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WANNA BE TRENDY? Here are five hot creative concepts that’ll suit your photography.

Hello everyone and welcome to my second blog post! If you’re reading for the first time, then you’re in the right place! Today I will be elaborating on five trendy concepts that are popping in the photography world.

From my experience, the most trendy thing is to constantly be original. Everybody wants their own ideas and everyone wants to stick out. But sometimes following certain popular concepts can be beneficial for your work! I’ve honestly suffered from constantly wanting to be original myself. At times I’ve stressed so hard to ignore trends that my work has later suffered. Don’t be the old me, and be a kick-ass artist like you already are honey. HERE ARE FIVE TRENDY CONCEPTS FOR YOUR OWN PHOTOGRAPHY.

1. THRIFT SHOPPING (THRIFTING)

One popping trend for the “millennials” is to go thrift shopping.  Honestly, I absolutely don’t see one single bad thing about this trend! I personally have a shopping addiction, and thrifting is a gift from the heart for someone else. Or, it’s a place where people drop their old junk for newer future junk! Anyways, thrifting for your photo shoots is what the mighty Paris Hilton would say “that’s hot.” You can always find hot trendy style at any thrift shop but it depends on how dedicated you are yourself. I usually go through every single shirt until one catches my eye. These diamonds in the ruff of clothes can set you apart from other photographers. Pro tip, make sure your clothes suit well with your certain poses and scenes. If not, your photography could look off-putting.

2. CHEAP PROPS

This isn’t just a trend, it’s a practice for the starving artist for raw imagery SUCCESS. Most of all successful photographers use props to either tell a story or for visual aesthetic reasonings. I totally recommend my readers to take advantage of the Dollar Tree. It’s a lovely store because everything is a DOLLAR, legit a dollar! You could buy streamers, glitter, prop toys, bubbles, string lights, and any cutout design cloths! These spectacular cloths could give you a texture if you place it over the camera's lens. After you get the cloth, your job is to find that certain originality in your work. With all of that, It’ll make your photography rawly aesthetic. The beautiful thing about dollar tree is that it’s EVERYWHERE in the United States. If you’re not around a God-given dollar tree, please take some time out of your busy schedule and find the nearest cheapest store. Trust me you won’t regret it and your work will thank you too.

3. ANIMALS

I can’t legitimately stress enough about how adorable animals are. I love animals, you love animals, WE ALL LOVE ANIMALS!  I’ve noticed, especially recently that artists are using animals as a gateway for their creativity. I have no regulation why animals are so trendy in the industry. Possibly because of how boujee an individual can look. Imagine this, a girl in the forest with a parakeet on her topless shoulder. Isn’t that just beautifully powerful without even relying on a filter? I would 1000% say yes! Everyone should at least try once collaborating an animal with their models. You never know what raw images you can produce.

Vogue.com

4. NATURAL SUNLIGHT

Don’t get me wrong, I love shooting in a studio with planned out lighting. But the raw texture of natural lighting can be visually breathtaking. This is why shooting in this particular lighting is becoming more trendy once again! The sun creates intriguing shadows over models that other lighting structures cannot develop so effortlessly. If you plan it far enough ahead of time, you can find mouth dropping locations. It’s just mind-blowing how simple lighting and a natural location can tell the story of a picture so amazingly. I would highly recommend capturing the sun at its two golden hours. When the sun is rising or setting, you can get this wonderful combination of orange, yellow, red, pink, or blue over you model and scene! You just gotta take that extra step to get your ass out of bed and capture that moment forever.

5. SHOOTING WITH FILM

Lastly, shooting with a film camera can be trendy and raw at the same time! I personally love shooting with film because of how colorfully expressive the pictures can be. This reoccurring trend makes so much sense because shooting with film is a completely another perspective from DSLR’S. You don’t get the option to take 18,000 pictures of the same subject. With film, you only get a select few tries before you run out! DON’T FORGET film can be sooooooo expensive and you have to pay to get it developed. Sometimes the wait can be a few days but isn’t the waiting the most fun part? Haha It’s definitely a field I would highly recommend a photographer branch into. I personally feel photographers should indulge more in films not for just the trend, but for the overall respect for the cameras roots. We wouldn’t be here today without film. Side note, if you don’t have the extra cash for a film camera. You should download the app called “HUJI!” The app is stylized as a film camera. It is a form of filter sadly but it’s a free digital option!

Stay tuned for next time! I hope everybody enjoyed this blog post because your work will thank you for it. I hope you enjoyed looking at my original raw photos, so please share and like! :)

Have a rawtastic day,

Cj

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Is fashion photography actually art?

 This had been one big controversy throughout our photography history. A lot of people still consider it to be “cognoscenti.”

This new exciting exhibit is presented at the Getty Museum. Walls to walls are filled with exciting, beautiful, black-and-white, and high in concept fashion photography. These photographers created absolutely fine art expo style worthy work.

At the end of the day, fashion photography should have a real place in the art world. The people that are part of the pop-culture phenomenon need to judge these more as you would with paintings and sculptures. Photography is already a part of the art world, but why isn’t fashion photography? I truly feel that the Getty museum is that push we need for the acceptance of this art.

Vogue.com

Vogue.com

Vogue.com

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Students bring the Bronx to light

These students are introducing the Bronx as a completely different perspective through analog photography. The stereotype of the Bronx being dangerous is still present to this current day. The students of the International Center of the Photography (I.C.P) are here to show the everyday beauty of the Bronx. This small community in the Huntspoint section of the Bronx is where the action is taking place.

A community of 6,000 residents live in this area and about 2,000 have devoted themselves to this program. This program has been present for about two decades, and it’s been nothing but success! Throughout their photos, you’re able to see the decrease of drugs, violence, and devastation. The community has overcome a lot of shit throughout their lives. The focus on photography is one indicator of the decreasing amount of violence in the Bronx. :)

Here are a few photos that students have captured through their everyday lives in the Bronx.

Nytimes.com

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Why I choose to shoot more outside than in a studio.

Hello once again and welcome back to the Rawmeimg blog! Today we’re going to talk about the preference of shooting outside rather than the studio. Honestly, from my previous studio experiences I’ve never found it gratifying enough. The organic concept of using natural sunlight and your natural surroundings is freely amazing. When I say free, I mean FREE! Nature is free and studios can cost, simple as that.

Continuing, I’m the type of person that enjoys a challenge especially during my photoshoot process. Working against light can be one of the trickiest concepts of outdoor photography honestly. Light can also be the greatest aspect of your picture. Capturing that golden light of the sunset can be breathtaking.

Also, when you add a material object into a nature scene it can create a pleasing aesthetic! For example, I’m currently planning a photoshoot that involves a bathtub in the woods. I can visually see it in my head and it’s honestly going to look dopeeee. Also, don’t me wrong I do feel you can succeed in this concept in a studio as well. The photographer needs a good production design eye or hires someone to fulfill this creative aspect.

Here’s a photoshoot I’ve done recently with a good friend of mine! We shot at a graveyard and it turned out swell! P.S. no dead people were harmed in the making on these photos. Yes, they’re all are raw pictures. :)

Have a rawtastic day,

Cj

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The hip new phenomenon called drone photography is real.

It is finally here! 

 Recently, drone photography of the year just published the winning results. After beating out 4,400 submissions from over 101 countries. The selected winner is Ledoux, who is a French photographer. His winning photo depicts a polar bear jumping over an ice cap. This picture overall is magnificently beautiful with the essence of nature intertwined.

Nationalgeographic.com

Ledoux dream ever since 10 years old was to see a polar bear. After traveling 3,700 miles, he finally encountered not one but fourteen polar bears! He witnessed them chilling but also enjoying a meal of a seal. After a couple of hours, he equipped his drone and set it out for a picture. This is when he captured his lovely photo that won the awards.

Here are a few more submissions that I found gratifying!

Nationalgeographic.com

Worldphoto.com

Nationalgeographic.com

Nationalgeographic.com

Thetelegraph.com

Nationalgeographic.com

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Do you edit your raw image? Part 2

WARNING! If you haven’t taken the time to eat yet, then maybe you should!

I was going through my older photos lately and I saw pictures from the time I was a food photographer! I thought it would be a lovely idea to share my experience with you guys!

Going back to my second year of college in the windy city of San Francisco. The artsy college I attend is called the Academy of Art University. The first year into my cafe job (Sodexo) I received the intel from my boss that we were hiring for a food photographer. I jumped the gun and immediately applied for the position. Sadly, I didn’t get the job. :( So I just continued living on with my life and studies until the following semester. I received intel once again they were hiring for the same position. Of course, I applied once again and got the position immediately!

Continuing, the job overall was a great experience. I played a lot with my macro lens attachments that you just simply apply onto your camera. I’ll attach a link towards the bottom for you guys! Going back, I expanded my focal point in macro on other parts of the food! It was completely fun to play with the background of the images. There was a lot of visual depth in my opinion! Overall, this photography gig really taught me alottt about myself! I was in complete total control for the whole creative vision. My days would consist of running to all three cafes to take pictures. Remember San Francisco is nothing but HILLS! After that, I would search through them all and place my favs into my “worthy enough” folder. Then post them onto their online page with some witty captions for the viewers. It was great at the time, but the company had some financial cuts. You know what happens next, I got cut. :(

Looking back, I wouldn’t trade the experience I received for anything! Sodexo taught me to expand my creativity and how to master product shoots.

Please take a minute and look over some of my food shots! It’ll make you hungry I promise, yes these are the raw photos!

Have a rawtastic day,

Cj

Attachment wide macro lens:

https://www.amazon.com/0-43x-Altura-Photo-Professional-Portion/dp/B0047YRKK8/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1531672594&sr=8-3&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=altura+lens&dpPl=1&dpID=51uRvKnEcRL&ref=plSrch

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Do you edit your raw images?

First off, welcome to my photography blog that’ll be showcasing all raw images with no edits whats so EVER. My name is Cj Farmer and I’m your tour guide through raw photography and my experiences. So please charge your batteries and get your pointer finger ready because it’s going to be an adventure!

Peoples first reactions are to always place a certain type of filter or photoshop over their images. In my case though, I don’t prefer to “filterize” my work or life. I’m the type of person that loves to see the nitty-grittiness of an actual organic photo. I love to see people‘s flaws because it’s who they actually are. My generation and the ones after are always so quick to cover up everything. I’m relating towards people’s images and lifestyles. The only difference is, you can’t photoshop in real life. (Other than makeup) In my raw images, you’re going to see the true beauty of not just models but ordinary people.

This ball of sunshine is named Julie W. and she has absolutely no modeling experience what so ever. I have done several photoshoots with this beautiful creature and she’s nothing but AMAZING! I’ve known Julie for about 7 years now, and she's overcome a lot of shit. I’m proud to see how she’s developing into a young adult since high school. I know she’s dealt with bullying and self-image problems throughout her short lifespan so far. I’m just glad to witness her peeling off those onion layers and coming out a shiny ball of fire in the sky. :)

Our photoshoot trip was interesting because I actually had no idea where we were going! I went on a hike prior before this photoshoot and saw this gorgeous ruins of an older building on the trail. I told myself “OMG I would love to shoot here!” After a sweaty cool day, I texted Julie and planned a day to go hiking and take photos. Fast forwarding a week later, Julie, Autumn (My assistant), and I took on a hiking photo adventure! We walked, and walked but couldn’t find the silly ruins! So we decided to improv and shoot the photos on the trail! Let me tell you, the photos turned out to be ASTONISHING for three people getting lost. I shot on my Canon T5 on a 55 mm lens and played with natural sunlight around me. We eventually ended up finding the ruins but that’s for a future blog post. ;)

These are a few raw images from the shoot, let me know what you think!

Have a rawtastic day,

Cj

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My cute photography story

Hello guys and welcome back to my new blog post! Today, I feel like it’s necessary to tell you guys about my personal story of how I found my passion for photography. I have included little pieces of my story in my prior blog posts before. I just feel today is the day for you guys to know the real me.

First off, this all started in my first year of college at the Academy of Art University. I’m majoring in film production and I have shot several films! When I started off in the school, I actually never owned a DSLR or even touched one.

I remember during my first semester the school they provided the freshman a shit camera recorder. When I say shit, I mean the cameras megapixels IS SHIT! It was sad because I could visually see my work not blooming as how I wanted it to be. I told to myself “if I don’t get a camera, my work will suffer from it.” So, during my second semester I took my refund money from my financial aid and bought a Canon T5. it would put me in more debt than I already was in, but I knew it would pay off in the long run. So I continued my filmmaking and created some wonderful pieces of film art. Fast forwarding, the semester ended and it was time for me to go back home for summer break. The first month back I never touched my camera because I didn’t feel the need for it. One day I was just sitting my room and came across some photography on my social media. I thought myself “wow these are beautiful shots.” BOOM! Something inside me just clicked. Before I knew it, I picked up my camera and started taking pictures of landscape. I don’t know why, but I just started shooting on manual settings right off. Probably because automatic wasn’t visually capturing what my eyes envisioned.

Don’t get me wrong, I love landscape photography but it wasn’t satisfying enough personally. So I just started photographing all of my close friends. At first my angles were rough on the models but I kept working on it. I spent the rest of the whole summer mastering the skills of portrait photography on manual. By the end, I felt very confident with a DSLR camera especially with my trusted Canon. Before I knew it, I moved back to San Francisco and began to take more pictures of models. Soon after that, I got a job as the food photographer for the AAU cafes.

To this day, I’m still passionate about film and passionate about taking wonderful pictures of models. My art has bloomed into more than what I imagined. I wouldn’t of found this passion without my reliable camera. Thank you Canon for helping me find my passion, and the future outlook of my career.

Have a rawtastic day,

Cj

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