Day 111- Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Day 111:

Well, 365 just had its first guest photographer: this photo was taken by the lovely Janice Recinos - what a doll!

I still processed the file and did all the editing etc.... so, yeah. Hope you enjoy.

The glasses are dope, the camera is dope (Kodak Ektralite 10 - a sick childhood camera), it's all dope. Damn.... dope...

Goodnight friends.

Day 110- Monday, June 29, 2009

Day 100:

So this is a pupa that Jen found for me at work today. I've been telling them to save me cool bugs for a while, so finally someone came through. It's a lot smaller [and deader, I think] than ones we've seen before. I wish it was more developed, but alas, you can't win 'em all.

Anyways, I think it's a moth, but I'm really not sure.

Hope you're all doing splendid!

Goodnight!

Day 109- Sunday, June 28, 2009

Day 109:

Something a little more, experimental?

What do you think?

Edit: This is my first time changing a post for the day. I posted earlier and then decided to change something a few minutes ago. It's still the same image, but just tweaked. I like it better now.

Edit 2:... but it still doesn't compare to real film grain. My dad has asked me a few times why I would want to get into film. Dad, one day, hopefully soon, I'll show you. In the meantime, if you're so inclined, you could read this very convincing article: CLICK ME: I AM A HAPPY LINK TO THE "VERY CONVINCING ARTICLE"

Bon soir.

Day 108- Saturday, June 27, 2009

Day 108:

Wooeeh...

Well, today's shot comes straight to you from the Toronto Dyke March. I was down at Em's again and seeing as she lives basically ON the parade path, we just stepped out the front door and watched the parade. I only took my 200mm lens so my shots were more intimate and close up. I wish I had a second body to carry a wide angle lens on, but that will have to wait. Anyways, I shot maybe 200 exposures and I really liked these two ladies. This was the Dyke's on Bikes gang who headed the parade. So that's it. Enjoy!

Ps - I shot something else today that I think I'll upload tomorrow or Monday. We shall see.

Goodnight y'all.

Day 107- Friday, June 26, 2009

Day 107:

This is the phone book that I ripped in half with my bare hands 15 minutes ago. I'm not lying in the least. I really did it.

Tomorrow I'm going to jump the English Channel and then eat Chichester Cathedral.

So I'm off to get my much needed preparation sleep. Wish me luck!

(But really, I really did rip that phone book in half.)

Day 106- Thursday, June 25, 2009

Day 106:

SO! Today at the Arboretum, we had ourselves a BBQ. I think we were celebrating the halfway mark for our tour of duty. It's almost July and our four months of fun and toil are just about half done. Also, we celebrated the end of planting; all the annuals are in the ground and ready to grow: WOO!

I guess that means nothing but weeding and picking up garbage for the rest of the summer, eh? Heh heh, oh dear.

But anyways, these are my fellow summer co-workers. From left to right in the top row:

*Alison is the quiet one, but I bet she's the craziest of all of us. You know, behind closed doors and all.

*Candice is our crew leader and she's good for teasing and pushing around. I've never gotten to mouth off to any boss so much in my life! We love you Candice!

*Dave mostly mows the lawns and works heavier jobs with some of the full time guys. I hear he talks a lot of smack about us with the big boys... to that I say a mighty "pfffffshhhaaaaa"..... or something.

*The girl in the middle with the googly eyes is Jen. She's like the big sister I never had. Which is funny because my sister's name is Jen... but anyways, she's tough, crazy, and always picking up snakes and frogs, or chasing after the bugs and animals that we're running away from. Jen also started our lunchtime tea tradition for which she will forever hold a special place in my heart.

*Meaghan is my crossword buddy, walkin to the bus buddy, and uh... otherwise, life buddy? I don't know, Meaghan's just pretty rad all around. Good form Meaghan! (PS - A few weeks ago, Jen taught Meaghan how to ride a bike for the first time ever.)

*Next is Matt, the charming greenhouse assistant. He doesn't work with us, and we kinda consider him to be like that weird cousin who you see once in a while. He's good for any nerdy kinds of trivia when doing the crossword at lunch though. You always need one of those guys.

*Lucas on the end is our resident ginger... and uhh, funnyman? He's a good guy. Always bringin his expensive meats in for lunch.... heh heh...

*Sitting next to me is Sherry, a new volunteer who just started this week. She's cool but I can't really give her any cool nicknames or superpowers yet. We shall see....

*And me... charming, handsome, devilishly modest me... HA! I think I'll shut up now...

I wish I had gotten Sid (the Arboretum Director, the head boss, and our resident intimidating genius), Heather (our other big boss, wise teacher of all things horticultural, and resident crossword know-it-all), and the rest of the full time staff in the photo but they were off doing Tequila shooters and jousting with the skid steers. Maybe next time!

Anyways, that's all for tonight's stupid-long post. See y'all tomorrow!

(I think I have a shweet idea!)

LOVE!

Day 105- Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Day 105:

This is old, but I had a sudden urge to post it. I took this near the beginning of the school year, sometime in September I think. That crazy rash all over me is Pityriasis Rosea. I gotta say, that sh*t sucked...

Anyways, PR is harmless, not contagious, and super mysterious. It also lasted way longer than the doctor said it would (like, 6 months...)....

In retrospect, I think it looks kinda cool; I definitely like some of the photos from this set. I also wanted to post this because I'm really picky about perfect, flawless skin in portraits, and this is such a break from that, in a way incorporating the many flaws into its own aesthetic.

Either way, I think it's rad.

Peace out y'all....

Day 104- Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Day 104:

I like that too. And I've missed you.

Are you really moving to Toronto?

Day 103- Monday, June 22, 2009

Day 103:

Yeesh... I'm exhausted. But this is a good sign here! I think I'm going to get started on a second edition of a poetry chapbook I put together last year. I've been writing a ton through the school year and I think it's time to make something much bigger and much better. I also need to find some artists to collaborate with, to create artwork for the book. Interested?

Day 102- Sunday, June 21, 2009

Day 102:

I like that.

Goodnight

Day 101- Saturday, June 20, 2009

Day 101:

I should be doing these more often.

Anyways, this is from last night at Emilie's apartment (sadly I was just too tired to get this posted last night). A couple of bracelets on a stand sparked this idea. What a beautiful girl, eh?

So there you go, my 100 Day celebratory photoshoot. Hope you like it.

Love

Day 100- Friday, June 19, 2009

Day 100:

Holy smokes 100 Days!!!

To celebrate, I threw down a sweet photoshoot tonight with Em, but it's really late, I'm exhausted, and the photos will take too much time to get posted. So instead, here's something sweet.

Hope you're all well,

Goodnight friends.

Day 99- Thursday, June 18, 2009

Day 99:

If I'm not mistaken, I believe that this is Mr. Andrew's 4th appearance in Project 365; I think he's pretty popular!

Jen came over tonight to look at the photos from his baptism and help me select some final shots for printing. Of course, I got the special pleasure of his company for the evening. It sure beats napping!... (sort of).

Anyways, here he is as usual shakin his money maker and so on. What a prince!

Goodnight!

Day 98- Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Day 98:

Something I pulled out of the hard drive - I didn't feel so hot after work today and slept all evening. My next project is to get back to all these photos and get a bunch processed for my sister and her husband, and Crystal and Roberto.

This little princess is Divya (think I got the spelling right), Crystal and Rob's first child. She was kind enough to come out with Mom and Dad to Andrew's baptism in April to cheer him on.

Anyways, more later!

Night!

Day 97- Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Day 97:

By far, the most satisfying endeavor in a while. I brought a clipping from a Hawthorn tree home with me today with the intention of doing some macros of the thorns. That didn't work out so well, but after a few minutes of examining the thorns and the leaves, I decided to do something similar.

What I feel really good about is that the finished product looks exactly like my vision prior to starting. I felt confident and competent throughout the process- a good sign that my education is actually worth it. 

I have some other ideas relating to this theme, and I think I might do this a bit more with some other leaves. 

Also, just to note, this is NOT a Hawthorne leaf - I don't actually know what it is. It came with some other leaves in a package from my former pen pal. I keep them pressed in the pages of a really fantastic book.  

So there it is. I'm super happy with this shot. Wicked.

Goodnight friends.

Day 96- Monday, June 15, 2009

Day 96:

Speed challenge - taken in two shots; not my usual style. 

I feel like my brain has been baked by the sun. I kinda want to snort this pile of T3's (ew, not really), drink a gallon of Gatorade (ew, not really - "I'll take a crab juice"), and go sleep (YES!)

So I think I'll take my own hints. Goodnight friends. 

Day 95- Sunday, June 14, 2009

Day 95:

 The top photograph here is my very favorite family photograph ever - it's my grandparents on my mom's side. I'm not sure when it was taken, but I'd guess sometime in the late 40's or early 50's - (I trust that I'll get all my facts straightened tomorrow when this is seen). 

 There's one thing that I always think when I see this photo though: If I end up looking anything like my grandfather when I get older, I'll be a damned lucky man. 

 Anyways, I know these aren't exactly my photos, but I've been wanting to copy the top one for a very long time - it's been sitting framed in my sister's house forever. The bottom photo, and a few others, were the icing on the cake (thanks to Jay for pulling them out for me). 

Sigh... 

Goodnight, and love to all my friends and family. 

Day 94- Saturday, June 13, 2009

Day 94:

So, here's the proof, as promised. 

I was at Em's apartment Friday night/Saturday morning - in the morning, I was leaning over the balcony taking photos of the crack dealers who flail and sketch out across the street when Emilie shouts, "Oh my god look!" 

That's right; 100 + naked people riding bikes at Yonge & Wellesley. There I was, camera in hand with a 200mm lens too... there is a God, and he does in fact have an incredible sense of humor - can I get a praise Jesus? 

Can I get a hell yeah?

Goodnight

Day 93- Friday, June 12, 2009

Day 93:

  

Woot - Photoshop CS4 Master Collection downloaded and installed without a hitch. This is an old photo though. I got a last minute invite to head downtown, and I'm feeling kinda gross. I promise something new tomorrow!

Love

Day 92- Thursday, June 11, 2009

Day 92:

So, due to Photoshop-lessness, I've pulled something out of my hard drive. I took this on Day 30 , April 10th. I must repeat: God I wish I had a tilt-shift lens!

So, until I've got Photoshop up and running, well, this is the best I can do. 

Note* I COULD be shooting straight jpegs, and uploading them as is, OR using iPhoto, but, the thought has made me curl up in a ball and get the cold sweats. I'd have no problem shooting film and uploading unedited scans, but not straight digital photos. Gross.... 

Note 2* I also admit that I'm being unfair to iPhoto. I'm sure I could get some perfectly fine results from it, I'm just being stubborn - and this is my blog damnit so I think I'm allowed.

ANYWAYS,

This is my temporary solution. I don't have 2 grand to shell out for software at the moment, but I also really want to own these programs legally. I'll get there...

Night!

Day 91- Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Day 91:

That's right folks - I am officially photoshop-less for my Mac. I have photoshop 6 on my pc laptop but, well, that's a joke. If I get really desperate, I will start shooting jpegs and upload them, one at a time to the pc, seeing as it can only handle like 2 kb more files before it crashes. Heh heh, the dinosaur only has a (mostly full) 20 gig harddrive!

Anyways, I'm in the process of figuring out a "solution" to my problem, so have faith! I will be back, and the show will most certainly go on. I'm sure I can improvise in the mean time, but for tonight, this ghetto Photobooth shot felt appropriate... siiigh.... anyone wanna lend me 2 or 3 grand for the CS4 Master Edition? 

Goodnight friends. 

Day 90- Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Day 90:

Hmmmmm....

Goodnight

Day 89- Monday, June 8, 2009

Day 89:

Here's your preview - the front cover of The Compound's first album.

Hopefully release date, sometime at the end of June.

Goodnight.

Day 88- Sunday, June 7, 2009

Day 88:

I want to do many, many portraits [of other people] like this, minus the overexposure on the right side of my face - that's just the sloppiness of spur-of-the-moment self portraiture. 

Anyways, I'm really into Richard Avedon's stark, white-background portraiture; I love the  appearance of skin in this kind of lighting and setup. Sigh... I just wish I got the exposure correct on the right side. 

Anyways, spilt milk is spilt milk - just do something creative like find a cat to clean it up. 

Love

Day 87- Saturday, June 6, 2009

Day 87:

So when I got home last night, my internet was being all whack. It often gets fussy but it's nothing a quick router reset won't fix. However, nothing was working last night, so I couldn't get this posted. I even tried to come on here on my cellphone, but some websites just don't work properly on my phone. 

Anyways, here it is, an empty frame hung on a wall. Reminds me of something else I have in mind - we'll see if I can get that done sometime soon. 

Be cool everyone.

Day 86- Friday, June 5, 2009

Day 86:

Couldn't resist another Niagara shot - feeling deliriously tired though. Off to bed!

Happy Friday!!!!

Day 85- Thursday, June 4, 2009

Day 85:

Well Ladies and Gents, that finishes off Week 12! Say hello to Week 13!

This shot is from my Niagara trip from two weekends ago; I couldn't resist. There are so many sweet shots from the trip, so it's nice that I've been too busy to shoot anything these last few evenings. With a few minor bugs to sort out for The Compound's cd design though, and a final approval from them, we're going to get it all sent off at the beginning of next week. Once that job is finished, I'll definitely have some more spare time after work again - it'll be nice to be able to come home and relax, or go out and shoot something!

Anyways, this photo sums up a whole lot of the vague but grandiose, nostalgia-inducing, feelings I have towards summer days with friends. I don't really have a lot of memories of adventures like this from my teen years - I spent those years being a hermit and a shut in... among other things...

So yeah, it's really nice to finally have these experiences. I hope that this is the first of many!

Anyways, I'm late for bed again. Goodnight friends!

Day 84- Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Day 84:

It's a rock. You got a problem with that? 

Heh heh - I was looking around for something to shoot, all last minute styles as usual. However, I think I finished The Compound's cd design today... or the case at least. I need to quickly do up the disc, but that shouldn't take too much. Anyways, that work took me all through the evening, so this was a little rushed. Either way, I like it. What dost thou think?

Until tomorrow, 

Love!

Day 83- Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Day 83:

Sorry for the lateness - it was indeed, a late night. 

NIN was f****** incredible - they did play a bunch of tunes I wasn't that familiar with but I had a great time. I screamed my head of, went nuts for all the songs that I knew well, and generally enjoyed myself thoroughly. Sigh... goodbye Nails....

Jane's Addiction was also pretty intense. I don't know many of their songs, but the song they opened with was dope. I definitely got into it right away. Perry Farrel also knows how to rock out, considering he's 50. I never realized they were that old! 

Anyways, it was a seriously good, and much needed kind of night.

Day 82- Monday, June 1, 2009

Day 82:

I'm finding it really difficult to capture that big highway onramp mashup - it looks incredible with the naked eye on most days, but it's damned hard to capture it photographically. 

I'll keep trying. 

NIght y'all! 

Nine Inch Nails tomorrow!!!