Film Noir Inspired

Made last night...

The Pinecone

These three I made today...

I'm getting really inspired by some of my favorite films, specifically, ones in black and white.

Blog Title Change

I couldn't sleep last night. Just thinking about alot of stuff. Needed to do something ...

I will be playing with templates and titles until I find one that fits this blog perfectly.

Self Portraits March '10

I wanted to experiment making my own curves. The last one I used bokeh textures from http://www.offbeat_upbeat.livejournal.com/ .

Tea and Chocolates Galore!

My next door neighbor gave my family and I a little gift for the spring season.

Guess what was inside?

Tea!

And not just green tea...

tea with fruit flavors like pomegrante,

blackberry and rasberry.

It also had TAZO teas: earl grey andn sweet orange!

This is a heck of alot of tea. I've never felt so happy over tea in my life. I also love the little decorations on the box. It's so cute!

Last but not least, this is one of my favorite chocolates.

When I came back home to Cali on Friday night, I found these on the table. My parents let me finish them on Saturday night. I love the little inspirational quotes inside the wrapper. One of them said "look for love in the most unexpected places". Didn't reallly care much for that one. However, I found one that said something like live everyday to the fullest. That one sounded more relevant.

This was alittle random post I wanted to share, especially if there are any tea lovers out there!

I L.O.V.E TEA!

Bye!

Newest Addition To The Series

I Want Rain

I wanted to add one more photo to my series. :)

First Photos of the Spring

Spring is FINALLY here!

Human Macro

Today, I've been thinking alot of about macro shots. Specifically, how do you make'em? Well, I don't own a 50mm lens so how can I make them with a point and shoot camera? After rereading some tutorials on macro photography for point and shoot cameras-http://digital-photography-school.com/macro-photography-for-beginners-part-1 and here-http://digital-photography-school.com/macro-photography-for-beiginners-part-2 I started to experiment with my Nikon camera. Though it doesn't have 50mm lens, its a 5.0-75.0mm and has a macro mode. So I figured it'll still be possible. Yeah! So this morning, I thought I try experimenting with macro photography using my eyes. Thinking its a great start.

Here are some of my original pics (before any editing took place)

Alrighty! I have some up-close human macro shots. I apologize for not wearing makeup. I'm getting off a cold and I was in no mood, nor had the patience, to put on makeup. Plus this experiment was just in the spur of the moment.  Anyway! So, after I've taken these pics I've decided to edit them. BTW, I have taken more pics then these, but I like these two the most. In the editing process, I first thought about what style. The usual cross process wasn't going to do, so instead I used the vintage film effect seemed better. Within that effect I only used the base. Then, I messed with the curves, used alot of ISO reduction (my little Nikon lacks ISO manual control), levels, color balance, sharpness, and bright/contrast to give my own touch. Here's the finished product for both photos.

I like how they turned out! But then I thought..."hey! some BOKEH would be cool with this!" I tried some bokeh textures witht he first photo and failed miserably. Can't say the same for the second photo. For the bokeh layer, I changed the levels and toned mapped it. Thinking the texture won't darken the background image. When I toned mapped the bokeh layer, it duplicated it, making the duplicated layer with an opacity of 90%. I only took the toned mapped layer. If I didn't, you'll get two layers of bokeh with one that's darker than the other. Here's the finished product!
 

Honestly, I like it! The bokeh gave the photo a whole new meaning and deeper emotion  than the one without bokeh.

I'm thinking about putting the first two (the ones without bokeh) in to diptych. Maybe....

But I hope you like them.

"Too Shy To Scream" by AFI

I come quietly. Silent entities

Can lack a certain weight when unseen.

Do they speak of me?

My voice left with the breeze that

whispered "You should flee or you shall be seen?"

I'd die, if you only met my eyes

Before you pass by

Will you pause to break my heart?

I am everywhere, everywhere but here

For here is where you grace the nameless

Were I not so weak, could even speak

I'd warn that you should leave before

You're seen with me.

They don't hear me.

Do I bore them when I tell them

I adore them?

<3

I've decided to reedit an old photo. Here is the finished product.

Title: Reading Is Imaginary

Over the weekend I found out who Tim Walker is. He once did a photo shoot with Tim Burton. I remember reading about it in a magazine and online. Walker's work is amazing. Its pure fantasy, fun, uplifting, and magical. His photos remind me of Sophia Coppola's film Marie Antoinette starring Kirsten Dunst with all the pastel colors. I can't believe I'm just discovering him now. I don't get Vogue Magazine, though.

Check out his site-timwalkerphotography.com.


Right now, I'm working on some new photos. Taken with my new Nikon baby. I love him so dearly, despite his lack of manual ISO reduction. :)

Today, my best friend, my brother, his fiancee and I went to go see Alice In Wonderland. Tim Burton did an amazing job once again. Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter were great. Crispin Glover and Anne Hathaway surprised me too. I loved the film and the storyline. I've never read the book and barely saw the original Disney film but this one is my ultimate favorite film. Out of all of Burton's movies, this one is at the top.

We also spent some time at the mall. My BFF and I bought a few things. I got AFI's Crash Love album. I love it! It rocks! I also got some Alice in Wonderland merchandise. ^^

Yesterday, the family and I celebrated my 20th birthday. My parents surprised me with a new camera.

Its a Nikon CoolPix L100. I did some research. You can't control the ISO, aperture, and shutter speed manually but it takes great close up shots. Despite some disagreements, I'm beginning to like this camera. I hope he and I will be great friends. lol!

Tomorrow, I return to Las Vegas. I got an exam and a short paper to write when I get back. So lazy! Plus, the Oscars are tomorrow night. I'm excited for that. But for now, the night is young. I may watch Mirrormask or Invader Zim. Or both!

Ciao!

*Update*

Here are some other shots

Let Me Be...

Me.

Today I turn 20. I'm getting old. I'm back in California to visit my family and to celebrate my birthday. My brother and his fiancee are coming aswell. We are going to see Tim Burton's remake of Alice In Wonderland. He's a genius. I'm so excited.

Take care!

Lately, I've been considering sharing how I edit my photos with you guys. Are you interested? Leave a comment, if you are.

Here is a picture of a music sheet for the song "Wait" from the broadway musical Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. I'm trying to learn this song. :)

My friend and I were talking about music today. One of the bands we talked about was AFI, also known as A Fire Inside. Personally, they are one of the most poetic, artistic, rockin bands I've ever heard. They've inspired me since I was 16 years old. So, why not post a few videos from AFI.

This one is brand new. Its called "Beautiful Thieves"

"Miss Murder"

"Love Like Winter"

"Silver and Cold"

"The Leaving Song pt.2"

"Girls Not Grey"

 

Okay! Six is more than a few but its AFI!  Enjoy!

Goodnight! <3

More experimenting...