Studio, School, and Screening

Today was good.

1. I had an awesome, awesome, awesome studio shoot for a yearbook assignment. I had a blast creating an idea, and then seeing it become a reality. I really enjoy working in the studio. I'm keeping that in mind as I decide my career path.
2. I've been devouring articles by Lisa VanDamme about her teaching philosophy and the successes of the VanDamme Academy in Aliso Viejo, California. I'd really like to take a trip out there to observe the classes. I really get inspired by the rational, hierarchical approach to education that VanDamme takes. I'm also keeping this in mind as I consider career and life options.
3. In honor of November 5, I'm heading out soon t a friend's house to watch V for Vendetta, one of my favorite movies!
   

Lighting, Lab, and Literature

3 Good Things today:

1. I've got a theme idea for my final portfolio in lighting class. I hope to turn it into a long term project.
   
2. Turns out my bio lab grade isn't going to go down the drain after missing last week due to Mountain Workshop. The TA was more than glad to excuse the absence, let me make up the quiz, and even turn in some missing homework to boot. My GPA isn't screwed!
3. I got caught up on several episodes of Rationally Selfish Radio by Dr. Diana Hsieh. I always love listening to her clear and insightful analysis of Objectivist philosophy and practice. I'm particularly liking the Exploring Atlas Shrugged series. I'm gaining a much better understanding of the characters and their moral mistakes which drive the plot of the novel.
   

Ah, Video

I'm starting to be opened up to the possibilities of video lately. I found this gem by chance:

Hecq Vs Exillion - Spheres Of Fury from Tim.Chris.Film on Vimeo.

3 Good Things

I'm going to start posting 3 Good Things here everyday. It's a positive psychology technique I've picked up from several Objectivist bloggers. The point is to recognize the positive from each day to prevent getting sucked into a vortex of negatives, as I've been prone to do in the past. I did it last year privately and it helped a bit to get me out of my antisocial rut. It's a really life affirming acitivity and I'm going to start up again. So, everyday I'll post 3 Good Things. They can range from something as simple as a good meal to something big such as landing an internship.

1. I met with an adviser today to talk about switching into the Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education major, which deals with children birth to Kindergarden.
2. I think I'm going to garner some business from the dance and theater departments for head shots. I've asked several of my Modern 1 classmates to pose for assignments, and they're all really enthusiastic. One dancer even came up to me asking when I could photograph him again. A few more shoots and I think word of mouth will spread.
   
3. I had the best endorphin high after dance class today. I'm going take more dance classes, but maybe not at Western.
   

Mountain Workshops 2009

After 8 days away for the Mountain Workshops, I'm finally back in Bowling Green. It was a great experience. I've known about MWS since high school. I used to eat up the books and websites and couldn't wait to shoot it. To my dismay last year I found out you had to be higher up in the program to shoot, however I could be a labbie. So this year I spent the workshop unloading/loading the Uhaul, hooking up computer networks, taking out the trash, and getting coffee for the coaches. On top of those general duties, I was assigned to be gallery labbie since I'm gallery manager back at WKU. I spent most of my time going through about 20,000 photos from the workshop participants trying to find the best 47 to print and frame for the gallery. In my downtime I got to get portfolio reviews from former students working in the field now, some of which are Pulitzer prize winners. Every night I saw presentation by the coaches about their experiences as photojournalists. I met photographers from across the US and got to know my own classmates better.

It was a great experience and I learned a lot:

• Be careful using wide angle lenses as they distort towards the edges of a frame. Bleh.
• The best critiques are usually the ones that make you nervous. Case point: Cheryl Diaz Meyer. Tough, blunt, but ultimately right. She gave me the most helpful critique.
  
• Watching Jed Conklin tone photos is going to drastically change how I process my photos. Who knew levels could do that much?
• Going through other people's shoots and competing in a 50 frame shootout has made me realize the importance of taking time to compose a photo rather than just shooting everything. I need to think more while shooting.
• Working relationships are not the same as personal friendships.
• Jim Bye is awesome. He drove back to Bowling Green from Murray, a two and a half hour trip, halfway through workshop to pick up faster computers to make the network run more smoothly. We had a Jim Bye Appreciation Day when he came back complete with masks, a card, and a plate of brownies. I think he enjoyed getting recognition for his hard work, something he rarely sees.
  
• Liz O. Baylen's multimedia piece gave me a different outlook on video as a creative medium. I have some ideas brewing. I might ask for the 5D Mark II for Christmas.
• Photojournalists are a very weird and tight knit bunch. Everybody seems to know everybody else.
  
• Workshop has been helpful in clarifying my goals for photography and where I want to take it, something I've struggled with for a long time.Even after all the time with the professionals, looking at good work, and even getting some ideas for future projects, I don't feel the overwhelming passion that I would need to be a photographer. I still love it, but the more I think about it, the more it seems to be a hobbie on the side rather than a full fledged career.
  

Go check out the Mountain Workshops website for work from this year and years past.