Fears, Mistakes & Inconsistencies

Yes, that's me alright.

Now, before you either roll your eyes or sigh inwardly (because chances are that you & I are shipmates on the same boat) this post is NOT about these. No, no, no.

Well, it could very well be about that but that's not what I wanted to write about.

Not really. 

It's just that the series I'm working on is really biting me in the behind.

I thought I had shot everything I needed but as it turns out, it's not as great as I wanted it to be.

And I could be lazy just leave it as is but I know I CAN DO BETTER, I MUST DO BETTER. 

“But what if I botch it again?”
— My Mind

 

"What if my vision for the series doesn't come through?"           -Me

“What if I can’t do it?”
— Myself

Ignore, ignore, ignore.

So I'm planning on going up to the large trees again this weekend. Earlier in the day this time. And when I say "planning," I mean I'll be trying to convince a few family members to get up early & drive two hours on the morning after our thanksgiving shindig a.k.a. Thanksgivinakah. Which reminds me, I've got to go wrap my gifts...

Be safe this weekend as I shall try to be.

Much love,

K

 

...oh, and stay off the road, I already called dibs on all roads & freeways.  

 

A Work In Progress!

Yessireee! PROJECT X is in full throttle! 

Okay, that's not really what it's called but it sounds like a legit name right? 

It was a lovely, sunny Saturday afternoon when my uncle & younger sister (to whom I am very grateful for their help) & I drove up into the mountains. Amidst the countless curves & dares for my Tio to practice his drifting I thanked God that I don't get carsick. 

Guess what was waiting for us at the top?? 

SNOW!

Yes, ladies & gents, wonderful patches of snow. And in the perfect amount too! Is it selfish of me to think that the Man upstairs made it snow just for me?   

Anyway, light was fading fast so we worked quickly...

Tio y Sobrina; we make a good team!

But we still had a bit of fun... 

Anyway, I showed my college professor & my peers a few choice photos from this shoot & he gave me the thumbs up to continue with it...not that I needed his approval of course but it's nice to get the nod of approval from a printing professional.

Okay so...

Suppose you are a bit sick & tired of me going on & on about this project. I don't blame you. What else have I been up to you may ask?  

Well, I found this cool song the other day:

I just love that they avoid oohs, aahs & those little fake laughs (which I despise so much) to fill up spaces, don't you?  The fact that they don't fit into the stereotypical image of 'rappers' is also a plus. I mean come on, doesn't the guy on the right remind you of Mario or Luigi? Oh my gosh and the simplicity of the video is perfect! I wonder who directed it...

Shoot, but just listen to their lyrics, they're pretty deep. Their full album, INSTRUMENTS OF MERCY is on youtube.

So listen to it before it gets deleted or something.

 

Teasing Teaser

Okay so...

Sorry I really felt like starting up with that intro. I've been listening to Snap Judgement all day at work today. Glynn Washington's smooth voice...can you blame me?

Okay so...

With my mom & sister in tow, I'm packing up a rental car with my gear & heading up into to the mountains this weekend. The Sequoia Nat'l Park to be more specific.

Yes, another series is in the works!  It's unlike anything I've ever done before!

I still need to pack a few more things so I'll leave you with this test image that I took to try out my idea for this series.

Toodle-oo!

PRINTEST.jpg

Weddings, Memories & Shoes

Family portraits are very important in my opinion. Actually, they are priceless.  

I was speaking (or rather preaching) to a friend recently on the importance of going all out & not hesitating on forking over the $$$ for a great event photographer. In this case we were discussing wedding photography.  I cannot express how trivial cake & recuerdos seem in comparison to a gorgeous compilation of wedding photos. I mean, after the food is eaten, guests leave, the tux is returned, the bouquet wilts, & the wedding dress is suffocated in a bag & stuffed in a closet, what is left?

Memories, nothing but memories...mostly in the form of photographs.  (Oh & the marriage & the certificate of course which is very special)

My point is, photographs are memories & memories are very important. Please make very nice memories & do not go cheap on recording those memories be it a wedding day or a family portrait. Who knows? Perhaps you will become famous & a documentary will be made on your life. Shoot, just realizing that future generations will recognize you only by these photographs makes making good photographs worth the trouble.

A question for you: Facebook profile pic or a beautifully crafted photograph printed on canvas?

Hah! Now that that is off my chest, let's go back to Family Portrait.

If you haven't guessed, this is a portrait of my own family & I dare you to guess which of these lovely feet are my own. Go ahead. 

WRONG! ...well, maybe you were right. I'll keep it a mystery. That is unless you are very familiar with my shoe collection or I just flat out told you in person. 

To say that faces are important in photographs is an understatement. Oh boy, don't get me started on the eyes! But as detailed and unique faces are that's not the whole story.

Let me clarify. I came across a song that I had not heard in years. Just listening to the first seconds flooded my memory of where I was that one time, with who, eating what & even wearing that.

With Family Portrait, I want to record the memory of our shoes that someday we will think back on where we bought them, where we went with them, who we were with & even how we ruined them doing that crazy thing. 

Am I making sense?  

 

Set of Series

Hi there, 

I suppose you have noticed how my work seems to appear in twos, threes, fives & then tens. Yes? Well then good eye! 

Before now, my work always consisted of single prints. Now, I'm absolutely in love with sets & series! They tell more of a story & are more interesting to the eye & mind in my humble opinion.  

On another note, my three-shot series, Grandmama is intended to show the usual stoicism of old age contrasted against the playfulness that comes along with it. You know, I don't see that often in photography & I am happy with the triptych. It shows a 3D view of her character & human-ess you know?   

And now, for additional viewing pleasure, a song that I've been in love with this week. Brought to you all the way from Brazil...and the 60s, senhoras e senhores deputados, Elis Regina.