This semester I’m enrolled in Photography II: Color, Techniques of Photographic Lighting, and History of Photography. I had better not figure out, halfway through the semester, that photography isn’t actually that cool. So far this is pretty much the most exciting semester ever, despite that classes don’t start until 2pm, meaning I don’t have quite enough time to work in the morning, and must therefore run around trying to work 3 jobs after 3pm.

But back to classes. Photo II focuses on color correction on the enlarger and playing with color filters on the camera and the enlarger rather than Photo I where we pretty much just explored depth of field and contrast with different techniques. Lighting seems like its going to a free-for-all where Kneessi sets up lights, explains what the lights are doing today, and then the class forces someone to model and paparazzi-ies them to death. We’re allowed to shot film or digital for either class, but I figure I’ll learn more shooting film, especially since I only bought the required filters for my 50mm lens. I’ll be forcing myself to do a lot more work for the same effects, and that should making shooting digital even more of a breeze when I go back to journalism-y things.

I’m also taking the online version of Media Materials and Processes in which we do three presentations: one each with PowerPoint, iMovie, and Flash. My hidden agenda is that next semester I’ll be able to take QuarkXpress, thus making it one step further toward industry-standard journalism skills.

Categories: Job Hunt, Photography
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Technically, I did these for work, but they’re not going to use the images for anything. So here are some of my favorites.

Categories: Home, Photography
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Since I moved out last month I’ve discovered something extraordinary: between paying rent and cooking my own meals, I don’t want anything anymore. Occasionally I still have the urge to buy something, though last time that happened I bought frames from The Picture People because we were so far from our sales plan. I’m also much more content to sit and watch television, knowing how much I pay for cable, and that sitting on the couch is the best way to socialize with my house-mates. Work has become even more important, not necessarily for the hours, but because I can use their water, their microwave (especially before we had one in the house), and their heat.

I don’t think of it as being selfish, just economical. But the scariest part of all is that I just don’t… want anything. The Christmas gift cards/cash I received were merged with Sarah’s to buy things for the house (though that did include the complete Flying Circus) and I’m content to spend my days off organizing and cleaning what we have. Wow.

Categories: Home
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Year-in-review (stolen from last year’s post; many answers remain the same).
1. What did you do in 2007 that you’d never done before? — Earned a BA, moved into a house with friends, painted (walls and canvases), photographed weddings, traveled to San Fransisco, met my nieces, got a pedicure.
2. Did you keep your new years’ resolutions, and will you make more for next year? — I never make resolutions.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth? — No.
4. Did anyone close to you die? — No.
5. What countries did you visit? — Does Amish Country count?
6. What would you like to have in 2008 that you lacked in 2007? — A full-time job, enrollment in a graduate program.
7. What date(s) from 2007 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? — May 13 (graduation) or Sept 24 (new job).
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year? — Graduating from SU, earning a promotion, photographing weddings.
9. What was your biggest failure? — Not getting into grad school.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury? — I went to the ER… for an anxiety attack.
11. What was the best thing you bought? — Either the 18-200mm lens or the f1.2 50mm lens.
12. Whose behaviour merited celebration? — Sarah, because she asked me to move into her house.
13. Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed? — The CEOs at Picture People, for their frivolous spending and resulting “budget crisis”.
14. Where did most of your money go? — Susquehanna, AACC, rent.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about? — MacBook Pro, graduating.
16. What songs will always remind you of 2007? — Spoon’s The Underdog
17. Compared to this time last year, are you happier or sadder? — Probably the same. ii. thinner or fatter? — Actually, the same. iii. richer or poorer? — Richer, but now I pay rent.
18. What do you wish you’d done more of? — Seeing Matt, taking photographs.
19. What do you wish you’d done less of? — Saying stupid things.
20. How did spend you Christmas? — Worked, ordered pizza.
22. Did you fall in love in 2007? — I was already in love with Matt, Apollo, and life.
23. How many one night stands? — None.
24. What were your favourite TV programmes? — Gilmore Girls, Ugly Betty, and CSI.
25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year? — Yes, but most of them are about to get fired.
26. What was the best book you read? — SHERLOCK HOLMES, and I can’t even remember how much else I read.
27. What was your greatest musical discovery? — My music taste hasn’t changed much, but probably Arlo Guthrie.
28. What did you want and get? — A California vacation, a better job, a college diploma, some other things too.
29. What did you want and not get? — Enrollment in a graduate program.
30. What was your favourite film of this year? — Was Night at the Museum this year? If not, Sweeney Todd..
31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? — I turned 21 and went to the castle with friends from SU who ruined my evening/weekend.
32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? — Getting into grad school.
33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2007? — T-shirts with witty sayings, jeans, flip-flops (its ben the same since 11th grade).
34. What kept you sane? — People with titles: Azn, boyfriend, roommates, stand partner, pen pal.
35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? — I’m not really into famous people.
36. What political issue stirred you the most? — Maryland’s taxes increasing.
37. Who did you miss? — True friends from SU.
38. Who was the best new person you met? — Any of the lovelies from Picture People.
39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2007. — Graduate programs are really expensive.
40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year. — (I’ll figure this one out later.)

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