I got my camera back!!

My Nikon D5100 has been fixed!  The mirror inside the body cracked somehow right after I started this class.  I have had to use my daughter's... Which was fine except there's a bunch of debris inside her camera.  Now that I have mine back I can send her's off for a good cleaning.  I have had many shots ruined because of the fuzz/strings/hair/dust or whatever it is in her camera.  Oh well, it got me over the hump. Now I need to re-acclimate to my camera ;)

Sherrie

Blog posts moved after titles added

POSITIVE:  I just realized that there is a way to title my blog posts.  That is exciting and will make it easier to find artists that I have discovered.  This also drives home how all the metadata will help us with our organization in Light Room.  I have over 1000 photos in two months, so I can see how if we don't include specifics, this can get out of hand in a big hurry!  When this class is over and I have more time I will be going back in to label the photos with more specifics.

NEGATIVE:  After going back in and updating all of my blog posts with titles, I noticed that a couple of them moved around, out of the order I posted them.  For example... I posted pictures from James Nachtwey one day, then posted a comment about the similarity of one of his photos to W. Eugene Smith's "Tomoko Uemura In Her Bath." Now that follow-up comment is posted out of order on today's date, as opposed to the day I originally posted it.  Strange how blogging works.  One of these days maybe I will figure it out ;)

Nachtwey and Smith

I was wondering why the top picture I posted yesterday by James Nachtwey looked so familiar.  It's very similar to the one discussed in class March 11th:  W.  Eugene Smith "Tomoko Uemura in her bath."  VERY similar!

SMITH

NACHTWEY

Not sure I got it right, yet

This past weekend I was able to get quite a few pictures depicting light at night.  A couple of them might even be pretty good, I hope.  But after listening to Kate re-explain the Light and Form assignment again yesterday, I think I may still need to get a couple more shots.  I know I got some interesting shots, I just need to take another good hard look at what I have (and print a few of them) before I will know for sure if I need to take a few more or not.

What I love about Blogging

When this class first started I had never blogged a day in my life, so I didn't know how to post photos and links for the artists I was finding.  I didn't want to fall behind, so I have been keeping a running list in my class binder/journal.  Once I figured out how to post them a couple of weeks ago, I put a few on at one time, so I could get them caught up.  I was doing research in lab yesterday and it's possible I still need one or two more artists to bring myself current.  I still have several more in my binder, so I have plenty of material.  You know, the cool thing about this blogging assignment to find one artist per week is that the bread crumb trails from one artist that I find usually leads me to so many more.  I really, really love that. 

Sherrie

MakeUp Art

Just another image of an unconventional portrait...  I'd love to learn how to do make up like this.  Perhaps as I begin to photograph more, I'll find souls willing to let me "alter" their appearance ;)

How to Achieve Great Sel-Portraits

I ran across this blog, again while researching portraits.  

http://www.photopoly.net/how-to-achieve-great-self-portraits/

There are some really cool ideas in here.  This point that resonated with me the most:

Shoot yourself doing what you love: That’s why most photographers shoot themselves with a camera in front of a mirror. Try to capture your self during an activity you enjoy doing will help you tell a story through your self portrait. It can be knitting, reading, playing football, or just chilling and watching television; if you enjoy something shoot yourself doing it. 

This blog has several ideas that will come in handy when we delve into the "multiples" self-portrait project.  

Cool Eyes!

I have no idea who took this photo so I am unable to credit the artist or learn more about them.  But I wish I could.  This photo literally jumped off the screen when I was researching different portrait artists and styles.  I am intrigued by things that are less cliche than just your standard head shot.  The use of make up in an unusual way drew me in immediately. 

Country Folk!

OMG Shelby Lee Adams... the final link on Kate's list.  I felt so at home LOL.  I don't live in a rural area or anything but I've always felt like "country folk" at heart.  I was born in Little Rock, Arkansas but did not grow up there.  I had several aunts and uncles from my mom's side that spoke the same way the family in this link did.  They knew that havin' a large family "works a man 'HOARD' don't it?" Many didn't have shoes to 'WHAR'" either.  I can mimic that accent like nobody's business.  Ask my husband, it embarrasses him to no end (secretly I think he finds it cute ;)  I loved Mr. Adams' photos and the back story so much.  Gave me more ideas for other photos I can take. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cF83Y7ey7HY&feature=youtu.be

Quirky Old Lady!

I've enjoyed looking over the links Kate directed us to.  I think this one is one of my favorite (by Allison Leach.)  I've been brainstorming what to do my portraits on, as well as my narratives.  This one reminds me of my mom, who is one of my possible subjects for those two areas.  My mom is "older" yet young and quirky.  I sure hope I can succesfully capture my mom's personality when I take her photos :)

http://www.allisonleach.com/home.htm#blank

Spring Snow Storm dumps 13.5" inches!

Sitting here looking at about 13-14 inches of snow outside that fell during our Spring Break.  We helped my husband shovel it TWICE yesterday and, my GAWD, it's a HEAVY snow! Still snowing too!!

I'm kind of conflicted and worried right now.  We are planning to move my son to his new apartment in Orlando.  He found out he can't move in until this Saturday.  I was hoping it would be earlier so I could get back in time for class Monday. I really really, REALLY don't like the thought of missing ANY classes, especially critique.  I struggle enough, and missing that won't help.   I am done with my Light and Form assignment, so that's not the problem.. but if I have to miss class and the critique, it is going to bother me ALOT.  I emailed Kate to see if there was any possibility that critique would be moved to Wednesday.  I sure hope it is.  If not, I told her I can get my pictures to one of the girls before I leave town.  So at least the pix won't be turned in late.  I'm crossing my fingers that critique will be moved.

Stay safe in this weather people!  

Sherrie

Red Cross Photo Night

Had my Red Cross Friday night shift tonight.  Got called out on a fire and tried to get some cool "light" shots.  A couple look kind of cool through the small window on the camera... we'll see what happens once I get them uploaded :)

Sally Mann

I just watched Sally Mann Art 21 again.  I started with intention of watching the segments that wouldn't play in class yesterday.  They won't play for me either so I don't think it was a school computer issue.  Anyway, I decided to watch Art 21 again because I cannot hear that darn projector at school.  Turns out I was able to activate the closed captioning!  I was near tears at some of the statments made that I would've never "heard" had I not watched it again.  The stories about how she embraced the broken lenses and scratches.  I complain all the time when I find a tiny flaw.  Maybe I should embrace the subtle differences, like she did!  The statements about her upbringing and how that molded her as a parent.  The statements from her daughter about how her work was her Bible or her spirituality.  Sally Mann is awe inspiring!  I want to learn more!

http://sallymann.com/

   

Love the Lab!

I just have to say how much I really enjoy my time in lab.  It takes me an hour to "get going" and remember the steps to things.  But each time it gets easier to do that.  I really am interested in continuing my education with photography.  I'm going to start looking through the course catalogs for the next session, if I'm not too late to sign up.  I'd love to be able to continue learning with Kate.  I spent some time in lab tonight printing some test pages for the Light and Form assignment.  I'm taking them home to ask my family for their opinion on what I have so far.  I'll shoot some more pictures too because I think I need a few more options.  I need to have them printed for the critique when we get back from Spring Break.

I plan to be in lab as often as possible during the first part of the break.  I absolutely must finish that before Easter weekend.  I have three moves coming up starting that weekend and through the end of the month.  My daughter is moving her stuff back from her apartment in KC; my oldest son bought a new condo and is moving in around the end of the month; and middle son is moving into his new apartment in Orlando around that same time frame.  It's going to be nuts so I really need to have all of this done before that craziness starts :)

Well the printer has stopped so I need to wrap things up and head home.  I'll be doing some more blog posts ASAP.  I have a couple more artists to post.  I should have posted 8 total by this point.  I didn't get all 8 done each week as was requested because I could not figure out how to post pictures.  Once I figured that out (a couple of weeks ago) I started posting them like crazy.  I've had them all written on a list so that I could just bang them out in a hurry... but I still have a couple more to post.  I'll have to email Kate so she doesn't think I'm slacking by not having 8 on there already.

'Til next time!!!
Sherrie

James Nachtwey

James Nachtwey is another artist that for me, evokes a lot of feeling and emotion in his work.

http://www.jamesnachtwey.com

He is an American photographer, best known for documenting war, civil strife and other conflicts.  I couldn't agree more with his quote below...    

"I have been a witness, and these pictures are

my testimony. The events I have recorded should

not be forgotten and must not be repeated."

-James Nachtwey-

Arno Minkkenen - Arms and Legs

Wow... another one that I found, quite by accident:  Arno Minkkenen.  I am AB-so-LUTE-ly amazed and awed... not only by his work, but by the way he describes his process of taking photos.  I could try and summarize it, but with every word I read, my jaw dropped open even more.  So I invite you to read about him yourself.  Hopefully you'll be drawn into his world and be as awestruck as I was.  

Wow... Wow... WOW...

http://www.arno-rafael-minkkinen.com/interiors_and_exteriors.html

Ed Vatza Nature and Graffiti

Ed Vatza is a nature photographer.  I ran across this photographer and his images while investigating another photographer, Tony Sweet.  When I think of a nature photographer, I imagine flowers, trees and bodies of water.  Ed Vatza does plenty of that... 

... but the image that initially caught my eye doesn't fall into that kind of category.   The image below is from a section titled "Graffiti Underground" called "Ghostly Apparition."  He took this as part of Tony Sweet's photography workshop.  I thoroughly enjoyed the images of graffiti.  This one makes me want to learn more about superimposing photographs.    

I find it oddly beautiful how this journey Kate is taking us on to broaden our horizons and find what inspires us has so many possible twists and turns.  I hope that I keep finding treasure like these with every fork in the road.

My progress

So, just to keep a timeline on my progress... I'm not sure if I'm any better as a photographer, but I do think I am more educated on how it works.  It's much more than snapping pictures on "automatic."  I sincerely hope that I continue to improve over the next couple of months.  I'm a little frustrated with myself because I can't seem to pick up on this as fast as others have.  It's not Kate's fault, that's for sure.  She is a great instructor and really knows her stuff.  I hate wasting her time to ask her to repeat stuff over and over again when she has so much she needs to teach us in class.  Everything just seems to fly out of my head so fast!  Guess that's why I've avoided going back to school since graduating High School.    

I'm in class 100% of the time and come to lab a lot in between so I can keep up on things... and also to keep practicing things so I can try and keep it fresh.  I have ups and then I have downs.  The most recent downer was when I came for lab last Saturday.  I wanted to print some of the Light & Form photos I took and I had to leave without doing them because I couldn't remember how to print :( But I was happy that I managed to get them imported!  Hey, I have to pat myself on the back for any successful moments, no matter how small.  Practice makes perfect and I don't want to give up.  I know I'll get better at this eventually.

  

Half the Sky

I watched Half the Sky over the weekend.  It is unfathomable that things like this are happening. I plan to share this story with as many people as I can.  Perhaps if we all share this with one or two friends, the ripple effect will help increase awareness.    http://www.halftheskymovement.org/pages/film

Alan Babbitt - Light and Motion

I really enjoy seeing light and motion captured in a photo!  The work below are images from Alan Babbitt, another artist that I'm now in love with.  In addition to other health issues, he suffers from Parkinson's.  When he was first diagnosed he wasn't sure he'd be able to continue to work as a photographer.  Rather than let the hand tremors beat him, he chose to make them an integral part of his work.  You can see some of his work and read more about him here...  http://www.abproductions.com

Devyn Brown

I am posting these images because they are some of my most favorite drawings and/or photoshop work done by up and coming tattoo artist, Devyn Brown.  She's not famous (yet) but these images inspire and intrigue me.   http://www.tumblr.com/tagged/devyn%20brown

Fear of Insanity

Fear of Spiders (or not)

Role Reversal (photo shop)

Self Portrait (ink and watercolor)

Carol Guzy

I am so glad my previous post on Carol Guzy worked :)  I have been doing a lot of searching for artists and/or photographers since class first started.  I've compiled a list of about 20 that I am interested in learning more about.  I just hadn't blogged about any of them yet because I wasn't sure I could figure this stuff out.  Now that I know I can create links and post images I can get on with the job of blogging about them! As I may have mentioned, the first artist that really hit me on a gut level was Carol Guzy.  I can very much relate to her as an artist.  When I take a photo, I'm usually asking myself what story I'm trying to tell.  She inspires me to become even more aware of my surroundings, and the people in them.      

Carol Guzy #1

In searching for the weekly artists to feature on the class blog, I found Carol Guzy.  She was described as a photographer who is known for capturing 'feelings' in her images.  When  I started viewing some of her work, I was awestruck.  "It's important to remember," Carol Guzy says, "that they (pictures) are only tools. It's the people in the pictures and those who view them that are important."  This will be my first attempting at creating links, so I hope it works!

https://people.creighton.edu/~sbo05090/bookreport.html