inspiration: here and there

It has been over a year and a half since I last did a post touching upon what inspires me. I usually focus on a particular photographer, website, or service that inspires me as a photographer to try new things. the lack of posting has nothing to do with a lack of inspiration. actually, i maintain an entirely separate tumblr that stores what i like as i come across it.

Patrick Joust

loll3
Andrew Valko

Todd Hido

These are just an example of what I have been drawn to most lately. Nightscapes, photo realism, and whimsical illustrations with a hint of darkness. I have to be honest that I started this post Friday night because Lauren and I have been talking blogs a lot. I've been helping her with all the resources I have for blogging. I'm more of a "blog when I feel like it," but Lauren would like to blog once a week, at least. Her subject matter (helpful camping tips!) requires a lot more research than my rambling and recording of everything going on around me. However, once I caught a glimpse of what was occurring in Paris, I couldn't finish. I felt numb. I don't think I had a panic attack, but it felt as though I was on the brink (my lips became numb, my scalp tingly). The world is a terrifying place and with every fucked up thing that happens, I can't help but think of Smashing Pumpkin's "Bullet With Butterfly Wings;" the world is a vampire set to drain/secret destroyers hold you up to the flame. So I held off on this post until today (Monday) to allow some time to pass, a little distance from certain tragedy, but lately, it always feels more is just around the corner. and that is frightening.

creative block

I hate creative blocks. I can't seem to shake this one that started a couple of weeks ago. It's a good sign, though, that I get lost in thought staring at the sunlight or the clouds, figuring out how to capture them, what sort of framing and settings I would need. That is a good thing. Reading Joan Didion is also giving me a bit of a creative kick. I'm seriously desperate to get inspiration from anything so I'm looking at EVERYTHING to inspire me. I forget how much I enjoy creating diptychs and triptychs until I'm playing around in photoshop and create one. Currently, I'm having fun playing with images I've shot previously, but I'd like to make themed diptychs/triptychs. I've got the day off tomorrow to experiment with an idea I have. I seriously hope that I break through this block soon. It seems that relaxing and not panicking about it seems to be helping. Why freak out about what you can't control?

thoughts and things

I have had to start carrying around my catch-all, Jonathan Adler notebook because I've got so many thoughts and ideas. Must write it all down! It's fun to page through that thing, filled with half lists, sentence fragments that only make sense to me, and random doodles. I have been doing a lot of different things, just nothing that I am sharing. Who knows if I will ever share it? However, I'd like to keep it to myself until I know what I want to really do with it. Lately, I've been really inspired by Amanda Jasnowski, Vivian Fu, and Johanna Tagada. I have been perusing their portfolios at least once a day. Doing so has helped me to look at things differently, but I'm not sure if anyone wants to see what I'm seeing in the new way in which I'm seeing things. Does that make sense?
I'm always amazed when people are interested in what I am doing photography-wise. Just the other day, someone asked me how did my 365 project end up. I had them repeat the question, that's how in shock I was. Despite having heard shitty things others have said about my photography, I am my own worst critic. The fact that someone else is genuinely interested in what I am doing makes my heart swell and the doubt fades away. Hopefully I can feel that way one day about the weird stuff I'm doing, but for now, it's the regularly scheduled program.

death to stock photo

I first heard of Death to Stock Photo a few months ago. I didn't see any use for me to sign up for it, but I thought the concept was cool: high-resolution, quality lifestyle photographs to use on blogs and other social channels in case you are unable to shoot your own related image for your blog post. The above photograph is an example of such quality photographs. I shrunk it down to the resolution I use, but I received an email with a file full of nice photographs.
Why death to stock photo? Have you seen your typical stock photograph? I suppose if you're looking to create a last second brochure for an high school business class you'd use such a thing, but I like the idea behind Death to Stock Photo- it makes me aspire to have my images as high quality and aesthetically pleasing as those featured on the site.

inspiration: amanda jasnowski

^Photo credit: Amanda Jasnowski^

I don't recall how I came across Amanda Jasnowski, but boy, am I glad I did! Amanda is a barely twenty one year old phenom taking a leap into the photography world. Not only is her photography amazing, but she also curates a pretty wicked blog. Her official tumblr can be found here. This past summer, Amanda and her boyfriend, Jimmy Marble, traveled to Europe for Native Shoes. The trip is documented here. Amanda's Instagram is really spectacular as well. It seems that no matter the camera, Amanda can create amazing images with her amazing eye. In the spirit of mashing Amanda's aesthetic with my own images, I created a couple of diptychs. I look forward to more experiments in the future!

RAW file swap

I have been following the photography of Ken Kornacki for several months. He opened up this idea to his blog followers to swap RAW image files to see how differently we render our photographs. Ken's aesthetic seems to be high contrast with very dark blacks for his images. I like the dreamy, film-effect of an edit. This was a really fun project and on his blog, you can still see what other RAW files are coming in, as well as the amazing photographs that Ken takes all over Milwaukee. Did I neglect to mention that before? Ken is reppin' Milwaukee with his amazing work. Keep up the photos, Ken!

The top set is a photograph I took when I was in Chicago in March. The second set is a photograph that Ken shot. My edits are on the left, his are on the right. Like I said, it was great fun to see how different we edit our photographs. It's also interesting to see how other people are editing their swaps. I would like to do another one simply because I like the difference between the photos. Maybe when I'm in Chicago this weekend I can shoot something to swap again.

a quick update

I'm sure I have mentioned how much I enjoy the blog A Beautiful Mess. I have been waiting for an entire week for their app to come out and it's always fun to play with new apps and mix them up with different apps and media as well. I'll share with you what I have come up with within my first day of using the app. These ladies are very inspiring, starting from scratch with their store, their website, and everything. It's the number one app in the store right now. I'm sure they're very proud. Today was nice and warm. Matt and I went to the mall to have lunch and so he could purchase more work shirts. I'm deep into my F Scott Fitzgerald reading month. I've already seen The Great Gatsby and I enjoyed it immensely. Matt and I agree that Tobey Maguire was one of the best things about the movie. I'm really sad that I lost my ticket stub and Matt already discarded his. Blurgh. Woe is me. I will have a ton of other ticket stubs within the next two months. I've made a list and we'll be seeing about ten movies by mid-June. It'll be fun!

If you haven't visited my blog in a while, click here to check out the new design updates. I'm trying to go for a simpler look. I'll be back with more books and more photographs. I promise

at home with light read

A Beautiful Mess does a series called "At Home With" in which readers get a glimpse into the spaces of other creatives and bloggers. I mention A Beautiful Mess frequently. That's because these ladies inspire me constantly and I admire their success in blogging and soon, they'll conquer the book world. I cannot wait! Back to what this post is about: I recently switched up my bedroom a bit. There will be more added to my room someday soon because I desperately need frames for photographs on my walls! Once that happens, I'll have an update. I bought some things to help organize my room better. Photographed above, I purchased a couple of unfinished wood pieces such as the crates. The hinged box contains my makeup. I bought a flat square box to hold my pens. I rearranged my room, added a chair for a nice reading corner, and organized my bookshelf. Here it is:

HONY - Humans of New York

I had other posts lined up for today, but I was so distracted by this new discovery of mine that I had to share. I also have not done an inspiration post in a while so here we go:

I discovered Humans of New York (HONY) this afternoon while I was tumbling around on tumblr. I think one of his photos of Hurricane Sandy's aftermath was in the radar and I clicked to look further into this blog. This was around 12...it is now almost 3:30 and I'm still scrolling through this blog. Why? Not only do the photographs draw you in, but the captions and questions that he asks his subjects have also pulled me in. They show the kind and warm hearted spirits that reside in this hard, rough-n-tumble city. People have this misconception that all New Yorkers are rude a-holes, but that is so not true. My abuela still lives in Harlem and when I can afford it, I'll usually visit her for a week during the summer. The last time I was there, this adorable old couple asked me for directions. Heh, I was like,"Well, I'm also not from here, but we can look at my map and figure out where you're going!" I also bought a bottle of water from a newsstand for $1.50. $1.50! In NYC! Ok, sorry, but that was a shock to my system and I gratefully chugged the water in the middle of the heat wave.

I love the way that Brandon captures quite literally, the humanity and compassion that still resides in the world today. In a world where everyone is a cynic and we're all going to hell in a handbasket, it's nice to stop and take a look at the simple/beautiful things. Brandon explains his reasons for beginning the blog here and how it transformed into something more than what he expected. I admire his ability as a portraitist, as well as a street photographer. I am grateful he has decided to share what he sees with the world as he has now inspired me a great deal. Thank you, Brandon!

All photo credit goes to Humans of New York.

Inspiration: Nick Gerber

I have been following Nick Gerber's blog for some time now. Quite possibly since he started it. I am in no way trying to be boastful; I am just trying to get my facts straight. He was quickly a favorite. He constantly posts original content and his subject is usually the city that he lives in: Chicago. I don't live too far from Chicago. I have a few friends that live there and am a frequent visitor. It's wonderful to see a place I have grown to love through the eyes of someone else, who also happens to love it. Not only does Nick take wonderful photographs, he also happens to be a very nice fellow. I'm totally serious. I don't judge this from his photographs. I have gotten some advice from him and it has helped immensely. Night shooting in Chicago looks like so much fun (and it is) and Nick politely responded with settings I should use for great shots. I also inquired if I could use his photographs in this post and he said yes. Hooray!

Recently, he set out to photograph veterans along route 66 with his father so they could create a film and fine arts book with the photographs. More information about this project can be found here.

All photo credit goes to Nick Gerber. For more of his photographs, check out his blog.

blogs i follow

In my sidebar to the left, I have a list of the blogs I follow and read on an almost daily basis. I thought I would include a little blurb about why I follow each of these blogs.

A Beautiful Mess has a lot of different things going on. There are different contributors, but it is all put together by Elsie Larson, co-founder of Red Velvet. There are crafts, photography, and fashion. Just a little bit for everyone. She even has a few Tips for Bloggers and Tips for Photographers.

A Lost Feather is run by Sarah from New York. She hikes, takes dreamy photographs, and runs a sweet Etsy shop. I even own an awesome red camera necklace from her! I also really enjoy her illustrations.

Brain Food is a blog run by Kyoko Escamilla. In between posting about her adventures abroad and at home, she posts great art by young artists. She is also an excellent photographer. She posts often about her pets and her love of comic books. She also posts really honestly about her thoughts and life observations. They're sometimes lengthy, sometimes just a short paragraph, but I read them all. They're wonderful.

Clussster is a very inspiring blog run by Fi. She lives in Puerto Rico and works for SALE.com as the Accounts Coordinator, as well as a Social Media correspondent for various local brands. I enjoy her design aesthetic, as well as her posts about food as she explores nutrition as a way to keep her from being sick all of the time.

Delightfully Tacky is the blog that inspired me to start my own blog. I have followed Elizabeth since 2009 and I don't see myself stopping unless she stops blogging. I love how the blog has evolved as Elizabeth's life has evolved. Who likes static and fakeness? I enjoy Elizabeth's genuine posts and carefree style.

The Rockstar Diaries is a blog I started following last year. I'm sure my friends all think I'm crazy when I show them pictures of Eleanor and say,"Isn't this the most adorable baby?!" Truly a beautiful family and wonderful blog. When I first found this blog, I went back quite far to learn their history and I've been hooked ever since. They just welcomed a new addition to their little family, baby boy Samson.

Selective Potential is a blog I followed as a result of following Elizabeth. I even took an e-course that Elizabeth and Tieka put together. They both really inspired me and helped me focus my blog and pay attention to design aesthetic. I'm still learning, but I like everything I have done since I took that course so...hooray!

Skylarking Nanny is a blog I only recently started following. We exchanged a few comments and buttons and voila! I started to read! I enjoy her entries because they're very honest and have a voice that is distinctly her own. I feel like I don't hear myself when I read my entries. I'm really working on that, but I feel like Elle has got it down. I'm enjoying following this blog and can't wait to read more in the future.

Two Happy Hearts literally makes me smile when I read it. I'm not kidding and it probably sounds creepy. I'm sorry if it sounds creepy, but I love a lot of things about this blog. I found it a couple of months ago and I love her style, as well as the Twin Style feature that she has with her twin, Kylie. She also has this sweet pink winter coat that I adore!