Photo Bug

Howdy to people reading this! I promised a post where I would talk about photography and here it is! (Took me long enough)

My camera and I - Photo taken by one of my good friends, Stephanie

I did a post way before where I did talk a little bit about photography but not much, I think it was more about the equipment and what I wanted vs what I have, mostly...I really don't remember it I just guessed it was something along those lines, don't judge me.

Anywho! First let me apologize from now if the post seems a little disconnected. I'll try to do my best but can't make any promises.

I have to say that I have grown in photography but not in the way I expected but when has anything ever truly gone my way, hence the name of my blog and hashtag HARDKNOCKLIFE

When I started doing photography it was mostly just little fun projects, for example a photo of me with a really cheesy edit that I did in Adobe Photoshop Elements.

I called this one, practicing my "water bending"

My first camera was the Canon T3i and the kit lens it came with. I had no additional lens or other equipment like flashes, reflectors, etc. Before I was doing edits like the one above, I was using my camera more for taking photos of the kids attending my Mom's daycare, special occasions at my house and for when I was schedule to take photos at my church.

But to me then and even now, that didn't feel like "photography to me." Granted taking photos for special occasions and other events is photography, no doubt! but to me, I just felt like I was a girl at the right time that this event was happening with a camera good enough to take decent photos. That didn't feel right to me.

*I'm NOT saying that being a photographer for a wedding or for a birthday party or for any other event is not photography, not at all! (Okay, now I feel like I'm the only one thinking that now) Cause it totally is!*

To me, and I don't like saying it cause I feel I can't classify myself as one or I'm a huge disgrace to the group of people that call themselves this, I've always been creative or "artisy." I enjoy science, writing and reading but the subjects I take more joy out of and the root I always take is the art one. I hate putting myself in this kind of category because now I avoid doing things like drawing, painting and prefer more digital work (I know, this generation but if I have to I'll do it and enjoy it but not of my own feel will). But even then I don't do much that could even consider me as "creative." I would consider myself like that more before but my current situation now is more uncomfortable.

However, because of that "trait" of mine, when it came to photography I felt more creative and driven to add a little bit of fantasy to my photos. In a way I felt it was no different than when people added fairy lights or that prism rainbow effect in their photos, just a little more dramatic. 

After a while I felt it was about time to upgrade when we started doing more visual effects in class and  I upgraded to the Canon 60D which I now currently own along with two more lens, a flash, a reflector, tripod and a few other tools. I still do a little photoshop edits here and there,

Like this one, I call this one Star Lake after Howl's Moving Castle

But now, thanks to Kijiji and having an ad, I have been the photographer for three birthday parties and done an engagement shoot. I had a lot more offers for other things like a website, bridal shower, family photos and even to photograph this random guy naked (I said, wait for it, HELL NO!) some people didn't get back to me when I told them a price and some we decided on dates but when it came to the week/day of and I contacted them to double check we were still on, they didn't respond. 

a couple for their engagement shoot

This was a shot I took after this party

festivities during a birthday party

It may seemed like a trivial thing but I've learned a lot business-wise and the art (I still offer my services to save up more money for school).

Sometimes on the side, I'll also hang out with my friend Miriam who is basically my go-to-model for everything but mostly...okay 98.2% portrait photography,

I captured a wild miriam in a shot

Before I use to take photos a lot of scenery, objects and flowers. I'm starting to appreciate more of that style and how it influences a shot.

Now for a game! Find one common element in all the photos I posted! (expect for the one with me in it, doesn't count)

...

Can't find one? Then you win! The problem with my photography is that it looks like different kinds of people took these shoots. There is not one cohesive thing about any (and not just the ones I posted) of my shots.

I feel like I'm just starting high school, trying to find my own path. Sometimes I like cool tones, somethings I like bright highlights, sometimes I like harsh contrast...I'm basically always in a "phase" (Don't get that reference, I would tell you to read one of my very first posts but...)

Check my IG and you'll see what I mean if you need more proof: https://www.instagram.com/jole.ne/

I'm still learning, trying to take in a few hints and tips everyday but is a learning process and I hope that I'll get there one day and find out what my style is and take it from there. When I do I feel my photos will really mean something more.

I bought a book recently from a small bargain store called Creature Comforts: People and Their Security Objects by Barbara Collopy O'Halloran and the Photography by Betty Udesen and I absolutely LOVE it! It's the first I've heard of any of these ladies but I love what they were able to do in this book. I love the topic they decided to go with because me personally, I can REALLY relate to it (but that's for another post, or actually maybe I'll never write about that) and the photos are in black and white and it fits so well, I don't know how to describe it but they tell a story. You can tell who/what the main object/idea is so clearly, they make it look so easy!

It has inspired me to shoot myself and my objects to add to the many people in the book of them and their security objects.

I have a few ideas I wanted to do but haven't been able to flesh them out yet so hopefully I'll be able to do that soon (Knowing me, Christmas Day)

Well because this post is getting long already (or maybe it's just the photos that make it seem long...) I'll leave with these two things I've learned myself from doing photography so far,

1. Find out what inspires you to shoot,

Is it certain lyrics in a song? a movie? a TV show? a play? or line from a book? a piece of poetry? 

If there is something you like doing alongside photography, another passion, try to incorporate that in and see what you get. It may sound cliché and there might be a lot of people who do that already but everyone is different. Someone might have shot something from the same song they got inspired but your interpretation may be different so give it a shot!

I love movies and music so I like to take my inspiration from there when I can

2. Know your camera and if you can take it everywhere with you,

If you don't have a phone/ipod/ipad/anything else small and portable that has a good camera always bring your camera. You never know what you might miss. But to do that make sure you have proper tools and equipment to carry your camera in. They ain't cheap. We all know that. And you don't need a $200 camera bag/message bag. Buy some inserts on eBay/amazon, slip them into your school bag or purse or any other type of bag you carry and call it day, your set!

When you know your camera and you have it on you, will never miss a moment and who knows, you might just capture something amazing.

Well that's pretty much all I wanted to say in this post, now that I'm finished it would have been better in a video...Should probably start working on Vlogs or something...who knows. 

Hope it wasn't too cheesy and in some crazy way helpful.

I was hoping my next post would be a book review but I think I'm gonna do another movie review...CIVIL WAR! WOOHOO! Probably heard a lot of reviews but you haven't heard mine :D

Any who! Be Blessed!