NYC: A city that is dead serious about yellow taxis, car horns, smoking, noise, fashion, firemen & late night diner food.
As soon as I step out of the plane in Newark, NJ, I am in full sensory overload.
Arriving in Newark, NJ.
The stifling, muggy heat is a shock to my system. It reminds me of Toronto in mid-August during an unbearable heat wave.
Pete Cashmore being hit with the muggy air outside of Newark Airport.
The city is sticky. My flip flops slap against the side walk and actually stick for a fraction of a second, until they get a dunk in something wet. I’m hoping it’s left over rain water. *crosses fingers*
I’m back from a quick trip to San Francisco. Although I brought my 5DMKII, I actually spent most of my time shooting with my iPhone. I found myself really enjoying snapping hundreds of pictures with wild abandon, shooting things I would have never “wasted” shots on with my 5DMKII.
This experience was a valuable reminder of what I love about photography: The act of taking pictures. The sheer joy of capturing a moment is such a powerful feeling as a photographer and one that I’ve been missing in recent months.
Team Cheer at the SF Heart, Union Square, SF.
I find that many photographers, especially the perfectionists among us, feel a huge pressure when it comes to their photography. Gaining good editing and photoshop skills, as well as pushing yourself creatively is an important part of becoming a better photographer, but when you start feeling perpetually unsatisfied with every picture you take, you start to lose the passion and love for the thing you love to do.
I’ve noticed this with my attitude towards my own photography, so I thought I’d share some tips to help you generate a little bit of heat between you and your camera.
1. Fill up your memory card.
Union Square, SF, iPhone.
Never limit the number of shots you take based on digital space, just line your pockets with memory cards :) Memory is cheap. Buy plenty of memory cards and don’t be scared of filling up your cards. I carry 2x8GB, 2x4GB, & 2x2GB CFs plus 2x8GB SD cards for my P&S with me all the time.
(David Karp (Tumblr), Rachel, Pete Cashmore (Mashable) & Lisa Bettany, Darya & Kevin Rose (Digg), Mike Shinoda (Linkin Park) & Anna)
Sunday was a pretty normal day. I woke up at the Beverly Hilton, ordered 3 small pancakes for $20, stole a muffin from Jessica Alba at a Press Junket, got my hair and makeup done, put on a dress (!), jumped in a pimpin’ limo with Kevin Rose, David Karp, my boyfriend Pete Cashmore. I drank champagne, got yelled at for taking photos of the Red Carpet & nearly got harpooned by Lady Gaga’s diamonte headpiece.
Then, I waved at Weird Al, heard the Pants-on-the-Ground guy sing “Pants on the Ground” not once, but five times sequentially down the Red Carpet, watched the GRAMMYs live IRL, ate a super greasy pastrami sandwich in my satin gown, hugged Imogen Heap, celebrated in a private cabana at Diddy’s party, learned about the intricacies of tea from KRose & toasted with @Ev over Jay-Z’s Ace of Spade Champagne. *yawns*
Here are some snaps from the big night.
Lisa & Pete going to the GRAMMYs!
David & Rachel looking super cute.
David, Pete & Kevin ready for the Red Carpet.
Cheers to salad in the sweet limo!
Pete & Lisa enjoy their pre-Grammy champagne toast :)
Shira Lazar & I.
The Ladies.
Pete & YouTube founder Chad Hurley entertain themselves during the show.
Kevin & Pete go totally nuts at the After Party. #partyanimals
It was definitely surreal going from my socially reclusive, wifi-addicted lifestyle to hob nobbing with celebs at the Beverly Hilton. Now I’m just back to eating packaged hob nobs and watching ordinary people from my apartment window. Ohh someone just crossed the road and got into a taxi, now a bus is pulling up… where are my binoculars?
Arriving in Newark, NJ.
Pete Cashmore being hit with the muggy air outside of Newark Airport.
Sex & the City sign in Chinatown.
