Wednesday, March 25, 2015
Here I am Again...
The winds of change.
The wheels are turning and I am being swept away.
The life of a vagabond is definitely interesting. There are butterflies in my tummy as I am working the last shift of the season here with the beet company.
They will be installing a new computer system for the new equipment going into the new building soon. I think it will all be so automated that there will be no "Tower" position next year. But that is well and fine because I really, really do not feel this schedule is very healthy for me. I said I wasn't coming back last year, and here I be. But for sure, I plan to be in warmer parts next winter.
I have another day or two at my son's place before all the kids come home from Spring Break. I was hoping to get some of the van cleaned out, but will have to see if I need to wait until L-town. Then my last shift with the shelter on Saturday night, and on to my dentist appointment on the 1st.
After that, I don't know which direction I will be heading.
The wheels are turning and I am being swept away.
The life of a vagabond is definitely interesting. There are butterflies in my tummy as I am working the last shift of the season here with the beet company.
They will be installing a new computer system for the new equipment going into the new building soon. I think it will all be so automated that there will be no "Tower" position next year. But that is well and fine because I really, really do not feel this schedule is very healthy for me. I said I wasn't coming back last year, and here I be. But for sure, I plan to be in warmer parts next winter.
I have another day or two at my son's place before all the kids come home from Spring Break. I was hoping to get some of the van cleaned out, but will have to see if I need to wait until L-town. Then my last shift with the shelter on Saturday night, and on to my dentist appointment on the 1st.
After that, I don't know which direction I will be heading.
* * * * *
So on a completely different note... and speaking of the shelter, I am copying what I shared on FB last week...
File under: I guess it takes all kinds. So today, I was totally blindsided by a relationship and am completely questioning my "spiritual radar." Reminds me that you really don't know who people might be deep down inside. This gal, who spent about 3 or 4 weeks at the shelter, was really nice. She was from Tennessee, about 30ish, and from the info I could get from her was on a spiritual quest across the country. She said she didn't hitch-hike but if someone offered her a ride, she took it. I know she also spent the max time of 3 hours a day on the computers at the college library as she said she was working. She was friendly, and quiet in the mornings, but we talked about some things and I shared my pictures I was taking for my food photog course. I am friendly with all of the ladies, and some you can tell have some issues, or other volunteers or workers have written about them in our book, so you are on the lookout and watch for signs of their strange behavior. This gal asked me if I was working again before she planned to leave, and I said I wouldn't be. Of course I was excited about her travels and gave her my email address to keep in touch so she could let me know how she was doing. (I actually have kept in contact with a couple of people I have met along the way.) She must have left sometime during the week, so last night I looked at the tote on the bed that had previously been hers and there were a number of items in it. I asked the others if they thought she was coming back. One lady said she had given her an expensive purse and would like to have it back if she didn't come back to retrieve those things. So I wrote a note to that effect and put it in the tote. When I opened her tote I found a book, Peace Pilgrim, which if you Google is about a woman who walked across the United States several times for peace, taking a vow to "remain a wanderer until mankind has learned the way of peace, walking until given shelter and fasting until given food." Sandwiched in the book was a number of handwritten pages paper clipped with a note on top which condemned Corvallis for it's wickedness and told how hot lava was going to consume the town just like Sodom and Gomorrah. The pages contained Bible verses, and what I would call prophetic rantings about sin and death, and personal reflections like how happy she was to leave this wicked town. Each page had the number 999 written on it, and under some of those was written "laws in the old testament". She had signed it in a few places, so I knew it was her writings. Then I found the note card I had given her with my email address. As some of you may know, my email is my name and the boys' birth years... sues9294. Below what I had written was written in her hand, "Sues666". I was totally taken aback. Not only did she ditch my communication link - which in retrospect was probably a fine thing, but she was also equating me with the enemy! On the back of the card, she had taken the numbers 9294, drawn arrows down from the 9's and written 6's, and then wrote 2 + 4 = 6. Then "666 Y'alls favorite mark." Wow! Talk about not seeing that coming! I mean she seemed "so normal" but lurking beneath was a perceived justified anger against all of humanity I guess. I had been friendly with her, so I can't see how she possibly could see me as coming from "that" camp. It really hurt at first, but then I reminded myself of the source, and am not taking it personal anymore. She is one sad puppy and I will keep her in prayer. If she sees herself as some kind of prophet, then why is she not talking about this wherever she goes? I mean, does she have a true message? I would think that if this is what she feels her purpose is, she would talk about it with anyone and everyone to share the message. Which kinda shows me that it is not of God. Anyway, it just really blew me away, and I realize, again, it takes all kinds! And just how careful we need to be smile emoticon Peace out.
The comments I got on this:
"Yep. Nothing personal. Mental illness. Thankfully these people do not know where you live or have personal information about you or the boys."
"wow !"
"Wow!"
"Speechless"
"I believe if peope are looking for evil they will find it anywhere and everywhere. Pray for the best for her and those she meets along the way"
"Stunned-that is no where hear the person who you are; how one arth did she come to that conclusion is baffling! Keep fighting the good fight of fairth!"
"You sure can pick EM"
"Remember she is God's beloved!! Only he knows her pain!! praying!!"
"...wow..."
And my son, through a personal message, told me, "It doesn't surprise me you would come across a person like that."
:) Peace out <3
Tuesday, March 3, 2015
Learning Food Photography...
So I signed up for this free food photography course online, hosted by a guy named Neel. It started on March 1st, and I am going to post notes and my pics here.
Day 1/30 - http://www.learnfoodphotography.com/lesson-1-study-outstanding-food-photos/
We looked at the portfolios of several well known food photographers and picked out photos and explained why we liked them, how they made us feel.
In general, I like natural lighting, out-of-focus backgrounds, simple set-ups. I am not fond of the messy look like someone has been eating. I do like dark backgrounds sometimes.
Day 2/30 - http://www.learnfoodphotography.com/lesson-2-identify-your-subjects/
We were to choose 5 food subjects. A subject that we might use the whole 30 days. Well not having a kitchen is going to be a bit of a disadvantage to this adventure, I chose baked goods (because I can eat them afterwards - lol), fast food (because that is what I have to eat on occasion - lol - and if I can make THAT look good, I will be one Ace of a photographer!), dinners if I cook anything at G's. I only picked three because those are pretty wide selections. Then we were supposed to share our top two. I picked baked goods and fruits & veggies, remembering when I took pics of apples and tomatoes at my cousins.
Here are 7 tips to Practice Food Photography- http://www.learnfoodphotography.com/7-food-photography-tips-to-practice-without-cooking/ There is also more suggested reading at the bottom of the page.
I also needed to ask these questions, and we might refer back to them:
What do I want a photo to look like? Appetizing, professional
What feeling should the photo communicate? I want it to create the desire to eat the food.
How do you want to feel about the photo? That it is the best pic I have ever taken.
Day 3/30 - Try different angles as you photograph food. http://www.learnfoodphotography.com/lesson-3-finding-the-camera-angle/
I thought the angle I would prefer would be 90*, but 65* ended up being my favorite...
Here's how I was shooting it in the van....
Day 4/30 - Depth of Field. http://www.learnfoodphotography.com/lesson-4-tell-your-story-with-depth-of-field-dof/ Now I learned all about this in college years ago, on how to use f-stops to create depth of field. It is a little more difficult using your phone's camera... But I thought I did fairly well...
Day 5/30 - Frame it with your eyes. http://www.learnfoodphotography.com/lesson-5-frame-it-with-your-eyes/ I actually think this subject should have been first. I feel I actually frame every picture I take. So I posted this pics I took a little while ago, explaining that I didn't like the first one because a part of a wooden box in the background, as well as a black basket were showing on the left side of the frame. So I moved to the right and took the 2nd shot, almost centering the odd shaped squash, but felt it was offset to the top with the black squash, and offset to the right by the smooth mini pumpkin. I didn't get any comments on the shot, but 1 Like on the first pic.
Day 6/30 - Tell your story. http://www.learnfoodphotography.com/lesson-6-write-your-food-photo-story/ Seems like a lot of people were shooting their breakfasts so I wrote: While you Europeans are having French-pressed coffee and fruited porridge for breakfast, this American grabbed a to-go coffee and some donuts!
I pretty much used the same set-up as Day 3, but used a 90* angle for the shot. I also managed to not include any product logos. It really wasn't much of a story, because I don't feel like he explained much on how to "tell" a story. Actually now that I look at the lesson again, maybe I didn't read it thoroughly enough.
Day 7/30 - was a catch-up day in case you missed an assignment. We also had to answer some questions. We were supposed to post our favorite pic from the week, but I didn't do that.
I do, however, try to post as many comments on other people's pics as possible. I always compliment, and sometimes I give suggestions or make comments on what I felt didn't go totally right with the shot. Everyone seems open to feedback.
I also love that I am communication with people from all over the world! Students from India, a lady who lives on a boat in the Mediterranean, a chocolates-maker from Belgium... it's wonderful! A lady from Calgary, Alberta, one woman who has her own FB blog page on English Country Cooking with an accompanying website, http://englishcountrycooking.co.uk/recipes/crepes-suzette/
From the other students, I have learned this week about lighting and keeping the same style/era in your photos...
I am up against some stiff competition...
Eirin Helland from the Netherlands...
Like seriously? What is SHE doing in this class?
Аня Иванова from Russia...
Paulina Piech in Portugal... Looks so yummy!
So, am I a tad bit intimidated? YES! But I also know I don't have the best facilities to work with and as long as I do the best that I can, and learn from this, it will be well worth my time!
White Blance - This has been discussed a bit through the many of the critiques but we haven't yet talked about it in the course. I asked and someone provided this link... http://digital-photography-school.com/introduction-to-white-balance/ Following that was an article about The Dress. There was quite the viral sensation on social media as to the color of The Dress. Some saw white/gold and some saw blue/black. Here is the science behind it... http://www.wired.com/2015/02/science-one-agrees-color-dress/ which has to do with white balance.
Day 8/30 - Describe the elements of your food story. http://www.learnfoodphotography.com/lesson-8-describe-the-elements-of-your-food-story/
OK, I know exactly what story I wanted to tell, but I was so tired today, that I did not get to my friend's house to ask if I could use her kitchen and goodies to make the shot. I am hoping she will be available on Thursday afternoon, but she was unsure if she would be. I am really at a place, especially with the lessons on lighting, that I really need a kitchen type place to shoot.
She was available and we spent some time together putting two shots together :) "A late morning Bible study with a friend" is the story. We tried to make it casual and real. I think now that the orange cup takes the focus away from the cookies. After all, the food is supposed to be the "hero". If I had to do it over again, I would choose a less bright cup... maybe a muted green. Good thing to keep in mind when choosing props.
Day 9/30 - Lighting your food photo. http://www.learnfoodphotography.com/day-9-light-your-food-photo/
I cheated on this one by using a photo I took during Winter Break. My breakfast on Christmas morning... egg salad on sourdough toast. This was natural lighting through the boys' kitchen window.
Day 10/30 - Modify your lighting for better food photos. http://www.learnfoodphotography.com/lesson-10-modify-light-for-better-food-photos/
This was the other shot I did at my friend's house. This is direct sunlight, diffused with waxed paper over the window. Now I like the texture of the placemat, but others said the color was too much. This would have been a good subject to try different backgrounds with. Someone else suggested a cake server in the picture would be a nice accent. I had thought of this, and did have one, but liked the simple approach of "just the cake." Love the plate... need to get one similar at Goodwill.
Day 11/30 - White Balance. http://www.learnfoodphotography.com/lesson-11-correct-the-white-balance/
Had no idea that a SmartPhone had White Balance settings for it's camera. A revelation, Is White Balance something that came about with the advent of digital photography? Wiki has this to say... "The color balance operations in popular imagine editing applications usually operate directly on the red, green, and blue channel pixelvalues,[1][2] without respect to any color sensing or reproduction model. In shooting film, color balance is typically achieved by using color correction filters over the lights or on the camera lens.[3]"
I shot this one at work on a desk in the Fishbowl, but forgot to take a shot of the setup. I also used Paint in order to put the pics together and label them. Can you tell which light I shot under?
Day 12/30 - Select the Right Background. http://www.learnfoodphotography.com/lesson-12-select-the-right-background/
Arno Voogd from France shot this one... He said the food was the original hero of the shot, but then the bottle became the hero. Definitely the bottle. But I LOVE the background... I might not have tried this as a background thinking it would be too busy, but I think it totally makes the shot complete. I have so much to learn...
Yes, so much to learn and only practice will make me have a better eye towards things. I made this shot because it was on my mind. I shot it at the shelter into the dark of the gym. Still everyone has an opinion, and not everyone thinks it is the best shot that ever was. The shadows are intentional and I love the correlation of the fabric to the subject. I also love the depth of the black background that shooting at the shelter provides.
So in all reality, one cannot compare apples to oranges, or even pictures of apples to pictures of oranges. There are many types of art and forms of those arts, and truly "beauty is in the eye of the beholder" and it is all subjective.
I am actually thinking that I may be able to make some money at this at some point. Working with smaller restaurants that don't have a large budget but need good food photos. Will keep this in thought and prayer.
Day 13/30 - Organize Your Props. http://www.learnfoodphotography.com/lesson-13-organize-your-props/
Well we all know I have a 12x12 storage space crammed full of wonderful treasures that I have hoarded over decades for just such an occasion as this! BUT - can I get to them now? No. And do I want to collect a bunch more of items to clutter my van with? No. However do I need some things in order to get through this class? Yes, a couple. So I have purchased a couple things, and they all have to fit in one bag. Along with that, it's been nice to use my friend's kitchen and my son's kitchen.
Don't know what I am going to do with it, but I couldn't pass up the pewter tea pot for only $2.50. The lid hinge is broken but who cares, it's actually pewter! :)
Day 14/30 -
Marcory van Dijk
Pille Qrabat
:)
MORE TO BE WRITTEN....
Day 1/30 - http://www.learnfoodphotography.com/lesson-1-study-outstanding-food-photos/
We looked at the portfolios of several well known food photographers and picked out photos and explained why we liked them, how they made us feel.
In general, I like natural lighting, out-of-focus backgrounds, simple set-ups. I am not fond of the messy look like someone has been eating. I do like dark backgrounds sometimes.
Day 2/30 - http://www.learnfoodphotography.com/lesson-2-identify-your-subjects/
We were to choose 5 food subjects. A subject that we might use the whole 30 days. Well not having a kitchen is going to be a bit of a disadvantage to this adventure, I chose baked goods (because I can eat them afterwards - lol), fast food (because that is what I have to eat on occasion - lol - and if I can make THAT look good, I will be one Ace of a photographer!), dinners if I cook anything at G's. I only picked three because those are pretty wide selections. Then we were supposed to share our top two. I picked baked goods and fruits & veggies, remembering when I took pics of apples and tomatoes at my cousins.
Here are 7 tips to Practice Food Photography- http://www.learnfoodphotography.com/7-food-photography-tips-to-practice-without-cooking/ There is also more suggested reading at the bottom of the page.
I also needed to ask these questions, and we might refer back to them:
What do I want a photo to look like? Appetizing, professional
What feeling should the photo communicate? I want it to create the desire to eat the food.
How do you want to feel about the photo? That it is the best pic I have ever taken.
Day 3/30 - Try different angles as you photograph food. http://www.learnfoodphotography.com/lesson-3-finding-the-camera-angle/
I thought the angle I would prefer would be 90*, but 65* ended up being my favorite...
Here's how I was shooting it in the van....
Day 4/30 - Depth of Field. http://www.learnfoodphotography.com/lesson-4-tell-your-story-with-depth-of-field-dof/ Now I learned all about this in college years ago, on how to use f-stops to create depth of field. It is a little more difficult using your phone's camera... But I thought I did fairly well...
Here's how I shot this one at the shelter... I really like the deep black background this set-up provides.
Day 5/30 - Frame it with your eyes. http://www.learnfoodphotography.com/lesson-5-frame-it-with-your-eyes/ I actually think this subject should have been first. I feel I actually frame every picture I take. So I posted this pics I took a little while ago, explaining that I didn't like the first one because a part of a wooden box in the background, as well as a black basket were showing on the left side of the frame. So I moved to the right and took the 2nd shot, almost centering the odd shaped squash, but felt it was offset to the top with the black squash, and offset to the right by the smooth mini pumpkin. I didn't get any comments on the shot, but 1 Like on the first pic.
Day 6/30 - Tell your story. http://www.learnfoodphotography.com/lesson-6-write-your-food-photo-story/ Seems like a lot of people were shooting their breakfasts so I wrote: While you Europeans are having French-pressed coffee and fruited porridge for breakfast, this American grabbed a to-go coffee and some donuts!
Day 7/30 - was a catch-up day in case you missed an assignment. We also had to answer some questions. We were supposed to post our favorite pic from the week, but I didn't do that.
I do, however, try to post as many comments on other people's pics as possible. I always compliment, and sometimes I give suggestions or make comments on what I felt didn't go totally right with the shot. Everyone seems open to feedback.
I also love that I am communication with people from all over the world! Students from India, a lady who lives on a boat in the Mediterranean, a chocolates-maker from Belgium... it's wonderful! A lady from Calgary, Alberta, one woman who has her own FB blog page on English Country Cooking with an accompanying website, http://englishcountrycooking.co.uk/recipes/crepes-suzette/
From the other students, I have learned this week about lighting and keeping the same style/era in your photos...
I am up against some stiff competition...
Eirin Helland from the Netherlands...
also from Eirin...
Like seriously? What is SHE doing in this class?
Аня Иванова from Russia...
from Katerina Belaya, also from Belarus... She said this photo reminded her of Space. I think a huge one in the right kitchen would be fabulous!
Daniela Contini in Jesrusalem... LOVE the lighting here...
Paulina Piech in Portugal... Looks so yummy!
So, am I a tad bit intimidated? YES! But I also know I don't have the best facilities to work with and as long as I do the best that I can, and learn from this, it will be well worth my time!
White Blance - This has been discussed a bit through the many of the critiques but we haven't yet talked about it in the course. I asked and someone provided this link... http://digital-photography-school.com/introduction-to-white-balance/ Following that was an article about The Dress. There was quite the viral sensation on social media as to the color of The Dress. Some saw white/gold and some saw blue/black. Here is the science behind it... http://www.wired.com/2015/02/science-one-agrees-color-dress/ which has to do with white balance.
Day 8/30 - Describe the elements of your food story. http://www.learnfoodphotography.com/lesson-8-describe-the-elements-of-your-food-story/
OK, I know exactly what story I wanted to tell, but I was so tired today, that I did not get to my friend's house to ask if I could use her kitchen and goodies to make the shot. I am hoping she will be available on Thursday afternoon, but she was unsure if she would be. I am really at a place, especially with the lessons on lighting, that I really need a kitchen type place to shoot.
She was available and we spent some time together putting two shots together :) "A late morning Bible study with a friend" is the story. We tried to make it casual and real. I think now that the orange cup takes the focus away from the cookies. After all, the food is supposed to be the "hero". If I had to do it over again, I would choose a less bright cup... maybe a muted green. Good thing to keep in mind when choosing props.
Day 9/30 - Lighting your food photo. http://www.learnfoodphotography.com/day-9-light-your-food-photo/
I cheated on this one by using a photo I took during Winter Break. My breakfast on Christmas morning... egg salad on sourdough toast. This was natural lighting through the boys' kitchen window.
Day 10/30 - Modify your lighting for better food photos. http://www.learnfoodphotography.com/lesson-10-modify-light-for-better-food-photos/
This was the other shot I did at my friend's house. This is direct sunlight, diffused with waxed paper over the window. Now I like the texture of the placemat, but others said the color was too much. This would have been a good subject to try different backgrounds with. Someone else suggested a cake server in the picture would be a nice accent. I had thought of this, and did have one, but liked the simple approach of "just the cake." Love the plate... need to get one similar at Goodwill.
Day 11/30 - White Balance. http://www.learnfoodphotography.com/lesson-11-correct-the-white-balance/
Had no idea that a SmartPhone had White Balance settings for it's camera. A revelation, Is White Balance something that came about with the advent of digital photography? Wiki has this to say... "The color balance operations in popular imagine editing applications usually operate directly on the red, green, and blue channel pixelvalues,[1][2] without respect to any color sensing or reproduction model. In shooting film, color balance is typically achieved by using color correction filters over the lights or on the camera lens.[3]"
I shot this one at work on a desk in the Fishbowl, but forgot to take a shot of the setup. I also used Paint in order to put the pics together and label them. Can you tell which light I shot under?
Arno Voogd from France shot this one... He said the food was the original hero of the shot, but then the bottle became the hero. Definitely the bottle. But I LOVE the background... I might not have tried this as a background thinking it would be too busy, but I think it totally makes the shot complete. I have so much to learn...
So in all reality, one cannot compare apples to oranges, or even pictures of apples to pictures of oranges. There are many types of art and forms of those arts, and truly "beauty is in the eye of the beholder" and it is all subjective.
I am actually thinking that I may be able to make some money at this at some point. Working with smaller restaurants that don't have a large budget but need good food photos. Will keep this in thought and prayer.
Day 13/30 - Organize Your Props. http://www.learnfoodphotography.com/lesson-13-organize-your-props/
Well we all know I have a 12x12 storage space crammed full of wonderful treasures that I have hoarded over decades for just such an occasion as this! BUT - can I get to them now? No. And do I want to collect a bunch more of items to clutter my van with? No. However do I need some things in order to get through this class? Yes, a couple. So I have purchased a couple things, and they all have to fit in one bag. Along with that, it's been nice to use my friend's kitchen and my son's kitchen.
Day 14/30 -
Marcory van Dijk
Pille Qrabat
:)
MORE TO BE WRITTEN....
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