Sara Jean Photography

Features: Winter

2010-11-23T09:24:00.000-08:00

Is it really that time again?
I've felt this day coming for the past week... yes a snow day. The ground and air surrounding me is white, pristine & crisp. The ground crunching under your feet, the soft snow landing on your head. It is winter. Today is just the beginning, and for the next five month I will both love and curse this weather.

So I though to be festive today I would show you a few splendid winter inspired photos.
Enjoy

.:winter time:.

{{as always, these photos are the property of the credited artist linked under the photo}

Please feel free to take a look at some of my winter photos here:

Halloween Special Feature BONUS!

2010-11-02T08:16:00.000-07:00

And...
Ta-Dah, I was so on the ball about this latest feature series that I did up a little bonus feature. Here are some more lovely Halloween themed shots that I love but just didn't know quite where to put. I hope you all enjoyed and had a safe Halloween evening, no matter what kind of trouble you were causing.

{{All photos are property of the credited artist, linked under the photo}

Halloween Special Feature

2010-10-31T10:43:00.000-07:00

Day Four:

Costumes

Halloween isn't Halloween with out costumes. There are so many potabilities for costumes (not to mention photo opportunities). Whether you like Scary or Cutesy there is a ton of options out there, and if thats to limiting for you, then you can make your own.Here are a few costumes I fell in love with over at DeviantART. Hope you enjoy, and that you have a grand and safe time out tonight in your costumes!

silent hill nurse

Halloween 2

Little Red Riding Hood

Happy Halloween 2009

Halloween

Halloween 2008

Trick or Treat!

Check out the special Halloween poll to your right, This is the last day to vote!

{{All photos are property of the credited artist, linked under the photo}

Halloween Special Feature

2010-10-30T06:41:00.000-07:00

Day Three:

Cute

Tomorrow is Halloween! A busy and exciting day for everyone, last minute decorations and costume adjustment and if you're like me you've just realized that this is the first Halloween you'll have kids at your door and you have no treats! Not to worry, I did get some after a brief panic this morning.

I thought I would take a step back from the spooky and scary and bring in some cute. Yes, I know not a typical Halloween theme, but what are you going to do?

Enjoy

Don't forget to vote on the Halloween Poll to your right!

{{All photos are property of the credited artist, linked under the photo}

Halloween Special Feature

2010-10-28T13:05:00.000-07:00

Day Two:

Places

Half of the spookiness of Halloween is the dark and the places. When I think of classic Halloween places I automatically think of woods and grave yards. Dark, cold, and with no one around. So today I bring you a few fine Halloween places.

You probably won't find me there, I'm to chicken... well maybe I'll be at the last one. Check it out, so cute.

Enjoy.

Dark Places

Hallowed be thy name III

Fall In Red

209

death in dying places

Halloween street

Don't forget to vote on the new Halloween poll to your right.

And leave me a comment letting me know your favorite {{or not so favorite Halloween place}

{{All photos are property of the credited artist, linked under the photo}

Halloween Special Feature

2010-10-28T09:13:00.000-07:00

It's that time of the year again, my favorite wanna be holiday is just around the corner. Though I haven't done anything for it in a few years I still love the time of the year.

First there is fall, the cool, crisp air after a long summer of high humidity is always a treat. The smell of the air is sublime. Not to mention the tastes of fall. Apple. Pumpkin. Nutmeg. Thanksgiving Turkey. Summer Savory. Ciders. I could go on forever, but I won't.

You can feel the growing excitement in the air, I truly love this season. So to celebrate the season I'm bringing you four special Halloween features, one every day up to and including Halloween Day.

Day One:

When I was a kid, I was very creative with my costumes. I was a princess, a ghost, a vampire, a witch, a cat, and a cat witch. Boy the creativeness exploded out of me. Mainly I rotated between cat and witch and then sometimes merged the two. So in the spirit of my past creativeness I bring you a SaraJean Halloween staple.

The Cat

Pixel IV

Caged

croatische katze

. Hunter .

The Journey

kittyyyy

PS. Check out the new poll and cast your vote!

Happy Halloween Holidays, More to come tomorrow.

{{All photos are property of the credited artist, linked under the photo}

Update

2010-10-21T11:05:00.000-07:00

Jasmin was kind enough to allow me to post her final product using my photo Blue Ribbon,
with that said, here it is.

She also sent me this note explaining the meaning behind it.

"Just to share with you the theme, "What Swiss means to us?

Like my principal's saying "Swiss2013; A GREAT SCHOOL"
Blue ribbon symbolize high quality. Hence, i used your picture to convey the message of becoming a great school.

By that, I hope the Swiss student will also endeavour to fulil this title."

Thanks Again Jasmin, it's a lovely piece of work.

She also has a DeviantART account minlicous, so keep an eye out for more of her work.

Exciting News

2010-10-20T05:42:00.000-07:00

About a week ago I was approached my a young lady, Jasmin, a design student in Singapore about a photo that I posted on DeviantART, entitled Blue Ribbon {{left}. She asked if she could use it for a contest though her school. Considering that she was considerate enough to ask I agreed to allow her to use the photo. Today received an e-mail back from her with what she had done with it, I'm awaiting a reply to see if I could show it off.

I am astounded at the amount of attention this photo has gotten since I posted it. It has 25 favorites, is featured in 14 groups, gotten some really great and flattering comments and has been featured. I'll update soon, hopefully with the design work of Jasmin.

1000 Words: Kittens

2010-09-30T08:23:00.000-07:00

Kong,

This was the first night we had him, he was so tiny, palm sized, all claws and teeth. Though much has changed since we got him, many things are still the same. He is still all claws and teeth, it seems that he will never grow out of that at times. He's grown so much, he will no longer fit in your hand, and while he is quite squrmish it's hard to tell exactly how big he is. At times I just shake my head at him, and ponder, "what shall we do with you" All and all he's not a bad cat, but he is still a kitten, into everything, everything is a toy, and at the moment, the toilet is the greatest thing in the world, with the bathtub coming in a close second.

Jet has really grown into he roll as a mother, she cleans and snuggles him. Put us with every bat of his paw, she even wags her tail to give him something to play with. We couldn't have asked for two better cats. We do with that he would calm down just a bit. Every day they both surprise me with how compatible they are. How tolerable Jet is towards the Munchkin, and hum much trouble Kong can get into in the run of a day. These things shouldn't still surprise me... should they? Every morning they wait calmly and quietly outside of the bed room for the first ear scratch of the day before the four of us make our way downstairs for breakfast. When we make our way home from school, work & fun they are always waiting with their heads though the runs of the stairs to get they kisses and huggles.

It still boggles my mind that Kong at 3 weeks was left to fend for himself on the streets, and if it wasn't for a great few acts of kindness he wouldn't be with us, or anyone.With that being said I really do want to encourage everyone to support their local animal shelters. Especially those who believe in a no kill policy, and have the very best interests of the animal in mind. A local one, the one we got Kong from comes to mind. If you would be so kind as to visit Heavenly Creatures.

With that all said I leave you with this heart-warming photo of the Misses and Mister.

Feature: Orange

2010-09-25T13:52:00.000-07:00

It's been a long while since I've made an appearance on here, the whole not having a computer thing kind of sucks.

But at any rate, without further ado, the new features!

{{Click on the name of the photo to view source.}

I'm different

Autumn House.

Day After Day

292. :Under the Tuscan Sun:

Her little friend

2010-09-08T08:49:00.000-07:00

It's been a while, but I assure you I am alive and kicking.
I should be back in business when my shinny new desk top arrives.

For now hang tight and read this splendidly funny article on how to take horrid vacation photos! YAY!
Bring back the horrid photos

Feature: Still Life

2010-07-30T09:44:00.000-07:00

It's that times again... I know these are few and far between, even for my likings, sorry. I'm going to try try try to get better when the summer is over and I have to work less.

This time around, Pretty pretty still lifes. Enjoy!

bring back the memories

Lots of Stuff

2010-07-24T10:38:00.000-07:00

Lots of news today so where to start?

Firstly, tutorials now available on my FaceBook page, so head on over there to check them out. I'm going to try to add more shortly, and continuously.

SaraJean Photography Tutorial

Secondly new photos are up on both FaceBook and DeviantArt so choose one place and check them out.

Finally on my DeviantArt page you can now find stock photos. Free to use for non-commercial purposes. All you need to do is credit back to me at SaraJ3an.deviantart.com

1000 words: Christmas

2010-07-20T19:39:00.000-07:00

I know it's a little early to be thinking about Christmas already, but hey, it is a great time of the year!

I was just taking a peek at pictures from last year when I found this one here and you know bokeh (it's those circles of light you see there in the photo, click the link to find out more I don't want to go into details here) is just so festive, especially when it is as multi-colored as so.

Christmas is about the one time of the year that I have ALWAY spent with my family, and to be honest I can't imagine when Christmas would be like without them. But with that said I know the day is coming sooner then we'd all care to admit. But while I still can spend Christmas with the family I will and I know I will always gather more and more great memories from it.

Last year mom had to work Christmas day and I was left in charge of cooking the turkey, and might I add that I was terrified. I was convinced that I would have to make a lasagna last minute because the turkey would be chard black. Lucky for me it came out beautifully. Here is a picture of my mom proudly displaying my turkey! Oh gosh, you know what else I love about Christmas? Wrapping presents. No kidding here, I could sit in my room and do it for hours and never get bored. That's something I get from my father, he wraps the most beautiful presents I have ever seen. Jet on the other hand wasn't a fan of all the wrapping, I think it was because I wouldn't let her help.

Christmas is just such a heartwarming time of the year, and I'm so thankful that i have such a wonderful family to share it with. We laugh, We eat, We watch silly Christmas movies, We are a family.

Sad News.

2010-07-20T12:52:00.000-07:00

I am very unhappy to announce that my good old Toshiba has ran into some more technical troubles, this time without a warranty. Lucky for me the price tag on fixing it isn't to high, and I should have it back to operating by weeks end. On the downside it was my hard drive that went which means ALL the features I have been working on lately, and trust me I had a ton, are now all lost forever. Good news is I have most of the photos favorited on DA so it will just be a matter of organization.

On the bright side, I am going to aim at having another 1000 Words feature up tonight. And I also made quick links on the blog sidebar so you can quickly jump to your favorite post topics.

In the mean time, look at this kitten, betcha can't stop smiling now!

Watermarks

2010-07-19T20:42:00.000-07:00

Digital Photography School posted an article about photo piracy which was linked to an article about watermarks today, and I read it, as always it was a great article, with great comments that really left me thinking. To check it out head on over to DPS.

At any rate it is a topic that I have found, isn't talked about much, and it seems to be about 6 in on and half a dozen in the other in terms of who watermarks and who doesn't. I for one ALWAYS watermark, or as I call is, add my signature to photos that I put up online, except for those silly snapshots on kittens, cats and family vacation photos.

Why do I watermark? I started to because I love the professionalism behind it. I am in no way a professional, but it sure makes me look more like one don't you think? Then as time went on it has started to be more. It's an advertisement, it's proof of copyright that many people fail to consider, it tells people that it is mine.

Now those who will steal will steal, and those who don't want the watermark on the image will remove it. Just like i removed a tower and two people from this photo.

All you need to be is half familiar with PS, GIMP, or any other photo program, and guaranteed those who steal photos for a living are quite adapt in removing water marks. A watermark in not a fail safe for theft, and that was never my intention when I marked mine. Preventing photo theft is a whole different ball game, that I'm going to leave untouched.

If any other photographers or artists are reading this, do you water mark? and If so why?
Please comment.

Feature: Silhouette

2010-07-17T19:58:00.000-07:00

It's pretty late, and I'm just about done for the night, so I'll keep this short and sweet. I love silhouettes, yes they may be over done but here are a few I find unique and beautiful.

Enjoy.

_Faces_ by SerenityEternity

Evening Silhouette by WorstTragedy

Me and my Love SILHOUETTE by rockerbmg666

catching love by Fussel2112

Hanging on by kudaNILpemberani

Silhouetting Paradise II. by courtneylizzz

Be Strong, Believe by karunderwaterx

cigarette silhouette by suay

1000 words: Rock & Roll

2010-07-08T19:26:00.000-07:00

It's been a long while since I did my first one, and for that I am sorry. I find it hard to a) talk so personally to god knows who, I'm sure your all nice, and b) pick a photo to use. I like one with a good story, one that I can never get over. Sometimes that photo is blurry, sometimes it's to bright, sometimes it's to dark, sometimes it's ok. Today's is one that I have always been proud of, It's from the Joe Belly album release (nickels and dimes).

I love how grungy this photo is, and how much character is in the floor of the stage. It tells the tale of a floor well loved and some very good times. I wish I still had the .raw file for this one so that I could do it up even better, but never the less. It is a small segment of what was really going on, and in turn it is really open ended. I really like the openness to it because no matter who looks at it they can come to their own conclusions as to the story behind it, and that makes the photo more personal to more people.

What catches my eye, as said before, is the floor and the character to it. To me growing up every band member had a pair of Converse sneakers and to me they are a musical icon, I just know those who were them proudly with holes and stains must either play good music or enjoy good music. The beer on the floor, well can't that just speak for itself? Whats good music without a drink or two right? Remember those all ages shows? Remember how after someone turned 19 you never saw them there again, you know why... because they were enjoying a drink with their music at the bar across the street.

A lot of the interest falls to the left side of this photo, and usually this leave a photo feeling unbalanced, which is one of the last things you want in a photo, balance and symmetry are large parts of good composition. Some may disagree with me,and by all means tell me why you do, but in this photo I think it really adds to the story. It adds to the mystery of whats going on on the other side, and therefore adds to the story that we all make from it.

What story does it tell you?

FaceBook exclusives!

2010-07-04T11:18:00.000-07:00

Exclusive photos from the photo scavenger hunt talked about here can be found on my facebook fan page.
Please go check them out.
I'm happy with all of then except one, clue 24. A Dogs Life.
It was kind of rushed as it was a weird "can I take a photo of you dog?" moment. Anyways, check them out, "like" my page and leave a comment.

Thanks!
PS how was ever one's Canada Day? and on the note Independence day?
Stay safe.

Oh Canada

2010-07-01T16:03:00.000-07:00

I know I don't say it directly very often, but every time I fight with someone over health care, or socialist ideas, or mention how I could never live in the US {{no offence}, I am indirectly saying how proud I am to be a Canadian. This week I have a special feature, and it is a Canadian feature. I am proud to be a Canadian, and I live in a truly beautiful country.

Happy 143rd Birthday.

credit: lastgoodthing

The Canadian Beaver.

credit: CRWPitman

The Cabot Trail in Cape Breton, a place I was lucky enough to call home last summer.

credit: Priestek

My home home, PEI.

credit: ChocolateMuffin-Chan

I can't help putting more the one photo of my home in here.

credit: X-Tol

My home away from home, Newfoundland.

credit: Dayy

Toronto, the home of the CN tower.

credit: EmptyEmotion

Nova Soctia, welcome to the east coast

credit: lazdude

Whistler welcomes you to the west and to one of the best skiing and snowboarding locations.

credit: AnimaPhotography

Niagara Falls, a shared beauty with our neighbors to the south.

credit: dranak

New Brunswick, the only bilingual province in Canada, celebrates is Acadian history.

credit: Tessamay07

Located near Banff, Alberta one of the most beautiful places I have ever been.

I hope you enjoyed this edition of features.

Oh Canada!

Best Intentions

2010-06-30T16:53:00.000-07:00

I was going to try to write one of my weekly posts tonight, however I'm going to postpone until tomorrow, and I may have some new photos then as well.

For tonight I would like to share this event with you, whether or not your in ST. John's. This scavenger hunt is happening down town on Saturday {{Michael and I are going to do it} it looks like a ton of fun. And even if your not here, you can do one in your own town, how fun!!

I'm super excited!

Now I will leave you with a photo from today.

"I want a girl with a short skirt...

2010-06-17T15:10:00.000-07:00

... and a long jacket"

Honestly, I love wearing a short skirt and a long jacket because this song starts to play in my head and then I sing it all day. Anyways, on to my point. The weather is getting nicer and soon it will be time to get rid of that long jacket and just have the skirt. So in honor {{and hope} of those wonderful, beautiful skirts here is a feature, all about them.

Enjoy!

Ik draai door mijn gedachten

ladies and gentlemen

y o u . a n d . m e . 0 4

love for free

simplify

Remnants from a lost past

Polaroids??

2010-06-14T17:00:00.000-07:00

For the longest time I have been swooning over polaroid cameras, and I envy my friends that have them. But alas, the film is expensive, and then everyone steals you pictures on you {{guilty as charged}. Not to mention that sometime last year I was told that they weren't going to make polaroid's any more, and then I really couldn't justify the money one one.

Now I'm a dedicated person, I like certain brands and I cannot justify buying others. Take for example shoes, flats, boots, whatever don't care that much, sneaker tho, they better be chucks!

Credit: whatisashayna

And the same goes for cameras, and if I were to get a polaroid, i would want a REAL polaroid, not the fuji substitute Not that there is anything wrong with it, i just don't want it. Anyways, to get to the point it would not be efficient for me to get one, especially now. So whats the next best thing? Making you own on photoshop/gimp/whatever editing program you have. Now I have been lucky/smart enough to scan real polaroids, so i crop out the middle and plop in a new one, make some minor fixes and then I'm good to go. But this takes time, and If i just want it for a blog post, a profile picture or whatever, it's almost to much effort {{I'm a touch lazy at times}.

Getting down to my point, finally. Last night I nearly jumped for joy when I found this nifty little program Poladroid. I downloaded it after hearing about it from another blog, one i can't think to name right now. And now I can make decent looking polaroids in minutes! Yes, I said minutes because like the real thing you have to wait for the photo to expose, half annoying, half cute. I suggest turning off the sound effect, they are kind of loud and irritating. At any rate here are some of the results I have had using it.

{{me, doing what I do}

{{mike & i on a hike}

{{mom & i in vegas}

{{dad & i at supercross}

Alrighty, now that I have showed you the light I will also warn you that it is a beta, and half way though this post {{yes, I am still playing with it} it bugged out one me, something about it not being able to save my preferences. Luckly this is a bug people have found long ago, and have a fix for. Simple restart the program, easy. Just make sure you close it off your tool bar not just hit the x.

1000 words: Serendipity

2010-06-12T10:31:00.000-07:00

Lets face the facts, I am a huge slacker.

But I do try, and here is my first ever 1000 words post. A post where i show you a photo, that may or may not have made it to the blog, facebook, deviantart and tell you why I love it, and what it means to me. I would love to hear your comments, suggestions, and any feedback at all really.

Back in 2001, it seems so long ago now, mom and I went to see the movie Serendipity and ever since that day the movie and more importantly the idea of actually visiting the Café Serendipity in New York was a mother daughter dream. We watched the movie countless times, and even discussed visiting New York in the future and saying how a trip to this small café was a must, and a trip to the big apple would not be the same without it.

But no matter how much we would personally think about it, and how many times we saw the movie, to me it was nothing more then a dream something I never thought we would or could actually do.

Then in May we (the whole family) took a trip to Las Vegas, little did we know that Las Vegas was also home to a Serendipity, not THE ONE but it was defiantly one. With a shock at the news that there was indeed one in Vegas, on the strip mom and I bolted off and hunted it down. Sadly upon finding it, it was still closed from the night before. Being Silly east coasters what we thought was sleeping in and relaxing proved to be early morning on the west. So with the news of it not opening until 10 am we agreed to wonder off some more, but made sure we came back later that day for the famous frozen hot chocolate. Many hours later we finally found our way back, went in got a table, and ordered a Frozen Hot Chocolate for 2. Giddy, like never before we sat and waited in anticipation for this drink of dreams. When if finally arrived it was like our dream had finally come true. There is no amount of words that I can speak or type to express that moment. Finally Mom and I got to share our dream.

Tea & Coffee Features

2010-05-30T16:28:00.000-07:00

This week for my features I have chosen to display my favorite Deviant Art coffee and tea photos. The subject matter may seem overdone at times, but who really can get enough of these delightful warm beverages that easily become daily routine or comfort in a mug? I know I can't, just having that warm mug cradled in my hands is enough to calm my racing mind, put me to sleep or simply drive the cold right out of me.

Enjoy,
All titles under the photo link to the source.

Big News!!

2010-05-26T09:58:00.000-07:00

... and no the news isn't that I now can grow a pretty sweet mustache. My real news is that I made myself a website via wix yesterday. I would be thrilled if you could check it out and let me know what you think. Any comments and suggestions are very welcome. SaraJean Photography

Secondly, I would like to try an update the written part of my blog a bit more, give some inside information on my otherwise random thought processes. But first I would like to know what you all would like to know.

I was thinking...
A once a week favorite photo and why.
A once a week featured work by other artists.
{{If you would like your work featured e-mail me at _sarajean@live.com with the subject line "feature please" include a web like, no attachments of the photo and if I like I will post. Please no spamming I will get to it as i get to it. I will also be gathering photos from the vast resources of the internet, liking back to the artist that posted it. }

How does that sound? Please let me know. I will try and start later this week with this new game plan, so until then,
Cheers!

NEW!

2010-04-18T01:10:00.000-07:00

New photos went up tonight.
I was mainly playing around in photo shop, and I liked the look of most of them. I'm interested in what other think, I know they're a tad different then my usual.
Make sure you check out My Flikr as it has a few more photos. Also feel free to add me as a contact.

Now, to answer my question I asked earlier.
Q: Have you ever made money off of your art?
A: Yes, When I did dance I would have paid performances in the summer, and this year I worked with The Muse, a student news paper and I got some money for it, also I do do some freelance photography which generated a small amount, but not enough to keep track of.

Question

2010-04-15T10:23:00.000-07:00

Have you ever made money off of your art?
Doesn't have to be anything in particular, painting, writing, drawing, photography sports, dance, what ever.
Please comment and let me know what you did and how you liked it.
My answer will come later this week so stay tuned.

Your Visual Style

2010-04-10T10:05:00.000-07:00

Defining your Visual Style

A visual style to me is something that you can't, or rather shouldn't, loose sight of. This winter I found myself loathing while on my couch debating what I should shoot. I found that I was trying so hard to be "great" that I forgot what it is that I loved about photography in the first place.

It was the captured moments that I could tell a story about for ages that I loved about photography. Maybe it was the nostalgic characteristics, maybe it was the way it made me smile. I still love those old shoe boxes at home crammed with photos from highschool.

What I ended up doing was creating a pinhole camera modification for my DSLR, it brought back the character I felt like my current photos lacked. They came out fizzy, noisy, and with a distinct black rim around them.

Lately I have kind of abandoned the pin hole, but I haven't abandoned what I love.

This now brings me to the article linked above.

(to read about me, continue onwards my friends)

So here I go,
What do I want to Shoot?
1. I love artistic photos,
   Why: I love playing by my rules, and on occasion breaking the rules of photography.
2. People,
   Why: I'm really a sociologist, I love to look and watch people and how they interact. Combine that with a urge to capture moments it works out great for me. Catch them laughing, playing, bickering even.

Inspiration is Important, here are a couple I enjoy looking out for.
Rose on the Gray:
   She is very imanagitive, and works well with abstract ideas. I don't think I've seen another like her. Fun, cute, and all around a creative genius. Her photos are always colorful and bright, many tell a story and get you to think about them before skipping off to see more. Her use of bokeh and apples astounds me. At one point she had even posted this journal entry   which still inspires me, even though I have yet to do any of it.

Ryussei23:
   Another artist I love to see. Her photos are magical, whimsical and beautiful. It's hard to find a favorite among them. They all have an ages look to them which only adds to the character. There is something in every one which draws me in to them every time, yet I can never quite place it. Emotive and captavating, everything I want my photos to be.

2010-04-01T13:04:00.000-07:00

A better photographer, another digital photography school article.
wise words.

Image by karolajnat of DPS

2010-03-27T16:19:00.000-07:00

Journey Behind a Lens, an article written for the Digital Photography School that I think is important for any starting photographer to read. Just Click.

Credit: my life in technicolor

2010-03-21T10:35:00.000-07:00

This is where I keep all my information about myself and my photography. Please feel free to look around and forward any comments or suggestions to myself at _sarajean@live.com.
Thanks very much for stopping by!

-Sara Jean