Crunch Time

 

      So, contrary to my previous post I quit my job. It was a terrible idea and a great idea at the same time. Either way it is definitely crunch time now. I am not planning on working in the food industry anytime soon or ever again so time to put my valuable skill to use! Livin' the dream.

There are so many things to do. One of them is to make a to do list. Let's try not to get overwhelmed here 

-Finish website

-Make cards

-Get jobs

-Make Portfolio

-Don't Freak out

I have been shooting here and there. My beautiful friend Alyssa got married this month and I had the pleasure of photographing the event. 

Also I have a watermark now. 

      I also had a fun photo shoot with my good friend Brendan Pinto. He's a stand up comedian and needed head shots but I wanted to get a few shots of him in a play ground. 

I had trouble stylizing these photos. Not sure if I'm 100% happy with them but the shoot itself was fun and a learning experience. 

Escape Plan

Escaping the life I am currently living to live the life I would like to live. 

     This takes time, so much time, especially if I keep dilly dallying. Ideally I would just quit my job and risk poverty to do what I love full time. I'm not such a risk taker, although I admire those who are. I am a planner, I ease into things and that's okay too. I am saving money this summer and come September I will only work weekends freeing up loads of time, but still have a cushion. So it's the safe route, it still has the same destination.

PROJECTS, this is how I have been staying on track just constantly coming up with PROJECTS. 

   I set up a curtain rod on my living room wall to make a DIY backdrop. This is Alex, she's a beaut. She is my first subject I have been able to shoot in my make shift "studio". 

So blue wasn't the best choice of backdrop but I got the fabric at The Salvation Army and it will have it's uses eventually, maybe. It's all a learning process and I really hope Alex will do more modelling for me in the future. 

This is Vance. He's on a similar path to mine but one of those aforementioned 'risk takers.' 

I like working with Vance, he is a very conceptual artist and I am always happy to help make his visions come to life. You can see more of his work here: http://vancehedman.tumblr.com/

     Art and photography have always been so personal to me the idea of collaborating is new but quite a  revelation. There are more PROJECTS and collaborations to come. Big tings, big tings. 

-Amulree

The World is Magic and Everything Beautiful

Why am I doing this? Why have I chosen photography?

                            Sometimes it takes something like a torrential summer rain to remind me.

 

         The world is magic and everything is beautiful. This is a special lens I see the world through; it allows me to appreciate the good and the bad in equal amounts. My patio is flooding, but goddammit if it isn't one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen.  I just want the world to see what I see. 

-Amulree 

Hiatus WHAT?

      I have been SO busy for like a month I haven't done anything towards my photography career. On the bright side I am currently living in a new apartment that also happens to be my dream apartment so kudos Lisa.
      I've decided to set some goals for each week, one being spend at least 15 hours a week on photography things and boring stuff like that. My main goal by the end of the summer is to feel comfortable charging lots of money for my services.
      So far this week I entered a photo in a photo contest @ mattgranger.com this month's challenge being 'selfie.' I went on a little photography walk and snapped some shots of my bf. Here are my favourites from those sets of shots.

I actually put some legitimate effort into this photo and I wasn't entirely happy with it, which is funny because the following 2 photos were effortless and I was a little surprised at my own skill.

I don't even remember specifically composing this shot but I really love the way it turned out, it's almost like a painting.

I took this photo and planned to do no editing to it but I was trying to explain HDR to someone and used this photo to try and mimic it. I was really happy with the accidental results, much to my dismay, as I prefer to keep editing to a minimum. This photo may have just changed my mind.

-Amulree 

Big Tings

     I've been really busy lately making big decisions. I've decided to move in with a friend of mine which is a big deal because I thought I would never want to live with someone. I think I've recognized some things about myself (flaws) that would benefit from having a friend around. Mostly that living with some one will force me to be cleanlier and more organized but also my friend and future roommate is on a similar career path and I think we would have a positive influence on each other. So that's happening and I haven't had much time for photography and it pains me every time I say that.
    I am going to enter in this month's photo competition on mattgranger.com This month's challenge is the use of flare and I'm running out of time. I have one photo so far:

   The competition will be done differently this time I believe, due to the large amount of submissions. So there's a chance my photo won't get chosen for a critique. Which is good in a way cause it forces me to try harder. Feel free to let know what you think of this photo and it's use of flare. 

-Amulree

Photographer's Block?

     I guess all creative types go through some sort of block or another. I am getting through this time by re-hashing old works. I have taken to cropping my photos in different ways to change the composition completely. You end up with an entirely new photo for better or worse.  Keeps me busy anyway. Here's an image I was able to make that is completely different from the original.

    I visited home for a few days. I find London to be void of visual interest, but to be honest I didn't look very hard. I spent most of the time soaking in cable t.v.  Here's a shot my sister took, feels very London-y to me. 

Looking at this shot I was wondering how I became so well lit with the sun behind me. It's because I'm facing a white house that is reflecting the light back on to me. Had I realized the effect this made at the time I would've had my sister pose for me in this same spot. 

-Amulree 

60 Minute Challenge

     I've been having trouble coming up with subjects for the 60 minute challenge. Since the weather is changing everyone's been talking about getting there bikes out so I went out looking for bikes and the colour blue. I took my 50mm, I find it's best for street photography and I love the depth of field on it.

                                     

      I also like getting up close and personal with my 50mm, it's not typically what it's used for but it really makes you focus on composition. Got to practice some panning shots as well. Overall good day, seriously considering getting a bike. 

Got some jobs coming up guys! More on that soon.

-Amulree

Not Photogenic

      I love it when my friends tell me they're not photogenic. Usually it's just an excuse not to have their photo taken but I always sneak one anyway. I love it because they're usually wrong. Not photogenic usually means camera aware. You're aware there's a camera and you don't like it because you're not photogenic but it's the awareness that creates the bad photo. It's a vicious cycle.
      Dealing with people who are uncomfortable with cameras is something I'm getting used to and I'm determined to change their minds one photo at a time.
      Here are a few of my favourite self proclaimed not photogenic friends.

There are more of you and I'm coming to get you,

-Amulree

60 Minute Challenge

       I've had a cold for the last couple of days and frankly I'm sick of it. I've been watching a lot of Photography 101 videos by Mark Wallace (https://www.youtube.com/user/snapfactory) Like a lot of them. One I found particularly interesting was called the 60 Minute Challenge. Basically how it works is you give yourself a little assignment of things to photograph. It can be certain shapes, colours, words and just spend at least 60 minutes out looking for these things. I think, I could (if I got my shit together) probably do this at least every other day. Come up with the assignment the day before, and wake up early enough to do it. Sounds easy right?
      Today my assignment will be the word 'The' and the colour green.

      I didn't really follow the assignment but I got out of my apartment for a couple hours before my cold proved to be still in full force.

     The Kozlik's photo is my least favourite I didn't frame it properly, and the photo of the soap would've been better if I had gotten the bottom of the labels in. But whateva, I'm not trying to sound negative just working on critiquing my work. The coffee mug is my favourite, my lens vignettes and I quite like it.
      Back to the Adorama TV videos, there's a tutorial on panoramas and I would really like to do one soon, especially now that it's finally getting warmer, fingers crossed. So that's to come.


-Amulree

Whether There Will be Weather

       I was at the Eaton Centre today, and in case you weren't aware Toronto is currently being hit by a wall of snow, and I decided to stop into Black's and ask about protecting my camera in weather like this. The lady seemed perplexed that I would even think about taking photos in this weather and I didn't bother to ask anyone else in the store. I just went to Shoppers bought some large sandwich bags and some tape and voila! It did the trick.

I was hoping to get some more shots for the photo contest this month (mattgranger.com) and I thought that the "white out" would make for good negative space. My lovely friend Alyssa was happy to pose for me despite the horrible conditions and I think the photo has a good chance.

-Amulree

Possible Entries for Photo Contest

The criteria for the contest I want to enter (mattgranger.com) is creative use of negative space. I went out today and got a few shots, not entirely sold on them but it was good to get out. Here's the best from today.

Apparently I'm a big fan of colour and patterns. Gonna keep getting out there. It's helpful really to actually be looking for a specific thing. Keeps my eyes open. It's been a good day. 

-Amulree

Getting Excited/Creative

     One of the best ways to get pumped about something is to start talking about it. I'm not doing nearly enough talking about photography. I think just doing odd jobs and watching tutorials isn't enough. I think I need to start getting creative.
     I went for a fucking walk today! I just wanted to go to the thrift store to look for wardrobe ideas and possible backdrops and I didn't bring my camera! What a rookie move. There were two things I spotted that would've made a good photo and now they'll only ever haunt me as missed opportunities. But all in all a successful trip I definitely have some ideas.
    I will have to call upon my friends of course to help.

This is a sneak peek to possible wardrobe. 

       I'll also be entering a photo contest this month through www.mattgranger.com  the contest is for March only and the challenge is to use negative space to make the picture. I think this will be a great way to get myself out there and I will try to enter each month's contest. Matt Granger himself actually critiques all of the submissions at the end of the contest which I think is really cool. I recommend visiting his site, or youtube channel if you're looking for a bit of community. Can't wait to get started!

-Amulree

Practice!

     I am becoming increasingly more absorbed in my own work. It probably consumes about 60% of my thoughts. I am trying to practice, practice, practice. One thing I'll do, since I'm teaching myself, is look up photos taken around Toronto and then try to capture a similar shot. I'm not trying to copy other photographers, I'm trying to test myself. I want to be able to look at a photo and have a good idea as to what settings were used or what equipment is needed. 

     Here is a fairly common shot you may have seen before. It's a cool effect for capturing motion.

506 Carlton

   

     Things I have yet to shoot: Skyline from the island, night time long exposure from a high altitude, abandoned buildings, these are all basically on my wish list. I really do love Toronto, I'm glad I chose this city to start my career. There are lots of photographers in the city, but so far it's been a welcoming community. Welcoming and helpful. 

     I think I need to spend more time with photographers, find a meet up group or something. I'll look into it. 

-Amulree

Getting Through a Lull

     Where on earth have I been? I hate it when I have nothing going on, I get restless and drink too much, and waste days. It's a weird combination of having fun and feeling bad about myself. I guess that's what being in your mid twenties is all about.
     Along comes Bilal, a crossfit trainer who wants his photos done. I had to get my shit together. Read manuals, research crossfit, get the feel of my new lens. The shoot was a success in my opinion, and I definitely learned a lot which is the most important thing. I have a lot of work to do (photo editing wise), which I'm never afraid of.

Bilal

Dead Lift

     Thanks to Bilal for getting me back on track, he's actually one of those rare incredible people who just have an infectious positive spirit. Having work to do really gets me pumped up about photography, it's that 'time to shine' kind of feeling. So, I guess now the next step is to find ways to get more jobs. More ads, word of mouth, and just offering up my services to anyone. I have actually found that the more I talk about my passions the more helpful people are, I guess that's what networking is hmmm. . . 

-Amulree

Judging an Artist by Their Tools

     When I got my new camera and posted the first batch of photos the things I heard the most were "Wow what a great lens." or "You must have a really nice camera." No harm is meant by this, I know, but 'compliments' such as these completely dismiss the photographer. As if I just wildly aimed the camera and crossed my fingers for the best.
      Maybe I'm being overly sensitive and the comparison has been made before; no one ever says "wow what a great painting you must have really nice brushes." The lens doesn't focus itself on that glint in your eye, the camera doesn't crouch itself down on the floor, or climb on top of counters to get the shot. The camera doesn't sit on the toilet in the dark and ponder the way the light comes through the window across the brick wall.

Just sayin,
Amulree

Self Portrait

      There's a reason why I prefer to be behind the camera, to be an observer as opposed to being in the centre of it all. I haven't always been comfortable with myself, speaking up especially in crowds of people I don't know. I found a way to enjoy myself in such situations, to make myself useful. I truly do love it, seeing things others miss, facial expressions, embarrassing happenstances. To capture it is a personal, selfish pleasure. I suppose that's pretty creepy, but it can be useful.
      Anyway here's a self portrait, and it is difficult for me to post it, believe it or not.

Especially with very little make up on and bags under my eyes.

and I don't need your "oh on the contrary!" so please refrain.

-Amulree

     

Beautiful People, Beautiful Camera

     My camera is the most beautiful thing that has ever been in my presence. I took it out with me the other night just to get the feel of it, and getting beautiful shots is just so easy. It helps that all my friends are beautiful of course.

     I really am lucky to have friends that put up with having a camera in their face all the time. 

     I feel like I worked really hard to buy this camera, and that nothing but good will come of it. Like I can do anything now. That being said, I should really read the manual. 

-Amulree

Misc. Saturdays

Uuuughhhhhh.

     Being hungover is such a waste of a day! I can't help but wonder if it was worth it. I'm out however much money I spent, I feel like crap, and now I'm wasting all of this time so I can recover. I was doing really well too, I budgeted out a week's worth of groceries for only $7.63. I need to smarten up and sort out my priorities.
     I 'enrolled' in two classes on creativeLIVE.com, one is for wedding photography and the other is is about goal setting. I like the website, it is free education, but you really need to be able to carve out the time to get the most out of it.
     I haven't been out with my camera as much as I'd like to be either. Ugh I'm so disappointed in myself. Granted it has been ridiculously cold outside, polar vortexes and shit. Time to renew my kijiji ad, and let the job offers roll in.

-Amulree

Happy Birthday and Merry Christmas to Me.

This is a thing I own now.

As well as these things:

I didn't take these 2 photos they are from the manufacturer's website.

     I barely know how to use these things! But I will learn and I look oh so forward to it. I have some very lovely friends who are willing to model  (put up with me) while I practice with them because I'm going to need a lot of practice. 

     I found my old camera held me back a bit when it came to doing certain things. I'm really looking forward to getting some wide angle shots as well as shooting some interviews with the Mark ii. Oh and getting some really nice portraits! I'm really excited you guys. I feel like I can do anything. 

-Amulree

Just Keep on Learning

      So, I thought I would I just give a list of all of the learning tools I've been using so far. I've learned so much in such a short period of time and I owe it to these sources:

youtube.com

http://www.youtube.com/user/thatnikonguy (short, to the point)
http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuw8B6Uv0cMWtV5vbNpeH_A (short, humourous)
http://www.youtube.com/user/BHPhotoVideoProAudio (seminars, very informative)

CreativeLIVE

http://www.creativelive.com/photography

     If you're in Toronto I highly recommend visiting Henry's: http://www.henrys.com/ or Downtown Camera: https://www.downtowncamera.com/ .The people in both of these stores are very nice and informative and they always seem to not mind answering all of my questions. If you know of other stores in Toronto that you think are great feel free to give me a heads up.
     I still have so much learning to do, it can be overwhelming at times, but any question I could possibly have can be researched, studied, and practiced all on my own. It's all about keeping myself motivated, and reminding myself of why I'm doing this.
     It's funny actually, my current job keeps me pretty motivated. Every hour I spend there I feel like I lose. bit of myself. I work in the service industry and it requires a lot of self restraint and a lot of "yes sir/no sir/would you like some more sir?" All the more reason to stay focused.


-Amulree

Winter Blues

    Still working on street photography. It's probably petty but walking through the city I just know there are so many photographers in the city and I know there are particular places that are "over shot" (I don't know if that's an actual saying but I'm saying it) Kensington market being one of them. It's hard to find something that someone hasn't already shot, it's a little disheartening. Also, it's winter and everyone is just so miserable, rushing to get from point A to point B. In times like these I tend to seek out colour.

Incense Shop

   

    I think this photo speaks a little to the Kensington vibe. It's also just one of the five photos I took that day. 

    In other news I'll be buying a basic flash kit today! I'm super excited, I know I already said I was broke, and now I'll just be more broke! You will all get to watch me become unbroke, it'll be good I swear. Oh and there's this little website called creativeLIVE. It's all online, and you bascially sit in on creative courses. You can enroll in classes for free. I have yet to attend a class but I'll let you know how it goes.  

-Amulree

Meeting Inspiration

     I've been working on a project for my friend Vance Hedman. It's a series of vlogs, documenting the preparation for World Pride in Toronto this summer. I just film the interviews but honestly I feel so fortunate to be a part of it.
     Today we spoke to Troy Brooks who is an artist in Toronto, and whose mural has been painted on the side of 418 Church st. He was so inspiring to listen to. He never gave up on his art, and he stayed true to himself and his form of expression.

                                                                   Troy and Phoebe

You can view his interview (when it's edited and posted) and others                                       here: http://thegayguidenetwork.com/category/world-pride-2014/vlog/
You can also view Troy's work
here: http://www.troybrooks.com/gallery.html

    We get a lot of extra footage from the interviews, a lot of interesting content outside of World Pride and we're planning on using it to make a documentary. Overall, I think it's one of the best things I've ever worked on. More on that as it unfolds I guess.
    So anyway, Troy Brooks was so inspirational that I bought a new camera today. I was up all night weighing the pros and cons, and after today I just wasn't afraid to take the chance.  I honestly feel like it was a necessary investment. I am going to be the most broke, but that's nothing new to me.


-Amulree

Dreams vs. Reality

      Sometimes I come up with excuses to go into Henry's just so I can talk to somebody about photography. Today I went in to rent a lens even though I probably can't actually afford to. I'm going to be saving up for a new lens, so I want to try a few that I've been looking at before hand.

     So, I have this little dream of mine, of being a photographer, but I have some realities I need to face. One, it's going to take a lot longer then I thought, and I need to be patient. Two, I have so much learning to do. Sometimes I get overwhelmed and take a nap.

Frozen Over

Snowy Snowy Night

The Green House

     I didn't take any photos today that I was happy with but I wanted to share this little love story about Allan Gardens. Basically, I'm in love with Allan Gardens. It's in my neighbourhood and I'm looking forward to photographing it with a super wide angle lens. Thing is, my camera has a cropped sensor, and it's hard to get the wide angle shot. This problem plagues me, I have horrible dreams where I'm camera shopping but I can't afford a full frame camera. That's real life actually.

    I hate having so many ideas for photoshoots and being limited by my equipment. Why did I have to pick such an expensive profession? It makes things ten times harder. I'm getting that napping feeling. Anyway, I'll get there, it'll just take time. One step at a time. Just have to keep learning as much as I can in the interim. 

-Amulree