I have no idea how I became so lucky as an artist. In the sixteen years of taking pictures, learning, and making friends, I have, so far, created over ten thousand finished works of art. I don’t count the first few years, as I was learning the most basic skills of the trade. Of the sessions I have saved and available for me to edit from, the earliest is September 2012. And the number of sessions, or shoots, since number 834. Many of those were two or three-day sessions or week-long events.

I may still have five to ten years of photography, editing, and teaching left in me; it has been extremely rewarding on so many levels. Friendships with models and makeup artists would be wholly worth it by themselves. Being around young artists has kept me feeling young and inspired.

When my screen saver kicks in on any of my computers, I can easily be distracted and then mesmerized by the images appearing every few seconds. Some from last week and some from a decade ago. I remember many of their names, the situations, the story behind the shoot, their voices, and their laughter. Not many have the joy of seeing a photo album of their last 16 years of creations. It always brings a smile to my face and warms my heart. And it is cool that I’m not done yet.

On another note, there is a button I could press that would allow AI to write this or any article on my website. I wouldn’t press that any more than I’d let AI edit my images. Ever. This is creation, and I never want to lose the ability to do that. And AI is starting to do that to us. It dulls our skills as drivers, pilots, writers, photographers, and artists.

If we let our vehicles do all of our driving and something happens where we have to take over, we could very well have lost the skill to react quickly or correctly. Our passenger jets practically fly themselves anymore, and when something happens that needs the pilot’s attention, their skills are not sharp, and the results can be disastrous.

If I let AI write my story or edit my art, how long would it take for me to no longer know how to do either? More importantly, the satisfaction of creation would be all but gone. I am worried that AI will dumb us down and lazy us out of the picture. Humanity could vanish, and our computers would live on pumping out articles no one is ready for and art that no one appreciates.

Just my rambling. Carry on.

So, enjoy this issue. I love hearing from y’all about what you think. And thank you again for those who enjoy it enough to buy me an ice cream or hot cocoa.

Enjoy the beginning of summer. Stay cool and hydrated.

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