Greenhouse Torture

Today I've really been itching to take photos outside of the home. Winter always leaves me feeling pent up and desperate for the sunshine. Since it's still pretty chilly to be outside for long periods of time I opted for the BYUI greenhouse. Going into it I was so excited to take photos of plants and hopefully get some new portraits of the kids. When we first walked into the greenhouse a bird squawked and Weston was forever worried about the bird attacking him, and Evie followed his lead. I had to promise there would be no tigers in this greenhouse(I'm guessing the setting was giving Wes some Jungle Book fears) for the kids to even step inside. I was only able to get the few photos I did because I told them I would give them suckers once we got to the car. I support bribery. Next time I hope we are all more emotionally prepared for a greenhouse visit.

Seek Learning

“Our Creator expects His children everywhere to gain an education as a personal endeavor. He issued this commandment: “Seek ye diligently and teach one another words of wisdom; yea, seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom; seek learning, even by study and also by faith” (D&C 88:118; emphasis added). When you leave this frail existence, your material possessions will remain here, but the Lord has declared that the knowledge you acquire here will rise with you in the resurrection (seeD&C 130:18–19). In light of this celestial perspective, if you impulsively drop out or otherwise cut short your education, you would not only disregard a divine decree but also abbreviate your own eternal potential.”

- Elder Nelson 

(photos taken at the BYU-Idaho geology museum)

Mother Teresa

During the commencement speech at my graduation the speaker quoted the commencement Mother Teresa gave in 1982 at Harvard. Today I found the whole speech and it is wonderful. As in, it will make you want to be a better person kind of wonderful. Mother Teresa is an amazing woman. 

You can read the speech here.

(It's worth your time)

Rexburg Animal Shelter, Part two

Here are more photos from my Rexburg Animal Shelter documentary project.

You can see more photos from the first post here.

I've been learning a lot about animal photography through this project. Whenever I looked at professional photography of animals, before this project, it didn't cross my mind that they were most likely using trained dogs as their models. They made taking a portrait of an animal look so easy. I'm here to say it is not easy. Especially in film. Most dogs move A LOT. When you come down to their level they run towards you. Even though it gets frustrating sometimes, I'm still loving this project.

I have three more weeks of shooting time and after that, two weeks to make it into a book.

Bring it on.

 

Rexburg Animal Shelter

For my Photo III class I am doing a documentary photography project where I take photos of the Rexburg Animal Shelter. I've really been enjoying this project. It gives me more reason to work with film and spend time with dogs. These photos are from my first two visits. 

Grandma Meik

For my Van Dyck Brown print I chose to do a photo I took of my Grandma's living room.

This assignment turned into a pretty emotional experience. Working with this photo made me remember her house, full of art and beautiful things. This room is where my extended family would all gather to have the white elephant gift exchange every Christmas. This room is where the Easter Bunny left my basket to wake up to. This is the room I was told many times not to run in. I don't think the furniture in this room was ever rearranged in my lifetime. Grandma's house was such a comfort in my life. Things were always where they needed to be. Important bills under her placemat, Big Red gum in her purse and walls covered with art.

I love the power photographs have. 

It's refreshing and exhausting when a photograph provokes so much emotion.

To some this photo may seem ordinary, but it means a lot to me.

I miss my Grandma and I think about her often.

I'm so grateful for the home she made for her family to enjoy.

One of those really good days

Today has been one of those REALLY good days.

I had a good time making a salted print in historical processes.

Chris made a yummy dinner.

I bought an antler from the D.I.
(I think we should put in on a mantel, Chris thinks it should go in his man cave. One thing.... We don't have a mantel or man cave.)

I also bought a cool pan and set of two beautiful ceramic bowls!

D.I. is the best. I wasn't kidding when I said it was a good day..

On top of it all, our plant collection grew by two today.

I love days like today.

Historical Photographic Processes

This semester I am taking a historical photographic processes class. 

IT. IS. SO. COOL.

These are the scans of my first assignment. The first is a toned cyanotype, the second is a normal cyanotype, and the third is another toned cyanotype. To make these prints we coat a paper with some chemicals, place our negative on top and expose it to light, then we put the paper into a series of more chemicals and wallah! You have a cool print! 

This class has been opening my mind to unique ways of creating prints, and I am loving it. Going through all the steps really makes me appreciate the final outcome much more.