The End Approaches...

Well it turns out I can't shake this stir-crazy urge to move to Seattle, and I have quit my job at Safeway. I'll be moving to Seattle on January 11th after I get back from vacation in California.

I felt that I should create one more farewell post. Farewell to this small town, this ghost town. Some things I will miss; my parents, the smell of sagebrush, the epic rural vastness, and the crisp desert air. However, I have to be honest in saying that my life is about to change for the better. Farewell G.C.

Here are few photos of my current home, and what will be my new home. Seattle. <3

This last shot is of me at Lake Washington after a lovely drive along the water. I can't wait to live here. Thank you for being wonderful, and reading/looking at my blog. Expect more! I'll post a link to my new blog once I figure out what it's going to be.

Peace.

Epic Hike + Tips & Tidbits on budget friendly photography...

Hello Friends,

Today's entry is going to be a little different that usual, for I have decided to share not only photographs, but also some info from my own brain about how to create lovely images without breaking the bank.

Let's face it, most nice SLR camera's plus the lenses more often than not will cost you upwards of $1,000, and even more if you get the professional level cameras. Many people believe that you can only take great photos with a high-end, fancy-pants camera. Bollocks I say to this!! It is the photographer's eye that is the most important, and yes the tools obviously play a significant role, but you can make great art without spending the big bucks.

For instance, holga's cost on average about $20.00, and you can make some great images with these "toy" cameras. Also, I want to show some examples of my work which was done on my canon powershot, which is a simple point and shoot camera. Only cost me about $300, and I am very happy with the images I create with it!

Here are some photographs from my recent hike, and below each photo I explain the setting I used on the camera to produce the specific image. 

 This beauty, as you can see, has a slight fish-eye effect which gives it those fun curves. Adding a hint of surrealism, and distortion. The canon comes with a "fish-eye" setting, and well, I used it!

 Fish-Eye again, used on a sage bush.

 This image was taken with the "Program" setting, which gives you the option of changing the white balance, color, contrast, and several other features, to your heart's content. :)

 This image is one of my favorite from this shoot, and it was done using the "Miniature" effect. This makes it look farther away, when you are at a distance, and it places the blur along the top and bottom of the photograph.

 Also, Miniature Effect.

 Another miniature effect, but this one was used correctly because I took it close up, and "miniaturized" the moss on this rock.

 "Program" setting.

Program Setting.

So there you have it...photography on a budget, or for those of you who feel intimidated by SLR's or are simply starting out in the field and you want to strengthen your eye before you whip out the big guns. I hope this post was enjoyable and informative.

Go look the world in the eye, so it can look back into yours. <3