Inspiration: Jim Kazanjian

Photographer Jim Kazanjian creates images that let the mind wander. I wouldnt mind living in one his 'homes.'

"Through his black and white images, Jim Kazanjian aims to redress the “misunderstanding that photography has a kind of built-in objectivity…to defamiliarize the familiar.” He pushes photography to its limits, tricking the human eye and challenging viewers to second-guess the objective nature of photos."

Abandon Inspiration

I went on a shooting adventure on Thanksgiving day on the towns surrounding Modesto and noticed so many abandon homes, buildings, and ghost towns. I was really inspired by the vacated feel; the way these empty places had so much character and so many forgotten stories. I decided to start a series on Forgotten Places that will hopefully continue on for quite sometime. I looked through hundreds of photographers via Flickr who had the same interest in places like these, and this one, 'Jjacobs' http://www.flickr.com/photos/xunchicrewx/, really caught my attention. I love these colors and all the details. Beautiful!

Inspiration: Damon Winter

Happy Thanksgiving! I haven't been able to stop talking about war photographer Damon Winter, since I stumbled upon a tweet about his work last week. I really encourage everyone to read this article, but to paraphrase- Damon went on assignment to Afghanistan with only an Iphone and an urge to capture.

http://lens.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/11/21/finding-the-right-tool-to-tell-a-war-story/

"...Whenever possible, I avoid writing about camera gear. The photographer takes the picture, not the equipment. Few people care what kind of typewriter Hemingway used..."

How simple, and so inspiring that a REAL photographer can take breathtaking, memorable photos with any piece of equipment.  Here are a few of my favorites.

Inspiration: Jason Lee

Jason Lee has been showing up everywhere on my internet surfing screen this week, from tumblr, twitter, and now blogspot. He shoots his adorable little daughters in fantastic childhood scenarios. Ive picked some of my favorites that make me laugh/never want to grow up. Look at his work, tweet about him, follow his blog, tell your friends! This guys is awesome!!

Missing in Action

The next five weeks of my life will be spent behind a lens, in a studio, or on photoshop because 3 final projects are requiring all my time, effort, attention, and inspiration.

I am really excited about all the projects that are coming up and while it is a bit overwhelming to think of all the things I need to do in the next month, it is also really amazing that I am able to put all my effort into creative projects instead of behind a desk or front of a text book.

The past few weeks I have been reaching out for inspiration in the most random places, but it just took leaving the normal for a few days to reevaluate my passion and come up with bigger and better ideas for visual projects.

I am leaving my blog for a bit, October was an amazing month, with over 2,650 blog views I am overwhelmed with the support from family and friends bloggers from every corner of the world. But it is more important to me to slow down, focus, and not worry about what everyone thinks of my work, comparing it to others, and how many people have viewed a simple blog in the past 24 hours.

I will be back soon with final projects and hopefully the best stuff I have produced yet.

This is a photo from one of my favorite photographers, Erik Almas. It describes perfectly how I feel at the moment, falling through clouds, living in a constant day dream. Erik also went to the Academy, I am so thankful to be in the same environment as such great artists before me.

Inspiration: Sam Bassett

I discovered Sam Bassett from the link 99 Remarkable Photographers Portfolios which is dripping with inspiration. I love how raw his work is, his use of vibrant colors, and the way he portrays his subjects.

Here are my favorite four.

Inspiration: Antonio Ysursa

A friend showed me this photographer and I was instantly captivated. He captures childhood so well, and to think- he is only 20. Need some inspiration? I encourage you to read his bio statement, he speaks with such detail and is SO visual. Essentially, his work is documenting the growth into adolescence of his sisters and cousins.

Here are some of my favorites:

Inspiration: Viktoria Sorochinski

Most amazing work, beautiful and inspiring.