Magicubes

In a recent conversation, we were talking about Christmas gifts. Back in the stone age, I had received a Kodak camera with the disposable magicubes flash bulbs. These little flash bulbs were four-sided cubes (hence the name). It was pretty cool at the time and I took a lot of photos with it. I either had a photo cartridge that had 12 or 24 photos available. I had to be selective about what I took photos of. I also had to pick what I thought needed a flash or not. If I left the flash cube on the camera, it would go off regardless if it was needed or not.

Yes, that meant I had to wait for the photos to get developed. It meant taking them to the local drug store. They would send them off to be processed and a couple weeks later I could go pick them up. It isn't like the instant gratification today, where I can instantly view the photo and retake it if necessary.

My current camera is a Kodak but with the digital technology. It is not an expensive camera by any means. It has a variety of different types of photos options from panoramic to nightscapes. It also has a short video capability. Because I don't have to develop every photo, I take a lot of photos. I am always trying to get the right picture or the fun picture or the pretty picture.

I sometimes wonder if the instant technology makes me less patience with the process. I also know that I always marvel that with the push of a button or two I get to see the past almost instantly.

If you ask me the process I prefer, I will admit I will say the instant advantage of digital. But on some level, I have to appreciate the aspect of patience I had to learn from the magicubes.