I think I would like to get a camera like this. (It was borrowed from school circa 2002)
more details: Kodak TMAX, either a Seagull or Mamiya TLR medium format-I can't recall which. Spring '02)
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Someday Our Cameras Will Die
Actuations & Shutter Count – Someday our Cameras Will Die
Thought-provoking post from Digital Photography School. And no, I had not given this any previous thought. (Most of my film cameras still work, and those that don't have a mechanical issue that could probably still be fixed.) I wonder what the actuation is on my Canon EOS. Although I never really assumed I would shoot with it forever-I figured at some point I would get a new one for some reason or another. It's a great DSLR but it doesn't meet all my needs, and as technology improves I have more options to consider for lighter, more compact cameras that could possibly do most of what my EOS does now. I will be sad when the A620 finally hits the bucket, though, even though it is unnecessarily large and clunky (and takes 4 aa batteries!), because it has been such a handy little point & shoot and it has a rotating flip screen (which subsequent versions of this camera did not appear to have.) However, I've definitely run up against the limits of what it can shoot (jpeg only) and how (max ISO 400.)
This also brings up an interesting issue I have struggled with since converting to (mostly) digital. The freedom to shoot several frames of the same subject and vary the lighting, composition, etc. without having to worry about running out of film has been liberating. "Getting the shot" has a different meaning now that you can a. check your results immediately after shooting and b. shoot a multitude of frames for extra insurance. However, it's definitely changed how I shoot. I shoot way more than I used to, but does quantity necessarily equal more quality? I think being able to exercise that muscle more is always a good thing-I met an instructor in college, very demanding, who would not work with me independently unless I was willing to shoot something like 5 rolls a day, which there was no way I could afford-but I think his point was the more we shoot, the better we get at shooting. However, with digital I think it is easier to get complacent and stuck in a rut. Many of my shots with the DSLR have a "sameness" that frustrates me and it's hard to break out of that without challenging how and when I shoot. Just because it's there and it's interesting, do I have to document it? Is it something that really speaks to me, that falls within my current areas of study or bodies of work-or is it better left alone, really? (Or, if I must document it, do I need to shoot 5 or 6 frames of that stop sign?) This is timely to contemplate while, as I type, I am simultaneously converting the raw files from my trip to Seattle-454 shots in 3.5 days.
Thought-provoking post from Digital Photography School. And no, I had not given this any previous thought. (Most of my film cameras still work, and those that don't have a mechanical issue that could probably still be fixed.) I wonder what the actuation is on my Canon EOS. Although I never really assumed I would shoot with it forever-I figured at some point I would get a new one for some reason or another. It's a great DSLR but it doesn't meet all my needs, and as technology improves I have more options to consider for lighter, more compact cameras that could possibly do most of what my EOS does now. I will be sad when the A620 finally hits the bucket, though, even though it is unnecessarily large and clunky (and takes 4 aa batteries!), because it has been such a handy little point & shoot and it has a rotating flip screen (which subsequent versions of this camera did not appear to have.) However, I've definitely run up against the limits of what it can shoot (jpeg only) and how (max ISO 400.)
This also brings up an interesting issue I have struggled with since converting to (mostly) digital. The freedom to shoot several frames of the same subject and vary the lighting, composition, etc. without having to worry about running out of film has been liberating. "Getting the shot" has a different meaning now that you can a. check your results immediately after shooting and b. shoot a multitude of frames for extra insurance. However, it's definitely changed how I shoot. I shoot way more than I used to, but does quantity necessarily equal more quality? I think being able to exercise that muscle more is always a good thing-I met an instructor in college, very demanding, who would not work with me independently unless I was willing to shoot something like 5 rolls a day, which there was no way I could afford-but I think his point was the more we shoot, the better we get at shooting. However, with digital I think it is easier to get complacent and stuck in a rut. Many of my shots with the DSLR have a "sameness" that frustrates me and it's hard to break out of that without challenging how and when I shoot. Just because it's there and it's interesting, do I have to document it? Is it something that really speaks to me, that falls within my current areas of study or bodies of work-or is it better left alone, really? (Or, if I must document it, do I need to shoot 5 or 6 frames of that stop sign?) This is timely to contemplate while, as I type, I am simultaneously converting the raw files from my trip to Seattle-454 shots in 3.5 days.
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Towering ash
There are some amazing photos on Flickr of the Eyjafjallajökull eruption. This one in particular, which I found in the Eyjafjallajökull Volcano Pool.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
A new portrait.
I am particularly pleased with this one.
Sacred Feather hat seller, Madison street fair
Sacred Feather hat seller, Madison street fair
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Etsy!
I have finally put some things up for sale on etsy! Take a look at my store here:
gabriellefine.etsy.com
There's not much up yet, but I will continue to add things!
gabriellefine.etsy.com
There's not much up yet, but I will continue to add things!
Monday, October 20, 2008
Friday, June 20, 2008
Tasha Tudor
Tasha Tudor passed away 2 days ago. She was the illustrator and author of several celebrated children's books. The first impression she made on me was her delicate illustrations for The Secret Garden, which I treasured in childhood.
This is a really neat site that her family created as a memorial. It seems like she was a really interesting and lively woman. I would have liked to have met her. In fact I think I'd like to be like her when I am 92.
This will be me, in my kitchen:
This is a really neat site that her family created as a memorial. It seems like she was a really interesting and lively woman. I would have liked to have met her. In fact I think I'd like to be like her when I am 92.
This will be me, in my kitchen:
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Salon of Shame, again
IMG_1404
Originally uploaded by Espressobuzz.
Espressobuzz takes the most awesome live/candid photos!
P.S.-"Love is just two neuroses finding they're a perfect match," I declare at the world-weary age of 18.
Saturday, May 03, 2008
Noby
When I was down in Oakland I found a bag of old dolls and stuffed animals in my mom's storage unit. Sadly, they were too dirty and had to be thrown away. Before I did though, I had to take pictures. There was something very creepy about this-it was like they came out of a body bag. Her name was Noby, and I got her when I was probably 3 or 4.
Friday, February 29, 2008
Leap Day
Leap day reminds me now of the one in 1992 when my dad and I took a day trip to San Francisco. We went to a museum and Grace Cathedral and other touristy things. This morning I was trying to remember why this day had other significance and then I remembered, that was also the day that I shot my first roll of film on my first SLR. It was my dad's and he was bequeathing it to me. We went to the Palace of the Legion of Honor museum where they have the Rodin sculptures and that is where I took my very first SLR picture. Here it is:
The Kiss by Auguste Rodin
We also stopped by Grace Cathedral:
Here's a picture my dad took of me:
Check out my Culture Club hat!
The other thing I remember from that day is that on the way home on Live 105 we heard them play the new Tears For Fears single which was about to be released. This was a big deal because it was the first new song they had released in THREE YEARS. (Which was a long time for me to wait.)
chewed the bone down too low
got fed on tea and sympathy
blew the sail like the wind
i wish you were my enemy
i was humble for you
what a fool i've been to have
laid so low for so long
so low
into that void of silence
where we cry without sound
where tears roll down
where tears roll down
and where your mother's violence
sent your soul underground
where tears roll down
where tears roll down
drew the blade way too slow
was shackled by your honesty
made a mess i guess i should have known
that life was lust and liberty
not a chance mutation
or the last temptation
laid so low for so long
so low
into that void of silence
where we cry without sound
where tears roll down
where tears roll down
and where your mother's violence
sent your soul underground
where tears roll down
where tears roll down
into that void of silence
where we cry without sound
where tears roll down
where tears roll down
and where your mother's violence
sent your soul underground
where tears roll down
where tears roll down
-Laid So Low (Tears Roll Down), Tears For Fears
The Kiss by Auguste Rodin
We also stopped by Grace Cathedral:
Here's a picture my dad took of me:
Check out my Culture Club hat!
The other thing I remember from that day is that on the way home on Live 105 we heard them play the new Tears For Fears single which was about to be released. This was a big deal because it was the first new song they had released in THREE YEARS. (Which was a long time for me to wait.)
chewed the bone down too low
got fed on tea and sympathy
blew the sail like the wind
i wish you were my enemy
i was humble for you
what a fool i've been to have
laid so low for so long
so low
into that void of silence
where we cry without sound
where tears roll down
where tears roll down
and where your mother's violence
sent your soul underground
where tears roll down
where tears roll down
drew the blade way too slow
was shackled by your honesty
made a mess i guess i should have known
that life was lust and liberty
not a chance mutation
or the last temptation
laid so low for so long
so low
into that void of silence
where we cry without sound
where tears roll down
where tears roll down
and where your mother's violence
sent your soul underground
where tears roll down
where tears roll down
into that void of silence
where we cry without sound
where tears roll down
where tears roll down
and where your mother's violence
sent your soul underground
where tears roll down
where tears roll down
-Laid So Low (Tears Roll Down), Tears For Fears
Monday, January 07, 2008
amber bird of varnish
Some good friends of mine are in a band called varnish. They played their first show at a house party this weekend, and I had the honor of taking pictures. They rocked. I am not just saying that because they are my friends.
Monday, December 31, 2007
2008 Photo Resolutions (no pun intended)
Originally posted on the Photojojo forum:
1. Update and revamp website.
2. Find out which self-publishing service really is the best, then actually use it to self-publish my photo book.
3. Apply for the Center for Documentary Studies' First Book Prize in Photography.
4. Get to know my new Diana camera!
5. SHOOT MORE FILM.
6. Do some Polaroid transfers (I know, these are so 1995, but I only recently acquired the slide printer!)
7. Organize digital backup system and also organize negative storage system.
8. Scan more negatives and old family photos.
9. Try out the Super-8 camera I found.
10. HDR. Figure it out.
1. Update and revamp website.
2. Find out which self-publishing service really is the best, then actually use it to self-publish my photo book.
3. Apply for the Center for Documentary Studies' First Book Prize in Photography.
4. Get to know my new Diana camera!
5. SHOOT MORE FILM.
6. Do some Polaroid transfers (I know, these are so 1995, but I only recently acquired the slide printer!)
7. Organize digital backup system and also organize negative storage system.
8. Scan more negatives and old family photos.
9. Try out the Super-8 camera I found.
10. HDR. Figure it out.
Saturday, December 08, 2007
Winter show postcard
Winter's Sequel
A holiday art show
Saturday, December 8th
6-9 PM
Abraxus Books
5711 24th Ave NW
Seattle, Wa
(206)297-6777
(I'm only posting this now because I assume no one reads my blog who wouldn't have received the announcement already. But I realized I ought to post it before the show actually starts.)
A holiday art show
Saturday, December 8th
6-9 PM
Abraxus Books
5711 24th Ave NW
Seattle, Wa
(206)297-6777
(I'm only posting this now because I assume no one reads my blog who wouldn't have received the announcement already. But I realized I ought to post it before the show actually starts.)
Monday, November 26, 2007
Monday, November 05, 2007
Tuesday, October 02, 2007
Stumptown Comics Fest
Sept. 29-30, Portland, OR. Tabling with Puddleville Graphic Novel Collective.
More pictures
Where to begin?
For starters, I have a confession: This was the first comic con of any kind that I have actually attended. How can this be, you may ask? Growing up in the Bay Area, with a healthy interest in comics from my teen years forward...well, it just seems "inconceivable!" But it's true. I have been to other types of conventions and festivals, of course. I did come close to attending APE in 1994 when my best friend at the time and I completed our first zine...but that is another story altogether.
In any case, it was fantastic. What a rush to be in a huge room surrounded by so much talent, motivation and dedication. It made me want to start drawing 100 comics at once. At the same time I was totally overwhelmed by ideas and also a little intimidated. However, the atmosphere at Stumptown was really friendly, supportive and DIY-focused. Some big names were there, such as Peter Bagge and Dark Horse Comics, but the main attraction for me was the individuals and groups who displayed their self-published work.
Here's a list of the people I bought stuff from, or picked up a postcard from, or otherwise admired:
B.T. Livermore/Robopocalypse Collective
Joshua Kemble
Sarah Oleksyk
Miriam Libicki
Matt Silady
Chris Yates/Playground Ghosts
Dylan Meconis
Girl Wonder
Shaenon K. Garrity
Dragon Green
That was just a sampling, really. It was just a feast for the eyes: Art, art everywhere!
As for Puddleville, I think we did well, just based on observation. A lot of people stopped at our table, we sold many copies of our Issue #1 (a compilation), and lots of buttons (buttons were a big hit. Oh, and I need a button making machine. Now.) It felt really good to be a part of that. APE next stop, I hope!
More pictures
Where to begin?
For starters, I have a confession: This was the first comic con of any kind that I have actually attended. How can this be, you may ask? Growing up in the Bay Area, with a healthy interest in comics from my teen years forward...well, it just seems "inconceivable!" But it's true. I have been to other types of conventions and festivals, of course. I did come close to attending APE in 1994 when my best friend at the time and I completed our first zine...but that is another story altogether.
In any case, it was fantastic. What a rush to be in a huge room surrounded by so much talent, motivation and dedication. It made me want to start drawing 100 comics at once. At the same time I was totally overwhelmed by ideas and also a little intimidated. However, the atmosphere at Stumptown was really friendly, supportive and DIY-focused. Some big names were there, such as Peter Bagge and Dark Horse Comics, but the main attraction for me was the individuals and groups who displayed their self-published work.
Here's a list of the people I bought stuff from, or picked up a postcard from, or otherwise admired:
B.T. Livermore/Robopocalypse Collective
Joshua Kemble
Sarah Oleksyk
Miriam Libicki
Matt Silady
Chris Yates/Playground Ghosts
Dylan Meconis
Girl Wonder
Shaenon K. Garrity
Dragon Green
That was just a sampling, really. It was just a feast for the eyes: Art, art everywhere!
As for Puddleville, I think we did well, just based on observation. A lot of people stopped at our table, we sold many copies of our Issue #1 (a compilation), and lots of buttons (buttons were a big hit. Oh, and I need a button making machine. Now.) It felt really good to be a part of that. APE next stop, I hope!
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Salon of Shame
For something a little different, before the Salon of Shame last night I took portraits of everyone with their assorted journals/diaries/random papers. Here I am with my journals from ages 17 and 19:
Live 105, yo!
Lots more here. Take a look. You know you want to. It's so totally awesome.
Total props to Ariel for starting this event. It's doubled in size since the last time I attended, and regularly sells out! It is so much fun. I highly recommend it-whether you're bold enough to read, or just want to laugh your ass off. I believe there are similar events in other cities-like Cringe in NY, which I think is the original?-so if you aren't a Seattleite, see if there's one in your area.
Live 105, yo!
Lots more here. Take a look. You know you want to. It's so totally awesome.
Total props to Ariel for starting this event. It's doubled in size since the last time I attended, and regularly sells out! It is so much fun. I highly recommend it-whether you're bold enough to read, or just want to laugh your ass off. I believe there are similar events in other cities-like Cringe in NY, which I think is the original?-so if you aren't a Seattleite, see if there's one in your area.
Friday, July 06, 2007
PDX wrap-up
Boy, regular life really takes over, especially when you get home from a trip. Well, I should probably conclude my postings on Portland with some kind of wrap-up or overview.
First, possibly my favorite picture (and it's getting a lot of hits on Flickr too):
taken with film!
I'm quite fond of the few film shots I took. Here's one of me in my fab guesthouse room:
So, Scott McCloud. The class was great, of course. It was really useful, I took a lot of notes...right now it's kind of a big blur. The things he says about comics are just awesome. He really does validate it as an art form in its own right. I've defended it as such in the past, but standing in a class listening to Scott critiquing our work, it makes perfect sense and doesn't even seem to be worth arguing about. Of course its art. It's pictures used to communicate a story and/or an idea.
One quote that stands out that I did write down: Gesture (in a drawing) ideals with "the calligraphy of human interaction."
I love the way he phrases things and I really wish I just had a recording or transcript of everything he said. His lectures are so great, informative and entertaining, and I highly recommend going if he pops up in your area (Californians take note-he's hitting your state in August!)
I think I may have mentioned already how cool it is that Scott is touring with his wife and two girls. I am insanely envious of his daughters of the experiences they are having at such a young age. I'm sure it is much more educational than being stuck in a regular school for another year. (Although I imagine that in a few ways they are looking forward to returning to real school and regular life, as exciting as it is to be on the road.) Sky, his eldest, is especially poised and confident for a girl her age. (Forgive me, I have limited interactions with teenagers, and most of the time it seems like they don't want to talk to me at all.) I ran into her at a gelato shop by Powell's and she was really friendly and outgoing. (I was just amazed that she talked to me.) Her mom was there too, and her cousin, and they were all super friendly and ended up making me feel like I was the celebrity, even though I had started the conversation by saying, "Uh, you're the McClouds, I saw you on Livejournal!" yeah. They're the type of folks you feel at ease with right away and end up wanting to talk to them and hang out with them for hours. (Unfortunately, that isn't possible. If we all got to hang out with the McClouds as much as we wanted to, they would never get to sleep.)
Here's Sky doing her highly entertaining and visually impressive Keynote presentation at the lecture (I won't tell you what it's about, in case you get to see it.)
(it really helps with this one if you click on it and go to the bigger version.)
Here's Scott in class, looking at my work (and smiling! He likes it! eeeeeeeeg!)
He really is a nice, friendly, down to earth kinda guy, with a lot of good things to say and an infectious enthusiasm for comics. It was so much fun learning from him.
Ok. Anything else? Things really shifted into high gear as soon as he got to town. Before I knew it the whole thing was over and I was back on the train. (Literally-I had to rush right from class, which was technically over but of course everyone was staying longer, to the train station.) I did go to stay with Jessa, an old friend, in North Portland for the last 2 nights of my visit. She and I spent a lot of quality time catching up and doing some more sightseeing (I gladly accepted her driving me around, after spending most of the week on foot. Walking builds character and all, but I was ready for a break. Plus, it enabled me to go see some things that I had ruled out previously because they were too out of the way to get to on foot/by bus.)
Speaking of busses, did I mention that I was able to purchase a one-week bus pass to use on the bus, streetcar, and MAX line? That was super-cool, convenient, and saved me a lot of money. I am pretty impressed with the transit system. It may not be the best ever, but it's better by far than Seattle's. I bitch about Seattle's transit a lot, but the thing is, after spending a week in Portland, I've concluded that it's partly just the way Seattle is laid out and there's not much that can be done about that. So I've stopped blaming as much the "powers that be" or the voting public (although I still think we take way too long to actually implement ideas. Jessa said that she thought the difference was that while Seattle takes forever to figure out whether or not something is the right solution, in Portland they just go ahead and build it even if it is the wrong one. She's lived in both cities, by the way.)
Here are some things I saw while driving around with Jessa:
A sea of roses in Ladd's Addition (a uniquely constructed neighborhood-the streets run out from a central point, instead of a grid-look at a map to see what I'm talking about. It's in the SE quadrant just north of SE Division, starting at 12th.)
A lightbulb shop
The Beverly Cleary tribute fountain in Grant Park
Some nice evening light on NE Alberta.
As usual, click on any of the photos to be taken to much more...
First, possibly my favorite picture (and it's getting a lot of hits on Flickr too):
taken with film!
I'm quite fond of the few film shots I took. Here's one of me in my fab guesthouse room:
So, Scott McCloud. The class was great, of course. It was really useful, I took a lot of notes...right now it's kind of a big blur. The things he says about comics are just awesome. He really does validate it as an art form in its own right. I've defended it as such in the past, but standing in a class listening to Scott critiquing our work, it makes perfect sense and doesn't even seem to be worth arguing about. Of course its art. It's pictures used to communicate a story and/or an idea.
One quote that stands out that I did write down: Gesture (in a drawing) ideals with "the calligraphy of human interaction."
I love the way he phrases things and I really wish I just had a recording or transcript of everything he said. His lectures are so great, informative and entertaining, and I highly recommend going if he pops up in your area (Californians take note-he's hitting your state in August!)
I think I may have mentioned already how cool it is that Scott is touring with his wife and two girls. I am insanely envious of his daughters of the experiences they are having at such a young age. I'm sure it is much more educational than being stuck in a regular school for another year. (Although I imagine that in a few ways they are looking forward to returning to real school and regular life, as exciting as it is to be on the road.) Sky, his eldest, is especially poised and confident for a girl her age. (Forgive me, I have limited interactions with teenagers, and most of the time it seems like they don't want to talk to me at all.) I ran into her at a gelato shop by Powell's and she was really friendly and outgoing. (I was just amazed that she talked to me.) Her mom was there too, and her cousin, and they were all super friendly and ended up making me feel like I was the celebrity, even though I had started the conversation by saying, "Uh, you're the McClouds, I saw you on Livejournal!" yeah. They're the type of folks you feel at ease with right away and end up wanting to talk to them and hang out with them for hours. (Unfortunately, that isn't possible. If we all got to hang out with the McClouds as much as we wanted to, they would never get to sleep.)
Here's Sky doing her highly entertaining and visually impressive Keynote presentation at the lecture (I won't tell you what it's about, in case you get to see it.)
(it really helps with this one if you click on it and go to the bigger version.)
Here's Scott in class, looking at my work (and smiling! He likes it! eeeeeeeeg!)
He really is a nice, friendly, down to earth kinda guy, with a lot of good things to say and an infectious enthusiasm for comics. It was so much fun learning from him.
Ok. Anything else? Things really shifted into high gear as soon as he got to town. Before I knew it the whole thing was over and I was back on the train. (Literally-I had to rush right from class, which was technically over but of course everyone was staying longer, to the train station.) I did go to stay with Jessa, an old friend, in North Portland for the last 2 nights of my visit. She and I spent a lot of quality time catching up and doing some more sightseeing (I gladly accepted her driving me around, after spending most of the week on foot. Walking builds character and all, but I was ready for a break. Plus, it enabled me to go see some things that I had ruled out previously because they were too out of the way to get to on foot/by bus.)
Speaking of busses, did I mention that I was able to purchase a one-week bus pass to use on the bus, streetcar, and MAX line? That was super-cool, convenient, and saved me a lot of money. I am pretty impressed with the transit system. It may not be the best ever, but it's better by far than Seattle's. I bitch about Seattle's transit a lot, but the thing is, after spending a week in Portland, I've concluded that it's partly just the way Seattle is laid out and there's not much that can be done about that. So I've stopped blaming as much the "powers that be" or the voting public (although I still think we take way too long to actually implement ideas. Jessa said that she thought the difference was that while Seattle takes forever to figure out whether or not something is the right solution, in Portland they just go ahead and build it even if it is the wrong one. She's lived in both cities, by the way.)
Here are some things I saw while driving around with Jessa:
A sea of roses in Ladd's Addition (a uniquely constructed neighborhood-the streets run out from a central point, instead of a grid-look at a map to see what I'm talking about. It's in the SE quadrant just north of SE Division, starting at 12th.)
A lightbulb shop
The Beverly Cleary tribute fountain in Grant Park
Some nice evening light on NE Alberta.
As usual, click on any of the photos to be taken to much more...
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Day 4
It. Is. Hot. I'm sitting in my room in front of the (wonderful wonderful) air conditioner (one of those little window units.) I had to skip out of the afternoon lectures because I (stupidly) wore myself out walking around downtown (with a backpack full of books from Powell's...heh) When I got back here at 5 it was 88 degrees. Yikes. No wonder I felt like I was dying.
I have no heat tolerance anymore. Not that I had much to begin with...
Anyway. Now that I am feeling well-rested, there are so many things I want to do, but of course most of them I can't do because of the heat. At some point I'm going to have to venture out to procure food. *whine* I think I'll hit up that sushi place again.
Here are some more highlights from yesterday, pics from today will be posted later (and more on this actual educational thing I'm supposed to be attending...)
I have no heat tolerance anymore. Not that I had much to begin with...
Anyway. Now that I am feeling well-rested, there are so many things I want to do, but of course most of them I can't do because of the heat. At some point I'm going to have to venture out to procure food. *whine* I think I'll hit up that sushi place again.
Here are some more highlights from yesterday, pics from today will be posted later (and more on this actual educational thing I'm supposed to be attending...)
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