Beauty is in the hands of the editor

I read this article and it brought to mind something that is common knowledge but yet people ignore it more often than they should. Beauty, yes I know you didn't see that coming, but beauty is really the biggest fabrication that the media sells. Some of the most beautiful actors, models and singers, you see them all the time on magazines, tv, big screen, you may never admit it, but deep down there's a little voice in your head saying, wish I looked like that. Well guess what, you can, but not in real life. I will be the first to tell you that everything that shimmers is not gold, I think that's how the saying goes, never the less you get my point. Yes some of these people are beautiful, I say some because more than half of them we have never seen what they really look like. These people look like dolls because there is a magician in a editing room on a Mac computer retouching every little imperfection out of that photograph. Yes these people are normal just like the rest of us, they have pimples, stretch marks, wrinkles, all those things that makes them human. It's no secret that artificial beauty is more accepted in today's society, and natural beauty well not so much. It's only going to get worse, fake butts, fake breasts, fake tans, fake hair, all to look as artificial as possible. As a photographer I understand this and deal with it because I must, but I am a true believer in natural beauty. I think we are all perfect the way we are, as long as its not unhealthy. Nothing wrong with working out to get fit, n look great in that dress ladies. Starving yourself on the other hand, there is nothing healthy or attractive about that. To many women and men, are killing themselves to reach an unrealistic goal. Striving to look like these people do on magazines, is definitely unhealthy, and damn near impossible. No one looks like that naturally, especially not them. You should love yourself just the way you are, and define your own concept of what beauty is, don't let any person or machine do it for you!!! Click the link below for the article.... Enjoy!!!

http://nyti.ms/sL6uD1

Ending on a GOOD note!!

Well the year is almost done and its time to get those last minute pieces done, meet those deadlines, and finish the year strong. Its been a rocky but exciting year, I am finally done with my documentary, at least the production side of things, now its time for post. The editing process has started and its going great so far, I have been working on this documentary for almost 2 years now. A lot has gone into it, its an independent film, I put my blood sweat and tears into this project. I wouldn't change a thing, and I would do it all over again, it was a great experience and I learned so much in the process. Now I have tons of photography projects coming up, currently working on my portfolio, oh just shot a play, and about to produce a another project very soon. This post will be short but I promise lots of photos and video shorts to come, so please continue on this journey with me, I promise it will be exciting to say the least!! Till next post, see ya!!!!

Time is currency

Hello all

I got a chance to see "In Time" last night. It was a good movie, the concept was a lot better than I thought it would be. The whole idea that time and currency can be equal is very fascinating to me. I mean in a lot of ways, working to earn money is basically buying time. One needs food to continue living, medicine to keep on living, I think you see where I'm going with this. So if you had to look at life from that perspective, working for more time, not more money, what would you do with that time. I have always said that the most valuable thing anyone on this earth can have is time. Nothing worse than wasting time, because you can never get it back. That last few hours that you put off doing something, you will never get those hours back. The 12 dollars I just spent to see that movie, well I get that back tomorrow, I can earn another 12 dollars easy. So I say use your time wisely, and make the best of every moment, never dwell on the past or things that you can not change. Learn from each mistake but cherish them for the lessons that come from making those mistakes. That's what life is about, your parents or elders can tell you everything that's going to happen in your life, but nothing can compare to actually living and learning from those experiences. If there is something you have been telling yourself that you will do, stop saying and do it. Don't wast the God's greatest gift, don't waste time talking about living, and actually start living. Make every second count!!!!

Marketing is everything!!!

Hello everybody, I found this great post on one of my favorite blogs. Thought I would share. This is for everyone with a business or provide a service of any kind. Marketing is everything, ask any CEO of a major company. Just click on the link below.

Online Video Marketing

3D

Yes I just have to get this off my chest. I was talking to a friend earlier today, and he brought up the whole 3D take over going on in Hollywood. I don't know about anyone else, but I cant stand it. I have yet to see a movie in 3D and said, wow 3D actually made it better. In fact, I am paying an extra 3 to 5 dollars depending where you go, to see a bad movie in 3D. The worst part, they make you pay for the glasses and than afterwards has the nerve to ask for them back. Thats a slap in the face, if your want them back than give my my 5 dollars back. If not than Im keeping them. As of late Hollywood as been so desperate to improve their ticket sales. They have tricked movie goers into seeing everything in 3D, what the hell would I want to Justin Beiber in 3D, for the record I did not see the Justin Beiber movie. But it serves it purpose for the point I am trying to make. Hollywood, please stop making all these horrible movies, and making it seem like its worth seeing by making it in 3D. Make better movies, and we wont have to watch in 3D to enjoy it. Yes I am that guy who keeps all of his 3d glasses after every movie, I am always persuaded by my friends to see it in 3D, I always protest with the same rant i just gave yall, but who wants to watch to movie alone on Friday night. But I do not, and will not be advocate for movies in 3D. Until I make one that is.... just kidding. maybe!

Tools

Now that the first post is up and out the way, lets get into it, right now I am currently using a Cannon 7D, which is a great DSLR by the way. A DSLR is a Digital Single Lens Reflex camera. It is Digital because it uses a chip rather than film. I love this camera, very easy to use and best of all produces great photos. I've been using the Cannon 7D for about 3 months now, but I am a true believer that great photography and film making, like any art has less to do with technical skill or expensive equipment, but more so what the artist is trying to share with the world. Of course, technical skills are important, but it doesn't define you as an artists, or at least it shouldn't. Anyone can take great photos and make great films with pretty much anything. Even your favorite news station uses video and photos from people using just their camera phones, and they get paid for it. Hollywood often use lower end equipment, most of the time it's to get an authentic look, or simply to budget. We are all photographers and film makers, I know some people who take pictures of themselves doing any and everything. Im sure you do as well, or could very well be one of those people. Thats the world we live in today, nothing is ever missed, because of technology, someone is always watching, that's right we all are living through the lens. Ironically I don't really care to be in front of the camera, rather behind. I love people who love to be in front of the camera, they are always ready and willing to be your subject, its always fun to be the center of attention. That is the very reason for things like twitter, facebook and other forms of social networking. Since I started this blog to discuss and view life and everything in it through the lens, here is a photo of me, hopefully the rest of you wont be too shy to do the same. So keep living through the lens, I will be adding a link to my flickr photostream soon.

Number 1!!!

Wow, this will be my very first post on my very first blog, if you can't tell,  I am a little excited. By the title obviously this blog is going to consist of post mainly about film and photography, as interesting as those two things are, you will find that what makes it exciting is the people. We human beings have a way of making everything more fun, and often a lot more painful. I hope to engage in discussions of the ins and outs of the film making and photography. Share stories of the industry, technology, the tools of the crafts, experiences and many other things. Now if you read my profile you should know I love both, but film has my heart. Right now I'm cheating on her with photography, but Im sure she will take me back. I find that both have different gratifications. In actuality movies are simply moving pictures, just like  cartoons, its takes millions of frames to create the movement that becomes a film. What truly separates them is the addition sound. Film is able to create moods and feeling through the visual, but the addition of sound is what makes it a much more powerful form of communication than photography. Now I can honestly say that i have seen photographs that say more than a million sound effects and music can. Which is why its also an art form that will never die. Humans are visual creatures, you will be surprised how much of your everyday life and who you are as a person is all a combination of what your eyes have seen. I fell in love with photography, because, through the lens of my camera, I can make you see what I see, the way I see it. I know you liked the way i used the title in there right, yes i know how cliche of me. With all that said, I would love to know what you fantastic people out there think. So all you film makers, photographers, models, actors, writers, and pretty much any and everyone is welcome. I mean we all have experiences with film and photography in some way. So I welcome all of you to subscribe, and start posting your comments!! Thanks!!