L is for Labels

Another tricky one today. Labels are a feature that allow you to attach keywords to your post. That's about all I know. I don't know how much they actually aid in the search process (perhaps someone who does know could pass on the knowledge please!?). Even though I'm not entirely sure of their importance, it doesn't hurt to get into the habit of using them. I think of them as Instagram hashtags - how would I label this if it was a photo on Instagram? It's a bit more tricky when it's a blog post, but there are always keywords available if you have a good think.

For example, what can I label this post with? 

• a-z blog challenge, challenge, labels, labelling, hashtags, keywords, searching, search

J is for Joy

I find a lot of joy in stupid little things, but how do you get across that joy in a blog post? So many times I've found inspiration in the tiniest thing, and thought "that'd make a great post for today!". But when I start to form the words to describe it, they seem to sap all the joy away. If it's something that can be written about in less than 140 characters then I'd tweet it instead, or if it's visual then an Instagram photo would do. Plus, there is often such a delay in actually finding time to write something down that the moment is passed. You don't want to end up sharing everything immediately either as that might detract from real life. Perhaps the key is to simply write it as if you were telling a friend. 

I had an idea a while back for a project called something like 'it's the little things', where I share and collect all those simple things that make me smile. Seems like this might be the perfect time to start.

A is for Adverts (revisited)

I'm participating in the Blogging from A to Z Challenge again this year and when I was staring at the blank computer screen ten minutes ago I decided to look back at my previous challenge attempts for inspiration. Back in 2011 my 'A' prompt was adverts, and I thought it might be fun to show you some more of my favourites. As a general rule adverts are incredibly annoying and to be fast-forwarded through as quickly as possible, but every now and then there is a real gem amongst the rough. Here are a few I enjoy (and a link to  the old blog post if you fancy checking out some more).

1. Aldi 

2. Hastings Direct

3. Three

4. Thinkbox

5. Highland Spring (you have to watch this right until the end!)

6. McCain 

7. Ikea

8. Weetabix

Time to put my thinking cap on for 'B' tomorrow.............

B is for.....Blythe and Basaak dolls

I've recently started playing with dolls again. That's not as weird as it sounds. Well, maybe it is, but lots of other people are partaking in this pastime too, and they are adult toys. No, not that sort of adult toys - they are just not really meant for children, more for adult collectors. Sounds like an excuse for grown up girls to play dress ups with their dollies again? Yes, it probably is. But what is wrong with that?!! I'm using mine for photography props, so it is art really.

I first saw Blythe dolls on Flickr last year and I found them intriguing to look at, if not a little ugly to be honest. I'm not sure why I suddenly wanted one, but back in January I started researching them online and discovered that they could be bought on eBay. The original Blythe dolls from 1972 fetch anything from £400 to well over £1000 (!!!), but the new versions are somewhat more affordable thankfully. 

So I bought my first Blythe - this custom beauty:

It was her eyeshadow that really sold her to me:

Once I'd started I felt compelled to buy more and maybe even think about customising one myself in the future, but even though they are much cheaper than the originals, they still aren't exactly on Barbie's price level, so I dug deeper and discovered Blythe clone dolls (Basaak and Blybe dolls). Now, they are a little controversial in the Blythe world because they are basically copycat dolls, but they also have fans in their own right, and they are much more affordable for people like me who don't have loads of cash to spend. 

I found a gorgeous custom Basaak doll on eBay and she came all the way from Thailand for me. 

Again, she has stunning eyeshadow! 

Once you have a good look at her you can see that she isn't of the same high quality as Blythe herself, but she is just as pretty in photos, and a nice addition to my growing collection. I think my Blythe is still a little wary of her though: 

365 Projects - why, oh why?

Sometimes, even when you are well into a 365 project, you just have to stop and ask yourself why? Why did I decide to do this crazy thing? Why should I carry on? This moment can come at any time and for a variety of reasons. During my first 365 (the blue plush scientist), I never lost sight of why I was doing it, even on those days when I'd wander round my house aimlessly with him, trying to find any old thing to put in a photo. I was doing it because I wanted to complete my first long project, I loved playing with toys (yes, I know!), and it was going to be fun having a whole year of amusing photos to look back on. I wasn't doing it to improve my photography skills or to learn something about myself. It was just a fun idea.

Right now I'm on day 332 of my phone project - the end is in sight, and that is just as well because I'm truly quite bored with it. It's such a struggle trying to think of a new subject every day, even though artistic merit isn't that important. But then I ask myself why, and remind myself that this project was merely a way of documenting the mundane, everyday things of life. Yes I wanted to make those things seem vaguely interesting by using effects and composition, but it wasn't meant to be a life changing art project. It really helps to remind myself of this; every day until the end if I have to. I won't quit on it now!

You don't get more mundane than this!

As for my 365 self portrait project, it is still enjoyable most of the time. Some days I come up with really involved ideas, full of props, themes and different locations, and others I take a quick snapshot with my phone. The last few days I have had to ask myself that question though, just what do I think I'm getting out of the project?

♥ Improving my photography skills - it's true that forcing myself to take a photo every day means that I can't let photography disappear the way some other hobbies have, and that the more I use my camera the better I will become. But, I haven't been trying that many new things really, and those days when it's a quick snapshot aren't teaching me anything at all. Overall I guess it has helped, mainly because I need the discipline of an every day project. 

Planned photo v quick snapshot

♥ Feeling more confident about myself - this is the biggie for me. I've always hated photos of me. From the age of 10 onwards there had been only 1 photo that was bearable to look at. This project is helping so much. I'm now really used to seeing my own image, and am looking at it from an artistic point of view rather than searching out all the things I hate! I'm just modelling for myself. If I had a willing model to cart around with me at all times and pose as I wanted, that would be amazing, but I don't. I only have myself, and I'm very good at taking my own directions! I still hate other people taking photos of me, but that can be worked on some other time. It's helped me accept myself as I am a bit more I guess.

A photo of me actually smiling that I can bear to look at!

What can I try to focus on and improve for the rest of the project?

♥ Try more new techniques/styles - I need to force myself to try out more ideas and not just rely on quick snapshots and tested favourite poses. I have lots of photography books, and a little time making some lists would be really inspiring.

♥ Work a bit harder at using the manual settings on the camera - and not have to rely so much on post processing. I have been doing this to some extent (I'm getting the hang of aperture at last), but I rely too much on the P setting. I always alter white balance and ISO, but often I'll still need to alter the exposure afterwards.

♥ Plan ahead sometimes - it can really help to choose a theme and come up with a number of ideas to use in the week ahead. It takes the pressure off having to come up with a fresh idea every day. My Halloween shots are a good example, and they were worked out weeks in advance because I was so excited about the scary props, especially the fake blood!

I'm definitely no expert, but my one piece of advice to anyone struggling with a 365 is to just stop and take stock - remember your reasons for starting it, think of ways to make it more fun again, and if all else fails just start by trying to take at least one photo a week that you spend more time on and can be really proud of. The encouragement and satisfaction you'll get from yourself is always a great motivator! Either that or buy yourself a bottle of fake blood and go wild!

OSJ

I'm filling out a 365 song challenge and I'm stuck trying to come up with a song I like that describes friendship, and I'm not resorting to 'He Aint Heavy'.