What happened to us?

So I've always thought there was something wrong with this society we live in today...the one where parents let their children sit on their butts and play video games all day, where parents let their children become obese by giving them whatever food they want, where the children can't even recognize when they're older that there is a problem...

However, I was recently introduced to a product that led me to believe even more that something has gone horrible wrong with us...a lollipop spinner. We are so lazy and selfish that someone decided to make a product that allows us to not even have to put ourselves through the burden of twirling a lollipop around...it can now be done electronically as long as we just hold it up to our mouths. What's next...a lollipop stand so we just have to stick our mouths in front of it without holding it?

Clap-on lights that allow us to just sit and only move our hands, devices that allow us to turn our cars on and start them before even getting anywhere close...it's disgusting.

There are people living in underdeveloped countries eating mud to keep themselves from starving, inevitably dying from disease caused by bacteria, and we invent lollipop spinners!?

"But this creates jobs!" Some people try to argue...

But these "jobs" pay less than $0.25 an hour to children in sweatshops in foreign countries...what kind of jobs are these? Why not create jobs such as feeding those who are starving, or providing medical attention for those who cannot get treatment, or improving the sanitation in areas in need of it? These are real jobs that make real differences!

So many countries (ours in particular) have become so self-absorbed, lazy, and ignorant that we would rather try to improve the quality of our lives (by inventing products that encourage even more laziness) and ignore the real problems that other people are experiencing.

It's time people open up their eyes to something more than what they know rather than opening up their mouths to suck on a lollipop they don't even have to spin.

Behrend Basketball

I went up to Erie this weekend to take some photos of my sister's games with MY NEW LENS. I didn't even have to leave the top bleachers for a lot of these. This was my first time using this lens, so I still need to get the hang of it. But here are just a few of the first...



This is what I call "Ref in my way".

All-time favorites

Just thought I would share three of my favorite photographs.

My all-time favorite photo is the hippie placing flowers in the rifles of the National Guard during a protest. This is such a powerful image stating that love can overtake the war machine. To me, this photo sums up the '60s perfectly and speaks more than just a thousand words.

Another one of my favorites is the photo of the migrant mother who sold her tent for food for her family during the Great Depression. You can see through this one photo the pain and suffering so many people endured.

Last but not least, I love the photograph of VJ Day including the sailor kissing the woman on the street. Every time I see this, I can't help but smile.

So this is kind of a boring post, but I just thought it would expose some people to some photographs they've never seen before. These photos are also part of why I wanted to be a photographer. I may never take a photograph like one of these, one so powerful or monumental that 50 or 100 years from now people are talking about, but I'm just as satisfied admiring these.

Portraits

Doing portraits was something I used to feel extremely uncomfortable with, especially when you're trying to get a shot of someone who's not looking...hmm...awkward. But now, I've gotten more comfortable with it, and I've found that there are some people who come up to ME and ask if I will take their photo.

For example, this fellow on the right, Kyle, stopped me on the street and asked if I would take his photo with his bike. He's actually quite a classy man who works for an organization in Pittsburgh that paints murals on buildings.

Then of course, there are the traditional, senior photo-like shots. I never used to like this type of photography, but I tried it out myself and now it is one of my favorite types to do. I shot my first ones last October of my friend Rachel and her sister Shelby. I also took some of my friend Lindsey in November. Here are just a few samples...





So, if anyone's looking for a portrait photographer...holla!

One of my favorite things...

Well, I'm going to be like Oprah in this post and introduce one of my favorite things- and no, it's not a book on spirituality, or the latest SUV, or a new diet. This is way better and way more real...protests.

We are lucky enough to live in a country where we can speak out against our government without being attacked...at least physically. If you have never attended one, it is hard to explain to you the impact of the experience. The power and the passion leaking from the participants is unimaginable.

I attended two protests in the past year- my first one was last April and it was a protest against the war, though it was technically called a peace rally in order to get the permit from the city. I went there to take photos with the my new camera at the time, but I ended up being taken over with the excitement of the protest that I didn't take as many photos as I would have liked to- even though I did get around 400 shots.


I also attended a Prop 8 protest this past October, and it was amazing. There weren't as many attendees as there were at the peace rally mainly because of the short notice and the horrific weather. The speakers were inspirational, and it was even more inspiring to see so many people from different walks of life-gay, straight, black, white- come together for the same cause.


Here are some photos from the peace rally last April.



Here are some photos from the Prop 8 protest this past October.


Those who think that people who participate in protests are just radical buffoons really need to rethink that thought. It is the right and the duty of the people to speak out against the government when they believe they are being treated unfairly. Those who do so are actually utilizing their rights, unlike people who sit at home and complain, yet do nothing.

God bless this country.

A Cinematic Adventure

Not that I'm an accredited movie critic or anything, but I have seen millions of movies, and there are a few cinematic adventures that I've been on recently that I think everyone should also enjoy.

1. Into the Wild

This movie is absolutely mind-blowing. The fact that it is a true story makes it even more amazing and inspirational. For anyone who is doing something with their life that is different, this is the movie for you! Spoiler alert...it's sad. But you'll be so moved that you won't believe that you haven't seen this movie before!

Bonus: The soundtrack is by Eddie Vedder and it is amazing!

2. Revolutionary Road

Now I just told someone not to see this mainly because of the ending, but if you're looking for a film with actors that can actually ACT, this is the one. Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet are reunited in this movie about a couple living in the Cold War mentality of the 50's, and they want out! Who can blame them? Life at that time was miserable, and you can clearly see that through this film.

P.S. Kate Winslet just won a Golden Globe for best supporting actress for this movie- that just goes to show how great this film is.

3. Almost Famous

Yes, I know...it's been around for quite some time. But I recently just discovered this movie and I can't believe I haven't seen it before! It has it all- rock music, journalism, and groupies...the three things I know most about! It won a Golden Globe for best picture years ago, and this was Kate Hudson's breakthrough performance. If you're looking for a chill movie to watch with your friends, rent this!

Save Darfur

Last October, I went down to D.C. with the Save Darfur Coalition for a rally. I was going to go this Tuesday with the organization for the inauguration, but I can't go because it's only the second week of classes and I can't miss- but I hate that I can't be there for all the excitement! :(

If you don't know anything about the Save Darfur Coalition, or if you don't even know what Darfur is, PLEASE visit this website: savedarfur.org

There is a major crisis going on right now in Sudan, particularly in the Darfur region. The government is sending out a militia known as the Janjaweed to wipe out the entire African population in the country. Over 200,000 have been murdered and over 2 million have been displaced. It is extremely hard to get aid into the country, so humanitarian organizations are
stuck on the border.

Here are some of my photos from the rally in October called Tents of Hope, which resembled all of the refugee camps. There is another rally in D.C. this April, which is expected to draw thousands of people and possibly an appearance by our new Pres. Barack Obama.

Look at this thing!

My awesome father just bought me the lens every beginner photographer dreams of having...a 70-200mm f2.8 IS USM lens! It weighs 4 pounds and the quality is amazing!


Yes, the price is...mind-boggling, to say the least, but what you get from it is even more astonishing! Here are some example images that the lens can provide...

Heart Gallery

My photography class last semester was given the opportunity to photograph orphans living in foster care who are currently looking for a family. We did this through the Heart Gallery and I was lucky enough to have been offered to get published in our college's magazine, The Point. Alias' photo will be in the magazine this semester, and I'm so glad I was able to take part in something that makes a difference. Hopefully, some of our photographs can assist these kids in finding permanent homes.

Alias, 17
William, 12

Who ever made these rules anyway?

For anyone looking for an inspiring read, definitely pick up Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert. This is a true story about a woman who, after spending years in a miserable marriage living a life everyone told her was normal, is finally doing things her way. Life is too short to be who society says you should be, and this book is the perfect picture of that. So if you're someone who is constantly being lectured by people who think their life is stable, read this!!!


You may also find comfort in a Dixie Chicks song called "Long Way Around", and I wish people would listen to this and realize something. "My friends from high school/married their high school boyfriends/moved into houses/in the same zipcodes where their parents live/but I could never follow..." These lyrics say more than most people can say to those who think they've got it all figured out. "I've been a long time gone now/maybe someday, someday I'm gonna settle down/but I've always found my way somehow/by taking the long way, taking the long way around".

"Dream On" by Aerosmith and "Penny on the Train Track" by Ben Kweller are just two other songs involving ideas I've always had and ideas I wish others would accept as real, and if you're like me, you'll love these songs.

I'm done ranting.

Peace.

Dragonboat Festival 2008

Last September, I attended the Dragonboat Festival in Pittsburgh- one of the few interesting cultural events in the city. It had it all- great food, great music, and awesome subjects for photography.
Kids are probably the best subjects to shoot- even when they have no idea you are there, they look absolutely adorable. This was a young girl and her father- lots of these cute couples at the festival.

There were also performances, all unique in their own way. To the right is an image of a group of dancers- flawless!

At the festival, there were a lot of vendors selling items such as Geisha dolls, parasols, clothing, etc. All of the merchandise was gorgeous and authentic, as was the food, which I ate way too much of.

Hopefully I will be able to make it to the festival next year to get some more shots, and some more General Tso :)