journal

Exploring Reno & Boomtown

architecture photography, black and white photography, Portrait photography, street photography

On a whim, I decided to drive to Reno, Nevada a few days after the new year. My best friend tagged along and we had a nice but frustrating adventure. Enjoyed the weather out there but the street lights and homelessness in Reno are no joke. It’s not on the level of San Francisco but it is a serious problem.

Besides that, finding parking that wasn’t connected to a hotel was a joke. Finally managed to find one and got some safe parking for free. Walked a few miles around the nearly empty streets of the littlest big city in the world. All I could was the cars wheezing bye and music from the casinos. I’m no gambler but I did hit the slots for a brief moment on someone’s else’s dime. However, turned that dime into fifteen dollars.

Afterwards, we kept walking towards the University of Nevada-Reno. The campus was as dead as a movie theater. It was a pretty nice experience as I was able to practice shooting portraits with no distractions or interruptions until my model fell.

That wasn’t the end of the trip as we had to make the trek back to Sacramento. We went to Boomtown, NV to devour some steak and eggs at Mel’s Original Diner. It was a fantastic idea despite the long wait time. I found Boomtown to much more pleasant than Reno.

I’m actually pondering moving to Nevada due to the standard of living in California. It’s a serious decision that I am not taking lightly. I’m taking some more time to think about it. I will have my decision in 6 to 9 months. Anyway, that’s all from me tonight.

Explore life!!!

Touch

black and white photography

Not a shot I normally take but I was enjoying myself at a pier in San Francisco. I like the water the most in this shot and the contrast between it and the boat.

Really took today to rest up and allow my body to heal. Watched a few movies and figured out cyber security isn’t for me. Going to take a few online financial courses to learn and see how far I want to go with it. I’ve been investing into the stock market and would like to learn more. I hate math but I appear to be interested in marketing and finance in business.

Going to take the course and heavily reflect if I continue to pursue both or do I just feel like dipping my toes in. We will have to see. I admitted and shared a bit of past on an another platform which felt good to do. I am owning up to the man I used to be in order to become the man that I want to be.

For now, I’m going to exercise and go to bed. Peace,

David

Practice

animal

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Continuing to practice doing different types of photography. My dog is a very good subject as he stays still and is not afraid of the camera. I’m working on the background and will continue to try to improve.

Doing my best to continue to work hard on all aspects of my life. I am still struggling with my retail job. I just have to figure out how to balance work, school, and passions. Besides that, I am waiting until the 19th when my six month probation period ends to start applying to a new place of employment. All I can do is try to my best to succeed and push myself to the limit.

Enjoy your day/night,

 

David

Editing

black and white photography, nature photography, Uncategorized

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This shot features bushes and trees on a cloudy day. I edited this photo in Lightroom to be much darker in order to create a whole new image. I can see some of my mistakes and have some ideas about how I would edit this photo better. I really enjoy taking gothic-like photos as it fits my personal taste. Hoping to continue to explore Lightroom and photography more.

Getting ready to explore my options as my probation period ends in fourteen days at the retail job. I don’t want to stay because it sucks but some of my co-workers are amazing. It will cause me some grief when I leave, however, it is something I have to do because the company I work for really sucks and I know leaving will help my mental health. Anyway, follow your own path.

 

Stay fresh,

 

David

Striving to Improve

black and white photography

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A type of photography that I don’t do much is animal photography. However, I am still exploring my camera and what I can do at my current level. Also trying to gain experience using Lightroom. This dog is known for being chill unless you have a vacuum. He stood still for me an was looking at me the whole time. I simply wanted to practice my photo taking and editing skills. I think I did a good job but I’m sure there is room to improve.

Took a much-needed rest day. Tested out my Xbox One and what it can do compared to my Ps4. Did a lot of soul searching as well and making some progress. Still, have a lot more to go over and I still have to study for a test that I am taking tomorrow. A lot to do but I am enjoying most of it.

Exploring

street photography

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A shot I took while on a walk. It’s another shot that I took when I first got my camera. I can see how I can improve it and thus will go back to take a better shot.

I’ve simply been exploring my work and my mind to see where I am going. More about that at a later time. Been breaking down hard questions to simpler ones to great success. I still have a lot more thinking to do.

Stay strong,

 

David

Calm

nature, nature photography, Uncategorized

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Experimented with nature and the color blue one decent day as I walked. The blue could pop more, which is something I will work on when I boot up Lightroom the next time.

Doing my best to stay calm in stressful situations. I actually got a lot done and hope to be able to do more tomorrow. Hanging out with a co-worker/friend for a while outside of work was pretty cool. I’m able to be myself without restraining myself due to being in the workplace. Working hard to become better and do better. Chasing the best version of myself slowly.

Was able to start riding my motorcycle with confidence. Will continue to develop a better mindset that will enable me to stay cool, calm, and collected.

 

Peace,

David

Exploring

nature, nature photography, street photography

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Was making my home and noticed this little guy resting on a fence near an empty field. I captured many shots of this little critter. I like this shot a lot but I don’t believe it’s the best shot that I captured with this subject. I am simply exploring my photography skills and my camera.

Working on my career when I am not at my retail job. I am exploring what will help me in the future and what I can do now to create the future that I want. It’s hard but it is a worthy challenge. I have to remind myself of why I am doing all the things that I am doing and it helps me get through the difficult times(especially at the retail job).

I hope that my path beings to unblur, unlike this little guy.

Have fun,

 

David

Laziness and Work

black and white photography, street photography

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A simple shot that I took when I was testing out my Nikon D3300. I enjoy taking photos of things people often ignore. This photograph is about my journey to discover my path but recently there has been a little breakthrough thus that little spot on the g in Egret fully represents that.

Been working forty hours every week at my retail job. However, I am back to my normal schedule. It has been a tough experience but I’ve learned a lot so far. I realized that I don’t want to be there anymore and I plan to leave. Honestly, I’ve been lazy and succumbing to sloth and gluttony. I’ve been working on developing the necessary discipline. From now on, I will begin to writing posts every day again. Which will force me to edit more and to take more photos. I won’t be writing about what else I will be doing anymore as actions speak louder than words.

My end goal is to live the life that I have always pictured. My current micro-goals are to find a new job, save more money, develop as a photographer and a photo editor, study better, live a more active life, and to develop a better work ethic.

I need to kill my bad habits tonight.

Peace and enjoy your journey,

 

David

 

121 Long Walk

black and white photography, nature, nature photography, street photography

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Captured this little guy while on a journey of my own. I don’t take a lot of shots of living creatures besides humans. I saw this snail moving in the street towards something. I will never know where it was going but it doesn’t matter.

I’m exploring new subjects everyday and seeing how I can capture them in an interesting way. It doesn’t always work out but sometimes it does. If I had a chance I would try to alter this shot move but tilting it or cutting out the blurred elements. However, I do like the part of the photo that’s blurred as it adds a human element to the shot that some of photos lack.

Still trying to figure things out, I’m doing my best to believe in the process.

Enjoy life and do what you must to do what you love,

David