IADT… Here I come?

Ok so after my head being in a spin the last couple of months over college, I finally know what I want, and it’s exactly where I started out. After a few years of madness, my dream course is STILL the BA Photography in IADT. I went to the open evening last Thursday and OH WOW I fell in love with it all over again. There are a few things to sort out before I get too excited, such as sorting out my application, getting a GREAT portfolio together, and actually having enough confidence to go through with it. To be honest, I’m more confident this time around, but I know well it’s a challenge to impress them.
I’ve been chatting to some very cool people who are in first year at the moment and they have been SO helpful so thank you to Cait and Lucy!
I’ll update as I go along but this blog will probably get ignored for a while, as I sort my messy head out.

Also, I will be posting the Analogue photos as soon as it’s out and about for you to pick up yourselves.
Can’t wait!

Analogue Photoshoot

Today was my first proper photoshoot since college, and it was super. I clearly gotta thank my old buddy Bren for asking me to do it. Hero.
I got to work with a really great bunch of people and it was a super experience. It was basically vintage fashion [the fancy name for second hand, we know.] with two models, Julie and Pete, who were amazing might I add.
All the clothes were picked by Alan and Aidan did an amazing job with the makeup. Thanks for making the already gorgeous models even easier to photograph.
It was freezing, it was windy, it was rainy, but it was so worth it. I’ll post the photos up as soon as I pass them on to Bren.
In the meantime here are some random shots from today.

And go check out Analogue Magazine too, it’s deadly.

It’s a new year!

And all is going great… so far. I’ve pretty much changed my attitude towards life which is the best decision I’ve ever made. Of course it’s going to take most of the year actually implementing, but I’m slowly becoming the person I wanna be. Considering 2007 & 2008 were full of ups and downs, I think I deserve a rockin’ 2009! The only dull side is that one of my best friends is leaving us for an 8ish month volunteering stint in Guatemala… not my kind of thing, which makes it harder to understand why she’s going. Then again, she’ll be home again in no time and we can enjoy the end of our year, HURRAH! Obviously I’ve got the best of friends to keep me company in the meantime!
College applications are in the midst of being done… it’s all form form form, print print print, portfolio portfolio portfolio from here on in. I’m going to the IADT open evening on either Jan 14th or 15th so I’m hoping it will make my decision of first choice easier.
ENOUGH OF MY RAMBLINGS.

Some of my 2008 creative peeps highlights include…

JOY NEWELL
This girl is FANTASTIC. I’ve gone on about her enough, just go check her out.

Courtney Brooke
What more can I say?

Elsie Flannigan
She is the definition of cute and creative! Someday I’m going to visit her store, I swear.

iJustine
The girl is whacky. Her videos are annoying and cringe, yet I love her.
Yes… I LOVE iJustine.

Everybody Should Have…

A Holga ColourFlash camera.

I recently treated myself to a nice red one and it’s wonderful.
I’m having a lot of fun with it and I haven’t even processed my first roll yet.
To be honest I’m not expecting a whole lot with my first go but I’ll improve.

Several Polaroid Cameras & Film.
You really can’t own enough polaroid cameras.
I’m only on my fourth at the moment, and there are so many more that I NEED to own.

POGO Printer with Moleskine Special Edition notebook.
And impulse buy that I immediatley regretted… until it came in the post and OH MY GOD.
Fantastic. It’s cute, handy and the fact that it uses Zink technology means you are potentially saving a bomb… as the only thing you need to buy is the “film”. €144 in total from Polapremium.com… I honestly think it was well worth it.

Finally, what *I* am loving so far in 2009!!

WOOL!
What can’t it do?
You can makes headbands, bags, jumpers, blankets… the list is pretty much endless.

Onesie Pjs.
Seriously.

Film Cameras
Whether it’s Medium Format, 35mm it doesn’t matter. I love it.
For the sake of laziness I go digital every time.
Not this year… unless deadliness are calling.

Coffee Table Books.
Cannot get enough of these. Taschen are particularly great.
I’d recommend “Unseen Vogue: The Secret History of Fashion Photography”.
Can not put it down.

Time for a fresh start.
Happy 2009!

Ouch

Oh Jeez…

My head is melted. I’m excited and stressed at the same time. It’s time to decide what I want to do with my life and to be honest, I thought I knew… but I don’t.
I LOVE photography. I love taking photos and seeing the finished product. I love sticking them into scrapbooks and making little layouts. I love creating different textures and learning new techniques, I love shooting film, I love shooting digital… BUT… I don’t know what to do next.
*headmelt break*

Basically, I can’t figure out what I want to do with my life, career wise. I wish I could rewind a few years so I felt like I had lots of time. I wish I wasn’t such a lazy, indecisive person.
This is how it would be if life worked out perfectly… I’d have a big loft. I would take photos, [NOT STUDIO PHOTOS... I really can't bear studio photography... does this completely wipe out any hope of me ever getting a job then?] I would paint pictures and make collages and people would want to buy my work and want me to create things for THEM. Magazines would include my work and I’d have my own lil page where I rant and rave about all things arty… especially photography. Then maybe somewhere down the line I’d have my own creations magazine with my own lil team and it’d be wonderful.
I’d also like to teach classes…
LISTEN!
Any pointers?! I’m definitley going to get my degree… I’m thinking advanced entry is the answer at this point, so I don’t have to flail my way through four years because I mean I’ve done a lot of it before.
THEN WHAT!? Postgrad?! In what!? WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS!?
If anyone knows I’d be super excited to hear all about it.

One down, Millions to go.

Sunday was FREEZING.
Which is why I totally owe extra thankies to two of my bestest buds ever, Laura and Lolly.
You guys were rockin’ models.
Got some really nice photos, but to be honest, and who isn’t critical of their own work… I wish I was better.
I could blame the lack of really ace equipment [I honestly do] but I also blame my ability to now to all out sometimes. We did well though, and I’m really happy with how some of them turned out.
So THANKS guys. I took a lot of inspiration from all different places this time around.
Oh and we totally brought Buddy the dog along for his big modelling debut… what a little cutie.

I’ll upload photos soon… again when my net connection isn’t sucking everything available.
For now check them out on my Flickr.
THANKS!
Whoever even reads this.

I know it’s Winter but…

I took some Autumn photos yesterday. I’m not ready to say goodbye to it for another year just yet.
Nothing amazing, just some self portraits. I definitely need some better equipment/locations/models.
Tomorrow is my shoot with Laura. VERY excited, she’s wonderful and we’re going to have a lot of fun.
I’ve plenty of ideas for photos that I plan on getting done before Xmas, I just wish someone would give me the energy and the things I need to dooo it. My brain is not working right now. I just want everything to fall into place and not have to think about doing it. Am I even making sense…

I’m trying to find myself some Blue wallpaper with Pink and Green and Gold flowers perhaps. If anyone can help me on that one I’d appreciate it a lot. I’d also love if somebody gave me a can of Coke right about now. Also, if anyone can recommend some good photography/art books, coffee table style to me then that would also be much appreciated. I’m full of requests tonight.

Unfotunatley I can’t post photos until my internet connection gets sorted. They are uploading VERY slowly to Flickr so you can check them out there if you are even slightly interested. [PLEASE DO!]
You can also check out the newest issue of Analogue magazine, out nationwide NOW. You can imagine my excitement when I picked it up in the Pavilions shopping centre. HOW HANDY!

Until tommorrow…

To Sir, With Love

Today, I got some volunteers to model for me. I’m thinking some kind of 70’s themed photo shoot. Preferably with two or more people involved. I’m thinking of using a tripod and hopping in myself, as I’ve been so inspired by self-portraits lately.
Laura, I’ve amazing things planned for you. Get your most 60’s/70’s vintage inspired get ups ready… we’re going back in time. The same goes for anyone else who wants to join in. Not only will we have mega fun, but also you will be helping me a LOT. Not to mention I’ll get the biggest kick out of processing all these photos.
My list of models so far is:

Laura
Lolly
Jen
Ciara
Bren [Thanks for being the only boy brave enough to step forward, for this I will make you look magical… you better have been serious].

Anyone else want to participate? Liz I’m looking at you!
Jen is going to try to recruit me some DCU heads too, so I’m all set.
Gosh, excuse my perfect English, Microsoft Word is spellchecking everything.

And now to share some of my latest inspirations.
This is someone who I’ve been following pretty much since I joined Flickr. Elsie Flannigan is a wonderful artist, who can create amazing things with paint, buttons, materials and whatever else she can get her hands on. She has released books on scrapbooking and has just set up her first run of online classes. I started reading her blog recently and it’s wonderful. I recommend you all check it out at A Beautiful Mess.
She has inspired me to attempt some home-made Christmas presents, so before I give too much away, be prepared for some amateur gifts this year guys!!

She’s opening her own store with her friends in Springfield, MO.
Red Velvet Art… amazing.

I envy her workplace… that room is just a mess made in heaven!

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

And the number one reason why I love this girl… The POLAROID tattoo!

All art and photography featured above is by Elsie Flannigan.
Go check her out here and here!

Cold hands and one Starbucks later…

Today was SUCH a beautiful Winter/Autumn day. The skies were clear and crisp, the air was cold, and the mood was Christmassy. How very exciting. Jen and myself ventured to DCU for a bit of a creative jaunt. I was basically helping her film a short film for a competition called “My Place”. It was a great day to do it and she managed to get all her shots. I also got a good look at DCU because lets face it, you don’t really take much in at an Open Day.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

That’s right, it’s my favourite time of the year!

RANT.

To be honest, I’m not feeling majorly halloween-ie, and if it wasn’t for the Most Haunted Live week I’ve had, I wouldn’t be feelin’ it at all. Tonight I’ve no major plans, which sucks. I DO however have sparklers and I’m planning on buying a mask. That will have to do.

There is talk of a bonfire in Lusk, which could be very fun.
Then again…
There is also talk of a pub afterwards.
SORRY? A pub on Halloween… people are silly. 
GTFO.

I am excited though, at the thoughts of taking a LOT of Halloween photos.
*squeal*

Anyway, listen to my great friend Laura’s new podcast!
You can find it on her delicious blog at What gets Club Soda out?

GO! GO! GO!

A pub on Halloween… SRSLY!

UPDATE.
So I ended up in Lusk… and then onto that pub in Rush. Not the most Halloween-ie night, but fun all the same. I also came very close to a very embarrassing faceplant but saved myself graciously. I did dress as a French man… so I made a teenie effort. Unfortunately no Halloween photos… I know, right? I blame the fact that I no longer own a decent and handy point and shoot camera. My birthday IS coming up! OH SNAP!

Big Thanks

I’ve been getting lots of nice comments on Flickr about my work, so thanks to EVERYONE who takes the time to have a look. The only way of ever really becoming successful is being noticed I guess. It’s also a fab way of making new contacts friends with similar interests or finding people you can bounce ideas off and get tonnes of inspiration from. So thank you all again for checking out my work. It’s not wonderful yet, but I promise good things when I get my new lenses/some models. My brains been screaming creativity recently and I’m dying to let it all out.

Here is my photo of the day.

Photo by Courtney Brooke for N.E.E.T Magazine.
Taken from N.E.E.T Magazine Editor, Stephanie J’s Flickr.
A fantastic webdesigner/photographer and more.
Check out her website too.

In the meantime, check out some of my Flickr faves.

Courtney Brooke as always >.<
Joy Newell
Miss Lulu
elsie*cake
catfish.e
Pete
Ben Murphy
Loreana
amberskolnick
Rödel LA
sleepy sparrow

Also be sure to check out the latest issue of Analogue Magazine out nationwide NOW!
Not only is the cover art for this issue amazing, but to celebrate their first birthday, they are also treating us to ‘Peek! An earful of Irish Underground‘, a collection of music from great up and coming Irish artists. You can pick it up with the first 1000 copies of the magazine, or you can download it on the Analogue Blog.
All FREE as usual!