I was asked to submit an art piece to a charity fundraiser. I was given a pizza paddle and smile. Here is what I came up with.

Pizza paddle Art Show – The Dive Baltimore

Baltimore loves its flamingos and The Dive is known for awesome pizza so I thought this image would make people smile.

Gouache paint and acrylic marker made this piece easy to create. I’m so happy that I am able to give back to my community.

Paper Shoot camera with Ring flash

The Paper Shoot Test…Mardi Gras

I consider myself to be an experimental photographer and nothing excites me more than a digital camera that produces film-like images. Tiny and eco friendly, the Paper Shoot camera easily fits in a purse or pocket. I splurged and bought the ring flash and the necklace strap to wear around my neck. It’s a conversation starter and puts camera shy people at ease.

I took the Paper Shoot to Mardi Gras 2024 and it was a lifesaver. I was unaware that a lot of the local parades start at dusk. Using my film cameras with little light to reload film became a problem. I switched to the Paper Shoot camera excited to see how it performed at night.

Here are a few photos from Mardi Gras taken at night using the Ring Flash.

Meet the newest member of my camera collection. The Diana F+ Mini Wonderland 35mm film camera is beautifully illustrated with Alice in Wonderland designs by artist John Tenniel. The hearts make me smile and its diminutive size make it easy to take everywhere.

Loading film is an awkward process for me but I get it done without snatching the roll out wasting precious film. I’m all set and will share the results.

Midway through the first semester and it has been a journey. Syllabus…out the window…Focus…out the window. I am embracing this crazy journey and all that comes with it. I am still as excited as day one.

I feel like I really belong @MICA_PEM. I am so glad I stepped away from a soul sucking job and followed my heart. This program may be challenging but it fills my soul.

Experimenting with different mediums and discovering new techniques give me a new life everyday. I still struggle and have to manage my expectations but I feel like I’m winning.

I am motivated by the talent around me every day. Fresh ideas and perspectives will do that for you.

The stress and despair of the last few years is gone from my face. The knots in my shoulders have faded away. My support system…my community lifts me up and encourages me.

I have not committed to one form of photography I am exploring them as they come to me. I find joy in trying new things….and finally people get me.

The best is yet to come!

Don’t Think Just Shoot!

Shoot From The Hip

Find Your Happy

Block Negativity

I am the most creative at night when the world is quiet and my thoughts can flow freely. Tonight my focus is how to get more light into my low light Lomo’ Instant Wide black and white photos. Actually, I want more light in all of my Lomo’ Instant Wide photos. It has been a struggle and I refuse to believe that I am light-limited with my instant cameras. So I research and I have honestly scoured the Internet for tips on shooting in low light and have not had any luck.

A little about me….I decided to devote myself to film photography and realized that I love instant gratification of instant photography. I also love the Lomography style of film photography so those are what I focus on. I applied to the M.F.A Photography and Electronic Media graduate program at Maryland Institute College of Art and I love it. I have been exploring experimental instant photography as a way of expressing myself.

This evening I had a hunch that the wide angle flash attachment that comes with the Lomo’ Instant Wide kit might work and shot some practice photos. Sorry it is late and the only subject around is me. Here are a few shots, indoors and out.

So back to the drawing with the night shots but I am feeling pretty good about the indoor shots. I am having more success with the Polaroid Original and Lomo’ Instant Wide cameras than any other.

Don’t Think Just Shoot

I had a craving for breakfast today and decided to visit my favorite breakfast spot @BlueMoonBreakfast and stuff my face with red velvet pancakes and the world famous Sweet Baby Jesus crab and eggs Benedict. Took my Lomo’Instant Wide along to capture the quirky decor. Blue Moon Cafe and Blue Moon Too are Baltimore and Food Network favorites and a must visit if you are in Charm City.

My Lomo’Instant Wide loves the the staff. They make the place rock!

….take a look!

My Lomo’Instant Wide camera has been out and about visiting my neighbors. The neighborhood loves to see the soft, dreamy @Lomography style photos pop out of the top and their image come to life in minutes. We went for a spin last night to see how my neighbors are dealing with the heat wave we are having here in the east coast.

We had a great night enjoy the pics!

#lomography #filmisnotdead #polaroid #lomoinstantwide #instantphotography

I unpacked my bag and found some great mistakes! Soft focus, low light, dreamy….YUP checks all the Lomography boxes. Take a look and let me know what you think.

Don’t Think Just Shoot!