Month: August 2006

Something you’ve probably seen before

So I was browsing thru some other photoblogs.

I’ve taken quite a liking to them.

I see so many more photos this way.

Saw some on Severin’s blog.

I’m sure you’ve all heard of him. Seen his photos. Faved his work on dA. Got pissed from the ban. 😉

Here are some photos I really liked from his blog:

Haha, I laughed at this one:

Really like this one:

And this one too:

Very cool stuff on there.

Go check it out.

Read … see … get inspired.

And then get your ass out and make some photos. 😉

There will be a rant coming up … I just don’t have the desire to get angry again or the time to write it at 1:08AM.

I will say that I never wanna hear someone ask me to “teach them how to shoot.”

Photography can’t be taught. You can learn what ISO, shutter speed and aperture does … how they work together. Or how to create nice color temperatures using white balance. But you can’t be taught how to shoot. You can’t be taught style. You can’t be taught an eye that observes, realizes, and captures. You can’t force photography. All there is to it is practise. If you don’t go out and try new things with lighting, and play around with your tools and subjects and SHOOT … you’ll never make a worthwhile frame. If you have your camera set to auto, program, aperture-priority or shutter-priority, your CAMERA may make a good photo … but you are just the average Joe who pushes the button. Anyone who’s ever shot on something more than a Nikon Coolpix3200 can tell you (hopefully) how all of the above affects a photograph and why NOT to have your camera set to anything other than “M.”

I don’t mind telling people about ISO, shutter speed, aperture etc …

But it’s ALL ON THE NET.

I didn’t ask anyone about that.

I read … and I made photos.

I doubt any of the legends asked anyone about those things.

They read … and they made photos.

I ask questions too …

I mean I’m new to photography …

6 months ago when I got my first camera I didn’t even know what aperture was.

I still don’t know what a lot of things mean in photography.

But I read … and make photos.

I experiment.

I try new things.

I’m not afraid to take it off of “P.”

I’m not afraid to make mistakes.

I don’t care if I don’t know every term in the book.

Because I, like most other photographers, am learning.

I always will be.

It’s okay to ask questions.

But when something is so widely regarded by every single photographer … and is displayed and explained in crystal-clear-fucking-detail on 10,000 pages on the beloved Internet …

Why ask me?

Don’t get me wrong.

I love helping people. I explained every term that I knew about photography … and how it affects a photograph. The pro’s and con’s. Because I like helping. I’m glad if I make a difference and inspire someone to shoot manual rather than program. I’m glad.

But it’s annoying sometimes.

I don’t get asked a lot. Rarely. Very rarely. But I guess it was just the attitude of the person who was asking me.

I mean I’ve known this guy a while.

We’re friends.

He’s interested in buying a “real” camera.

And as I said, I love helping people.

But when I’m approached by “I wanna get the feel of shooting, I dunno if it’s the right thing for me please tell me how to work a camera” … I’m not so hot on explaining things.

In other words, I don’t like wasting time.

If someone isn’t “sure” if photography is “the right thing” for them …

Then it probably isn’t.

If you aren’t sure that you wanna capture moments … and record time … then photography may be a hobby for you for a few months … maybe a year … and then it’ll die out.

And as I said … I don’t like wasting time.

Nevertheless, I still explained everything I could.

I hope it helped.

But I doubt it did.

I’m sure he forgot it all. Which is fine. People don’t learn overnight.

But …

As I said …

I don’t like wasting time.

And sometimes, you just have a feeling. And you know that it’s not gonna happen.

Anyways … there’s my rant.

Didn’t think it would happen.

But it did. 😉

DON’T BE AFRAID TO ASK.

DON’T BE AFRAID TO SHOOT MANUAL.

DON’T BE AFRAID TO SHOOOOT.

AND DON’T BE AFRAID TO CHECK OUT SEVERIN’S BLOG. 😉

H&K to all.

Moments in downtown T-dot


Went shooting tonight … downtown Toronto. Love that place. There’s always something good.

Haven’t shot street in the night yet … was fun and interesting. Whole different perspective.

Whole different moments between people.

Twas fun.

Kinda harder to get light … but it sets the mood and atmosphere.

And mood is a great thing. 😉

Anyone who lives in Toronto and has been on Queen St. has either seen or heard this next guy yelling “AAACTIVE SURPLUS”

Him and the monkey share the same haircut.

I wonder how long he’s been doing what he does.

Everyime I go to Queen W. he’s there.

I really like these photos. Dunno why.

I wonder how long this guy’s been sleeping on Queen St. W. as well.

I’ve never seen him there. At least I don’t think.

Oh yeah, and all of these were shot from the hip. While I was walking towards them.

Which will explain why not all of them are entirely in focus.

But I really don’t care. Sharpness isn’t everything, and I’m new to the whole shooting from the hip technique. 😉

Learning to estimate distance.

Learning to “be the ghost.”

It’s fun. 😉

Learning anything photography is fun.

My camera is never on anything other than Manual.

Never on antyhing other than Manual Focus.

And now, it’s not even always up to my eye. 😉

It’s fun shit.

I love doing it. And I love coming home and seeing a night out on the street.

I don’t even really look back on my LCD.

But I still have a sensor. 😉

That will change soon. I’m getting a film camera.

I’ll still use digital … cause there’s no way that I’ll be shooting Sean Paul and after 24 frames switch film.

Fuck that.

I make about 200-350 during the 6-9 minutes press gets to shoot.

I will however take it on the street with me. Take it to weddings (along with my digital).

Life is about balance.

So is photography.

So is walking on a tight-rope. 😉

But I honestly can’t wait to learn that “technique”

Yeah, I’m referring to film as a “technique” cause it is. There’s no LCD to “check” on. And there’s no room for mistakes. Well, there is, but it’ll cost you. 😉 It’s about nailing the fucking photo. And knowing what you’re doing. But that’s how I treat my D70s right now anyways.

I love digital.

And I will love film soon. 😉

And I absolutely love shooting from the hip.

So glad I started photography … cannot say that enough.

Anyways, this next photo is probably my favorite from the night … along with the first one, which fucking Photobucket resized. Bastards. 😉

Speaking of street photography by the way … check this out.

Cool fucking contest hosted by a cool fucking photographer.

Go take your camera (digital or film, no one on the judging panel gives a fuck) shoot … submit … and win a wicked new camera and badass lens. 😉

H&K.

Recording

This is where the “music” part of “Photoblog of musician and photographer …” comes in. 😉

I started recording some of my solo music today … and plan on continuing for the next week.

At least one recording session everyday.

I mean, it’s pretty easy when I have my own little studio.

I love my little setup. 😉

Finished recording a few guitar riffs I put together into a song that I wrote while up in Cuntsville.

I pretty much just played guitar there.

And read.

I really do love my little recording rig though.

It’s so compact and convenient.

…and sounds like a fucking eargasm.

Eargasm?

Whatever. 😉

Everything’s so close by. I can lay down some guitar tracks, put down the guitar and mix it …

Then move over two feet and record some keys.

Mix it.

Drums are another few feet away.

You get the idea. 😉

It’s fucking great.

Can’t wait till I finish recording.

And show y’all. 😉

It’s not all serious all the time, by the way.

So it was just me … my equipment … and my Dad snapping away with the camera.

Keep your eyes and ears open …

For you shall be hearing some music soon. 😉

H&K.