your day job and acquiring your dream one. It does offer you that but not in the way you would expect.

Right off the bat, Jon says that “the goal of this book is to get you to do what you love, with the life you already have” without feeling that you need to quit the job you dread driving to every Monday morning.

Up to this point, you haven’t heard anything about f/stops, ISO, Aperture or expensive gear equipment so you’re probably wondering what this book has to do with photography.

I’m really never afraid to read anything that’s not related to the craft because deep down I’m convinced that regardless of the content, I always managed to associate something back to the concept of taking photos. Whether it’s the business end of it, the creative aspect or just reading up on a place that would lend itself great to a photo essay.

In this case, the book may not pertain to anything that would help you become a better photographer per say but it would hopefully rekindle your dreams and provide you with some perspective on how you can still become a great one and make a living out of it regardless of the type of work you’re doing now.

I’ll admit there’s been a couple nights I’ve laid in bed surrounded by darkness unmindful to the pesky noise our fan makes thinking about this photography thing I do and how much it’s evolved from being something you know you love doing yet don’t having any direction as to what you want to accomplish with it because 40hrs out of the week you’re occupied doing something totally polar opposite.

So What Exactly Is the Book About Jorge?

Let me say that I would find it difficult to write or photograph anything that I’ve yet to experience but once you have, there will undoubtedly be more credibility to anything you say. In the book, Jon talks about his personal struggles of realizing his dreams and how he was able to turn his dream job into his day job while working as a tech writer for Auto Trader.

He performed what his job description dictated because that’s the work that brought food to the table and paid the mortgage but he used every ounce of free time to write for his blog with the hopes that it would open the opportunity to become a published author.

He provides specific example about how he accomplished his goal while feeling he lived a Clark Kent existence yet he still managed to get through it without destroying his life. I love photography and I love to travel but unless I hit the jackpot, I don’t foresee ever telling my wife that I’m quitting my job so that I can board a flight to Cusco Peru to photograph Machu Picchu and hope the images I take would produce some monetary returns. That’s not entirely a smart thing to do.

It would be different if we planned a vacation to visit the ruins, took some photographs and if something developed out of that or not, it wouldn’t matter because I would still have a day job to come back to and that’s exactly what Jon refers to in his book. My all time favorite chapter in the book is where he drives home the idea that “we need to learn to fall in like with a job we don’t love because it’s actually the best way to set up your dream for success.”

What If I Don’t Like What I Do For a Living Now?

Rather than thinking your job sucks and that it’s doing nothing but draining the opportunity for you to do what you really want, why not view your day job as a launching pad instead? We all love the option of saying no to the things that don’t coincide with our dreams but if you quit the job you currently hate, you instantly relinquish the ability to say no to things you truly loathe because at that point, you would probably need the money.

As much as I’ve been ask by friends to shoot weddings, I respectfully decline the offer because it’s not an area of photography I have interest in regardless of how lucrative the genre may be. If I were to quit my job perhaps I would consider weddings because I would be desperate for the money but that choice could lead me to taking on gigs that I wouldn’t necessarily have a passion for. Creative freedom doesn’t pay the bills. Having a job that you may not like while hustling on the side working on your dream job does.

The book is littered with nuggets of valuable advice that forces you to make a like vs. love list of what is important in your life and what you want to accomplish with it. Jon states that “whenever possible, before you quit a job, make a point of practicing what you want to do with your life.”

I’m not saying at all that I’m discontent with what I do for a living but seeing how completely unrelated my job is to photography, it’s at least given me the needed freedom to book a flight with my wife, to follow my passion towards travel and photograph the type of places that people only say they’ll visit one day but never really do.

“Have you ever felt caught between the tension of a day job and a dream job? That gap between what you have to do and what you’d love to do?” Ask yourself that question because Jon will at the beginning of the book and before you know it, you’ll have devoured it in 3 days like I did.

Should I Read The Book Too?

I don’t think the book is just limited to folks who hate their current job because there’s people like Shawn Blanc or Chris Bowler who enjoyed their previous occupation put deep down they had a strong desire to pursue something they’ve been cultivating on the side.

For Chris, it was the decision to leave an IT profession in the healthcare industry so that he can dedicate himself full-time to expanding Fusion Ads to what it is now. For Shawn, it was about parting ways from being the Marketing Director at IHOP for 10 years so that he can write full-time for the design-centric and self-titled website he’s been producing during his spare time.

They both did what they loved on the side and like Jon, they managed transition from having a full-time day job to having a full-time dream job. According to Jon, working on something that you love on the side is “more than enough to begin doing something truly meaningful. Do it wisely and it will grow from there.”

Aside from the book, I didn’t realized there was so much great content on this topic. I’m a huge fan of Paul Graham’s writing and coincidently he had written a cogent essay on this same subject. I’ll leave you with his thoughts on what he calls The Two-Job Route which is “to work at things you don’t like to get money to work on things you do.”

So what exactly has the book taught me about being a photographer? That if you’re not yet doing it professionally but have life-long dreams to, we need to stop rejecting the compliments people give us for doing what we love by responding “Oh, it’s just something I like to do on my spare time” and recognize that it may not be too late to make a dramatic occupational shift so that you can chase a known dream.

Notes: I wanted a photograph to accompany this post so I had to bribe my wife with an ice-coffee from Starbucks so that she would agree to accompany me after she had no desire to going out at all.