Rebecca Moses Photography

One Hundred & Twenty-One

2012-01-21T23:28:00.001-05:00

Axis, 1.12

One Hundred & Twenty

2012-01-20T19:22:00.003-05:00

Campbell's, 1.12

It sure has been quiet on this front in the past week. I apologize to those of you dedicated enough to follow/ check for updates. I owe you at least a couple of posts, which I vow to deliver this weekend! Above is something a bit different- give it a stare, can you see it moving? More experimentation, more tributes to my favorite artists, more light patterns- loving it all.

One Hundred & Nineteen

2012-01-08T18:11:00.002-05:00

Cross Section, 04.11

One Hundred & Eighteen

2012-01-08T13:10:00.002-05:00

Keegan, 04.10

Another oldie, what a stud!

One Hundred & Seventeen

2012-01-06T22:11:00.003-05:00

Kim, 01.10

I'm reviving some of my old photos that I never processed. Can't get over how beautiful this woman is.

One Hundred & Sixteen

2012-01-06T21:26:00.002-05:00

62 Gorham St., 07.11

One of Dan from the summer, just for fun...

One Hundred & Fifteen

2012-01-04T22:57:00.002-05:00

Untitled, 12.11

This is another image from the Concord, NH bunch.

One Hundred & Fourteen

2012-01-04T00:07:00.003-05:00

Window Seat, 12.11

This is perhaps the only success I've had at taking a photograph through a window. Perhaps it has something to do with the broken spots through which I stuck my camera, or I'm just getting better at this. Either way, I must admit I would have loved to get inside this room. This was taken in Concord, NH at a former "government building" right next to the old state hospital. Some building in the complex are still in use, but this basement room and the rest in this particular structure seemed to be long forgotten. Doesn't that chair just look.... lonely?

One Hundred & Thirteen

2012-01-03T22:39:00.001-05:00

Seventy Times Seven, 12.11

One Hundred & Twelve

2012-01-03T22:25:00.002-05:00

Untitled, 12.11

Sometimes the totally unexpected turns out to be the best of the bunch.

One Hundred & Eleven

2012-01-03T22:07:00.004-05:00

Fencing, 12.11

Above is a personal accomplishment- I just spent a couple of hours editing the dust out of this scan! You wouldn't believe what it looked like before. I guess that is what you get for letting someone else develop and scan your negatives. Nonetheless, the photo overall turned out well- enjoy!

One-Hundred & Ten

2011-12-27T15:06:00.003-05:00

Dear Mark Rothko, 12.25.2011

One Hundred & Nine

2011-12-24T23:09:00.002-05:00

Drunken Nutcracker, 12.11

For those of you who celebrate Christmas, whether it be the real deal or just for fun like my family, this is for you! I hope everyone is enjoying company, good food and drink, and maybe some gifts. I know I am!

One Hundred & Eight

2011-12-23T10:53:00.003-05:00

Glow, 12.11

Happy Friday! Please subscribe ;-).

One Hundred & Seven

2011-12-22T23:48:00.001-05:00

Untitled, 12.11

Another slide scan for your enjoyment.

One Hundred & Six

2011-12-22T12:28:00.003-05:00

Roadside, 12.11

One Hundred & Five

2011-12-20T17:17:00.004-05:00

Farmstand After Fall, 12.11

Wreaths, 12.11

Here are a couple of my color slides that I had scanned by a local photo store. I am pretty happy with these two, because they require almost no editing (aka, I think the camera and film worked well together to really do their job, and I did my job from the start, as opposed to needing a lot of post-processing to correct my mistakes). The others I got back definitely do need some adjustment, so I will work on those and get them up soon. I also had 5 rolls of C41 processed and those results are pretty mixed. The store I've been going to does a pretty good job, but definitely left something to be desired on printing. I got the prints instead of scans for those roles because it is cheaper and I figured that way I would have good proofs and be able to carefully select what I want scanned. Unfortunately, most of the prints are extremely lackluster and I don't think the film (or me) are to blame. Either way... please enjoy these holiday themed scans!

One Hundred & Four

2011-12-16T00:11:00.000-05:00

Restless II, 12.11

One Hundred & Three

2011-12-15T23:59:00.000-05:00

Restless I, 12.11

Sleep escapes me.

One Hundred & Two

2011-12-07T16:45:00.005-05:00

Harvard Square CVS, 11.11

Libby, 11.11

I just started shooting with this Fujifilm GA645, a true medium format camera with mostly automatic control. Is it possible that I've finally met my match? In reading reviews and commentary on this piece of equipment, I was pretty surprised by the accolades it received from the professional community. Despite the nearly point and shoot quality of this camera, it offers the sharpness and quality of 120 film. I am pleased with these results. Some were better than others, but considering that this is one of my first roles andI'm relying on someone else to process and scan, I think I could have done worse! I am looking forward to learning the ins and outs of this camera, as well as how to better manipulate it. These images were shot in Harvard Square, Cambridge, MA. More to come!

One Hundred & Two

2011-12-07T16:45:00.001-05:00

One Hundred & One

2011-11-29T23:14:00.006-05:00

Thanks, Dad.

Images I, 11.24.2011

Images II, 11.24.2011

One Hundred

2011-11-27T23:06:00.002-05:00

Crooked Mirror, 11.26.2011

Ninety-Nine

2011-11-27T22:03:00.002-05:00

Pink sky and a pink chair. Thanksgiving weekend 2011.

Ninety-Eight

2011-01-31T18:45:00.003-05:00

Untitled, 01.03.11

Here is another I've just worked on. I am loving this project. The possibilities are endless. I like to give the photographs a fairly fast edit, then live with them for a while. I feel like with these I can't really know what the "right" editing job is until I've been staring at it for a while. Since I have no formula to work from, it is a lot of experimentation- and a lot of fun. So, is the darkest line, the one coming across the bottom, too much?

Ninety-Seven

2011-01-31T18:18:00.003-05:00

Untitled, 12.06.10

This one wasn't done on a calibrated screen, so the colors are subject to change (aren't they always, though?). This is a follow-up to the spine-like prism I put up a while ago. It might be a bit yellow for my taste, but I'm trying to think beyond my default. I like the way there is a very slight gradient rising up from the bottom of the image. I'm considering making it more extreme, but all of the photos in this series are so subtle, I don't know if it would be overwhelming in comparison. Thoughts please!

Ninety-Six

2011-01-12T22:34:00.002-05:00

Bubbles, 12.20.10

I'm not sure if this is done. There is something about it that I feel like I need to change, but I can't quite pick it out. Maybe it is something about the coloring? I do like it, so I'm putting it up and hoping for some comments.

Ninety-Five

2011-01-12T20:49:00.005-05:00

Snowed In, 01.12.11

Big snow today! New England has finally been hit with what it has been waiting for. A friend suggested I do black & white for the occasion. This was digital, but the b&w really does have that cozy, snowed-in feel. Thoughts? The only thing I miss about the color is that the detailing on my curtains is red and look really nice against the whiteness of everything else.

Ninety-Four

2010-12-01T16:06:00.005-05:00

Untitled, 11.21.10

Ninety-Three

2010-11-11T22:28:00.002-05:00

Dan at the Lake, 08.29.10

Ninety-Two

2010-11-11T20:26:00.005-05:00

This is some new stuff I'm working on and generally where my work is headed (I think/ hope). These images in particular are the three that I sent in for judging to be admitted to sTART at the Station, which is a local craft fair. Usually sTART on the Street is held outside, so space is unlimited as long as you can pay. This time around since the space is confined, the organization chose participants. Luckily I am one of those. I plan to sell some postcard sized prints as well as transparencies and perhaps some more crafty items that incorporate the photographs.

I have no name or exact concept yet. I am still learning and exploring. At the moment it is a study of light and how much it can abstract the surfaces it falls on. I hope to really push this so that the photographs essentially can not be deciphered from paintings. We'll see where it goes.

Untitled, 10.23.10

Ninety-One

2010-10-26T19:23:00.002-04:00

Fall on Florence St. 09.12.10

Ninety

2010-10-26T18:18:00.005-04:00

Mom and Dad at the Lake 08.29.10

Eighty-Nine

2009-05-14T16:42:00.001-04:00

"Roxbury Roomates" 5.09

It is the last month of my stay here in Keene. I'm shooting more without the pressure of school on my back. Using the digital, the Holga, and my 35 mm. The diversity of mediums is refreshing and gives me a lot of creative flexibility. I feel like I'm pushing my way out of a slump.

Eighty-Eight

2009-04-26T21:48:00.001-04:00

Untitled (as of yet) 4.09

I've been a horrible blogger.

Thinking about some mixed media... we'll see where this goes.

Eighty-Seven

2009-04-09T15:16:00.001-04:00

"Sitting in the Sky" 3.09

My shooting has been suffering a bit due to the excessive amounts of work coming up in other areas of my life. Excuses, excuses, I know. I have quite a few images on my computer from shoots I have done in the last few weeks, though, that I haven't worked yet. So, here is one of them. I did well at the dam with Lauren. It was a nice trip and a beautiful day. Seeing her placed above the tree-line makes the image worthy of a second look.

I've been shooting more film and experimenting with a Holga. I'm starting to think about doing capstone and a thesis next year. The medium I will choose is still uncertain. I'll probably do a mix of things, and certainly hope to get more practice with my Yashica. I am also interested in moving to something bigger, perhaps 4x5.

I realize that this blog has not said much about my day-to-day experiences in Keene/ Brattleboro. I've especially left out detail regarding the digital class I am co-teaching for my internship. So, I think I will do a write-up to post on here and put in my portfolio of documentation for the class. I hope people will be interested in reading all that...

More later. Keep reading.

Eighty-Six

2009-04-01T23:55:00.001-04:00

"And It Was Lights Out" 3.09

This is named in reference to the even MORE excessive amount of Mountain Goats I have been listening to. Also "lights" works, because I think my expression is sort of "deer in the headlights". I am proud of this image. As usual I am uncertain about the colors. The background is quite intensely blue, but that works for me in this case. It was dusk and the natural light was changing rapidly during the shoot. My skin tone was hard to adjust in comparison to the off-white wall and what is going on through the window. Without regards to the color, though, this photograph is certainly a success in my mind. It was a risk for me. I've never done anything this personal before. A couple of years ago I did a shoot in my bathtub at home in my prom dress. That was about as intimate as it had gotten so far. That shoot was a good one and I suppose this is the over-due follow-up. I especially like the drawstring from the shade to my right. The chipped paint behind me adds an element of texture to the image. One aspect I'm not sure about is how dark the left side of my face is. In one sense I think it "says" something about the subject, but on the other I wonder if it takes away from the quality because there is not much detail in that area. Thoughts? Suggestions? I have a few more but this is my favorite so far. Nudity/ partial nudity is something I've thought about tackling for a while. Ideally I would like to work with models, but practicing on myself first was not a bad idea. Hope to hear from you all!

Eight-Five

2009-03-28T22:38:00.000-04:00

"Lauren at the Dam" 3.28.09

Eighty-Four

2009-03-26T15:26:00.000-04:00

"Basement Singer II" 3.09

He's such a beautiful subject.

Eighty-Three

2009-03-20T01:12:00.001-04:00

"Living With Art" 3.19.09

Eighty-Two

2009-03-19T20:03:00.001-04:00

"Braincase" 3.19.09

I got home from teaching class this evening feeling inspired to do some self-portraiture. I have a number of images, but this was the most unexpected success. This sort of sums up how the last couple of weeks have been for me... words not necessary. I also like how my own photographs can be seen in the background. I am really in my environment here, sitting at the end of my bed (love the red cascading into the foreground). This pushed me to take some more photos with the display of images I have in my room. More to follow.

Eighty-One

2009-03-19T15:25:00.000-04:00

"Faces of Brattleboro: Cig on the Steps" 2.09

Here is another face of Brattleboro. I'm not sure if this image is complete. I love the harsh shadows and highlights. The patterns the shadows make across the steps near the man's feet are especially graphic and pleasing to the eye. The expression on his face is complex. This is something I haven't found easy to achieve when photographing people on the street. They are often uncomfortable, or taken off guard. I actually took a couple of frames of this man, allowing us both to get a little more relaxed. He was talkative and friendly, and told me about another student who had taken his photo and had it displayed at a gallery in town. His body language and basically everything about this image feel successful to me. What do you guys think? And do you like it in black and white? I think that makes the shadows particularly effective.

Eighty

2009-03-19T15:15:00.001-04:00

"Jackson on the Green Chair" 3.09

This is the resident pup at the In-Sight Photography Project. His name is Jackson. Most of the work I did on this image involved curves adjustments for an example to include in my curves workshop today. The students already know a bit about the tool (some more than others), but today we will be going over it in detail to show how much it can help (and hurt!) a photograph. We are working towards making images printable and realistic. Eventually everyone will be working on a long-term, themed project to print and hang as a series at the end of the semester, so emphasizing how much goes into printing a strong image (I think sometimes there is a misconception that because we are working in digital and on computers this is a click and go kind of thing... not the case) is key right now.

I've had a lot of opportunity to really take this class into my own hands. I am planning the lessons and taking the reigns during class time. It is exciting and scary at the same time. Here's to learning about the art of helping others learn....

Seventy-Nine

2009-03-18T21:34:00.000-04:00

Lauren and I traveled to our home town for a house party/ concert last weekend. I've photographed the band, The Cast of America's Favorite T.V. Sitcom, before (you've seen them up here). They're a fun group to shoot, always enthusiastic, especially the singer, Tony. Here he is...

"Basement Singer" 3.13.09

The set was short before we had to head back to Keene, but it was nice to see them again. They're certainly one thing I miss about home. More to come when I get some editing done. Photoshop and I aren't getting along very well at the moment... we're a little sick of each other. Thinking I miss film and the darkroom so perhaps I need to get myself back into that for a while.

Seventy-Eight

2009-03-11T23:23:00.001-04:00

I'm a little frustrated with my colors right now. My monitor is due for calibration, which I'll get the chance to do in the next couple of days. But, the images really do look different in Photoshop than they do when I post them here. The thumbnails seems to be more gray than the enlarged versions, so maybe that's just the nature of a smaller photo on the internet? I just can't tell if I'm getting things right anymore. I'm ready to keep plugging away, though, so with your help, I can get my colors spot-on. (Please keep an eye out for flesh tones and such, but keep in mind whether or not your monitors are calibrated!)

I am quite happy with my content, though. I have been shooting a lot and getting more comfortable photographing the people around me. There are some new subjects that will probably show up quite a bit in the future. (Today you meet Jeremiah.) I will continue with my Brattleboro project this week... the weather is getting nicer... I continue to think about photographs in each face I see. Keep reading!

"Tilt" 3.09

"Smoking Kills" 3.09

Seventy-Seven

2009-03-02T22:35:00.001-05:00

"Adventures on a Snow Day II" 3.2.09

I really love this image. I think the colors in it are nice (though their vibrance made this hard to edit). The painting in the background is funny next to Lauren making a kind of disgusted face. Everything in the foreground hints at what was going on when the photograph was taken. This is one of my more successful shots so far, I think it really reflects my style.

Seventy-Six

2009-03-02T22:11:00.001-05:00

"Adventures on a Snow Day I" 3.2.09

Hey, it's this girl's birthday tomorrow. 21! More on photos from today to come...

Seventy-Five

2009-02-25T20:50:00.000-05:00

"Crosswords" 2.09

Here is another "face of Brattleboro". The color on this one was tough because of her red hair. I think the image is successful, though. All of the elements (her cigarette, pencil, crossword, the bench and window in the background) combine well to produce a telling portrait of an individual in the town I have begun to explore.

P.S. This is the first subject I shot in my FIRST "Faces of Brattleboro" (working title) shoot.

Seventy-Four

2009-02-25T20:42:00.001-05:00

"Shadow 1: Boots" 2.09

What do people think of this image? It is much different than most I shoot. Here I am combining a type of portrait with a more landscape-type approach. I have a couple more for this mini-series in front of the garishly green building. This took quite a bit of time to edit, and I'm still not sure if it is right. Either way, I think it was worth the hard work and I'm enjoying incorporating some new styles into my photography.

Seventy-Three

2009-02-19T14:46:00.001-05:00

It is the day of the second class meeting for the digital course I'm co-teaching at The Insight Photography Project. Today we'll be showing the students the process for downloading the images they shoot (where to store them, file management, etc.) Then, we'll go over some of the basic Photoshop tools and let the students play around to get acclimated. I prepared the following pair of images to show what a photo might look like when you open it and then when you do a bit of work on it. We want to show the students that you might think a photograph is ready for printing when you look at it initially, but once you start making adjustments, you can see major differences and improvements. For the image here I used curves, color balance, cropped, adjusted the exposure and did a bit of burning.

"Throwing Ice" 2.09 (Before)

"Throwing Ice" 2.09 (After)

The thumbnail images are still gray-looking! When you click and enlarge them, they don't seem that way. WHAT is the deal!?

Seventy-Two

2009-02-19T11:52:00.001-05:00

"First Face of Brattleboro" 2.09

This photograph is still kind of a work in progress, but I was too excited to show someone to wait to post. This is a good sample of where I plan to go with my work up here in Brattleboro/Keene. Last Friday I walked around asking people for their photograph. I did pretty well, and no one turned me down. I need to think about my exact strategy, and what the particular theme is. This is precisely the kind of start I was going for, though. I didn't have to do much with this photo so far, because the initial exposure was quite good. The coloring on his face might need a little more work. I did crop a bit of unnecessary information out of the edges, but chose not to straighten it. The main street that runs through Brattleboro is a big hill (driving up it kind of reminds me of San Francisco!) I wanted to maintain this tilted feeling in the photograph. What do you think? Is that distracting? There are quite a few more shots just from this day that I will be posting over the next few days. Keep reading and most importantly, give me feedback! Your input is very key in my process!

Seventy-One

2009-02-13T15:24:00.000-05:00

"Bagels in Brattleboro" 2.12.09

Seventy

2009-02-09T21:20:00.001-05:00

"On the Way to the Co-Op" 2.09

Sixty-Nine

2009-02-09T20:59:00.001-05:00

This is weird, because I worked this image quite a bit in photoshop (it needed some red among other things). On my computer this is vibrant, but here the subject looks ashen. What's the deal? Any idea? (My monitor is calibrated.)

"The Mustache Photo" 1.09

Sixty-Eight

2009-02-09T17:43:00.000-05:00

"Breakfast of Champions" 1.09

Sixty-Seven

2009-02-09T13:52:00.000-05:00

It has been a tough couple of days, but I think I'm finally ready to make this experience life-changing.

"Jesse F." 1.09

"Director at Work" 1.09

"Reality Sets In" 1.09

Sixty-Six

2009-02-02T21:57:00.000-05:00

My blog has been neglected.

But here is the deal:

I am taking a semester away from Clark doing an internship at the In-Sight Photography Project in Brattleboro, taking classes at Keene State to finish up some perspectives, and to generally get a new perspective. I think that to be an artist I need this break from what I've been surrounded by for the past couple of years. I want to see new things and be inspired by an area that I'm not accustomed to.

My drive to Brattleboro is beautiful. You will certainly be seeing photos from that. As of the end of this week, I will be posting photos and write-ups by every Sunday to document my time here.

This is my intro; please continue to read, please let me know what you think.

(Welcome aboard, readers).

Sixty-Five

2009-01-02T20:53:00.000-05:00

Sixty-Four

2009-01-02T20:38:00.001-05:00

Sixty-Three

2008-12-27T00:44:00.001-05:00

Clothes hangers...

Sixty-Two

2008-12-14T15:17:00.000-05:00

Hedi Slimane: a new found influence. I did not take these, though I wish I could say I did, thanks anyways, Frank! (http://www.hedislimane.com/diary/)

Sixty-One

2008-12-06T13:32:00.000-05:00

So, everyone is talking about last posts and the end of blogging. For me, though, this is really only the beginning. I have made a decision about my plans for next semester. I will be moving to Keene, NH. I will take a few classes there and spend a majority of my time in Brattleboro, VT (about 20 minutes down the road). In Brattleboro I'll be working at the Insight Photography Project (http://www.insight-photography.org/1/). This will allow me to pursue the beginnings of doing the education fifth-year at Clark. I would love to be a photo teacher for a while, I think it would be a good way to spread photo love and get my feet off the ground. Eventually that way I'll be able to just do my art for myself. I'll also be involved with the Vermont Center of Photography (possibly gallery intern?) and the Brattleboro Reformer (local publication). In short, I'm going to be busy. I don't have photos to post right now, because I'm going to save that all for my final. But, I just wanted everyone to know that this blog will continue, and I hope a few dedicated readers will still check in. I hope to entertain everyone with my adventures... and please give input when you can. I appreciate all the feedback I've gotten this semester and I know it will help me on my way to becoming the artist I want to be.

Sixty

2008-11-30T20:47:00.000-05:00

Is it better to stay where you are because it might contribute to more opportunity in the future or go away for a while to get some perspective on things? What if staying feels restrictive and like I'm letting life walk right by me without taking part? What if leaving could be an uncomfortable disaster that pushes me further back than where I started out? I want to do what's right for my art. I'd like to think a little bit of adventure and forcing myself into a place that might not always be pleasant or certain is what will help me to be the photographer I know I can be. But maybe what I have in front of me is what I need to stick with. Could the safe route be the one that I should choose, at least just for now?

I realize I'm being cryptic, but if anyone has any advice to offer, then I am beyond open. Just need to keep shooting...

Fifty-Nine

2008-11-18T18:48:00.001-05:00

I've always avoided the still-life. I tend to be more attracted to what people look like and how they transform in front of the camera. While photographing Kid Omega during a recording session, though, I started to noticed the shapes wires make and how much personality inanimate objects can convey. Saying this reminds me of what Shaylyn is doing with her fruit. That's not exactly what I'm trying to express about these objects. It is more about my surprise that they are not static and boring. Quite a while ago I did a black and white image of a bunch of wires coiled up in a big mess. This new (or rediscovered) way of seeing brought me back to that image, and I have to say that I am interested in pursuing it again. This relates to my musical theme. I am still able to use the fisheye and I love the photos in black and white. This could be a supplement to my "In the Dark" images or the photos in which I include myself as the audience. This is just another addition to the chaotic semester I've had, but I like it.

Fifty-Eight

2008-11-09T14:58:00.000-05:00

Ryan Russell it is, Frank.

www.ryanrussell.net

Fifty-Seven

2008-11-07T17:21:00.000-05:00

I am completely frustrated with my work. Every time I read Annie's blog about her current photo-blockage I feel like she is speaking directly to me. I'm trying to find a balance between the photography I do for fun and the stuff that is also fun but for a project. Frank says that I'm not aware of my edges in my "fun" photography. I think it is something to work on. I miss critique this week because I was sick. On a brighter note, though, I turned 21 and Obama is the new president elect! In an hour or so I am headed to New York to see the Mountain Goats, one of my favorite bands. Frank's email from a couple of days ago reminded me that I need to find a photographer to write about for my paper. So, this week, my post will be about who I am considering choosing.

1. Juergen Teller: He's long been a photographer I admire. He makes the stark lighting and head-on flash really work. I can tell when something is his. He does a lot of work for Marc Jacobs.

2. Brent Stirton: A photojournalist who appears to my other photography interests. I don't know much about him yet, but he's done some really interesting work. He seems to have been everywhere and seen many things. The first image is from his series that documented a gorilla massacre. His images caused me to research the event.

3. Ryan Russell: This guy does music photography (probably among other things). He does a lot in black and white. This inspires me on what I'm currently working on.

So there are a couple of my options... I think Ryan Russell is top in the running right now. Just wanted to share these with you guys.

P.S. I fixed this because I looked at the post after initially putting it up and couldn't see any of the images. Can you guys see them?

Fifty-Six

2008-11-01T03:25:00.000-04:00

I rarely show the photos I shoot just for the love of doing it (and not necessarily for a working project). I try to bring my camera along where I go. I enjoy taking pictures of the people around me at social gatherings and events. Sometimes I feel like it is a good way to get to know someone new. The camera is always a conversation piece. People ask about it and I feel comfortable talking about it. So, these are a few of them. I went to Pumpkin Fest in Keene, NH last weekend. I realize there are no pumpkins in these pictures, but it was rainy and gross so we ended up at our friends' house for the majority of the time there. Still a good time, and still plenty of leaves. These are photos I take to practice and because I hope the people in them will enjoy seeing them for a recollection of moments. These are often the times that really get me inspired. Goodnight.

Fifty-Five

2008-10-24T22:03:00.000-04:00

This was my most successful image of the week. I was feeling nostalgic, so I took out my fish-eye to do some old-fashioned, I might be kind of a voyeur photos. This is my friend Lauren. I think my favorite part of the photo (which Nicole put to words) is the way the strands of dark, wet hair look contrasted against very pale skin. Though this is not a direct part of what I'm working on right now, the black and white, high contrast look is in the same vein as the other stuff I've been doing. I like how the door frame, shadows and other sides of furniture, etc. all bring the viewer's eye to the center where Lauren is doing her thing. I also think it is interesting that you can see a reflection of her face, but not the ACTUAL face. This one is definitely working for me. A couple others this week were okay, but I'm looking forward to going back to the band (who played their first show tonight)!

Fifty-Four

2008-10-10T20:32:00.001-04:00

I didn't get to print this for class, but it is probably my favorite photo from the outside shoot. Worked for about an hour starting at 8:30PM right after the boys practiced. The shooting took place in a vacant area of land and the adjacent parking lot. I like how this is framed. The two guitars can be seen but don't take over the photo. The boys are looking in different directions and making different expressions, which adds an element of intrigue. The shadows, leaves and pavement add texture. I think this is very natural. It could be used commercially, but may also be out of the ordinary and serve artistic purposes (in reference to my previous post). After initially being displeased with the outside shoot, I got good feedback from the class and looked at the images with a different eye. I want to take the band outside again at different times of night. I'll also need to get something to bounce my flash off of. This is just another little development in my focus for this semester. I'm certainly enjoying the challenge.

P.S. Game time. GO SOX.

Fifty-Three

2008-10-03T19:39:00.000-04:00

So after uploading this image, Blogger decide to have a shit fit (side-effects include: not allowing me to upload any more images AND making it impossible to change my font). Not important, but I guess the point is that I had another image to go with this. Both the one posted above and the one that was intended to be up were on the wall for my class this past Wednesday. I was surprised by the lack of reaction to this and some of the head shots of the guys that I hung. People said they wanted to see more of my "in the dark" photos, because they're grittier, different and (it sounds like) generally more interesting. I intend to keep working on that project. In fact, tonight I'm shooting them outside of the band room in a vacant lot. It won't be totally dark, so at least I'll be able to pull a focus, but they'll be in that dark vein. What I think is key about the above photo, though, is that this could be in a magazine. At this point I'm looking to satisfy both my artistic and practical intentions. So perhaps this image is not out of the ordinary or novel. I do think that it is a good photo of a band for their purposes (and I did get a bit of that from the class), and is the kind that could make me money. One can clearly see all the members of the band playing their respective instruments. I really enjoy this photo, not only for fiscal reasons, because it depicts the mood in the room, the boys in their element, and most importantly- that they are a band. I think the black and white fits it very well and it is put together in a way that is pleasing to look at. I see this on an album cover, in a magazine article, or on a poster. That is essentially what I will be going for career-wise, so in that sense this image is quite successful.

Fifty-Two

2008-09-21T21:54:00.000-04:00

This may or may not be the beginning to a new series. I like the 90's punk feel to it (credit for that style definition goes to Keegan). This is gritty and creepy and that's exactly how I want it to be. At Kid Omega's band practice I shot for quite a while in the white practice room under the giant florescent lights The shots I was getting were fine for documentation, but I wanted to push it to another level. I asked the band how they'd feel about practicing with the lights off. They loved the challenge and I love how it looks. This gave me a chance to use direct and indirect flash, weird angles and movement. I'm going to continue to experiment, perhaps with some strobes. Anyway, favorite image of the night up there (and the black and white really works for it, I think).

Fifty-One

2008-09-12T16:43:00.000-04:00

This is a catch-up and beginning of my digital class post. I'm not sure what kind of restrictions I have on the photos I took this summer (on the set of a movie), so I probably won't show any of that in such a public forum yet. Anyway... here are a couple (just proofs):

More to come on a weekly basis from now on.

Fifty

2008-04-10T14:05:00.000-04:00

I don't have a lot to say about these . A couple of days ago I went to the nursing home with Stephen to photograph him photographing his father. I hope you like these, because I really do. I have many more to process because the shoot was so fruitful. It was a great experience that I would like to have again. I'm pleased with how my work came out and think that they serve a great purpose in my career, even if not for what they were originally intended for. Please leave comments.

And last but not least!..... The head shot that never became a head shot. Weird. (Sorry Stephen, I couldn't NOT post this.)

Forty-Nine

2008-03-28T21:06:00.001-04:00

I am officially a bad blogger. I have been awful about updating this thing. Things have been busy but in a way that is most beneficial to my photo career (or the developing one). I'm working at Worcester Magazine as a photo intern and things are really rolling. I've been lots of bands for one particular assignment that won't be published until April. I thought about putting some sample shots up for that, then realized it would be a bad idea to show up WoMag by making the photos public before they're officially published. I've met a lot of great people so far. The Worcester music scene is crazy and wonderful. I can't wait to post photos of all the bands I've shot and write about them (in due time). I also shot at the Massachusetts Tattoo & Art Festival a couple Sundays ago. That was a great experience. I basically just got to walk around this convention-style gathering of artists and photograph their work. More importantly, I got to shoot the people there. I'm really starting to appreciate everyone I get to meet and talk to in this business.

I'm also working on my own, self-assigned project, which I spoke about in my last post. I've been distracted from shooting for it by all the WoMag stuff. I'm a bit frustrated... but it is a work in progress. So here are some examples of "how people listen to music":

I really like how these turned out. I have about 250 frames from the entire shoot. Sam and Dana were great models. I brought seven prints from the shoot into my photo critique the week after I shot them and got some great feedback. I got both positive and negative criticism but it was ALL constructive, which is most important. I took lots of notes about what people said and I know some ways I can improve. Part of me wants to get back into the studio so that I can have the focus be more on the person and the music instead of elaborate backgrounds (like the train station). The reason I did this initial shoot somewhere... out of the ordinary for me.. is because I was kind of stuck in the studio and people told me I needed to get out more. In shooting all these bands, though, I've found a new love for the studio. So, we'll see. I have so many shots that I will be posting at some point in the not-too-distant future. Please stay tuned!

Forty-Eight

2008-02-29T00:21:00.000-05:00

I have officially started a new project. This past Tuesday night (during our salon-style mid-term), my photo professor (www.stephendirado.com) gave me a phenomenal idea. He was looking at a couple of my photographs in particular, which he dubbed his favorites of the group, when he had this thought.

This is the first one:

The look on Dana's face displays the emotion and feeling she gets from the music she hears. It certainly is interesting how people look when they listen to music, isn't it?

Here's the second one:

This is Keegan (www.myspace.com/kidomegaband) during a recent concert. He seems to be listening for a note, waiting to sing, or perhaps taking in the sound of the music his band is making.

Drawing from these photos, Stephen suggested I look at "how people listen to music". This makes perfect sense for me. I photograph band practices, concerts and musicians on a (somewhat) regular basis already. Music has always been a big part of my life. I want to better understand how other people feel about music. I want to put into a photograph what it looks like to listen to, feel, hear music. This will be a study of what music makes people do (dance, cry, sing, laugh, smile, rock out... the options really are endless).

Today I did my first official shoot for the "how people listen to music" project. I took my two models (Dana and Sam) to the train/bus station in Worcester. Both the inside and the outside proved wonderful sets for the shoot. Each model had big headphones and an iPod. Half-way through the shoot we moved inside, partially because we were freezing, but also out of curiosity (a man came up to us while we were outside and said we should try it out where it was warmer and really expensive renovations are taking/ took place!). I loved every second of this shoot. We all had so much fun. The second I started shooting I could feel that this is what I'm supposed to be working on right now. After 250+ frames, we ventured back to campus and I immediately uploaded the photos on to my computer. I can't remember the last time I was so excited about something I produced. I absolutely love them. I can't wait to keep going with this. I have some really big ideas for this project and executing them is going to be the boost my photography so desperately needs. I finally feel inspired.

I'll be giving more details on the technicalities of my shooting and editing as I post photos. Any feedback that anyone who is watching is willing to provide is appreciated more than I can say. I don't care who you are... once I start putting these photos up here, tell me what you think! This is for real. This is going to be huge.

So... thanks, Stephen!

Forty-Seven

2008-02-25T22:59:00.000-05:00

Today is about writing. I had to choose a tarot card for my writing workshop class and use it as a prompt. This is the result:

"The Hanged Man"

I reside in a home made of living wood. Sometimes, when the wind blows, I can feel my walls shake as if the feeble branches and crusty leaves are still hanging on. These branches, these twigs, extend from my home’s sides as if arms reaching out for something. They reach for something to hold on to because the prospect of breaking free is everything that terrifies them. The limbs are undead sacrifices, still attached to their lifeblood but existing only for my purpose.

I sit inside my pulsating walls and listen to the breathing. The arms are writhing and rolling and reaching. And for what? They exist in this limbo for my comfort. They stay stuck in this life. Somewhere, at some point, this wood was a whole tree with tree roots and tree-friends and a forest full of trees to call its home. Then, a demon draped in workman’s gear made his entrance. He, ready to make an example of this tree, took his loud, powerful, chopping-machine to the trunk and tore through its dorsal aorta. The shriek, the bend and the fall- those must have been terrible, echoing sounds. They must have resonated throughout the forest full of trees; a warning to the remaining tree-friends. But though this tree was severed, its arteries hung on to the web of fragile capillaries and resisted a definite end. They resisted destruction through transportation, more sawing, hammers, nails, drills- their life in suspension.

Now, still suspended in a life not its own, the tree houses me. It is still a tree, only mutilated. Its parts and pieces are not where they belong and its capillary web is mixed-up. But the tree still breaths. The wood, though maimed, dangles in this life, not yet ready to give up. The walls inhale in sync with my inhales and exhale with me, too. The tree is reminding me that it is still here. Ladies and gentlemen, Elvis has not yet left the building.

Today the wind is blowing like it sometimes does. The whistling and whirring and whining travel between my ear drums. The wood creaks to welcome my wide-open brain. A crack says “Hello”. A groan means “I’m here, do you hear me?” The sound the now-split into panels-tree makes when it settles on the foundation is “I understand. I get it.” These mysterious, beating boards of wood know all of my secrets because we are no different. I, too, have been taken apart bit by bit and sewn back together in all the wrong ways. I know the sting of the saw against (my) trunk. I know what it means to grip to roots, to branches, to twigs and to only just hang on. I am only just hanging on.

My walls have lulled me into a trance.
“I can hear you.”
They move in response to my words. They move downwards and upwards and in and out. They are creaking and cracking and now, now they are growing. The branchy limbs turn in and find me. They are wrapping around me as a snake around its prey. But I am not afraid. I am not being preyed on. The twigs spurt extensions and root themselves in my skin. I can feel them search through my system for my capillaries, my arteries, my dorsal aorta. We are growing and twisting and I no longer know where I begin or end. I am soaked in sap and my walls are running with blood. We have become connected by our circumstances. We are conjoined because we have both been chopped up without a choice and traded against our will. We understand each other, these walls and I. We are two still-breathing sacrifices, dangling in a life not our own.

Forty-Six

2008-02-17T22:49:00.001-05:00

Forty-Four

2008-02-11T01:25:00.001-05:00

Without my computer again. This thing seems to be dysfunctional more often than not. Anyway... I need to think about posting from the lab as soon as possible from now on since my system isn't available on a consistent basis.

I went home this weekend and I have some photos I took of my family that I need to edit and put up. I've been experimenting more with flash.

Yeah. I'll be able to say so much more when I can use my photos.

Forty-Three

2008-02-07T12:08:00.000-05:00

I used to think that My Super Sweet Sixteen on MTV was entertaining and fun to watch. I liked making fun of all the little brats. Today, though, I watched one of the more recent episodes about a girl named "Yashkika" (or something...) and it really upset me. This chick spent the entire episode crying and whining about everything. Her dog tag invitations weren't big enough, her sister's dress was "prettier" than hers, the $40,000 car wasn't expensive enough (she had to have the $100,000 one), people were let in to the party too early, her "VIPs" weren't paying enough attention to her... seriously... the complaints were endless. It pissed me off, but even more so, it made me very sad. I think this show highlights a significant number of the problems with American youth today. People seem to have lost the ability to feel pleasure from non-material things. I know this is not a novel notion but it is always important to discuss. The way this girl spoke to her parents was appalling at best. If/ when I have children they better watch their mouths. I'm not into physical punishment but this girl deserves a slap in the face. She obviously grew up not having to want or wait for anything. Her parents deserve a smack, too. How dumb do you have to be to spoil your child into being a materialistic, unkind, basically worthless human being? This all makes me nervous for the future and also makes me not want to shop. I'd rather give up everything than feel that I'm contributing at all to the notion that that kind of behavior is okay. What is wrong with these people? Pathetic, really.

On another note... my photo class just compiled a list of students who have blogs. I'm pretty excited about this and the sites I've looked at so far make me want to keep looking. I'll be adding a links to a bunch of them to this page so if any of you see this and want to link me too.. well, that would be wonderful. We can all use a little networking help, I think.

Forty-Two

2008-02-06T01:12:00.000-05:00

Forty-One

2008-01-27T23:28:00.001-05:00

Forty

2008-01-26T00:27:00.000-05:00

Kid Omega, ladies and gentleman.

Thirty-Nine

2008-01-23T21:47:00.000-05:00

My computer's back and so am I.

Thirty-Eight

2008-01-13T12:59:00.000-05:00

I should have stayed. I knew the second I could feel your chords reverberate in my chest that staying was the only thing I should have been thinking about.

Hopefully I'll have my computer back tomorrow so I can get back to photos. Moving into school today. Hm....

Thirty-Seven

2008-01-06T17:38:00.000-05:00

I'm seeing everything with a new eye.

Thirty-Six

2008-01-05T15:45:00.000-05:00

I got a new lens. Canon 50 mm (fixed focal length), but here's the thing.... 1.8 f-stop changes everything.

Thirty-Five

2008-01-05T12:10:00.000-05:00

I'm about to go get the a screw-on lens cap wrenched off of my fisheye attachment. How did it get so stuck? I don't know. More to come later this afternoon. I'm hoping today will be a bunch of reading The Digital Photographer's Handbook, photoshopping and Entourage (always Entourage).

Thirty-Four

2008-01-02T22:36:00.000-05:00

Furry

My nest. I love it.

Back for more and no lies this time. I'm for real and I've got to get my shit together. So here it's going to be. More photos, more everything. After all... it is a new year.

Thirty-Three

2007-12-20T20:01:00.000-05:00

If I can't have you then you can't have me.

Thirty-Two

2007-12-19T13:45:00.000-05:00

Jamie Lynn Spears is pregnant? What is wrong with this world?

More later. Paper time.

Thirty

2007-12-16T00:05:00.001-05:00

Pretty lame I think.

If I could go to sleep and not wake up for a long, long time... well, I would be okay with that.

Twenty-Nine

2007-12-15T14:03:00.000-05:00

You’re next to me playing and I keep telling myself to write something ‘cause it will eventually make me feel cleaner.
But I can’t.
Or it’s not even that I can’t but that I won’t because it’s terrifying.
So I can’t piece together my thoughts yet because I’m scared.
I’m a scared little girl who refuses to do anything real to help myself.
I’m stunted and stuck in this past that won’t quit.
And forgetting is no option. It never has been because the pages don’t turn unless you turn them.
There’s this silence that’s giving me a headache. My brain is pounding and beating against its casing and threatening to break out.
I can’t be where I am when I don’t know where this is. You’re breaking me to pieces.
I wish I could stop this or write more coherent lines or do something that is worthwhile to someone.
Sometimes you make me feel like less than you and I know you don’t mean it but it hurts.

Stay with me. I'm still here.

Twenty-Eight

2007-12-03T23:14:00.000-05:00

Today I stopped myself from falling apart.

Twenty-Seven

2007-11-30T15:51:00.000-05:00

I have so many things to say to you.

Twenty-Six

2007-11-27T12:19:00.001-05:00

Guitar strings tighten like my muscles when you're around. You're nothing but a good thing.

Twenty-Five

2007-11-26T20:49:00.000-05:00

I'm sorry posting has been on and off. I think I need to start writing more in these entries. Perhaps I will.

Above is a photograph of my friend who plays in a band called The Cast of America's Favorite TV Sitcom. Please check them out at: http://www.myspace.com/thecastusa.

Twenty-Four

2007-11-21T21:42:00.001-05:00

I can't help but feel an empty space beside me.

Twenty-Three

2007-11-20T23:54:00.000-05:00

We're holding on to five and I'm slowly drifting.

Twenty-Two

2007-11-18T14:38:00.000-05:00

We're in our own little bubbles.

Twenty-One

2007-11-17T21:02:00.000-05:00

Every day is getting newer.