Landscape & Nature Assignment

Downtown Oregon City - Willamette Falls

25 November, 2012

ISO 100

55 mm

f/5.6

1/13 sec

Challenges: you can't shoot the river right up close.

I would probably use a tripod instead of a monopod, if I could go back in time. I would also wear warmer clothes, since it was freezing.

Downtown Oregon City

25 November, 2012

ISO 400

29 mm

f/5.6

1/30 sec

It's hard to get a large tree photo when there's a medium sized town behind it.

I liked how the colour kind of filters in by the branches and twigs, so I like how I did that.

Merrywood Farm

7 December, 2012

ISO 100

36mm

f/5.0, 1/30 sec

Challenges: MY EYES WERE DILATED. So maybe not having an eye exam that day?

Downtown Oregon City

2 December, 2012

ISO 100

55 mm

f/5.6

1/20 sec

Challenges: it was raining and Joseph instructed me to only use a tripod. I had to carry a tripod as well as a bag, camera case, and an umbrella

Merrywood Farm

7 December, 2012

ISO 800

32 mm

f/5.0

1/30 sec

Challenges: dilated eyes are not the best to shoot with. So don't do it.

Rose Garden

23 November, 2012

ISO 400

45 mm

f/5.6

1/13 sec
Challenges: it was raining, which reflected any light around it. Um, don't cary an umbrella around with you, buy protective gear.

Merrywood Farm

7 December, 2012

ISO 640

49 mm

f/5.6

1/50 sec
Again, complications with dilated eyes. Don't do it.

Merrywood Farm

7 December, 2012

ISO 400

37 mm

f/5.6

1/50 sec

The end of my session with dilated eyes. Here, I could actually see. The complication was breathing in smoke and not slipping in mud, but it was well worth it.

Singer Creek

23 November, 2012

ISO 400

32 mm

f/4.5

1/200 sec
It was raining and I smashed my fingers a couple times with the tripod and holding the umbrella. It was difficult to capture the water in movement, but I like that I caught the water but then at the bottom of the falls it decided to eventually blur.

A Week at a Glance

Monday: Die at school, may have lunch with Pastor Stephen
Tuesday: Work on photographs, Gospel Choir
Wednesday: SA meeting, get all work for Friday, map out the game plan for presale, maybe I'll video blog
Thursday: prep for Friday, worry about presale, worry about IV's
Friday: The Hobbit?, Wisdom Teeth Extraction, worry about IV's and laughing gas, eat barely anything of substance
Saturday: Get the parents to get the Muse tickets for me since I'll be high as a kite
Sunday: cry because Muse

The Weekend

This weekend.

Friday:

1. Eyes get dilated
2. I get a christmas tree - with the eyes dilated
3. I take photos - with the eyes dilated
4. I go to a vespers - with the eyes dilated
5. I was disoriented because I haven't had my eyes dilated in two years

Saturday:

1. Christmas concert

Sunday:

1. Go to gay wedding - my dad's cousin's ex-husband got married
2. Go to banquet
3. Ride in a Limo - first time
4. Go to Papa Hyden's - first time
5. Go to Courtney's
6. Get home at 1:30 AM and fall asleep very fast

Monday (as of now)

1. wake up
2. scroll through Facebook
3. see that Muse is coming to Portland January 31, 2013
4. cry
5. cry
6. cry
7. cry
8. run downstairs and tell my dad while weeping
9. cry
10. cry
11. cry
12. cry
13. change clothes - my Muse attire
14. cry
15. cry
16. brush the teeth
17. cry
18. cry
19. cry
20. cry
21. cry
22. set up presale directions and start mapping out "the game plan"
23. cry
24. cry
25. cry
26. cry
27. cry
28. stop crying
29. tell the Hermana about muse
30. go to starbucks
31. go to school
32. tell Joseph about Muse
33. scream internally because Muse
34. write this blog post

THE ZOO

The Friends

The Lights

The Lion Friends

The Lights and Tali Friend

A Photographer's Responsibilty

As an aspiring photographer, I have my own, individual priorities. I'm not going to lie, this is response to the controversy over the photograph of a man about to die by being run over by a subway train. I won't lie about how I sometimes - usually - change my mind or decide not to do something because I'm afraid. I won't lie that I think life is more important than getting that one, powerful shot. I cannot lie about the fact that I would probably be in shock and could wait for someone else - probably someone that has muscular prowess - to help. I cannot lie that I would feel guilty about not helping the man who was struggling to move out of the way of the fast speed of death.

The thing is... When someone's life is at stake, you put down what you're doing and you do everything within your power to help. I'm not blaming the photographer or saying the death of the victim was his fault. I'm not. I'm just saying that when you are photographing something that is monumental, don't put another life at risk - whether it be human, animal, plant, etc. You have a choice. You have the chance. You - most likely - have the ability. Do what you can to help.

In class, Joseph brought up the issue of the monks on fire. It was their own choice, but I figure that you could at least show some concern and throw water on them or try to help. If they shoo you away or tell you to stop, try once more. Try and try again and again. But in the end, if they've made that decision, honour it after you've done all within your power to stop them from lighting themselves on fire - if that's what is happening. After that honour their decision and give them the respect they deserve. If they want a photo taken of them, have them tell you. Don't ask. Don't assume. Give them the liberty to ask.

That is all.

-Fin-

The Project

I have 4 photos left to capture. ONLY FOUR.

This is incredibly exciting and I hope to get these all done tonight and this week! :)

The First Photo

December 1, 2012

Oregon Zoo

Assignment Update #1

This is the status of my Landscape and Nature assignment, as of Monday, December 3, 2012 at 8:46 AM, that is due December 13, 2012 at the latest time of 5 PM:

~I have my golden hour shot done and my macro shot done.

~I may have my medium shot done, but I'd have to check Lightroom.

~I need to check with Joseph about my reflection shot.

~I need to remember what other photos I'm supposed to take.

~I need to edit everything.

5 Inspirational Blogs

Francesco Mugnai: blogof.francescomugnai.com/
He has a variety of different photographs as well as How-To's and the occasional list of things you could shoot.  His photo's are quality and unique, and Mugnai describes how he shot them or ways the reader could shoot them. Mugnai has many unique ideas for different items of apparel, home design, and different photographs.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt: hitrecordjoe.tumblr.com/
Joseph Gordon-Levitt is on this list for a few reasons. For one, he's a cool guy and hes very humorous. For another, JGL is groovy. And for another, he creates opportunities for many aspiring artists.

It's Nice That: www.itsnicethat.com/
Interviews, photo sets, as well as how tos. It's Nice That portrays pops of colour on a simple, effective layout while still keeping it simple, short, and to the point.

Photography Blogger: www.photographyblogger.net/
Providing inspiration and guides, Photography Blogger helps out aspiring photographers while keeping the interest of professionals. A lovely blog. I quite enjoy it

John Green: fishingboatproceeds.tumblr.com/
John Green is my favourite author. His works are superb, and his tumblr page never fails to inspire the occasional giggle in my life. John Green is inspiring by his works and just him in general.

Weekly Synopsis

Photography:

Joseph taught me how to shoot with a tripod.
I am not a fan of the heavy, bulky tripod. Rather, I'm a fan of the rare, less bulky monopod.
This weekend I used a tripod, though. Some of the shots you can get with a tripod are the best.
It is vital that if you are a photographer that you have a tripod and maybe a monopod a well,
since humans have naturally shaky hands.
Also making images sharp. That's another thing I learned this week. :)