One of my favorite companies that create products in the mobile space is ShiftCam.
Utilizing the mag safe feature, they have created a system giving you the tools you need to make the content you post in an accessible, and well built gear set. They also make a set of high quality lenses which can be attached to your phone via an adaptor that works on all phones. The full monty!

OK, it may feel like  a commercial but I am a huge fan! (vid was from an Indigogo campaign, but lays it all out!)

One of their more recent products is the SnapStudio Light, that you saw in the video.

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The choices out there for listening to audio, and speaking on calls can be overwhelming.

When I’m working on a project and just want to shut everything out and concentrate, earpods are the way. No question. When I need to do a call, that’s when the power of the pods with their mic capabilities kick in.
I’ve tried a ton of them!
Apple, Urbanista, JLab, Sony, HP, and the list goes on. All quality, but not for everything.

And you know that none of these will last forever. The amount of times you can charge them are limited due to the batteries. It’s just science.
When those run their lifespan, where do you pivot to?
I keep a range of options on my desktop, yet each one has had failings during important calls. I have switched out 3 sets of ear pods during one long zoom, and that is no lie.  Admittedly, Over Ear Headsets made for calls have always made me feel like a telemarketer, yet allowed the advantage of being able to listen to the outside world while on a call.
Plus those are designed to be used on these type of calls.

Poly/HP has come out with a great solution in the Voyager Legend 50 UC: just about as small as an over ear pod, yet has a more directional mic, higher quality voice output, and you get one ear open to be aware of your surroundings.

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The Fuji x100v has been the camera I carry when I’m out for a simple walkabout in the city.
Fixed lens, leaf shutter, 26 MP, articulated screen, classic Fujifilm film simulations, and ability to slip it into my pocket. Keeps it simple, and lightweight.
When they teased this new camera, the GFX100RF, the hairs on the back of my neck reared up, and my wallet was ready to open.

So, it’s an interesting proposition:
102MP, Medium format, FIXED lens, and a footprint smaller than a GFX, and a fixed lens 35 mm f/4 lens (35mm equivalent 28mm).
A very specific camera, indeed, with some very unique features.

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Everyday, my inbox gets filled with info on new gear, books, exhibitions, events and more. And I love it all!

When this survey came in from Fujifilm, it was a refreshing look at the heart of photography, and how it affects us, honestly getting to the reason we all do it, or began to make photographs.

You may read this survey, and say, yep, knew that. Here is the data that should ring true with all of us.

So before I go through my photos to post a memory for #TBT on Thursday, this data gives it another thoughtful element.

Nearly 8 in 10 Americans Say Viewing Old Photos Brings Happiness and Calm with More than Half Experiencing Reduced Anxiety
New data from Fujifilm and Dr. Lauren Cook reveals photos as powerful tools in promoting positive emotions, connection and resilience.

VALHALLA. N.Y. – MARCH 19, 2025 – FUJIFILM North America Corporation, a pioneer in the photography and imaging industry, has partnered with clinical psychologist and mental health expert Dr. Lauren Cook to unveil findings from Frame of Mind, a new survey highlighting the profound impact photography has on emotional well-being1. With more than 3 in 4 respondents agreeing that looking through old photos brings them happiness and calm, the survey, commissioned by Fujifilm, underscores the idea that photos—whether taken, shared, or simply looked at—aren’t just snapshots: they are powerful tools to promote happiness, connection, and resilience for people of all ages.

Photography: A Portal to Joy and Connection

Across demographics, the Frame of Mind survey found that 74% of respondents look at photos to relive personal memories, often evoking feelings of joy and connection. Revealing that many Americans view photography as an important part of their emotional health, photos were found to inspire more smiles (64%), reduce anxiety (58%) and help people feel uplifted (49%).
“Photos act as emotional anchors, grounding us in moments of happiness and connection,” remarks Dr. Cook. “What we’ve found here is that taking a few minutes a day to look through our photos or snap some pics can be a great form of self-care and bring us more joy than things we’ve turned to in the past like shopping, reading, gardening or even journaling.”
Whether digital or printed, the emotional impact of photos is more profound than we may realize. Nearly 3 in 4 Americans (71%) agreed that looking at their own photos brings more happiness than scrolling through social media. 84% also said they’re more likely to laugh and smile when they see their old pictures.

The Importance of Social Connections and Mental Health

Photography’s power isn’t limited to individual well-being—it’s also a key tool for maintaining social connections. Sharing photos helps 71% of people stay in touch with friends, and 66% use them to feel closer to loved ones.
1 The Frame of Mind Survey is an online survey of US-based consumers ages 18-77 and representative of the US population conducted in November/December 2024 by Fujifilm MROC.

“Photography provides a shared language for expressing our emotions, whether we’re celebrating an achievement, sharing a challenge or simply staying connected with others,” Dr. Cook adds. “This act of sharing photos, especially in times of emotional need, can bolster our sense of belonging and community—critical components of emotional well-being.”

Additional Frame of Mind Key Findings:
*Memory Preservation and Joy: 74% of respondents take photos to preserve everyday moments, while 68% document major milestones.
*More Enjoyment in the Mundane: 71% agree that taking photos increases the enjoyment of an activity.
*Comfort at Home: 8 in 10 people believe displaying photos in their living spaces contributes to greater happiness and comfort.
*A Creative Outlet: 72% of respondents use photography as a form of self-expression, finding joy in capturing and sharing their unique perspectives.
*A Moment of Levity in Times of Grief: 65% of respondents find solace in photos during times of grief and 42% say revisiting old photos is a go-to strategy for cheering themselves up.

Fujifilm’s Commitment to Emotional Well-being Through Photography

“We are more connected through photos than ever before, and the emotional and social benefits they bring, as shown by these survey results, cannot be overstated,” noted Bing Liem, Division President, Imaging Division, FUJIFILM North America Corporation. “Photography, in all its forms, is a powerful tool for emotional well-being and our commitment to preserving memories and enhancing human connections through this medium has never been stronger.”  For more than nine decades, Fujifilm has been at the forefront of innovation in the imaging industry, driven by the belief that photos are much more than pictures—they are reflections of who we are and the connections we cherish. Fujifilm is committed to its purpose of bringing the world more smiles by fostering opportunities for personal expression, connection and joy through the power of photography.
“Whether you are capturing a spontaneous moment or reliving a cherished memory Fujifilm is proud to continue to lead the way in providing individuals with the means to capture, share, and relive moments that bring joy and fulfillment,” added Liem.

About The Survey
The Frame of Mind survey was conducted by MarketVision Research. Findings are based on a survey conducted during 11/25/2024 – 12/4/2024 among 2,014 US-based respondents representative of the U.S. general population. The margin of error is +/- 2.2 at the 95% confidence level.

Netflix has created a new vision of the world called The Electric State with the Russo Brothers directing:

It’s set in a retro world where robots have taken over from the humans, and then there are the underground robots who support the humans.

Basically, you have a story of a woman whose brother has been abducted by the bad guy into a linchpin due to his intellect, to complete the robot takeover, and her search for him. He shares her search as a robot, Cosmo, channeling the real boy.

The Electric State. (L to R) Michelle (Millie Bobby Brown) and Keats (Chris Pratt) in The Electric State. Photo Credit: Paul Abell, ©2024 Netflix, Inc.

The film is based on the graphic novel by Simon Stålenhag with a screenplay written by Christopher Markus & Stephen McFeely.

The adventure of her seeking out her flesh and blood brother, coupled with the characters met along the way, is almost a wizard of Oz type journey.
But it’s not.
The complexity of the human characters and their relationships to the comically branded bots, who are there to help them on the journey, becomes the threads of the movie.

Now, having most of the characters be CG, and created via incredibly talented mocap actors (mocap = motion capture suits with tracking dots all over them to be replaced in post) is a feat, and adding in an emotional quality with the interaction between them and the live actors will bring you into this world, and you’ll buy it all.

Millie Bobbie Brown, especially, has tender moments with her brother as bot, bringing the storyline to new levels.

The Electric State. Michelle (Millie Bobby Brown) with Cosmo (voiced by Alan Tudyk) in The Electric State. ™/© 2024 Netflix. Used with permission

Chris Pratt as the “good guy/scoundrel”, brings his charm we’ve seen in his more recent roles in the Jurassic series.

The Electric State. (L to R) Colonel Bradbury (Giancarlo Esposito) and Ethan Skate (Stanley Tucci) in The Electric State. ™/© 2024 Netflix. Used with permission

Stanley Tucci as the evil manipulator, couldn’t be better cast. Do all actors love a bad guy part?
Giancarlo Esposito is a guarantee for a great performance, and having him perform mainly as part of a CG armor, illustrates why he is a consummate performer. Oscar Winner Ke Huy Quan rounds out the human talent, in a pivotal backstory role.

The voice actors are stellar, and I’ll hold off naming them as you will have fun guessing the talent as you hear familiar voices.

OK, let’s get to the technical aspects.
The combination of live action and animation in this film breaks a barrier of connection.
With an incredible collaboration between the directors, VFX supervisor, DP, and designers, they have built a world bringing you into a seamless story of an adventure and search, and emotional connection.
Shot in only 84 days, Production designers Dennis Gassner and Richard L. Johnson and the production design team constructed more than 100 sets for the film over the course
of two-plus years.
Many of the film’s robots were designed by the production design team, and the VFX supervisor Matthew Butler, with his team, animated them in a true to life way.

The Director of Photography, Stephen Windon, comes with a major list of credits, as you can see via the link. An incredible cinematic achievement, as the combination between live actors and people in mocap suits, or animated, brings all of the skills to ensure a seamless storytelling environment.

This was shot with an Alexa s35, with Atlas Orion Anamorphic lenses, and mainly shot with one camera.
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Most if this was shot in an abandoned mall in Atlanta with a major battle scene shot outdoors with the luck of having overcast light saving the need for huge lighting packages.

One of the main practical, or real props, was the Planters Mr. Peanut Mobile.

The Electric State. ™/© 2024 Netflix. Used with permission

When the Mr. Peanut character is introduced, it’s an immediate call back to a brand you know and love, and adding in the real Peanut Mobile, or NUTmobile, is a touch of authenticity that will just make you smile!

Actually, all throughout this move you will get your memory bank touched, and tapped, bringing you even closer to the story.
And if you are too young for those references, this is a family friendly movie that is accessible to all.

Overall, the challenge of engaging an audience into a story with so many CG characters, is massive.
They cast right. MBB does an incredible job.

There is one fun thing I will share: apparently Stanley Tucci had Pasta Fridays every week, where he would share his amazing culinary skills with the filmmakers during the production!

That’s the way to work on a film!