time is a luxury you don’t have.

It’s been nearly 2 weeks since I’ve posted in here. I don’t feel too bad, though. I haven’t been posting on IG, either. But that’s not to say I haven’t been productive. It’s just the digital stuff has taken a short break in lieu of actual creation. Fortunately, I have pictures.

Last weekend, I did a photo shoot with my friend, Kaylee. It’s been a really long time since we’ve shot together, so I was excited to get some new shots. Here’s a few shot of our previous collaborations:

You can find Kaylee on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/space.cadet.kaylee

One of the “core” elements to my style in photography - specifically what I shoot - is “interest”. You can have the greatest camera on the market, but if you’re pointing it at sheisse that has no interest to it, the best you’re going to get is high-megapixel shot of blah. Kaylee certainly adds interest - which is why I like shooting her.

Anyway, the location for the shoot was an empty space next to the workshop I use for my bill-paying job.

This is where I’m supposed to say something like, “big empty space with lots of good, natural light.” But let’s be honest here, did you think I was going to use natural light here?

Anyways, the shoot was awesome. Here’s the BTS shots I took:

As you can see, we shot “studio” style. F8, 1/125 with lights. I know I knock on natural light a lot, but this space is actually good for natural light shots. I just haven’t done them in here yet. I’d like to squeeze in another shoot or two here before it’s not available to shoot in anymore.

So before moving on with today’s update and photo dump, here’s a sneak peek into this shoot’s edits:

I’m trying to get the rest of ther edits done by the end of the weekend, so lots to do after today’s post.

Moving on. As I said before, I’m working on a painting. And rather than being “easy”, buying a pre-made canvas and slapping paint to canvas, “I choose long division.” I bought raw canvas, tore them to size, primed them and rolled them up until I’m ready to paint. Still not ready to paint. I also built a frame and stretched 110 mesh over it, and sealed it with caulking.

Still need more. I need paint, and a ton of glitter. I ordered a bunch this week and some came yesterday. More should be coming today.

Yesterday’s haul.

This whole process has been quite an undertaking so far and I haven’t even started putting color to canvas yet. Just know that it’s going to be cool. I’ve had this vision for paintings for a while and am really excited to make them a reality. As I’ve said before, I create for myself. I literally make the things I want for myself - to hang on the walls, to wear, to use as backgrounds and more. I find that I create my best work when I do things that way.

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Since I always have my little Nikon P50 handy, I make sure to capture the things around me as often as I can. Here’s a few from the last 2 weeks”

Lastly, for this post, I want to share my favorite recent capture.

The other day before leaving for school, my daughter covered her favorite stuffed animal, her bunny, up with her favorite blanket. I saw it and really wanted capture it. Since the room was dark and I want good lighting (big surprise), I cracked open a shutter as a makeshift softbox. I pointed the camera at the window to allow the auto-ISO/exposure to close up a bit, half-shutter/focused to hold the settings and then composed the shot. Here’s what I got.

I just love the feel of this shot. To me, it really captures how caring and compassionate of a person my daughter is.

It also makes me reflect on my own childhood, caring for my inanimate toys just the same.

More work to do: site, store, prints?, editing, more paint supplies, applying emulsion, actually painting… it never ends.

I love it.