I'm in love with a lens

So, in case anyone was wondering, all the photos I post here are ones that I've taken. Photography and film are huge parts of my life and I like incorporating them into my writing. Lately I've been experimenting with different lighting situations and have discovered a lot of great new ways to light my scenes and subjects!

Earlier this year I was lucky enough to get my hands on the new Canon 60D, and I've been obsessed with it ever since. I previously owned a Rebel (which, don't get me wrong, is a great camera) but upgraded to the 60D because of its video recording capabilities. For a film student whose hobby is photography, the 60D is a dream come true.

I opted out of the kit lens and purchased a 50mm f/1.4 USM Canon lens instead. It is incredible! Its capability in low-light situations still amazes me every time I use it. This past year I went to SXSW in Austin, Texas and took some shots around 6th street at 2 am. I was able to take all my photos on the manual setting without using any flash. And the shots came out fantastic!

These folks seemed to think I was taking photos for a magazine or newspaper. I explained I was just there with some friends but more than happy to take a group photo!

So basically, I'm in love with a lens. That's not weird, right? I haven't exactly decided what lens I'm going to buy next but I may do a post about different lenses and their capabilities in the future. It's a good rule of thumb to do your research before dropping that kind of cash on anything. The 50mm f/1.4 is about $400; it may seem steep but is a really good value considering the image quality and build. I've been able to push it in a lot of directions in terms of lighting set-ups. It's also small and lightweight, so perfect for traveling. It's definitely not a lens you would regret purchasing.

I'll be posting more photos and examples soon!

Happy trolling :)

On the precipice of my formative years

I AM OFFICIALLY 22!!

It feels so weird just saying that...I think it's going to take me a while before I can correctly answer people when they ask about my age. Does that ever happen to you? It's always those few days after your birthday when people ask how old you are, and you respond with the age you've been saying for a year. But, then you remember that you've just added a year and it feels extremely strange the first time you say it. Well, it happens to me almost every year.

This year in particular seems odd because it feels like twenty-two is the first real "adult" year.  Twenty-one feels more like a year-long party; twenty is the first year you're no longer  a teenager, although you're still letting go of those adolescent quirks; and everything before that is just dramatic, illogical nonsense. 

So, here I am. I'm finally at that stage where it seems like everything I do has bigger consequences. On that precipice of my formative years, looking out - just kidding...let's not actually go there. 

The point is that I finally feel like I'm getting older. Perhaps not all that much wiser, but at least older. For the first time I feel like I have somewhat of a handle on my future; things are seemingly falling into place, my ideas have platforms, my plans have a means. Although I must admit, as exciting as it is to think about everything that's ahead, it's a little daunting at the same time.

I guess we'll just have to wait and see where I end up. But in the mean time, check out this video still from an upcoming video!

And as always, happy trolling! :D

Moo Gobble Day

It's already Thanksgiving again?!


Seems like just last month I was having this exact same meal with my family. Well, except last year we actually did have turkey, and not rib-eye, like this year. But no worries! Turkey is overrated, anyway.


So this year it's business as usual. No big family affair, no spending time in airports; just simple, but equally awesome dinner with my parents. And also as usual, the anticipation for my birthday is killing me. 2 MORE DAYS!!


Like I mentioned before, I didn't make any plans this year. Fortunately, I have amazing friends and they have planned.......drum roll........a surprise party! But sshh, don't tell them I know. I may have accidentally overheard a thing or two the other day due to our building's lack of sufficiently soundproof walls. It hasn't ruined the festivities, though! They told me not to get my hopes up, but now I'm even more excited than before. Honestly, the fact that anybody would go out of their way to plan something for me and take more than a few days doing it, completely blows my mind. I feel extremely lucky to have such wonderful people in my life.


And that brings me to today. It being the day of giving thanks and all, makes me think about all the people I'm thankful for. I have been fortunate enough this year to have a lot of really awesome people come into my life, like my roommate (who is awesome by the way,) and my amazing boyfriend. I guess if there were ever a time for me to say I felt blessed and content, now would be it. 


So here's to turkey day! Or beef, if that's what you're eating...


Hope you're also having a great Thanksgiving! Oh, and in honor of me not watching Thanksgiving Day football, here's a photo of a soccer ball.


Happy eating! :D

B-B-Birthday Month

IT'S NOVEMBERRRR and I'm excited because that means my birthday is coming up! At the end of this week actually, and I have no idea what I'm going to do...

Every year I always have a plan laid out for my birthday before the first week of November even rolls around, but this year, I've drawn a complete blank. Maybe it's the fact that I'm turning 22? Seems like I waited forever to turn 21, and now that I've passed that milestone, everything else is just...bleh.

It's not that I no longer get excited; I mean it still is my favorite day of the year! But the idea of a gigantic party or super fancy dinner doesn't entice me like it used to. Honestly, as long as the people closest to me are there, it's all that really matters. And I realize that sounds a little sappy but it's the truth.

So hopefully it's just a good day. There's not really much else to say today so I shall leave you with this ridiculously cute picture of my dog. 

Happy trolling! XD

Little Plastic Purple Rings

Oh, Sunday, you seem like such a great day for reflection. 


I don't know if it's that you feel like the end of a weekend or the beginning of a week, but you always get me in a contemplative mode. And today, I'm thinking about the plastic purple ring on my finger.


It's nothing special, really; just a small ring that cost me about two dollars. But yesterday, I started thinking about the different symbols rings can have, and then I started thinking about marriage, and commitments, and promises... and relationships in general.


They're hard. Really hard. They can be out-of-this-world insane in good and horrible ways.


Now I'm not a relationship expert by any means; my expertise honestly comes mostly from experience and advice taken from friends. But if I can say one thing about them, it's that they hardly ever end up how you expect.


Which can be a good thing. Sometimes, the person you least expect to make you happy is the one that gives you the most bliss; like when the frog the princess kisses turns out to be her prince charming. But other times, the person that you least expect to let you down is the one that lets you down the most. And that always really sucks.


But you get over it, and move on. That's the other thing about relationships; there's usually lots of them. Lots of boyfriends or girlfriends, lots of flings, lots of dates, lots of being ridiculously happy and lots of being sorely disappointed. But the latter shouldn't discourage you from trying for the former. Because, (and as cliche as this sounds, it's true) you can't get the rainbow, without first putting up with the rain.


I wish it were easier. I bet we all wish it were easier. But the truth is, we're all going to be let down in life; most likely many, many times. There will break-ups, heartbreak, lots of tissues, lots of ice-cream, possibly lots of wine... but it passes. In time, most things pass. 


Just like kidney stones.


Anyway, my point is that we should always be looking up, even if things seem really, really down. Life has a weird way of working things out ;) What you definitely should not do, is let someone disrespect you, or let someone be the reason you're drinking wine at three o'clock in the afternoon when it's only Tuesday.


So I shall leave my reflecting here, but only until next Sunday when I give you financial advice. 


Just kidding. Happy trolling :)