deviantART: by:Achillies875

Features

http://Achillies875.deviantart.com/journal/24586462/ Mon, 04 May 2009 15:30:21 PDT I noticed that an icon on the top right of my userpage has been added. I know what it is.
It declares that I wear a TINFOIL HAT!!!
That is Blasphemy!
They must have mistaken me for my mother.
It happens.

First Two - Last Two

]]> ~Achillies875 I'm Back http://Achillies875.deviantart.com/journal/24383422/ http://Achillies875.deviantart.com/journal/24383422/ Wed, 22 Apr 2009 18:52:46 PDT But let's just say it was fucking amazing.
Drove down to L.A., then Indio. Very very hot.
Coachella was a great show.
Paul McCartney? Hell yes. Best show of my life. Period.
Probably best show of many people's lives.
Double encore. Coachella was fined $1000/min after midnight because of a noise curfew imposed by the city of Indio.
But they wouldn't cut off his mic. Who would cut off a Beatle's mic? They cut off another band though.

Of the first day, I saw:
Alberta Cross (Great album)
Noah and the Whale
Airborn Toxic Event
The Hold Steady
White Lies
Franz Ferdinand
Leonard Cohen from far away
Unfourtunately, not Crystal Castles
Ghostland Observatory (For a little bit)
Beirut
The last half of Morrissey (but I didn't want to...just wanted a good spot)
And finally, McCartney from 10PM to like 1.30AM

The second day was a lot more fun all around, but nothing beat Paul.
I saw:
Blitzen Trapper (Seeing them tonight)
Michael Franti & Spearhead
Skipped TV on the Radio because I don't like them, and I wanted to get a good spot for
Fleet Foxes (Also seeing them tonight)
Band of Horses (surprisingly good)
Then M.I.A. from a distance (did NOT like her)
and finally, The Killers.

The killers show was a little "poppy" for me, but it was fun nonetheless.
Missed Lupe Fiasco on sunday. Had to drive up. We couldn't stand the heat, and the camping part. My days of roughing it in boy scouts are loooooooooooong gone.

Since I was up close to a lot of shows, I also was right next to the press area. For some bands such as fleet foxes, the press "box" was packed. For McCartney, I'm sure it spilled over into the crowd. How cool would it be to shoot McCartney in the press area front and center? wow.

Sadly, I also saw some things that REALLY pissed me off.
I saw many press photographers with Rebel's, but thankfully, they at least had some L glass
Then I saw some with Rebel's and 18-55mm 3.5-5.6 glass.
THEN I saw some "photogs" with advanced POINT AND SHOOTS.

Oh but it gets better.
I'm pretty sure I saw at least TWO photographers with Nikon Coolpix cameras, or a Canon compact like the SD750.
Yeah.
I was ready to steal their press wristbands and use my film canonet.
I hope they were reporters and were using the camera as references.

I was also upset to see a LOT of non-press with SLR's. I was told no removable lenses, and when I was searched on sunday, the lady asked me if my camera had removable lenses. And yet there were literally thousands of other SLR's in the festival. With obviously big "professional" lenses.
Pissed me off.

Anyways, it was a lot of fun, but I'm happy to be back in Eugene, even though it was just as hot here yesterday.

So tonight I'm seeing (and finally SHOOTING) Fleet Foxes, opened by Blitzen Trapper. I don't know which band I like best. BT is very very good.
So I'll hopefully have photos from that on facebook or something tonight or tomorrow, and maybe a dA photo.
I'll try to develop the two and a half rolls of tri-x i went through this weekend. I also have to decide how to spend the other 7 rolls I bought for the trip

At least I'm stocked up now!

Have a peaceful earthday!

COACHELLA!

]]> ~Achillies875 Long week http://Achillies875.deviantart.com/journal/24245740/ http://Achillies875.deviantart.com/journal/24245740/ Tue, 14 Apr 2009 19:20:57 PDT At least I hope it will be!
Tomorrow I leave with Nick and Will for Coachella. We're driving the whole way.
I'm very excited to see almost everyone one of my favorite bands. I'll be bringing two cameras: my Canonet GIII QL17 and my Polaroid. They don't allow cameras with interchangeable lenses (Why? I never seem to know...), so I can't bring a single SLR. Not even my film-based Rebel G with the tiny ass 50mm 1.8.

But the Canonet will be fun. I need to invest in a shitload of film tomorrow.
I'll be buying both color and BW, and only maybe a few packs of polaroid. Or maybe no polaroid.
We'll see.

The good news today is that there was a great photojournalist opportunity. During my Archaeology class in Lillis Hall, we smelled some smoke. Hella smoke. The professor and GTF's (T.A.'s) investigated, and found out a place across Franklin Ave. caught fire. We were dismissed from class, and me being the smart photographer I am (haha), I had my Canonet in my backpack. I went and shot a few frames at the loc, but then I ran back to my dorm to grab my SLR. I almost filled my 4gb card with raw files, and they are downloading now. I'll probably post one on here, more on facebook, and a blog about the whole ordeal on my blog. It was fun, even though my photos won't be published....oh well.

So I'm back from Coachella on Monday, April 20th, or tuesday the 21st if we decide to go for sunday as well to see Lupe Fiasco, Public Enemy, the cure, yeah yeah yeahs, etc. I really wanna. But there's some complications. We're playing it by ear.

The best part: next wednesday is fleet foxes @ mcdonald theater! they are playing at coachella too, but why not!

Hope everyone has a good week.

Features

]]> ~Achillies875 Spring is finally here http://Achillies875.deviantart.com/journal/24080417/ http://Achillies875.deviantart.com/journal/24080417/ Sun, 05 Apr 2009 17:28:55 PDT Beautiful day today. News said 68F in the Emerald City.

Yes, I did move from Emerald City, Washington, to Emerald City, Oregon.
I love it.

I need to fix my bike.
Someone stole the front tire during winter term, and I haven't fixed it yet.
I've mostly just been driving. My friend moved into a house near campus. It's a nice house with a cool park right across the street.

I'm also going to fix my polaroid camera. I just have 10 shots (8 now) that costed $20, and my friend got another pack of 600 film so he can use my camera. But the battery is dead.
I'm not surprised. Well, actually I'm very surprised because it's probably from the 1970's and should have burnt out years ago, especially because I don't exactly keep it in the best condition.
I don't know how to get to the battery compartment so I'm just going to bring it in to get fixed.

Sad news is I can't buy ^bQw's olive Bessa R2. He's selling it for $350 on his journal if you're interested.
I'd love to buy it. But I just don't have the money.
But hopefully I'll get some commissions and make some money.
No word back from bands yet

But I'm optimistic.

Probably will get a bag boy job.
Cuz I really want one of those Bessa's.
I'll probably sell a few of my cameras as well. The Voigtlander Vito CLR (from 1962, focus ring is a little stubborn, but it works), and some other cameras. Not sure yet.

However, good news is, a guy in the hall has dreamweaver, and is willing to code a website for me. So I'm going to be designing it and then I'll give the images to him to code.
That Wix site that I have right now...well, sucks. I knew that from the start but I needed something.

I am only going to use my digital on jobs now.
Street stuff, I'm going to use film.

Not much else to say.
No images up for a while, so enjoy that Greg Pattillo photo.

And this one, from my polaroid (before it stopped working).
I'm happy because it seems to have grown out of the dots-making fad. The camera used to produce little burn mark kind of dots down the right side of the image. Now it's gone!

Features

]]> ~Achillies875 The NEW Canon 500D/T1i http://Achillies875.deviantart.com/journal/23894412/ http://Achillies875.deviantart.com/journal/23894412/ Thu, 26 Mar 2009 04:32:59 PDT

Yes, I did just make that.
But I'm bored and it's 4.24 AM.
i'm addicted to fallout3.

ok but seriously now, this camera just goes over the top. I thought the XSi was bad.
But I ranted on dPS for a while. It was a good rant. Here's a copy:

"IÂm tired of seeing people unhappy that they ÂdidnÂt wait for the newer version.Â

You donÂt need it!
Seriously, what photographer, with kit lenses and a beginning budget, is going to use 1080p video? Any teen that buys the camera would surely be better off buying a smaller P&S so itÂs not as much of a burden.

ItÂs a waste of money.
Frankly, anything past the 350D is a waste of money. And the 300D isnÂt that bad either.

Case and point: I use a camera that is just a few years younger than my dad. It was made in 1962, and works PERFECTLY for what I need, and IÂm a professional photographer.

For you new photographers out there, looking to buy this brand new high tech state of the art 500D aka T1i, IÂll send you this link: [link]

SeriouslyÂ.the new cameras that Canon is rolling out are a complete waste of money.
Kudos to Canon for actually being able to market these cameras to people, and making people actually WANT them.

ItÂs too much for you! No one needs this much stuff in such a camera! And if you do, then youÂre probably going to get a higher-end camera because you are a professional! And even then, youÂre debating getting the camera vs getting a new LENS because thatÂs all that matters!

Jeeze."

Photos taken by the "obsolete" 450D

]]> ~Achillies875 Night Owl http://Achillies875.deviantart.com/journal/23843172/ http://Achillies875.deviantart.com/journal/23843172/ Mon, 23 Mar 2009 03:44:44 PDT
ha.

today I shot a protest in downtown seattle (thanks ~Asherphotog for the tip). I was lucky to find the protest online. It was for the 6th anniversary of the iraq war, which was March 20th, but for some reason Seattle's protest was March 22nd. Odd.
Anyways, I got a lot of good shots. about 800. not raw ... I wasn't shooting for anyone so I didn't feel a need to.
Also, I can't find my other memory cards right now (left them in oregon I guess) so I had to do with a 4gb card alone, with no backup.
also shot some film. 2 rolls of HP5+, but I have a roll of trix that I need to develop too.
The high school is open this week (their break is next week) so i might just go and develop there.

I met a group of flickr photographers after the protest and chatted a little, and shot some street with one photographer who was sporting some leicas. I learned a lot.

but yeah. Photos from the protest should be online tomorrow if all goes well. My card reader is being cranky so I may have to buy a new one before I upload these photos...

Hope everyone had a good weekend. Forecast says it is snowing on the island tomorrow...so...fuck.

Today's DD

Features

]]> ~Achillies875 The Rock http://Achillies875.deviantart.com/journal/23790172/ http://Achillies875.deviantart.com/journal/23790172/ Fri, 20 Mar 2009 00:52:42 PDT Eew.

I'm back on The Rock, aka Bainbridge Island, my hometown. Drove up from Eugene on tuesday. My finals ended early so I get a really long break. OK with me.

The sad thing is, I'm already missing Eugene. It's (surprisingly) so much more beautiful there than on Bainbridge. Like, I understand Bainbridge has lots of trees and stuff, but that's about it that's great. And Eugene has a lot of trees too. It also has a great downtown, great people, good drivers (something bainbridge will never have), and of course the university.

But I'll look at the good side. Tomorrow I'm going to downtown Seattle to get some shooting done. I'm going to try to shoot some Tri-X either on the Rebel G or the Canonet. Preferably the Canonet, but it seems to be having some issues. Well, just one. The meter that tells you what frame you are on seems to stop at 14. I know this isn't an issue for actually shooting, except that I'll miss a few shots at the end because I'll think I have more frames, but really I'm just exposing one frame like 5 times. It's late so I can't really explain that well, but yeah.
I'm also gonna bring my 40D and 50 1.8 just in case.

Tomorrow night is a fundraiser for my high school's band program. I'm going to shoot it too, for both the band's scrapbook, and maybe for the local paper. I emailed the paper so maybe they will cover the story. I offered to freelance for it. Woo.

But other than that, bainbridge is pretty damn boring. I've been lounging around all day, playing grand theft auto and call of duty. on and off.
this is going to be a long week if I don't find something to shoot.

But, Blue Scholars and Natalie Portman's Shaved Head are performing in downtown on saturday, so I might want to go see that. Would be a good shooting op.

Not much happening deviantART wise. Haven't seen anything that sparks a fav from me. Haven't been seeing any DD's from Brian, but that's cuz he's in LA.

Blazers lost to the Cavaliers tonight. Sad. But we pushed it into OT so that was exciting.
Hoping to get back to cozy, rainy eugene soon.
-t

Features

]]> ~Achillies875 4185 http://Achillies875.deviantart.com/journal/23636676/ http://Achillies875.deviantart.com/journal/23636676/ Wed, 11 Mar 2009 00:52:53 PDT _{"The camera is a sketch book, an instrument of intuition and spontaneity, the master of the instant which, in visual terms, questions and decides simultaneously. . . . It is by economy of means that one arrives at simplicity of expression."
-HCB}

Features

http://Achillies875.deviantart.com/journal/22788943/ Sat, 24 Jan 2009 18:53:25 PST

I love it. Finally we can just sit back and enjoy the art. Put on some crazy ass music and just watch.
I just browsed the popular of all time Paintings gallery....it was so beautiful.
Brightens up one's day.
Try it out.

Features

]]> ~Achillies875 Developing Questions (again) http://Achillies875.deviantart.com/journal/22738203/ http://Achillies875.deviantart.com/journal/22738203/ Thu, 22 Jan 2009 15:17:27 PST
-Can I keep film developer and paper developer in the same 1 gallon container? Does the same go for Film/Paper fix, film/paper hypo?

-Correct me if I am wrong, but ideally then I would need 4-1 gallon containers if the above is true, or 7-1 gallon containers if it is false.

-Is it possible to make only 1 gallon of dev/hypo/fix instead of the amount on the package (for example, my Hypo bag says 'To make 1 gallon Stock Solution' and 'to make 5 gallons working solution'

. If so, how?

-How do I mix HC-110 (b) for 1 gal. of dev?

-What is the difference between Stock and Working solutions?

Thanks. You get an imaginary candy bar if you answer a question. haha.

Features

]]> ~Achillies875 Dancing in the Moonlight http://Achillies875.deviantart.com/journal/22724773/ http://Achillies875.deviantart.com/journal/22724773/ Thu, 22 Jan 2009 00:18:49 PST

Features

]]> ~Achillies875 A Brand New Day http://Achillies875.deviantart.com/journal/22694418/ http://Achillies875.deviantart.com/journal/22694418/ Tue, 20 Jan 2009 13:34:35 PST
Too early for me! And Phil was still asleep...

I'm going to watch the full speech later tonight.

I think it's very funny that photos from this morning are already on Wikipedia.
including this little blurb:

"The inaugural parade will travel down Pennsylvania Avenue and end at the north face of the White House. Because potential threats that the Presidential party may face on January 20, it is more than likely that Obama will be traveling down Pennsylvania Avenue by motorcade; it was tradition for the new President to walk instead of being driven. It is scheduled to extend for over two hours in the afternoon following the inauguration. It will include 15,000 people, 240 horses, dozens of marching bands, two drum and bugle corps, and one mariachi band from Espanola, New Mexico.[20] He has invited the nine-time Drum Corps International (DCI) World Champion The Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps, the eight-time finalist Colts Drum and Bugle Corps from Dubuque, Iowa, and the VMI corps of cadets, as well as the high school marching band from Punahou School, his high school in Hawaii to perform in the inaugural parade.[40] During part of the parade, Obama will ride in a new armored limousine.[60][61]"

Fuck yeah.

I like the new dA layout. Looks good!

Features

]]> ~Achillies875 This is history in the greatest http://Achillies875.deviantart.com/journal/22680682/ http://Achillies875.deviantart.com/journal/22680682/ Mon, 19 Jan 2009 18:51:45 PST
That is so crazy.
Well, I tried to enjoy MLK day, but didn't seem to. I woke up early at 8.30AM after a hard night of ... not partying ... and walked 2 miles across the Willamette to Autzen Stadium, just to walk from Autzen Stadium to the Hult Center in Downtown. That second part was actually the MLK march for Eugene. There was a lot of people there, but they weren't really doing anything. It wasn't like a protest, and it wasn't like a parade. It was just walking. Ok, I understand that, but a little enthusiasm would suffice. I didn't get too many shots of the march. Barely any photos in the Hult Center thanks to an interpreter and a mic stand. After that, I went to Eugene Station for the unveiling of the Rosa Parks Memorial. I was a little late so I had to squeeze in and was very lucky to get a spot with the other media guys right in front. Hundreds of people though. It sucked. So there, I barely got any photos either. I was a little pissed about the march, so I just took some snaps of the statue (Knowing I had the wrong equipment) and darted out of there.

What a pain in the ass.
Haven't even seen the photos yet. Probably will tomorrow.
Don't expect them online.

Other than that, well, we tried to go see Slumdog Millionaire, but it was full. We're going to the 7.45 possibly.

If you don't know already, check out archive.org. I know you've heard about it. Super old. It's the internet archive. Also the first library with a mirror

But anyways, I'm sure you've done the Way Back Machine (If not, check out deviantART's! [link] ), but they also have FREE live concert recordings of lots of bands. They are more Jam Bands, but they have a lot of good stuff. Grateful Dead, moe., String Cheese Incident. They also have just miscellaneous audio recordings... including: THIS original radio broadcast!!!

I'm a little too excited for this website lol

Features

]]> ~Achillies875 Daily Deviation No. 2 http://Achillies875.deviantart.com/journal/22614897/ http://Achillies875.deviantart.com/journal/22614897/ Fri, 16 Jan 2009 13:26:51 PST bQw once again for the DD today. It's a wonderful surprise.
It's crazy to think just a few years ago I was saying to myself "I'll never get a DD. These featured images are just soooooo great." I never thought I would get one Daily Deviation, let alone TWO!
So thanks again to `Obsidian-Fox for my first DD, and ^bQw for this new one

I'm just happy that I cleared my message center yesterday. I was at 800 messages. Now I'm already at 230!!

ALSO
Be sure to check out =The-Yard-Collective

It's a photo club for street & industrial photographers!

I believe I have cupcakes in my mailbox .....

Features

]]> ~Achillies875 Scans! http://Achillies875.deviantart.com/journal/22604970/ http://Achillies875.deviantart.com/journal/22604970/ Thu, 15 Jan 2009 21:10:42 PST Safeway developed, but failed to put a CD in any of the 7 envelopes I submitted...all with the check mark by the 4" prints & CD box.

ugh.

Anyways, I went to rite aid to get them scanned, and the guy said they have a negative scanner too! So that's how I'll be scanning them from now on. Get ready to see a LOT of shots soon. hopefully.

Still waiting on my HC-110 order...

But then I'll mix the chems and start developing!

I'm really excited.

Also looking for a job so I can get some stuff.
My Photoshop stopped working so I decided to buy CS4 student edition. If I get a job soon, it shouldn't be too hard. Student Edition is only like $200. Then after that on the list is the 28mm 1.8 USM...$420....then I added another little thing on my list today: the 580EX II external flash...$370. After that is the 70-200 f/2.8 L IS USM.

Of course, this is just a list. It doesn't have a deadline. I'm expecting to get CS4, and the 28mm soon. the 580EX II can wait until christmas AT LEAST. I'll probably get it even later.
Or maybe the 70-200 first. Iono. It's more expensive but more important. my 430 works well so...

Ducks are losing right now. Last I checked, dawgs are up by 11.

Features

]]> ~Achillies875 Front Page News http://Achillies875.deviantart.com/journal/22561703/ http://Achillies875.deviantart.com/journal/22561703/ Tue, 13 Jan 2009 14:42:09 PST
I ran them to the photo desk yesterday...the editors wanted my photos online.

I was the only photog there and was just working for myself.

I looked online and they were there...

However, I didnÂt expect to get on the front page (Both the printed paper, and on the website's front page).

ItÂs a small paper, but hey, thatÂs still useful for my resume.

I sent in 7 photos, two got in (because of space issues).

IÂm really happy with the outcome, and I hope the Drag Troupe loves the photos as well

See the rest of the blog post AND the images here: [link]

AND
I just opened a box from my mom with NINE rolls of developed film.
For some reason though, safeway didn't put the images on a CD like I asked.
I hate safeway.
How do they screw up 9 times in a row? I didn't mark anything wrong.
Fuck.

Anyways, a LOT of them look really good. Hopefully I'll get them online soon.
Just need to find a place to scan them...or scan the negs

Features

]]> ~Achillies875 Shattered Windows and Drag Queens http://Achillies875.deviantart.com/journal/22492544/ http://Achillies875.deviantart.com/journal/22492544/ Fri, 09 Jan 2009 17:44:22 PST [link]

good stuff, new post.

Features

]]> ~Achillies875 The World Is Falling Apart http://Achillies875.deviantart.com/journal/22414090/ http://Achillies875.deviantart.com/journal/22414090/ Mon, 05 Jan 2009 12:53:01 PST _{Disclaimer: Please mind this occasional rant}

The world is falling apart
[link]
"FEDS EYE $175 COW TAX FOR CLIMATE CRIMES..."
"SAN FRAN CONSIDERS DRIVING FEES... "
"OBAMA: ECONOMY 'GETTING WORSE'"
"Franken declared Senate victor..."
_{-->Mr. Franken started the recount 215 votes behind Senator Coleman, but he now claims a 225-vote lead and suddenly the man who was insisting on "counting every vote" wants to shut the process down.}
here: [link]

]]> ~Achillies875 Something to Ponder http://Achillies875.deviantart.com/journal/22404347/ http://Achillies875.deviantart.com/journal/22404347/ Sun, 04 Jan 2009 21:51:47 PST MAKE THE STRANGE FAMILIAR,
http://Achillies875.deviantart.com/journal/22364278/ Fri, 02 Jan 2009 22:30:15 PST so here it is:
[link]
slash
[link]

PS: never ever ever ever ever use the hosting site that I used, "wix.com"

Leaving sunday. Going to the Seattle Art Museum tomorrow.
Good fun. Have a nice week.

Features from my New Age Postmodernism collection

]]> ~Achillies875 Happy New Years and more http://Achillies875.deviantart.com/journal/22305038/ http://Achillies875.deviantart.com/journal/22305038/ Wed, 31 Dec 2008 13:48:35 PST I'm actually not bringing my camera tonight wherever I go because I just don't want to worry about pictures for once, and I don't want to break it.

I have a new blog post up at [link] so be sure to check it out and RSS it
I'm trying to photoblog there more, rather than just rant. Nothing happens on this journal, my blog is better.

I'm driving down back to Eugene on sunday. Another long ass drive but I'm excited to go back. Street there is actually much better than seattle...i think. maybe I'm just making things up and they are just the same.

Only 1,450 days until doomsday!
Have a nice new year.

Features from my New Age Postmodernism collection

]]> ~Achillies875 COLOR http://Achillies875.deviantart.com/journal/22267902/ http://Achillies875.deviantart.com/journal/22267902/ Mon, 29 Dec 2008 19:49:35 PST Color is a lot harder to do than black and white. The photographer can no longer rely on the desaturation to simplify the photo, and has to account for colorful distractions or features that make the photo pop.

... ]]> ~Achillies875 Some Concert Shots http://Achillies875.deviantart.com/journal/22248091/ http://Achillies875.deviantart.com/journal/22248091/ Sun, 28 Dec 2008 18:19:36 PST I'm happy my 40D made it out alive. The mosh pit was a little much. My legs are so bruised from hitting the stage.
Good news was I was in the front row.
Bad news (other than my legs being numb) is that the 50 was too close. I really want that 28 1.8 USM, but it's something to look at in the future.
Luckily Eugene doesn't have any horrid cramped stages like the Vera Project does, so this won't be an issue for a while.
So my plan for when I'm back in Eugene is to get a job at Shutterbug or some local camera store...sell some crappy cameras, and make some dolla bills for that 28 1.8. Maybe the store will even give me a discount

But that's assuming I get the job.

Oh, uhh...merry christmas / happy holidays since I never actually said that I think. And have a good new years / excuse to get wasted night.

So about those concert shots. I'll put the majority of the good shots on facebook...and maybe a few here. I did a lot of `cweeks-esque shutter dragging...and they turned out pretty well, even though I used the on-camera flash.

And for all of those who pussed out at the last second for crepes, you missed out.

Features from my New Age Postmodernism collection

]]> ~Achillies875 Rebellion is the only thing that keeps you alive http://Achillies875.deviantart.com/journal/22226274/ http://Achillies875.deviantart.com/journal/22226274/ Sat, 27 Dec 2008 12:51:12 PST

310 popular deviations submitted in all of time in Street for converse

http://Achillies875.deviantart.com/journal/22209002/ Fri, 26 Dec 2008 12:10:23 PST Now, I'm a free tibet person myself, however as a journalist, in that photo I was not trying to be biased towards any direction. I hid both pro and anti tibet comments. However, anti tibet comments reigned supreme.

So because of this, I closed the comments on it. Thanks a lot those who commented negatively. You rock.

Hope everyone is having a nice week. I'm going to see Natalie Portman's Shaved Head tomorrow at the Vera Project in Seattle. Unfortunately I won't have the 28mm 2.8 that I wanted. I still have to decide if I want that over the 28 1.8, or the 24 2.8. All different prices, all different qualities. I guess I'll just have to save up.

Have a good, drunk new years, just in case I don't post another journal before then.

Features from my New Age Postmodernism collection

]]> ~Achillies875 Look at the Lonely People http://Achillies875.deviantart.com/journal/22190821/ http://Achillies875.deviantart.com/journal/22190821/ Thu, 25 Dec 2008 12:50:39 PST Eleanor Rigby - Revolver, The Beatles
Love that song. So much thought in it.

I usually don't listen to lyrics, but rather just listen to the musicality of the song. I'm like that. It's the music education in me. I never studied lyrics so I only pay attention to the tunes.

Except for this one. It just provokes so much thought. Listen to it sometime. Maybe look up the lyrics, and think...isn't it just sad how so many people are alone?

Imagine today (merry christmas by the way)... here I am sitting in my room. I have my laptop out, my cameras beside me, and my presents at the foot of my bed. My brother is in the next room working on his Kore 2 and Komplete Upgrade pack he got for his DJing. My dad is downstairs, probably playing Age of Empires or working on his new iPod. My mom is making breakfast in her new slippers.

No one is interacting.

Is my brother thinking about my parents when he is installing the program? fuck no. Am I thinking of my dad when I put my lens on my new 40D? Fuck no. It's a lonely christmas. Everyone is lonely.

I thought christmas was about celebrating a holiday. Celebrating Jesus' birthday, with family. Being together, especially now since Jack and I are both away in college.

It's sick.
If you can. Go give your mom and dad a hug. Go interact with them. That's the PURPOSE of christmas.
Christmas has changed. Christmas is no longer christmas, it's lets-set-up-a-tree-and-put-lights-on-it-and-wrap-presents-under-it-and-open-them-for-no-apparent-reason-mas.

Disgusting.

Sorry. I was going to write a good journal, but then that popped into my head.
Hopefully I can rant on the streets with spray paint rather than on here.

So, finally, merry christmas. Another year. My 350D has turned 2, and my 40D was just born
It's a spectacular camera. I'm very excited to use it.
In addition to that, I got jay's (aka ~TheClaudia ) Street Art book including blu [link] who i follow on google reader.
My brother got me Entourage, and my parents got me This and this. It was a small christmas but that's ok. Better quality than quantity.

So I'm thinking of introducing another lens infront of the one that I want. It's cheap so it should work.
The next lens that I wanted was of course the 70-200 2.8 L IS USM, but that's also $1700. I'll get a job and work for that.
In reach now is the 28mm 2.8, which is wide and small. About as big as my 50, but better for street. Also has a 2.8 rather than a 1.8 so it doesn't blur the background too much. Great for band photos (I like to shoot those wide) as well as runway. I found it on craigslist for only about 100, so I'm hoping to buy that soon. Does anyone have that lens? Are there any problems i should know about?

And finally, here are the features for the Provoking Thought "competition"
I only got a couple, so if you find one, feel free to post it on this or the last journal. I'll add it here as well as a gallery feature.

~KelseyMae
Contribution:
Feature:

=Achillies875 (yeah, I did)

=http://Achillies875.deviantart.com/journal/22149300/ Tue, 23 Dec 2008 19:12:13 PST
Don't get me wrong...the title might be misleading. I love deviantART the website, I love the staff, I love the art, and some of the people, but jeeze, the community couldn't get any worse. Now, this isn't $chix0r's fault, since she is community director (following lolly, if you haven't heard).

The community is just SO close minded. The community has a definition of what art is and isn't. And while I agree with some aspects of that definition, most of it is wrong.

If the artist didn't intend it to be art, then yeah, sure, it's not art. For example, a myspace photo or something. That's not art. Yet. A few years from now, there might be a "Myspace movement" encouraging the investigation of portraiture in a "myspace-photo-esque" way. Great. Cool. That makes sense.

Anime is art. Antro is art. Cosplay, dare I say it, is art. It's not art that I like...oh ho ho certainly not. But I respect their opinions of art and let those artists do that art.

Photography is my art (no shit). I appreciate the challenge of creating something beautiful out of something ordinary. That's me. Deal with it.
In my practice, I know the difference between a good street photo, and a snapshot.
I know how to incorporate film grain into a photo to make it look authentic (even though that completely kills its authenticity).

Where am I going with this? well really I don't know. But it started with a Daily Deviation. Today, ~CompleteSilence was awarded a Daily Deviation on the piece "14141"

Personally, I think it is a spectacular piece. I am very grateful that this piece was brought to my attention.
This piece challenges the social norm, and challenges it very hard. It asks, does a blurry photo count as art?

Just as Marcel Duchamp, and Andy Warhol challenged the definition of art in their time, this image challenges it today.

The artist deconstructed photography to simple color and confusing shapes, rather than promote the "perfectly sharp" mentality of photography today.

SO now that you know my opinion on the piece, let's look at some other people's opinions:

by ~urs13
that sucks dude

by ~Zeezy
Um... why does this deserve a DD now?

by ~VincerePhotography (You'll hear more of him in a minute)
Wow someone made another blurry picture and called it art. Great.

by ~SirAuronPD
I'm sorry, but anyone can do something like this. All you have to do is choose a subject, and using the rule of thirds grid, place the subject onto one of intersections of the lines, and unfocus the camera a shitload. That's all there is to this deviation.

I'm not saying my stuff is worth a DD, cause it isn't, but this is not DD material. I do not agree with this DD at all.

And thats just some of them. There are so many comments flaming this deviation.
So many people just wanting to get into the dArama.

Bugs me so much.

But the Piece de Resistance, by ~VincerePhotography:

To the DA community, this is what I sent to moonbeam. I hope she reads it:

Hello Moonbeam,

Now I know that it is unlikely that you will care much for my complaint, but please at least read this note and give me a chance.

I don't know if you are an artist or not, but if you are you know that art of any form, can be appreciated by any artist of any tastes if it is actually good art. You see, art is that which evokes amazement, emotion, and awe into every single person who views it, regardless of its genre or style. And nothing less than that should be considered for a Daily Deviation.

Today a DD was picked for which the vast majority of the dA community can honestly find no appreciation. Upon viewing the galleries of those who did have positive comments I found nothing but snapshots of random objects or countless self portraits taken on webcams. The fanbase for this DD is testimony... ]]> ~Achillies875 It's snowing outside...a lot http://Achillies875.deviantart.com/journal/22087338/ http://Achillies875.deviantart.com/journal/22087338/ Sat, 20 Dec 2008 15:06:44 PST And right now it's snowing more. Forecast says snow for the next few days (including christmas ) but more snow than usual. News says snow accumulation about 3-6 inches all over western washington, except west of puget sound (aka kitsap county where I am), which will get probably 12 inches. Other news outlets say 6-24 inches for Kitsap.

I'm happy I have a ford explorer.

So...art wise... I have I think 8 rolls that I need to develop. I'll probably just let safeway do it and keep the negs so I can print later on.

Which brings me to a question... Can you print a color negative on Ilford FB Matte paper with B&W developer chemicals? What will the outcome look like???

Stay warm, highs in the 20's today. Shit.
-t

Features

]]> ~Achillies875 Why do we do street photography? http://Achillies875.deviantart.com/journal/22042636/ http://Achillies875.deviantart.com/journal/22042636/ Thu, 18 Dec 2008 01:40:30 PST Why do we do street photography?
I'd like input from some of you street-ers out there; when you shoot, do you actually think about the underlying message in the photograph? Or do you just shoot, and hope something comes out the other end?

Personally, I spray and pray. Gotta be honest. Even with film (However, I get a lot more keepers).
I don't think about what that person is thinking, about the story behind them, about the interaction between people. I see something, I shoot it. It's just target practice, that's all.

For example, I was looking at this image, an old image I suggested for a DD

I was reading a few comments of mine where I was debating with `ritzcrackaa, but that's off topic.
I looked back up to the image, and decided, right out of the blue, that the poster behind the old lady was reflecting her actual inner feelings...a sort of "fuck you" or cynical laughter of hate directed towards the shorter man.

Then I thought, 'how did I think this?'

Certainly, *MisterKey didn't think about that when he was creating this wonderful image, however, I created that.
And certainly, there are many other interpretations of the image as well.
But why?
Why must we have knowledge of an underlying meaning?
Do we street photographers subconsciously express our feelings toward society? Or do we just shoot, and fuck existentialism?

Just something I was thinking about. Late night thoughts. Always happens.
Might as well throw my film towards Safeway tomorrow, cuz I'll never be able to develop. I can get it on a CD, and use the negs later for prints.
Also going to develop a Velvia 50.

Last but not least, a big congrats to ~Asherphotog for the DD

As well as a spot on my quotes wall over here--->

Have a good snow filled week. It almost all melted today here on BI, but it actually should be snowing as I type. Hopefully.
Oh, and Merry Consumer-mas / Happy Holidays if I don't write another journal before then.

_{Hey, I never said I was going to not be a consumer, I just still think it's disgusting}

Features

]]> ~Achillies875 Holiday shopping http://Achillies875.deviantart.com/journal/22024126/ http://Achillies875.deviantart.com/journal/22024126/ Tue, 16 Dec 2008 22:00:55 PST my calendar. It really looks great...a stocking stuffer if you need one

Sorry to everyone else, and by everyone else I mean BI friends. Can't really get anything. So tight on money. With dad's salary being based on the stock market, and me being a starving artist attending an out of state school...can't really afford too much haha.

I'll send anyone a film print, however, if you want. Anyone, even non-bainbridge people.

Hopefully I can get some photos online before break ends. I've been shooting a lot, but I need to develop and print. And upload. somehow. Any tips on scanning negs, please comment.

New userpage too. Check it out.

Hope all is well, despite it being frozen.
-t

Features

]]> ~Achillies875 New Blog Post http://Achillies875.deviantart.com/journal/21963269/ http://Achillies875.deviantart.com/journal/21963269/ Sat, 13 Dec 2008 12:00:06 PST Images up soon. Going to seattle in about 20 minutes.

check out the blog: [link]
and RSS to it

Features

]]> ~Achillies875 another http://Achillies875.deviantart.com/journal/21872254/ http://Achillies875.deviantart.com/journal/21872254/ Sun, 07 Dec 2008 19:51:16 PST [link]

you should RSS that bitch.

cuz it'll soon be a photoblog.

tell me your blog (if its not already up there) and I'll put it on my blogroll!

oh, and does anyone know how to make the banner on WP change every time you load it? like:
http://www.blublu.org/blog/

Features

]]> ~Achillies875 feelin emo http://Achillies875.deviantart.com/journal/21824595/ http://Achillies875.deviantart.com/journal/21824595/ Thu, 04 Dec 2008 23:42:03 PST emo
thinking about photos.
check it:

[link]

Features

]]> ~Achillies875 Are you in the giving spirit? http://Achillies875.deviantart.com/journal/21673789/ http://Achillies875.deviantart.com/journal/21673789/ Wed, 26 Nov 2008 00:50:34 PST

This year, I'm marching for my second year with the Oregon Crusaders. The group is a great group, a second family to me. Everyone is very loving, and fun, but we also get work done. We're an intensive group, and are always improving.

The Oregon Crusaders recently got back up on its feet after a bad season a few years back. We competed in Pasadena, CA in 2007 (The year I marched) and got 5th place in division III. In 2008, the corps had two tours, one in the northwest and one in the midwest. They stood side-by-side next to the best corps in the world, and played an encore performance with them, the Blue Devils.

After their northwest tour, they took the long road trip by bus to the mid west, competing all around the midwest and finally ending up in Bloomington, Indiana. The corps took 4th place in Bloomington, and headed home with a great big smile.

On November 22nd, the Crusaders had their first audition for the 2009 season. There, a large group of hornline and drumline members tried out for a spot in the award winning corps. It was hard work, but a lot of fun.

However, thanks to a financial meltdown, many corps members are having a hard time trying to come up with the $2000 tuition fee. A Drum Corps needs a lot of money for maintenance; keeping the horns in good shape, buying gas for the trucks and busses, food for tour, etc. We often ask people like you to contribute even just a little bit to help. It's the giving time of year, so if you have a few spare bucks, and are willing to donate to an organization that promotes Education, Friendships, and a safe, entertaining activity that kids and teens can do during the summer, then please donate.

And the donation doesn't even have to be in one way: You can sign up for eScrip, which donates a portion of what you purchase at Safeway go directly towards the Oregon Crusaders. Or you can enter to win a trip to Indianapolis (Airfare, 3 days hotel stay, and 2 tickets to DCI World and Open class championships)

Donate to the Oregon Crusaders here

Thanks.

Features

~Achillies875 Newfound Love & GOOD NEWS! http://Achillies875.deviantart.com/journal/21597319/ http://Achillies875.deviantart.com/journal/21597319/ Fri, 21 Nov 2008 12:54:42 PST UPDATE
Good news! Got another hard drive casing. Even better than the last (it died for some reason)
Now I'm using FIREWIRE rather than USB 2.0.
Good stuffs.
but the cord is really short, so iono. Might get a longer one.
Calendar up soon!

After planning out "Mostly Backs: The Calendar", I fell in love with this photo again.
The poster's expression is just perfect.

DCI tomorrow, then home soon.
See you there.

Features

]]> ~Achillies875 News http://Achillies875.deviantart.com/journal/21589919/ http://Achillies875.deviantart.com/journal/21589919/ Thu, 20 Nov 2008 22:05:26 PST Just another hellish week.

Oh one thing. Developed 4 rolls.
All 4 came out bad. Someone contaminated the dev with fix.
shitty.
oh well.

$10 says the guy who got mad at me was on one of those rolls.

no biggie though, seriously. I don't wanna get worked up about it
btw that link was not saying she did anything bad, it said that too many people are getting waaaaaaaay too worked up about that whole rip thing. Even if she did, so what. not that big of a deal, to me at least.

now if I was an uber-amazing photographer like Thorsten Overgaard, and I got ripped by David Wank-ing, then I would be mad.

Take a look at that link though. The guy was so dumb to link the image directly. Now thorsten edited the image so it says that over it

made my day

In other news, I'm making a calendar.
It's called
"Mostly Backs
Street Photography and Social Documentary by Tom Walsh"

Mostly backs because, well, it's mostly pictures of backs.
Cuz I'm not courageous enough to get in people's faces.

But even then, the calendar actually looks REALLY cool.
All images from my dA gallery (cuz it's being sold here)
but it looks good.
You should dish out the however-much-it-costs once I'm done with it.

I have one more picture to do. The back page. It'll look great, but the source image that I have right now is only 500x750 px. My damn hard drive is not responding so I'm taking it to the shop tomorrow.

Then developing tomorrow night.

Then leaving for Aurora, OR saturday morning, bright and early at 6.30.
Where I'll be doing OC camp #1.

Then I'm driving back, probably getting home super late.
Sparknote my reading.
Probably sleep through class
Write a crappy, last minute 6-8 page term paper
And finally, on wednesday, drive back up to Bainbridge and participate in some thanksgiving rituals.
mmm munchies.

So i've got a bit to do.
But it's all good.
Hopefully my website is done soon.

The good news, if I get all of my classes I plan on doing next quarter, then I'll have 3 day weekends until 3/13/09.
Awesome.
And it'll be Astronomy (Galaxy and the Expanded Universe) ot:,
Anthropology (world cultures)
German Culture & Thought
Contemporary Lit (Comparative World Cinema), but I doubt i will get that. damn.

damn.
Photos online never.

Features

]]> ~Achillies875 Eyecandy http://Achillies875.deviantart.com/journal/21527703/ http://Achillies875.deviantart.com/journal/21527703/ Mon, 17 Nov 2008 00:03:11 PST Enjoy.

street.//

photojournalism.//

~Achillies875 Fight the H8 + FRONT PAGE (of 2nd section) http://Achillies875.deviantart.com/journal/21501570/ http://Achillies875.deviantart.com/journal/21501570/ Sun, 16 Nov 2008 12:06:01 PST UPDATE
It worked! I'm on the front page of the second section, City and Region.
It may be the second section, but let's think about this. I'm happy to have gotten in. period.
Second, It's a SUNDAY paper, so it's huuuuge.
third, it is in color, so it must be good haha.
Looks like all the hard work paid off though. Now to go shoot Kelcey's Volleyball game!

end update

I just got back from shooting the protest in Downtown today.
I got a lot of great shots. 144 RAW files, and a roll of TMAX 400.
Got some captions, a large list of names of people, and even an email to send photos to for a third party (QueerEugene.com)
So, actually I don't know if I told anyone this, but hopefully these photos will be good enough for the Register-Guard.
I emailed the Freelance Editor a few days ago saying that there is a protest on Saturday (the one I was just at), and that I'd like to prove myself as a photographer by shooting it for them. He emailed back and said that he's not sending a reporter there to write about the event, but that I'm welcome to shoot it, and send images to them.
It didn't sound like just a "Yeah sure, I guess" but more like "Yeah, if you take photos, send them to these people and you will get in the paper."
So I'm excited.
I'm downloading them now, and going to caption them soon (Thanks Scott for telling me how to do that!).
Hopefully I got some great shots.

The funny thing is, when I was there, apparently some people were there too. I found Courtney at the bus stop, so I walked to the protest with them, but when I got there, I saw Sarah from the Documentary. We met up and we did some shots of me shooting the protest, as well as shooting street at saturday market.
Yeah, street. It wasn't great, but we'll see. I have about half a roll from the shoot.
But then we had Phad Thai, and that was good haha.

So I'm off to caption, save and send. Then develop a little, and then shoot a concert tonight at WOW Hall. It's like heavy metal, goth, dark rock stuff, so I probably won't be there long.

It's a Eugene band, so it's worth it to get my name out.

The sad thing is, I may not be able to go because my car is dead...AGAIN.
Jumped it yesterday and now it doesn't work.
and there are no busses after 11, so I don't want to walk home again.

Not sure if I'll go, but we'll see.

GOOD NEWS: I heard the other day that something uber is stirring.
Yeah! Rumor has it that Uber is rising from the dead! Hopefully so, then I can rebuild my website!

Photos online soon. Thanks

Features

]]> ~Achillies875 It's Official! + Lens? http://Achillies875.deviantart.com/journal/21476648/ http://Achillies875.deviantart.com/journal/21476648/ Thu, 13 Nov 2008 20:39:38 PST Update
So since on sunday I'm shooting the UO/UW volleyball game in McArthur Court, I was thinking what lens to use. It's a relatively dark place, and no flash is allowed.
I'll be on the sidelines, and want a fast lens that also has a good focal range.
I'll be renting from Glazer's Cameras again if my parents agree.
Lenses that I'm choosing between are:
24-70mm 2.8L
85mm 1.2L
70-200mm 2.8L IS

Which lens do you guys think I should use? Esp. those that have shot at a basketball court before...
You can look up McArthur Court to see some photos of just how bright it is.
I'm excited, but nervous.
Oh well.

But at least I finished the Watchmen

end update

Everyone go over to ^bQw's page RITE NOW and congratulate him on the hat!
I'm really excited not only to have a street GM, but also that it's Brian. He's a great guy, and certainly the best pick for the job.

As for me, yeah I applied, but I'm just as happy that Brian got it. We've been friends for a while now, and right after I submitted the application I was like "Wow, Brian can so easily get this."
One of the best modern street photographers I know. Great inspiration. He'll do great.

In fact, I may be even more happy because I don't have to get swarms of notes for DD's.

But Brian, watch out for my reports and DD suggestions. They're comin your way now haha.

In other news,
I was in the dark room for a long time today.
Finished NINE prints. All very good; great contrast, great grain, just perfect in general.
They will be uploaded all at once on Facebook probably, and as fast as I can here on deviantART.
Tomorrow I'm going to Rite Aid and scanning / burning a CD.
Hopefully my car will work. Need to call AAA to get it jumped.

Tried to shoot a protest tonight, but it disappeared.
Would have been great. Keeping my eyes peeled.
ALSO! I'm shooting along side Dave Martinez, the Photo Editor for the Oregon Daily Emerald (Student paper) during the UO/UW Volleyball game this Sunday.
Kelcey will be there, and I'll be on the sidelines.
Awesome.

So, photos online tomorrow, but don't quote me on that.
Just hopin'

Take a look at the features!

Features

]]> ~Achillies875