It's been a decade-long journey that began for me as an artist with a passion for drawing and painting. It's been a whole ten years since I embarked on the unique endeavour of collecting countless photographs, a treasure trove of references that fuels my creative process. Back in 2013, the beginning of this captivating journey was marked by the acquisition of my first mini-tablet, a sleek iPad Mini. Little did I know that this seemingly innocent device would become the vessel for my artistic musings and visual inspirations. As I explored the endless possibilities of digital art, my creativity flourished and evolved in ways I never could have imagined. The iPad Mini became more than just a tool; it became an extension of my artistic expression, allowing me to experiment with different mediums and techniques effortlessly.
The tale of my artistic odyssey takes an unexpected turn, as the narrative unfolds to reveal a pivotal moment. Alas, tragedy struck when my beloved iPad was stolen, leaving me forlorn and dejected. The loss of my artistic companion left a void in my creative process, forcing me to reassess and adapt to new circumstances. In my despair, a glimmer of hope emerged in the form of a solution: the sanctuary of cloud storage. With the help of cloud storage, I was able to retrieve my lost artwork and continue my artistic journey. The convenience and security provided by this technology allowed me to focus on creating without the fear of losing my work again. However, a curious twist lies in the fact that my iPad boasted a mere 13GB of internal storage, devoid of an SD card slot to expand its memory horizons.
In April 2014, I ventured into the realm of iCloud, an ethereal expanse promising the security of cloud storage. With an ardent zeal, I diligently stored countless images, a plethora that reflected my unquenchable thirst for visual inspiration. Yet, as swiftly as a summer breeze, my storage capacity dwindled into oblivion, leaving me yearning for more. I soon realised that my reliance on iCloud was not enough to satisfy my growing need for storage. The constant uploading and downloading of images became a tedious task, and I knew I needed a more practical solution to expand my iPad's memory. Despite my initial excitement about iCloud, I soon realised that its storage limitations were not enough to satisfy my growing collection of images. Frustrated by the constant need to delete files to make space, I began considering alternative solutions to expand my iPad's memory.
Amid the ebb and flow of time, a transformation was on the horizon. The year following my iCloud escapade, I sought solace in Google Photos, a vast domain where unlimited storage beckoned like an oasis in the desert. The exact date of my Google Photos initiation remains a fleeting memory, forever enshrouded in the mist of late 2014. Intrigued by the promise of never having to worry about running out of storage again, I eagerly uploaded my entire image collection to Google Photos. Thus began a new chapter, where each day witnessed a cascade of hundreds of images flowing into my digital realm. With the newfound freedom of unlimited storage, I no longer had to worry about deleting precious memories to make space for new ones. The convenience of accessing my entire photo collection from any device brought a sense of liberation and allowed me to capture every moment without hesitation.
As the years painted their strokes upon the canvas of time, my digital dance continued. The rhythm of my routine incorporated the occasional factory reset, an act that previously had me teetering on the precipice of anxiety. Now, buoyed by the secure embrace of cloud storage, I faced these factory resets in my iPad with steadfast assurance. No longer did I fear losing cherished memories or important photos, for I knew they were safely stored in the cloud. The convenience and peace of mind that cloud storage provided became an integral part of my digital existence, allowing me to navigate the ever-changing landscape of technology with confidence. Yet, amid these reset rituals, a selective process took root. Each revival of my device saw a medley of images reclaimed from the cloud's embrace, a deliberate act born not of neglect but of necessity. These selective revivals were a way for me to prioritise the most meaningful memories, ensuring that they remained easily accessible and not buried among countless other photos.
Six years onward, a new chapter unfolded. The once-faithful iPad, a partner through countless creative escapades, faltered due to the tyranny of a defective digitizer. A new tablet beckoned, and in a surprise twist, I found myself swayed by the allure of an Android device. A lower price tag and my predilection for the Android OS prompted this unanticipated shift. This second tablet heralded an era of expanded horizons, for nestled within its sleek frame was an SD card slot - a treasure trove for my burgeoning gallery. The galleries swelled, not just within my device, but in the boundless expanse of Google Photos. I was able to capture and store countless memories without worrying about limited storage space. Additionally, the seamless integration between my Android tablet and Google Photos allowed me to effortlessly access and share my photos with friends and family.
This second tablet that I had, replaced my iPad completely, for it has an SD card slot that I can store my photos on the SD card, so, I saved more photos on his tablet and on Google Photos. Not only did I have the convenience of storing my photos on the tablet's SD card, but I also had the peace of mind of knowing that my precious memories were securely backed up on Google Photos. This combination of local storage and cloud backup gave me the best of both worlds, ensuring that I never had to compromise on the number of photos I could capture and cherish. Additionally, having the option to store my photos on both the SD card and Google Photos allowed me to easily access and share my memories across multiple devices. Whether I wanted to view them on my tablet or share them with friends and family on my phone, I had the flexibility to do so without any hassle.
But I made a mistake which is that he did not manage the backup of photos very carefully which made the Google Photos app lag in backing up. Thus I did not back up my photos year after month, But afterwards, I went on backing up by uploading a batch of photos daily. As a result, I realised the importance of regularly backing up my photos to avoid any potential loss. Additionally, I started organising my photos into different albums on Google Photos for easier access and retrieval. By organizing my photos into albums, I can easily locate specific memories without scrolling through a large collection. This has made it much more convenient to share and revisit my favourite inspirations for my artwork. Furthermore, I discovered the convenience of automatically syncing my photos across all my devices through Google Photos. This feature allows me to seamlessly access and edit my photos from my phone, tablet, or computer without any hassle.
It was amid this disarray that an announcement, like a spectral wraith, heralded change - the inexhaustible vault of Google Photos had met its end. An annual toll was levied - 900 Php for 100 GB of storage. This shift bore ramifications beyond the digital sphere; a dearth of storage would now silence the chime of incoming emails. The imposition of the annual toll for storage on Google Photos not only affected my ability to access and edit my photos seamlessly but also had a direct impact on my email notifications. It was a stark reminder of how intertwined our digital lives have become, as even the smallest changes in one platform can have ripple effects across others. With limited storage, the constant flow of incoming emails would now be disrupted, adding to the challenges caused by this sudden change. Nevertheless, I still subscribe to this platform annually, for Google Photos retained its throne as the unmatched archivist of my artistic memories, despite the existence of competing platforms like iDrive Photos.
When I had about 95% of my photos uploaded to Google Photos from my SD card, I realized that there were still around 100,000 photos left. It made me hesitant to clear the storage data of the Google Photos app to start fresh because I knew it would take an incredibly long time for Google Photos to set up with such a massive number of photos. Additionally, I was concerned about the potential loss of quality or organization during the transfer process. Moreover, the thought of manually re-uploading all those photos to another platform seemed daunting and time-consuming. I decided to take a different approach and manually select and upload only the most important photos to Google Photos. This way, I could still have a fresh start without having to wait for an extensive setup process. Additionally, I made sure to organise the remaining photos on my SD card into separate folders to make the selection process easier.
Yet, in the grand tapestry of my journey, a single thread of fate unravelled unexpectedly. A digital mishap led to the erasure of my SD card's contents, save for the fortuitous preservation of images residing on my device. Surprisingly, this misfortune morphed into a silver lining. It dawned upon me that within this apparent setback lay an opportunity to manage my photo backups with newfound precision, a skill honed through months of wielding my Android phone. From my Android journey, I learned new ways how to save his photos, by simply uploading them directly to Google Photos thus not needing to download them, which is a feature of a share icon. It's amazing how a seemingly unfortunate event can lead to such valuable knowledge and peace of mind. The art of direct uploading to Google Photos emerged as a revelation, freeing me from the chore of downloading images before uploading them anew. A newfound sense of restraint adorned my approach, as I embraced the virtue of selective collecting. The cavernous abyss of storage capacity urged caution, promising a four-year odyssey to fill its depths.
Also, I reminded myself not to be gluttony in saving photos, for I see in my 100 GB storage that it is estimated that even though it only consumes 15%, it is estimated that it will take more than 4 years to fill it all up. Though I can upgrade to 200 GB, 2 TB or 5 TB of storage in the future which costs more, I still prefer not to be gluttony in saving photos that are not his artworks. Therefore, I have to look at the photos more meticulously daily before saving them to my Google Photos and to look at the saved photos daily in Google Photos. I plan to do the Google Photos inspection every other year but I'm not quite sure. By regularly reviewing and organizing my photos, I can ensure that only the most meaningful ones are saved. This not only helps me save storage space but also allows me to appreciate and cherish the memories captured in each photo. However, I may consider adjusting the frequency of my Google Photos inspection based on how quickly my storage fills up in the future.
I also hide the apps that feature photos such as Pinterest and DNArt, so that he can access them just sometimes and not always. By hiding apps like Pinterest and DNArt, I can reduce the temptation to save more photos regularly. Instead, I'll only access them occasionally to avoid being overwhelmed by the abundance of images. Even though future storage options may offer up to 5 TB of space, I still prefer not to indulge in saving unnecessary photos that are not related to my artwork. To ensure this, I will carefully examine each photo before saving it to my Google Photos account and make it a habit to review the saved photos periodically. I am considering conducting these inspections every other year, but I have yet to finalize the frequency. The temptation of apps brimming with images was tamed; Pinterest and DNArt, relegated to the shadows, emerged only sporadically, no longer holding dominion over every waking moment.
A pledge to discernment became the hallmark of my digital pilgrimage, as each photograph underwent scrutiny before finding its home in the sanctuary of Google Photos. With a heart full of intentions, I navigated my collection, upholding my promise to differentiate between my artistic creations and the ephemeral captures of the world. A cadence emerged, like the rhythm of tides, as I vowed to revisit and review these images at intervals, sculpting my digital treasury with care. This dedication to curation allowed me to curate a visual narrative that reflected my evolving perspective and aesthetic sensibilities. It also provided me with a sense of fulfilment and purpose, knowing that I was actively shaping and preserving my memories in a meaningful way. With each visit to my digital sanctuary, I found solace and inspiration, as the images served as a reminder of the beauty and diversity of life captured through my lens.
Amid my musings, I stumbled upon a meme that captured the essence of an artist's plight – the irony of storing a myriad of reference photos while birthing but a handful of artworks. This meme resonated with me deeply, as it highlighted the bittersweet reality of being an artist - constantly collecting and storing inspiration, yet only producing a fraction of what I had envisioned. It made me reflect on the importance of cherishing the creative process itself, regardless of the quantity of finished artworks, and embracing the journey as an integral part of my artistic growth. This shared sentiment resonated deeply, affirming that my journey was not solitary, but a symphony in harmony with fellow creators across the digital realm. This newfound connection fuelled my passion even more, inspiring me to continue exploring and pushing the boundaries of my artistic expression.
And so, in the waning light of my narrative, I stand at a crossroads of realization. The world beyond the screen beckons, a canvas stretching far beyond the confines of gadgets. As a graduate poised to embrace the boundless canvas of life, I yearn to cast aside the cocoon of digital seclusion. With aspirations soaring high, I am eager to immerse myself in the tangible world, where I can interact with real people and experience the richness of human connection. The digital realm has served as a stepping stone, but now I am ready to embark on a journey of personal growth and discovery that extends far beyond the pixels on a screen. I envision a life enriched by experiences, connections, and the evergreen wellspring of inspiration. The allure of venturing into uncharted territories, both physically and emotionally, fuels my desire to break free from the digital realm and embark on a journey of self-discovery and creative exploration.
In conclusion, my heart desires to weave a tapestry of meaning and depth, crafting an existence that intertwines the simple joys of daily life with the splendour of adventure. The siren call of exploration echoes in my ears, urging me to traverse the landscapes of the world, to bask in the glow of diverse cultures, and to glean motivation from the tapestry of humanity. The final stroke upon this canvas of aspirations includes vibrant interactions with friends, colleagues, and the world at large, a harmony akin to the tales spun by animated characters. In this symphony of existence, I yearn to immerse myself in the kaleidoscope of experiences, savouring the flavours of different cuisines, embracing the melodies of foreign languages, and embracing the warmth of genuine connections. ]Thus, I embark on this journey, penning the next chapters with hues of creativity, purpose, and an unquenchable thirst for life.
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