he came in with the spring breeze

The past few weeks have been very busy. Changes have been made like the coming seasons, for better or worse change helps us to adapt and grow.

I finnished reading a Micheal Leunig book (if you haven't read "The Curly Pyjama Letters" I'd highly recommend it!) and I kept smiling at how much the final letter summons up my emotions at this current time.

I've fallen for my best friend.

That sounds so cliché but it's the truth, and during spring none the less.
We've spent a few afternoons walking around the suburbs discovering new tangled lush terrain, playgrounds and graffiti sketched walls. I'm not entirely satisfied with the portraits taken of Jarryd in his car....I really need a wide lens (if you're curious though my favourite is the first one. He glances over at me with such adoration and sincerity in his eyes it makes me melt).

Jarryd took me on a brief tour of the ANU campus. I've always wanted to go walking through the structure and meet some of the photography/art students.
There was this lovely caffee courtyard with weeping vines for shade. It looks like such a nice peaceful area, I really want to go back and have lunch there next time.

 

spring showers bring many flowers

Spring has been quite warm and breezy during the past coming days and the rain clouds have finally given way. Where there was once blue, now lies a blanket of swollen gray. The rain gently taps against brick footpaths, slipping into and soaking the earth, leaving behind delicious puddles of muddy slosh.

The air has now become quite humid but I'm greatful for this weather. We need this rain even if it is only a small drizzle.

Green foliage surrounds the campus grounds, sitting quiet and contempt, holding onto the droplets before letting them spill lazily over the side.

There probably won't be many photos taken from today (I don't want to risk soaking my camera) but I'll see how adventurous I feel as the day persists.

I hope you're all well and that the weather is treating you nicely, wherever you may be.



PS: It's also great weather for hot chocolate!

sorry I've been so quiet

It's now that time of year where assessments are due and exams are to be taken. I've had to swap the beautiful warm glow of the sun for the cold harshness of tungsten lights. I feel so encaged working in a studio. Don't get me wrong, studying a higher education photography course is what I've been dreaming of since I was 16. Leaving high school to practice what I actually enjoyed and meeting other people who felt the same thrill holding a camera as I did was the hope I clung onto.

I would have swapped college for my current course in a heart beat. If it hadn't been a requirement to present my year 12 certificate at the interview, I'm not sure if I would of wanted to complete college at all (I'm glad that I did though).

Before I started attending I had no idea where I wanted to take my work, or just the general next step.
Meeting the teachers and sitting through numerous guest speakers inspired me to be all that I can be. There was now a network of people I could turn to. Their passions left me ecstatic and eager to explore different artistic avenues.

Now a days my camera bag instinctively hangs by my side. Fingers loosely wrapped around the shoulder strap, so natural now like a child holding onto its mother's hand. I can't imagen leaving the house without my camera. I very seldom do.
Life became an open canvas and my lens the gate way to my mind, my thoughts, my way of interpreting what I saw and what I wanted others to see.

I don't speak much but I'd like to think my photographs do the talking for me. That with each click of the shutter a part of myself, my personality is reflected in the eyes of the strangers of whose photos I choose to take. The melted conversion of colours seeping from my reality onto the cameras sensor.

Unfortunately I haven't spent much time taking pictures on my own discretion lately, but I suppose that's the reality of the industry. There will always come a time when in order to make money you're going to have to follow under the direction of someone else.

However, it still doesn't change the deprivation I feel having not taken an image using natural lighting for a while. I miss my love and nature.

I don't know how I'm going to get through next year if I do manage to pass.

missing Queanbeyan

I visited Braidwood during last week and it made me miss Queanbeyan. I really enjoy the cozy simplicity of small towns. Everyone seems to be in close connection and the majority of people living there were really friendly and down to earth. My teacher often encourages our class to approach strangers on the street and take their photograph (I must admit being a bit shy myself I still find it a challege) so it makes for good practise going into an area where the people don't mind having their photograph taken and are eager to chat.

It's funny because with my fashion photographs a lot of the people I work with, our first meeting is usually on the day of the shoot. But I suppose the situation is different in the sence that we've spoken previously via emails and all share the same goal in that we want to create a visually appealing image that reflects well on all of our talents.
With strangers on the street you have to gain their trust on the spot. I guess the trick is to sympathise with the person your approaching. Not a lot of people enjoy having their photo taken, let alone by someone they've never met, so I've began to learn not to take it to heart when someone says "no thanks".

I am lucky that I get to meet a lot of strange and wonderful people on a daily basis. Weird people are the best kind of people!

emma

 

I loved taking her photograph. She was just so natural and photogenic, and to think she'd never done a proper photoshoot before! The camera loves her and she is just so honest in her movement

The most exciting part of the day though was when we almost locked ourselves out of her house (don't worry, I managed to slip through a backgate and open the kitchen door). She climbed on to the roof trying to get to the back of the house until I told her I'd already unlocked the door. It was a lot of fun, really exciting and gave us something to laugh about later on.

secret hideaway, cigarettes, persian kittens & gravestones

 

I cought a bus from Canberra to Queanbeyan to spend the afternoon with my good friend Caitlin. Filled with both excitment and nerves, this being my first trip via bus to the outskirts of Canberra alone, Cailtin guided me every step of the way through phone calls and messages telling me which bus root to catch and where to get off at.

I finally arrived in the rusted streets and awaited to be reunited with my friend again. We embraced and soon the air was filled with chatter about what we'd each been up to during lost time.

Since the last I saw her she's gotten three tattoos and is living happily with her partner.

She gave me a tour of the area beginning with a trip to one of her favourite hideaways. A peacful little lake tucked away beneath fallen trees and lush green hills. We sat for a while listening to music and admiring the view. Further up the hills was a train bridge that had been singed underneath from a small fire. I was admiring someones graffiti work when Caitlin drew my attention to a family of rabbits darting across the dirt on the otherside of the bridge from us.

We also visited a graveyard. I've never walked through one before but I'm so glad we went during the daytime. There were stones dating back as late as the 1830's.

We walked alongside the road to home, admiring the historical beauty of the architecture that made up the suburbs. They have so many pets, my favourite being their larger tanned dog whose the biggest softie. She kept smiling and coming over for a hug. There is also a persian cat who'd recently given birth to two kittens. They're still quite small, eyelids sealed shut, but are already so strong and active, climbing over their mother and burying themselves in fur to get some milk.

I had a really great day and can't wait to see my friend again soon.