Fit to be Seen.: November 2009

Directions Please...

I need a map...
Something to point me in the right direction, or at least show me where I am...

A lodestone.

I am easily distracted by so many options.
I seem to be spinning and spinning, not able to grasp unto anything.

I am the audience not the play.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

life seems brittle
and weak

those things i hold
dear
onto for life
tightly

crumble

turn to dust

i clutch the ashes
in my hand
knowing the wind
will steal the pieces

i walk for miles
both hands clenched
in fists
not of rage
but
to rage

against

the changes
brought by
life and wind

wind and life

on this solid granite
island
my island me
the winds
never cease

my fingernails
bite into my palms
the blood

mixing with ash

creates a dough
to form
a new
small piece

something too heavy
for
change

like a piece
of history
my story
~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Me Myself Model

What is your opinion on Self-Portraits? I am ambivalent. On one hand I have no problem with them and love looking at the way people shoot themselves...On the other hand I feel very narcissistic taking my own photo.
Here are some I took a couple of nights ago. I wanted to see if the automatic focus could be used to focus in on the "products" I was wearing. So that way, when no one was around to help, I could model and take product shots at the same time for my Etsy Shoppe!

The focusing was way off...In the first shot I was trying to focus mainly on the ring, using a crop from my nose down as the "signature" shot for the vintage rings I have to sell. The next would be for earrings. The last for hats and hair accessories. I personally like the use of models in product shots. It gives a fairly accurate scale of the products and the shot is more interesting. Unfortunately it seems I won't be able to do this alone. :(
The clothing is a whole other bag of worms, as I am too big for most of the lovely vintage items I have. (If I wasn't I wouldn't give any of it up!)
I need more friends! :) Who have nothing better to do than come over and play dress-up/model for me. I should have known my childhood Barbie obsession would pop up somewhere in adulthood! ;)
Take a self-portrait and let me know how it makes you feel?
xoxox

Last night my beloved Drooke tried to kill me.

It's true!
I know she doesn't seem the type.
With all her purring and kneading.
The last ten years have been a ploy to lead me into a state of naive trust and affection.
Last night she showed her evil plans.
I will never sleep without a squirt gun under my pillow again.
And here, the heinous tale...
I was sleeping on my back with earplugs in, as a light sleeper with a nocturnal animal must do.
Unknown to me SHE had already begun to implement her plan. My death!
She snuck stealthily up my side and stood on my chest.

I guess she wanted one last look before I was in the morgue.
She quietly, lightly, laid down.
Pretending to be uncomfortable she rolled...
The furry, loose belly she has, since being "fixed", completely and effectively slid into my open mouth! I was being smothered by the very belly I had rubbed earlier!
I awoke gasping and spitting out fur...

Drooke claims (unconcerned, might I add) it was an accidental event.
Har-umph! Sure!
:)

grateful

Happy Thanksgiving to my American friends...
Gratitude changes Everything

flickHER

I started a new Flickr group today so if you are a female photographer (of any skill level) and use Flickr I would love to have you and your photos in the group.
It is called ~flickHER~ and you can join here.

*You do not need to buy an account to use Flickr. Just sign in and they let you upload 200 photos to share.

-Anne Frank

Winter's Light

Winter has always been my favourite season.
Without question or consideration of the obvious downsides.

The summer behind us has been an anomaly in my life. The photography bug has bitten and left me with an unusual symptom.

A desire for long days of light.

Nature is pulling the blinds
just as I am going to *capture*
some of the tremendous beauty of this season.
She is telling me to pack it in just as I am getting deep into the process.

And like a petulant child I hang on and pout and find the excuses to stay a little longer...with varied results of course.

This is where the "gear" of photography is key. A good tripod. Fast lenses. A good camera.

All will help you squeeze the last vestiges of light out of a day.

If you too are feeling the cramp of low light photography here are some links I've perused about the topic...

tips
more tips
and more tips
and even more tips

Soon we have the harsh winter whites to learn to deal with...
Sometimes I feel my brain getting boggled with all that there is to learn.
BUT...
The best part is being out in the field, faced with a problem and the things you need to know just come...
That. Makes. Me. Feel. Awesome. And pretty darn smart too. ;)
If you are learning to photograph, as I am, I hope something in the articles help you. If not I hope that I can soon share some of the results of this learning...
Have a beautiful evening...
xoxox

Feeling Monday Morning

i woke up this morning feeling as these little guys do...
quite prickly.
so if you see me today
stay out of my way.
:)

sfgirlbybay and nfgirlbyday :)

I was so happy tonight to look at one of my favourite blogs, sfgirlbybay, and see a photo of mine featured.

Yay!
Thank you so much Victoria.

Happy Friday

A morning walk.
Finishing a roll of film in the 35mm Nikon.
Taking some shots with the old digital Nikon...

A neat little Vintage and Antique Shoppe just around the corner from my home...

I bought this little fellow to hold my tea bag.

Me and a huge vintage mirror...
This was part of my morning.
If you see anything here worth millions let me know and we can share the profits!
Have a Wonder Full Weekend!!
xoxox

Using Film

Here are some of the photos I've recently taken with a film camera.
It is a lot harder to get the shot and, obviously, you do not know you didn't get what you wanted until the actual photos are developed and in your hand.
I really enjoyed it though.
The anticipation was fun.
Just using an old film camera and not constantly checking and re-taking to get the perfect shot.
I found the process was more relaxing and focused at the same time.
Flow...

Hope you like these.
xoxox

Change

A blog I like that has some great and interesting articles...

The Change Blog
Here is an article I enjoyed 39 Ways to Boost Your Mood and am practicing.

Hope you find some little bit of inspiration, guidance or help.
xoxo

B. S. T. #18

Beautiful Simple Things #18

low tech and lovely
my current favourites...
film cameras
typewriters
records
stove top espresso makers
hand knit
from scratch
shadow puppet shows...

Wow!

it is interesting to contemplate that most of the above items were high tech not so long ago.
it baffles the mind to think of where we may be headed.
any low tech things on your favourite list?

"Camera" ~Etsy Search #2~

I love this (reclaimed wood) Camera Bot by
William Dohman
This Bot kinda' reminds me of a photographer friend of mine. ;)
A treasure chest of a shop!
There are also lovely photos, signs and artwork over in this Etsy shop...

I have a little Imperial Toy camera and I love the colours these little toy cameras have. Colours captured in this limited edition illustration by
CB78
There are beautiful illustrations of the everyday turned interesting in Christine Berrie's shop.
Go take a peek maybe your favourite thing is featured in one of them.

Another of my favourite cameras, though I've yet to get one!(hint. hint.)
Nan Lawson Illustration
I love the way she illustrates people too.
Especially Max from Where the Wild Things Are.

Of course if you've been reading here for long you know I am trying to learn French for my *someday* trip to Paris...
This beautiful necklace captures the spirit of that trip-to-be.
"vous ete mon destin"
japonicas
"you are my destiny" I say to Paris, French and Photography.

This Etsy shop could make me very poor.
Restraint is needed when looking through it.
I love the look of vintage cameras, even if some are no longer able to be used.
canemah
Developing tanks are so cool too.
Since I will eventually develop my own film this would be perfect.
I already have an enlarger from my father's film days...

An alternate camera because one can never have enough, cameras or jewelry!
This little gem matches my everyday jewelry and captures spirit of photography (freedom) with the swallow charm.
So pretty, by
birdzNbeez

Go find something for the camera obsessed on your Christmas list!
xoxox

:) Happy Birthday Cami :)

xoxox

Happy Birthday!!!
to my
Beautiful
Six year old
Niece!
I love you Cami :)
xoxox
Aunt Dee
xoxox

"Yell into the Winds"

when you are alone
and lonely
go into the barren
and
yell into the winds

the Anemois
shall answer with gifts
whispers
of the north,
of the east,
of the south and the west

Boreas will bring strength
and spite
to fight the lure
of Miseria
destructive beauty
of self pity and anguish

Eurus will wash your spirit
warm rains
to soothe
to drown the noise
of silence

Notus lights the night
sirius will glow
when the darkness
feels forever...
starlight

and

Zephyrus and the most benevolent of winds
will plant the ideas
that will grow
nourish and bloom
to create a new
life

xo