The Sunday Digest 012
Hey Siri, toss on the bossa nova playlist.
Welcome to The Sunday Digest — a free Sunday newsletter featuring long (and some short) reads, original columns, things I’ve saved over the last week, relaxing playlists, episodes releases, exclusive product drops, and more. Yes, you can reply to this email. I’d love to hear from you. Or, if podcasts are more your speed on Sundays, we’ve got that too.
Sunday Read: Have iPhone Cameras Become Too Smart?
by Kyle Chayka for The New Yorker
Sometimes I wish I was one of those cool people who take photos on actual cameras, upload and edit them, only to post their high-taste photos on Instagram for all to enjoy. While I don’t think anyone should have any shame for being an iPhone-exclusive photographer, there’s certainly still a stigma around those who are.
There’s a reason Apple touts the new camera whenever a new iPhone is released — because a better camera is the most surefire way to get the masses to upgrade. But does a nicer camera mean better photos? Well, this piece from The New Yorker opens that discussion.
In the twentieth century, photography enabled the mass reproduction of art works, broadening their accessibility while degrading their individual impact. Just as art works have physical “auras,” as Walter Benjamin described it, traditional cameras produce images with distinctive qualities. Think of the pristine Leica camera photo shot with a fixed-length lens, or the Polaroid instant snapshot with its spotty exposure. The images made on those devices are inextricable from the mechanics of the devices themselves. In a way, the iPhone has made the camera itself infinitely reproducible.
The device’s digital tools can mimic any camera, lens, or film at any moment, without the manual skill that was necessary in the past—not unlike the way in which early photographs replicated painters’ brushstrokes. The resulting iPhone images have a destabilizing effect on the status of the camera and the photographer, creating a shallow copy of photographic technique that undermines the impact of the original. The average iPhone photo strains toward the appearance of professionalism and mimics artistry without ever getting there. We are all pro photographers now, at the tap of a finger, but that doesn’t mean our photos are good.
Read in full.
Things I Saved This Week
The Sunday Haiku
Wait, do you smell that?
Is the hair straightener on?
Always trim your wicks.
This Week’s Episodes
Retail Therapy 005: Chanel Bags x Night Luxe Aesthetic
Ever wanted two dudes to talk you into buying a medium Chanel flap bag? Well, you've come to the right place as Barrett and Will do their best to convince a group of listeners to splurge for an expensive handbag. They also discuss the rise of The ‘Night Luxe’ Aesthetic where martinis and steaks are replacing smoothies and yoga on Instagram and TikTok.
The Sunday Scaries Podcast: Swedish Fika, White Noise, and A Heartfelt Thank You
In the 200th episode of The Sunday Scaries Podcast, we discuss the Swedish practice of 'Fika' that revolves around regular coffee breaks, the benefits of using a white noise machine to sleep, and a very heartfelt thank you to anyone who has supported the brand and podcast along the way.
Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and anywhere else podcasts are found.
Relaxing Watch: Open Fire Cooking Icon Francis Mallman
Both CBS Sunday Morning and Francis Mallman have served as muses for the Sunday Scaries brand at some point during its tenure. And the more you dive into Francis and the intricacies of his life, well, you’ll begin to understand why.
See you next week.
— Will