Frustration

365.17 Frustration, originally uploaded by headcase.

I getting so frustrated with myself lately. I have barely given photography and lighting (more so lighting) the time or attention it deserves. I feel like at the rate I’m going, I’m never going to “get it”. I’m also totally frustrated with the poor-man’s setup I’ve got going. Sheets and tablecloths will only get me so far, and there are precious few places for me to take a picture that doesn’t reveal the barely contained toy chaos that seems to sprout in every room in the house.

Not to mention how much I’m disliking my portraits lately. I have such a serious expression in most of them because I think I look like a total goober when I smile. That and the camera is unforgiving. Some of my photos reveal the subtle signs of aging that I never noticed. The gray hairs, the crow’s feet starting to appear. It’s giving my photoshop chops a workout. Usually I fart around trying to fix a few things and then usually scrap that and go with the original, even though I’m not entirely pleased with the dark circles (which I can’t seem to fix with makeup OR photoshop). Seriously, I think I’m going to be doing a few DIY projects in the next week or so, just so I have an easier time working with the single strobe I own. I want to put some foam-core on one side for fill, however I have no where to put it and nothing to hold it. It’s cramping my already limited options.

I’m starting a list of possible photo ideas (not just self-portrait either).  Some may pan out, some may not, but I won’t know until I try.  I need to start exploring outside of my comfort zone.  Any tips or advice anyone can share as to how I can do that?

Self-Portrait for Friday

365.16, originally uploaded by headcase.

I’m getting seriously frustrated with my lack of gear. I’m starting to think I need at least one more strobe and a few stands to hold reflectors, etc. Maybe a trip to the pvc aisle in Home Depot is in order soon.

Strobist: One strobe camera right near the ceiling, 1/2 power through a “softbox” (my macro studio cube).

I hate that the background is wrinkled.

Hello world!

I’m Amy and I’m an amateur photographer.

Taking pictures caught my interest early on. I would get as creative as possible with my first camera, a Kodak Instamatic that actually used flashbulbs. The technical side of photography however, caught my interest fairly recently. I use a Canon EOS Digital Rebel XT SLR, usually with the kit lens, but I also have a 75-300 mm telephoto lens that I use on occasion. In the past year or so I’ve been trying to learn more about the technical aspects of photography, eventually getting to the point where shooting in manual mode is more rewarding than the old “point-and-click” method.

I recently discovered Strobist, and with money yet unspent from my birthday in February, I bought myself some gear. My hope is that my photos will reach the next level. I’m ready to make photography a serious hobby, and my greatest delight in life is learning (and mastering) new things.

Hopefully you enjoy some of the images that I share with you. Most are “safe” as far as subject matter and poses, but I’m looking to push the envelope and see how creative I can become.

The photos on this blog are my favorites, if you would like to see more, my photostream can be viewed on Flickr, username ‘headcase“.