Old, dilapidated buildings are usually an unsightly scene. In this case, however, miniature broken down houses are appreciated for being wonderful works of art. The series itself is based on photographs of abandoned structures neglected by man and destroyed by the weather. The photographs were taken by an amateur photographer from North Dakota, Ofra Lapid. They were then used to create small scale models.
A crazy video and some helpful tips to improve your photo…50 Quick Photography Tips in Less Than 15 Minutes
Kai over at DigitalRev put together this video that offers photography advice in burst mode: 50 (or 49) short and sweet tips in less than 15 minutes. If you take yourself too seriously, be warned: the tips are presented in Kai’s trademark “infotainment” style.
If you’d rather not watch the 13 minute video, here are the tips in text form thanks to Reddit user blufox4900:
- UV filters are a waste of time
- Lens hoods aren’t a necessity
- If you’re not using the hood, put it away
- Don’t treat your DSLR like it’s your baby
- Stop hating on others
- Get cheap lens caps
- Pack light
- Use a zoom for convenience
- Prime will make you think more
- The 35mm is the most practical one lens setup (on the 1.5 crop)
- The 50mm looks better
- Better cameras don’t make better photos
- Know how your camera works before you go out to shoot
- Always be ready for the shot
- P-mode isn’t just for beginners
- Bump the ISO if needed
- Auto ISO is your best friend
- Rely on the Rule of Thirds
- Take lots of shots
- Don’t take photos of any old sh*t
- “If your pictures aren’t good enough, you’re not close enough” — Robert Capa
- Contemplate your shot
- The best equipment doesn’t help if you’re not standing in the right spot
- Sharpness is overrated
- Concept is king
- Don’t look like a wrongun (i.e. a creep)
- Don’t drink and shoot
- Shoot when you’re full of energy
- Sometimes it feels great to wake up really early and shoot
- Think about what light you want
- Emulate the style of the greats to get started
- …but don’t keep doing it
- Photography is as much a reflection of the person taking the photo
- Shoot to please no one apart from yourself
- Discreet or direct — it isn’t all that important
- Setting themes keeps you focused
- Change things every once in a while to keep things fresh
- Everyone has creative blocks
- Be critical of yourself
- “Seeing is not enough, you have to feel what you photograph” — Andre Kertesz
- You need to be there with the camera
- The relationship is about you and the subject, not you and the camera
- Stop chimping
- Be brutal when it comes to deleting awful photos
- Show only your best work
- Changing photos to B&W doesn’t make an uninteresting shot interesting
- Look at other people’s work
- Post your work online, let others critique your work
- There is no easy way
- ???
(Source: bobbycaputo)
If water settles and becomes still, we can see all sorts of things reflected in it.
Likewise, when the mind is settled, wisdom is resplendent.
The illuminating light of wisdom surpasses all other light.
If we accelerate our efforts, and practice in an even, continuous way,
mindfulness will be like a stream of water. Whatever posture we are in,
awareness will be constant.
Peace comes from a one-pointed mind.
This one-pointedness, however, can be troublesome, since we don’t want
other mental states to disturb us. If we reflect on these states,
however, when they arise, this reflection becomes the one-pointed mind.
Quotes from the Venerable Ajahn Chah
I’ve been obsessed with Andy Gilmore lately and wanted to do some geometric designs to get me back in the swing of things after coming home for summer break :) I hope you enjoy it!