Not a girly girl? Boudoir for the everyday woman

"A lady never shows her soul outside the boudoir." ~ Shonda Rimes, Year of Yes

Good morning; afternoon; and evening friends and fans! Namaste. 🧘🏾‍♀️ As I'm hanging out at Starbucks waiting for my laundry to finish at the laundromat around my way and I've been looking into boudoir photography. I've heard of boudoir in the past but never considered the concept of doing boudoir photography whatsoever and it may not be a bad idea because I'd rather keep my options open as a source of additional income. So far, I've found several articles online in regards of boudoir and what caught my attention when I was searching for articles to post on Twitter. I've come across The Growing Popularity and Creative Versatility of Boudoir Photography first and then I also came across How Boudoir Photos Are Redefining Sexy. Let's get into the technical bits and pieces of what Boudoir photography is and it started in the 1890's as lewd or obscene photos in France. However, this concept became more public in the 1920's, long story short, this type of photography was popularized by Albert Arthur Allen in the United States and you can read the History of Boudoir Photography at your own leisure. Being able to do a project on boudoir photography will be an interesting experience and I hope to turn this into a book that will eventually be on Blurb Books! I am very much looking forward to booking these photo shoots! Here are the top three videos for your viewing at your own leisure: Long History of Boudoir Photography; WHAT IS BOUDOIR PHOTOGRAPHY (AND HOW TO GET STARTED); and Intro to Boudoir Photography (for beginners!). It's going to be very interesting trying to list each video in order in the upcoming paragraphs without overloading our minds with all these videos and articles. I had originally found thirteen videos and two articles.

"The key to feeling absolutely alive in your own skin lies in your ability to transform or channel your hardships and dark shadows into sensual energy." ~ Lebo Grand

If you're like me, just starting out and for now, let YouTube be your best friend and guide! When you're not sure where to begin, feel free to begin with these videos on the whole boudoir experience, whether you're a photographer or a model and I hope these videos are helpful to many of you. Keep an open mind when it comes down to boudoir photography, whether a beginner or a seasoned boudoir photographer. Let's begin with How Much Is a Boudoir Photo Shoot | #AskaPhotographer with Mike Lloyd; How Much to Charge For Boudoir Photography | Mike Lloyd's Boudoir Guild; Earning +$90,000 in a Month as a Professional Boudoir Photographer; and 5 Tips for Variety on a Budget | Beginner? Boudoir photography without a studio, wardrobe, etc.?; How To Learn Boudoir Photography Fast (8 Tips); Boudoir Prep: 3 Tips To Help You Prepare For Your Session. I hope these will help you take off with your Boudoir Photography business and I wish you best of luck on your endeavors and success! I personally haven't been checking out other works of fellow boudoir photographers who have this type of [boudoir] photography and I'm open to this experience of boudoir photography. If you're not looking to "offend" anyone, specifically if you're a male and I'm going to suggest checking out this video: What NOT To Say at a Boudoir Photo Shoot and communication is key at photo shoots of almost any kind, not including live performances (meaning concerts). It's a learning curve when it comes to photography, especially boudoir photography and I have a lot to learn when it comes down to boudoir photography along with the history of boudoir photography. You don't have to be a Victoria's Secret model [skinny] to be boudoir model! If you're looking to avoid losing a potential client, watch this video: How To Eliminate Price Shopping Inquiries for Photographers and it's very interesting. If you've never modeled before, stay tuned for more information!

"Confidence is the ability to feel beautiful without needing someone to tell you." ~ Mandy Hale

As many of you already know, this blog was born with the idea/intention of photography in mind and I've written random things in the past as well. If you've never done anything to do with posing people, here are several videos for you to watch: How To Pose People Who Are NOT MODELS *Top 10 Pose Ideas From a Photographer*; Posing Tips for Women; TOP Boudoir POSES - Flow Posing on the Chair; and 30+ Male Boudoir Photography Ideas For A Seductive Photoshoot. As mentioned before, I'm looking to do a project that involves self-publishing books and all that jazz on Blurb Books in the near future, which will be very, very exciting indeed! It'll be an amazing experience and yet gratifying at the same time and it feels like Christmas when you get the film and contact sheets from B&H! If you're looking to book potential clients for a boudoir photo shoot, here is a video for your viewing: How To Advertise Boudoir Photography | Mike Lloyd's Boudoir Guild and best to do your research before going down the rabbit hole of boudoir photography. If you're not familiar with Photoshop, best to learn via YouTube until you're confident enough to begin booking photo shoots and here is your final video on editing titled: Editing Boudoir Photography in Lightroom & Photoshop #3. I hope this blog is helpful on your journey of photography but you don't want to go too deep down the rabbit hole of boudoir photography but just enough to have knowledge of and pass on the knowledge to the next person! Best of luck.

Blessed be,

Jennifer

The Photography Life

"It's about reacting to what you see, hopefully without preconception. You can find pictures anywhere. It's simply a matter of noticing things and organizing them. You just have to care about what's around you and have a concern with humanity and the human comedy." ~ Elliott Erwitt

Good morning; afternoon; and evening friends and fans! Namaste. It's been a year, three months and twenty-four hours since I've been on a photography walk. I miss going on photography walks because it's so very therapeutic and relaxing! Last time I've gone on a photography walk was in Long Island City here in Queens (October 2021) and a long story short, I got to see Blue Bloods being filmed not far from the Pepsi Cola sign. Several years ago, I had a dream I met Donnie Wahlberg but it was on a school bus. In this particular scene, Donnie Wahlberg was in a scene with Steve Schirripa (he played Bobby Baccalieri on The Sopranos). Michael Imperioli (he played Christopher Moltisanti on The Sopranos) was also from The Sopranos, and I believe he's had three episodes on Blue Bloods as Robert Lewis. Anyway, it was a pretty cool experience, and it was my second time seeing a scene being filmed. In 2009, I got to see Nicolas Cage film a scene with Alfred Molina in The Sorcerer's Apprentice and Nicolas Cage looks the same in person as he does on television and movies. At the time I seen The Sorcerer's Apprentice being filmed around Worth Street near the birth certificate office. My camera is currently out of commission and if I'm unable to have my trusty sidekick, Minolta X-370 repaired, then I may as well invest in another Minolta [35mm] camera so the 50mm and Minolta 70-210/4 MD zoom lens won't go to waste. I had purchased the Minolta 70-210/4 MD zoom lens at Adorama in 2014 for $49 bucks instead of $59 dollars and it's a pretty cool lens. I'm looking to find a prime lens for film photography. When I've finally paid off any [and all] debt, I'd have to take a trip to K&M Camera on Orchard Street and browse around for a bit and I'm that kind of shopper who will take my time who will take my time because I don't want to go home then realize I forgot something! Going on photography walks can be very therapeutic if gone alone and I'm not afraid to do things alone such as going on photography walks, however, I don't mind the company but would prefer to go alone to clear my mind. Again, I'm not afraid to go alone on photography walks and a great way for me to recharge my mind. Yet, I don't mind extending the invitation but on the other hand, I enjoy my own company a majority of the time. Expect random snapshots of you and I will ask you if you're cool with the idea of me adding you to my project, no one will know who you are if you make the cut. The invitation is only extended to those who are interested in going with me.

"If you photograph for a long time, you get to understand such things such as body language. I often do not look at people I photograph, especially afterwards. Also when I want a photo, I become somewhat fearless, and this helps a lot. There will always be someone who objects to being photographed, and when this happens you move on." ~ Martin Parr

I would love to get back into photography as soon as possible because other than photography; writing is my escape from this reality. Away from my own mother because of how she is and it's impossible for me to have an active social life. I feel like it's one of those: "If I can't have you around than no one can!" so, she tells me: "Who's going to watch your son?" or she'll say "You find a babysitter" when I recently told her that a colleague, Camille and I are planning to go to Atlantic City, New Jersey for several days. I told her I can save up from now until April when she asked me where I was going to get the money and it's a challenge being a single mom with a single income (no support system from anyone), no encouragement from my mother and no financial help from my son's father. I can't do much in a social setting such as having a girl's weekend at Atlantic City for several days. For sanity's sake, if I have to, I'll give my mother some bullshit excuses that I'm going to do live in home health attendant so I can spend several (three to four) days at the casinos. This is a blog for another time.

"If a day goes by without my doing something related to photography, it's as though I've neglected something essential to my existence, as though I had forgotten to wake up." ~ Robert Mapplethorpe

When time permits itself, I'll search for a Minolta camera so the 50mm and 70-210/4 MD zoom lens wouldn't go to waste. I know it's not the right timing to go shopping for a camera and for the moment I'd research which locations to check out. My main intention is to finally finish my project I began spring semester 2013 and I can't wait to finally finish my project. At least (in hopes) that this will give me the head start on where I'd want to go, and this is providing if the vaccine mandate is ever lifted. I've found this article from B&H, by all means, this article is from 2016 titled: Five Great Photography Location In New York City. Another article is 29 Best Photography Locations in NYC; 60+ Best Photography Locations in NYC: Tourist Classics & Hidden Spots. I'm open to checking out Calvary and Green Wood Cemeteries since I have this morbid fascination with cemeteries for the longest. I do want to hold down a photo shoot in a cemetery and hopefully in time I can stop by at Cypress Hills Cemetery in Brooklyn so I can visit my grandparents' graves. Speaking of my grandparents, there's something I need to do and light some tea light candles in order for spiritual work to manifest into reality. Maybe the universe is saying "Be patient, your time will come..." and hopefully with time I get to shop around for a Minolta camera so I can resume with photography walks. I'm very much looking forward in going on photography walks for therapeutic reasons and I honestly enjoy spending time alone. I've found a website for a group street photography workshop on Shoot New York City and for those residing outside of New York City and would like to come to New York City for a day or a week to go work on your photography, best to Google search where to go. My favorite place is Manhattan because there's so many places to check out if you're curious and adventurous enough to check out various different places, second is Queens than Brooklyn and the Bronx.

"There is a creative fraction of a second when you are taking a picture. Your eyes must see a composition or an expression that life itself offers you, and you must know with intuition when to click the camera. That is the moment the photographer is creative. Oop! The Moment! Once you miss it, it is gone forever." ~ Henri Cartier-Bresson

Hopefully by the time I've paid off any of my existing debt, I'll be able to buy a blender so I can make my green smoothies, as well as dropping off the film I've already used at B&H. I also want to focus on other photography projects as well and being able to self-publish on Blurb Books. I have several projects lined up and one of them is music themed book of where I go to several different music venues in the Lower East Side. As I always do, before I check out these places and before I invest my time and energy into going to these music venues, I check these bands on YouTube to see if they're worth my time [and amount of money spent on buying film]. I like the vibe at Rockwood Music Hall on Allen Street and there is another music venue of interest, Arlene's Grocery on Stanton Street. For this particular photography project, it'll be five different music with five different live performances, and it'll be similar but different than my first two projects. It'll be two projects each, meaning two street photography books and two live performances each, two books will be in black and white and two will be in color. Another place I haven't been to in a very long time is Madame Tussauds New York and I've been there once in 2003 (by the way, it was pretty fun).

"The golden rule is work fast. As for framing, composition, focus - this is no time to start asking yourself questions: you just have to trust your intuition and the sharpness of your reflexes." ~ Jacques-Henri Lartigue

With my project I've started during my spring semester of 2013 at LaGuardia Community College and it's going on ten years in March, something I'd want to finish my project. My current issue is that I need a scanner of interest is very expensive but will take several months to roughly set money on the side for and at the time of this blog, the Epson Perfection V850 Pro Scanner costs $1,299 before tax and before manufacturer warranty. If I were to get the Allstate protection plan for three years, it would be an extra $129.99 for three years and not sure about the protection plan. Since I don't have the appropriate space in my bedroom, it'll have to wait until I have a place of my own and for the time being, I can live without the scanner because it's not a national emergency. For now, I'd have to learn Photoshop and best way is to go on YouTube and learn! Until I feel confident enough to take it to the next level which would be booking for photo shoots [as well as looking for employment opportunities in the photography field] and at this point, I'm ready but then at the same time I'm not ready. For now, I'd have to go to Bushwick Community Darkroom to use their scanner and they've relocated from Troutman Street and their new home is on Melrose Street.

 

Blessed be,

Jennifer

Photo Plus Expo 2019

"Photography, as a powerful medium of expression and communications, offers an infinite variety of perception, interpretation and execution." ~ Ansel Adams.

Good morning; afternoon; and evening friends and fans! Wow, it's been months since I've posted anything on here in months and I realize I haven't been posting anything in relation to photography, but I should begin doing that.

Where to begin, where to begin. For the past year since my last adventure to the Photo Plus Expo at the Jacob Javits Center in Midtown Manhattan, I haven't been active in my photography adventures until recently when I had gone to Panorama Camera on West 29 Street to have my Minolta X-370 serviced when several other places no longer service all things Minolta [lack to no parts]. As a heads up, they ask for a $25 estimate and whatever the price may be for your line of Minolta camera in use. My camera works well since having my camera serviced a month ago. Onto business of my update at the Photo Plus Expo... Shall we begin?

I had a great time at the Photo Plus Expo this past year and I am very much looking forward in attending next years Photo Plus Expo at the Jacob Javits Center. I was able to accomplish what I had in mind from last year but will stick with my plan for next year and will add Mr. Louis Mendes, a street photographer, to a full roll of film for next year's Photo Plus Expo. For those interested in attending next year's Expo, feel free to register for the Expo and in my opinion, it's best to register at least in advance rather than having to register on the day of the Expo or message me so I can add you to my package or I'll send you an invite. There's a lot to do at the Expo, depending on what you're looking to accomplish, may it be improving your photography skills, create a portfolio in hopes of being able to create a book on Blurb and in which will be one of my book projects that may be in the works, and in some ways network with fellow photographers. Yet in my own way, I don't know where to begin with my adventure at the Photo Plus Expo and I didn't get to attend all three days but did attend two out of three days this year. First things first, I did purchase three five packs of Kodak Portra 400 from B&H before heading to the Expo and I did use five out of ten rolls of film but with a minor mess up... I've accidentally developed five unused rolls of film and thought that my camera had decided to some how call it quits after having my camera [recently] serviced due to shutter issues from a year ago. To say the least, I will use my Japan Camera Hunter 35mm Film Hard Case purchased at B&H a little over a year ago to keep my film organized for photography walks or photography assignments (such as for school or for work, whichever). Secondly, I'd have to focus on my finances to lower my charge card balances so I can continue to save up for film in the New Year (film such as: FUJIFILM Fujicolor Pro 400H Professional Color Negative; Ilford HP5 Plus Black and White Negative; and Ilford XP Super Black and White Negative Film). Third, I'm looking to do the Lunar New Year photography project in hopes of reconnecting with family on my mother's side of the family.

This year at the Photo Plus Expo, there were puppies at the Expo for those who are into pet photography, I felt like this would have been up your alley so to speak and I like most animals (except for birds, I'm not a fan of birds at all, don't ask why but I do like guinea pigs; dogs; cats and as long as they're not sharing my sleeping arrangements with me) but thought the dog photography was fun but quite interesting. Some of the puppies were napping at the time of my arrival mid morning and it was worth it. In the end, I hope the puppies will be back next year and I'm looking forward for that level of adventure in the photography world. I just mainly went around to nearly every model and used at least one roll off 36 exposure film on each model. My day two, which would be considered day three for those who had attended all three days of the Expo. Yet, I was still able to pull off last three rolls of film. I didn't get to stick around long enough to see if I would be able to get free items like I had last year on where I was able to manage to get several rolls of Ilford HP5 Plus Black and White Negative films and the guy had the Ilford booth had recognized me from last year. I suppose I have that recognizable face. One of the models who was there last year had recognized me as she had done the safari theme a year ago and we were talking for several minutes but only to find out that she lives somewhere in my neighborhood near Benjamin N. Cardozo High School. So on the last day of the Expo when I was done with my final roll of Kodak Portra 400 film for the day, just as I was about to turn and leave, I hear someone calling my name, I look up and see Barbra, whom I've met at the Expo several years ago with her husband (I forget her husband's name). We chatted for a bit and in a way, I know was there because of her Instagram pictures but wasn't sure if she was still there until that moment. Hopefully we can meet up at a future Photo Plus Expo events.

The next day, I had gone to B&H since certain items were discounted price until that Tuesday (October 29, 2019) and I honestly wanted to purchase a Sirui 3T-35K Table Tripod or even a Sirui P-306 Aluminum Monopod but instead purchased a Manfrotto Windsor Camera Reporter Bag for DSLR but didn't have enough cash on hand to make such purchase due to owing charge cards a high amount. I hope to begin saving up for a regular tripod, a monopod, and a table tripod. One thing I need to focus on is paying off my three charge cards and begin saving up for what's needed, such as buying additional Kodak Portra 400; Ilford HP5 400; Ilford XP2; and a Sirui P-306 Aluminum Monopod and a Sirui 3T-35K Table Tripod (Black)/Sirui 3T-35K Plus Tripod with C10S Ball Head (Black) For the moment I'm going to focus on what I need to focus on and my main focus is to find another job so I can financially support my photography and eventually save up for a digital camera. I'm a bit hesitant when it comes down to Digital photography and I have nothing against digital photography at all, but I do in the end feel that digital photography lacks something that film may have. Yes, I do realize there's that instant gratification in digital photography that film photography lacks in and there's that quite instant gratification in film photography that you can't get in digital photography. More about this in another blog for another time. The next day, that Sunday (the day after the Expo), I had gone back to B&H to drop off my ten rolls of film apart on me. Sadly, my old Lowepro camera bag is falling apart on me and may want to set the bag on fire at some point. To top it off, my new Manfrotto Windsor Camera Reporter Bag for DSLR (Gray) is my own birthday present!

Warm regards,

Jennifer

'New York City: Five Borough Tour' Part II

“There is one thing the photograph must contain, the humanity of the moment. This kind of photography is realism. But realism is not enough - there has to be vision, and the two together can make a good photograph.” ~ Robert Frank

Good morning; afternoon; and evening friends and fans! Namasté. 🧘🏽‍♀️ As many of you already know, I'm still working on my 'New York City: Five Borough Tour' book and I still haven't come up with a subtitle for my book which will be on Blurb Books. I hope to self publish several books on street photography, as well as music and fashion. Don't get me wrong, I have an idea on what I want to do as I can eventually turn my ideas into reality and these are places I want to go within New York City. Since my camera is currently out of commission at the moment but feel free to refer to Photo Plus Expo 2018 blog and since it costs money to have my camera serviced but I'm itching to go on my photography walks again whenever time permits. Once when I find a place that would fix up my Minolta X-370 and it's going to be a challenge because I'm not sure how many places still repair Minolta cameras. I'd have to research more into the backstory of Minolta and nowadays people are proud camera parents of Canon, Nikon or Sony cameras. Sony cameras takes decent pictures but I heard they aren't the best. I hope to complete my project within the next three years and I hope it'll be worth it but to say the least, I hope to get back to school with what I have so far. Don't get me wrong, I have ideas on which films to use for each borough. For example: Staten Island Ilford Delta 400 Professional Black and White Film; Brooklyn I plan on using Ilford FP4 35mm Plus Black and White Negative Film (50 pack); Queens, I plan to use Ilford HP5 Plus Black and White Negative Film; Manhattan: Ilford XP2 Super Black and White Film; and the Bronx: Kodak Professioal Tri-X Black and White Negative Film. Who knows I may throw in a random Ilford Delta 100 Professional Black and White Negative Film for any five of the boroughs. I have ideas of how I want to set up my book and I do want to have enough pictures for roughly two books, perhaps if I'm lucky, three books at most. Once when I've completed my project, I'll do a final blog based on my 'New York City: Five Borough Tour' book and I still have to come up with a catchy subtitle [that stands out from the rest] for my book that will get people curious to purchase the book!

• Staten Island: Ilford Delta 400 Professional Black and White Negative Film (35mm Roll Film, 36 Exposures)
  
• Brooklyn: Ilford FP4 Plus Black and White Film, ISO 125, 35mm, 35 Exposures, Propack 50
  
• Queens: Ilford HP5 Plus Black and White Negative Film (35mm film Roll Film, 36 Exposures, 50 Pack)
  
• Manhattan: Ilford XP2 Super Black and White Negative Film (35mm Roll FIlm, 36 Exposures, 50 Pack)
  
• The Bronx: Kodak Professional Tri-X 400 Black and White Negative Roll Film (35mm Roll Film, 36 Exposures)
  

As an update to my project I've started during my spring semester at LaGuardia Community College for Intro to Photography in 2013. I'm still working on my project and yes, I've already passed the class but want to complete my book. It's mainly street photography themed for the moment and have three other book ideas in mind, one of which will include a second street photography book but in color. There's a professor I had during my first semester at LaGuardia Community College that I continue to follow on her WordPress account and have been downloading her syllabus and have been saving them onto my flash drive each semester, yes, I realize I've already passed Intro to Photography but figured I'd keep up with the class for the most part to keep my sanity. Yet, I hope to complete my project and due to unfortunate circumstances, I've postponed my project due to shutter issues with my trusty sidekick, Minolta X-370. It's making me a bit frustrated because I don't have the available funds to have my camera serviced and nor do I have the funds to upgrade to a digital camera. However, if I had a choice of digital cameras, I'm leaning towards Nikon and in the beginning, I was leaning towards Canon since at the time I wasn't a fan of Ashton Kutcher because I thought he was obnoxious (to say the least, I'm still not a fan of his). Since I haven't seen many commercials featuring Ashton Kutcher being spokesperson for Nikon much these days but you can find these Nikon commercials on YouTube from various YouTube channels. I've found a link in regards of a debate on choosing a camera: Canon or Nikon and I will post 'The Great Debate: Canon Vs. Nikon' but however, I'm an avid [35mm] film user and have found another link for Expert Photography titled: 'The Complete Guide to Film Photography: 94 tips' but will continue on with my research both internet and going to B&H asking questions in regards to the cameras and testing them out.

I'm very excited about my book because I feel like I can learn about on how I can improve my photography skills and I also want to share my gift with the world, especially those who have doubted my talents!!! However, I'm aware that I may not "look" like much until people either see me in action and as well seeing my work. I pray that my photography will receive some positive recognition for my talents and I am so used to people speaking negatively about me or to me. For example: my stepfather's bible hugging sister, Mary Ellen had told me that I'd never make it very far as a photographer, and the same goes for my former ACCESS - VR counselor and a random Asian woman. I've had three different people telling me that I'd never make it as a photographer. Truth be told, I don't know why I've even listened to them. Don't get me wrong, I have the talent and two things that work against me are: Lack of employment opportunity and not having a college degree but specifically a Bachelor's Degree. I'll eventually have both under my belt so to speak and the talent is a piece of cake for me.

I have ideas on what I want to do with my project and figured I'd get a head start on this project then at least I can begin scanning my negatives for each borough. There are places of interest that I want to go to and I know Citi Field and Forest Hills Stadium are two of those places here in Queens to visit. There are several places in Brooklyn of interest that I want to go to: Downtown Brooklyn near the Brooklyn Bridge area; Dumbo; along the G line; Coney Island/Luna Park; New York Transit Museum; and all those awesome places. I'm not familiar with the Bronx other than Yankee Stadium (Let's go Yankees!) and Bronx Zoo or Staten Island. I'm more in favor of going to the Bronx over Staten Island any day, any time or unless if there's a family gathering such as a wedding, or a birthday celebration, whatever went for that day. Only place I can think of are the Staten Island Ferry and the Staten Island Mall but other than that I'm drawing up a blank. A third place is the Alice Austen House also in Staten Island. Since I have friends who reside in the Bronx and Staten Island, hopefully we can all meet up at some point and I could use some time to hang out with some friends, whether it's out to lunch or dinner. If need be, there's always Google search and do as much research as possible for different locations for my project and I realize this is a bit time consuming but I don't mind the research... I hope to find some possible leads on where to go in the Bronx and Staten Island.

I have selected three different reading materials to read at your own leisure and a fourth link for my upcoming project I've originally started as a class assignment! It'll eventually be somewhere in the Blurb Books portion of the site.

• Blurb Books 
• A Street Photographer's Guide to New York City for further reading materials.
• Top 35 Spots to Photograph New York City: Voted by the Locals!
• An 8-Hour Photo Walk Around New York City.
  

Blessed be,

Jennifer

Photo Plus Expo 2018

Hello all!

Good morning; afternoon; and evening friends and fans! I had recently gone to the 2018 Photo Plus Expo and had a great time there when I had attended the expo with my friend, Jason for the first two days (October 25 - 27, 2018 and I went the third day solo). We had gone around entering different contests from different exhibitors and getting free items from the Photo Plus Expo, I had gotten seven pens from B&H, one pen from another exhibitor, two Nikon lanyards, two B&H lanyards, an Olympus lens cloth, four grey Hoya and a black Hoya Filter USA lens cloth, a T-Mobile hat, three t-shirts, Focus 12" Flexible Tripod, a Decisions: Party's Over (Homido: VR glasses) just for trying the Virtual Reality, and several pins that were at the photography convention. If you're an avid photographer such as myself, it's totally worth attending and there were many different exhibitors at the Expo along with models who were there at the convention. After the convention was over (October 28, 2018), I decided to drop the six rolls of film at B&H for processing and made a deposit so I'm not stuck paying the entire amount at time of pickup. I realized after dropping off the film for processing, I had this weird vibe that I had mixed up one of the rolls of film since I had used the Fujifilm Fujicolor Pro 400H Professional Color Negative film for a majority of the convention and I had also purchased one roll of Kodak Color film. When I picked up the contact sheets and CD from B&H yesterday, the pictures did not come out at all. Fortunately, I had found out from a B&H employee in the Used Department had mentioned that the reason why the pictures didn't come out was because of a shutter issue and suggested that I'd have my camera serviced. I was hoping that a lot of the pictures with Kalmon Stokes, Jessica Leigh Ford, Analia Marecos, and the young lady who was painted up as an Avatar would have been something I'd show off. Approximately three pictures had came out of the four rolls of film and I'm going to drop off this one roll of film at B&H. Unfortunately, I've gotten several pictures of Kalmon Stokes, a single picture of Analia and three other pictures of another model. I'm disappointed that my camera decided to give out on me but overall, I'm grateful I had gone to the Photo Plus Expo and I am looking forward in attending the 2019 Photo Plus Expo! Once when I have available funds to service my trusty sidekick, Minolta X-370 and zoom lens serviced then I should be good in the hood and I have a strategy for next year's Photo Plus Expo! When funds become available, I plan on going to Camera Doctor NYC and have both my camera and zoom lens serviced but hopefully I won't be overcharge me. I had gotten a free roll of Ilford HP5 as well out of this and it's a good thing I had stuck around for a bit!

Fortunately, I have a Japan Camera Hunter 35mm Film Hard Case from B&H and this bad boy comes in handy (just to save yourself from frustration when you know you've packed several rolls of film and with this item, all your film is in one place). I had brought this with me to the convention and it came in handy! Okay, enough talk about the Japan Camera Hunter 35mm Film Hard Case and I do love  this item, best investment if you're currently shooting film (I'm just saying and I recommend this item). In regards to coming up with a strategy for the 2019 Photo Plus Expo, my best intention is to use one roll of film per model as I make my way around the convention over the course of three days (hopefully, it will equal to thirty rolls of colour film and at least five - ten rolls of films, give or take by the end of the convention) and I hope the convention will have at least four items of interest,  Benro TAD18AIB1 Series 1 Adventure Aluminum Tripod with B1 Ball Head, Sirui P-306 Aluminum Monopod, Sirui 3T-35K Table Top Tripod, and a Manfrotto Windsor Camera Reporter Bag for DSLR on hand at the convention! Free is always good, depending on what you're looking for and hopefully it's worth stocking up on to avoid heading to the stores later on or when you're short on cash, whatever your situation may be. That's how I'd do it and you'll never know when you'll need certain items for a photography assignment. Yet, I hope I can form a small squad of like-minded individuals who share the same common interest and passion in photography. I hope to at least capture a group picture both outside the Jacob Javits Center and several more under the Photo Plus Expo banner just before we begin our nerd, camera drooling journey (well, after we've gotten our badges at least). Since I had such an awesome time, I hope I can attend again and I doubt I'd be able to form a small squad for the 2019 Photo Plus Expo since I'm sure I'd be given any excuse: "I'm broke!", "I've already made plans, sorry." "I'd have to work" or whatever. I understand people have their own lives to live and not always available to attend certain things with me (in some ways I ask people less and less nowadays but if people choose to tag along, I have no issues.

I'm hoping the exhibitors don't have the items mentioned above at the Photo Plus Expo, I hope B&H will have them at a discount price. It's still too early for sure on what or who the exhibitors/vendors will be and what they have to offer. I'm looking forward for the 2019 Photo Plus Expo and will make I take those days off once when I've found employment as I'd have money that I've worked hard for.

(I'm hoping to save up for a Hasselbald film camera.)

Blessed be,

Jennifer

New York City: Five Borough Tour

"Photography, painting or poetry - those are just extensions of me, how I perceive things; they are my way of communicating." ~ Viggo Mortensen

It's been a year since I've started this project but originally a class project (or an assignment was a class assignment, whichever) and I haven't gotten around to finishing my project. I still have a combination of the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Queens to finish. Staten Island isn't exactly a place of where I can think of places to photograph besides the Staten Island Ferry and the St. George Terminal in Staten Island. The name of the project is "New York City: Five Borough Tour" and keep in mind that I haven't come up with a subtitle for my book yet but, however, my book will be featured on Blurb (which is a self publishing site). I'll be sure to post the direct link to my Blurb page all to see and order several copies of my book! After this project, I hope to self-publish several other books similar to what I'm currently working on. My second book I plan on publishing will the same idea as New York City: Five Borough Tour but this time, it'll be in color! And my third book will feature at least five different popular CosPlay events in New York City but ending with Comic Con at the Jacob Javits Center in October. Those are my three book projects for the time being but keep i n mind that there may be a possibility that there will be future books beyond the three that I plan on doing. For my Anime/CosPlay book, it'll feature different events such as the Sakura Matsuri at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden in Brooklyn, New York, and anywhere in the New York City area but not limited to Sakura Matsuri and Comic Con but I'll for now focus on my New York City Five Borough Tour book. If there are (photography friendly) places that no one knows about or rather that the general public may be fully aware of and please feel free to contact me either through Blogspot, Facebook and/or Twitter. I'm searching for a place that's not as "attractive" but as long you have one of those rare people that tends to find "beauty" in highly but unlikely place and places that are unique in its own way when people tend to "view" the area as a dump. Once when I have the chance to purchase just enough FujiColor 35mm film from a combination of Adorama; B&H; and as well as K&M Camera but I'll make my rounds photographing what inspires me.

Places of interest (that I have in mind, of course) in four out of five boroughs are: The Knitting Factory, Dumbo, and Coney Island in Brooklyn; Harlem, the Financial District, the East Village area, Greenwich Village, Lower East Side, from Herald Square to Times Square, expanding to Bryant Park, Grand Central Terminal, the Belvedere Castle, most of Central Park, The National Underground, The Mercury Lounge and anywhere that have bands performing in the New York City subway system in Manhattan. Yet, I'm not familiar with the Bronx but I'll say the Bronx Zoo, Yankee Stadium, and random areas that appear busy, a neighborhood that is full of life so to speak. Finally, Queens. Jamaica along Sutphin Boulevard near the Long Island Rail Road station and along Jamaica Avenue, Flushing Meadows Park, Flushing, whenever Benjamin N. Cardozo High School have plays or some sort of school related event going on, Jackson Heights, Ridgewood (a shout out to friends in Ridgewood) and again, anywhere that is vibrant and alive. I'm not worried about Staten Island because there's not much to do in Staten Island or unless if you have friends who live in the Staten Island area that knows Staten Island (I mean very) well beyond the Staten Island Ferry, Staten Island Mall or even the beaches in Staten Island. No offense to those who live in Staten Island, to me, Staten Island is the boondocks of New York City set aside from Long Island and the residents of Staten Island must be bored to tears because Staten Island is pretty much dead since there's no form of entertainment other than the beaches, the Staten Island Mall and the movie theaters. For those who are Staten Island residents, please let me know what places that I can go to that you'd consider a photographer friendly area but limited to just the Staten Island Ferry, the beaches or the Staten Island Mall and areas that are filled with hustle and bustle. I may have to consider a specific "theme" for Staten Island and the other four boroughs of New York City but mostly Staten Island and the Bronx. For example, the Bronx area, I'm considering visiting different Barber Shops, the Bronx Zoo and places that are filled with life and different personalities of the Bronx. I'm not familiar with the Staten Island area so I'd have to Google search different areas of different places that are photographer friendly and I am also open to suggestions as well! In terms of Manhattan and Brooklyn, I'm considering music venues as mentioned before that are in the works. I have several friends who are in bands and I'm waiting for either Biting Saints or Vividly Dim to promote their sound, their music. Yet, I have no idea when they're going to go around from lounge to lounge and in the mean time, I plan to purchase more film so I'm prepared. Mentally and emotionally I'm ready but I want to go prepared with several rolls of film. I'm not going to spend too much time in places like The Trash Bar or The Knitting Factory but I plan to explore Brooklyn and in places no one has ever thought of!

My personal goal for my New York City: Five Borough Tour book is to pursue a thought provoking and inspiring book in a way that you'd never thought possible and explore the possibilities. If anyone knows who is an inspiring model or a talented musician and are looking for a photographer, feel free to contact me so we can coordinate a location, date, and time for your photo shoot (please refer to my Price Package). As a fair warning, many of the pictures will be in Black & White and you may choose a location in the Bronx, Queens and/or Brooklyn. So, if anyone have any interesting places in the Bronx that I can go to [that are photography friendly] with my camera and as long as there's plenty of people in the area to photograph in their candid, unexpecting moment. Any ideas on where to go in the Bronx? So far I've Googled search place to go that are photography friendly areas such as Governors Island, and Cronton Aqueduct. I know there's an area listed on the website for Central Railroad of New Jersey but it's not on my agenda of interest to go to. I am always on the search for new and exciting inspiration to go by for my book! At the end of the day, my photography is what keeps me motivated and alive! In the end, I am very much looking forward in sharing my photography [work] with the entire world! Yet, I just wish I have the same enthusiasm for photography and imply that to outside of photography!

Warm blessings,

Jennifer