“CLICK IT UP A NOTCH” is the name of the blog that I found for this project. This blog focuses on good tips and styles for one’s photography. The creator of this site is Courtney Slazinik, a photographer who loves sharing her work with the world. Courtney loves taking photos of her children and her daily life, but she also loves helping others fully understand their DSLR’s.
In the blog, there are many different topic options one can choose. From lighting, to senior photos, she teaches a little bit of everything. The reason I chose this blog is because I to have a passion for photography and I will take any chance to learn something new when I can.
When first opening the blog, viewers will notice how nicely organized the website is set up. The simplicity and cleanness of the design really makes it easy for users to find their way around the blog. I strongly believe this is a professionally made site because of the content that is displayed to the user. For example, not only does she help people with the camera side of thing’s, but she also gives a large amount of help with Lightroom editing. She teaches how to correct skin color and lighting and many more things that amateur photographers might not know as well as others.
I’m constantly reading all her work and I would love to share her skills with anyone looking for more. If you want to check what she’s all about, all you have to do is go to this link. https://clickitupanotch.com/blog
Part of getting invested in any field is finding resources to help you gain more knowledge of the subject. I decided to spend some time looking for just such a place. After a little looking I found a ton of sites and blogs specifically designed to teach and inspire, but none were nearly as neat as the site Film Courage – http://filmcourage.com/blog/– I love how much info there is about filmmaking in here: Everything from screenwriting tips, to lighting setups, all the way to acting. There’s so much here, and a lot of it is in video form with timestamps directing you to exactly what you’re looking for. It’s well designed too; I never have the sense that I can’t find what I’d like to see. Film Courage definitely wanted to have a clean design, and I believe they succeeded.
Watching through the various videos and browsing the text content, I believe there is a ton of useful information. There are interviews from actual filmmakers, scriptwriters, cinematographers, and more! The best way to gain knowledge is to learn from masters in their field, and Film Courage is chalk full of them. My favorite thing about the internet is that you can reach and listen to anyone now days, but the trouble can be finding the most qualified people. Film Courage makes it incredibly easy to find people who know what they’re talking about, so all you have to do is watch and listen.
The blog I decided to write about is called Art of VFX.
This blog is all about the special video effects (VFX) implemented in movies and tv shows. I think this is really cool because VFX combines computer animation with live-action recording to fabricate truly unique and lifelike experiences for the audience to watch! Some of the coolest stuff this blog has to offer are interviews with VFX artists, as well as behind-the-scenes VFX breakdowns to show how these effects were created. For example, there’s a neat video showing all the layers of filters and animations that were used to create the effects in the latest Jurassic World movie. The end result looks nothing like the initial raw camera footage! Having behind-the-scenes breakdowns can be useful for getting inspiration to create one’s one VFX! As far as presentation, the blog site is pretty good. There’s a home page with the latest posts, and it’s easy to find the different categories. The content, however, is okay. The VFX breakdowns are usually brief videos that only skim the surface of the work done, but it still is nice to have them all compiled into one website for casual browsing. The interviews, on the other hand, are very in-depth, and sometimes the complement the videos. For example, one of the interviews is on José Manuel Weil who was the VFX Supervisor for the same Jurassic World movie mentioned earlier. I highly recommend anyone who is interested in this kind of thing to check out this blog and get some inspiration!
Because of my interest in animation, I decided to search the interwebs for a blog about it, and I stumbled upon this little treasure. https://www.awn.com/blog
Animation World Network is a blog that has everything you would want to know about Animation. With some perusing I found it has news about whats going on in the animation world today, as well as articles from different animation sources. From Disney, Pixar, technology of animation, everything. It has links to other animation blogs that you can get easy access to, as well as shows, events, and even has job listings from people out there in the industry. LOTS of helpful things for students who want to immerse themselves in this industry.
I found the site very easy to navigate. It has a nifty home bar that spits everything into categories that you can see, and well as a hover menu (like shown in the above picture) that has even more info. I read of few articles that they had posted, and found them captivating and interesting enough. They have a comment section at the end of each of them that allows people to engage with each other and share ideas/thoughts which is neat! What I found that was really cool and awesome was the Jobs link, that takes you to job listings of people out there in the industry and what they’re looking for.
I think the site is overall produced very nicely and professionally. It’s easy to use and is a great resource to keep up with the animation industry and to see what hot new things are happening within it, as well as finding out what future employers are looking for.
When Entering this vicinity I immediately was surrounded by many students and adult actively talking about the projects they were starting to create and equipment they were planning to use. This is definitely a place that gets its use.
The Blue Cyc Wall Located in Building 18
One of the easiest places for me to identify since it was in the same building as the equipment checkout, making my search for each spot just a little quicker than I expected.
Center for Student Engagement
A place I didn’t know we have, I was glad to notice the directory in front of the doors I walked in through or else I would have not known where to start in finding this spot.
Main Art Gallery
Again another place easy to find since there is a sign conveniently placed outside the building for all to know where they are.
The Art-O-Mat
I had no idea what I was searching for when I looked at the name of this contraption and it took me a good seven minutes of frustration to realize it was not a painting I was searching for but a machine that was right in front of my eyes the whole time.
Library Reference Counter
Another place that is easily accessible and easy to find due to the bold lettering plastered in front of it.
Large Silver Sculpture Outside Health and Wellness Center
The hardest place for me to find since I still don’t know the campus very well and because the map I do have of LCC does not have building 31 marked as the Health and Wellness Center but just the number 31. Finding this was probably the least amount of fun I had due to the fact I wanted to figure things out on my own and did not ask anyone for help.
Media Creation Lab in Center Building
A place a little hard to find if you are not looking for it but easy to go to when you realize where you are.
Judy Gate’s Office
A difficult find since there might be a flyer over the plaque indicating this is her office but other than that it is not hidden inside a maze and one that is not a journey to go to.
Teresa Hughes’s Office
Not a very hard place to find either since it is located inside building 18.
Flags in the Student’s First Building
The first thing you see when you walk into the building reminding everyone that goes in we are all from different backgrounds and cultures and are welcome to LCC.
Construction Shot
Even though it is a stand still shot I decided to capture this moment because it is one of the first times the sun has been out in a while and reminded me of the warmth back home in Huntington Beach.
The Equipment checkout place is in Building 18 where students usually rent camera gear.
Blue Cyc Wall
The Blue Cyc Wall is also in Building 18 and is in lab room A.
Student Engagement Center
The Student Engagement Center is in the center building and located on the second floor.
Art Gallery
Building 11 is the main Art Gallery.
Art-O-Mat
The Art-O-Mat is found inside the Art Gallery is is to the right of Mr. Ingram’s office.
Library
The Library is on the second floor of the Center Building and is on the left if you take the elevator.
Silver Sculpture
The big silver sculpture is right outside of Building 31. The silver sculpture is neat to look at up close because there are little engravings on it that almost look like the Japanese alphabet.
Ingram’s office
Ingram’s office is located in Building 11 and he was just leaving his office so I didn’t get a picture of him in his office.
Media Creation Lab
The Media Creation Lab is on the second floor in the Center building in the library.
Judy Gate’s office
Judy Gate’s office is found in Building 11.
Teresa’s office
Ms. Teresa’s office is in Building 2 and is decorated with little trinkets on the outside.
Flags
I took a picture of the flags in Building 1.
Turkeys
I was fortunate to find a baby turkey along with an adult one up close!
My first stop was at the Equipment Checkout Counter in Building 18. I had to wait quite a while for the perfect shot, because it was closed most of the time. This is the only one photo I have with the window open!
The Blue Cyc Wall – Bldg 18
Across the counter was Studio A with the “Blue Cyc Wall”.
Student Engagement Center – Center Bldg
My next stop was the Student Engagement Center. I like how everything is tidy and organized. My kind of place. I was quite intrigued by the popcorn machine and it’s intricate gears!
Art Gallery – Bldg 11
My next destination was in Building 11 with the beautiful Art Gallery. The soft faded lights made this place feel somewhat nostalgic.
Art-O-Mat – Bldg 11
Right around the corner was this cool machine. I didn’t even know a machine like this existed. Drop in five dollars and it can give you pocket-sized artworks from paintings to sculptures to poems, or any other art related pictures.
Library – Center Bldg
The library is one of my favorite places to relax and study at the same time, so this place was easy to find. What wasn’t easy was trying to get a photo without students being uncomfortable with their picture being taken, so I decided on this shot. It was the only way I could take a picture of the library without interfering with anyone.
Large Silver Sculpture – Outside of Bldg 31
This was my favorite photo to take. I had my camera tilted upward with myself leaning against the sculpture. I love how the blue-grey clouds and trees are reflected in the sculpture like a mirror.
Ingram’s Office – Bldg 11
I had an interesting encounter before I took this photo. I knew this was the room I needed to photograph, but I didn’t know would Mr. Ingram be comfortable with me taking a picture of his office without his permission. I had this whole conversation with one of my classmates and didn’t know that the man standing across from me was Mr. Ingram himself! He was standing there listening to every single word. That was the worst mistake I made that day! He walked over to me and casually introduced himself to me. I laughed nervously as I explained what I had to do for the assignment and he was just fine. I took one shot, thanked Mr. Ingram, and left before any more awkward situations could happen.
Media Creation Lab – Center Bldg
I liked taking this photo of the Media Creation Lab, because it was totally empty. I could play around with the lights and shadows. In fact, I was the one who arranged the chairs to look this certain way. The black squares against the simple background, plus the added angle makes for a good abstract look.
Judy Gates’s Office – Bldg 11
Judy Gates’s office is one I’ve trip I’ve made several times. Here she is busily working on her computer.
Teresa’s Office – Bldg 18
On the way to photography class, I snapped this photo of Teresa’s office. How I wish my office looked this tidy!
Flags – Bldg 1
This shot was random. I was busy arranging myself to take this photo, so I put my camera down and it clicked. I happen to love this shot. It is the perfect angle and view!
Wandering Turkey – Campus
I had to chase the silly turkeys around campus before I got this shot. It seems like this turkey knew I had to take a photo of him, so instead of behaving nice, he turned his back on me. Well, at least the pattern on his tail is highlighted against the nice black pavement.
As this is my first year technically in the Media Arts program (I have previously taken some Media Arts classes, but was a Journalism major) I have not had the opportunity to utilize this resource yet. I am looking forward to it.
2. Blue ‘Cyc’ Wall
I had several opportunities to use this wall in the Lighting for Photography class that I took last winter, but I did not end up needing to use it for any of my projects. I will be shooting self-portraits in front of it this week though, for my Digital Imaging class. The blue should make it a lot easier to cut myself out for a composite image. The lighting in there is pretty fantastic too.
2. Center for Student Engagement
I had actually never heard of this place, but it came at the perfect time of my journey, I was starving but trying to hurry and catch the next bus. The woman in there was very nice and pointed me toward a beautiful vase. I feel like I was not the only one who she pointed toward that vase and I think it was in an effort to avoid photographs taken of her. I respect that.
3. Main Art Gallery on Campus
I was in this building for both Newswriting and Photography class during my first term at Lane. I always liked checking out the new exhibits, and still do when I’m in the area.
5. Art-O-Mat
This thing is very cool, I cannot personally afford $5 for a small piece of art, but I really like the concept. I think these things should be in malls instead of (or at least along with) food/drink vending machines.
6. Library
One of the most important and useful resources at on any college campus, I have probably under-utilized this library since I started at Lane. I don’t read many paper-books anymore; Most of my life has become digitized like so many other peoples. I do appreciate that this library that has Mac’s that dual-boot Windows for PC users. When I first started at Lane I was pretty new to Macintosh, it took some getting used to and I still prefer my PC for most things.
7. Silver Sculpture
I tried this sculpture from many different angles. When I first tried to shoot it, there was a guy raking leaves right in my desired shot. I ended up leaving and coming back, taking many shots from above and below, but this ended up being my favorite shot from inside.
8. Ingram’s office
Ingram seems like a very nice and easy-going guy. This clearly was not his first visit from an Intro to Media Arts student. The girl in front of him ended up way out of focus, but I didn’t want to bug him any more by trying to get a better shot.
9. Media Creation Lab
This is another place on this scavenger hunt that I did not know existed! Seems like a nice, quiet space to work on projects if needed, at least maybe a little quieter than out in the library. The outside of this room does not have the best lighting for taking photographs, and there were people working inside that I didn’t want to disturb. I did my best with what I had.
10. Judy Gates’ office
I don’t know Ms. Gates but it looks like she is super helpful. This photo is not posed at all. I think it turned out really good and showed her helping a student navigate Moodle.
11. Teresa’s office
Hands down, the worst lighting of any location on the scavenger hunt. The natural light coming in from the window in back is much brighter than the fluorescent lighting in the hallway. This was the only angle I could even pull a shot off from without the sunlight destroying it. In retrospect, I wish I would have gone back on a cloudier day.
12. Students First Building
I have to say, if the ‘flags’ part weren’t in the instructions. I would have had no idea where this was, I have never heard of it referred to as the ‘Students First Building’. I guess now I know. The sheer amount of flags in here is pretty amazing.
13. Construction Shot
This is a quick shot of the sculpture in front of the school. This was taken with my phone, because I forgot my camera this day. I may try to get another one with my Nikon in the morning on the way to class and update it. I really like this sculpture, because supposedly there is no concrete or glue or anything holding those stones together (according to my Photo 1 teacher), they just used a crane and wedged all the pieces together. That had to be very cool to watch.
The blog I decided to write about is called 
I’ll have to go back sometime.
