Fashion in Hollywood (sneak peek)

It's 10:30 and I should be going to bed, but I just couldn't wait to post a sneak peek of pictures from my shoot this weekend.  I got to shoot with fashion photographer/ model Shaun Michelsen!  Very exciting.  For now, here are two pics from the day.  Model: Jordan Hampton

 I couldn't help but snap a few of the pro at work :)

Yarn Bombs and Instagram

A couple years ago while driving near downtown Riverside, I noticed a light pole that appeared to be wearing a sweater.  Dustin informed me that that was a Yarn Bomb-- a form of street art where people go and knit cozy little blankets onto things in the public view.  The idea of somebody sneakily bringing their yarn and knitting needles in the dark of night to crochet a colorful sweater on a light pole just made me smile.  Unfortunately, I didn't go out and immediately shoot pics of the one I'd seen, and by the time I got back there it was cut down (really?  Someone thought it needed to be removed?!)

 

Then, this summer, while shooting pictures of my sister in Wisconsin, I stumbled upon another bunch of yarn bombs.  Needless to say I jumped right out of my skin I was so excited.  The first two here were on a bike rack at our first shoot location.  Little monster feet!  How adorable!

 When we drove to a second location to shoot more portraits I couldn't believe it when I saw yet another bike rack wearing a sweater!

Now for the Instagram part.  I was finally convinced to download it onto my phone, and have been having fun playing around with the different effects.  I'm a dedicated Photoshop user, and I'll admit that at times I've discouraged students from taking the "easy way out" with online photo editors.  But, sometimes it's nice to be able to edit on the fly.  Today, for example, I took, edited, and posted a photo while sitting at Burger King.  Today, Mr. B sent me a link to some Instagram look-alike actions that can be used in Photoshop, and I tried them out on these pictures.  I think they're pretty neat, and worth downloading if you enjoy the Instagram look, but want to be able to use it in regular old Photoshop. 

From the Vault : Bronchial Trees

I found these photos in an old box of pictures.  I don't even know the last time I actually got prints made... the pictures I take these days just hang out on the internet and on my hard drive.  These two were from a roll of black and white film, and I actually vaguely remember pulling over on the side of the road somewhere in Wisconsin to take these, becasue I was so taken with the shape of these trees.  They remind me of lungs.  It was an insteresting little investigation to try and figure out exactly where and when these were taken.  "June 2005" was printed on the back--likely by whichever photo lab printed them.  But, thinking back to June 2005 I was perplexed, because I was in New Mexico then (on my way to California.)  What was also weird was the fact that the photos on the roll seemed to span about 6 months--starting with snowy trees, then these, then some spring-ish ones, and finally, some pics taken in New Mexico.  I guess it's just strange to me now that I'm fully immersed in the digital world that it could take me that long to capture 24 exposures.  It took me a minute to remember what that was like.  But film was expensive!  Patience was a must.  I kind of miss those days.  Anyway, I scanned the prints (they're a tiny bit pixelly, but I'm ok with it for now) and added a sepia tone in PS with the blending mode set to Soft Light.

TAs Needed!

To my Scorpion blog readers:
I can't believe school starts in only five days!  I hope that you all had a wonderful summer.  I trust that your creativity has been recharged and that you've got lots of ideas for this coming school year :)  I just checked my schedule and Advanced Photography is 3rd period this year, which I believe is good news for some of you who had schedule conflicts. It's a big class, but most of you are used to that, so it shouldn't be a problem.  At this point I have no TAs in any of my classes, though!  I usually have one or two per period, so this is going to be a bit rough.  If any of you are looking to add an elective or know a trustworthy friend who is please let me know ASAP.  Also, Advanced Photo students--don't forget to complete your summer homework and bring it with you the first day of class.

Looking forward to a great year!  See you in a couple days :)

~Mrs. V

Peacemonger

I think it may be time to replace the sticker on the back of my car.

Taken with my cell and edited in Pixler-o-Matic (free and somewhat decent editing app) while I waited for my Nikon to get repaired.... more about that later.

Minneopa State Park

Minneopa State Park just outside of Mankato, Minnesota.

Ring Light Black & Whites

We ran over to do a little prep work in my classroom today and I remembered that I have been wanting to try out Mr. B's homemade ring light (I'll post a link to the site he used for directions when I find it.)  However, when I went to grab a camera off the shelf I realized that they're all in the shop getting cleaned over the summer!  All I had on me was my cell phone, but it worked just fine.

 ANSEL

 ME

(Emerson took this one.  I like that the jagged cut edge of the light becomes a frame.)

 EMERSON

DUSTIN

(I always avoid getting this vent in pictures, but in this case I like how it turned out as a backdrop.)