Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Moroccan Hearts



So, I've come to the realization that it may not be clear to many people why I went to Morocco in December.

Well, starting from the very beginning, my sister dated a Moroccan who introduced me to the idea of Morocco, it's beauty, the idea of going there, marrying a Moroccan(his brother) and living there. He often told me that I'd be treated like a princess there, and I was young and I am a complete romantic, so though he and my sister didn't stay together, this exotic idea really stuck with me. I liked it. I researched and fell in love with Morocco, Moroccans, Moroccan music, and even stuff that was close to it. I began browsing myspace for Moroccan friends, and came up with quite a few.Somehow my name even started coming up when people browsed Moroccans on myspace. It became what I called "the country of my heart", I was considered by my Moroccan friends as Moroccan, and it became my dream to journey to Morocco.

I also realized that many of you have likely seen pictures of me there with a native, looking, well umm, a bit friendly and I haven't explained why or who he is. Well, that Moroccan boy's name is Yassine.

Yassine and I met on myspace. We met in June of 2007 and became really fast friends. We had a lot in common and talked just about everyday. I really couldn't plan my days without having time to talk to him. I guess you could say I was addicted. He made me laugh. He made me smile. He made me happy. He was So sweet and respectful and I was pretty much in awe.

At the time we met I was in a relationship that had lasted about a year(long distance relationship). The guy and I had tried to meet, but nothing seemed to be working. He was very defeatist about the whole thing and needless to say, it wasn't going to work out. Meanwhile, during all of my relationship drama, I was determined not to let the wonderfulness of the boy, named Yassine, go to waste. So I thought of girls I could set him up with, but not just any girl, I had to know she was as great. So of course, a best friend was my first choice, but somehow they never really clicked, which was a bit disappointing.

Having just gotten out of a long distance relationship, that was the LAST thing I wanted to get myself back into. It was crushing to feel like I has wasted a year, but everything happens for a reason, right? So, Yassine and I, were best friends by now. Still talking everyday, telling eachother EVERYTHING, and of course, as I'm sure all of you can forsee at this point, we started "dating." The online way, of course, so basically just saying we were boyfriend/girlfriend (not the term I prefer, but oh well)..

To make a long, sappy, love story short... I was happy, genuinely happy. I was at peace and everyone who knew of Yassine was still cautious, but peaceful too. And best of all he was patient and often reminded me, "I'm ready to wait for the rest of my life just to hug you." Now, if you ask me, THAT is a man to keep and I did precisely that.

About a year and a half of patient/impatient at times/ chatting and waiting past before I was able to go to Morocco and meet him in person. I took my sister, Hope, with me as my body/emotionguard, just in case (LOL, and all around travel companion. We arrived in Morocco and everything was as I imagined. Hope approved not long after she met him. His family treated us as their own and we had an awesome 10 day trip. Actually, "awesome" is a bit of an understatement, I didn't want to leave(of course..)..

It has been 8 months since we said goodbye at the Casablanca Airport and TODAY our wait for "together again" comes to an end! Yassine will be here @ 12:40pm Chi time, 6:40pm Casa time and he will be here and staying for 2 years! I'm so excited. This has been a dream of his since forever and I'm so glad that I'm here living it with him. I can't wait to see him!

Monday, August 17, 2009

Wedding: Grimwood

A long awaited post, thank you for your patience, Don and Kittie. Here are a few favorite people shots from the Grimwood wedding.












Friday, July 31, 2009

Today: July 31,2009

Today, I will embark on an entirely new excursion. A journey not unplanned, not spontaneous, but uncharted. A trail not yet blazed will be today.

I will be shooting my first, ever....(wait for it)..... WEDDING!! OMGoodness! Excited and a bit frightened, but not a scared frightened, just an unfamiliar kind of frightened. Anyway, I have been assured over and over that I will be fine, and I'm choosing to believe that. I pray that the Lord open my eyes to every detail, large and small, which needs to be captured and that He will guide my hand and my mind to every correct setting. The bride as requested the most "stress free" day possible, so I will be doing my best to keep it that way, and I am sure He will too :)

I've studied many wedblog posts, sought much advice, and am feeling really good. So, alongside my D700, I've stocked my shootsac with Sb-800, 17-210mm f/3.5, 50mm f/1.8, an old school 28mm f/2.8, three 4G CFs, extra batteries, chargers, granola bars and water bottle. I will now embark on my journey. Won't you wait for my return?

Why, of course, my friends, I always return! Even if I am usually a bit late... ;)

Thursday, July 23, 2009

Taylor - 3 months

I'm still alive and kickin'!

This is my newest niece Taylor Elizabeth at 3 months :)

Friday, July 10, 2009

Joey!

Say "Hello" to Joey! This little guy's mom and dad are friends of me and my family.They're really great people to be around, super fun and loving. It seems like yesterday that I was singing at Joe and Jennie's wedding and now I'm taking pictures of their little boy! Oh my, how time flies! I'm so glad I was able to do this session for them. Thank you Joe, Jennie, and little Joey, for a great shoot! I can't wait to do it again with the newest Cirafici boy!









Monday, June 29, 2009

Inspiration: James Nachtwey

Foundations of Photography I
Hadassah Bullis
Doug McGoldrick
May 12, 2009

Wrong Place, Right Time : A War Photographer’s Life

He is a self taught photographer who seems to always get the shot. He is a humanitarian and soldier of journalism. He is my choice for great living photographer and his name is James Nachtwey. I chose Nachtwey because, not only does his work continue to capture the attention of millions, it shares truth with those millions. This truth is that which cannot be expressed adequately in words. It is only great photographers who have the ability to share these truths, without fluff, because only a truly great picture can explain itself.

Born in 1948, James Nachtwey was raised in Massachusetts and became not only a great photographer, but a humanitarian as well. He graduated from Dartmouth College in 1970 with a degree in Art History and Political Science. It seemed that at this point in his life he knew he wanted to influence change.

According to his website, JamesNachtwey.com, “Images from the Vietnam War and the American Civil Rights movement had a powerful effect on him and were instrumental in his decision to become a photographer.” He “[taught] himself photography” while working as “an apprentice news film editor and a truck driver.”(Nachtwey)

Starting in 1976, Nachtwey’s start as a photographer was at a paper in New Mexico, but it wasn’t long before Nachtwey decided he had a need to expand his horizons. He then “moved to New York to begin a career as a freelance magazine photographer” in 1980. Nachtwey’s move to New York treated him well. He “immediately began to get work” and noticed that through photography, he could show “peoples’ authentic emotions.” (War Photographer) His goal was to be a war photographer from the start, focusing on conflicts and their effect on civilization. He now continues in the practice of expelling political lies, just as did the photographers in Vietnam, and “attempts to get the audience deeper into reality, to get them to be concerned with something bigger than themselves.” (War Photographer) Reflecting on the start of his career he says, in the 2001 documentary, War Photographer, “When I finally decided what to do with my life, I decided that’s what I’d do. I’d follow in that tradition.”

It was this humble beginning that started Nachtwey’s thriving thirty year (and still thriving) career in photojournalism. He began photographing on contract with TIME in 1984 and shoots for them to this day with a photo agency called “VII,” which he helped found in 2001. In War Photographer, a Christian Frei documentary on Nachtwey, Nachtwey explains that he used the lens to discover the world, as well as himself. “I had to develop a personal vision to express my own feelings,” he said. I believe this is why Nachtwey’s photography is so capturing. Work that is created when an artist is personally affected is the most meaningful, to both the audience and the artist.

Nachtwey has worked on many essays over the years in as many as twenty-five countries around the world, including: “El Salvador, Nicaragua, Guatemala, Lebanon, the West Bank and Gaza, Israel, Indonesia, Thailand, India, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, the Philippines, South Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Rwanda, South Africa, Russia, Bosnia, Chechnya, Kosovo, Romania, Brazil and the United States.”

The hardest assignment Nachtwey has had to recover from was the genocide in Rwanda. He said, “They massacred thousands with very primitive weapons,” and that what he saw “was very difficult to get over.” He admits that, "Every minute I was there, I wanted to flee. I did not want to see this. Would I cut and run, or would I deal with the responsibility of being there with a camera?" (War Photographer) Still, Nachtwey continues to seek out these stories saying that his photography “is a form of communication, as opposed to art, and provides a grim satisfaction,” because “over the years the real sense of purpose has become stronger.”(War Photographer)
Nachtwey’s humanity and his work’s ability to captivate an audience is what had earned him multiple awards such as: “the Common Wealth Award, Martin Luther King Award, Dr. Jean Mayer Global Citizenship Award, Henry Luce Award, Robert Capa Gold Medal (five times), the World Press Photo Award (twice), Magazine Photographer of the Year (seven times), the International Center of Photography Infinity Award (three times), the Leica Award (twice), the Bayeaux Award for War Correspondents (twice), the Alfred Eisenstaedt Award, the Canon Photo essayist Award and the W. Eugene Smith Memorial Grant in Humanistic Photography.”(Nachtwey) He has received “an Honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts from the Massachusetts College of Arts,” and also, “is a fellow of the Royal Photographic Society.”

A statement which I felt was really telling of Nachtwey’s character and personal conviction is this: “Why be photograph war? Is it possible to put an end to a form of human behavior which has existed for through out history by means of photography the proportions of that notion seems ridiculously out of balance; yet, that very idea has motivated me. For me, the strength of photography lies within the ability to evoke human emotion. If war is the attempt to negate humanity then photography can be the opposite of war, and if used well can be a powerful ingredient in the antidote war. In a way, if and individual assumes the risk by placing himself in a war in order to communicate the rest of the world what’s happening he’s negotiating for peace.”(War Photographer)

I noticed while watching the documentary that Nachtwey moves slowly while documenting his subjects, shooting primarily film, he makes every frame count. I also noticed that he doesn’t shy away from getting in the middle of things while still he somehow manages to stay out of the way. His friend, a cameraman for Reuters named Des Wright, said, “When it becomes up close and personal, that’s Jim.”(War Photographer) Wright also told a story of an instance when he and Nachtwey were in Jakarta covering the student uprisings there in 1998. Nachtwey had called to alert him of a story in progress. He followed some men who were murdering an Amborgese man. They were killing for no other reason than race and Nachtwey got on his knees and begged them not to finish the deed. Unfortunately, they wouldn’t pay any mind to him but this only goes to show that Nachtwey is not just trying to get the photo; what he is doing is trying to promote peace with his photos.

While in the field, Nachtwey’s personal work ethic is to become personally involved with his subjects, if he can. He shares in the film that “in a war, the codes of civil behavior are suspended,” feeling as though he should justify his actions. He goes on to say that he keeps “open his heart” to the people he photographs, trying to understand their situation. He stays with them and moves slowly so they know his intentions are not to intrude, but to “give them a voice” by sharing their story with the world.

Nachtwey, again justifying his work, explains “the worst thing is to feel that as a photographer I am benefiting from someone else’s tragedy. This idea haunts me. It’s something I have to reckon with everyday because I know that if I ever allow genuine compassion to be overtaken by personal ambition I will have sold my soul. The only way I can justify my role is to have respect for the other person’s predicament. The extent to which I do that is to the extent that I become accepted by the other, and to that extent I can accept myself.” (War Photographer)

Nachtwey, though this documentary, was able to clarify questions which have been swirling in my head for quite some time. I was never sure if conflict photographers had heart. I thought there would have to be a few who are compassionate and who struggle with epitomizing their subjects’ pain by making a career out of their misfortune. I have learned through my research on Nachtwey that there is humanity associated with photojournalism.

I am not sure if I could ever take pictures like Nachtwey; and, I am not sure I could control my emotions as he does. I am sure, though, that I would like to be able to inspire change, in one form or another.

"I have been a witness, and these pictures are
my testimony. The events I have recorded should
not be forgotten and must not be repeated."
-James Nachtwey-

Thursday, June 25, 2009

Flip Mino Camcorder

"found my new fav way to waste time...."
Flip Mino Camcorder with Personalized Design - Available only at www.theflip.com. Check out this unique Flip Mino design. The Flip Mino camcorder combines remarkable video quality in a pocket-sized package. Now personalizable - create your


** The wasting time I previously mentioned was referring to designing Flip camcorders. This is actually a camcorder I helped my sister to design. The design, "Hope," has been posted and is available for purchase. For every twenty Flip MinoHD recorders Flip sells, one will be donated to charity.

Monday, June 15, 2009

Going forward

Thursday, I watched (and documented) my oldest niece graduate junior high.

Friday, I shot the second annual "Unity in the Community" softball game for the Wood Dale Baseball Association.

Saturday, I edited, shopped and babysat.

Yesterday, I launched an H|Photography fan site on Facebook. I will be adding to is as often as I can. The Java based uploader on Facebook isn't very friendly with me, but I make it work when I can.

Today, I woke up earlier than normal to babysit and for some odd reason I was in a really good, take charge, productive mood(which never happens at 8:30am). I decided that I needed to get some things done. I started out checking Facebook, as usual, and got excited to see that I was gaining fans on my "page", ok, yeah, I admit, I got a little hyper about it(I love 'likes' and comments on my pics). Then I was vacuuming(love the dyson) and making beef stew that would cook all day. (Mmm, yeah, mom made me a "Susie Homemaker" type.) But to be honest, I didn't want to make dinner, or clean. I wanted to continue editing. I wanted to crank out another album or two for my fan page. I can't remember being more motivated to get editing done and I SO am. So anyway, continuing with my day... I decided that I need to set up a website, with the help of Ben(my brother the IT man of the house), and figure out pricing for the sale of photos, as well as services. Technically, this would become the foundation for my business and I'm getting really excited about it.

I've realized that this is my time to move forward. To pursue everything possible and gain experience. I am looking for an assisting job and hoping for some shadowing opportunities next month, or so. I am also lining up a few clients for later in the summer! As I said, moving forward and SO excited!!

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Rewind: School's Out.

I've been out of school now for almost 4 weeks. Every day has been a different experience and every tomorrow is basically unplanned. This is what Summer should be right? Relaxation. Rejuvenation. Spontaneity. Boredom.

Yep, you read right, boredom. It is mixed into a healthy portion of aimless web surfing and sleep. But yeah, needless to say, I have plenty of time to think and waste time. I've been wondering today: maybe if I really go all out on the laziness, it'll just go away when it's time to go back to school. I wonder if it'll be the solution to procrastination. Probably not, but hey, it was worth the thought.

Anyway, I've been doing a lot of Facebooking. Some picture editing(I'm determined to catch up, tho it's likely impossible with over 10,000 pics). Oh, that reminds me. I never filled you in on school.

Well, ok, so school was great. I didn't really have as hard of a time with it as I had thought I would. All of my teachers were pretty cool, or at least reasonable. My favorite class ended up being Darkroom I, go figure. My teacher, Mary Rachel Fanning, had to be the most personable and relatable teachers of the semester. of course, while both she and Doug McGoldrick, my Foundations of Photo I teacher, were really fun teachers, there was just an air about Mary Rachel's class that I couldn't get over and I know I made at least one life long friendship in that class.

Moving along, English and French were my "push Hadassah's buttons" classes. Good teachers, but they were classes I really stressed about and dreaded, but ended up really liking in the end.

New Millennium Studies. Now that was a class about life, I guess. It was hard, somewhat pointless at times, and frustrating, but one thing I really liked about it was it's ability to really get me thinking about my ethics in the scope of my career.

As the last week of school approached, I did all I could to be prepared. Other than my photo final, James Nachtwey paper, and my final New Millennium studies presentation, I was pretty much set. Somehow, I pulled off those last few things and I was immediately off to Nashville to celebrate Diamond's graduation.


Wow, long post, but I think you're caught up now.

Here's another shoot from Nashville. I call it- Freedom: Diamond Tucker.
Testing testing 1,2,3... Just verified my blog for mobile posting. Yay! Now maybe i'll actually blog. We'll see. Anyway, just a test, more to come.

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Congratulations, Diamond - Freedom Vertigo

Man, it's been a while and a half! Instead of filling you all in on what's been up, just yet, I'll just give you a taste of the last event I documented


and a link to more : http://public.fotki.com/hadassahintisar/spring-and-summer-09/diamondsgraduation/

I'll have to come back later and explain why I've been MIA. I kinda wish Facebook could update my blog, but oh well.

P.S. I'm out of school on summer holiday!! Yay!

Thursday, March 26, 2009

Trio Together Again!!

I first met Diamond when I was 15. She was 14. We met under very unfortunate circumstances, being that she had come up with her father and mother for my mother's memorial service. Our parents had been friends for like 15yrs so naturally they'd come up from Tulsa to be with us for that.

I was totally caught off guard having a black family in my house, not that I have ANY issues with black people, don't get me wrong. It wasn't even her parents that I was thrown by, just her, this black girl who was my age and I was expected to be friends with her. I just wasn't used to it. I hadn't had any black friends before, so I was really puzzled. I didn't know how to handle it. I know now that skin color shouldn't play a part in the friend making process, I knew then too but, likely BECAUSE of this friendship, I've grown more used to diversity.

Anyway, I wasn't sure if we'd have anything in common, so like any teenaged girl I called in back-up. I called my friend Chrissy and was like, "I need you to come over and help me, our parents are leaving us here alone together, this is really awkward," or something to that effect... (my goodness! was I a baby..)

Chrissy came over and we all went into my room and talked, somehow we started talking about Everwood(a tv show that was on the CW when it was the WB) and that was it! We automatically clicked after that and got along perfectly. Someone mentioned, very likely Diamond, herself, that we should dress similarly and do our make up and have a photoshoot. Thus we began our annual/semi-annual photoshoot tradition.

Diamond became one of my Closest friends and we've pulled each other through a LOT of crap. About twice a year since then, she comes to visit me, we meet up with Chrissy, we HAVE to do at least one photoshoot of some sort.

This is the product* of one of our photoshoots this year:



Lesson of the day: Don't judge on the outward appearance, but on the heart.

** Fotki seems to be having issues with pixelation on their wigets - If the pics above are not clear, please visit FOTKI.COM to view our shoot.

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Spring Break

This week I'm home for most of the week. So I decided it would be a good time to post lots of pics.

I'll post here, mostly, I think, but probably wont include many words. I have already posted on facebook. Feel free to add me.

But yeah, I'm just kinda chillin. Don't want to do too much, but there are things I need to do(ie. clean my room, scan in my prints, edit, some homework..) so really it's just a slow paced week.

I will be going to Galena tomorrow, tho. I'm excited about that. Hoping to use a few rolls of film and tons of space on my CF. Anyway, that's my update, so far.

Saturday, March 7, 2009

True to form..

I've not been blogging very often, so I have a lot to fill y'all in on.

Firstly, I turned 20!! Feb 21st :)
My family is pretty darn amazing. They threw me a surprise party. They invited people I had not seen in years and people who I'd never had expected to see.. My best friend from like grade school to junior high, Krista, was there. People I made my first actually memorable trip to China with, as well as those who came on my most recent trip. Hope's work friends. Archie. Not to mention, ALL of my siblings (Holy Crap) - all that AND they broadcast it to Morocco for my boyfriend, Yassine, it was pretty sweet. I don't know if those of you who were there read my blog, but if so, thank you so very much(!) for coming. It was pretty much the most special birthday I've had so far.



The party was photography themed, of course, being that it was my Gradbirthuation(?) If you didn't get that, it was my birthday and high school graduation combined. So my pictures were printed and hanging everywhere. They were even atop my cupcakes.
As I mentioned, Archie, who is one of my photo inspirations, was there, which was pretty cool and totally unexpected. He actually provided these pics - no one else took any that I know of - if you have some you'd like to share, feel free to email me @ lambofgod777@gmail.com.



As my dad proceeded to give me every camera he has ever owned, I noticed a trend. I was getting very impatient to open the final gift, the NIKON D700!! Heck yeah! and let me tell you, this is one awesome camera. I've been carrying it everywhere and have taken over 400 pics so far. I will totally be taking more, but I still have to use the N2020 for school. They are definitely fighting for my undivided attention, and as yet, the D700 is winning which is not helping for school.. I'm bad, I know..

Other than pushing myself to take film shots, school is going really well.. I have yet to scan the latest prints. I will soon, tho.

Well, there's the Update for now.. Hope you all are doing well!

Ps. If you haven't seen me on your blog lately, I'm just really busy. I'll get to them soon, and probably comment lots all at once ;)

All provided Photos were taken by Archie FlorCruz.

Saturday, February 14, 2009

Valentine's Day

Means a lot of things to me.

But this year, I'm focusing on the happiness it brings and the memories it brings. Memories of love, in Morocco, esp.

So, Happy Valentine's Day, everyone!


Share it with your loved ones, and love them lots. Love them over the top. Enough that there's leftovers until next year.

Above all, feel loved. So many people love you. You may not realize it, but it's true. There are even people you may not know personally who love you. Just soak it all in, roll around in it, enjoy it, you deserve it!

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Developing and Printing

All I can say is YAY! I've developed on my own, now 3 rolls!

I was kind of intimidated at first, but I've overcome all that..
And tonight, hehe, test strips, contact sheets and mmmm, my favorite, prints! :)

I now know why Sebastian and Otto have their love for film - seeing your photo appear while agitating, now that is a feeling all photographers should feel.
I'm still a little intimidated by printing, but I know I'll get better with practice.


Anyway, another two weeks down!

Oh, btw, I have a sweet hook up at Calumet Photo.. Steve Martin, y'all! A really nice guy I know from work who got me a sweet deal on Ilford fiber based paper. Steve, you rock!

Alrighty, peeps, I need to sleep - today was loooong - I just wanted to update.

I'll be back later this weekend with my print. :D

Thursday, January 29, 2009

"I Survived My First Week Of College"

Is there bumper sticker that says that???? I guess it would have to be more significant than just a week tho, right? Oooh, maybe there's one that says "My Professors Don't Hate Me...Yet"

Anyway, I did survive the week. BUT the real test will be surviving the weekend with the homework I've seemed to pile up in the last two days.. I told my dad about my 98pg reading assignment due on Tuesday and he goes "Welcome to College!" THANKS!(in the most sarcastic tone possible) My goodness! and that's only ONE of Two assignments for that class, and only 1 of my 5 classes... I have at least one assignment in each of the others. Can we say, "Hadassah is not used to this"? Altogether now, "Hadassah is NOT used to this." What a far cry from assigning myself projects and not having deadlines. BUT I will get through it, I'm determined, I just need to find myself a good assignment planner. I have no idea where tho. Any suggestions?

I also have mastered the bus routes between Hope's place and the campus, ok, maybe not mastered, but I've not gotten lost even once!! (I'm proud of myself!) Ooh, and I made two friends already! :) Needless to say, I've gotten a lot more out of this week than I expected!

On my way to Hope's tonight - on Cullerton between State and Wabash, under the "L" - I think this is beautiful.



Oh, PS. My Photo 1 teachers seem to be really cool. I figured out winding reels in like three tries, got my supply list and have my first assignment: shoot a roll of tri-x by next week. I have to buy a supply of that stuff because I'll be shooting about 2 rolls a week. I'll also need to stock up on paper. I'm excited tho! We develop next week!! :)

Monday, January 26, 2009

Class!

So, hope your weekend has been relaxing! Thank you all for your comments!

Guess what - My first week of classes starts tomorrow!!! AH! :)

I'm excited and kind of nervous, but everyone keeps telling me I'll be fine. I know I will.

So my class schedule is kinda cool - somehow I got it worked out really well.

Monday I have English and French

Tuesday - New Millennium Studies and Foundations of Photography

Wednesday - English, French and Darkroom I

Thursday - New Millennium Studies

Friday - No classes, but I work all day!

Crazy! :) But, at the moment, I'm thinking it's really good. I can't wait to see how it pans out!

Thursday, January 22, 2009

Chill

Ok, I'm a lot more relaxed now... I so needed to vent in that last post, but I'm cool now and I've decided to get over it.

The blog world has gotten so huge it really is too much to expect a response from everyone.

That said, I've decided that I'll start posting on Am3 more often as opposed to here. I feel like I have more to offer with images lately than inspiration to write. It's also easier to manage comments and responses there. So, please, when you get the chance, visit me over at http://www.hadassahintisar.aminus3.com

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Pet Peeve: Non Responses

No, I'm not trying to call anyone out. I know we're all very busy people, but I have noticed that this is becoming a trend with the blog world, lately. I myself have even started getting into the habit of not responding to blog comments. I think a lot of us just get so many comments it's hard to reply to all of them, but how do we counter it?

There are a few blogs I've commented on where I don't even feel welcome. The photographers have a ton of clients and a huge fan base, but I think they only send out a thank you once a year, if that. And on top of it, It's not even remotely personalized so you don't even know if they read your individual comment...

Am I the only person who feels like this?

God Help me if I ever fall prey to this habit in full! and if I haven't responded to your comments here, or at least said hello on your blog in return, please forgive me. I must have just forgotten for a moment how rude it is...
I know that when I get a "thank you" email I'm pretty happy, and usually it makes me want to comment more on their pages. Even if they consistent, I still feel a lot better than not getting acknowledged at all.

Another thing I've fallen habit to is not commenting at all... I think that's the worst fault of all, but sometimes I wonder if the author really wants to know what I think..

Insecurity, is that my problem? or maybe it's laziness. Or, is it that I don't feel it's appreciated.

Whatever it is, please, forgive me - I'm going to try to get better at this(blogging and commenting). With school starting next week I can't promise consistency, BUT I can promise that I'll respond better to comments :)

Thank you for all your continuous support and for listening to me vent - ;)


*Hugs*
Hadassah

Saturday, January 10, 2009

Portfolio update

So, thank you for all the comments on that last cry for help. I've been working on it, but I found out that my portfolio isn't needed Monday.
Sometime this semester it will be reviewed, but not now.
I've decided that it was nice to get a kick in the butt, thinking I needed it. I'll continue to work on it, of course, but I'll just take a little more time.

With the help of Sebastian, Yassine, and Hope I think I've gotten pretty far in choosing about 29 pics. I'd planned on 10 but I think with more time it's ok to have a few more pics. I do need to find a place to print them. I'm still not sure what sizes I should use, tho. Hope keeps saying I should do different sizes and mount them at different heights and in corners of mats. I'm not sure if that will become distracting tho. Laurie gave me suggestions on the type of portfolio book/case to get. I guess maybe I should just head over to Blick or something look at what they have.

Of course, suggestions on any/all of this stuff would be lovely (esp from my Chicago readers! :))! Where do y'all shop?

It snowed a lot last night, at least 8inches. I went out this morning and took some pictures with my little sisters and my nephews. I'm hoping that I'll be able to use at least one in my portfolio. I haven't brought them up yet tho, so we'll have to see.

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Portfolio, HELP!

As I sit here reading a plethora of webpages explaining portfolios and reviewing professional photography, my thought's can't help but turn to my favorite reviewers. My everyday portfolio, my laid back, online, approach to photography presentation seems so simple and inadequate when compared to even the mental image of what it "should be". Tangible. Matted? in a case, or book? 8x10, really? Is this the only way to show my work?

I find myself thinking, why didn't you take a highschool course, Hadassah? Why did you have to despise that highschool so much?

I'm sure it would have helped, some darkroom experience, light metering how-to, an idea of what a portfolio would look like... But no.

I know I'll learn all this in college, and there are probably people who know as little or less than I do, I'm just not enjoying that feeling of not knowing what I'm doing.

Ok, enough feeling sorry for myself (yes, I wrote the above yesterday, and I was being a bit moody).. Time to take charge and attempt to fix it! Therefore, My project this week is: put together a portfolio of 10 shots for orientation on Monday(Jan12th). So I'm going to ask of you, my lovely blog followers, to please give me an idea of what you interpret a portfolio as (preferably be from a photographer's perspective)? Most of you I know and respect, highly, so I'd really appreciate if you'd drop me a comment here or an email.

I wanna know what you do to make your portfolios successful. I know a few things from listening to a Columbia podcast and reading yesterday, like: it can be narrative, the photos should be organized, face to face and back to back; but what else should I know?