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anything will do

Thursday, 29 May 2008
It's been a while since I picked up the camera and my hands were really itching today. I just wanted to take photos of something...anything! Looking around the kitchen while I was making a cup of tea, I spotted some garlic. Well why not garlic?





After a couple of shots, I thought hey my macro lens has been lonely for quite some time now. Let's get it out and give it some exercise.

I grabbed the macro and a jar of spice found in the pantry and went about setting up my shot. The jar of whatever spice (somebody tell me what it is please) was placed on a stool in front of a large window. I pulled the thin white curtain across to diffuse the sunlight a little. I kneeled, I squatted, ok this is not comfie so I pulled up a lower chair and placed it in front of the stool. Perfect, I can lean on the stool so I didn't even need a tripod hehe.

Anyway, these ain't earth shattering photos but I just wanted to shoot something ok? =)














p.s. The logo poll ain't helping at all. Everybody likes totally different logos and the most annoying thing is may liked #1 which is my original logo!

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wonderful set , beutiful like you your blog. its glad to have you , and you are shearing as very nice and informational photos . thanks alot , i saw your photos on fliker then i come to meet your blog.
if you like to see my photos
www.fliker.com/photos/basirseerat
or
www.basirseerat.blogspot.com (01 June 2008 22:58)  

need a new logo

Wednesday, 28 May 2008
My current logo doesn't sit right with me and it's been bugging me for a while. A friend said that it's not something I really need to worry about right now since it's not a real business yet. I know he has a point. I don't actually have a photography business with clients lining up at my door but I am who I am and a part of me is occasionally a perfectionist and well this bugs me and I can't move on ok?! =p

So I have designed some new logos. It's not easy you know. I wanted a logo that represent my style of work which I think can be described with words like: modern, bright, vibrant, happy, simple, clean. I don't know if I have achieved that representation with my new designs and although none of these are "the one", we all do need to get on with life and I really need to start working on more important things right now.

This is not final btw, especially the colours. I just wanted to get some new ideas going. As for the flowers, there is a reason behind it I promise. Anyway, if you are reading this, would you please help me out and tell me what you think? All comments, critiques and new ideas welcome =)

p.s. #1 is my current logo

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now you're getting us all involved in your obsessive compulsive nature. but now that i got myself in here, might as well give you my 2 pence. I go for 2, only coz 19-20 is too much (ie. not simple) and your name stands out more.

Good luck. (28 May 2008 22:40)  

I like number 1~ (30 May 2008 03:26)  

Wow~ that's nice work nattnee! Must say I'm quite impressed!

I do like 1, 3 and the one with just the logotype (just text).

If i had to chose i think 3 is my fav. The others are good too but i think some flower motifs may have a 'sanitary-feminine' look about it and whilst the crest logo looks great it may also look kinda 'night-clubby.

Now i'm interested to see what photos u can take! (02 June 2008 21:07)  

27mins at the gym

Monday, 26 May 2008
Oh dear. When was the last time you hit the gym? Mine was probably 2-3 months ago. Today I decided to go and I only managed 27 minutes worth of gym. Three extra minutes and I could've called it half an hour and sound that much better but not today.

While 27 minutes doesn't sound like it was even worth getting into the car and driving to the gym but it's better than doing zero minutes right? It's all about getting into a routine and making it a habit of going to the gym. So I'm marking today the start of my new gym cycle! I know my friends will say "yeah we've heard that before" but hey this just means I don't give up trying =p

Here are some of my health and fitness quirks:
- New regular gym cycles should always start on a Monday.
- An even more auspicious day to start is a Monday that is the first of the month.
- Gymming and healthy food goes hand in hand.
- Vice versa, I eat junk and lots of carbs when not gymming at all.

One of my friends said he lost about 4kgs after shooting two weddings. Personally I think his scale may have been broken but getting to shoot wedding AND lose weight? Sounds like a dream hehehe. Anyway, if I remember, I'll report back after three months. Let's just hope I can keep it up until then.

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a meeting with gordon

Thursday, 22 May 2008
I have a bit of happy news to share...ok two bits to be precised.

Yesterday I had the pleasure of meeting with Gordon Jovic, one of Australian Top 10 Wedding Photographer 2008 (Capture Magazine) at his studio in Rozelle.

As soon as I was invited to sit down, I wasted no time and started pulling out my laptop to show him some of my work. Gordon gave me several kind words about my photos and knowing someone as accomplished as him thinks I have potential really means a lot.

He asked if I love doing photograpy, I said yes I really love it and he said he could tell =)
He also said that he thought I was too young when he first saw me which was quite funny as I was standing at the door before going in thinking about how I was dressed. (Note to self - lose the white puffy jacket and get some grown up clothes!)

I told Eric about this and he cracked up laughing. He said on the training that morning, he was looking at me and thinking how he ended up with such a kiddo =p

After about an hour of chatting with Gordon he mentioned that I can come to the next wedding and shoot the bridal prep with him and that he'd be in touch. I really do hope this happens. I'm really excited about it. Most of all I feel like I am progressing somewhere with my dream.

Now for the second bit...Julie, the beautiful bride from the wedding I assisted in, somehow found my blog and left me a comment saying that she likes the photos. Yey!! =)

I know a lot of people jump right into the wedding photography thing and they get gigs. I wish I was going so slow but oh well progress is progress =)

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Freaky Friday... I was coached by the same dude who coached Gordon ... and I helped coach you in the early days and now it's kinda going round in circles... (05 July 2008 23:34)  

3rd shooter & 1st wedding

Wednesday, 7 May 2008
I finally got to try out a wedding for the first time. Last Saturday, I was being a third shooter for the talented Jenny Sun. It was quite an experience and definitely a lot harder than I imagined it to be. We are talking early mornings, long hours, hard work, lots of folks (duh) and busy busyness!

Somebody asked if I wanted to give up after experiencing it for the first time. Give up? Never. It's not easy but I do think it's very enjoyable and is a rewarding career. All I can say is Jenny is very lucky to be able to do what she does for a living (and btw it isn't luck, she is very talented!) and hopefully I can get there some day too...one can hope.

The wedding itself was a Chinese wedding for Julie and William. They are such great people and I feel so glad that my first time was with such a lovely couple. In fact it wasn't just the couple but Jenny and Gordon (who was the second shooter) and the videographers from Moudanie Studios. It was great to be able to have a laugh with them all which really makes the day less stressful. (Yeah ok I'm the third shooter so not that much stress from my end hehe).

I had a pretty good time doing this but ok enough talk. Here are the photos:












































The next few images were taken with Jenny's 50mm f/1.2. I LOVE LOVE LOVE this amazing lens. It really is creamy and buttery like everyone raves about. Yes, you guessed it. It ain't cheap!





















































I should learn the technique of the sun flare thing some time. Jen is a master at this and her flares are always awesome!


















































So what do you reckon for a first wedding?

For the real pro wedding stuff, check out Jenny Sun's website. Not sure when she'll put up some pics of this wedding but having been involved with this, I cannot wait to see it!

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heyhey.. congratulations on the fantastic photos! I love the pp work as well. B&W goes well with the suit and dress.

Real nice lighting on the tea ceremony pics at the restaurant. I can see how it turned out softer with the cap whereas my ones were more harsh and contrasty.

I've been thinking of upgrading my body after using yours and jens! damnit.. heh. (08 May 2008 22:18)  

why are you shooting as a third? do your own! (08 May 2008 23:27)  

Hi Nat,
I haven't seen Jenny's shots yet but I gotta say you got some great stuff here... You've got a good eye for candids - I love your mono plate of Father Patrick before the ceremony. Although there were 5 of us imaging on the day I have to say it all went fairly smooth. Hope to work with you again some day.

Greets from Evro & Helen.

Moudanie Studios
Cinematic Wedding Films
www.moudanie.com.au (11 May 2008 00:42)  

Hi Natt,

Wow your work is fantastic, the pics are really nice – I love the one with my mum & I. I hope I get these with my other photos : )

Thanks to yourself, Gordan & Jenny for eveyrthing on the day!

Julie
xx (22 May 2008 15:33)  

This post has been removed by the author. (02 June 2008 21:36)  

Hey girlfriend~ you got some real talent there!

Problem is that you underestimate yourself!!

I hope you stick to it 'cause i think u can go places!

The agency has lost some big talent there! :( (02 June 2008 22:49)