It's the time of the season...

It's officially fall. I've been spending lots of time (drinking.. haha) with Corpsey and Alex. I went to a bon fire last night and today I smell off it. I'm sick from the changing weather (Not necessarily a good thing, but definitely a sign on the season). Today we turned the furnace on in the apartment. I'm doing lots of thinking of parties, spook houses, and Gristle. Yep, it all sounds about right. These next couple months are my absolute favorite.

» Linds

My camera and I

 

While going through some old SD cards, I found some interesting photos that sparked some inspiration. Now first of all, I don't even believe I took these photos, judging from the reflection in these photos. It must have been Corpsey using my old Vivitar camera. Though, a lot of the images and concepts seems so familiar, but I don't really know. I can't place what year this would be. I need to inquire with Corpsey about that and see what year it was that she got her hearse, Gristle. I definitely know that I had Nixon the Nikon at the time. For some reason, on my computer it is saying 2003 but that is terribly wrong. I just thought they were some very interesting angles and perspectives. When I came across them, it brought back kind of warm fuzzy memories. Yeah, I know, they're pictures of graves and whatnot, but that's where I spent a lot of time getting to know a lot of my cameras actually. Plus, today I had a very nice, motivating conversation with my photographer friend, Caroline. She spoke to me about making the leap to do photography full time and we exchanged some thoughts on just generally doing what you love and how to balance it all and how to know if it's worth it. I would say photography is my passion. Yes, maybe even my dream. I'm still saying.. photographer for the Rolling Stone. Far fetched, I know, but that's the fun part about having dreams. I thought about my relationship with my cameras over the last decade, but most recently my Nikon's. My camera is sometimes like a person to me. We have a love hate relationship sometimes. It can be totally frustrating, but definitely in all the right ways. I don't say this often, but I want to learn. I want to have knowledge about my camera. I want to be one of those dorky people who can call out ISO and aperture and F-Stops by looking at any lighting or situation. I think I'd be happy. At the same time, I don't want to make my love become a chore. I don't want to burn out. I don't want to overdo it. I guess when it comes down to it, you will know when you are ready to take the leap, to give up everything and pursue your passions. Maybe you will know. Maybe you wont, I guess, but to honest, I was thinking, if I never become whatever you consider professional and if I never make money off of it and if my only satisfaction are my own prints hanging on my own walls of my little apartment.. I'm perfectly fine with that. I'm totally okay with the fact that I might always still be practicing and experimenting and never go any further. I do believe my camera will always be a very special thing in my life, more so than the average person. I don't know what the means or what it will become but I know it makes me happy. I know. It feels good to say that with confidence because there's really not much in life I am very sure of. Thinking, discussing, and just rambling on about it just fuel the fire. As do coming across old photos and seeing the potential and the growth and wondering what the future holds for my camera and I.

» Linds

Cleveland » Lake View Cemetary

Somehow almost forgot to post these pictures! About a week before our little trip to Cleveland, I spent a lot of time scoping out a few more places to fill our two days. I came across a site where a couple people had suggested The Lake View Cemetery. From the pictures I saw, it look pretty gorgeous and graveyard hopping has always been a special activity Corpse and I both and enjoy and share together. Going there seemed like common sense. It really was as pretty as the pictures. It was photo worthy, for sure, but since this was the last place we visited before heading home, we didn't explore a whole, whole lot. As for tombstones and whatnot,there were a lot. Hills upon hills of them. It was a big cemetery and I can see why it got such good reviews. Not to put this place down, by any means, but honestly, after going to Laurel Hill Cemetery in Philly, nothing can really compare when it comes to the variety and details of monuments and tombstones. There was one building that did stand out. It's the one with the columns out front. It was a chapel type building that had some really pretty murals and a place to roll the casket right up on up front. I would have snapped some more pictures in there, but there was actually a guy sitting in there that appeared to work there. I didn't expect that at all. I'm sure he wondered what we were up to carrying around a big old camera and I happened to be wearing my Mohnton Professional Car Club shirt which had a hearse right on the front of it. I seriously wonder what he was thinking because he didn't really say anything, he just stared. Ha ha. There was also another building, which I had to think for a second to come up with what it was called, ..the mausoleum! It was a beautiful building with a ton of windows, glass walls, and ceilings. It was quite a big building and really well kept. I think that maybe my favorite part of the whole cemetery was this room inside the mausoleum, which had all these little compartments in the wall behind glass, which had urns with plaques, statues, and pictures frames of the deceased. It was super interesting to me because I've never saw such a thing before! It was unbelievably beautiful. I didn't know this was really an option. I mean, personally, I think I'd want a tombstone but I think I'd also want to be cremated. I think it's such a neat idea to have your own space to fill with things that represent you. All my junk, so to speak, is a good representation of myself and my life. I believe strongly in capturing moments and memories, which is, I think, a big reason I even take pictures and avidly collect and save so many odds and ends. I know they're just objects but I think objects and concepts can carry on a big legacy of a person once they're gone. Anyway, I think I'm getting a bit off on the subject, but I suppose I've just grown really fond and comfortable of the idea of cremation, living above a crematory. I probably think about these things more than normal, with a crematory and Corpsey's hearse being a huge part of my life. It's really something to think about and there are so many possibilities. See, this is why I think I love graveyards. They're such calm, peaceful places, which jump start your mind and let it wander off in any direction. Anything that powerful and moving is pretty awesome in my book.

» Linds

Shebmeister & Gristle

xo, Linds

80 Days Till Halloween

80 DAYS TILL HALLOWEEN!

Yes, I know it's still summer but I wanted you to know the countdown is on!

I love Halloween and I am very much looking forward to all things surrounded by it. Spook houses, chilly weather, leaves falling, sweaters, bonfires... I could probably keep going on..

In the photo above is a very special, beautiful machine that goes by the name of Gristle. I hope to properly introduce Gristle on my blog. I think a guest post is in order from it's lucky owner. *coughcorpseycough* ;)

Hope this turns out to be a good weekend. It's just one of those days where staying positive seems like such a chore.

xo, Linds