More photos here... 201005 Zombie Shuffle - a set on Flickr
Showing posts with label photography. Show all posts
Showing posts with label photography. Show all posts
Melbourne Zombie Shuffle 2010
Facebook | Melbourne Zombie Shuffle 2010 was all "BRAINS" blast!
More photos here... 201005 Zombie Shuffle - a set on Flickr
More photos here... 201005 Zombie Shuffle - a set on Flickr
Digital Photography School Highlights
I recently read these 3 articles and I found them VERY informative and useful.
Thought I should share! :)
Learning about Exposure – The Exposure Triangle - I especially like "The Window" metaphors! Explains a lot to me! :)
9 Tips for Getting Backgrounds Right - Especially the "Protruding elements from the subjects heads"! Interestingly, this was pointed out to me over and over again this past week by Liliana, Eddy, Glenn! :)
How should I clean my DSLR’s lens? - I have this black dot that I can see in my view finder, but not exactly visible in my images. I find it extremely annoying, but is it worth spending $77 for a CCD clean? Hmmmmm! I might try proper blower first...
Good nite!
Thought I should share! :)
Learning about Exposure – The Exposure Triangle - I especially like "The Window" metaphors! Explains a lot to me! :)
9 Tips for Getting Backgrounds Right - Especially the "Protruding elements from the subjects heads"! Interestingly, this was pointed out to me over and over again this past week by Liliana, Eddy, Glenn! :)
How should I clean my DSLR’s lens? - I have this black dot that I can see in my view finder, but not exactly visible in my images. I find it extremely annoying, but is it worth spending $77 for a CCD clean? Hmmmmm! I might try proper blower first...
Good nite!
PSC Weekend Workshop
Time flies!
Can't believe that I'm in my 8th week of PSC course and that the weekend workshop has come and gone.
The weekend workshop was leaded by Colin Wiseman and hosted in 2 different locations, the cute little town of Hurstbridge and Royal Botanics Garden.
The workshop started early on Saturday morning, with the meeting point being a small homey building in Hurstbridge at 8:30 AM.
Colin introduced himself and charmed some of us with his vibrant personality.
He shared his knowledge, experience, tips and tricks on photojournalism.
He repeatedly emphasized on the importance of realizing that when our subjects are people, we can't just "take" photographs.
That a successful people photo session would normally involve "sharing" of passions or interests.
It was definitely a point well made and I can see how the connection between subject and photographer will create the "spark" in the photograph.
Anyway, at the end of the first briefing session, we were asked to go out and shoot with one or two "photo essay on Hurstbridge village", made up of 12-18 photographs to be submitted.
Glenn's article on The Photo Essay and The Environmental Portrait definitely helps getting my head around the concept.
I also found Colin's tips on asking people for permission prior to photographing them very delightful.
(It was a big change from sneaking a shot!)
However, I keep forgetting about the photo essay as I was wandering around this town (a totally new and exciting area for me) with the camera close to my heart!
(Not very good, because I found out later that we're supposed to submit the assignments on Sunday!!!)
We caught up again for a super delicious lunch (made by Joseph, the PSC awesome caretaker) and then we were briefed session for the second assignment, "Landscape Photography".
We had to shoot 6-9 photographs and write a small summary as to describe the landscape and how we feel about it.
He explained that how we should do the same as people photography, i.e. we have to "be there", in the present and let the landscape "talks" to us before we photograph it.
It was quite funny in some ways, but I do get what he's trying to tell us.
(Yes, I also think I've gone crazier since I joined this course!)
I found this landscape photography even trickier, the trees and foliage are just simply not talking to me!!! Grr!! :P
And before I know it, it was dinner time, which was again absolutely delicious.
To wrap up, he played a documentary titled "War Photographer" which I found quite striking, but he stopped it 3/4 of the way through. Grrrr!!! (Note to self: Hire the DVD!)
Thankfully, Joseph, being the food saint that he was during the Saturday, offered us coffee right before the documentary was played.
I wouldn't have watched it properly otherwise.
I got home about 10:30 that night and watched an episode of Jamie Oliver's Naked Chef to relax, then had some thoughts on James Nachtwey, so I Google-d him.
Sunday arrived and we were to meet up in the Botanical Garden at 8:30 AM.
I left home at about 8 and bumped into a friend on the way there.
She's never been, so she asked if I know where it is and I said confidently that we'll find it, but as expected, I dragged her around the garden for half an hour before finally finding Gate H at 9:10 AM. Sigh! :P
Colin briefed us with another "Landscape Photography" assignment, it is still 6-9 photos, but this time they should all share a theme.
Not sure if it was because I had a good nite sleep or if it's because I'm on a familiar ground, I found this assignment a lot easier.
I had lots of fun taking photos in the Botanical Garden (despite the compounding itchiness from previous day's and today's insect bites).
I started my walk with the opportunity to see ducklings close up. Very exciting!
Then, I just keep wondering about, sometime on my own, sometime with a few people.
It was very relaxing and enjoyable.
At lunch time, we were told to go back to PSC and again we were fed with Joseph's fabulous cooking before we get to start working on our images for the submission.
This was when I realised that we are to submit the images today! OMG!
We were "forced" to take the afternoon tea break between filtering our potential submission shots and actually post processing them.
(Forced? Yes, Colin had to practically shoo us out of the lab for both lunch and afternoon tea. He locked the room too!!! A bunch of passionate people? Or competitive? :D)
Luckily, Colin is one reasonable fella.
He said as long as we submit one of the photoset, we can work on the other two and submit them by Tuesday.
So I crossed my fingers hard and started reviewing my images from the St Andrews Market.
Thankfully, I had enough photos to make up the photo essay (somehow...).
It's definitely an interesting experience.
Shooting photographs to a brief is indeed very challenging.
Taking great shots to my liking when I want is quite different to creating a photograph to suit my need in an environment that I don't have control over.
Anyway, here's the three photosets I've submitted for the assignments.
Photo Essay: St Andrews Market.
Landscape 1: Hurstbridge Horse Practice Ground
Landscape 2: Small Flowers
I'm happy with them, but I know that I have a lot to improve on. :)
What do you think?
Can't believe that I'm in my 8th week of PSC course and that the weekend workshop has come and gone.
The weekend workshop was leaded by Colin Wiseman and hosted in 2 different locations, the cute little town of Hurstbridge and Royal Botanics Garden.
The workshop started early on Saturday morning, with the meeting point being a small homey building in Hurstbridge at 8:30 AM.
Colin introduced himself and charmed some of us with his vibrant personality.
He shared his knowledge, experience, tips and tricks on photojournalism.
He repeatedly emphasized on the importance of realizing that when our subjects are people, we can't just "take" photographs.
That a successful people photo session would normally involve "sharing" of passions or interests.
It was definitely a point well made and I can see how the connection between subject and photographer will create the "spark" in the photograph.
Anyway, at the end of the first briefing session, we were asked to go out and shoot with one or two "photo essay on Hurstbridge village", made up of 12-18 photographs to be submitted.
Glenn's article on The Photo Essay and The Environmental Portrait definitely helps getting my head around the concept.
I also found Colin's tips on asking people for permission prior to photographing them very delightful.
(It was a big change from sneaking a shot!)
However, I keep forgetting about the photo essay as I was wandering around this town (a totally new and exciting area for me) with the camera close to my heart!
(Not very good, because I found out later that we're supposed to submit the assignments on Sunday!!!)
We caught up again for a super delicious lunch (made by Joseph, the PSC awesome caretaker) and then we were briefed session for the second assignment, "Landscape Photography".
We had to shoot 6-9 photographs and write a small summary as to describe the landscape and how we feel about it.
He explained that how we should do the same as people photography, i.e. we have to "be there", in the present and let the landscape "talks" to us before we photograph it.
It was quite funny in some ways, but I do get what he's trying to tell us.
(Yes, I also think I've gone crazier since I joined this course!)
I found this landscape photography even trickier, the trees and foliage are just simply not talking to me!!! Grr!! :P
And before I know it, it was dinner time, which was again absolutely delicious.
To wrap up, he played a documentary titled "War Photographer" which I found quite striking, but he stopped it 3/4 of the way through. Grrrr!!! (Note to self: Hire the DVD!)
Thankfully, Joseph, being the food saint that he was during the Saturday, offered us coffee right before the documentary was played.
I wouldn't have watched it properly otherwise.
I got home about 10:30 that night and watched an episode of Jamie Oliver's Naked Chef to relax, then had some thoughts on James Nachtwey, so I Google-d him.
“The worst thing is to feel that as a photographer I’m benefiting from someone else’s tragedy. This idea haunts me. It’s something I have to reckon with every day because I know that if I ever allow genuine compassion to be overtaken by personal ambition, I will have sold my soul. The only way I can justify my role is to have respect for the other person’s predicament. The extent to which I do that is the extent to which I become accepted by the other and to that extent I can accept myself.”An excellent example of how passion can help make us into an interesting and inspiring character.
Sunday arrived and we were to meet up in the Botanical Garden at 8:30 AM.
I left home at about 8 and bumped into a friend on the way there.
She's never been, so she asked if I know where it is and I said confidently that we'll find it, but as expected, I dragged her around the garden for half an hour before finally finding Gate H at 9:10 AM. Sigh! :P
Colin briefed us with another "Landscape Photography" assignment, it is still 6-9 photos, but this time they should all share a theme.
Not sure if it was because I had a good nite sleep or if it's because I'm on a familiar ground, I found this assignment a lot easier.I had lots of fun taking photos in the Botanical Garden (despite the compounding itchiness from previous day's and today's insect bites).
I started my walk with the opportunity to see ducklings close up. Very exciting!
Then, I just keep wondering about, sometime on my own, sometime with a few people.
It was very relaxing and enjoyable.
At lunch time, we were told to go back to PSC and again we were fed with Joseph's fabulous cooking before we get to start working on our images for the submission.
This was when I realised that we are to submit the images today! OMG!
We were "forced" to take the afternoon tea break between filtering our potential submission shots and actually post processing them.
(Forced? Yes, Colin had to practically shoo us out of the lab for both lunch and afternoon tea. He locked the room too!!! A bunch of passionate people? Or competitive? :D)
Luckily, Colin is one reasonable fella.
He said as long as we submit one of the photoset, we can work on the other two and submit them by Tuesday.
So I crossed my fingers hard and started reviewing my images from the St Andrews Market.
Thankfully, I had enough photos to make up the photo essay (somehow...).
It's definitely an interesting experience.
Shooting photographs to a brief is indeed very challenging.
Taking great shots to my liking when I want is quite different to creating a photograph to suit my need in an environment that I don't have control over.
Anyway, here's the three photosets I've submitted for the assignments.
Photo Essay: St Andrews Market.
Landscape 1: Hurstbridge Horse Practice Ground
Landscape 2: Small Flowers
I'm happy with them, but I know that I have a lot to improve on. :)
What do you think?
Today's Thought on Photography
I'm starting to think that...
"To truly develop my eyes for great photograph, I have to let go of my OCD desire to take stock of everything."
Going through my backlogs photos to clean up crappy shots, I find myself holding on to images needlessly.
No one cares about it (not even me if I really think about it).
I justify keeping it by thinking that it will remind me of the event/venue/details, but I should stop trying to remember everything through photographs (unless I wanna do documentary photography?).
Because that second/minute/hour I spend on taking that shot, filtering out or post-processing that image, I could really use to compose a spectacular image or post-processing another amazing image instead.
"To truly develop my eyes for great photograph, I have to let go of my OCD desire to take stock of everything."
Going through my backlogs photos to clean up crappy shots, I find myself holding on to images needlessly.
No one cares about it (not even me if I really think about it).
I justify keeping it by thinking that it will remind me of the event/venue/details, but I should stop trying to remember everything through photographs (unless I wanna do documentary photography?).
Because that second/minute/hour I spend on taking that shot, filtering out or post-processing that image, I could really use to compose a spectacular image or post-processing another amazing image instead.
Recent Learnt Lesson on Photography
After ignoring Histogram for a while, I finally did a bit of reading about it and was pleasantly surprised to learn a tip on "Exposure Compensation" along the way.
I read DPS: Understanding Histograms and Mark David's article too.
Both good, well written; one simpler than the other, which is where I gladly started with and it works! Especially for someone who's been avoiding it (i.e. me!) thinking that it is way TOO complicated. :)
But - now I know!
"Left is black, right is white."
If the graph is too much on the left side, it indicates possibility of an underexposed image while if the graph is too much on the right side, it's an overexposed image.
YAY!
How does this relate to Exposure Compensation, you might ask?
Hmm - I know when to use the +/- button, BUT I've always struggled to remember how to use it (i.e. whether to do a '+' or a '-' to correct my next shot).
So I ended up gambling on the next shot, try a '+' and see if the image is corrected, if not, I go the '-' way.
Which isn't a bad thing for casual shots I suppose, but I'm sure I've missed "moments" because of this (thankfully NOTHING significant yet - or as far I know).
Anyway - every time I mentioned this to Eddy (my Visual Weekly partner), he always said it's because Nikon is silly, it does it the other way.
But I never quite get it.
What does he mean by Nikon doing it the opposite way?
Now, I FINALLY understand!!! :D
If the graph in the shot's Histogram is too much to the left, the Exposure Compensation we would do as a logical photographer (who read Histogram...) is to turn the dial to the right, because we want to move the graph towards the right side.
But, on Nikon SLRs, if you underexposed an image (i.e. graph mainly on the left side), you need to actually turn the dial to the left (hence the opposite of a natural logical thinking way!).
Whilst turning the dial to the right with +/- button pressed down actually darken the next shot (moving the graph a bit towards the left side (the black area)!).
It is such a relief to finally understand this! :)
Whether or not it makes me a better photographer, I don't know - but hey, I'm learning!
Plus, I really have to wait till the next time I take shots which needed Exposure Compensation to find out whether this is sticking in my brain (I have extreme selective memory issue).
I hope it does! (If it doesn't, I can just keep on reading this until it sticks.) :P
Then, while being contemplating whether or not I should:
- get a Monitor Calibrator (I did! Come to think of it, perhaps more because of peer pressure that I created myself than actual knowing why I need them.),
- get an external flash (Not yet! I'm going to try out DIY Pop Up Flash diffuser first, see link 1 and link 2),
- get a reflector (I probably will - I do like the resulting photograph from using this, the trouble is - I need someone else to hold this for me!),
- get a tripod (Probably? When I earned enough $ from photography!);
a guy at Digital Photography School Forum pointed me to a post by David duChemin from Pixelated Image.
Photographers - (amateurs or professionals) - make sure you read the "Confessions of a So-Called PRO" and then JUST!: "I'm only an amateur".
They are really well written and refreshing!
It makes me realise that I love photography (i.e. taking photos and making them look nice), everything else comes 2nd (especially how I go about doing it and what gear I have!).
Have a good day, peeps!
I read DPS: Understanding Histograms and Mark David's article too.
Both good, well written; one simpler than the other, which is where I gladly started with and it works! Especially for someone who's been avoiding it (i.e. me!) thinking that it is way TOO complicated. :)
But - now I know!
"Left is black, right is white."
If the graph is too much on the left side, it indicates possibility of an underexposed image while if the graph is too much on the right side, it's an overexposed image.
YAY!
How does this relate to Exposure Compensation, you might ask?
Hmm - I know when to use the +/- button, BUT I've always struggled to remember how to use it (i.e. whether to do a '+' or a '-' to correct my next shot).
So I ended up gambling on the next shot, try a '+' and see if the image is corrected, if not, I go the '-' way.
Which isn't a bad thing for casual shots I suppose, but I'm sure I've missed "moments" because of this (thankfully NOTHING significant yet - or as far I know).
Anyway - every time I mentioned this to Eddy (my Visual Weekly partner), he always said it's because Nikon is silly, it does it the other way.
But I never quite get it.
What does he mean by Nikon doing it the opposite way?
Now, I FINALLY understand!!! :D
If the graph in the shot's Histogram is too much to the left, the Exposure Compensation we would do as a logical photographer (who read Histogram...) is to turn the dial to the right, because we want to move the graph towards the right side.
But, on Nikon SLRs, if you underexposed an image (i.e. graph mainly on the left side), you need to actually turn the dial to the left (hence the opposite of a natural logical thinking way!).
Whilst turning the dial to the right with +/- button pressed down actually darken the next shot (moving the graph a bit towards the left side (the black area)!).
It is such a relief to finally understand this! :)
Whether or not it makes me a better photographer, I don't know - but hey, I'm learning!
Plus, I really have to wait till the next time I take shots which needed Exposure Compensation to find out whether this is sticking in my brain (I have extreme selective memory issue).
I hope it does! (If it doesn't, I can just keep on reading this until it sticks.) :P
Then, while being contemplating whether or not I should:
- get a Monitor Calibrator (I did! Come to think of it, perhaps more because of peer pressure that I created myself than actual knowing why I need them.),
- get an external flash (Not yet! I'm going to try out DIY Pop Up Flash diffuser first, see link 1 and link 2),
- get a reflector (I probably will - I do like the resulting photograph from using this, the trouble is - I need someone else to hold this for me!),
- get a tripod (Probably? When I earned enough $ from photography!);
a guy at Digital Photography School Forum pointed me to a post by David duChemin from Pixelated Image.
Photographers - (amateurs or professionals) - make sure you read the "Confessions of a So-Called PRO" and then JUST!: "I'm only an amateur".
They are really well written and refreshing!
It makes me realise that I love photography (i.e. taking photos and making them look nice), everything else comes 2nd (especially how I go about doing it and what gear I have!).
Have a good day, peeps!
Transition Phase Approach
I've been wondering, in this current world where one's status updates are widely publicised on a regular basis, how best can I make the transition from taking photographs as a hobby to doing it to generate income?
Me+Photography and Melbourne Events
On the first topic, to be honest, I struggle a little to pick up this new language.
Lots to take on, to read, to do and work on.
I'm still enjoying it but do feel quite challenged at times (which is good I suppose!)
Then again, maybe I am trying to soak my feet in pace that is a bit too fast.
Signing up for the PSC course was a really good decision.
The course opens up my horizon quite a bit and keeps my head/mind in the photography field.
The classes are mostly fun and interesting .
The 10 images a week submission and the portfolio forces me to be proactive in thinking about Melbourne events to photograph.
It exposes me to the work of the brilliant photographers in the world.
It forces me to start looking at photography as "art", building the "design elements" and "quality over quantity" mindset in me.
I admit, there is a bit of pressure coming from the workload (combination from classes, tasks and assignments).
Outside of the course, I'm also working on the business plan for this hobby of mine.
As part of the business plan, I wanna put together a portfolio of my best shots.
Then, there is the planning for photo shoot session.
On top of it all, I still have my usual day to day activities; i.e. work, bikram yoga, catch ups, house errands, etc.
But, it's all good!
Cause, hey, who knows, perhaps in a year or two, I can finally call myself a Full Time Photographer! :)
Or maybe three years, like gorgeous lady at TeaLilyPhotography (her photographs are beautiful!).
Now, that would be a step towards making my dream (see About Me) come true, wouldn't it?
Anyways, if you're like me, in Melbourne and are looking for events to photograph or scrumptious food to eat (because I love them!) or just random things to do, here's a few websites that you should check out!
- MELBOURNE: HOT OR NOT especially its Marvellous March Events Calendar 2010 page!
- That's Melbourne: What's On page
- Chapel St Event Calendar, mmm because I live near Chapel St? :) And, Tastes of Chapel is on from 5th to 19th March!
If you're a circus person, have a look at NICA too!
That's on my list to photograph! :)
And I'm curious about this NGV Art Bus thing (see HOT: NGV Artbus to the Yarra Valley (Part 1) – Yering Station | MEL: HOT OR NOT)! Where do I sign up???
Cheerio!
Lots to take on, to read, to do and work on.
I'm still enjoying it but do feel quite challenged at times (which is good I suppose!)
Then again, maybe I am trying to soak my feet in pace that is a bit too fast.
Signing up for the PSC course was a really good decision.
The course opens up my horizon quite a bit and keeps my head/mind in the photography field.
The classes are mostly fun and interesting .
The 10 images a week submission and the portfolio forces me to be proactive in thinking about Melbourne events to photograph.
It exposes me to the work of the brilliant photographers in the world.
It forces me to start looking at photography as "art", building the "design elements" and "quality over quantity" mindset in me.
I admit, there is a bit of pressure coming from the workload (combination from classes, tasks and assignments).
Outside of the course, I'm also working on the business plan for this hobby of mine.
As part of the business plan, I wanna put together a portfolio of my best shots.
Then, there is the planning for photo shoot session.
On top of it all, I still have my usual day to day activities; i.e. work, bikram yoga, catch ups, house errands, etc.
But, it's all good!
Cause, hey, who knows, perhaps in a year or two, I can finally call myself a Full Time Photographer! :)
Or maybe three years, like gorgeous lady at TeaLilyPhotography (her photographs are beautiful!).
Now, that would be a step towards making my dream (see About Me) come true, wouldn't it?
Anyways, if you're like me, in Melbourne and are looking for events to photograph or scrumptious food to eat (because I love them!) or just random things to do, here's a few websites that you should check out!
- MELBOURNE: HOT OR NOT especially its Marvellous March Events Calendar 2010 page!
- That's Melbourne: What's On page
- Chapel St Event Calendar, mmm because I live near Chapel St? :) And, Tastes of Chapel is on from 5th to 19th March!
If you're a circus person, have a look at NICA too!
That's on my list to photograph! :)
And I'm curious about this NGV Art Bus thing (see HOT: NGV Artbus to the Yarra Valley (Part 1) – Yering Station | MEL: HOT OR NOT)! Where do I sign up???
Cheerio!
The Next Big Thing
The Bikram Yoga challenge is officially over and done with for me. (YAY!!!)
I was considering moving on to the 60 day cooking challenge straightaway.
But then I realised that my head isn't exactly there, it's deep in photography.
The 3 day trip with the gals gave me a chance to work on my photos (both post-processing and shooting), which makes me want to do more.
Now, between organizing photo walks and events to feed the Visual Weekly entries and 10 shots to bring in to PSC class weekly;
6 hour weekly PSC classes;
attending different events to give me better chance to take different styles of photos;
post-processing my backlogs of photos;
and other errands/routines/work-stuffs that I have,
I'm left with literally not much time to breathe and rest (and mmmm.. the fact that I use the time to constantly munch doesn't really help =P).
Oh well!
It's all good.
I am excitedly counting down the days to these events in which I'll be practising my photography skill, i.e.:
With all those in mind, I really should put time and effort in properly setting up my photography business plan / setup.
Hmmm... Thoughts? Suggestions? Tips/Tricks? Help?
I was considering moving on to the 60 day cooking challenge straightaway.
But then I realised that my head isn't exactly there, it's deep in photography.
The 3 day trip with the gals gave me a chance to work on my photos (both post-processing and shooting), which makes me want to do more.
Now, between organizing photo walks and events to feed the Visual Weekly entries and 10 shots to bring in to PSC class weekly;
6 hour weekly PSC classes;
attending different events to give me better chance to take different styles of photos;
post-processing my backlogs of photos;
and other errands/routines/work-stuffs that I have,
I'm left with literally not much time to breathe and rest (and mmmm.. the fact that I use the time to constantly munch doesn't really help =P).
Oh well!
It's all good.
I am excitedly counting down the days to these events in which I'll be practising my photography skill, i.e.:
- Melbourne Food & Wine 2010: Heat Beads Hawkers Market - which I'm attending with Lia & Shanon
- LMFF (L'oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival)
- Jamie Oliver Live Session in HiSense Arena - which I'm attending with Gemma & Franca
- The PSC photography field trip is getting closer (last weekend in March!)
- Plus - there is likelihood (fingers crossed) that I'll be doing pre-wedding photo shoot with Eddy in a month time (first weekend in April!)
With all those in mind, I really should put time and effort in properly setting up my photography business plan / setup.
Hmmm... Thoughts? Suggestions? Tips/Tricks? Help?
60 Day Challenge, Bikram Yoga and More Challenges
I have exactly 10 more classes to do before I officially completed my 60 day challenge.
I probably could have done better and actually commit to the promise of doing full class every time - but that might mean that I won't get pass the first few days of the challenge.
So, for now, I'm plain happy that I am well into seeing the challenge through to the end.
So far...
I feel fitter, toned, and think clearer (or so I think).
I have learned corrections for quite a few of the poses (not sure what this indicates seeing that I have practised for over 2 years! Why am I still fixing my poses?)
I also noticed the different way the teachers teach and learned to just accept that.
I get annoyed and think I'm being judged constantly and I decided to let go of this.
I noticed that I prefer classes with just enough heat but not too hot that makes it impossible for me to push the poses.
I don't like pro-longed poses, but the teachers don't care about this do they?
The practice varies quite a lot, from one end of the extreme to another.
There are days where each pose is impossible right from the very beginning, and there are days where I go through them swimmingly (don't you just love those days!).
There are also days where it just feel good to be in the hot room, relaxing, stretching, meditating.
...
Anyhow - I have found that the 60 day challenge is a great way to try something properly and get yourself familiar with it.
It just works!
Because you are committing to do it 6 times a week for nearly 10 weeks... you somehow find a way to adapt to it, to cope with it, to get it done efficiently and effectively.
It's the best way of "making a habit" out of something.
Which is why when I'm done with the Bikram Yoga challenge, I'm planning to do a 60 day challenge with 6 home cooked meals a week (and I'm not talking about microwave cooking or instant noodle!).
Note: If you are thinking "It's not a challenge at all - I've been cooking 6 home cooked meals weekly!"; please know that the past year, I probably averaged at one home cooked meal a week - at the maximum!! :P
Hmmm - why cooking?
1. I LOVE my food. I do. Love them with PASSION! Ask anyone who knows me. Nothing gets me talking as animatedly as when I'm talking about food.
I eat out quite a lot (way more than I actually would like to!) and it bothers me, because when you eat out too often, you appreciate it less.
Plus, I've always wanted to be able to host "meal gatherings" (Not that I want to do it all the time - but I just want to have the option to serve my food proudly instead of apologetically when I do do it!)
2. I have plentiful print out recipes, cook books (awesome ones like Nigella Express, Bill Granger's Everyday, two of Jamie Oliver's - see a chatterbox's pensieve: Yay! Cookbooks Festive!)!
This will be a great opportunity to make use of them!
6 home cooked meals a week isn't that difficult now is it?
If I can spare over 15 hours a week on Bikram Yoga, surely I can put in similar effort into cooking for over 9 weeks!
3. Cooking skill is an investment!
4. I have less tendency to overeat when I'm making the food! :P
5. As an incentive to keep me going, at the end of it... I could use the saved up dining out money and splash it on a repeat affair with "Vue de Monde" (see a chatterbox's pensieve: Vue de Monde: The Love Affair) before they move location! Hmm... what a great idea!!! :) (Hopefully I'll get to try the Chocolate Cigar this time!)
'Nuff said for now - will talk more when I'm starting it.
On a totally not linked topic, I got a reminder from my "Past Self" to go do sky diving (see 43things: shelviaw that I created in 2006!) last week.
I must have been a psychic in my previous life - cause I am going sky diving! Next week! :P
Back to the challenge topic... I've been quite tempted to jump on the Project_365 bandwagon!
Seeing Techy Girl's Project 365 Photoset and pritoodi (Pretty)'s Photoset tickles my desire to have one of my own.
Plus, that might help publicize http://www.shelvialoveridge.com.
It would also work really well with the PSC course (seeing that I have to submit 10 images weekly!) and might be good to increase the photography business potential...
But hmm - I do have to be careful not to go overboard and spread myself too thin amongst too many different things all at once..
That's a recipe for failure!
So, we'll see!
Ciao for now. Yoga practise tomorrow!
I probably could have done better and actually commit to the promise of doing full class every time - but that might mean that I won't get pass the first few days of the challenge.
So, for now, I'm plain happy that I am well into seeing the challenge through to the end.
So far...
I feel fitter, toned, and think clearer (or so I think).
I have learned corrections for quite a few of the poses (not sure what this indicates seeing that I have practised for over 2 years! Why am I still fixing my poses?)
I also noticed the different way the teachers teach and learned to just accept that.
I get annoyed and think I'm being judged constantly and I decided to let go of this.
I noticed that I prefer classes with just enough heat but not too hot that makes it impossible for me to push the poses.
I don't like pro-longed poses, but the teachers don't care about this do they?
The practice varies quite a lot, from one end of the extreme to another.
There are days where each pose is impossible right from the very beginning, and there are days where I go through them swimmingly (don't you just love those days!).
There are also days where it just feel good to be in the hot room, relaxing, stretching, meditating.
...
Anyhow - I have found that the 60 day challenge is a great way to try something properly and get yourself familiar with it.
It just works!
Because you are committing to do it 6 times a week for nearly 10 weeks... you somehow find a way to adapt to it, to cope with it, to get it done efficiently and effectively.
It's the best way of "making a habit" out of something.
Which is why when I'm done with the Bikram Yoga challenge, I'm planning to do a 60 day challenge with 6 home cooked meals a week (and I'm not talking about microwave cooking or instant noodle!).
Note: If you are thinking "It's not a challenge at all - I've been cooking 6 home cooked meals weekly!"; please know that the past year, I probably averaged at one home cooked meal a week - at the maximum!! :P
Hmmm - why cooking?
1. I LOVE my food. I do. Love them with PASSION! Ask anyone who knows me. Nothing gets me talking as animatedly as when I'm talking about food.
I eat out quite a lot (way more than I actually would like to!) and it bothers me, because when you eat out too often, you appreciate it less.
Plus, I've always wanted to be able to host "meal gatherings" (Not that I want to do it all the time - but I just want to have the option to serve my food proudly instead of apologetically when I do do it!)
2. I have plentiful print out recipes, cook books (awesome ones like Nigella Express, Bill Granger's Everyday, two of Jamie Oliver's - see a chatterbox's pensieve: Yay! Cookbooks Festive!)!
This will be a great opportunity to make use of them!
6 home cooked meals a week isn't that difficult now is it?
If I can spare over 15 hours a week on Bikram Yoga, surely I can put in similar effort into cooking for over 9 weeks!
3. Cooking skill is an investment!
4. I have less tendency to overeat when I'm making the food! :P
5. As an incentive to keep me going, at the end of it... I could use the saved up dining out money and splash it on a repeat affair with "Vue de Monde" (see a chatterbox's pensieve: Vue de Monde: The Love Affair) before they move location! Hmm... what a great idea!!! :) (Hopefully I'll get to try the Chocolate Cigar this time!)
'Nuff said for now - will talk more when I'm starting it.
On a totally not linked topic, I got a reminder from my "Past Self" to go do sky diving (see 43things: shelviaw that I created in 2006!) last week.
I must have been a psychic in my previous life - cause I am going sky diving! Next week! :P
Back to the challenge topic... I've been quite tempted to jump on the Project_365 bandwagon!
Seeing Techy Girl's Project 365 Photoset and pritoodi (Pretty)'s Photoset tickles my desire to have one of my own.
Plus, that might help publicize http://www.shelvialoveridge.com.
It would also work really well with the PSC course (seeing that I have to submit 10 images weekly!) and might be good to increase the photography business potential...
But hmm - I do have to be careful not to go overboard and spread myself too thin amongst too many different things all at once..
That's a recipe for failure!
So, we'll see!
Ciao for now. Yoga practise tomorrow!
More Photography Links
Digital Photography School rocks! It is an awesome site full of tips, tricks, references, reviews, or whatever on Photography!
Here's some important posts to get you started on Photography:
- 11 Tips for Beginner Photographers
- 7 Steps to Becoming a Confident Photographer: a Beginner’s Guide
- Moving Toward Manual Settings: Understanding Aperture (a beginner’s guide)
- Moving Toward Manual Settings: Understanding Shutter Speed (a beginner’s guide)
- Moving Toward Manual Settings: Understanding ISO (a beginner’s guide)
- A Few Principles To Help With Your Photography | Waitin' On a Moment - by Tim Gruber | NYC Photographer
- How to Be a Curious Photographer
- 7 Ways to Get Your Photos Seen
- 100 Things I’ve Learned About Photography + 20 More Things I’ve Learned about Photography
Now, if you're considering opting to do Photography for a living (DON'T!!! Let me do it instead! :P), here's some great links on the subject:
- How to Set the Price for Your Photography - this is important! :P
- Browse through Tim Gruber blog (begin here: Making money doing what you love? | Waitin' On a Moment - by Tim Gruber | NYC Photographer and Photographing for a living: a joy or a chore? | Waitin' On a Moment - by Tim Gruber | NYC Photographer), he has some really good words on the topic.
On portfolio (in addition to the links in finding my way around ...: Small Steps Toward Becoming a Professional Photographer)
- How to Present Your Photographic Portfolio and Get Photography Work
- 5 Tips for Building Your Photography Portfolio
And just because I love lens flare - this article come highly recommended, 5 Tips for Achieving Artistic Lens Flare: How To.
Bonus links: 12 Ways to Add Randomness and Creativity to Your Photography and Digital Photography Tips and Tutorials on Composition.
Here's some important posts to get you started on Photography:
- 11 Tips for Beginner Photographers
- 7 Steps to Becoming a Confident Photographer: a Beginner’s Guide
- Moving Toward Manual Settings: Understanding Aperture (a beginner’s guide)
- Moving Toward Manual Settings: Understanding Shutter Speed (a beginner’s guide)
- Moving Toward Manual Settings: Understanding ISO (a beginner’s guide)
- A Few Principles To Help With Your Photography | Waitin' On a Moment - by Tim Gruber | NYC Photographer
- How to Be a Curious Photographer
- 7 Ways to Get Your Photos Seen
- 100 Things I’ve Learned About Photography + 20 More Things I’ve Learned about Photography
Now, if you're considering opting to do Photography for a living (DON'T!!! Let me do it instead! :P), here's some great links on the subject:
- How to Set the Price for Your Photography - this is important! :P
- Browse through Tim Gruber blog (begin here: Making money doing what you love? | Waitin' On a Moment - by Tim Gruber | NYC Photographer and Photographing for a living: a joy or a chore? | Waitin' On a Moment - by Tim Gruber | NYC Photographer), he has some really good words on the topic.
On portfolio (in addition to the links in finding my way around ...: Small Steps Toward Becoming a Professional Photographer)
- How to Present Your Photographic Portfolio and Get Photography Work
- 5 Tips for Building Your Photography Portfolio
And just because I love lens flare - this article come highly recommended, 5 Tips for Achieving Artistic Lens Flare: How To.
Bonus links: 12 Ways to Add Randomness and Creativity to Your Photography and Digital Photography Tips and Tutorials on Composition.
Photography: Black and White
"There is nothing that colour could add to this image and much it would take away."
-- page 88 on Formal Elements: Colour in Basics Photography: Composition by David Prakel
Photography: Magic Hour or Golden Hour
In photography, the golden hour (sometimes known as magic hour, especially in cinematography) is the first and last hour of sunlight during the day,[1] when a specific photographic effect is achieved with the quality of the light.
-- Golden hour (photography) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Excitement of Preparing for Photo Shoot!
I feel myself bursting with EXCITEMENT.
I am as nervous as I am excited while I frantically have over 30 odd web pages.
My website portfolio (www.shelvialoveridge.com) is working! I now have 2 planned photo shoot lined up!
The first one is a fashion/portrait shoot with Miss Louisa in Nagambie next weekend.
It is more "for fun" - but I'm going to treat it as serious as possible and I can then hopefully use the resulting photos as my portfolio.
I just put through a purchase order for Telephoto Zoom lens (Nikon AF-S VR Zoom-Nikkor 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED Lens) which will hopefully arrive soon!
The next one is a pre-wedding/engagement shoot with a good friend from back in uni days.
This is serious! BIG full on serious deal!
As far as the preparation for the photo shoot goes, I've found some really good reference pages to read for the fashion/portrait shoot:
And of course, I've got another big list of references to read for pre-wedding/engagement couple shot preparation:
For inspirations purpose, I've also bookmark-ed websites with some really good couple shots (pre-wedding/engagement/weddings):
Bonus: A generic tip for photographing people, Photographing People From Different Angles.
I am as nervous as I am excited while I frantically have over 30 odd web pages.
My website portfolio (www.shelvialoveridge.com) is working! I now have 2 planned photo shoot lined up!
The first one is a fashion/portrait shoot with Miss Louisa in Nagambie next weekend.
It is more "for fun" - but I'm going to treat it as serious as possible and I can then hopefully use the resulting photos as my portfolio.
I just put through a purchase order for Telephoto Zoom lens (Nikon AF-S VR Zoom-Nikkor 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED Lens) which will hopefully arrive soon!
The next one is a pre-wedding/engagement shoot with a good friend from back in uni days.
This is serious! BIG full on serious deal!
As far as the preparation for the photo shoot goes, I've found some really good reference pages to read for the fashion/portrait shoot:
- 10 Ways to Add Variety to Your Digital Photography
- Portrait Tip: Add Interest and Movement into Your Shots with Wind
- How to Direct Models During Portrait Shoots
- 7 Tips from Professional Fashion Photographer Adriana Curcio - gotta love the example shots!
- Portrait Photography guide and tips from Photo.net
- Helping Your Client Prepare for Their Shoot – Dress to Match the Sofa?
- Preparation for photography - How to prepare for your fashion photo shoots
- 6 Must-Haves for Your Female Photography Model Shoot - unfortunately, this is tips for the model, but - try and read through - there is something to derive from it.
- JW Sears Photography - Preparing for the Shoot - for model, same as the one right before this.
- The Wedding PhotogBlog: How To Be A Good Subject of A Photo Shoot - this one is for both photographer and client
And of course, I've got another big list of references to read for pre-wedding/engagement couple shot preparation:
- Engagement Portrait Shoots: 7 Professional Tips to take your Engagement Shoots to the Next Level
- For People Who Want Really Cute Engagement Pictures | Inspiration Wed
- From Sparkly To Spouse: Engagement Photo Shoot
- danielle aquiline photography: Engagement Shoot Tips #1 || Tips #2 || Tips #3 || Tips #4
- Stealing Beauty Photography - Engagement Photo Session Tips - this tips are directed towards the couple, but have a read and take something out of it!
- Nashville Weddings, Nashville Wedding Planning - AshleysBrideGuide.com - again, directed for the couple - but there is lesson in there.
For inspirations purpose, I've also bookmark-ed websites with some really good couple shots (pre-wedding/engagement/weddings):
- Tara Whitney - she is my favorite people photographer by far... ;)
- Balboa Pier Engagement Photos | Inspirations & Creations - Elizabeth Anne Designs: The Wedding Blog
- New York City Engagement Photographer - Vintage Soda Shop Shoot | New York City Wedding Photographer | Vintage Modern Southern California Wedding Photography - I like!
- tealilyphotography | sydney wedding and lifestyle photography
- Nick Grove - Professional Wedding Photographer: Weddings
- Sarah Elizabeth & Mr. SE Nashville Engagement Session- Nashville Engagement Photography » Jonathon Campbell Photography - nice lightings
- Christina Nicole : World Wide Wedding Visual Artist
- MichelleB Photography - check out Engagement & Grown Ups section!
- engagement – Kate White Photography & Design
- Lotus Blossom Photography - Engagement 1
- Engagement Photos : Images by Subject : Style Me Pretty
- Downtown Raleigh Engagement Photo Shoot | Sweet Life Photo
- Dansk Photography - Portraits
Bonus: A generic tip for photographing people, Photographing People From Different Angles.
PSC: Class #1
Lessons learnt:
1. View photograph as a time capsule.
2. Subject matter is irrelevant, it's the design that makes a photograph.
3. Use photography as a way to tell a story.
My First Solo Flight: Paragliding
A paraglider is a free-flying, foot-launched aircraft. The pilot sits in a harness suspended below a fabric wing, whose shape is formed by its suspension lines and the pressure of air entering vents in the front of the wing.
-- Paragliding
With regards to my first solo flight, suffice to say it was "spectacular". I felt free - like a bird. Invincible. Peaceful. Massive excitement. Scared. All of them jumbled into one. "I'm flyinggggggggg!!! :)"
That flight was definitely worth every effort, every bruise/scratch and even worth getting super tanned for. I want more. I want to travel through the air, using the paraglider. I want!!!
Soon!
Introducing "One Melbourne Photography's World"
Remember that web photography portfolio that I talked about recently? Well....
TA-DAAAAA!!!
www.shelvialoveridge.com
Please do check it out.
Suggestions, comments, critics are all most welcome... :)
Thank you!
PS: Now that I have this blog, that web portfolio, the Flickr photosets, my PicasaWeb photo album and Facebook photo albums. It is a little confusing as to which one I should keep and what for... I'm sure I'm not the only one as each and every one of them have their pro-s and contra-s...
Ahhh.. The dilemma of too many options..... :P
PS2: If you have time, have a read at this great Zen Habits post, 'The Simple, Ridiculously Useful Guide to Earning a Living from Your Passion'.
TA-DAAAAA!!!
Please do check it out.
Suggestions, comments, critics are all most welcome... :)
Thank you!
PS: Now that I have this blog, that web portfolio, the Flickr photosets, my PicasaWeb photo album and Facebook photo albums. It is a little confusing as to which one I should keep and what for... I'm sure I'm not the only one as each and every one of them have their pro-s and contra-s...
Ahhh.. The dilemma of too many options..... :P
PS2: If you have time, have a read at this great Zen Habits post, 'The Simple, Ridiculously Useful Guide to Earning a Living from Your Passion'.
PSC: Goals & Questions to be Answered
By the end of the 1st semester of PSC course, I'd like to have the following questions answered:
* What are my strengths? preliminary of course... I know that this one is a bit of a constant learning thing
* What are my weaknesses? as above.
* Basic on how to get income out of photography: What's the career options? What's the business options?
* What is the "thing" that distinguish professional photographer and casual photographer?
* Who are the big guys in the industry in Melbourne or Australia?
* How best to prepare images for printing?
* How best to brand my images?
* Get some understanding of how the commercial photography world works. The rules? The law? The people?
Goals:
* Editorial skill (Show only your best photo!)
* A decent portfolio
* Understanding of shutter speed, aperture, exposure
* Colour coordination skill
* Advanced composition skill
* Lighting skill
I'll keep adding to this list as I thought of them!
PS: Check out this cool new-ish magazine, Box Magazine, that I came across for the first time last night at La Camera, South Yarra. It's pretty good and all the profit of the magazine goes to charity!
* What are my strengths? preliminary of course... I know that this one is a bit of a constant learning thing
* What are my weaknesses? as above.
* Basic on how to get income out of photography: What's the career options? What's the business options?
* What is the "thing" that distinguish professional photographer and casual photographer?
* Who are the big guys in the industry in Melbourne or Australia?
* How best to prepare images for printing?
* How best to brand my images?
* Get some understanding of how the commercial photography world works. The rules? The law? The people?
Goals:
* Editorial skill (Show only your best photo!)
* A decent portfolio
* Understanding of shutter speed, aperture, exposure
* Colour coordination skill
* Advanced composition skill
* Lighting skill
I'll keep adding to this list as I thought of them!
PS: Check out this cool new-ish magazine, Box Magazine, that I came across for the first time last night at La Camera, South Yarra. It's pretty good and all the profit of the magazine goes to charity!
Small Steps Toward Becoming a Professional Photographer
There is a few things that I've thought of trying out to begin with...
1. Volunteer to take photos for restaurants;
2. Weekend photo project with friends or family;
3. Offer to take couple shots for people who just got engaged;
4. Freelance work for magazine doing commercial shoot;
5. Helping family take shots of their kids;
6. Offering to charity magazine to help them take certain shots for the magazine (which reminds me of Peter Parker in Spiderman!);
7. Taking tourists shots while they're out and about;
8. Help Portrait: Charity http://community.help-portrait.com/group/melbourneaustralia
I think they are all fun and interesting way to open up the path towards becoming a Professional Photographer.
In fact, I nearly try out #6 but I didn't.
Why?
Because I think I need a portfolio to back me up to do that.
Hmm... I guess it is clear what my next step should be now.
Some links on portfolio:
* A Few Things about your Photography Portfolio | Waitin' On a Moment - by Tim Gruber | NYC Photographer
* 10 Steps To The Perfect Portfolio Website - Smashing Magazine
* What Grade Your Photography Portfolio Deserves? | FlashMint Blog
* How to Build your Photography Portfolio - Digital Camera Reviews & Photography Tips
I could probably wait till the PSC course start, but I think that would be a silly thing to do.
I am going to build one now and ask for feedback as to how to improve it. :)
My fingers and brain are itching to get this started already!!!
Should I go for http://www.shelvialoveridge.com or http://www.shelvialoveridge.com.au?
Update on 19th January 2009:
http://www.shelvialoveridge.com it is! :)
1. Volunteer to take photos for restaurants;
2. Weekend photo project with friends or family;
3. Offer to take couple shots for people who just got engaged;
4. Freelance work for magazine doing commercial shoot;
5. Helping family take shots of their kids;
6. Offering to charity magazine to help them take certain shots for the magazine (which reminds me of Peter Parker in Spiderman!);
7. Taking tourists shots while they're out and about;
8. Help Portrait: Charity http://community.help-portrait.com/group/melbourneaustralia
I think they are all fun and interesting way to open up the path towards becoming a Professional Photographer.
In fact, I nearly try out #6 but I didn't.
Why?
Because I think I need a portfolio to back me up to do that.
Hmm... I guess it is clear what my next step should be now.
Some links on portfolio:
* A Few Things about your Photography Portfolio | Waitin' On a Moment - by Tim Gruber | NYC Photographer
* 10 Steps To The Perfect Portfolio Website - Smashing Magazine
* What Grade Your Photography Portfolio Deserves? | FlashMint Blog
* How to Build your Photography Portfolio - Digital Camera Reviews & Photography Tips
I could probably wait till the PSC course start, but I think that would be a silly thing to do.
I am going to build one now and ask for feedback as to how to improve it. :)
My fingers and brain are itching to get this started already!!!
Should I go for http://www.shelvialoveridge.com or http://www.shelvialoveridge.com.au?
Update on 19th January 2009:
http://www.shelvialoveridge.com it is! :)
The Photo Argus
Big thanks to Flixelpix for retweeting the link of "20 Interesting Shots of Abandoned Toys". It introduced me to The Photo Argus.
What is that (... Pokemon!)?
"The Photo Argus is a resource for photographers novice to advanced. We bring you useful information, inspiration, technique, photographer showcases and more."
What I know so far is that it is full of awesome photography! Definitely worth checking out for photography enthusiasts!
My personal favorite inspiration so far:
25 delicious examples of food photography - I would love for my shot to be featured amongst these. :)
and ... 60 Inspiring Examples of Black and White Photography | The Photo Argus - A Photographer's Resource
Around the same topic, have a look at these photography gallery of RMIT students. They are impressive.
3rd Year 2006 | 3rd Year 2008 (BA) | Diploma Year 2008
What is that (... Pokemon!)?
"The Photo Argus is a resource for photographers novice to advanced. We bring you useful information, inspiration, technique, photographer showcases and more."
What I know so far is that it is full of awesome photography! Definitely worth checking out for photography enthusiasts!
My personal favorite inspiration so far:
25 delicious examples of food photography - I would love for my shot to be featured amongst these. :)
and ... 60 Inspiring Examples of Black and White Photography | The Photo Argus - A Photographer's Resource
Around the same topic, have a look at these photography gallery of RMIT students. They are impressive.
3rd Year 2006 | 3rd Year 2008 (BA) | Diploma Year 2008
Happy New Year 2010
"Hope you all had a somewhat safe and EXTREMELY joyful New Year's Eve.Cheers to 2010!
The year when great things happen - for ALL of us!"
What I wore on NYE ;)
(Hmmm... Photo missing pretty black clutch from Louisa & my pretty peep toe heels isn't visible either... :P)
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