Quote I woke up to this morning: "Anger merely makes us smaller." -Seth Godin

It is a BEAUTIFUL day outside, perfect for a photoshoot. My plan is to go "study" on the plaza so I can people watch and take photos...while I study.

:D

a photo by V Lynn on Flickr.

This performance was, in my opinion, their BEST I've seen! The Beast took their songs and created a well rounded show. The kids had just had a Black History Month assembly a few days ago, so Pierce decided to go with the same flow. He went through different genres of music--blues "I've got the playyyground blueesssss," hip hop, reggae, and gospel.

The kids were so excited to follow along and participate. Pierce brought lucky kids on stage and gave them instruments to play along and allowed one kid to sing "Quiero una fiestaaaa"

Afterward, the kids lined up for autographs. Girls were giggling around Pierce like he was Justin Bieber. The Beast are new elementary school celebs!

I had lots of fun. I know the band did too.

This morning, I am headed to E.K. Powe Elementary School. The Beast is performing at an assembly for first through fifth graders. I am interested to see the tweaks Beast is going to have to make to their songs (language, subject, etc) and to see the kids’ response. I think this is going to be the cutest thing. Excited.

I love this blog, Seth Godin is a marketing genius.

"Art is not in the eye of the beholder. It's in the soul of the artist." -Seth Godin

Playing with the light kit!

I GOT A LIGHT KIT!

My boss at the career center pulled through for me. Apparently she had a contact in Student Affairs who had a light kit laying around. Who knew??! Anyway, I'm going to go pick it up later. :D
!!!!
Prof. Antonio also emailed me with some good ideas that I will have to look into for lenses and such.

Can't wait to play with the lighting in my apartment!

I am so irritated today. I have been looking all over for a light kit that I can rent from Duke. With the plethora of resources, one would think it wouldn't be that hard. However, I cannot rent one anywhere. Because I am not in a class at the Center for Documentary Studies, nor am a Documentary Studies certificate, I cannot rent from the CDS cage (a place that has cameras, light kits, sound equipment, etc for check out). And because I am not in an AMI (Arts of the Moving Image) class, I cannot borrow one from there either. SO frustrating! Where are the resources for Visual Studies students?! Where are the resources for photography minors?!

I spoke to Meg at the career center bc she knows and is connected to all and I emailed Prof. Antonio for help. We shall see.

I got a shout out from M.K. today

a photo by V Lynn on Flickr.

Today was photo shoot day for The Beautiful. Project. I, as documenter, followed our photographers, took photos of them in their zone, and gave tips and advice as needed. I got some great stuff.

M.K. loved them!! He just sent me this email:

"These are excellent photos! You're a great photographer! I'll have these put on my website(s) and definitely credit you. It's always great working with talented folks. Hit me up when you get to MD.
One love.
----
MK"

Book Signing a photo by V Lynn on Flickr.

Went through photos and made tweaks today. Check out more of the photos I sent to M.K. here

Tonight I photographed the UNC Black History Month event. The lecturer was M.K. Asante. M.K. Asante is a critically acclaimed author, professor, and filmmaker. This is the description that is given on the event page: “Asante’s extensive work with the movement for the liberation of African people has gained great recognition throughout the world and across several different fields.

Celebrated for his literary skill, Asante has been awarded both the 2009 Langston Hughes Award as well as the Jean Corrie Prize from the Academy of American Poets. His accomplishments also reach into filmmaking. Asante was awarded Best Documentary at the Africa World Documentary Film Festival for his 2009 film The Black Candle, which was co- written by esteemed poet Maya Angelou. In addition, his film 500 Years Later was the winner of five international film festival awards, and was recognized by the United Nations as they presented him with the Breaking the Chains award.”

Check out M.K.’s site here: http://www.mkasante.com/

It was AWESOME. I had so much confidence photographing tonight. M.K. specifically wanted photos that showed that CNN was there. I had a good time with this and I was all over the place, on the stage, in the back, behind the band, etc.

Today is my birthday! In my first class, we went for a walk in the gardens. It was wonderful, walking in the gardens, I went slowly and took in nature and the colors and breathed in the crisp air.

“We don’t have to travel far away to enjoy the blue sky...Even the air we breathe can be a source of joy.” --Peace Is Every Step

During that walk I got a call from Pierce, the lead in The Beast. On Weds, they were playing for a Black History Month event and the lecturer was looking for someone to photograph. Pierce thought of me! He also mentioned that CNN would be there covering as well. How exciting!!!! I can’t wait.

p.s here’s a polaroid from tonight’s b-day dinner

Tonight I met with Prof. Antonio and the other girls, my first time meeting them. It was cool seeing what everyone is working on. I’m excited to see the progress we will have!

Btw today is Valentine’s day! My birthday is tomorrow so I got to open a present early: a Polaroid camera! I am so happy :) Here’s a Polaroid of the flowers I also got

Today I have been emailing a lot of people about my final exhibit event. Here is my plan:

Independent Study Exhibit

Location:

~Mary Lou Williams Center for Black Culture

• http://www.studentaffairs.duke.edu/mlw, use unique id to reserve spot
• April 1st, 8th, 15th, 7th, 14th, 28th, choose date, talk to band
• mary lou funding code?

~The Ark

• reserve through dance site

Lighting:

• Freewater Films
• CDS

Promotion:

• Flyers: get design made
• Dida poster
• Facebook event
• various listservs
• eflyer
• word of mouth: the beast, beautiful, etc

Photo Printing:

• talk to Jamaica

My eyes are bleeding from all this photo editing. Seriously, I hate photoshop.

"Nothing happens when you sit at home. I always make it a point to carry a camera with me at all times…I just shoot at what interests me at that moment."
-Elliott Erwitt

I wish I carried my camera around with me everywhere. I need to get in the habit of doing this, but it's hard because my camera is so big. I am going to try and make a commitment to do it anyways though. I always miss good stuff.

Duke beat UNC!!!!! So exciting! I was on TV yesterday after the game with one of my friends :D

I am at work and Rebecca (she works here at the career center) sent me a link to a local music photographer's site.

http://public.fotki.com/templesofgrey/

Apparently she is an older lady who loves to take photographs of local artists. Rebecca's husband is a local artist himself, check him out here

REFLECTION

I went online looking for music photography tips today to help with shooting at Jack Sprat tomorrow since it was difficult last time. I found this site by music photographer Todd Owyoung. He gave some great tips that i am eager to try tomorrow night:




1. Watch for patterns
2. Don't forget the drummer
3. Do your homework
4. Work the angles
5. Critique

Yesterday I went to “A Conversation with Carrie Mae Weems.” Before this I had never heard her speak nor really seen much of her work. Some things I learned:

• Ain't Jokin' Series: still relevant; a sense of folklore and humor; the discomfort of this series comes from reality; Weems calls attention to the joke & undermines it.
• Kitchen Table Series: a cinematic photo story
• She likes to use words along with her photos to add voice, flavor, and texture to the story. Words set up meditation for the viewer

I hope I am giving my viewers something to think about when they see my photos.

Today I am going to see Carrie Mae Weems speak. I have heard of her from Jamaica, the founder of The Beautiful. Project (which I’ll speak more on later). Carrie Mae Weems is a black female photographer who has inspired Jamaica’s personal work--she ravesss about her so I am excited to go. This is the info she sent in her email to me:

"Carrie Mae Weems is an award-winning photographer and visual artist. Her photographs, films, and videos focus on racism, sexism, gender relations, politics, and personal identity. In conjunction with her visit, her 4 minute, 10 second video projection, Side Girl will screen in the East Duke Building Corridor Gallery from January 26-February 4."

Wind Chime a photo by V Lynn on Flickr.

Check out some of my photos here, let me know what you think!