Inside the Open Mind

3:00 a.m.

2009-11-25T03:17:00.002-06:00

Its 3:00 a.m where I am right now and I'm very much awake. While everyone is sound asleep, I am wide awake listening to MGMT, Fine Frenzy, Patrice Pike, Feist, Taking Back Sunday, and The Shins.

Today was interesting; I slept till 3:00 p.m, tried to get as much computer time as possible out of the way before the trip to Mississippi tomorrow, and talked to my friend Kasem for 4 hours.

I have two interviews I've been working on. Hopefully I can get more followers :/

I can't wait till Thursday. I get to see most of my family and eat some Turkey ^_^ I love turkey. Any way, me and my family have a tradition. Me and my cousins will start it off Thanks Giving morning with racking up leaves to make a fort and play star wars or something (I know its childish, but who cares) and Granny will bring us hot chocolate every once in a while. Then we'll eat Thanks Giving diner and afterwards all the women get hot-dogs and s'more materials while the kids go with Papa to get to fire started. Then we all grab blankets and chairs and warm up by the fire for a couple of hours. I think November is my favorite month because of all of this. I never really get to see my family and when i do get to see them, I try to make it worth wild. The sad part about it this year though, is that I have to finish some homework in between it all and start sewing for everyone's Christmas presents. It'll all be ok though ^_^

I love Ingrid Michaelson.

Sorry that was random :P

Well I'm going to go ahead and end this before it gets too long lol

night bloggers,

Interview with Justin Williams:

2009-11-24T16:10:00.004-06:00

Justin.Williams. Photography

CP: Describe your photo stream.

JW: My photostream would mostly be comprised of self-portraits, which is sad cause I never have any models, and work I get like senior pictures, weddings, families, etc.

The self-portraits are either ones that I took for my facebook and I have nothing else to upload, or some that I thought would be a cool idea, so I attempted at it near some cool building.

My work ones are just some people that have come and asked me to take pictures for some type of occasion in order to make some moolah, which I have done a lot of, but never really uploaded for some reason.

Sooo hopefully it's interesting.

CP: When did you start photography and what was it that inspired you?

JW: I first started photography about two years ago (13 years old) when I saved up $70 to buy a crappy Kodak Point & Shoot camera.
The thing that inspired me the most would be Flickr, because seeing all of the amazing pictures that people had taken made me strive to be better and become more creative.

CP: When you're setting up for a photo, what is going through you mind?

JW: I'm either thinking I hope this picture doesn't suck or what I can do to make it better or more unique.

CP: Do you have any heroes or friends that inspire you?

JW: My cousin, who is also a photographer, inspires me and gives me any tips I need, but most of all my homie Jesus Christ is my biggest inspiration.

CP: What kind of gear do you use?

JW: Welp, I really don't use anything fancy, except my camera, a tripod, and a remote (cause most pictures I take are of myself).
Here's to be more specific:
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel XTi
Lens: 18-55mm & 50mm f/1.8
Software: Lightroom 2.0 & Photoshop Elements 6
Remote: Canon RC-1

CP: What are your goals in your near or distant future in photography?

JW: For now, I'll make my money by taking pictures for people who want it. In the future, I want to go to Life Pacific College in California to major in photography and hopefully have a business in it someday.

CP: What is your favorite style of photography?

JW: I like about any style of photography, but the one I'm into most would have to be portraiture. I wish I had a cool explanation why, but I don't. I just do.

CP: Is there anything you want to say to blossoming photographers out there?

JW: I would say that in photography creativity and dedication means everything. If things are starting out rough, to keep trying. Avoid anything stereotypical, and think of something unique that expresses who you are, and what you can do. Also, if someone ever puts down your work, they're just jealous.

------------------------

These are a few of Justin's other pieces. You can find him on
http://www.flickr.com/photos/22209734@N07/

~Until next time Inside The Open Mind~

Interview with Graham Morrison:

2009-11-08T20:03:00.004-06:00

MGM Photography

CP: Talk about you stream.

GM: Well I definitely love portraits. Fashion portraits, and more classical portraits of people. I always try to make sure I bring something new to the table, because it becomes very boring seeing the same photographs over and over again. However, it's important to have a style and be able to stick with it. It shows consistency, and makes it look a whole lot less like you just got lucky with taking the picture.

I would say that 85% of my stream is nothing but portraits. That's the way I like it. Photographs are the best way to show a person, and for me, it's a good way to show OTHERS the way I feel like that person SHOULD be shown.

CP:What inspired you to start photography and what age?

GM:I got my first camera when I was in elementary school. It was a green Polaroid camera, a gift from my mom. I remember crying when she gave it to me because I was so happy. I would line up LEGOs and other toys and take pictures of them sitting there next to each other on our back porch.

It wasn't until my senior year in High school when I purchased a Nikon D40 that I decided that I really had a passion for photography. I would take pictures of EVERYTHING and EVERYONE. My highlight from that year was taking pictures of my friends for out Spirit Week, right before homecoming. I was the "unofficial" school photographer, and it made me feel so good to see my pictures printed off and posted up around school.

CP:Have you ever been inspired by any one, like family, or friends?

GM:Well, I recall seeing some photos that these kids who went to my high school had taken. They were sophomores when I was a senior, and I remember thinking, "These pictures are amazing. And they're being taken by kids younger than me. I could definitely do something like this if I worked hard enough."

Other than that, I'm constantly inspired by the work of well known professional photographers such as Annie Leibovits, Jill Greenberg, and David LaChapelle. They are all true visionaries who I aspire to be like one day.

CP:What do you look for when you're taking a photo such as lighting or certain details?

GM:I always make sure that I have even lighting (as much as possible) Also, I try to put my subjects in a location that I feel like is fun/interesting to look at. I'm a big fan of placing models in dramatic locations, because I feel like it tells more of a story that way. (I would really like to get into using more dramatic locations in the near future)

CP:What are your goals in your near or distant future in photography?

GM:I really want to start distinguishing myself with my own style. I want to start working with more models as well as more regular ordinary everyday people. I like the idea of people coming to me because they like my style, not just because I'm a cheaply priced photographer.

CP:What kind of gear to you use?

GM:I usually try to travel fairly light. My usual gear consists of my camera, my tripod, my 50mm portrait lens, and occasionally my SB600 flash. I try to travel light when I'm taking portraits, because I don't want to be constricted with loads and loads of gear.

I would love to invest in some studio lighting at some point, but natural light will always be my favorite to use.

CP:To all the blossoming photographers out there, what advise would you give them?

GM:Try to avoid cliches. And always be sure that the work you are posting online is that which you are proud of. I use to post work on my flickr that I wasn't one hundred percent proud of and I feel like it's better to upload less as long as it's quality work.

----------------------

These are a few of Graham's other pieces. you can find him on http://www.flickr.com/photos/grahammorrison/

~Until next time Inside The Open Mind~

Something special under the tree...

2009-11-08T19:51:00.002-06:00

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=33979799
It would be lovely if I could get this for Christmas. I found this today and I feel head over heels for it. Hmmm...wink wink!

My bright idea!!

2009-11-07T16:21:00.006-06:00

I love photography as many of you know, so I was brain storming and I came up with an idea. There are so many amazing photographers on flickr.com that are always inspiring me to do new things. These photographers also inspire many others and I want to give them the credit they deserve. So for the next couple of posts, I will be showing their work and interviewing them. I can't wait to start!

What I see

2009-11-02T20:02:00.002-06:00

I stare at these blue lines that shade my blank white canvas.
I take my brush and let my hands face they're empty silence.
They tell my story of day after day of whispers.
I let the fall hold me and piece my life to meaning.
I pray they're hands will find me
That he will hold me back from tears
That she will keep my eyes on bright days
That my feet will find path to see light again

As I sit here...

2009-11-02T16:16:00.003-06:00

10 Things I'm so sick off!

1.) fake friends who can't tell me to my face what about me "bugs" them
2.) twilight fans (except Kayleigh :))
3.) people who think they're better then me because they're seniors or juniors
4.) rap music
5.) people who HIT they're bfs' or "gfs'"
6.) my bad memory
7.) the fact that Jordan isn't with me right now!!!!
8.) that I don't have a car to drive to Panama City with!!!
9.) that my firefox is STUPID!
10.) and the fact that I am so lost right now...

This rode I've paved
I stand on now
And as I look to its farthest
I see where I went wrong
I have no way of traveling back
I have no intentions on it either
But now that screaming bump
Haunts my next step

I've lost my direction
The map I thought was here
I've lost my thoughts
I can't move out of the way
Of the speeding cars
I feel on my heals

10 Random things on my mind

2009-10-30T20:30:00.002-05:00

1.) Spider man
2.) Smarties
3.) The Beatles Rock Band
4.) The Walmart smiley guy
5.) baby poo
6.) Dane Cook
7.) Optimist Prime
8.) awesome guitar solos
9.) random but pocking
10.) Why I don't have any socks on when my feet are FREEZING!! Shiiizzz man!!

Sorry, my love

2009-10-30T19:58:00.003-05:00

I'm sorry I haven't updated in a while. I've been quit busy. So the party was pimping. lol. I just had McDonald's and I loved it. Today was good. Didn't really do much, then in last period, my teacher was absent so me and my looova, Franny XD, feasted on candy as the class watched Big Mama's House. Now I'm facebooking and talking to my best friend Jordan, who may i add, I love dearly, and she apparently just pocked her but ^_^. Spider man is on my mind right now.

Any way.
Yeah ^^

My "Other" Family

2009-10-15T20:20:00.004-05:00

This is my other family that I love. 1.)Abigail, my MOTHER!, 2.)Mike, my FATHER/brother, 3.)Shannon, my WIFEY/sister, 4.)Ryan, the family hair dresser, 5.)Audrey, my DAUGHTER!, 6.)Paige, my ODA Lova, 7.)Kayleigh, My FRENCH maid ^_^!! I love all you guys sooo much!!!! -MWAH!

10 Ways to Please yo Man/Woman!

2009-10-15T17:16:00.003-05:00

Me and my friends got into a random convo. about this today in photography, so I thought I'd make it into a blog. The guy stuff isn't all accurate, mainly silly, but the girl stuff is so true! Enjoy :3

Men:
1.)When he comes over to your house to hang, play his favorite song, but DON'T sing it. Men have a theory, "Only The person who writes the song should sing it."
2.)They like it when a hint of taco is on your breathe, so when you kiss him, its like eating a taco XD
3.)Always have a plate of waffles waiting for him when he comes over
4.)Never, and I mean never, have one of those little fluffy dogs and call him "Daddy."
5.)Find a perfume that smells like syrup. Just think of the attention you'll get!
6.)Tell him he's right every once in a while, even if he's not.
7.)Always think of fun places to go, so if he asks you, you're not obligated to say "I don't know, where do you want to go?"
9.)Don't take millions of pictures with or of him.
10.)Never ever ever ever ever ever cheat!!! Tis' LAW!

Women:
1.)Check with us before you buy a cologne, we don't always like the crap you get, unless its Axe or anything from Pacsun!!
2.)Sometimes we want alone time with you, which means noone else, but we also love our space.
3.)Be spontaneous :3, but test it first. Not every girl lies it.
4.)Don't just give in when we say we want to go somewhere, unless you want to go there to. If you don't want to go, nicely tell us and compromise with us. We like it when you add in ^_^
5.)We love it when you get creative with your gifts. We don't always want shiny, expensive crap. We like it when you put your heart and thought into it.
6.)Some girls like it when you call them baby, but some DON'T! Try different things, that way we know we've been on your mind and you really thought about us. Examples: love, sweetness, beautiful, etc.
7.)When she's upset, hold her and tell her everything will be ok and mean it. She wants you near.
8.)Never, ever hug us when you're all sweaty! Tis' LAW!!
9.)When she holds onto you after a hug, she wants to be kissed :3
10.)WHen you're watching a movie with her while cuddled up under a blanket in the living room, don't be trying yo feel up on her or make out with her the whole time, just hold on to her, kiss her every once in a while at a sweet scene, and watch it with her.

p.s. Hope this comes in handy boys ;D

Good morning, Loves.

2009-10-15T06:26:00.000-05:00

Halloween Costume

2009-10-14T21:43:00.006-05:00

This is my inspiration for my costume. Jesse from Queen Of The Damned after she's turned into a vampire, only I'm doing my own thing. I bought a purple corset off of ebay for like 9 dollars, SCORE!, and I'm going to where my black skirt with my tripped out tights ^_^. It's going to be awesome.
Looks nothing like that ^

So I have an AWESOME Halloween party every year and at the end when everyone is going home, we all cuddle up in my living room and watch a scary movie. This year, Nightmare on Elmstreet!!!

Weekly Playlist 1: October 14

2009-10-14T21:26:00.001-05:00

This is the first of many weekly playlists. http://www.garageband.com/ is the best place to go for new stuff ^_^

2009-10-13T20:10:00.004-05:00

16 Facts About Myself:

-I'm a fan of Star Wars, A BIG ONE!

-I love photography

-I'm a poet

-Anything involving art, I'll try

-Music is my passion

-The Beatles are the best of the best!!! In my head at least

-I've lived in the south my whole life and I hate it.

-I have a weird obsession over Anne Rice and her vampires that DON'T sparkle.

-I love to read

-I'm a leo and I have fire sign

-I love Smallville, Chuck, and the Office

-I think Bing.com is the bomb!

-My little sister OWNS me!!!

-I go to BTW

-I'm spontaneous , very spontaneous! :3

-I have to be the most unorganized person I know, other then my father.