I’ve been thinking a lot lately about what I miss from my “analog” days. I’m far from being a Luddite; in fact if anything I’m just the opposite, continually embracing technology and using it to grow creatively. I’m having the time of my life right now exploring a variety of mediums and I’m amazed at the global reach that I have as an artist and a member of the human race.
It’s a powerful time to be alive, because the world is literally at our fingertips. But I’m finding that as much as technology has “connected” more of us together, these “viral connections” are vastly different than our “analog” connections. I’m not just referring to how we connect with each another, but also how we connect to ourselves and figure that out amongst all the noise.
So, I got to thinking about how I could be more “analog” in the New Year. Here’s some things I came up with:
- Cut in half, the amount of time I spend interacting with people on social media platforms, and spend that time instead on personal interactions.
- Get together more, face-to-face with clients, colleagues and friends. Gosh, I think this is what I miss the most – people just don’t make the time for this anymore. And chatting via text, email and FB isn’t the same.
- Write more letters, and send printed invitations and cards in the mail rather than always electronically.
- Go online less often and have a specific purpose or task in mind when I do.
- Make images the best I can in camera. Just because I can change an image digitally in post – doesn’t mean that I always need to do that.
- Create something printed – a photograph, a portfolio, an exhibition or a book.
- Read more printed books on the couch, the porch, the beach or in bed.
- Read a printed newspaper on a Sunday morning. ( If I can find one.)
- Walk more in nature instead of on the treadmill.
- Stare at a fire and look up at the sky more often.
Anyone else have suggestions on how to live more analog?
Journeys of a Hybrid 
Gail, I couldn’t agree more with your post. I love everything you have planned. I continue to work with large format film on projects and it’s just so much more of a positive experience (keeping my hand wet in a darkroom, too). I have a book coming out this spring that I’m self-publishing with traditional offset printing and while I considered a multimedia e-book or other digital product, I envisioned someone sitting on the couch holding a book in their hands rather than a laptop , Kindle, or tablet.
Very inspiring, Gail. Thanks.
Eric
Yes, Yes and Yes. It is all about our connection with people. We are analog not digital.
One thing I’ve found that shooting film (especially medium format) and then scanning the negatives is a wonderful way to combine the analog and digital. It really brings home the differences between film and sensors.
Another way to become more analog in life is to play with a child or pet. It’s good for them and you! Don’t just take the time–make the time every day!