A Time of Change

So I figured I would update this blog, since I haven't in a while.
Due to recent events in the country I live in, I've had to evacuate back to the states. It's not that I don't want to be here, I love my friends and family here, it's just not my time to be here yet.
My 7 deadly sins project has (obviously) been pushed back/canceled. :( I'm so upset, but I don't really have an option. Maybe I can do it another time... I'll have to see.

But moving onto some GOOD news! :D
My sister told me that her coworker has asked if I can take her engagement pictures! :O Apparently she has seen my photography and really likes it :D. I would love love love to do it, but I'm so scared I'll screw up :(, even though their just going on the invites. xD I'm far too paranoid for my own good...

I was also supposed to get a new camera!!! The Nikon D7000 :'). I haven't been this excited for a gift in... well... since I got my D3000 :D

Here's a cool link to show the Nikon D7000 features :'D
It comes with HD video too! That's just a plus, I don't really care about video- but what ever, I'm certainly not complaining ;)

Gallery: (the last one in the gallery is a sample video)
http://www.nikonusa.com/D7000/#/gallery

Camera:
http://www.nikonusa.com/D7000/#/camera


YAY!!!!

I was going to get it on the 13th... but it just so happens that's the day that the shipment place in bahrain closed. So now it's stuck there 'till further notice :c. Oh well, I'm willing to wait. :)

Well, this is a photography blog and I don't seem to have any new pictures due to my mind be elsewhere. I have to put up some photos! So I thought I would talk about a photo that I love, but makes most shudder. :)

"A Time of Change" was an interesting one to do. Being a self-portrait it was even more difficult haha. The stuff on my face is a clear face mask that I found in my bathroom. I found it ages ago, but I never did anythign but play with it. Then one day I realized it looked like I was peeling off my skin, and thus, a photo idea! I didn't really do anything with my idea though until a few months later.
So I finally got around to doing it one day. I had to make sure to set up my camera and lights before I put the stuff on, as it's very very VERY sticky and gets everywhere. So, naturally, because I'm just so smart, I forgot to turn on my camera/change the settings before I put the stuff on. I found sticky stuff all over my camera for like a week after. :c
To light this, I was using my two flood lights, which at the time I had no idea extened above my head. I was using one on either side of me, which is why there is that weird shadow in the middle, if I were to do it again I think the main thing I would have changed is the ligthing... but I didn't know any better at the time. :)
That's somethign I always love about going back and lookign at photos... I get to remember what I didn't know at the time and feel proud that I actually know what I'm doing now! :) Exciting stuff :D

I also think this photo is quite relevant to my situation, as it is a major time of change for me and many others...
Anyways, until I take a new picture (Which will hopefully be soon!)! :)

Home Made Snoot!

Now to be quite honest with you, I had absolutely no idea what a snoot was until Jacqueline Kent told me about it. I didn't even know such a device existed! But I must say, it gives quite a nice effect :D
The sample pictures I took like five minutes ago aren't exactly stunning... but it shows what the snoot does anyways ;P

So it makes the photos super intense and awesome :) I think it even made my brother's intense "W.O.W" face even more intense! ;)


So making this was SO much less invasive than making the soft box. All I had to do here was cut out the bottom of a Pringles can (harder than it looks), and then cut  some slits on the other end so it would fit snugly on my flash. :) 

I think I really need to get someone to help me decorate these things...

Yeah, those things are super sharp D:

Fire-y Boredom...

Well... what does one do when one is bored with a candle?
Take photos of course!
I spent about 15 minutes just playing with long exposure... just 'cause. :) I wanted to do something different, but it didn't quite work out as I planned... so just did a fire spiral ;)

Honestly the photos turned out nothing like I was planning, but I still like them. :)
I think I may have liked them more if there was detail in my face... but I'm not sure how I would have done that since I was spinning around in a circle haha. I tried using my flash to freeze my face during long exposure, but since I wasn't just standing in one place, the fire crossed through my face and it just didn't look very nice.
I could see these being good stock photos, however.

7 Deadly Sins Project; Models!

Now I have all my models figured out... I hope.
I am aware that I brought this up quite early, but I wanted to see if I could carry on with this project first. :) This list may change as someone may not be able to make it when the date is set, or for what ever reason. I also have to confirm with one more model, but so far, here it is :)

1) Envy: Shaddin

2) Lust: Amanda

3) Pride: Hannah

4) Wrath: Natasha [not my picture] (?)

5) Gluttony: Vance (left)

6) Sloth: Zii [Not my picture]

7) Greed: Ayman

I'm SO excited!! I have a concept all mapped out now, I'm hoping to go to the location this weekend to check things out/see if it's possible to do a shoot there. I'm going to keep that concept to myself and the models for now :D I hope it will be a surprise! :)
Can't wait!!! :)