The Shoeless

o today ends my month hiatus. Why might I be on a hiatus, I do not know but it HAS ended. On a reality note, I have been consumed by Webassigns (if you do not know what they are, be happy) and Photos. Not in the sense of taking new photos but working as the Photo editor to manage the photos taken.
But onto the reason why I have this blog, these photos are going to range from 4th of July up until this water slide that was at my school yesterday. There is also an update picture from my previous post from the Train tracks.
I’ll start with the update. So, last time I showed off my HDR image of the train tracks.

HDR of train tracks

I went back and redid the HDR and tone mapping, to see if I could get it better watching this interesting post from Matt Kloskowski from NAPP. I also took the time to actually do some important photoshop editiing.

I fee there is at least a more pleasing difference between the too.
I’ll continue on with my editing endeavors. I was making a background for a photo of mine, and realized the background that made was awesome but didn’t work with the photo. So I did some searching and found a photo that would work. And then there was happiness.

At the end of June I found out that this camp on my campus was dropping 50 lbs of silly putty from the top of our 11 story library. Can we say Happy Day. I grabbed my camera and was out there. As it turns out. When that much weight, when it reaches it’s terminal velocity, it’s elasticity can not stand up to the force and it explodes!

Silly Putty expoding!

For the 4th of July, my friend and I ended up getting some fireworks and lit them in the back of her apartment complex. Taking pictures of each other and the fireworks all the while. The appending 4 of photos from our joyful explosions.

Fireworks sparker

Fireworks from bigger container, the finale of our fun.

Michele through the Fireworks.

More Fireworks exploding

Michele looking at her camera.

Just last week I was asked to take a picture of the Women’s rugby team, and after standing in the hot in pants for an hour I was able to go home with this.

Girl breaks away from being tagged at Rugby Practice

Last but not least, on Wednesday the University Activities Board summer programs division got a waterslide to have in a field outside of where the paper is produced. So my friend and I set up a remote flash (because it was at 9 at night) to try and get pictures of people enjoying their slide down. This one guy was able to pop himself up on his feet once he hit the flat part and so the picture of him is right before he hit the back barrier which was right where I was sitting.

Boy standing up while going down a water slide.

So the cool part from this event was the owner of the float got up with me and asked if I would shoot pictures for him.  This Tuesday I’ll be shooting pictures for his website. Once they are posted I will link it on here.

I’m hoping to try and not wait a month from my next post, but I can’t make any real promises.

I want to first say, I officially have a new website! Kutsuphoto is up and working. It has my gallery of images and soon to be my design portfolio as well. My friend Ian decided to design/code it. Check it out, tell me what ya think.

So, I feel a little sad because I wish I was updating more regularly but I guess since it’s the summer, I get tied up doing other things – not photography. On a brighter side, I ended going on a MUCH needed photo adventure with 2 of my friends, we basically ended up just trying around Raleigh. We went over to the train tracks off Boylan, by where the infamous “youliveandyouburn” artist put an angry face on the water tower.Sadly enough Raleigh police arrested the NCSU student this past week and is charging him for Larceny. He wasn’t as secret as Banksy I guess. I Just don’t understand how people can be prosecuted sometimes for such fabulous. (*Thinks back to Medival times*)-Yeah..uh..nevermind, we haven’t changed.
Anyways, point of this post..
So we went to the train tracks,
Downtown Raleigh
And a lake over off of Penny Road.

Apart from that, I would also like to say that it really sucks to be a photographer really entering into the “world of photography” right now. I’m not exactly entering, but I’m still trying to make how versatile my gear collection grow. So I use a D300, and over course Nikon upped all of their price on lenses this year. DARN YOU RECESSION. I’m kind of hoping when I go to Japan, I might be able to find some cheaper gear *crosses fingers*. I know some people who are thinking about updating their camera bodies soon, i.e. my fellow photographer Jonathan; or people who are thinking about starting to buy a camera, i.e. my friend Sam. I just wish things would get better sooner than later.

Anyways, I’m going to try to be more regular, but until then enjoy the summer.

So last weekend was simply one of the most busiest weekends I’ve had in awhile. It started with portraits of my friend in Pullen park then  a Step Show and First Friday on Friday to a Pillow Fight, Gymnastics Competition, and Grains of Time (N.C. State’s all-male a cappella group) performance. and what wraps us up to today is I scanned black and white film.

Portrait: I was talking to my friend, Susannah, and it was just So nice outside that we decided to go to Pullen Park for me to take portraits of her.  I took pictures down on the grass and by the Train tracks.

Train tracks lead towards Downtown Raleigh

Step Show: The National Pan-Hellenic Council Step Show was Friday night, it was a competition for Fraternities and Sororities at State and around North Carolina. The winning Fraternity was Alpha Phi Alpha and they won $1000. (Not going to lie, was a little jealous). The picture is linked to an audio sideshow that I made for the Technician.

Alpha Phi Alpha member doing a step show themed to Dark Knight.

First Friday: So my friend, Michele, and I went to Downtown Raleigh for First Friday. After going to the Fish Market we were walking around. I was trying to find a certain look for a Brick wall with a particular lighting direction. It is to replace the photoshopped brick wall of the Harvey Quinn that was in a few posts ago. Well I was having fun taking pictures of Michele after I took pictures of the wall.

Michele on Wilmington St. in downtown Raleigh.

Pillow Fight: It was World Pillow Fight Day on Saturday, April 4,2009. A group of people got together in Moore Square for their own pillow fight. It was advertised on such places as Facebook and Couchsurfers.com. I would say about a good 60 people came out, ranging from 5 year olds to maybe late 40s. During the fight,  a girl dressed as Spiderman came out and started joining the brawl.  I didn’t get her name so I couldn’t use it for the Tech, but it definitely helps you get a feel for the atmosphere.

Spiderman(women) getting hit and about to hit people at Moore Square.

Gymnastics:  The NCAA Regional Tournament was held in Reynolds Coliseum. Our girls didn’t do too great, mainly because of the balance beam. We placed 6th; however, junior, Taylor Seaman, did well enough to go onto Nationals in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Taylor Seaman during her floor routine.

Grains of Time: It was the 40th anniversary for the existence of Grains of Time. They had a special concert to commemorate them. During the show my sister’s friend, Jessica, was called up on stage to be sung to.

Jessica being sung to by Grains of Time

Film Scanning: So ask I’ve said in previous post I’ve started to scan film. Last time I was doing my color roll. This time I started scanning my black and white film. I would have most of the first roll scanned but the program crashed on me before I got to save them. But here is one of my favorites that did get scanned. I don’t remember which film this was, sorry.

Christin sitting at the computer.

So as one can see, very busy. But quite pleased with what I’ve accomplished. This week is also special because I have finally gotten a twitter account. Name is Kutsuphoto , much surprise there I’m sure. Also, look to some interesting photo shoot coming up. I have been making plans with a few people and I’m Quite! exited.