Month: July 2011

A Lesson in Lomography

In my last report, I raved about discovering the Lomography store. Well, I made a little shopping trip to purchase a Fisheye camera. I’ve had great fun practicing using the circular framing technique that works best when you get REALLY CLOSE to your subject – much to the dismay of a my best supermodel, my cat!

I went back to learn some expert techniques including double exposure and other tricks at the Dina Mini workshop, one of the many Saturday offerings at the store. We were given a brief presentation on different ways to shoot, a loaner camera and a roll of film. Then it was off to practice. The six strangers in the class became instant friends taking pix of each other and we couldn’t wait to get the roll developed to see what surprises awaited. The fun thing about shooting analogue is you never know what you’re going to get on your film and it’s the unexpected that makes the most powerful photos. I walked out of there with yet another camera and great excuse to shoot a couple of friends in the park the next day. Take a look at my results:

Click the photos below to see the slideshows

Lomography Diana Mini Class

Friends in a skyscraper park

Until next time – shoot first, ask questions later!

K.

Tags: , , , ,

Month: July 2011

Mad Men Today

With my crazy schedule trying to take in all the Los Angeles has to offer, I don’t get to watch much TV (mainly because there aren’t many shows I like) but I do make time to watch Mad Men courtesy of Netflix. It’s pure indulgence for me to feast my eyes on the clothes and set decoration done period-perfect in the ‘60s (my favorite era!) As the show is up for yet more Emmys this year, I was excited to learn that some cast members would be doing a Q&A downtown for the LA Times Envelope Emmy Week. On hand were Jon Hamm (Don Draper), Christina Hendricks (Joan Harris), Kiernan Shipka (Sally Draper) and creator Matthew Weiner. I have to say all of the cast’s stars are as impossibly good looking in person as they are on screen and while Weiner had some great behind-the-scenes tidbits, it was Shipka who stole the night as the most charming, poised tween I’ve ever seen! They all just made me love the show that much more – can’t wait for the next season!

Speaking of the ‘60s, I ventured out with some of my groovy ‘60s lovin’ pals to see Douglas Roegiers who has a Wednesday night residency at Villa Sorriso in Pasadena. Encompassing the swingin’ style of the Rat Pack in their heyday, this one-man show has the sound bigger than any big band. A smooth crooner with the presence of a true entertainer, he sang covers of the classics, danced, told jokes and mingled with the audience with the charm and tradition of an old school lounge act that is a lost art. And did I mention this guy can sing? His voice was way too big for the tiny stage and backing track at this restaurant but it just led to us to appreciate his true gift for entertaining and made for a great evening. Thanks Douglas!

Fly me to the moon,
K.

Tags: , , , , , , , ,