Other stuff

There was more I wanted to say in the last update, but I think it needed it's own post.

In the spirit of my new 2011 mantra, I finished a few knitting items on my list. Most notably, my first ever, completely from scratch hat!

I <3 making stupid faces.

It's rough around the edges, but I'm kind of in love with it anyway.

Up next, alpaca wool that I washed and carded myself. I have a trashbag full of this stuff. What am I gonna do with it?

Note the blurry orange blob in the background. That's the cat, Conan O'Brian.

Singin' in the Rain

Last month, I had the pleasure of working with two wonderful people on my first real attempt at a photo shoot. It was good practice for me, and I could not have asked for more photogenic subjects! Their energy, love, and enthusiasm really made my work easy.

In doing this photo shoot, I realize the importance of framing before ever clicking the camera. I had a lot of great shots, but since I'm somewhat new at this, some of the shoots could not be edited the way I like because I didn't frame it correctly to begin with. One thing that I tend to lack in whatever I do is planning. I don't plan for what I want, I just like to see what happens through the view finder. Unfortunately, there are a lot of photographers out there who do this, usually hobbyists trying to do this as a side gig. I myself am a hobbyist, what with a full time job and grad school taking center stage, but I really want to work at becoming a professional. I want to make sure everything is framed, everything is accounted for, before I start clicking away.

Not to say that candid photos are not great, but you can't have great candid photos without great preparation, right?

Anyhow, here are a few sneak peaks. Please excuse the logo, I'm still working on it! :)

Not bad, for a first shoot :)

2010 Wrap up?

I'm not one for resolutions, but I am someone who likes to make goals. It's a strange combination. This year, in place of a list of resolutions, I have favored the trend of a mantra. One word or a phrase that will embody the spirit of 2011. For me, it will be"Accomplish" The idea is to stop procrastinating. Stop spending time on meaning less things (I'm looking at you, Facebook) and accomplish what you set out to do.

I want to apply this to grad school, of course, but I also want to apply this to the rest of my life. No more loafing. Finish those sweaters! Design that sock! Buy that spinning wheel! Start a lasagna garden! Do more photoshoots! All of these things require time and effort and this year I am not going to be lazy! And somewhere in there, if I could just update this blog once a week, I would be so happy. Baby steps though... baby steps.

2010 was successful in my book. Of the five things I wanted to achieve, I did four. I knit a sweater, I bought a house, I learned to spin and I had a garden.

So 2011, let's see what happens, eh?