Change, growth and familiarization are inevitable. Sometimes without even realizing it, we let ourselves be free to reform and conform to new things, new beings and new beginnings. A year ago I took the big step up in life and I am happy to say that it was one of the best decisions I had ever made.
I upgraded to an iPhone X
It was an easy decision to make, all things considered. I had been using my iPhone 5s since 2013 and it had given me the best years of my life. I had built a small presence online by being part of the media industry covering concerts, press conferences, product releases, tour announcements while also playing my part in the boom in social media communications. Not only that, the 5s had taught me to be in tune with my abilities and capabilities as a photographer and content creator. I was constantly and – more importantly – consistently taking photos and updating my online galleries with my latest and greatest works. The 5s was a tool that I had utilized in every fathomable way and I was devastated when it started to show signs of decline toward the eve of two-o-one-nine.
Most of these are not mine
I don't get to play with new cameras anymore
Remember when everyone used to do these?
I have hundreds of photos of just this dude
All the places I saw
And the stories I told
My Instagram was so alive
For the longest of time, I had pondered on upgrading to the iPhone 8 Plus. I wanted to embrace the new age of large screens and was hellbent on getting myself the telephoto lens for Portrait mode. So when I was looking to upgrade, I was looking to really make it worthwhile.
I previously wanted to upgrade immediately when the 8 Plus and X were released in 2017. However, the price tag on those phones did not match my account balance and I had to delay my purchase another year, hoping that by the next release, either Apple had substantially added more features to its new phone or the price of the last releases would plummet. A year later on Christmas Eve, the latter had come true.
Merry Christmas
The iPhone X went from a staggering RM5000 to RM3564, payable within 24 months interest-free. By God's grace, I had also been working as a lecturer, earning enough money to splurge on some worldly possessions. I was ecstatic. It felt like I was finally moving forward in life. I hadn't been too happy with my then state of affairs but to make such a huge decision and then going through with it showed that I was still able to commit to a future worth investing in.
Since then, I had been enjoying the quick response, speedy loading and absence of bugged out apps. Switching between multiple apps at breakneck speed coupled with the long battery life meant that I could go on with my day worry-free. Free of what kinds of worries? All kinds of worries.
And the most significant thing about the X is, like I said before, the camera. Unfortunately, the much improved camera quality has been met with much decrease in photography activities. In fact, I had not even been on any trips since I got my new phone, where usually most of my exploration and inspiration come from.
I have so many food photos
So many
So, so many
Some photos of people
Some photos with food and people
Some landscapes
Some landscapes in portrait
And some other various photos
My current objective is to create more opportunities for myself to go out and do more with my phone, even if it is already getting "old" in terms of technology. I actually haven't even posted anything to my Instagram feed this whole year because I feel like I have had nothing to say creative-wise. With my return to studies, I expect to at least let myself be more free to roam about in the world without being shackled to a desk or classroom all day long.
But that also shouldn't stop me
This past year has been great for my phone and I and I hope to spend more time with it, growing together and experiencing more of life together. Although there have been many dark days and low points, I always had my X to thank for making me feel a little bit better about myself.
Until the next step in life, take care.
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