March 15th, 2011

It's been quite some time since I've updated my blog.

These past few few months have been insanely busy and full of surprises...

My photography will be displayed at the Raymond James Financial Firm and Investment group offices. A few people are already interested in purchasing my gallery framed prints, which may mean I will finally be able to get my new camera... the Canon 7D!



I've been dreaming about this camera for ages. And while my real dream camera is the 5D Mark II, that one is a little too much out of my price range.

Here are some of the photos that are going up for display at the firm:



These are just some of the photos, with a total of 10. If I sell more, I can bring more in.


In other news, I'm graduating in June... I've been insanely busy with portfolio work and my Senior project. In a week and a half, winter quarter will be done, and after spring quarter, I'm finally finished!

Here are some still shots of my projects I've been working on:

Miniature Project (compositing a hand-built miniature and making it into a realistic scene):

Before

After

My animation project which I tweaked a bit to turn into my Visual Effects project (because it was really more visual effects than animation in the first place anyway).


Plus there are a few other projects that I am currently in the works of finishing in a matter of days. Our class with the Vice President of The American Institute of Architects to create a spot for their company. I'm about 95 percent finished with that one, and will post the link/photos as early as next week.

I'm also storyboarding (last minute, I know) a TV show opener about two rival prides of Lions. It was originally going to be about tigers (because I had so many great photos I had taken of tigers in the past), but I was watching the Lion King the other night with Sam, and it gave me a lot of new ideas as to create different concepts for the fictional show.

I recently started a job with Ann Taylor on Michigan Avenue (you wouldn't believe how many tourists there are!) I absolutely love the people that work with me, so working retail is a lot more fun than in the past places I've worked (which shall not be named...)

So yes, I've been insanely busy. Just got a random photo session with a Photographer, Simon Ho. I was originally just supposed to be assisting my friend for the shoot (who is a makeup artist and wanted a shoot done for her dressed as Sophia Loren... but, we decided to do the shoot together as well. Luckily her shoe and dress size were very similar to mine, so it worked out!

Here are some photos from the shoot:

Jana fixing my hair

striking a pose

The perfect exposure... fyi none of these are photo shopped!! Simon was great!

Side profile of Jana and I

Anyway, that's all for now. I'll keep updating as classes go along, and new opportunities arise.

Also, my birthday is exactly one month from today :)

-Melinda

An Update, I suppose?

So it's time for a new update, I suppose.

Been very busy with school, and just got a very nice freelance gig. I've been trying to explore more in fashion/glamour/expressive photography & photo-manipulation, and here are the results over the past few months:

Have to get my VFX and Motion Graphics portfolio together this next quarter. Taking a miniature building course next week when classes start, as well as part one of my senior project class. I have a few ideas for that class, but must narrow it down to one. Decisions, decisions.

Going on a Western Caribbean cruise to Cozumel and Calica in August. It's a short cruise, but it'll be quite lovely, I'm sure. I'll be sure to post pictures as well :)

Currently spending my last day in New Jersey near Ocean City and Atlantic city with my family. Take the first flight out in the morning... Then onto getting things done before the craziness of next quarter begins!

M

Photoshoots and Internship and Life

Life is pretty swell.

I've got an amazing internship at Laudi Vidni doing photography and photo touch ups for some of their products. I absolutely love it there.

I've started doing glamour and fashion photography as well. Met this gorgeous model who I want to shoot a lot more of.

School is hectic and busy, but I'm so dedicated and loving it this quarter!

Here are some recent works of mine :

Wristlet I shot for Laudi Vidni, a designer custom-made handbag company

The Gorgeous Jenny Liu

Relaxation and Opportunity... and an addictive TV show

I'm very happy that I actually get to relax this weekend.

Got a lot of cleaning done, and did about a month's worth of laundry. I definitely forgot that I packed a box full of dirty laundry... Mind you, I have A LOT of clothes, so I didn't realize I had a box full of them.

I'm finishing up the first season on 'The Cleaner.' I love this show because the story is so powerful, and some episodes are so realistic and gritty that it almost brings you to tears. The last episode I watched was the first one where I almost cried, because for once the drug addict on the show seemed more relate-able and was a lot kinder than the others I've seen. When she unsuspectingly died of a cocaine overdose, and you saw the shot of her dead, it was very powerful.

Not only are the stories so great, but the characters, while they have to be serious at most times, each have their unique sense of humor and sarcasm. I think Akani is my favorite character. She's ballsy, intelligent and provocative and is very sarcastic.

Being in a film major, I have to say the lighting and cinematography are fantastic, especially for a TV show. If you haven't seen it yet, you should. Watch the first three episodes and you'll be hooked.

1) Akani played by Grace Park

2) William Banks played by Benjamin Bratt

What's even cooler is that this show is based on the real 'William Banks' who has saved hundreds of people from addictions.

Anyway, check it out.

Happy Friday

Melinda

Chilly Wednesday

Rainy days always make me very sleepy. I must've woken up a dozen times trying to wake up from the soothing raindrops on my window.

I've accomplished a lot today. A class that I had dropped a couple quarters ago, I am now excelling at. I'm getting quite familiar with Adobe Flash. EXPANDING my artistic capabilities.

Speaking of, I'm applying for an internship! I found out what they are requiring for interns they are hiring, and for once I think I've found the perfect internship! I'm refining my resume tomorrow.

I can't believe I forgot about the Imogen Heap CD release! I'll definitely have to download her tunes... she's always been amazing.

Here are some pictures from St. Louis (none of me and the boy yet) but of the zoo and arch.

Music on my current playlist:

Eat You Up- BoA

Heartbeats- The Knife

The King of Carrot Flowers Pt 1-Neutral Milk Hotel

Blissed Out- Gift Culture

He Mele No Lilo- Lilo and Stitch soundtrack.... because I'd really rather be in Hawaii right now!!

Little Orange Globes

Sometimes you have to go through bad experiences and deal with bad people in order to realize how good you have it, and cherish the good times and good people even more.

Went to botanical gardens earlier this month, here are some of the photos I took:

My best friend Joanne is moving in with me this weekend! I'm so excited since we haven't really hung out in ages (except once last month). I also feel like I'm so busy with school that I need to keep better in-touch with friends.

Songs I've been obsessed with lately:

Las de la Intucion- Shakira

Energetic- BoA

Dakishamiru- BoA

Follow that sound- Sharon little (The Cleaner tv show's theme song)

I've been trying to read Dan Brown's 'Angels and Demons' and Murakami's 'The Wind-up bird chronicle'

Watching BBC's 'Nature's most Extraordinary Events'

Did you know that over 2 billion salmon migrate from the pacific ocean through the western united states every year? Their eggs are actually so pretty, like little orange globes. Also they are the most expensive caviar (pink salmon eggs) because they are so hard to preserve.

This week is looking pretty busy !!