My fall semester was probably the hardest semester I've had. I tried to keep up with the blog but became discourage (this was also expected).
Five months and a few more weeks later, I am where I'm suppose to be. And I'm in a better place to keep updating this photo blog and my photojournalist journey and share as much experience with you as possible because this industry is difficult. But at the same time, extremely easy in comparison to a generation ago. Technology has really made communication a convenience and it gnawed in my insides to keep this blog up. But I had to focus on certain things before I become a credible blogger (inspiring journalist) such as college, internships, staying healthy, and keeping up expenses with two jobs...
You really learn that there isn't enough time in a day, energy in a person, and money for all the activities to do everything. For the people that have it all and can balance it all, feel free to share your secrets... because this 25 year old female with all the ambition, persistency, intelligence, creativity, and thirst for more is just relearning to balance everything again... And this balance meant re-prioritizing my interests in my life and really choosing which really matter and who really matters.
I think that's what I meant when I said "I am where I'm suppose to be." Because that's what your twenties is all about is trying new things, exposing yourself in a new environment, and really seeing your potential above the stress. And choosing which stressors will harm or benefit you, and be able to walk away with a mature growth.
I guess that's my excuse of why I haven't kept up with this blog is because I really had to prioritize my days and this was unfortunately on the bottom of the list. But I'm back!
Back with better equipment, more experience (paid and work trade), a college degree in my belt, moving up to the West Side of Los Angeles, a small freelance photo job, better health, strong friendship base filled with multi-skilled and talented people, and a happy, stable, healthy relationship with an amazing man that is within my industry.
In my mid twenties, I'm wiser with detecting the bad qualities in people. I'm more honest with myself to be able to walk away from those types of personalities. I'm stronger to handle the heavy photo equipment. I'm more appreciative of those that are good, genuinely good. All of these are in comparison to my late teen's early twenties mind set of course. I'm not as careless as I use to be and I really have become more resilient.
www.500px.com/Katography
Sunday, May 20, 2012
Monday, January 2, 2012
Happy New Year!
New Years Eve celebrated with LA's finest youth
Thanks to Tom + Gary Decentralized Dance Party
Decentralized Dance Party
Thanks to Tom + Gary Decentralized Dance Party
Decentralized Dance Party
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Page 24
I'm holding my cup in an attempt to capture some warmth.
My thoughts jumped from one conversation to the next, trying to collect as much memory as possible to make sense of the feelings I'm feeling now.
I'm trying to ask the right questions, that's the process right? Know the right questions to put you in a better, more well thought of path.
Well here it is:
Where do I want to be a year from now?
Middle East.
What will you be doing?
Documenting, photographing, surviving, and making sure my documents are surviving. Making my life matter.
What will it take to get there?
Learn the language, Arabic.
Physically and mentally prepare.
Be funded.
What will it take to have those?
Work on my portfolio and submit to a media.
Portfolio
Credible photos (Events, studio, portraits, motion)
Website
Photoblog
Work for the media
Start learning Arabic now.
Read, write, practice, converse, surround myself with the language.
Read every inspirational, current and past, photographer and person that's been there and survived.
Why?
Because what are we all here for? For each other.
And someone needs to take responsibility of showing someone else of a world they don't know, to open other's eyes and hearts, and if not leading the way, but get you thinking of a different possibility.
Because the wars need to stop, and anger needs to change into understanding.
Because there are no borders, no matter how thick we build physical barriers, there are no borders in life and people.
Because drugs are not always the solution to anyone's problem and should never be taken advantage of by the people that knows its control.
Because there are endless better possibilities than what we're currently living now.
Because we still have each other and we can't just abort the human soul.
My photograph will be part of history. Because I understand that its happening right now and my eyes are no longer covered by rose colored glasses. My mind isn't clouded by what they want which is to just keep us moving on a day to day mundane life so we can 'make a living.' Living happens, we don't have to make it happen. My heart has been ripped and wasted on selfish things, and its time to stand by it and do good for a change.
[this excerpt has been retrieved from my personal day to day blog www.plnmsjane.blogspot.com]
My thoughts jumped from one conversation to the next, trying to collect as much memory as possible to make sense of the feelings I'm feeling now.
I'm trying to ask the right questions, that's the process right? Know the right questions to put you in a better, more well thought of path.
Well here it is:
Where do I want to be a year from now?
Middle East.
What will you be doing?
Documenting, photographing, surviving, and making sure my documents are surviving. Making my life matter.
What will it take to get there?
Learn the language, Arabic.
Physically and mentally prepare.
Be funded.
What will it take to have those?
Work on my portfolio and submit to a media.
Portfolio
Credible photos (Events, studio, portraits, motion)
Website
Photoblog
Work for the media
Start learning Arabic now.
Read, write, practice, converse, surround myself with the language.
Read every inspirational, current and past, photographer and person that's been there and survived.
Why?
Because what are we all here for? For each other.
And someone needs to take responsibility of showing someone else of a world they don't know, to open other's eyes and hearts, and if not leading the way, but get you thinking of a different possibility.
Because the wars need to stop, and anger needs to change into understanding.
Because there are no borders, no matter how thick we build physical barriers, there are no borders in life and people.
Because drugs are not always the solution to anyone's problem and should never be taken advantage of by the people that knows its control.
Because there are endless better possibilities than what we're currently living now.
Because we still have each other and we can't just abort the human soul.
My photograph will be part of history. Because I understand that its happening right now and my eyes are no longer covered by rose colored glasses. My mind isn't clouded by what they want which is to just keep us moving on a day to day mundane life so we can 'make a living.' Living happens, we don't have to make it happen. My heart has been ripped and wasted on selfish things, and its time to stand by it and do good for a change.
[this excerpt has been retrieved from my personal day to day blog www.plnmsjane.blogspot.com]
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Day 3 Reflect
While I was waiting for my negative to dry I saw my first photo teacher from my 35 mm film class and caught up with him since the last day we saw each other which was last year and a half ago. I was surprised he remembered me. It was awesome quality time with him. I remembered being so lost two years ago of what I wanted to do with photography and he remembered as well.
After we've caught up, we started discussing about the transition of journalism and the media. I'm so determined to have my generation solve the clutter that our internet, specifically filtering through credible information, is drowning right now. Twitter, Facebook, Blogs, etc are all resources that are utilize in irrelevant manner and there has to be a better system to get all the information vomit organize and not only make credible but also monetary. Because no matter how much I would love to do art for the people, I need to sustain my way of life for at least $50/week and that's not including rent or the other responsibilities I apparently need to live in a civilized manner. We're in another technological revolution where time, distance, and space is all condensed in a matter of a double click, how are we going to utilize this to relay information that will help one another and create a sense of trust among strangers?
I can't stop talking about photography wherever I go, or art, talking to Barrett brought everything back to perspective again. Also, hung out with some of the men in my class, skateboarding, and sharing ideas about our final project.
Stay motivated, always be creative, always ask yourself why and what for, then create something, anything to translate the answer.
After we've caught up, we started discussing about the transition of journalism and the media. I'm so determined to have my generation solve the clutter that our internet, specifically filtering through credible information, is drowning right now. Twitter, Facebook, Blogs, etc are all resources that are utilize in irrelevant manner and there has to be a better system to get all the information vomit organize and not only make credible but also monetary. Because no matter how much I would love to do art for the people, I need to sustain my way of life for at least $50/week and that's not including rent or the other responsibilities I apparently need to live in a civilized manner. We're in another technological revolution where time, distance, and space is all condensed in a matter of a double click, how are we going to utilize this to relay information that will help one another and create a sense of trust among strangers?
I can't stop talking about photography wherever I go, or art, talking to Barrett brought everything back to perspective again. Also, hung out with some of the men in my class, skateboarding, and sharing ideas about our final project.
Stay motivated, always be creative, always ask yourself why and what for, then create something, anything to translate the answer.
Day 3 Processing
Processing 4x5
Film: Fuji Neopan Acros 100
Developer: Xtol
Developing time: 5 min
First, doing anything in the dark is such a rush but I am so happy I've finished the first time.
Again, be prepared by setting up all your equipment in designated areas so finding them in the dark isn't difficult.
1. Replenish developer.
2. Check temperature. Water jacket should be at 68 C
3. Check that timer is on your preference. Sound on/off, Set up for the appropriate time for developing. Also, take notes of where all the buttons are on the timer so if anything happens you know where to turn the timer off. The sound surprised me as I was developing and I panicked between the stop bath and fixer.
4. Make sure all surface are dry
5. Memorize where you set up everything.
Holders facing to exp.1 -5 on my right
Hangers on my left inside the box all pushed farther away from me so I can easily download from
front to back
Empty negative box for unexposed download
6. Turn off the lights. Close your eyes, count to 5, open and check to make sure no light is leaking anywhere in the room
7. Begin downloading each negative beginning with inserting the first negative on the hanger and placing the second one as an unexposed film inside the empty box
8. Try your best to not place fingerprints on your negative by doing this in the dark. I felt around the corners with the corner of my finger tip and had it slide down from the holder
Be careful not to clip your fingers when you lock the metal hanger
9. After all negatives have been placed in the hanger or unexposed box, bring the hanger box towards your developing chemicals
10. DONT FORGET TO Close the unexposed box.
Developing process (this is still done in the dark, so make sure you know where each chemical is at. Stop bath [which is just water in my lab] is cooler than the developer and fixer)
11. Developing tank for 5 min for my Acros 100 negative
12. Agitate for the first 30 sec (tilting left to right = one cycle), then one cycle every 30 sec after
13. Stop bath, dip, agitate for three cycles, leave in for 1.5 min and agitate before placing in fixer
14. Fixer agitate first 30 sec, then one cycle every 30 sec after for 6 min
15. BEFORE YOU TURN ON THE LIGHT, go through your checklist:
Did you close the "unexposed box"?
Did you agitate with patience? You'll know what I'm talking about.
16. Turn on the light. Breathe. You can see your negative finally! You did everything correctly =)
17. If your negative is still slightly pink, I would leave it in the fixer for another 30 sec - 1 min to assure all the sulfites been processed.
18. Water tank for 20 min
19. I used this 20 min to clean the mess I made in the dark room
20. Photoflo for 3 cycles of agitation
21. Dry for 20 min if you have appropriate drying machine
22. Place in negative holders!
The hardest time for me was feeling around with the chemicals while I was carrying the loaded hangers with both hands, but patience is key and just stay focus!
I didn't listen to any music during this time because it was my first time so I wanted to make sure I heard everything I was doing to familiarize myself. I DID IT! I developed my first 4x5 without killing myself or my negative.
Film: Fuji Neopan Acros 100
Developer: Xtol
Developing time: 5 min
Again, be prepared by setting up all your equipment in designated areas so finding them in the dark isn't difficult.
1. Replenish developer.
2. Check temperature. Water jacket should be at 68 C
3. Check that timer is on your preference. Sound on/off, Set up for the appropriate time for developing. Also, take notes of where all the buttons are on the timer so if anything happens you know where to turn the timer off. The sound surprised me as I was developing and I panicked between the stop bath and fixer.
4. Make sure all surface are dry
5. Memorize where you set up everything.
Holders facing to exp.1 -5 on my right
Hangers on my left inside the box all pushed farther away from me so I can easily download from
front to back
Empty negative box for unexposed download
6. Turn off the lights. Close your eyes, count to 5, open and check to make sure no light is leaking anywhere in the room
7. Begin downloading each negative beginning with inserting the first negative on the hanger and placing the second one as an unexposed film inside the empty box
8. Try your best to not place fingerprints on your negative by doing this in the dark. I felt around the corners with the corner of my finger tip and had it slide down from the holder
Be careful not to clip your fingers when you lock the metal hanger
9. After all negatives have been placed in the hanger or unexposed box, bring the hanger box towards your developing chemicals
10. DONT FORGET TO Close the unexposed box.
Developing process (this is still done in the dark, so make sure you know where each chemical is at. Stop bath [which is just water in my lab] is cooler than the developer and fixer)
11. Developing tank for 5 min for my Acros 100 negative
12. Agitate for the first 30 sec (tilting left to right = one cycle), then one cycle every 30 sec after
13. Stop bath, dip, agitate for three cycles, leave in for 1.5 min and agitate before placing in fixer
14. Fixer agitate first 30 sec, then one cycle every 30 sec after for 6 min
15. BEFORE YOU TURN ON THE LIGHT, go through your checklist:
Did you close the "unexposed box"?
Did you agitate with patience? You'll know what I'm talking about.
16. Turn on the light. Breathe. You can see your negative finally! You did everything correctly =)
17. If your negative is still slightly pink, I would leave it in the fixer for another 30 sec - 1 min to assure all the sulfites been processed.
18. Water tank for 20 min
19. I used this 20 min to clean the mess I made in the dark room
20. Photoflo for 3 cycles of agitation
21. Dry for 20 min if you have appropriate drying machine
22. Place in negative holders!
The hardest time for me was feeling around with the chemicals while I was carrying the loaded hangers with both hands, but patience is key and just stay focus!
I didn't listen to any music during this time because it was my first time so I wanted to make sure I heard everything I was doing to familiarize myself. I DID IT! I developed my first 4x5 without killing myself or my negative.
Monday, September 19, 2011
The days in between
I'm 25 yrs old. I work two jobs that I handle 25 hours at each location. I go to school full time. I've lived in southern california for 4 years and has been on my own since. I love music, hip hop. Currently have Common on repeat, my favourite is "The Light."
Days like this, where I have to deal with responsibilities and personal issues are probably the hardest for me because all I want to do is art, all the time. Exclude my problems and flaws and just invest in art thoroughly. Don't get me wrong, I love my life, in every essence because life is good. But the demands out of me to be somebody for other people and all this acceptance I have to learn just became too much. Relationships, lack of it, passed it, in it, or watching it has been the topic the last year within my age group, and I don't want it anymore. I just want my photography to bloom and myself to breathe finally. This is why the days in between are the hardest for me because I'm just suffocated. The dreading of these days are my drive and I'm on manual fast speed. If music wasn't around, I wouldn't know how to get through this.
"It don't take a whole day to recognize sunshine"
Days like this, where I have to deal with responsibilities and personal issues are probably the hardest for me because all I want to do is art, all the time. Exclude my problems and flaws and just invest in art thoroughly. Don't get me wrong, I love my life, in every essence because life is good. But the demands out of me to be somebody for other people and all this acceptance I have to learn just became too much. Relationships, lack of it, passed it, in it, or watching it has been the topic the last year within my age group, and I don't want it anymore. I just want my photography to bloom and myself to breathe finally. This is why the days in between are the hardest for me because I'm just suffocated. The dreading of these days are my drive and I'm on manual fast speed. If music wasn't around, I wouldn't know how to get through this.
"It don't take a whole day to recognize sunshine"
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Day 2.5 SGLA
Johnny, an amazing and charismatic coworker of mine invited me to this event Saturday at Villains Tavern on 3rd St in downtown L.A. A fun and interesting event, always nice to see a group of people coming together for a common interest. Plus, I realize I'm only 3/5 Geek, a little disappointed at myself.
I only brought one type of lens with me tonight because I was already carrying a heavy set of equipment from the previous photoshoot.
I had my 55 mm lens, which was perfect for the low light setting, but it's all manual focus. In events like this when I'm trying to take snapshots of a group of people posing in a dark setting where all I can see are shadows, it would've been so much easier and faster to have autofocus in hand. Plus, it would've made it a little bit less awkward for the people posing because it took me a bit of time to get them focus. But it also gave me a chance to really think fast on my feet.
I only did small editing with the colors, I placed a blue filter so the photos have a very 1890's feel to it to compliment Johnny's attire and the city's atmosphere.
Enjoy the photos!
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