Tuesday, May 25, 2010
you're either an activist or an in-activist
And so spoke the voice over in "The Cove," which I saw recently.
I watch these environmental movies and I'm horrified. Most of the stories are not news to me, but I sympathize and think, man, we really gotta change the system. And I go on with my daily life. I read Vegetable, Animal, Miracle and still buy produce packaged hundreds of miles away. I watch Food, Inc. and still eat meat from unknown sources. I watch "King of Corn" and carry on consuming corn syrup. And most recently, I watch "The Cove" and continue to eat fish.
But I wouldn't consider myself an in-activist. I recycle anything I can and even separate compost once a week. When buying fruit and veggies at the grocery store, I try to buy produce at least from California. I turn off lights in the apartment that are not being used. I carpool and use public transportation and hell, even walk places. And when tragedy strikes at home and around the world, I donate what I can to charity.
I feel like there is so much more I could be doing. I am both inspired and overwhelmed. I think the best leaders encourage change beginning with the individual. Short of devoting your entire life to a cause, speak with your money, mind and mouth. Not everyone is fit for the Peace Corps or Whale Wars. Just as little things eventually tear down this world, so do little actions make it a better place.
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
lomo love
I finally used and developed my first roll of film from the Diana Mini. For my friends who are not familiar, Diana Mini is a type of lomo camera - lomography refers to cameras that tend to have light leaks and color distortion - think analog and film. That's my elementary understanding. Basically, the Diana Mini is a fun, inexpensive camera that uses 35mm film (rather than the more expensive 120 for the larger model or Holga cameras) and has unpredictable results.
At first I was disappointed with my first prints. But I knew what I signed up for - the camera comes with a learning curve. The first roll had a few gems and even if every photo doesn't have the effect I was hoping for, the shots are so crisp and FILM like. Film is a medium I can't wait to explore. And I have a new roll of super color Kodak in the Diana Mini ready to go.
At first I was disappointed with my first prints. But I knew what I signed up for - the camera comes with a learning curve. The first roll had a few gems and even if every photo doesn't have the effect I was hoping for, the shots are so crisp and FILM like. Film is a medium I can't wait to explore. And I have a new roll of super color Kodak in the Diana Mini ready to go.
Thursday, May 6, 2010
and in the spring I shed my skin
April showers really do bring May flowers. I was walking home through the Rose Garden today when the scent of roses overwhelmed my senses, not to mention the beautiful technicolor. I was inspired for the first time in weeks to photograph something besides my boring mug.
Monday, May 3, 2010
Self 365 : April 2010
Another month of self portraits done! I admit I hit a slump in the middle of April. Self loathing is a dangerous cycle. I felt ugly and restless and questioned my talents and creativity. I developed a running injury which wasn't preventable, but nevertheless, forced my perfectionist self to question where I went wrong. It's impossible to take artistic risks when you are grasping at straws for confidence. And I can't compete with the fancy cameras and Photoshop skills on Flickr.
That's partly why I am recently fascinated by film. Film is so crisp and just captures the moment. I finally used my Diani Mini a few weeks ago and am trying to carry it on me whenever I'm outside. I cannot wait to develop the film, and maybe buy more cameras, like a Fuji Instax. I predict a camera shopping habit in my future. However, sometimes post processing helps emphasize the mood of a self portrait. Also, photo editing corrects my amateur photographer mistakes.
But the photographers I most admire, whose self portraits truly rattle my brain and charge my heart, they are fearless. I can't grow as an artist if I don't take risks. My goal for May is to do everything differently. New locations. New lighting. New composition. Time to step outside the box.
More: Amanda's Photography on Flickr
More: Self 365 on Tumblr
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