On this auspicious first day of 2012, I wish you an extraordinary new year and the hope that things improve for the people, and for our home planet. It seems that the global state of gloom and doom has gotten everyone’s attention by now.

I can’t help but be reminded that it is the struggle that defines humanity, and we are at our best when things get rugged. My advice is to remain flexible with whatever you encounter this year, especially if it’s challenging. Sharpen your wits to a razor’s edge and don’t forget the coffee.

Ice lens.

As for myself, I’m going to add a new camera to my bag of tricks, just in case. It has a built-in monopod that not only shoots cool photos, but can double as a zombie flail if need be. I call this my 2012 Digital Camera, because it takes five digits to grasp it properly.

My new custom-made camera setup for 2012.

Nothing freezes the zombie action like this 2012 Digital Camera. You realize I’m just kidding, right? It’s really not a flail at all; it’s just a camera for the upcoming year.

Have a great new year and remember, the magic words for 2012 are flexibility, preparedness and quick wits. Think like a raven.

Story & Photos Copyright Larry McNeil, 2012, All Rights Reserved

Or Reasons #1 & 2 Why Film Cameras are Still Relevant in the Digital Age

#1: You can use them as hammers.

Forgot your hammer while in the midst of shooting? No problem if you have a film camera. Just pull it out and start banging away. Sure it may leave a little dent or two, but it gets the job done, dang it. Can you do this with a little digital camera? Ha. I laugh openly at the wimpy little camera wannabes.

Ok, so we live in a world being transformed via a dizzying digital maze. It reminds me about what happens with natural selection and the theory of evolution, only with us, it’s happening so fast that we don’t have time to keep up with it all, let alone reflect about what’s going on with it. With natural selection, film cameras are evolving out of existence. Can you use your digital camera as a hammer? Ha. Dream on.

#2: They make a killer Zombie flail.

Well, digital camera smarty pants, what happens when the Zombies attack? Pull out your little digital camera and start popping your little wink flash at them? Ask them politely to unhand you? I’ll be looking out for all the Zombies with little digital cameras still in their pockets. Then let ‘em have it between the eyes with my flail film camera. The cool part is that the handle doubles as a monopod for those tricky low-light scenes.

A crow bar for Zombie attacks? Not likely. Give me the film camera flail any day.

Tonight is a full blue moon, and I’ll be standing by with my film camera ready for nearly anything. Don’t say I didn’t warn you, because the tough survivors will be the ones with film cameras, dudes.