ask an alien bee to flash you

So, lately I've been looking into getting my own light set. It's getting harder and harder to reserve the lights when I need them at school, and I'm not sure getting so used to extremely expensive equipment is all that healthy, as in the future, I'll never afford to work with such a luxury, let alone know if it's really the best thing out there to use: Profoto. I started investigating Paul Buff's, i believe that's his name, line of White Lighting and looking at some of their accessories brought me back to AlienBees. I don't even need the highest powered unit, and they're the most inexpensive i've seen outside using the actual flash setups. And get this, they do a student discount, but it includes part time as well as full time students. On top of that, you don't even have to be a photo or even an art major! They make a ring flash. The units are even cheaper than buying ttl flashes! So I think it's time to spread the word on alien bees ... and how they pretty much deserve to take over the planet :) Plus, they come in fun colors ... even the neon green I so dearly love in a color palate :)

A new drama ...

Okay, I have a new japanese drama to add to my list of find (aka: get my hands on) and watch: Ryokiteki na Kanojo ... Literal translation: "That Bizarre Girl"

It's a drama adaptation of my one of my favorite Korean films: Yeopgijeogin geunyeo (My Sassy Girl, 2001)

I guess Hollywood tried to adapt the story in 2008 ... it's no wonder I never heard about it ... it failed miserably when they lost the true essence of the story's characters which made the original Korean movie absolute cinematic perfection. It's not the first time Hollywood just hasn't understood the essence of a foreign film and failed attempting the re-make! They did it to a favorite German film "Mostly Martha".

Here's a couple Links:
Imdb Link for Korean Movie
Wikipedia Link for Original Korean Movie - much better description/ synopsis
DramaWiki Link for Japanese Drama

Family life

In an age where media seems to have taken over civilization, I've been thinking about the turn that society as a whole has taken. When I say it's taken over civilization, I mean society's spirit, inner core; ideas, ways of thinking; morals, values. The direction it's going is certainly not good.

In the way I mean media, ever since people could watch things move on a little box in their own home set to sound, humankind has been addicted to the stories they hear and see on television. When I look at the kind of shows on tv nowadays, most of it makes me want to gag! I can think of my favorite television show growing up that was contrary to today's common norm. About the time that it was cancelled would be described by many as the fall of decent family television ... a time where morals and values were expressed with drama, mystique, interesting characters that you couldn't wait to get to know better with the next week's episode. Shows that conveyed the strengths as well as weaknesses of the human condition, teaching morals without rating high on the hokey meter.

The show was Dr Quinn, Medicine Woman. It was a show that families sat down every Saturday night to watch together. It was a time set aside, to stop living in a thousand directions, to drop what you were doing and just spend an hour together without distraction watching an actual decent show and learn a little something ... whether it was a moral teaching or even the historical context that was incredibly accurate. During the commercials, you'd talk about what happened that day, things you were excited about that was going on in your life. When it was over, you'd be excited about what would happen next week, even amazed or surprised by something that happened that night.

I've been watching some old episodes, and it brought back fond memories. I remember it having the same effect as a nascar race in our house, something rare ... when it was on, the channel was not to be changed. It was how we spent our Saturday nights ... Dr Quinn, followed by Walker, Texas Ranger. Occasionally, mom would try to put me to bed after Dr Quinn, but I'd usually find some way to stay up and watch Walker with my parents :)

a little bit of humor :)

So this was my last project for advanced lighting ... was due last thursday.
Must say, these were a lot more work to set up and far more intricate than they look :)
Just lugged around a 3-head profoto 2400 watt kit, an extremely heavy battery pack, light boxes, a stand-kit, tripod, pocket wizard, and used gels over a 20 degree grid spot to match the color balance

1am

So, it was pointed out to me oh so obviously by a certain bobby character that I have yet to update this blog in the recent past, so here goes.

At 1amthis morning, I did something I really can't afford, but was completely worth it. bought the Black Rebel Motorcycle Club Live deluxe edition ... It may sound lame and not exciting to the casual random observer, but if one understood the utter magnitude importance and sheer glee of this purchase for me, it would be less lame. I really hope that the Columbus, OH ... i believe 2006, or maybe it was 2005 performance of Gospel Song is included ... that would turn my glee into ... what's better than glee? hee hee ... rhyme, there.

Also, I must mentally note these: If I have any money in the forseeable future, these must be added to my library ... some to replace their paper counterparts.
book one
book two
book three

school blues

I'm tired of school crap!!!!!

I'm tired of teachers who grade unfairly.
I'm tired of pickiness where it really doesn't matter!
I'm tired of spending so much in-depth time studying tools and effects that I don't intend on using in my professional life ... perhaps for fun ... but you don't need a class to play with tools and discover for yourself the little things.
I'm tired of having the option of photographing using film, but not enough time in a project to execute.

memories, mine and others'

This past Saturday was my 5th alumni day for All-Ohio Youth Choir. I can't believe that It's been five years since I lived at the fair and sang all those songs every day. I have to admit, I've been a little sentimental since, so I pulled up some youtube videos of a few songs and clips from the fair choir experience. Couldn't find any clips from my years ... portable electronic devices were a little less around back then ... let alone video phones...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O3jvw0D63mk&feature=related
how to describe the aosfyc experience - CRS

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iDTizZRPgfw&feature=related
Celeste Center concert, 2009. The 2009 All-Ohio State Fair Youth Choir sings, "Let Mortal Tongues Awake", by Garry A. Cornell.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Pkw3woyOJM&feature=related
The 2009 choir singing "The Star-Spangled Banner"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ksPp9eaHVk
2009 choir on channel 4, WCMH 8/3/09

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3bePAsKAJos
2007 Cardinal Chorale - "Lord, Listen to Your Children"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V5pINE1el_s&feature=related
2009 Choir in the Statehouse rotunda

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IlQ6neCQmTw
2008 choir

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nox68YKqvLM&feature=PlayList&p=912E8CE158638144&index=0&playnext=1
2007 choir

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-bDK_yu3DDA&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81u5_u19Inc&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NS56bT6actA&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ekO81ghuv6g&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-QGrWaxfBs&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wxQQcuvzdw&feature=related

And a series from the 1976 choir:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9F5a2Vn9OmE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=veQeEsSpvh8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sgdf9zaCPCc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mPoP5Q2m2NA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tTihXW0FGnA