I recently finished reading David Sax's fascinating book The Revenge of Analog and it really got me thinking about the way that I consume. Over the past few years I've come to doubt my constant push into digital culture. I've proudly been an early adopter on many occasions without asking myself, "does this actually make my life better?"

As an almost exclusively digital photographer, sometimes I feel like I skipped a step in the process. Sure I had old film cameras when I was a kid but I never learned anything beyond point and shoot. There's an art in composing an image without knowing what it will look like until the developing process. It forces you to really know the concepts of exposure, film speed, focus and depth of field. Many digital cameras do the work for you. It's certainly helpful, but is it robbing you of the experience, the wonder of not knowing? 

My friend Danny reintroduced me to film photography as we walked the streets of Seattle a few years ago. His Leica was definitely a lavish way to dip my toes into the art form. I was honestly petrified as I looked through the viewfinder because each time I hit that button, I was committed to whatever image I had captured. It was exhilarating. 

A DigiLog Future

Today I carry around a Fujifilm X-T20 with a simple 27mm pancake lens. It's digital but it looks like an old film camera and you can turn off the back screen forcing you to look through the viewfinder and not look at images right after they've been taken. It's a semi-compromise in a ever quickening digital world. The functionality of digital exposures coupled with the slow method of not looking at every picture immediately after it's taken. I have also put every setting to fully manual, forcing me to rely on my eyes and hands to focus, set shutter speed, aperture and ISO. 

There's a satisfaction that comes with analog technology that you don't always get with digital. Take listening to a vinyl record. This past Christmas, my lovely wife bought me my first turntable and included was a copy of Glen Hansard's Didn't He Ramble. As I sat and basked in the songs, I realized something. I hadn't listened to one of my favorite albums all the way through, probably since the day it was released. Amazing songs like "Paying My Way" and "Stay The Road" were routinely skipped over in iTunes playlists. The act of listening to the record on vinyl made me slow down and appreciate the complete album as art. 

Does that mean I'm giving up on my iTunes and AppleMusic playlists? Off course not, but maybe I need to work on trying to bridge the digital and analog divide. Why not make album playlists and listen to the content as the artist originally intended. 

There's nothing wrong with digital technology as long as it actually brings value to your life and doesn't serve as a distraction from the world around you. In this fast paced world we live in, slowing down a little bit is probably a good thing. Take the time to appreciate the things in your life that take time, effort and craft. You never know what might actually spark a new interest. 

Some people make travel films. Others make travel documentaries that really dig into what the sensation of being in a new place feels like. Not only do you get to see the sights, you feel the mood, as if earth was crunching beneath your very own feet. Memories of Tokyo by filmmaker Miguel Santana is one of the latter. 

Produced in conjunction with Carrie from wishwishwish.net, be prepared to be immersed in Japanese culture. Carrie's simple voice-over really helps the viewer dive into the footage and experience the world. 

Shot on a Canon 5D Mk III using Magic Lantern RAW with a Canon 50mm 1.2L and a Canon 24-105mm f/4 IS, Santana manages to convey the otherworldly feel that Tokyo can give to westerners. 

I've long been fascinated by Japanese culture, the reverence of nature and ancestry and how fast everything seems to move in the city. By using natural sound to highlight the soft, subtle soundtrack, Santana creates a sensory experience that brings Japanese capital to life. 

It's no secret. London is an expensive city. Like, really expensive. But that doesn't mean you can't travel there on the cheap. Here's five tips to experience London without breaking the bank. 

Embrace the Museum Lifestyle

London is a town of many museums and the larger, more famous ones boast of having no entrance fee. Just simply walk in and enjoy some of the greatest works of art and design the world has to offer. There is a suggested donation price to which I always drop a few pounds in, but this isn't necessary if you're on a tight budget. Great options for non-museum goers are the Victoria & Albert Museum, which offers more design and culture focused exhibits, and the Imperial War Museum. For art lovers, the National Gallery and the Tate Modern are must sees. 

Skip the Hotel, Get a Rental

Hotels in London can be rather pricey, especially considering that even the costlier ones can be small and cramped. To keep a few quid in your pocket, opt for a rental service like Airbnb and get a room or a flat in a part of town you'd like to explore. At a hotel you pay for the convenience of being near major attractions, which tends to keep you in more expensive touristy areas. By using a rental service you can find a neighborhood location that offers cheaper eats, less crowded transportation hubs and a sense of how real Londoners live. 

Hop on the Tube with a Visitor Oyster Card

The new Visitor Oyster Card offers a cheaper alternative to buying a Day Travelcard. By capping how much you spend each day at £6.60, you spend roughly half of what you would on a Day Travelcard (£12.30.) You can apply online and have it shipped to your house before your trip, ready to use as soon as you step off the plane! Make sure to order your card in advance to get the lowest prices!!

Sandwich, Sandwich, Sandwich

Okay, this is going to sound lame, but I'm in love with the simple little British sandwich shops that are pretty much ubiquitous in the capital. Whether it's a M&S or Pret a Manger, little sandwich shops offer a quick pick me up and a pretty cheap food option in an expensive city. Instead of eating in, grab your sandwich to go and sit in front of a museum or attraction for prime people watching. By avoiding the cafes at tourist attractions, you can save a lot of cash.

Skip the Souvenirs, Take a Picture

Kim and I have stuck to carryon travel for a while so we never really have room for a lot of souvenirs. On our latest trip we followed some suggestions from Ashlea at a A Globe Well Travelled and took pictures of thing we would have otherwise bought. Not only do we have great memories of some pretty awesome stuff, we don't have to find a place for said stuff in the house. It's like winning twice! London is packed full of souvenir shops, most of which are the exact same touristy stuff. So next time you're in London, skip the standard souvenirs by taking a picture of yourself gawking at them. Not only will you have less to carry, you can save your hard earned money for more adventures or for one big splurge souvenir at the end. 

In this first of many posts about Seattle, I wanted to just give a glimpse at how we spent three days in the Emerald City. After not taking a real vacation all year, Kim and I desperately needed some good, relaxing fun. Our friends in Seattle didn't disappoint.

Being Kim's first time in Seattle, no trip would've been complete without a stop at Pike Place Market. One of the best people watching spots I've ever encountered, Pike Place has something for everyone. Definitely sample some of the fresh seafood, we chose oyster shooters for a little snack, and take your time strolling around. It could easily be an all day destination if you let it. 

We even managed to run into a wedding party taking photos before heading off down 1st Ave. to the Goorin Bros. Hat Shop. More of a personal pilgrimage since they don't have stores here in Houston. When heading to the Pike Place area, consider taking public transit as parking is scarce and can be pretty expensive. 

After picking up some wine, goat cheese, fresh baked bread, falafel and donuts, we jumped on the nearest bus and headed over to the Seattle Center for a little downtime. 

At the Seattle Center you'll get an up close and personal look at the Space Needle, enjoy some lovely park area and even get to see the coolest radio station, KEXP Seattle. Add this to any Seattle itinerary for an easy, relaxing day. 

Of course I had to make a quick stop into Emerald City Guitars to sample one of the best vintage guitar collections anywhere. Above you can see my friend Daniel J. Wood trying out an early 60's Fender Jaguar. The staff are awesome and love to talk about the collection. It's a must see if you're a music nerd like me. 

Heading up north, the Fremont area is full of eclectic and fun shops, including the Sunday Market where you can feast on lots of different types of cuisines, find that perfect vintage t-shirt and then sit along the Fremont Cut that connects Lake Union with Shilshole Bay. 

And last but not least, no trip to Fremont is complete without a visit to the Troll. Quite possibly the quirkiest thing in an already quirky part of town, the Troll is about as random as you can get. A great picture spot, especially if you have kids. 

That's it for now, but there'll definitely be more to come covering the different places to eat, parks to sit at and more. Easily one of my favorite cities in the US, Seattle is always worth another visit. 

Gear Used

Sony a7R II Full-Frame Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera, Body Only (Black) (ILCE7RM2/B) Buy on Amazon

Sony FE 50mm F1.8 Lens Buy on Amazon

Fujifilm X-T20 Mirrorless Digital Camera w/XF18-55mmF2.8-4.0 R LM OIS Lens - Silver Buy on Amazon

I'm fascinated by the way light affects a city. The sun in the day characterizes a time of work, checking off to-do lists and general responsibility, while the night and more artificial light brings out the carefree and fun. 

It's not that the night has no light, it's just softer from natural sources and more harsh from artificial ones. The carefree attitude is like a pat on the back for human ingenuity and being able to brighten up the dark. 

In his short "London Day & Night", filmmaker Matel uses the low light capabilities of the Sony a7r ii to capture the English capital in both settings. The contrast is beautiful and telling of the way that London comes alive at night. I'm personally intrigued by this short because I just picked up an a7r ii for my trip to Seattle this weekend and can't wait to see how it performs. 

How is your city different in the day or night? Let us know where you're from in the comments below and what unique things separate the light from the dark in your part of the world.