Art of the Muses

60 Day Photo Challenge

Avarine — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 10:24:28 +0000

A friend and I decided to embark on a 60 day photo challenge, basically a watered down, less committed version of the 365 project, as a way of pushing ourselves. We decided to start on New Year’s Day. Bad idea. Embarking on any sort of resolution on New Year’s Day must be the worst idea ever, but only because it’s the day after New Year’s Eve, when everyone is partying. So I was way too tired and wrecked on 1st Jan to remember to take a photo, I started on the 2nd instead. Blah whatever, what you gonna do?

It’s been 3 days and there are 2 main challenges that have presented themselves thus far: 1) choosing one photo for the day (it’s always so hard to pick – I’ve already changed my mind a few times for Day 2) and 2) I need to suck less at photography. Hopefully by the end of the 60 days the second challenge will have improved. Hah.

So, here’s the fruit of the first three day’s efforts.

Day 1.

Day 2.

Day 3.

Tea Break

Avarine — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 02:05:03 +0000

I recently bought some mugs from the op shop across the street because this and one other mug were the only two cups I had big enough to make a cup of tea that would satisfy me. I drink an obscene amount of tea in a day.

Tea and Stripes

Avarine — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 02:02:49 +0000

Just a quick outfit post.

I am wearing my !!NEW!! Clark’s Desert Boots. I rave about desert boots to anyone who will listen, because my old pair I’ve had since I was 14 (that’s TWELVE [12] years ago) and have served me well. They were still in action as recently as yesterday, and although the leather has softened and moulded to the foot so much as to have become rather “clowny” and elongated in shape, not a hole or tear or anything has manifested itself from years of use. I think the shoes have proved their worth.

Unfortunately I initially bought a replacement pair in the wrong size so I’d like to get rid of them. The boots fit tight, requiring you to go up half a size (I’m an 8 and fit an 8.5) so if anyone is a ladies 7.5 and would like a pair, CALL ME.

VIDEO: Grieg Piano Sonata, op. 7 – 1st Movement

Avarine — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 04:06:18 +0000

Me playing Grieg for my Honours recital in March of this year, bumps, messy hair and all!

The Midnight Revolts

Avarine — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 04:25:36 +0000

This is my friend Emmeline. A while ago we gathered together our collective photography gear and spent an afternoon mucking about with lighting in my living room.

Sunlight In My Eyes And We Ascend

Avarine — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 03:25:51 +0000

Little Bits

Avarine — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 03:02:26 +0000

1. Rugging up for a Saturday night out with friends in the best way possible, with loads of colour to rebel against the tendency towards sombre-hued winter fashion.

2. It’s totally worth investing in a really good quality water bottle. I have an ice cube tray which makes long sticks of ice, they’re good for putting in the water bottle and taking to a Bikram Yoga class. I also have a metal bottle, but the water gets hot from sitting in the hot Bikram room!

3. Keep Calm and Carry On. Dave and Matt practising new material in the War Room.

4. Snuggly toes and accessories everywhere.

Dream Tones

Avarine — Sun, 07 Aug 2011 02:57:50 +0000

Some pictures I took back in Summer on my Diana Mini…

Can’t wait for the weather to start hotting up again! It was HAILING this morning. This winter seems never-ending.

Hong Kong Traffic

Avarine — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 02:09:00 +0000

Hong Kong Traffic, a photo by Avarine on Flickr.

It’s been over two months since I’ve been back from my Hong Kong holiday and I’m still only partway through editing the photos! As well as that, I have a huge back log of Diana Mini photos, Instax Mini photos as well as digital photos to upload and process – not that I mind.

Popy Jane photoshoot

Avarine — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 13:33:03 +0000

I was recently asked by some mates to take some promo shots of their band, Popy Jane (formerly known as Arturo). It’s the first time I’ve been asked to take portraits – usually it’s me asking people to pose for me. It was a real learning experience. I feel lucky that I’ve had the experience of having my photo taken for my own band because I could really empathize with how it feels to be on the other side of the lens. Some words of encouragement to let your subjects know they’re doing alright can go a long way towards relaxing them. And going ahead and posing your subjects helps to alleviate awkwardness. One thing I discovered is that awkwardness comes through very easily into the photo as stiffness in the body, it can all look a bit forced.

The outing was also a great chance for me to get to know my flash. I bought a Nissin Speedlite Di622 while in Hong Kong and this was the first time I really gave it a good go. There was lots of trial and error, but I think the Speedlite and I are probably going to be firm friends.

Of the pictures above, the top one is my favourite of the lot. The second one is definitely not a “technically” good picture, but I still rather like it, and the third is a fun shot we took in a 24-hour convenience store.