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iPhone Self Portraits

I used to do a lot more self portraits. There was a period of time, about 13 years ago, when that was almost all I ever shot. Partly because I was always an available model for myself and partly because I had a lot of personal stuff I wanted to express. Self portraiture is usually a pretty personal thing, but like all art, once it's created it should be shared. Or else, why bother?

I've been taking a lot of photos with my phone lately. I think I may use it more as a camera than I use it as a phone. It is just as addictive as my first polaroid. There are several photo apps that I play with quite often, but my favorite (hands down) is Instagram. AND it's free. You can't beat free. Not even with a stick. What I like so much about Instragram is how easy it is to create an emotion/set a mood with one little touch of a button. All the shots below were taken with my iPhone and processed in Instagram:

The one below was shot with my phone, (you may notice the one pic is the same as the last one above) but processed in Photoshop. This little dyptich was inspired by Florence and the Machine's Girl With One Eye. I was simultaneously playing the song on my phone while I was shooting the photos. Seriously. You gotta love technology.

Give me your Forever...

Today is my 10 year anniversary. It's amazing how quickly ten years have passed. That's a good sign, I suppose. When you're happy, there never seems to be enough time.

I thought I would share the anniversary card I have been working on. The photography was done by Charles Wells on color film. That's right, F.I.L.M. Kickin it old school.

Anyway, I scanned these in and manipulated them a bit. I know most photographers do not like it when people do that to their work, but since they are pictures of me I feel alright about it. I was going for a fairytale feel since that was a big theme of our wedding AND since I'm a big mushy mush.

The first one is the one that made the final cut -  mainly because this photo was a very genuine moment for us. We were literally just married and had walked down the aisle and around the corner, away from everyone. It was our first moment alone (or so we thought) as husband and wife. I'm fond of this picture for two reasons: 1. Because I remember this moment vividly, a decade later. 2. Because I love photos of people when they are unaware they are being photographed.

Here is the other one I was working on. Again, going for that storybook mood, but it seemed to turn out more like a tintype from the Civil War or something! While I love tintypes, they always feel a little creepy to me. And creepy isn't really the message one should be sending in an anniversary card.

Groundhog Gala

The 2011 Groundhog Gala was held at Route 46 in Sanford this year. Along with vintage cars and a swinging band, there were Rockabilly guys and Pin-Up girls. I've been to a lot of car shows (for a girl who's not a car enthusiast) and this is one of my favorites. It's the people that make it interesting for me - their commitment to this 50's-inspired counter culture.



Ignorance = Bliss





Hot Rod Walt and the Psycho DeVilles

 

Mt. Dora's Bookstore Facade

Mount Dora is one of my favorite hidden gems in Central Florida. It's so quaint and artsy and everywhere you go, there's something really cool that catches your eye.

I have been in love with this storefront facade since I first saw it. It's one of those pieces of art that just endears itself to you. At first glance it looks real, but upon closer inspection you realize it's actually sculpture. Sculpture on the entire facade of what used to be the Dickens-Reeds bookstore/coffeehouse on Fifth Avenue. Apparently the couple that owned the bookstore commissioned an artist to create it in the late 1990's. It's so cool, something you really should see for yourself.

I did some online searching and discovered that the artist was sculptor Thomas Merrell. He worked with a mortar and bonding compound, creating bas-relief scenes that become a part of the building. From what I've gathered, he employed the help of four young area artists to create the hundreds of individual elements that make up four panels, each 10 feet tall and 7 feet wide. Each panel contains a gothic-arch window opening, surrounded by busts of famous writers, and shelves containing objects such as a telephone or a globe and LOTS of books. 

''When you put something up that everyone can share, that's humanity. Art shouldn't be kept in museums. It should be out in the public where people can see it. It should be considered a part of daily life.''  ~ sculptor Thomas Merrell

Words

Project 52 - week 6: Words

Words are all around us...
I didn't realize when I took this shot just how many times the word 'you' showed up. But I like that there's this hidden self-motivation message in there. It's simple wisdom, really. All inspiration and motivation starts with YOU.

My muse(s)

Well, 2011 hasn't been the easiest year so far. Between surgery, strep, and other viruses, my little trio of a family hasn't been feeling that well. But much like marriage vows, we keep on loving each other through sickness and stress. Because life can't always be happy-go-lucky.

Project 52's theme for week 5 was "Muse". Everyone has a different definition of what inspires them. I've got two things that inspire me constantly. Even when they're under the weather...