I’m Christian Payne, autotelic, photographer and writer. I’m currently in a tent, in a field, not far from Ledbury UK, at the biannual geekfest that is EMF Camp.
In the photo above I have just picked up my festival badge and am flashing the firmware so I can use it to investigate, infiltrate, play, connect and who knows what else. This dispatch will most likely be late as I’m starting it at 3pm but will have to pop out to climb through a shipping container into an alternate reality.
In this email I usually seek out novelty, explore the relations between things, how we share, what we share and consume, plus where we might be going. I shall do what I can.
#TheAction
I’m easy to please. All I need is something to be enthusiastic about. And where I am right now has an adventure round every corner, enlightenment ripe for the picking and a friend in every encounter.
Even at the bar.
I’m not even halfway through the festival and have a lot to process. Nothing I say can do this place justice, but there’s no doubt I’ll trickle out some tidbits over the next few weeks, in links, images and afterthoughts.
#ThePictures
Please click the link and explore some incredible photojournalism from Emilio Morenatti.
This post on the continued rise of Panopticontent had me wondering if this explosion of people filming others without their consent is likely to have a knock on effect on street photography.
Candid public photography has captured spontaneous, diverse moments since the 19th century, but not without accusations of some photographers exploiting or objectifying their subjects.
People in France, Germany and Spain have a ‘right to their own likeness’ or ‘one’s own image’ and in some ways are protected from public photography unless it’s in the public interest. Yet candid public photography still manages to thrive.
This form of artistic expression, this genre, has been fought for over many years. I think on the whole photographers are well versed in the ethical considerations and privacy concerns. And as a result are more mindful and respectful of their subjects.
The ubiquity of the mobile phone has gone a longways to normalising photography in public, but perhaps it’s the proliferation of easy to use video platforms and their attention hungry algorithms that might finally vilify the act.
Possibly a minority, but for the last 15 years, if me and my video-blogging friends saw someone filming us on a phone or flip cam, we’d ask “Where is it going?”
I’m certainly more comfortable if someone photographs me with an ‘old school’ camera over a mobile device. It feels like ‘important work’ more professional. I guess it all boils down to perceived intent. And that is different for everyone.
I don’t see the incentivising of omnipresent filming going away anytime soon. Or ever. So for candid public photographers, (including me) the balancing of artistic expression with ethical considerations will be an ongoing challenge.
I’m taking photographs here at EMF Camp, and whether on my phone or on my X100, I’ll be considering lighting, subject, composition and the usual technical settings but through a filter of sensitivity and a respect for privacy.
Mastodon and the fediverse features heavily around here.
#TheWords
If you need to get genned up on Totalitarianism this book is on sale for £1.99 (on Amazon)
Long read: “Your stomach must be disciplined.”
#TheSound
Dynamic Range Records make some ridiculous AI generated music.
Audio Blogger’s Month starts tomorrow. I shall endeavour to share something from here. Perhaps while exploring things on the festival schedule. I’m thinking Mastodon will be my main sharing point.
#TheConsumed
As a quick summery of some of the things consumed recently…
Top left: I successfully made some chipshop style curry sauce. Top right: These toast making things are next to useless. Bottom left: The easiest breakfast to make while camping is the same one as I have most days. Bottom right: I will never tire of clotted cream ice cream.
#TheThings
A couple of hours ago I was stood in front of a camera that projected my moving image on the back of container. The image looked like me when I moved fast but when I slowed down the embedded Stable Diffusion imagined my image differently. From a subtle, barely perceivable change, to wildly creative imaginings.
My daughter loved this but my son was a little freaked out. As if in a waking dream. It’s one of the most amazing things I have seen at EMF Camp. Probably because I was as much looking through the eyes of my children as I was my own. An awe inspiring dreamlike alternate reality.
Control your phone with your eyes.
You had me a ‘psychedelic sandstone temples’.
#TheThanks
Thank you to those that support my time here and keep this dispatch free for everyone. If you are able. Please consider upgrading to become a paid supporter.
#TheWeb
EMFcamp on Twitter.
EMFcamp on Mastodon
EMFcamp on Bluesky
How to copy a file from a 30 year old laptop.
The forgotten history of Chinese Keyboards.
Some of my other places include Letterboxd, Discogs, GoodReads, FarceBook, Flickr, Strava, Untappd, Diaspora, Vivino, LinkedIn, YouTube, Mastodon, a ham radio newsletter or search ‘Documentally’ on Wire, Birdsite, Bluesky or Daft Social.
#TheEnd
Apologies for this being late. It’s 11pm and things are very much still in full swing. In fact I might pop out to see what weirdness I can find.
Scuse the rush, all spelling mistakes are intentional. Have a great weekend!
“One’s mind, once stretched by a new idea, never regains its original dimensions.”
~ Oliver Wendell Holmes
Stretch yourself.
See you out there.
Over…
Oh it sounds like so much fun !! Thank you for the full report. Only drawback for me : camping 😒 hopefully I’ll get over my phobia when 2026 rolls along. And I’ll have my new hurdy.