Troy Patterson

Educator, Thinker, Consultant

Category: Photography (Page 1 of 3)

Bug Lighthouse in Portland, Maine, USA. The Lighthouse is an under overcast sky.
Bug Lighthouse in Portland, Maine, USA. The Lighthouse is an under overcast sky.

Weekly Review 202602

January 13, 2026 / / 0 Comments

We had a “snow day” this past week. It was actually more of an ice day than snow. These always end up feeling strange. I mean, on one hand, that thrill you had as a kid is still there. On the other hand, there’s still work to do. Plus, I truly wonder if this would’ve been a snow day when I was a kid. I note this as a change, not whether it is good or bad, it just is.

Web hosting

I’m continuing the transition from one web host to another. The work is almost done, but still requires a bit more work. I’m hoping to finish up this weekend. Some of the work revolves around Bluehost using temporary URL’s and creating folders with random names. Other work is centered on moving mail stores.

There were a couple of posts that were impactful for me recently.

Exiting the Billionaire Castle

  • Exiting the Billionaire Castle is an interesting article on leaving the big companies behind. For example, he talks about leaving Google services behind. I’ve read several of these, and there are several common themes. This is hard. Some of the services are deeply embedded. You need to have lots of time and skill to accomplish doing things on your own.

This is a lengthy article that addresses tons of different areas, hosting your own domain, music streaming, cloud storage, social media and more. It’s worth a read. I’ll note that his site comes up with a security warning (it’s http not https). It’s safe, but…

The uncomfortable truth about getting people off US tech

The uncomfortable truth about getting people off US tech is from Doug Belshaw about why and when people make changes. He specifically talks about switching platforms. Most specifically, as the title will hint at, Europeans leaving U.S. tech.

The post is wonderfully clear, specific and readable. There are several examples and plenty of links (optional if you want to know more).

This is very relevant for me. I tried moving away from Facebook and Instagram. However, the reality is that Maine is very much Facebook centered. Tons of our businesses, nonprofits, and groups rely solely upon Facebook to provide/share information. If you aren’t on Facebook, you miss a ton of information.

Plus, I’m enjoying my photography hobby and looking for how photography is shared. I’ve looked at several options:

  • ipernity – Ipernity is an independent, nonprofit photo sharing community with more than 3,500 active registered users worldwide. Ipernity provides the protected private sharing of photos, videos, audio files, and blog entries with family and friends, as well as the global publishing of selected contents. Since ipernity‘s web service is 100% owned by its members, it is unaffected by ideological, political, religious and/or other interests. Most of all, it is independent from financial interests of investors. Its only obligation is to promote the interest and requirements of the community. User’s privacy, private data, and content, are protected and will neither be analyzed nor used by anyone for commercial or other marketing purposes. Material released for publication may appear in search engines, but nowhere else.
  • 500 px
  • Portfolio.pixelfed.com
  • PixelFed
  • Flickr
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • Unsplash – Unsplash is a platform powered by an amazing community that has gifted hundreds of thousands of their own images to fuel creativity around the world. So sign up for free, or don’t. Either way, you’ve got access to over 6 million photos and illustrations under the Unsplash license—which makes them free to do-whatever-you-want with.
  • Google Photos
  • Picdrop (free: 1gb, 3 galleries)
  • Pixabay – Royalty free
  • Glass
  • *Pexels – The best free stock photos, royalty free images & videos shared by creators.

All of these are different. Some are free and putting your images on them makes the images free (generally Creative Commons). Some are designed for professional photographers. Some are expensive. At this point, I’m mostly posting on PixelFed. This is cost effective, for me (i.e. free). I can set the license that I want, usually either All Rights Reserved or Creative Commons – Share Alike, Non-commercial, Attribution.

Futility Closet

Futility Closet found from following Alan Levine CogDog. Futility Closet is wonderful little site to stretch your thinking.

Futility Closet is a collection of entertaining curiosities in history, literature, language, art, philosophy, and mathematics, designed to help you waste time as enjoyably as possible.

The database contains more than 12,000 items, and more are added each day. You can read them chronologically, by topic, or randomly, using the Random Post button in the sidebar. If you’re looking for a particular item, click the magnifying glass at top right.

From March 2014 to November 2021, my wife Sharon and I also hosted a weekly podcast featuring “forgotten stories from the pages of history” — surprising and curious tales from the past. We’ve ended the show, but all 365 episodes are still available — click the Podcast link in the main menu, or subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

You can read Futility Closet on the web, subscribe by RSS, or sign up to receive a daily email (see Subscribe by Email in the sidebar). I’ve published two collections of my favorite items, and there’s a store full of merchandise bearing Von Glitschka’s distinctive logo

Towards a personal theory of creativity

Towards a personal theory of creativity is an interesting article about, well, creativity. This was a powerful read for me. Fred talks about creativity and how it is a process that needs effort. Fred also takes issue with “value”. Creation is a ongoing act. Creation is not dependent upon end result, rather it is the process.

The Disease of Aesthetic Photography

As noted above and in several other posts, photography is my hobby and one of my creative outlets. I’m still quite early in my photography development. There are lots of discussions about how much photography should reflect “reality”. Some claim that photography should reflect what the eye saw. Some claim that photography should capture the “mood”, the “feeling”, the existential “jist” of reality.

This article is about moving beyond the “perfection” of taking the photography and into the story that it tells. There are several great lines here:

Somewhere along the line, we stopped making photographs and started designing them.

or

Open Instagram and you’ll find yourself wading through an endless stream of beautiful nothings: golden light spilling across a brick wall, a girl holding coffee in soft focus, the occasional subject framed in tasteful melancholy. It’s all technically flawless, yes. Crisp, cinematic, algorithmically adored, and that’s precisely the problem. These images are designed to please, not to provoke. They’re built for engagement, not endurance.

The article talks about finding stories, finding truth, and the power of the photograph. At the same time, photographs that are technically perfect, but soulless undermine true photography. There are lots of examples in the article as well.

This was a wonderful article for me. He provides examples, thoughts, tips, and best practices for developing storytelling in photography.

A pot of Yemeni coffee, along with a cup of coffee, sit on a table. There is a candle under the coffee pot to keep the coffee warm.
A pot of Yemeni coffee, along with a cup of coffee, sit on a table. There is a candle under the coffee pot to keep the coffee warm.

Weekly Review 202509

November 25, 2025 / / 0 Comments

Coffee

A friend sent along this image:
A pot of Yemeni coffee, along with a cup of coffee, sit on a table. There is a candle under the coffee pot to keep the coffee warm.
Apparently at our last get together, I introduced him to the wonderful coffee at Qwah House. Golly do I miss this coffee. Plus, the seat would be sitting next to the window. Right outside is Michigan Avenue. It would be awesome to be sitting in the empty seat having great coffee and conversation.

Baby Think It Over

WYNC recently posted an article about Baby Think It Over. This was/is a “robotic baby” that was used to teach kids about the responsibilities that went along with having a child. The idea was to give kids a realistic experience for what is like to be responsible for an infant. The underlying, untalked about idea was to discourage kids from having a baby.

Baby Think It Over research shows a different story. The research study shows that the girls in the intervention group were more likely to experience a birth or an induced abortion before reaching twenty years old.

We had a couple of these in my middle school when I was a principal. The kids generally responded as we had expected; some were irritated that they had to get up in the middle of the night or at other times, some loved having something to take care of. I’m not sure how the statistics played out for our kids. However, I do know that lots of our students had actual younger siblings in the home.

I do always find it interesting that we, as adults, have certain expectations of how things are going to work out. Frequently, kids adjust and the end result is very much different than we anticipated.

Fetishizing Education

I’ve come to believe that we frequently fetishize education. One movement or another takes over. We have to do all Project Based Learning. Whole Language is destroying students ability to read, we need to implement the Science of Reading. AI is going to provide a one-to-one tutor for each kid.

Education needs a wide variety of strategies and pedagogies. This is one thing that makes teaching so difficult. There is not a single, correct answer. Rather, teachers have to implement a wide range of strategies. Teachers need to know their students. Teachers need to know when to lecture, when to provide a hands-on experience, or a real world problem.

Apparently, next up is Explicit Instruction. I have nothing against explicit instruction. Teachers need to utilize explicit instruction. Dr. Anita Archer is currently leading to drum beat for explicit instruction. My issue isn’t with explicit instruction, but rather explicit instruction at the exclusion of all else.

Ben Werd – Of the Web

Ben Werd has an interesting write up on “of the web” vs “on the web”. Ben is always fascinating and thought provoking. You should definitely be following his blog.

Landscape Summit 2025

The Landscape Summit 2025 came across my email a bit ago. Since the price was “right” (free), though there is also a VIP Level at a fee, I signed up. The free part gives you 24 hours to watch the presentation.

Since I like landscape photography, I figured it was worth checking out. I’m glad that I did. Although not all of the presentations were my cup of tea, some were excellent.

darktable vs Adobe

Participating in the Landscape Summit reinforced that, apparently, every photographer uses Adobe Lightroom. Except me. I use darktable. However, I have found that just about everything that they talk about in Lightroom can be done in darktable as well. I think that there are some AI features in Lightroom that are not present in darktable, but I don’t really want to use AI in my photography (at least not yet).

AI Yourself

Long ago, it was fun to “Google” yourself. The update is, of course, to ask AI what it knows about you (er, me). For me, I usually have to ask about Troy Patterson the educator since there is a famous Troy Patterson. Here is what Google Gemini returned:

Based on your current location in Cape Elizabeth, Maine, you are likely asking about Troy Patterson, the Director of Educational Technology for Cape Elizabeth Schools.

He is a prominent figure in the K-12 education and educational technology community, particularly known for his work in middle school education.

Here is a summary of his background and contributions:

Current Role
Director of Educational Technology: He currently leads technology initiatives for the Cape Elizabeth School Department in Maine.

Focus: His work emphasizes the practical integration of technology into the classroom, supporting both teachers and students in using digital tools effectively.

Professional Background
Dearborn Public Schools (Michigan): Before moving to Maine, he spent a significant portion of his career in Dearborn, Michigan.

Director of Technology & Media Services: He served in this role for roughly a decade (2011–2021).

Principal: He was the Principal of Woodworth Middle School (2004–2011).

Teacher: He began his career as a classroom teacher focusing on Language Arts, Social Studies, and Technology, including experience teaching in a lock-up facility for teenagers, which shaped his views on differentiation in learning.

Key Projects & Contributions
Middle School Matters Podcast: He is a co-host of this long-running podcast (alongside Shawn McGirr), which focuses on the specific needs, strategies, and joys of middle school education. It is one of the longest-running educational podcasts globally.

Moodle Expert: He is an advocate for the open-source learning platform Moodle. He runs the site Master Moodle, where he shares tutorials, course formats, and strategies for using the platform to enhance instruction (e.g., “Picture to Story” assignments, gamification).

Blogging: He maintains a personal blog where he writes about educational philosophy, technology trends (like AI in education), and book reviews.

Recognition
Administrator of the Year: He was named the Michigan Association of Middle School Educators (MAMSE) Administrator of the Year in 2011.

Middle School Matters

Middle School Matters is a long-running, weekly podcast dedicated specifically to the unique world of middle level education (grades 6–8). It is widely recognized in the education community for its longevity and its focus on the specific developmental and pedagogical needs of young adolescents.

Here is a breakdown of what makes the show distinct:

  1. The Premise
    The podcast serves as a “virtual staff room” for middle school teachers. It moves beyond general education theory to discuss the day-to-day reality of working with tweens and young teens. The hosts often discuss the “messiness” of middle school—dealing with changing hormones, executive functioning struggles, and the need for engaging, active learning.
  2. The Team
    Troy Patterson: Brings the administrator and tech director perspective, often focusing on macro-trends (like AI or policy) and educational technology integration.

Shawn McGirr: Brings the active classroom teacher perspective. He often serves as the “reality check” for new ideas, discussing how they actually play out with students in a classroom.

Dave Bydlowski: A regular contributor who hosts a specific segment called the “Middle School Science Minute.” He is a science consultant who provides quick, research-based science teaching tips or news.

  1. Typical Format
    The show is structured into segments, making it easy for educators to listen to specific parts. Common segments include:

The News: A review of current education news headlines.

The Main Topic: A deep dive into a specific issue (e.g., “Grading policies,” “Using AI in the classroom,” “Parent-Teacher Conferences”).

Web Resources: The hosts share specific websites, apps, or tools they have found useful that week.

Advisory Ideas: Middle schools often have “Advisory” periods (homeroom-style blocks focused on social-emotional learning). The hosts frequently share quick activities or discussion starters for these times.

  1. Key Themes
    EdTech with a Purpose: Because of the hosts’ backgrounds, technology is a huge part of the show. They were early champions of Moodle, 1:1 devices, and open-source software. Recently, they have focused heavily on how to manage Artificial Intelligence in middle school.

The “Middle School Mind”: They frequently discuss the psychology of 11-to-14-year-olds—why they act the way they do and how teachers can build relationships with them without losing their minds.

Longevity: Having started around 2007, they have documented nearly the entire history of modern ed-tech (from the first iPods in classrooms to Chromebooks to ChatGPT), giving them a unique historical perspective on “new” education trends.

  1. Where to find it
    The podcast is available on all major podcast platforms (Apple Podcasts, Spotify, etc.) and they maintain an archive of their resources at middleschoolmatters.com.
Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse sits at the end of a pathway of rocks. The ocean can be seen on either side of the rocks and extends beyond the lighthouse. There are trees that can be seen in the distance. Clouds are present to the left of the lighthouse.
Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse sits at the end of a pathway of rocks. The ocean can be seen on either side of the rocks and extends beyond the lighthouse. There are trees that can be seen in the distance. Clouds are present to the left of the lighthouse.

52Frames

October 24, 2025 / / 0 Comments

The 52Frames challenge this week is “centered”. This is basically ignoring the rule of thirds and centering the subject.

The Extra challenge is “leading lines”.

This week, I think that I was able to meet both challenges. The lighthouse works centered and the pathway forms the leading lines.

Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse sits at the end of a pathway of rocks. The ocean can be seen on either side of the rocks and extends beyond the lighthouse. There are trees that can be seen in the distance. Clouds are present to the left of the lighthouse.

This is the Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse in South Portland, Maine, USA.

This was taken with Canon R8, f/5.0, 85mm, 100 ISO.

A shadow is cast onto a gravestone. There are multiple names on the gravestone.
A shadow is cast onto a gravestone. There are multiple names on the gravestone.

52Frames – Shadows

October 19, 2025 / / 0 Comments

The challenge this week was shadows. I had a few options, but this was the one that I liked best.

A shadow is cast onto a gravestone. There are multiple names on the gravestone.

The shadow is cast from another gravestone. The shadow reminds me of a pawn in chess.

Fall leaves surround an old telegraph pole by a set of railroad tracks.
Fall leaves surround an old telegraph pole by a set of railroad tracks.

52 Frames Submission

October 12, 2025 / / 0 Comments

This is my submission for 52Frames this week. The challenge is time.

I wanted to capture the turning of the leaves. Here, the trees have obscured a telephone pole next to the railroad. A couple of the glass insulators are still intact on the pole. The poles have been overgrown with trees. These trees are showing their color as another year turns to winter.

tide going out with the water forming ridges

52 Frames – Week 20

May 16, 2025 / / 0 Comments

Living close to the Atlantic, water was going to be an easy assignment. I headed out and took some shots of boats, a lighthouse, and more. While I was shooting, I captured the tide coming in and out. I was surprised at the clarity of the ridges (terraces) formed by the tide.

Water Terraces

tide going out with the water forming ridges

I love the serendipity of finding this structure in the tide.

I also considered a couple of other images as my submission.

New Dawn on the Atlantic

(the potential title was worth considering for submission)

A lobster style boar named "New Dawn",with buoys hanging from it

I also liked the feeling and the seaweed on the rock of this one.
Tide on a Rock, the tide comes in over a rock, leaving bits of seaweed on the rock

A small snail on a rock.

52Frames

December 30, 2024 / / 0 Comments

Well, I did it. I completed the 52Frames challenge for 2024.

You can check out all of the photos that I submitted in one go. Some of the photos were definitely less, er, considered, than others. Still, I’m kind of proud that I was able to submit a photo every week. I did learn a good bit on the journey.

I think that I’ll do the 52Frames challenge again this year. I may not meet every week’s challenge this year, but I think I’ll do it again.

I did find the challenges very helpful in getting out to take pictures. Plus, some of the challenges required me to do some research on exactly what the challenge was. Thus, I learned some language, styles, techniques, and processes.

A small snail on a rock.

52Frames Week 42

October 20, 2024 / / 0 Comments

Oh, Hi. It’s hard to believe that I’ve been able to complete 42 weeks of the 52Frames Photo Challenge, but here we are. This week, I really wasn’t sure of my submission.

I reached out to my mini-group, and they voted for the picture below. Their comments included that this one met the challenge better and was stronger in technical aspects: focus and centered subject.

A small snail on a rock.

I like the shell, but I was leaning toward one that told more of a story. This was my second choice.

A broken lobster trap sits on a rocky beach. The Atlantic Ocean is in the background.

I submitted the shell as I do agree that there is something missing about the lobster trap. I like the story, but I think that the framing could have been better.

What do you think? Let me know in the comments below.

The Kennebec River on a sunny morning. The sun shines above a tree lined river. There are colorful Adirondack chairs on a deck. Clouds are reflected in the river.

52Frames – Panorama

October 13, 2024 / / 0 Comments

The 52Frames challenge this week is Panorama.

The Kennebec River on a sunny morning. The sun shines above a tree lined river. There are colorful Adirondack chairs on a deck. Clouds are reflected in the river.

I stopped in Hallowell on a sunny morning. The sun was bright, but I like the clouds reflecting in the river.

I tried to use the Hugin plugin, but that wouldn’t open. I switched to the AutoPano Gigi plugin and successfully created the Pano. I’ll need to play around a bit more, but I can definitely see creating more Panomaras in the future.

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