From the mind of Ember

I think about how the world has evolved through photography.  Mostly because of the digital age.  We now create photos for memory of that moment in time.  We also have a bit of proof that we were there in that point in time and that place.  Though sometimes you can see it as using the camera to shield themselves from the people and places they are at.  It may just be because I’m a photographer that when I have the camera (anything other than a simple point and shoot) that I am a photographer, I concentrate on getting the shot and for the most part, forget to enjoy the situation in which I find myself.  The general public does this to an extent as well, but some other the others are always wanting to take photographs of themselves, they love being in front of the camera instead of behind it.  I’m not saying that  photographer can’t like getting his or her photograph taken either, but we mostly stay behind the camera.

In the digital age, which we are finding ourselves.  We are not as sensitive to photographs and pictures.  Imagine the world without photographs for 30 seconds.  You can’t really see it.  No images, no photograph, no paintings, no drawings.  The world would pretty much get close to crashing.  Images are everywhere.  With the consumer’s cameras everywhere, even in the phone’s nowadays, everyone thinks they are a photographer.  Which causes more competition for those of us who are making it a career, not a hobby.  Though another thing that comes to mind about it, is that a good photographer is always mindful of everything around him or her, no matter what format they are using.

So is this whole thing scientific or artistic?  I want your feedback and opinions on this controversial topic.

~Jessie

So I got back from Imaging USA a few days ago.  Imaging USA is the largest photographys convention of it’s kind in the world.  This past year it was held in Phoenix, AZ.  The group/club I’m in, called SPS (Student Photographic Society), is a branch of the nationally known non-profit orginization PPA or Professional Photographers of America.  They hold the Imaging USA and the members of SPS are aloud to attend for free if they agree to volunteer at least half a day each day they are there.  They must pay for thsir plane ticket there and transportation and food while they are there.  SPS pays for the hotel, the convention and a number of other freebies that you get.  On top of that you get the respect of the other photographers as well as a possibility to get your portfolio reviewed by 20 of the top photographers in the nation.  This is definatly an event I would suggest any photographer who is serious about their career go to at least once in their lives.  I can almost guarantee that you will want to go back every year as I plan on doing.  I will be following up with some reviews on some photographic equiptment and software that I have had a chance to view during the convention as well as some tips from some photographer including Anne Geddes herself.  I also have information from Dave Trust, CEO of PPA about branding.  So be sure to check back and see what I have to report on.
~Jess

First off, Happy New Year.  If you haven’t heard, Journalspace crashed and there’s no recovering the files.  I was a little upset because I’ve been a loyal blogger on there for years.  But it’s alright, time to start over and move on. The loss of all the files inspired me to do something.   I went through and got rid of all my past posts in all my blogs.  I didn’t read any of them, I kept for records obituaries, and that’s it.  Welcome to the new year, and hopefully, to the new me.  I feel a bit uplifted since I don’t have the past on my shoulders anymore.  It’s just…gone!!

Had a New Years Eve celebration last night.  My friend Trey came over and my sister is in Pittsburgh, visiting me.  We watched the ball drop, I got my new years kiss that has been a tradition since I can remember for me (including kissing mom on the cheek, some kind of kiss).  We yelled happy new year to the world, popped some loud poppers, played with some glow sticks, toasted with Champagne, played games and watched movies.  I had a great transition!  I made my new years resolutions, (which will follow later in this post), and I just had a good time.

I am hoping to make a new image for myself this new year.  I got a new haircut (and a slight shift in style), I’m getting new clothes for a new look, I have a great job, a wonderful boyfriend.  I don’t feel loss for the past, nor even regret, I just feel great things for the future.  Time for some firsts and lasts this new year!

Best Time in 2008: My trip to Bermuda, the first few days, it’s the first time someone has kept this big of a promise to me, and even though I almost died there, it means a lot to me and I can be closer to my boyfriend because of it.

Worst time in 2008: Probably my trip to Bermuda, at the end, the wreck.  It could have been worse, needless to say when I go visit there again I will not be driving a bike thing.

Last in 2008:
Kiss: Duncan
Hug: Trey
Movie: Dark Knight
Show: Gilmore Girls
Game: DDR
Drink: Passionfruit Mojito
Food: Pringles

First in 2009:
Kiss: Duncan
Hug: Steph
Movie: Little Mermaid
Show: Gilmore Girls
Game: DDR
Drink: Champagne
Food: Pringles

A little survey:
Summing up 2008
Basics
Name:: Jessica
Age:: 20
Gender:: Female
Hair color:: Brown
Eye color:: Blue<br />Height:: 5′8”<br />Marital Status:: taken but single<br /><strong>2008 Have You’s</strong><br />Have you had a boyfriend/girlfriend:: yes, still with him since 2007.<br />Got married:: nope<br />Got engaged:: nope<br />Got drunk:: yep, several times<br />Done drugs:: nope<br />Smoked:: once yes, I was so stressed I was crying.<br />Gone skinny dipping:: no<br />[Boys only] Worn makeup:: ..<br />[Boys only] Worn a skirt:: ..<br />Had sex:: yes<br />Got divorced:: no<br />Broken the law:: only pirating, so I don’t know really<br />Kissed someone of the same gender:: Yes, but not like making out kiss or anything like htat.<br />Cheated on a boyfriend/girlfriend:: nope, never<br />Fallen in love:: yes, still in love<br />Fallen out of love:: no<br />Defied your parents:: no<br />Got into a fist fight:: no<br />Been in prison:: no<br />Got detention:: no<br />Learnt to drive:: yes in Bermuda, a little motorbike<br />Had your heart broken:: no<br />Kissed someone and regretted it:: nope<br />Kissed someone and not meant it:: nah<br />Kissed a friend:: on the cheek<br />Had surgery:: not in 2008<br />Broken a bone:: yes, jaw, lower left angle<br />Gone on vacation:: yes, to beautiful Bermuda<br />Been beaten up:: no<br />Beat someone up:: no<br />Got fired/expelled:: nope<br />Been to the beach:: yes<br />Lied to your parents:: no<br />Lied to the cops:: nope<br />Stolen money:: no<br />Mugged someone:: never<br />Told someone you liked them:: yes<br />Asked someone out:: no<br />Been asked out:: no<br />Wanted someone you couldn’t have:: no<br />Performed a public display of affection:: yes<br />Been to second base:: yes<br />Been to third base:: yes<br />Bought a pet:: no<br />Lost a relative:: yes, RIP Grandpa<br />Been on stage:: not in 2008<br />Cried during a movie:: yes<br />Stalked someone:: no<br />Been stalked:: no<br />Lost friends:: yep<br />Protested:: yep<br />Been cautioned by the police:: nope<br />Been cheated on:: no<br />Cheated on a test:: nope<br />Passed an exam:: yes, many of them to be quaint<br />Failed a class:: nope<br />Become vegetarian:: no<br />Eaten something you shouldn’t have:: eh, maybe<br />Been paid to date someone:: nope<br />Thrown your shoe at someone:: no<br />Sang in the shower:: haha, yes<br />Had cyber sex:: nope<br />Had a long-distance relationship:: nope<br />Been cheated with:: no<br />Pulled an all nighter:: yes<br />Been grounded:: nope<br />Taken a topless picture:: no<br />Tanned topless:: yes<br />Used a tanning bed:: yes<br />Kissed in the rain:: yes<br />Spent the night at the opposite sex’s house:: I live with the opposite sex<br />Learnt a script:: yes<br />Been in a play:: no<br />Acted like a slut/man whore:: nah<br />Bribed someone:: yes<br />Dated someone for a dare:: no<br />Kissed a dog:: nope<br />Played 7 minutes in heaven:: no<br />Kissed 2 people in the same night:: no<br />Moved house:: nope<br />Been abroad:: yep<br />Kissed a picture:: yes<br />Skipped a class:: yes<br />Liked someone else whilst dating someone:: no<br />Broken an engagement:: nope<br />Dated your best friend’s crush:: never<br />Dated a friend’s ex:: no<br />Stayed friends with an ex:: yes<br />Felt lonely:: yes<br />Purposely hurt yourself:: nope<br />Taken too many pictures:: haha, I’m a photographer, what do you think?<br />Laughed until it made you cry:: yes<br />Changed the way you look:: I’m changing it now<br />Been hit by a car:: I’ve been run over by a truck<br />Been in a major accident:: I don’t know if you’d call the one a major accident<br />Had a near death experience:: yes, that could have been bad<br />Forgotten someone’s name:: haha, yes!<br />Cried yourself to sleep:: not really<br />Cried for over an hour:: nope, I usually get over it by then<br />Hit a teacher:: not out of anger, though I’ve hit Gabany upon occasion because he was throwing stuff at me.<br />Hit a boyfriend/girlfriend:: only to just play<br />Written a song:: nope<br />Written a poem about someone:: not this year<br />Been rejected:: eh, can’t really be rejected if you haven’t been asking someone/something for something.<br />Changed religion:: nope, still love mine.<br />Flirted with someone who was taken:: I am a regular flirt.  <br /><strong>Random Questions</strong><br />Are you looking forward to 2009?: yes<br />Any regrets for 2008?: nope<br />New years resolution?: pay off credit cards<br />What are you doing for new years eve?: already had it, hung out and had a great time with friends.<br />Are you going to kiss someone at midnight?: I did, my love<br />Are you looking for love in the new year?: nope<br />Are you looking for a new job?: nope<br />What are you looking forward to most?: Getting school almost done<br />Are you getting married in 2009?: nope.<br />Have you already made plans for 2009?: kinda<br />Do you think 2009 will be better than 2008?: I hope so<br />Are you going to get drunk on New Years Eve?: I didn’t get drunk.<br /><strong>2008 Reflections</strong><br />Drinking buddy of the year:: Chris Halke<br />Song of the year:: Angel in the Night<br />Longest friend award:: Heather<br />Closest friend award:: Duncan<br />Highest point of the year:: Seeing Bermuda<br />Lowest point of the year:: Wrecking in Bermuda<br />Coolest new friend award:: dunno<br />Best holiday:: Samhain<br />Best film:: not sure<br />Best relationship:: The One I’m In<br />Halloween costume 2008:: Racecar Driver<br />Biggest loser of 2008 award:: eh, dunno<br />TV Show of the year:: Alias<br />Friend of the year:: lots<br />Valentine 2008:: my love<br />How old did you turn in 2008:: 20<br />How was your birthday in 2008:: really crappy<br />Overall was 2008 good:: yes<br /><strong>Looking forward to 2009</strong><br />Is it going to be a good year for you:: I sure hope so<br />How old will you be on your birthday:: 21<br />Do you want something different from 2009:: yes, something more exotic<br />Are you hoping to change:: yes<br />Do you want to be a better person:: yes<br />Do you think 2009 will be good:: I hope so<br /><br /><a href=”http://www.bzoink.com/S157485/Summing_up_2008_good_grammar_and_spelling.html” title=”Summing up 2008 [good grammar and spelling]“>Take This Survey</a> | <a href=”http://www.bzoink.com/surveys” title=”Bzoink Surveys”>Search Surveys</a> | <a href=”http://www.bzoink.com” title=”Bzoink MySpace Surveys”>MySpace Surveys</a><br />Survey found on <a href=”http://www.bzoink.com” title=”Bzoink”>Bzoink</a><img src=”http://www.bzoink.com/pixel.gif” width=”1″ height=”1″ />

Resolutions:
~Pay off Credit Cards
~Get Comp/Camera (either one)
~Exercize regularly

Thanks for everything guys, the new me is emerging!

~Jessie