A day or two after my surgery my daughter took on the role of photographer’s assistant. We decided to use the built in bookcase at the end of my daybed as our studio. She cleared the large center shelf and we took turns choosing knickknacks to photograph with the Hasselblad X1D.
For Christmas my 10-year-old daughter received a BB-8 remote controlled toy droid. From purely a material design standpoint, it is a very cool toy. Well constructed of metal, its spherical head is magnetically attached to its spherical body allowing the two to move independently from each other while staying attached. It moves by rolling its spherical body, which it does super fast. BB-8 can really move. Its graphics and finish are very high-end. Aesthetically, it was ripe for photographing.
My able assistant followed my directions and posed BB-8 in a variety of ways. But I didn’t think my photos were working. My daughter then said she had an idea she wanted to try. Sure. Why not.
As the age of AI breaks upon us, age old riddles remain. Even certain 10-year-olds appreciate the conundrum that is: To exist.
Touché Zoe.