As we look to 2010, I think more than any other year I can remember, we look towards this year with hope. We look for the return of a safe economy and better schools for our children, the return of funding for the arts and health care for the needy. I for one am filled with hope. I hope for many things. Many of them unnecessary like an old funky Hasselblad 500c or a spankin new 5DMKII. Many of my "hopes" are the same as yours. I hope that furloughs are taken out of schools so my mom who has been a teacher for 25 years can quit the catering job she had to take on weekends this year to cover the mortgage and can go back to being a full time teacher. I hope that kids go back to schools that support arts, physical education, and individual learning. What would all of the artists of today's world, visual or other have done with no access to art in their youth?


I also know that "going back" is never a solution. Going back(wards) is the opposite of progress. Progress is defined in many ways but almost all of the definitions I found used words to describe progress as a "movement forward" or "advancement". So for 2010, I do wish some things to return to the way they were in a sense but I would have to say that my biggest hope would be that we are able to progress as a nation. That our children, our artists, our teachers our citizens don't look for a way back but a way forward to make 2010 and the following years brighter than the years before it. All we can do is look forward because there is really no going back.

By this point I am beginning to feel a bit like one of the Obama campaigners with my "Hope" and "Progress" campaign for 2010. That may not be a bad idea though. Maybe we should put the signs back out on the lawns and the stickers back on our bumpers and remind Mr. President and ourselves that we are still for the "Hope" and "Progress" that we campaigned so hard for in 2008.


...danced...
..and danced...


...in their heads.


Merry Christmas to all!

After "Genevieve and the Beautiful Mistake" (3 posts back) a friend of mine suggested that I try the double exposure trick again, on purpose this time. My goal was to create something that reflected the Holidays without being too cheesy. So, I set out around my grandparents neighborhood one evening in hopes of photographing some great front yard lights with 2 rolls of Kodak VC 400 speed film and the trusty AE1. I snapped away with the ccchhaaa of the shutter crrrrank of the winder, surely stirring a few creatures (maybe even a mouse) on that quiet evening. Noting every shot on my little notepad, I was hoping to frame it all perfectly. The next day I shot Kate and Chance in the forrest with the hope that the trees around them would look "lit" with christmas lights. I have to say that I got very lucky on a few. My intern even asked, "What tool in photoshop did you use to get all of those red thingies in her hands that look like lights?" Another friend said no one would believe me if I just sent out the photo my intern was talking about so, that one stays on the computer. For all of you skeptics out there, including Charls my intern, here is an example of a shot I would have been really happy with had I turned the camera.


Happy Holidays,
Daeja

P.S.
You can see the lights much clearer if you click on the photos to view them larger.


Its late and silent and I am editing images for a client. I keep debating on images without the models face in them because I like them... wondering if the client will too... I keep coming back to this one. It reminds me so much of a page out of " Where The Wild Things Are" that I decided to draw a crown on her and added Maurice Sendak's famous line from the book. Thanks Maurice for a little fun in the middle of a long edit, and thank you Spike Jonze for bringing this childhood favorite back. Now back to reality.. don't think the messy crown drawing is gonna sell this sweater!





On a recent trip to San Francisco I brought only analog cameras and decided to play with a bunch of different film. Using my Canon AE1 I snapped several shots of the city as I wandered about. Upon returning home I still had a couple of rolls of film and decided to bring the AE1 along when I shot the last of the polaroid film with Genevieve. I had what I thought to be a brand new roll of film that I put in the camera just before leaving the city. As above proves, the new roll was one that I had not completely rewound and I reshot the entire roll in a filed of flowers. Lucky for me, the AE1 does not have an automatic rewind nor does it have an LCD where you can see the photos that you have already made. Having known that this roll was already "used" I may never have had the thought to expose it again in a field of flowers. That said, these are some of my favorite photos taken this year. What would we do without the mistakes?



No, this is not a post about designer clothes for dogs. I refuse to buy designer clothes for my dog, but I am not opposed to buying them for myself. Over the past couple of years I have acquired quite a collection. Living in Paris and New York will do that to a girl. Looking for a way to help out animals in need, without turning my home into a dog shelter, I have decided to part with my collected designer clothing and accessories for the sake of paws across America. Twenty to twenty five percent of the final sale price of each item ( each item is different) will benefit the Humane Society of America. Each Week through the Month of December I will list a few new items for sale. This week I have started with a few my favorite designers, Marc Jacobs, Mayle and Nanette Lepore. Please see below for photos and links to ebay items!


Next week I will find a few more treasures for the cause. One of my listed items will go 100% to charity. Please check back for updates. A BIG thank you to my assistant Dallas for being my model and to all of you helping our pawed friends!

Thank You!
Daeja






For most people the Holidays mean snow covered mountain tops, chilly weather and cuddling under big blankets in front of the fire. Growing up in Hawaii winter had an entirely different meaning. Winter means huge surf, stormy days on the beach, nights around the bon fire, the Christmas tree outside, and lots of rainbows. Although I've lived in several places with snowy winters; I've never had a white christmas and I don't think I'd have it any other way.


Powered by Blogger.