The Finish

This is the final day of my challenge. It came without celebration, but I am very glad for my challenge to be over. Some days really sucked. I had to force myself to get a shot in some days. Other days, photos came like pouring rain and managing those were quite a task (not really). I was very good about making post in a timely matter, but towards the end, laziness piled up and doing a post became a chore!
Over the year, I have grown quite a bit. My writing style has improved, my shooting has changed, my lens collection has changed dramatically, I have matured more, and I have grown more into what I am now: me. I cannot label myself really, but I am sort of many things: a photographer, a journalist, an artist, an athlete, and so much more, but it is imperative that I stay true to who I am: me. However, on with the blog
As far as this blog is concerned and what my readers will be aware of are the changes. I will continue to post shots, but there will be no daily post (or some facsimile of that,) rather, I will have a top five. My top five can be from any given time of the week and I can have multiple shots in a day. This will last until I leave for my mission (date of departure yet to be determined.)  For the time being, simply enjoy my work while you can.
My last shot of the challenge may not be the most interesting, however, I have not done a shot like this before (or at least none I can think of.) I am changing my style, and whatever I find to be different in a good way will be pursued.
As much as I have grown as a photographer and journalist this year,I still have a lot to learn. Someday I aspire to do great things with my profession, but to get there requires a lot of work. I am working as hard as I can to get ahead in this line of work. Some may not think it, but being a photographer can be just  as hard work as any other profession. And like any other profession, it is difficult to get to the top.
Thank you for reading my posts this year.I assure you, I still have much more to offer.
-Simply Complicated

The Canyoneering

I went canyoneering with my sister and her friend. Her friend brought along her little girl who was absolutely adorable! She liked me but was a little camera shy or visa verse. One or the other works, but I still got a good shot.
-Simply Complicated

The Non-Constructive

Construction is happening all over campus! I have to change my walking route in order get from point "A" to point "B."  It is really annoying!
-Simply Complicated

The Windy Night

I've been trying to get a night shot. Stars show up here at campus better than at home, so I figured to give it a shot. With all of the wind we get around here, it is hard to get a good shot of the scenery, but I still need to work on my night shots.
-Simply Complicated

The Watering

Sprinklers are on all the time around campus! I swear someone is trying to flood campus, but I did like the detail of what's going on here.
-Simply Complicated

The Re-Invented

I am breaking away from my usual style and will learn new ways to add on to it (like a muscle!) I decided to try and re-invent my style of shooting to aspire up to my goal: a journalist  for the National Geographic. I watched documentaries on photographers and read articles about the photographers and am going to be more like them. So, I need to change my style of shooting while keeping my personal style at the same time. Achieving a style change that still makes me unique will be difficult, but I can do it. Wait and see.
-Simply Complicated

The Anger

I am very upset! When meeting with the client, we realized there was some miscommunication between us. He only wanted to pay for an hour of my time: I thought he wanted me to shoot the whole party. Needless to say: "the customer is always right." I wrote up a contract to avoid further miscommunication and I get paid a rightful amount. I have learned.
-Simply Complicated

The Children Shoot

I got the luxury of doing a shoot for a family. I only was shooting the kids and they were really great to work with. I am so lucky that kids love me without having to try. Some photographers have a really hard time working with kids and when they hear that I will be shooting kids, they feel really bad for me. Too bad they have no reason to.

The Paid Party

Shooting a party is easy work in the shooting aspect, editing sucks. Since I was signed up to do the entire party I showed up exactly when the party started, shot until the police shut the party down and helped clean up until curfew. It took a while overall but I think it will be totally worth it.
-Simply Complicated

The Pre-Shoots

I have two shoots lined up for this weekend. It is wonderful to know you are getting paid I will be extremely busy, but it will be worth it to finally make some money. I am stoked!
-Simply Complicated

The Street Lights

I walk by these light all the time on my way to and from my dorm. However, when I shot the lights before, I never got a good shot, but I like this shot and hope you do too.
-Simply Complicated

The Green Summer

After some rain from the weekend, a heat wave has struck here in Idaho. Many have fled to the garden at school to be in a cooler and shadier place. It is very calming and a great place for meditation. Macro photography is very easy here too. Go to a garden and have some fun.
-Simply Complicated.

The Prime Lighting

Sunsets give the best lighting. That is common knowledge amongst photographers. Most amateurs shoot the sunset, however, the real photographers will turn away from the sun. I was to the side for this shot, but the point is: the sun is the greatest source of light. Try it out, you will see what I mean.
-Simply Complicated

The Double Rainbow

I saw a double rainbow today at sunset. The lighting was pristine and the scenery could be better said about, but when you don't have a car, it's hard to get to a location of choice.
-Simply Complicated

The Flash Experiments

I have been experimenting with shooting events at night. Normally with my flash, it seems as though I shoot in the day, but I have looked into photography forums and it seems that the fastest shutter speed possible is not preferable. I have found through reading and experience that with a big flash anything can look good with a slower shutter speed. The sweet spot of shutter speed is around 1/50 sec. Give it a shot. Literally.
-Simply Complicated

The Pro Bono

Another charity dance, another pro bono shoot. I probably have used the word "pro bono" in the wrong context, however that is all my work at parties have been feeling like lately, mainly because the D.J.'s who ask me to work claim it is to build on my portfolio and networking. The reality is, I already have a portfolio now and I have not booked many gigs. So why is it I continue with my work? I don't know. Maybe I am stubborn, maybe I am lying to myself to think a D.J. will actually hire and pay me as a photographer. It is just frustrating. I need some real paying gigs.
-Simply Complicated

The Not-So-Rehearsal

Show choir rehearsal was a bust; nobody came. For the people who were at the rehearsal, I took a creative picture of them. It was fun ... until we actually had to start rehearsing.
-Simply Complicated

The Squirrel!

I was walking around campus with my camera and I saw a squirrel digging in the trash. I took a ton of shots and the squirrel was not afraid of me. I had another animal moment, and for once, I had my camera.
-Simply Complicated

The Off-Comedy

I went back to improv practice after being sick for some time (I'm still sick!) I was off my game, but the best thing about the improv group here is how accepting they are. I could be (probably am) the worst person there is to comedy or improvising, but my friends there don't care as long as I am there. It is a great feeling of acceptance and we hung out for a little bit afterward as well. I really like my improv friends.
-Simply Complicated

The Stairs

I am still sore from running and the thing that really makes my soreness known are stairs! Stairs suck! This school needs more elevators.
-Simply Complicated