While birding this morning, I met two great-grandmas out for a walk. As I was setting up my gear, they asked about birds and photography. They were concerned about an Egyptian Goose that looked like it might be injured, but it was really just resting.
As we stood talking, the clouds from a recent storm began to break. The first direct sunlight to hit the ground since New Year’s Eve brightened the morning. Steam rose from the road, and birds that had been resting started to move about in the warmth. We kept talking.
They asked a lot of questions, but one in particular stood out.
“Back when I was shooting film, it was easy. You sent the roll in and got photos back. Now I shoot and everything goes onto a card, but what do I do with them? I just keep buying cards. It’s getting expensive.”
I was momentarily speechless and had a hard time hiding my grin. I explained that memory cards are reusable and that all she needed to do was unload them. There was no need to buy them the way you would rolls of film. She laughed, and I could almost see the moment when her understanding shifted.
Naturally, that led to a quick lesson on how to unload photos using an iPad and the proper dongle. The whole thing turned into an impromptu tutorial at the trunk of my car. She was thrilled and even offered to pay me for the help, which I declined.
She wanted to exchange phone numbers in case she ran into trouble later. Instead, I asked if she used ChatGPT. She said she used it for recipes, so I explained how she could also ask it for help with her camera or photo workflow if she got stuck.
It felt like a win for both of us.
Peanuts In My Pocket 
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