Bennion Center Winter Retreat 2011

This past weekend, I was fortunate to attend the Bennion Center’s Winter Retreat at Brighton Resort along with about 35 other student leaders/volunteers.

As everyone arrived, we progressively settled in and eventually began engaging in free-time activities.
The first activity on my, as well as a few others’ agenda was to build snow caves.
We headed out and soon enough, the digging had begun.
Fortunately, we had two snow-caving experts who started and stabilized the caves, and then the rest of us took turns helping.
The first time I crawled in, I was about 40% sure that I would have a panic attack; I mean, how many times have I crawled into a tight, dark tunnel supporting hundreds of pounds of snow?
But eventually the fear went away and I realized (and was reassured) that the cave was stable, and I chipped away at the inside like a mad woman, contributing to the expansion of this inverted igloo.

That's me coming out of a snow cave.

Here is Kyle and Nick all enthusiastic about being inside that thing.

This is Drew crawling out of the snow cave he built single-handedly!

And I know you probably want to see what it was like inside but I couldn’t get any good photos of it because it was either a) too dark without a flash or b) too bright with a flash, not to mention the depth would not have been visible in a photo…
But rest assured, for it was awesome

Soon after the completion of the snow caves, I slipped on some snow shoes and trekked to the nearby Brighton ski run with my camera in hopes of getting some cool photos of skiers/boarders.

Wishing I was one of them, dang it.

Playing with cropping here...love it?

Then, back to the lodge.
Here’s what it looked like from the outside:

A two-story building almost completely buried in snow!

Everyone else was already engaged in their own activities of games-galore, but one guy, Dillon (spelling?), took interest in the vintage piano and provided everyone with some pretty great music.
Here’s a collage of some photos I got of him:

Dillon playing the vintage piano inside the lodge.

Meanwhile, many people had gathered to play some wild rounds of Jenga.
I decided that this would be a great time to take some more photos, and that I did.

Concentrate...concentrate...careful...oh no!!!!!!

"Look whatcha did, ya little jerk!" - Home Alone (all-time favorite movie )

Vivi and others relieved that the tower didn't collapse after that one.

As you can see, everyone was just having a ball, as was I documenting it all.
But finally, I succumbed to my desire to join in the fun, and the rest of my night was filled to the brim with Rummy, Spoons, Texas Hold’em (complete with poker chips), and Fluxx.

To end this post, I will leave you with a photo I took during a late-night outdoor walk with some other folks.

Clear, beautiful, starry night.

Overall, I’m so glad I was able to go because I got to meet and get to know a lot of people.
I learned a lot about interacting with others, and that some people are just plain good and can always be trusted.

I hope you enjoyed my post…feedback welcome as always!

Dinner at Souk’s

Souk’s is not a restaurant…but it should be.

Two weekends ago, buddy Souk held a (very) small dinner at his home [it wasn't a party or anything so don't feel bad if you weren't invited!].
He apparently has a new found love for the culinary arts, so he wanted to try his hand at an exquisite dinner (with a little help from Assistant and I of course )!

On the menu that night:
Basil Fettuccine with Shrimp, drizzled with a delicate Chardonnay Garlic Butter sauce
Lao-Style Chicken Wings
and gourmet Ginger Ale to complement

Yummy? Yes, I would say so.

As Head Chef, Souk assigned Assistant and I preparation duties:
Assistant – to shell the shrimp, and stir the sauce (which he failed miserably at, according to Head Chef…what is this – Hell’s Kitchen? Ha!).
Me – to mince the garlic, with the added (voluntary) title of Dish-Washer. Oh, and I also got to mix in the marinade with the chicken with my hands!

Anyway, you know me…
How could I not document this night?
Check out some of the photos I got below:

(116/365 - taken Jan. 15, 2011) Al-dente-ing the pasta. Souk: your clock is wrong, by the way

(117/365 - taken Jan. 15, 2011)

End product! Souk's delicious dinner! THANK YOU!

Now since I’ve made you all hungry, please do go eat something before you starve yourselves

I Am My Own Worst Critic – Well You Can Be, Too!

I am highly critical of myself, and if you know me well enough, you’ve probably translated that into lack of confidence.
Well, it’s true.
I usually lack confidence when it comes to the work I do, and I hold myself to unusually-high standards.

I’ve been going through a high-phase with my photography as of late – but me being me, I am still unsatisfied with myself.
You may have noticed that I’ve been consistently asking for feedback/constructive criticism lately.
Why? I will tell you.

Without criticism, one cannot grow.
Prime example:
It’s like learning how to pronounce a spell (yes, this is a Harry Potter reference).
“It’s LeviOsa, not LeviosAR!”
Humiliating, yes, but without Hermoine’s correction, Ron would have probably gotten everyone killed by the second installment.

Now, apply this to any real-world practice.
I believe it is human nature to want to better ourselves at what we do.
If the things we do are at a constant level of perfection, how would we strive to be better if we were already the best?
Surely, the consequence of boredom would set in at any moment and prevent us from wanting to ever do those things again.

If I am constantly without feedback, I may assume (although I don’t) that I am the best photographer in the world (FAR from it).
If the mistakes I make are never pointed out, how will I know I’ve been making mistakes?
Or, if I’ve been succeeding with flying colors, but it is never made known by others, how will I know that I’m succeeding?

With that said, I’m going to ask you for some help:

if you ever feel enthralled to say something, good or bad, about any of the work that I post, please do not hesitate [Hermoine-level bitchiness not required ].

I strive to learn and better myself and my skills, especially with this something that I am deeply passionate about.
Not only that, but if I get constructive criticism and show that I’m able to learn and adapt, that means better photos for your enjoyment as well.
See, it’s a win-win!

And for those who have already taken the time to comment and leave any feedback, at any time during the existence of this blog, I dedicate this *applause* to you.
I sincerely do appreciate the things that have been said. Without you all, I would not have the drive to upkeep this blog and, moreover, further my skills in photography.
THANK YOU! Let’s keep the feedback comin’…in a murderous fashion! [Insert stereotypical villain laugh here.]

Stab me with your feedback! (Psycho Souk's been on a killing spree to rid the innocent-minded.)

Urban Photoshoot Featuring Malevolent MC

Last Sunday me and fellow friend/aspiring graphic designer Souk did a shoot for local freestyle artist Malevolent MC.
This shoot had been a long-time in planning (does that sentence sound right?), but we finally came around to it!
Actually, it was the first time that I did not initiate a shoot, but instead was invited along to ‘second-shoot’, so-to-speak.
I was excited to collaborate with another photographer and have a subject that had a different style.

Since I did not initiate the shoot, selection of location was left to Souk.
As soon as we arrived, I was instantly awed – for one: the urban-vintage architecture was amazing. For two: I wondered how Salt Lake even had such a place in existence and how I did not know about it.
Well, for the sake of keeping this place a non-bastardized treasure…I am choosing not to disclose where this shoot took place.
Do understand.
[And if you know, don't say anything! Or else I will serve your head on a silver platter!]

The shoot went really well.
Everyone was having a great time – it was laid-back, MMC was just being himself, and as I previously mentioned the location was simply amazing.

…

There’s not much else to say, so I’ll shut up now and show you my favorite shots from the shoot!

(114/365 - taken Jan. 16, 2011)

(115/365)

I hope everyone liked them as much as I enjoyed doing this shoot.
PLEASE leave feedback/constructive criticism – I would appreciate it so much!

Glamor Shoot Featuring Lily

Two Sundays ago my childhood friend Lily and I reunited (finally!) to get some photos of her done.
[It really was great to see you! Let's hang out soon ha ]

I’m a big fan of outdoor on-location shoots because they force me to notice my surroundings and use natural light (with the help of Ol’ Dinosaur on occasion…referring to my flash unit, of course), not to mention I love the variety of shots I can get from all the different places I visit.
Well, cold weather sure can limit one’s resources, especially if those resources are outside.
It happened to be about 15 degrees outside the day Lily and I met up, and I don’t think either of us really wanted to get frostbite – so, we agreed on doing the shoot in her home.
[Let me tell you, I'm not opposed to the idea of in-home shoots, but I never imagined that I would do such a thing!]
Fortunately, there was plenty of useful space in the basement and an amazing red wall in her room that we were able to work with, not to mention the lighting wasn’t all that bad.
I did bring along my five-head floor lamp (please, don’t make ridiculing me too obvious ) which also proved to be quite useful.

Yes, I do have an obsession with fashion, but Lily suggested doing a more “glamor”-themed session, which I quickly accepted.
[I guess I've been doing glamor-esque stuff this whole time but I was not really aware of that term, so thank you, Lily, for opening my eyes up to that.]
The photos aren’t manipulated at all (other than minor corrections) like >>>>ethereal or fantasy spreads<<<<, but for the most part, I am pleased with the results.
[...Maybe one day I will spend my every ounce of free time editing photos to make them look like that!]
Lily has beautiful features, especially facial features, and I would say she is quite photogenic. That, in combination with her hair, makeup (which she amazingly did herself – aspiring MUA, here!), and outfits made this glamor shoot all the more successful.
So, enough talk, let’s see them!

(110/365 - taken Jan. 9, 2010)

(111/365) Probably my favorite one of the bunch!

(112/365)

(113/365)

Which one is YOUR favorite?
Feedback/constructive criticism strongly encouraged and appreciated!!!

On-Location Shoot Featuring Malevolent MC – Teaser!

(109/365 - taken Jan. 16, 2011)

Check back soon for more!
In the meantime…check out Malevolent MC on Facebook

On-Location Shoot Featuring Steve

I want to start off shouting THANK YOU to all those who visited my blog yesterday.
I got about four-times as much traffic than usual, which highly excites me!
I do sincerely appreciate the time you’ve all spent looking at my blog and leaving feedback, and knowing that people care drives me to continue to produce more great work.

Despite what I said last night about Steve’s photos not being done, well, scratch that!
They are finished and ready to be seen by the world
But first, here’s the back-story and a reflection about the shoot:

Last Friday I woke up with a sudden determination to do a shoot [probably stemmed from my "I really suck" speech a few days prior...ha].
Not quite knowing what to do to scratch that itch, Kyle (hereby dubbed “Assistant”) suggested asking a friend of ours, Steve, to be my model.
The good thing about knowing the people that I do is that they are very spontaneous (and laid-back) – we asked, he was down, and off we went!

Finally settling on a location proved to be quite troublesome.
Since I hadn’t quite lost hope for a shoot at the Rio Grande, we headed there first.
We had everything unloaded, walked up to the door, grabbed the handle…and it wouldn’t open!
We tried every door until we realized that the sign on the first door said “Monday-Thursday…”
Great!
Then, off to the overplayed Exchange Place.
Steve couldn’t find a place to change, not to mention it was way too cold out, so…
We decided to revisit the University of Utah’s upper campus [shot here once before without a model - check back >>>Eye Candy on Upper Campus<<<].

In that one research building with the awesome staircase there is a break area on each floor; they all have the same business-casual theme going on but the layouts and furniture are all different.
We thought this would work really well, especially because Steve was told to bring a shirt-and-tie.
The photos turned out to be very corporate, which was completely unintended – but on the other hand, is awesome because now I just have that much more variety in my portfolio!

In lots of the photos below, you will see that we were strictly working in front of the setting sun.
If you are ever faced with a situation where the sun has to be directly behind your subject, what do you do?
You expose for the highlights and use a fill-in flash (well, depending on the mood you are going for – and I know, I’ve been talking about flash way too much lately but what can I say!).
Back in my naive day, I had been told by instructor/photographer Kerry Jones that these types of photos are probably the hardest to get – well since then, I’ve been trying to master it.
I’m far from being a master at it, but I do feel like I did a fairly good job at using this technique (for now).

Lastly, I would like to thank Steve and Assistant for their participation: for without you guys I would not be posting today.
I hope everyone enjoys these favorites-of-mine as much as I do:

(Top-photo - 104/365, taken Jan. 8, 2011)

(105/365) Villain or Superhero?

(106/365)

(107/365)

(108/365)