Artist

Visual Aid: Growing up Photographer

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Oh little me and the very bad haircut my Grandma Christine gave me…

I’ve been a photo nerd for a long time. The photo above is dorky, but I love it because I have a camera in my hand (I think I was about two years old). I’ve never thought of myself as an expert in photography, but I was recently going through old photos that I took and realized how far I’ve come…how much I’ve grown as a photographer and how I continue to learn more about the craft. I’m still surprised when people ask me photography or camera related questions that I can actually answer. You’d think by now I’d realize I’m a good “go-to” person for photography.

Ansel Adams in 1930 had been training to become a concert pianist while considering a career as a photographer. He decided, after seeing the photographs by Paul Strand, that “the camera, not the piano, would shape [his] destiny.” His mother and aunt both pleaded, “Do not give up the piano! The camera cannot express the human soul!” To which Adams replied, “The camera cannot, but the photographer can.” 

– Ansel Adams in Black & White Magazine for Collector of Fine Photography

When I decided to take photography seriously I was 13 years old. My grandma’s friend gave me a 35MM Minolta, which I still have…albeit on a shelf, it serves as a reminder of the discovery I made that summer. Photography isn’t just a passion, it is an extension of me. I cannot put into words what I feel when I hear the click of the shutter, or peer through the viewfinder at the subject at the end of the lens. I’m lost if I don’t have some form of a camera with me at all times. I am easily devastated if I miss a photo op moment.

That fantastic thing about photography is I’m constantly improving or learning new techniques (Like the year I spent exploring iPhoneography). I occasionally pick up a photog magazine to read up on the craft (what’s the latest camera, tips, equipment, etc.) and I visit Instagram to see what people are producing. Instagram can actually be really inspiring, which is important as a photographer. It’s like any creative outlet, you need a muse or inspiration to get things going.

Being a photographer is about being in the right place at the right time. For example, Ansel Adams would spend hours waiting for the light to be right before taking a photo, but sometimes he’d just drive by something and stop to capture it.

The serene subject is only about one hundred feet from the highway: I
have passed it hundreds of times, and I retain many “corner of the eye”
memories of it at all times of the year. The shapes were always beautiful,
but the lighting conditions usually were impossible. On this morning I
observed a situation I could not resist; a glance was enough to command
make me to stop, park the car,and carry my equipment to the scene.

– From The Ansel Adams Guide by Paul P. Schaefer

I’ve experienced both as well…the waiting game and the quick snapshot (accidental masterpieces are my favorite and are usually stemmed from the quick shots). The benefit of digital photography is I can take a thousand shots and decide later what lighting or angle I liked best. I sometimes wish I didn’t have that luxury, which is why I occasionally shoot with film.

Film really takes me back to the basics, which I love. For me, I pay more attention to my settings like aperture (f-stops) and shutter speed. I also take longer to choose my subject because I don’t want to waste the film. It can be more rewarding not instantly knowing if you captured your subject exactly how you envisioned.

In March, I made a trip to London see one of my best friends. I was exstatic to spend time with her, but some of the best moments of my trip were hanging out in the parks and public areas. Yes, I was probably a totally creeper but one of the joys of photography is people watching. Here’s a few of my favorites (I’m a fan of black and white):

Man at Trafalgar Square     Teen Traveler at Trafalgar Square

AMS_0421_bw1     AMS_0296_bw1

Market     AMS_8958_1

I even journeyed to Bath and found some interesting subjects. The woman with the wrap was amazing and I wish I would’ve had the chance to speak more with her. I did make sure to tell her she was amazingly awesome and beautiful (I swear she glowed and oozed pure happiness).

AMS_9591_1     AMS_9667_1

To see more photos visit my Instagram or Flickr. I also have a Facebook page: Pictures on the Wall. Don’t be a stranger…hit the follow button. I promise you won’t be disappointed.

Expert I am not, but photographer I am. I often shy away from titles, but being called a photographer is one I’ve more easily accepted. I hope to share more of my work with you as well as some photog tips in future posts.

Until next time.

-AM

I’m not ashamed, I like boy bands

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That’s right. I like boy bands. Something about the catchy, upbeat tunes and the cheesy love songs draw me in every time. But let’s face it, boy bands ruled the music industry from the late ’80s all the way to the early ’00s, selling millions of records and touring the globe. As someone who grew up during those formable years, it is no wonder I am a fan. When I was younger I listened to New Kids on the Block, All-4-One, Boyz II Men, ‘NSYNC, Backstreet Boys, 98 Degrees, O-Town, Hanson, BBMak, and the list goes on (Don’t worry, I was exposed to other types of music including a number of legendary, meaningful songs). More recent years have brought around the Jonas Brothers, JLS, One Direction, and The Wanted.

AND I am not ashamed to say I listen to these boy bands (although when I watch the videos of some of the older boy bands performing the same songs and dance routines as men in their 30s and 40s…I just feel sad for them and think they look a bit ridiculous).

In June, I’m going to see the Backstreet Men…I men Boys (Do you think they regret their band name?) in concert. I never saw them when I was at that nerdy, awkward stage of thirteen, so I thought I’d see them at the nerdy, awkward age of 28. I am not a fangirl, but I am a fan. These guys have been making a come back since the late ’00s when boy bands started to get popular again (I believe the Jonas Brothers led the resurgence of the boy bands in 2007). I should use the words “come back” lightly because really they never left. They’ve released several albums since the slowdown of boy bands in the early ’00s. They had Never Gone (2005), Unbreakable (2007), This Is Us (2009) and their latest album  In a World Like This (2013). There was at least one song from each of those albums that was popular on the radio. Maybe it is not the same as having 4 or more songs hitting the charts, but it is something. The album This is Us features a song called Straight Through My Heart. The video for the song embodies the same silliness that the Everybody (Backstreet’s Back) video did in the ’97 (okay maybe not as bad, but mythical creatures still make an appearance).

Several boy bands (NKOTB, Boyz II Men, etc.) have regrouped to make new music and sing those beloved songs that made them popular. One group that will never have the reunion some fans probably would love is ‘NSYNC. It is pretty difficult for the band to tour without Justin Timberlake and let’s just say he’s moved on from “It’s Gonna Be May“…sorry I couldn’t resist…”It’s Gonna Be Me.” I won’t say JT is the most successful boy-band member to go solo because I don’t have the facts, but he’s done really well for himself. I was actually bummed that I wasn’t able to get tickets to his 20/20 tour (the tickets sold out in minutes and now people are reselling them for double and triple what they paid, but that is a whole other tangent).

This article seems to be about confessions…I confess that I heard and liked a few songs by One Direction and The Wanted before they were a total sensation here in the States. My obsession with all things British led to my discovery of the two boy bands and I downloaded a few songs. The next thing I know they’re playing the songs on the radio and I can’t get away from them. I mean it when I say I am a fan, but not a crazed one. If their songs play, I sing along and when they’re over I move on. I don’t obsess about them. Although, my hublet probably would argue that isn’t true because of the research I was doing for this article.

He said: “Why are you watching BSB videos.” I said: “Because…it is research.” *skeptical look from my husband*

I probably listened to 20 different boy-band songs just to inspire me to write, but also because I had money on my iTunes account that I wanted to spend. ANYWAY, just know it’s okay to like boy bands or any other type of band and music. Whatever floats your boat, remember to let your freak flag fly high.

By the way, if you say you don’t like boy bands I would argue that if you have ever listened to the Jackson Five and enjoyed it…you like boy bands. I’m not a music buff, so there are probably others that could be referenced if I did some more research. It’s just best to admit it. I know you’ve sang along with those memorable boy band tunes. I won’t tell.

-AM