Things to Consider Before You Clicke the Shutter

1. What mode do I want to shoot in? Manual, AP, SP, Auto or a pre-programed mode?
2. If I’m using a pre-set, what F-Stop or Shutter Speed am I going to use?
3. What format do I want to shoot in RAW or jpeg?
4. What’s my ISO? Is it fast/slow enough?
5. Too grainy for the shot?
6. What White Balance am I set on?
7. Do I need to set custom White Balance?
8. Did I bring my 18% Grey Card?
9. What Metering Mode should I be on?
10. What Colour setting do I need?
11. Am I going to use Manual or Auto Focus?
12. Do I want to Bracket the shot?
13. Am I going to use a Flash?
14. And how am I going to use it?
15. What story am I trying to tell?
16. Do I need to change lenses?
17. If so, which one?
18. Am I shooting in Landscape or Portrait perspective, or even a jaunty angle?
19. Do I need to use a Tripod?
20. Will I use the Rule of Thirds or break it?
21. What other rules should I be following?
22. Are there Leading Lines I can use in the shot?
23. What about finding an S-curve for the leading line?
24. Is there any thing I can use to Frame my picture? e.g. Tree branches.
25. Will I change this to B&W, Sepia or something else post production?
26. Do I have a Focal Point?
27. Is my subject Moving or Stationary?
28. For Moving Subjects, do I want to Pan the shot, Blur the background or Blur the subject?
29. Is there a Pattern I can pick up on?
30. How’s the lighting?  Are the shadows strong or weak?
31. Do I want to emphasize them?
32. Is the light too strong?
33. Will it wash out detail?
34. Is my horizon straight?
35. Can I get this at a better angle?
36. Should I wait for better lighting?
37. What does the light meter read?
38. Should I increase shutter speed or open up the aperture?
39. Is it in focus?
40. Did I just miss a great shot?

*This list was found on Digital Photography School

So Many Choices, Such a Big Decision...Decision Made!

Today I opened my e-mails and found two acceptance letters to both Florida International University (which is very close to my home) and University of Central Florida (four hours away. After believing all this time that I was going to have to attend community college for two years, this is such a relief to me and yet such a mission. Now I have to choose between two excellent schools.

The decision isn't too hard to make once I looked at the pros and cons of attending each school.

Pros for Attending FIU:

• Do not have to pay extra to rent a room or stay in dorms
• Do not have to pay for food
• Staying near friends
• Great School with good credentials
• Offers programs I am interested in studying
• Can save up for study abroad programs
• Gives me time to save money to buy a car, camera equipment and for living expenses after college

Cons for Attending FIU:

• Close to home, staying with family, not leaving the nest, etc.
• In Miami; I hate Miami
• Not getting the full college experience

Pros for Attending UCF:

• Great School with great credentials
• Beautiful campus that I am in love with
• Has programs that I am interested in pursuing
• Living on my own, four hours away from home
• Not too expensive
• Starting early

Cons for Attending UCF:

• Must get a job up there.
• Costs more than FIU, especially because of living expenses.
• Must have a car for graduation which means waiting on a camera and the start of my photography career.
• Less friends in Orlando, loneliness can be a bitch.
• Cannot participate in Study Abroad Programs because of having to pay extra for living expenses

As you can see, the amount of cons for UCF is startling. Honestly, if money wasn't an issue, UCF would be the first and only choice. I absolutely love that school: its location, programs, campus life, dorms, food, entertainment, etc. However, going to UCF would mean taking out a student loan and not being able to go to study abroad and working my butt off on top of school, rather than having work be second fiddle to school. As a result, FIU seems to be the best option for me and if it turns out that by my junior year I can or want to transfer to UCF and I have the means to most of my credits, if not all of them would transfer to other state schools.

So I shall be attending Florida International University for approximately the next four years of my life, presumably attaining a BFA in Visual Arts with a track in Photography and minoring in Entrepeneurship.

Congratulations Danielle Fox. You have been accepted at Florida International University for the Fall Term 2010. FIU, here I come!

Our Hands: Art Project

Since I'm being given a lovely SLR camera for graduation I decided I should start planning a project of some sorts to start getting familiar with it and learn how to use it. I came up with an idea called our hands. A black and white photography piece. In it I will show all the ways we use our hands. I'm not positive yet whether it will be closeups so you can't see the models faces or if its just going to be shots of actions that you do with your hands... Maybe a mixture of both?? Well, anyway, I can sort of see it in my head. I'd want the pictures to either be a little dark or with a very strong contrast. Now I need to start thinking of all the thing we do with our hands.

Tips for a Photo Walk (found on Digital Photography School)

1. Pick a Date: Yes, it sounds presumptive to pick a date, but it really is a good starting place because it makes it easier for people to know if they'll be around. You may want to pick a few dates (different times, days of the week, etc) and figure out which one works the best for the most people. But it's also, as one person in my photo walk group in the past said, a good way to put a stake in the ground and let people know you're planning. It also goes back to the first part of what I said, people know if they're available and can also organise to make themselves available.

2. Pick a Place to Start: It sounds premature to pick a place to start, but selecting a meeting place is also really good. You might want to meet somewhere beforehand for coffee or a light meal to give people time to arrive and get to know each other, and food is a great way to do that. Make sure you pick somewhere close to where you'll be walking and try to select something that isn't cost prohibitive. We've had someone organising walks who kept picking a place that was a little out of budget for most of us, and that definitely kept people away. So knowing that is good. It's also good to pick a place to start where you can mull around a bit to wait for late comers. I suggest waiting about 15-20 minutes from the time set just to make sure everyone who's going to arrive does so.

3. Pick a Place to Walk: I know, you're going to say why should I pick a place when I don't know if there's any interest? But when it comes down to it, people often like something a bit more specific than "Wellington" or "London". It may be because they work in a particular part of town, it may be because they are really fond of the type of subject matter that tends to come up, it may just be because often times it makes us feel a little more sure of what's going on. I'm not suggesting a google map with a specific route laid out, but something more general. You can even suggest the type of photography that's well suited to the area. For example, if you're suggesting a part of town known for interesting people, why not suggest a meet based on street photography.

3a. Pick a Topic: This isn't always necessary, but we've had some great meets that focused almost entirely on one topic where we all learned a bit about it together or all got out of our comfort zone. For example, a model shoot where the leader organises for a model to be present. Or another one I've done is a Portraits for Chocolate shoot where we set up a few colourful backgrounds and offered people chocolate in exchange for taking their photos. Those are the kind of topics where you learn something new and can take away even more than just the fun, social aspect of going out with a group of people.

4. Pick an Ending Location: This doesn't always happen depending on what kind of walk you're going on. Night walks, in my experience, less frequently have an ending location because of time. But it's handy to know if your walk will circle around so people can park their cars closer to the start or if they need to park somewhere between the start and finish. And it's also handy for those people who get rides to and from the location. You might also consider finishing the walk somewhere near public transportation, just in case.

5. Set Up a Place to Share: That can be in a thread on Facebook , that could be a Flickr Group, it could be something else altogether, but it's great to be able to see the various shots that people in your group took, all in one place.

FSPA Journalism Convention in Tampa

So I tried to update this blog while I was away this weekend in Tampa for the state journalism convention, but for some reason, fancy hotels think you should pay for wireless internet on top of the exorbitant prices you are paying for the room when even a crappy Days Inn provides free Wi-Fi and breakfast. Well, anyway, so now is when I can finally update.

So, as I was saying, this past weekend I was in Tampa for FSPA where I learned a lot of journalistic skills, things I can do to help our school publication, visited the University of Tampa, and even visited the city of Downtown Tampa. All in all, it was an amazing trip and I had a blast while learning an awful lot.

At FSPA we took part in these seminars where I learned about the convergence of news media, photoshop skills, getting jobs in journalism and sports photography and how to get the best effects. These seminars gave me an idea of what I would want to do if I were to have a career in journalism.communications.

I definitely am not a news writer. It's not something I really want to do, I'm not passionate bout it, but I really do have a passion for meeting and interviewing people as well as photography. Something that is becoming very important in the new convergence of media. There were all these really cool slide-shows the advisers showed us of picture slideshows with audio behind them of either background noise or interview with the subject. Something I think I would be very capable of doing and actually enjoy doing. So I still think a career in journalism is feasible for me.

I also learned a lot about photography, like what kind of lenses to use for certain things and that shutter speed and ISO need to be controlled for certain photographs and that flash photography is harsh and unnecessary unless you are photographing sports because it stops the action and then it is only  effective if the action is close enough to receive the flash. But that got me into thinking that I need a new camera... a good one. So im going to write up a wish list of things I want for graduation since it seems that I will be living at home for college in any case.

This is the Nikon D300S. $1,699.95 It comes with:

• EN-EL3e Rechargeable Li-ion Battery
• MH-18a Quick Charger
• UC-E4 USB Cable
• EG-D2 Video Cable
• AN-DC4 Strap
• BM-8 LCD monitor cover
• Body cap
• DK-5 Eyepiece Cap
• DK-23 Rubber Eyecup
• Software Suite CD-ROM

 The Sony A380. $1050 (two lens kit) Although the A230 and A330 are fine as well and are cheaper.

The Canon EOS50D. $1099.99. It comes with:

	EOS 50D Body
	Eyecup Eb
	Wide Neck Strap EW-EOS 50D
	Video Cable VC-100 (D)
	USB Interface Cable IFC-200U
	Battery Pack BP-511A
	Battery Charger CG-580
	"Great Photography is Easy" Booklet and "Do More with Macro" Booklet
	EOS Digital Solution CD
	Software Instruction Manual

Nikon D90. $899. This one was recommended to me by my cousin. I looked up the specs and it seems like more of a possibility than the D300S. Comes with:

• EN-EL3e Rechargeable Li-ion Battery
• MH-18a Quick Charger
• DK-5 Eyepiece Cap
• DK-21 Rubber Eyecup
• UC-E4 USB Cable
• EG-D2 Audio Video Cable
• AN-DC1 Camera Strap
• BM-10 LCD Monitor Cover
• Body Cap
• BS-1 Accessory Shoe Cover
• Software Suite CD-ROM

 The Camera my cousin has is a Nikon D60. $649.95. Comes with:

• EN-EL9 Rechargeable Li-ion Battery
• MH-23 Quick Charger
• UC-E4 USB Cable
• DK-20 Rubber Eyecup
• AN-DC1 Camera Strap
• BF-1A Body Cap
• DK-5 Eyepiece Cap
• BS-1 Accessory Shoe Cover
• Software Suite CD-ROM

Pentax K-x. $599.95 for black, red, navy blue or white camera. $649.95 for the green, blue, purple or orange camera. Comes with:

• K-x Black
• DA L 18-55
• Software CD-ROM S-SW99
• USB Cable I-USB7
• Strap O-ST53
• Hotshoe Cover FK
• Eyecup FQ
• Body Mount cover
• AA lithium batteries (*4) 

The Pentax actually seems to be a really good camera for the best price out there, which means that considering that I payed less for the camera, I would have money to buy a tripod, external flash or extra lenses. 

 

In any case, I need a good digital SLR camera and these are my options. Taking the advice of one of the speakers at the convention I plan to create business cards and start photographing events for pay during the summer and building a repertoire for myself. I'll start with little things like family parties, but I hope to eventually do maybe bigger weddings or other events like sports games, recitals, Broadway shows, etc. And I think I can do it. Why not? Someone has to. It may as well be me.

 

At FSPA I also made the decision that I am not going to study journalism necessarily. I don't have to. I can major in something completely opposite and still have a career in photojournalism. So I think I am going to get a degree in business management and minor in photography/photojournalism. But first I am going to go to Miami Dade College. At least for my Associates degree, which I will do in photography. After all, I'm just going to be taking classes that I'll have to take at any other four year university except I'll be paying more for it. And then after my two years are up and I've hopefully made a little money, I'll go to a unversity (not sure which one yet) and I'll make my start there.

 

All in all, FSPA was an amazing experience for me. I had fun and learned a lot and now I am planning for my future.

 

 *This is a photo of me and some of my newspaper staff colleagues as we had fun in Downtown Tampa.

Photo from:
http://imgfave.com/view/161502

Fox Books and Cafe: Dream or Possible Reality??

Remember how I have been thinking of late where my life might lead and what it is I might do with my life. I want it to be something that I enjoy, something I excel at, and something that I am passionate about. Yes, the big cahoona of dreams is to be a photojournalist for National Geographic Magazine, but I also have this dream where I own a small Bookshop/Cafe. Something intimate and cozy, perhaps in New York City or Chicago or Boston, definitely NOT Miami. I'd have a small kitchen and I'd hire a chef, specializing in soups, desserts and pastries, breakfast foods, etc. I'd order books: popular fiction and non-fiction, local writer's works, poetry, old books, little novellas, travels guides, etc. I could hold Open Mic Nights and have book signings. There would be bookshelves all over the place and small tables, couches and wi-fi. Maybe I could have a  used books section, and donors can get discounts on their next purchase. There is so much that you can do if you own your own little business and everyone loves a little cafe where you can read, work and where social events sometimes take place. And this dream is very much so a possibility. All that I'd need to do is learn a little bit of business management, how to do taxes for a business, figure out salaries and paying bills and how to order merchandise for the shop, get a loan to buy a facility and all the necessities to set it up and advertising. I mean yes it is a lot but it sounds like a possibility and a very doable thing. Something I'd find a challenge, but something I can take pride in. Combining two of my passions: food and books. And if it hits off, either because it is well advertised or because I find the right venue with the right clientele, then perhaps it is something I can also be successful at. It's just a dream, only a possibility right now, but maybe one day it will be a reality and people will walk by and into The Fox Shop... or Fox Books and Cafe... or Little House on the Lane/Avenue/Road/Street/whatever... I don't know the name yet. That's going to be important though. Many people walk into most shops just because they are intrigued by their name or because, based on the name, they figure they can find what they are looking for there. But I have time to find a name yet. I still have to see if this is the final dream. If this is what I really want to do. And then if I decide to go through with it, then I still have to be educated in the business world, and build a good credit so I can move and make that loan. It seems very possible though... So keep your eyes out wherever you are. There just mat be a new venue coming to your town in a couple years.

Just so my future husband knows, if he exists and truly wants to make me happy, i wish to be married in cavendish, prince edward island, canada :)

Ranting and Raving, Depression, and PMS

Sometimes I get a little down about life and I start to worry that maybe everything isn't going to work out all right and that I'll be struggling for the rest of my life for goals that will never be accomplished, that I'm just not capable of and I know it is ridiculous to think that way since I am only 17 and have my whole life ahead of me as I know it, but it just seems so likely that I'm going to fail. I'm going to be a loser, a failure, one of those people that I just can't stand, that had so much potential and did nothing with their lives... Despite how hard I've worked for my grades my whole life and my pretty spectacular GPA, I haven't been accepted to the school I wanted to go to so am instead attending a community college, I can't seem to get a job anywhere even with all the people I supposedly know that can "hook it up" for me, if I don't have a job that means I can't move out, and since I can't get into the college I want, my career will have to start later than I wanted if it ever happens at all with the way this black cloud is following me around. I know this is a rant, probably hormonally based and that you probably want to slap me right now. But i just really need to scream right now.

Gaia

I've started reading this book that was written in the 90s by Isaac Asimov and Fredrik Pohl called Our Angry Earth. In it they talk about this concept created by a scientist called Lovelock called "Gaia" named after the ancient goddess of the Earth (in other words, Mother Earth). Basically what Lovelock is talking about is that the every organism on the Earth is connected and depends on one another and the organism of the Earth is alive and constantly adapting and working at homeostasis to keep everything at a certain level so that everything can survive.

Many scientists rebuked Lovelock's Gaia concept because it seemed too spiritual, too supernatural, but I personally believe that it answers a lot of questions concerning religion, higher beings, and science and how they are all interconnected. The concept of Gaia could be considered a religion in the way that I see it because you have this "Mother Earth" and a belief in what her purpose is it gives all life a purpose and a purpose to natural events like storms and earthquakes, temperature changes, etc. But it is not a spiritual thing like most people are used to religion being. A belief in Gaia is more an understanding of how the Earth works and why it works the way it does (the reason for creating religion and higher beings in the first place).

I think the concept of Gaia is very efficient in answering many questions like our existence and our future. It fills in the gaps science can not explain, yet makes something spiritual slightly more factual as well. In one of the chapter in Our Angry Earth, Assimov and Pohl mention that the Earth had no oxygen at one point until plants through natural processes, expelled it into the atmosphere, making it habitable for humans and other living organisms that cannot survive without oxygen that serve the Earth in many diverse ways. This is the science portion of our creation. The real question is: Why? The concept of Gaia gives you a somewhat reasonable spiritual meaning behind this. Gaia knows what it needs to thrive and therefore makes sure that it get what it needs, in this case through the plant life living on Earth originally.

The concept of Gaia also mentions that Gaia will do whatever it needs to protect itself: even destroy humankind if need be. However, Gaia works though natural processes. By the time, it killed off the human race, we would have destroyed and depleted the planet so much it might be irreparable. However, if it is true that Gaia was able to return the world to normal after Ice Ages, meteors, and other things that have nearly destroyed the Earth, I think it could be true also that Gaia could repair the Earth as long as homo sapiens sapiens are not able to destroy it.

A lot is said about how a nuclear war would be bad for the environment because it could cause a nuclear winter that could wipe out, not only the human race, but other living organisms as well: animals, plants, etc. However, if the concept of Gaia holds true, wouldn't Gaia fix itself during a nuclear winter, the same way it did with the meteor that killed off the dinosaurs and the Ice Age and everything else? Couldn't it just go back to normal, or at least Life back on its feet? The only difference I can see is that the human race would be wiped out by their own hands and not be around to mess it up a second time. Well, Gaia would have found a way to balance everything out in the end I guess.

The book says there is no way to stop the destruction we have caused to our planet and that is true. It is also true that government action in the environmental issues would make the process of stopping the destruction
much easier, but I think there is plenty you can do as an individual to stop the continuation of the Earth's destruction.

If everyone believes that they are the only person trying there is bound to be another person thinking the same thing, maybe everyone thinking the same thing. So if everyone played the same role in trying to protect our environment, perhaps it would be a worldwide thing. It's impossible to believe that this could actually happen, but it's pointless to think that you shouldn't do anything about it yourself.

We can start by not using any products that contain chlorofluorocarbons. By recycling instead of just throwing everything away. By walking to school or to the dollar store or pharmacy, etc. By not littering, anywhere: on the street, at the beach, in the park, in our neighborhoods. By planting trees and plants that have been seriously depleted by deforestation. And in America we have even more opportunities to protect our environment because we can take an active role in our government. Here we can survey people, we can petition for laws, we can vote for our own legislation. We can take an active role in Gaia, by making it an importance in our daily lives.

If everyone made the environmental issue a priority, even if no one else necessarily knew about it, wouldn't it eventually start to make a difference?