Adventures of "The Legographer"

(c) Andrew Whyte

I can't remember how I got to this article, but I'm so glad that I found it!

This is a very clever way to keep yourself engaged with the world around you, and keep pushing yourself to see things from a different perspective with simple tools -- all important for a photographer to keep their skills sharp.

I love that this was a 365 project of a UK-based photographer, Andrew Whyte, who used his iPhone for the whole series.  He seems to have only used apps for lighting, which would let him separate focus from exposure, which makes sense. The effects are amazing.

I think it's funny that during that year, he never left home without out his pocket-sized companion, Legographer.

Andrew's work on this miniseries here: The Legographer.

Next time I take on a 365, I want to do something similar... not necessarily a Legographer, but something that will shift my perspective on the world... and keep me rethinking, re-engaging the normal everyday things.

Article: 5 Lies Your Camera Likes to Tell

I learned about these lies the hard way... There were many pictures I took in Morocco last year that I was not happy with because, quite honestly, I was still learning my brother's camera!

It is great to remember this any time you pick up a camera.... An instructor once told me, "remember that you are the one with a thinking brain and a feeling heart, don't let you camera tell you it knows better than you....trust yourself."

This is a great reminder of just that!

http://www.borrowlenses.com/blog/2013/09/5-lies-your-camera-likes-to-tell/

Day 361 - Drag'un!

The title is an homage to a children's program from many, many years ago. The title character had a specific way of saying dragon... and after all these years, I still say it that way!

So, this is a metal figure I happened upon that was part of a display by a water drilling company's facility. There were a bunch of dinosaurs in the display.  I really liked that dragon looked like it was attacking the sign, so that is why I'm posting this image!

Day 357 - Pinocchio...?

So, I didn't have the time to go out and shot a new picture today, so I figured I would edit one I took a few weeks ago.  Not sure which would have taken longer...  After staring at this picture for 10 minutes, I then tried various filters to edit it to tell the story I wanted it to tell.  Still not sure I got it.  This figure reminded me of Pinocchio, and I wanted it make the background fairytale/drawing like, and make the figure look as though he was stepping out of the drawing as a "real boy".  Not loving the edit.  Will have to try again, when I actually have some time.

Day 297 - Knox Presbyterian Church

Back to my love for buildings in the night.  I quickly snapped this photo as I was headed home from a workshop.  I noticed the Knox Presbyterian Church on my way to the workshop, and had hoped that there would be time during a break to take some pictures, not only of this building, but others in the area.  Unfortunately, the breaks were not long enough for me to escape. As I walked past the church, I admired it for a bit, and then took this quick snap.

Day 282 - Friend, activist, writer, and consultant

So, I'm not feeling well today, so I thought I would post one of the pictures I took last night at a friend's book launch.  She had asked me to take pictures of her event, and if you have been following me, you know I have a serious lack of functional camera options.  My sister was able to borrow a friend's camera, so, I was was excited to take pictures for my friend.  But, as luck would have it, we got stuck in traffic, and ended up arriving quite late, and I was only able to take a couple of shots.  This was my favourite....

So, let me introduce my friend.  This is Farheen Khan.  She is an unbelievably strong woman who stands up for what she believes in and is not afraid to speak her mind.  She is working to empower women, and end violence against women.  She has experienced more in her years than some have experienced in a lifetime. Not all her experiences have been positive, but she uses them to empower others and allow them to share their experiences and stories.  You can read about Farheen's story in the two books she authored chronicling her journey to find happiness.  

Congrats on the second book Farheen!  I know you will continue to do amazing things in life!

Day 281 - "Hazy" Happy Heart

I've been wanting to try a technique I saw online with a plastic bag around the lens to create a hazy light leak effect.  I didn't have anyone to be my model, so I had to find something else to photograph. I found these heart paintings on the fence at the local school. This didn't again work the way I wanted, so, I'll have to try again... and maybe with a human subject and with a plastic bag as opposed to coloured cellophane.

Day 225 - Tactile art

I saw this piece of art a doctor's office.  I was so compelled to touch it to feel the various textures, but refrained and took a picture instead.

Day 129 - The King is everywhere!

I have never been to or lived in a place that the monarchy is such a big part of the culture.  Yes, Canada is still part of the Commonwealth, but we only see the picture of the Queen in federal government buildings, or the same.  Here in Morocco, you see a picture of the King everywhere -- EVERYWHERE!  As it was explained to me, there is a strong suggestion that every business display a picture of the King in its establishment to show their loyalty to the monarchy. It was interesting to me that there was no official photo to post, any photo is fine.  Every time I walked into an establishment, I would check to see if I could find the picture of the King. 

I took this picture, at a gas station rest stop (!), to show a friend, since it was something we both did when we walked into any place of business together.  I thought this one was clever - if you have to hang a picture of the King in your establishment then why not make it truly part of your decor as a piece of art!

Day 85 - Art with new cell phone

I got a new phone recently, and now I have a decent camera on my phone with which I can take pictures. I just downloaded a photo editing app, and was fooling around with a picture I took on the weekend.  I think I'm going to have fun with my phone and this app.