Posing in Comfort~

My friends will be going for an audition by the end of this month.  They are auditioning for modelling casting somewhere in the capital city and they invited me to come along as a friend to help them (yeah of course not for me to audition hehe). 

For the past few weeks I've been helping them a little on photograph tips and we work together.  They need to prepare a portfolio for the audition.  Sometimes I help them take photos and as students we could only afford inexpensive basic digital camera (including phones) so we just play along with it~

While photo-shooting was taking place, as a cameraman, I need to ensure that they are comfortable with themselves and also to the cameraman.  Generally, they need to be comfortable at photo session so pretty photos can be captured.  From this, it helps me to identify what can make them comfortable during the session.  As a normal people with least expertise in this field, I did find something worth learning and practised.

• First thing first, get a little Q&A session with them.  But normally with friends, it comes naturally. They'll tell you what they want and sometimes they will ask you on what to do now, then you would just instruct them.  Then, I guess they need to be comfortable with they are wearing.  Maybe we can help them rearrange the attire and the acc. If their hijab is a little bit off, tell them or help them fix it instantly.
• Help them with the poses.  Some can do just fine and they are bold enough.  With beginners or anyone that asks for help, you can start by asking them to try few poses they've seen on magazines or blogs, etc.  Find their good angles and work with different perspectives.  Ex: Ask them to chin up, or maybe move a little bit to other side or even help them with footing! 
• Compliment.  When they did fine and nice poses, compliment that behaviour.  This will motivate them and put the stress away.  Let them be themselves and play along with them.  Ask them to just move and capture when nice poses are spotted.  
• Stay quiet.  Sometimes, I do this.  With camera in my hands and the subject in front of me, they'll eventually knows what to do.  I just smile (honest ones!) or nod when they did something worth captured.
• Candids.  For this, I guess we have to try keeping the camera in my hand so I wouldn't miss any shots.  Even though the session is resting but the camera should not.  Natural emotions normally would be captured.

Easy to work with her as she knows how to pose.  Photo by me & edited by her

Things I should consider in the future session~

• I should try directing them without asking them to pose too!  Maybe ask them to repeat what they were doing again and again.  The poses wouldn't always be the same but similar and that will help me getting a great shot and by this I believe they will be loosen up bit by bit.
• Give a demonstration.  I can show what pose I want and demo it instantly.  I can also show them photos of others and ask them to give it a try,
• Work with the best 3 eyelines.  Ask them to look at the light source, look down to your body and the third, to look at me.  <-- Reference: Christa Meola

How : Write the perfect travel journal

Follow these simple tips from the travellers behind award-winning Wanderlustmagazine for a travel journal that will keep your memories alive for years to come.

Ask yourself Who’s the diary for? Is it just for you to read – or to share with your friends? This could influence what you put in or leave out! It will also influence the tone and style in the way you write.

A journal is a wonderful memoir When writing your notes think about what you’ll want to remember from the trip in ten, 20, or even 30 years time.

The beginning and the end Use the beginning and end of the journal to set the scene, as a reference.

Things you might want to include are: your itinerary; your route plotted on a map; a ‘cast list’ of people you meet en route (include brief descriptions or even photos to job your memory); contact details of the people you would like to keep in touch with (and do keep in touch with them!); lists of ‘top moments’ or ‘best bits’ from your trip – best sunset, view, meal, restaurant etc.

Bring your journal to life

Entries don’t have to be chronological 

Write whatever catches your imagination, whenever it occurs to you.

You don’t have to record everything 

What you leave out is as important as what you put in.

Use dialogue 

Funny things you’ve overheard, or as conversation with a camel driver, for example.

Use ALL your senses 

Write about the sounds, smells, tastes and even textures.

Avoid listing your activities/descriptions/surroundings '

And then I did this... and then I did that’, it’s a captivating story not a repetitive list.

Illustrate it The act of drawing a building, termite mound or character will help etch them in your memory.

Scrap it!Stick in tickets, bottle labels, snippets from local newspapers, receipts etc –use the pocket in the back of the journal to hold them or stick them in next to the day they refer to – leaving you with a thick, full memory to look back on.

The practicalities

Give a day and date for each new memory – or you’ll forget what happened when.

Leave gaps here and there – you’ll be able to add things in as/when you remember them.

Get it down on paper while it’s fresh – it will be much more vivid. If there’s not enough time for a full description, jot down a few key words, which will jog your memory and fill in the gaps later.

It’s your journal so stick to what interests YOU. If you want to record distance in miles covered, units of wine drunk, funny road signs, tacky souvenirs, or cute cats then great – that’s your prerogative.

Enjoy yourself! Your travels and trips are fun – and your journal should be too! For you – the writer – and for those who will later read it.

this is written by Lyn Hughes and taken from Wanderlust!

Notebook: Midori Traveler's

Yeah, Notebook time~  I have been keeping this entry for a quite long time because the internet connection from the place I live right now, it is pretty messed up ==.  

Ok!  Midori traveler's notebook is from Japan & if you are interested with the Japan's site, click me.  And yeah the 'Traveler' name is the company it's from.  The midori is green in Japanese.  

The MIDORI brand creates paper products, including letters, greetings cards, colored papers and stickers, and creative design stationery with sophisticated designs.  Since its establishment in 1950, the Midori brand has been popular with many customers and has produced many hit products and long sellers.  In addition to sophisticated designs, we manufacture goods that combine both beauty and functionality by paying special attention to beauty and materials used.

We can use this to jot down any important & precious moments when travelling.  But you may also use it for another purpose too; for instance, list books, planner & etc.  Just rely on your creativity!  

Below are some photos of the cute and classy notebook I found randomly!  They are not mine~

Another product set from the company
Woa this is so classy and awesome!

A short video on Midori Art Journal

for more visit here