Novemeber 7, 2009

So I've processed the pictures from the shoot at the Arboretum. It went pretty well. It was the middle of the day and the sun was a bitch. Plus everyone seemed to be wearing white, so a lot of the white got completely blown out due to the aperture that I was using. Because it was so crowded (and because it's what you do for portraits) I used a wide aperture which let in too much light. I need to dial it back next time. Plus, the kid would NOT cooperate in the family portraits. Wouldn't smile. Wouldn't keep still. It was an interesting experience. So this is a few candids that I snapped. His shoe was untied, so I thought it was a cute daddy/son thing. Also, I'm working on my logo. I kinda like this one.

Today's shot:


I'm out,

E

October 31, 2009 - Wow, So It's Been A Month Huh?

So since I've fallen off the wagon a bit . . . time to get started again.

First thing's first. Mystery guy.

This is Aden. The guy that is the source of the makeup applications. He and I work together for the time being.

I actually ran into him today at the library while I was checking out books on how to start my own photography business.

I've done two official photo shoots. Both in the middle of a damn day under the unforgiving Texas sun. Just once I want a client to listen to me and get their picture taken in the morning like they should. Especially when its outside. The first client, Eureka, was a pain in the ass. This client today at the Arboretum wasn't bad. But the pictures were overexposed. So I was a little pissed. More pictures to come on that. They are on Facebook.

Peace out,

E

September 28, 2009

I'm reading this book called Ignore Everybody And 39 Other Keys To Creativity by Hugh MacLeod. Though it's not the most gripping thing I've ever read, he does make some very good points.

In tip #7, he states that "everyone is born creative; everyone is given a box of crayons in kindergarten. Then when you hit puberty they take the crayons away and replace them with dry, uninspiring books on algebra, history, etc. Being suddenly hit years later with the 'creative bug' is just a wee voice telling you, "I'd like my crayons back, please."

So I guess that's what I'm saying. I want my crayons back.

So in honor of that, today's shots:


E

September 27, 2009

Alright, I'm not nearly as diligent with this as I should be. I know that. On Thursday, a 19 year old Jordanian terrorist tried to blow up the building across the street from me. The FBI foiled the attempt, but still, it's kind of freaky . . . and a little scary. Anyway, here's a picture of the building that I took not too long ago. Good thing it's still standing.

Today's shots:


E

Sept 20, 2009

OK, so yeah, it's been a while. Been busy. Too busy. Went to the park and took some shots of a co-worker and her daughter. Haven't processed those yet . . . but I've got to post something, so here we go.

Today's shots:

September 1, 2009

So this past weekend, I had to work, but I really wanted to take pictures. So using my infinite wisdom, I brought the mountain to Mohammed and brought the camera to work (even though it violates possibly every clause of the confidentiality agreement). Whatever, I was taking pictures out the window and not of the room itself.

So on a break I went downstairs to take some shots out and around the building. I got yelled at by the security guard and possibly suspected of terrorism. Apparently, this makes me a terrorist. Albeit, obviously not a bright one, cause I'd like to think terrorists were more subtle . . . with cameras hidden in pens and other James Bond kinda stuff . . . not lugging around a Nikon with a 300mm lens on it, but I digress. My plan was to come back and get the same shot at night . . . but for fear of being arrested, I decided not to push my luck.

So yeah, that's it for now. Back to work . . . cause, well, I'm posting this from work.

E

August 23, 2009

After a fair amount of self-loathing the last few days, and an outright breakdown on Thursday, I've decided to take another approach to life. I'm shedding the dead weight. I used to have one or two good friends, and now it seems like I have a handful of mediocre/useless friends. Friends that never put forth the effort. Friends that it's always about them . . . even when you call them and try to make it about you for a change. So I sat, moping around my apartment for a bit to see what changes I needed to make and I got a pretty idea of who needs to be in my life and who doesn't.


Today's shots:

Various mini stuffed animals I have (mostly Disney since I got them at the Disney store) and I decided that I'm in an Eeyore state of mind.



E

August 20, 2009

Adventures in editing. Haven't gotten a chance to really pick up the camera lately, so I decided to edit a few more of my existing pictures.

Today's shot:

Balboa Island (which really isn't much to look at) in Newport Beach, CA.

I increased some of the highlights, made it a black and white and took some texture that gave it an old film kind of quality . . . since the place hadn't been updated since the 1960s or so, I thought it appropriate.



Peace,

E

August 16, 2009

First weekend off in forever and I've spent seemingly ever waking moment with people that I've ignored for the past few weeks.

Today's shots:

This is a picture of the script that I wrote that was subsequently torn apart by the people in my screenwriting group. So now I have to do a re-write because I'm obviously not as talented as I originally thought.

Shot with the 50mm at 1.8/f . . . and textured.

August 13, 2009

Got a little bogged down with Psychology papers and what not. So anyway, took some shots today. I tried a few with me, but I absolutely hate pictures of myself. One day I'll have to get over that.

So these were the product of today's labor.

My shower. I have the rainwater showerhead, which I love. And my loofa sponge back thingy . . . which came out way too dark in this size.


And me, in my bathroom mirror. I have fat fingers. But, my hair looks good. Life's a trade off.


E

August 7, 2009

So for whatever reason I've been missing my baby brother lately. He can be a pain in the ass, but whatever he's family and at times, the only friend I have. So since I had a spare hour between leaving work early and going to my screenwriting group meeting, I fired a few pics off in an effort to keep this whole improvement thing going. Since I had him in mind, I took one of his sailor hats, and combined it with my necklace (that my Mom gave me when I was 11) and took this shot.

Today's shot:



Off to get my script torn apart.

E

August 5, 2009

I've already found my first loophole. So I'll either take a picture, or post-process a past picture each day. That's my new goal. Each helps a certain set of skills. Also, for today, when there's a monsoon outside my door, it's also helpful. I would take some indoors, but indoor light is tacky . . . and I like using natural light and no flash.

So yeah.

Today's shots:

The top of a lamp in my living room that's slightly leaning against my patio blinds.


A peach that ran under water for a bit and put in front of the patio blinds. I used a larger aperture to let in more light to wash out the blinds & also to give no depth of field so it looks like a white background. There were some distinctive lines in the picture but I dodged and burned (I really gotta figure out which means what) to get rid of them.


Queen of Hearts: Cause I'm sappy like that . . . and I wanted to play with my "macro" lens some more.



OK. TTFF. Ta Ta For Now.

E

August 4, 2009

Alright. So a few days ago, I had the great realization that I am, in fact, a storyteller. It's what I'm good at and it's what I love to do. So. Now. How do I make a living from that? Well, first I have to get better at my craft. Right now, work and school are consuming every moment I have. So I have to find all this extra time to do this stuff. I took the day off from work today and spent 3 hours taking and processing pictures. I finally felt like me again. So I started this blog to basically create a photographic journal and to make sure that I pick up the camera every day. So it's basically my own 365 day project.

Once I decided that I'd had enough of work for one day, I broke out my camera and took pictures of whatever I had handy. Poker chips, cards, peaches, my guitar, my PS3 controller and rocks. I learned a few things too. Eventually, I need to focus more time and effort on my post processing and learning about that.

Today's shots:

Attempted with my 300mm on a tripod


My guitar against my patio blinds. Wanted to get the reflection on the side there.


The stones that I got from the Grand Canyon this year. They didn't fall out of the bag like that, but were strategically placed. Some pretty heavy post-processing (for me anyway). Warmed it up, dodged and burned some areas (specifically those two stones kinda in the bag back there) and added the texture. This is by far the best picture I've ever taken I think.


Broke out the cards. I saw a picture on Flickr that I liked with a guy peeking at two aces, so I figured that I'd do him one better.


So since this blog won't let me add anymore pictures, I suppose this is it for now. Hopefully more to come tomorrow.

E