Camera girl

A girl, her camera and the world that comes inbetween

[kn0792]

1. Set for Halfling Rouge. 2. Set for Wood Elf Druid - Circle of the Moon. 3. Set for Water Genasi Cleric - Domain of the Tempest. 4. DM's set. They're so pretty. I love all my dice. . . . . . #dnd5e #dungeonsanddragons #dicecollection #dice #colorpalette #colors #design #rpg #tabletopgames #collection https://www.instagram.com/p/Bpu75m8AOOr/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=fkz1njawwjj2

[kn0792]

Trying to organize a color palette for a halfling rouge. Any ideas? . . . #dungeonsanddragons #dicehoard #dicecollection #dnd5e #color #ideas #rpg https://www.instagram.com/p/Bpu2TgxAhUD/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1myn0z2omb089

[kn0792]

For my current #d&d campaign, I asked my dear friend @kiana_hurdle to commision a portrait of my character. I am happy to introduce Nenya Darkwaters, Woodelf Circle of the Druid. Kiana did such an amazing job capturing who Nenya is! Thank you! . . . #dnd5e #d&d #characterportraits #dungeonsanddragons5e #rpg #characterdesign #digitalart

[kn0792]

Decided to get a little poetic with this one. . . . #moodygram #agameoftones #artofvisuals #moodygrams #vsco #vscocam #wanderlust #mood #moody #moodyports #poetry #writersofinstagram #quotes #poetsofinstagram #writing #writer #filmphotography #film #35mm #filmisnotdead #analogphotography #analog #35mmfilm #filmcamera #believeinfilm

[kn0792]

I make it a point to write down all the characters I've created and played at least once. Mael, Nenya and Sora are the standouts so far. Some good ideas, some bad, and all are memorable. . . . #dnd #dungeonsanddragons #dnd5e #characters #rpg #gaming #fantasy #letsplay

[kn0792]

Memories are made and they remain with you, no matter how much time has passed. . . . #fatalframes #agameoftones #moodygrams #artofvisuals #createcommune #justgoshoot #visualsoflife #theimaged #exploretocreate #createexplore #gramslayers #vscocam #vsco #streetphotography #exploreeverything #wanderlust #chasinglight #filmphotography #filmisnotdead #35mm #film #analog #ishootfilm #analogphotography #filmfeed #believeinfilm #35mmfilm #shootfilm #thefilmcommunity #staybrokeshootfilm

[kn0792]

This was my morning. How was yours? . . . #vsco #vscocam #toronto #streetphotography #sunrise #moodygrams #fatalframes #justgoshoot #photography #photooftheday #instagood #agameoftones #wanderlust #instamood

[kn0792]

My mommy finds the coolest things. . . . #vsco #vscocam #lights #rainbow #lightandshadow #photooftheday #photooftheday #instagood #love #beautiful #cute

[axyb]

[aceofwonders]

“It took a look from, Pike.” (Episode 54)

[greyskullkeep]

[thegmsighs]

when you get weird magic items

[sketchingsparrow]

“She is me, but better…” ✨

[kn0792]

My first attempt at double exposure work with a Diana Camera. #filmphotography #doubleexposure

[kn0792]

BLURRED MEMORIES: VISUAL COMMUNICATION REFLECTION

KATIE NICHOLSON

The other day, I was transferring photos to a friend’s hard drive. I was going through the photos and saw that there were some blurry photos. Curious I asked why he wouldn't just delete them. He explained it to me that he couldn’t bring himself to do it. He explained that deleting those photos would be like deleting a memory of that experience. Even though the photo wasn’t good, deleting that particular photo would overall delete the memory of the experience.

This struck me in a particular way. Barely considering myself an amateur photographer, I can understand this struggle. Most of the memory taken up on my computer is filled with unused photos that I dread to delete. The art of photography is the art of capturing a singular moment - whether it was planned or spontaneous. I try and capture as many clear and focused shots as possible, yet there will be times when a photo is unclear. It is frustrating that an attempt at the moment failed and is unusable. With that being said, much as my friend describes, I cannot bear to delete the photo. It is the idea of the attempt at the moment is worthy enough of its existence. There is still a presence, an energy about the attempt of the photo that I cannot bear to delete.

This idea can be further developed through the academic discipline of psychology. With this, there is a desire to capture photos and create a connection not only with those around us, but to understand the world and create meaning through visuals. As a photographer, this interpretation can develop further to include all photos - whether focused or blurred. I feel that one of the individuals that can relate to this would be Susan Sontag. From the article, “ In Plato’s Cave”,  she makes reference to this idea. She states that: “The picture may distort; but there is always a presumption that something exists, or did exist, which is like what’s in the picture” (Sontag 5). Being primarily a sports photographer, there are infinite moments that I can capture. There are moments which I can anticipate and can capture the moment, whether it be a goal or a well executed play. At the same time, there are moments which I try to capture, and yet it comes out unfocused. What Sontag would say is that the photo captured the moment - and even though the photo is not clear, the moment did and does exist. This is why it makes it difficult to delete some of these photos. There was an anticipation to capture the moment - whether a beautiful landscape or impressive sports play. I would feel that if I deleted that photo - then the memory and experience would be deleted along with it. I would feel that the experience did not exist and therefore cannot move forward without feeling that I would lose that feeling forever. 

From lecture, this personal connection that is created with the act of photography can be further developed with the theories of Roland Barthes and his views on semiotics. In class, one of Barthes theories states that meaning is created “that which the viewer finds” (Coman Lecture #3). This is arguably the basis of semiotics, as symbols and meanings are intertwined. In photography, much like in any other the other art forms, meaning can be created by the individual. The blurred photo can mean a failure to work the camera to most, but to the individual who took the photo, it is the moment and the experience that is more important. As Barthes mentions in his work “Camera Lucida”: he states that: “The Photograph does not call up the past... The effect it produces upon me is not to restore, what has been abolished (by time, by distance) but to attest that what I see has indeed existed.” (Barthes 35).  I can relate to this as a photographer. There are moments which I am taking multiple photos at a time and cannot fully process the actual event around me. What Barthes would see is that the photo - whether blurred or in focus - will assist in determining whether the event did happen. In this case, this psychologically makes it more difficult to part with any photo as it is a reminder of the time. It is a reminder that though I may not remember right away, any photo is a tool to help heighten my memory to recall the experience. 

This idea can be developed with the use of social media. Sites and applications like Instagram, host and present numerous types of photos that range in quality. The idea of Instagram is a social community where images can be shared in the moment. The quality of photo may not be entirely prominent in this case, as the individual may be more focused on establishing their presence. As Sontag would relate with the idea that taking a photo - of any quality - may be like taking a souvenir of the experience (Sontag 9). The one photo they post proves that they were at a certain location, at a certain time, with certain individuals. This brings us back to the main values that humans are social creatures. With technology, not only can we share our experiences with those around us at the present moment, but now there is an online community that we can expand our social experiences with. 

I raise the question of beauty and aesthetics. It is a general conception to have clear, focused photos when presenting to a public audience. The one question I raise is: though the photos they may not be aesthetically beautiful, can they still be viable to show to audiences? I feel that the answer would be: if they can make you feel something, then the answer would be yes. I feel that any photo, like art, can make a single individual feel something. I feel that there more desire for photos to be clear, as photos are a more true reflection of reality. With that in mind, it would be interesting to develop the notion of imperfection through photography. The truth is that life is imperfect. As much as photos try and replicate perfection, it is extremely difficult. I feel that is why as a photographer I have difficulty to let go of the imperfect photos. Even though I didn’t succeed with capturing the moment, I still am connected to the moment through the virtue of my imperfection. 

Works Referenced

Barthes, Roland. "Camera Lucida." New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux. 1981. Print. Found on: http://interactive.usc.edu/membersmedia/akratky/W4_Camera_Lucida.pdf Accessed: April 6th, 2015 Web. 

Coman, Sherry. “Photography: interpreting the ‘signs’ of the static image” Humber College. Humber Lakeshore Campus, Etobicoke, ON. January 27th, 2015. Lecture. April 6th, 2015.  https://attachment.fbsbx.com/file_download.php?id=343044722552637&eid=AStuI1z_-8PZFOTNLb82f2TXQ-gZnjxCdNdIg_eA26d-e641ZIcNwVEhReBZ4Yk-frU&inline=1&ext=1428372531&hash=ASvtg6pf7Hrplxun

Sontag, Susan.On Photography. New York City: Macmillan, 1977. PDF. Found On: https://attachment.fbsbx.com/file_download.php?id=1557587817822509&eid=ASttjoHym3SkuLs1pLLh_4PoY5YP31dgePYHOg3HPM47G0juvFqGL4TCA5PV7bGiBCc&inline=1&ext=1428369393&hash=ASsDV-LYgI_qbNz2 Accessed: April 6th, 2015. 

[kn0792]