That's a...nice camera?

I went out shooting with my Holga camera a little bit over the weekend of the fourth. Mostly happy snaps of my boyfriend, family, friends, and fireworks. A curious fellow photography enthusiasts asked me about my plastic camera. In the course of explaining the joys of a Holga, he asked what I did for a living. When I answered that I was a photographer he seemed surprised "well that's a... nice camera?" he responded. While it's humorous that it didn't cross his mind that my Holga isn't my only camera I reminded him that it's not the camera, it's the photographer.

Then I read this blog post by Chicago Tribune photojournalist Alex Garcia. I have been experiencing number 4 (addiction to equipment) for a little while now. Also equipment jealousy, lust, fantasy shopping, etc. So to break myself of this problem I plan on using my various "toy" camera more frequently.

So check out my new gear!



My old, trusty Holga. I bought it for an alternative methods portrait when I was still in school and have since fallen in love with it. I bought a few extra gadgets for it (experiencing equipment addiction even with cheap equipment). I have a 35mm film adapter, wide angle lens, and 3 multi-image filters. I'm also looking to experiment with making my own filter, modifications, etc. I plan on using the color filters from my strobe kit for some shots. Maybe shooting through this weird saran wrap I accidentally bought at Kroger...



I also have a Diana F+ Camera and a Fisheye 2 Lomography Camera pictured below. They were presents that I haven't played with much yet. So experimenting with these new, simpler cameras will be a fun break from my current rut of editing my portfolio, sending out resumes, and shooting weddings and occasional freelance assignments.

Diana in CMYK (love the color)

The fisheye in pink (yes, I own it in pink).









And most importantly I need to remember that since this is new to me, it's OK if the first few rolls totally suck. These aren't for my portfolio or for work. This is for fun. I look forward to posting some shots from a roll soon.

Wedding Season - this time as a guest

I recently got to attend the wedding of two of my good friends; Nathan Fenchak and Lisa Gumerman. It has been a long time since I got to attend a wedding as a guest, so this was a nice break from the usual. However, I still brought my cameras along with me. I just couldn't resist.  So here are a few happy snaps from the day.

My boyfriends, Brian, was one of the groomsmen.

While I was inside eating (eating, at a wedding? Unheard of!) I noticed this going on outside and took a quick snap.

Recent work – Wedding Season

Between applying for jobs, working, and some recent health problems I seem to have forgotten about my poor old blog. Here is some recent photographic work as a wedding photographer. These photos are some of my favorites from the wedding of Kantele Franko and Rick Rouan.

The groom, Rick, was a big fan of the Cleveland Cavaliers and LeBron James. Before every game James apparently covers his hands in talcum (baby) powder and throws the extra into the air before the game creating a cloud. Hence the groomsmen photo.

Portfolio editing; the Fisher Lassie

One Day Shoot Story I did a few years ago on Fisherman Gordon Easingwood of Dunbar, Scotland. Gordon is the captain of the Fisher Lassie.

Gordon Easingwood of Dunbar, Scotland, is the captian of the Fisher Lassie. Besides some casual clamming, Easingwood makes money in his retirement by taking groups of fishermen out on the Firth of Forth with him.

 

Easingwood watches while visitors and friends fish off his boat.

 

Like many people who grew up on the Firth, Easingwood knows where to go to find the best fish.That knowledge is what people on holiday pay for.

 

Fish are loaded onto the Fisher Lassie to fill lobster pots with new bait.

 

Stuart Borland, Jason Gilkison, and Irving Belle of Haddington drop their lines in off the side of the boat hoping to catch Mackerel.

 

Mungo Baird of Edinburgh carefully measures a fish to make sure it isn’t too small to keep. 

 

Gordon Watson of North Berwick throws his fish guts to a group of appreciative seagulls.

Portfolio editing or How I spent my Thanksgiving vacation

I spent most of my holiday free time editing and organizing my portfolio. I revamp it a little every time I apply for a job, go to a conference, or have too much free time, because you can never be done with a project, you just stop working on it. So up first, my collection of single images;

 

Rasa, a group from Kuanas, Lithuania perform at the 19th International Folk Dance Festival on Saturday July 28 at Stirling Castle, Scotland.

 

Mounted Police–Lt. Randy Gray checks on Halloween visitor Chris Heltzel, 21, from Cleveland, while Ohio University freshman Jordan Pierce, 19, looks on. Gray and Heltzel parted ways from the BP station without incident.

  

The Miami Univeristy Varsity Synchronized Skating team performs its free–skate program during the International Skating Union’s World Synchronized Skating Championship in London, Ontario, on Saturday, March 30, 2007. The team placed second in the event, making them the first American team to ever medal at Worlds.

  

Flood in Hatillo, Puerto rico on Dec, 13, 2008.

  

A Scotch Hop country dance at Linlithgow palace, birth place of Mary Stuart, better known as Mary Queen of Scots.

  

El Yunque Rainforest, Puerto Rico

  

Couple Nathan Fenchak and Daina Wollam spontaneously break into a tickle and wrestling fight on East Green.

  

Czeblawa Bartuzak watches her son-in-law Adrian Dymarkowski and grandson Hubert fly a kite behind Holyrood Palace near Salsbury Craigs and Arthur's Seat in Edinburgh, Scotland.

  

Bill Evans prepares to conduct the Hocking Valley Historical Train in Nelsonville, Ohio.

  

Matt Kern, 13, and sister Sarah Kern, 10, practice at the driving range of Heatherwoode Golf Course in Springboro on Tuesday August 19, 2008. Matt and Sarah are both left handed golfers have done well in national tournaments.

  

The view across the city of Edinburgh from Calton Hill at dusk.

  

Charles Kilgore and Peter Zien joke around in the showers after water polo practice at The Ohio University Aquatics Center.

  

Couples share a kiss under the lantern in the arch of Upham Hall after renewing their wedding vows in the 2009 Miami Merger Moment at Miami University in Oxford. Over a thousand couples renewed their wedding vows at the record breaking ceremony by Upham Hall, a romantic spot on campus.

First Post - The great week of editing

This blog, like most, is a shameless attempt to self promote. The next few posts to the site will contain my portfolio, recent work, and a massive game of catch-up on my life as a photojournalist. To all those visiting, enjoy! In an effort to allow you to get to know me better, why not use the method employed by employers, my résumé (the brief version)!

Education
Ohio University Main Campus – Athens, Ohio
Scripps College of Communication, School of Visual Communication
Bachelor of Science in Visual Communication, Cum Laude
Sept., 2005 – June, 2009
Major: Photojournalism
Minor: Spanish

Ohio University – Edinburgh, Scotland
Photojournalism Field School – summer 2007

Ohio University – Auguadilla, Puerto Rico
Puerto Rican Culture and Language Program – Nov. – Dec., 2008

Skills
Adobe CS3 and CS4, Photoshop, Bridge, InDesign, Illustator, Photo Mechanic, Aperture, Final Cut Pro, Soundslides, Audacity, Microsoft Office Suite, Spanish, CPR and First Aid.

Activities and Organizations
Chief Photographer, the Post
National Press Photographers Association, OU student chapter
Historian, Alpha Lamdba Delta, Freshman Honors Fraternity
President, Ohio University Synchronized Skating Team

Work Experience
Editorial Photography Intern
Dayton Daily News, Cox Ohio Publishing
June, 2008 – Aug., 2008 and June, 2009 – Aug., 2009

Chief Photographer
The Post – student-run, independent newspaper
Sept. 2008 – June, 2009
Formerly: Staff Photographer (September, 2005 – June 2006) and Picture Editor (September, 2006 – June, 2008)

PACE employee, student photographer and media management
Ohio University, School of Visual Communication
Sept., 2007 – June, 2008

Learn–to–Skate Instructor
Bird Ice Arena, Ohio University Campus Recreation
Sept., 2005 – June, 2009

Teaching Aide
Carousel House School
June of 2005 – present

*References available upon request.

That's all for now. Up next; portfolio!