I'm usually not particularly giddy about new year's events because if I take away the idea of the calendar, all that's left in my head are yesterday, today and tomorrow. What I like about categorizing events though is it sort of creates an illusion of a fresh start, a new year, another beginning. Who doesn't want a try for a do-over?
I drafted a year-in-review post yesterday because it's what people do at the end of the year ― summarize, recall, reminisce ― but I left it undone in the morning, and when I came back to finish it in the afternoon, the whole lot seemed absurd already.
So I'm starting this year with these photos of random things that can be typically seen here in our area. For months, I've been thinking of committing to a project that I can pull out from my Neighbor Walk series ― shooting the neighborhoods here, if possible every street, within Cavite City. Doing the Neighbor Walk made me unexpectedly appreciate the look of a typical neighborhood here in the Philippines. Also, I want to tap more in to the realities of my life that is far from the high-end, touristy, manicured spots. I want to learn to embrace the grunge, the rust and the old-looking ― basically, the mess. I'm honestly not sure if I will pull this off, because taking photos in public streets here is very difficult and alienating. I usually get the strange looks from people because nobody thinks a public street or someone's garage/gate here is worth taking a photo of.
So there goes the challenge.
Ah, but for the sake of year-end summaries, here's a quick look-back at my 2015:
- Acquired two new-old film cameras
- Shot 30 rolls of film
- Visited two countries
- Met Lea Salonga!
- A promotion
- Quit some of my social media accounts
- Hoped for a chemistry, failed
- Sold my Canon AE-1 Program and gave away my Holga 120N
- Read 10 books
- Met Bea of Little Film Blog
- Joined an art workshop
- Revamped this blog 287632 times
- Cared less (about social status)
- Surprisingly got interested with makeup
This year, I'm keeping it simple to:
- Keep/update a daily planner/journal
- Care much less (about social status)
- Maintain only one credit card
- Approach people to be photographed
- Buy less
I guess that's it. I wish you a great 2016, friend :)
Happy New Year, April :D
ReplyDeleteHappy, happy new year, Sara dear! :)
DeleteHappy New year, April! :) Congrats on the promotion, quitting some of your social media accounts and caring less about social media status! I'm currently working on the latter myself! :P
ReplyDeleteGoodluck on the series! Your neighbor walk photos always look interesting because even though the subjects look familiar (from a typical Filipino's POV) and common, seeing them from another person's perspective makes them seem less ordinary. I don't know if that makes sense.
I'm also thinking of doing a project myself, specifically the 365 day project but unlike you, I'm afraid all I'm ever going to take photos of (if ever the project will be on film photography) are stuff in the house (I'm planning on working from home this year) or if I can even commit to it!
Hi, Mars! Happy new year! Making the neighbor walk as a series was not planned at all. It just so happened that I took photos within our area here in Cavite, shared them here on the blog and got some nice, consistent feedback. I did not expect it at all! But then, you are right, it's probably because we don't often appreciate what is already common for us. That's why it's one of the lessons that photography taught me and also what I decided to name this post -- you do you. It doesn't always have to be "instagram-worthy" or a manicured flatlay. Ahh, but of course I'm still starting to learn to embrace my reality :)
DeleteWow, good luck on the 365 project! I never considered it because I know I'll just fail from the start hahaha. I tried a 52 project about 3 years ago and though it was technically a success, I didn't feel that much accomplished as a photographer (maybe because I'm pressured to come up with a photo?). I wish you could have added your bloglink so I could follow your journey :)
Thanks very much for sharing your thoughts!
I agree! I feel that these photos on your series are a breath of fresh air. Not too fancy, but still very interesting. I'm not sure if you know her, but this reminds me of a series by Katie Yang of curatingcuteness.com. She has a similar series that I also love!
DeleteAs for the 365 project, I still haven't got around to it, so it's a major fail for me, but I hope it's not yet to late to start a 350 day project! Lol!
And I'm so shy to put in the link to my blog; but when I discovered your blog not too long ago, I think I actually left my blog link once or twice. I'm actually following you on instagram too together with other film enthusiasts and photographers. (marsymallows/marsy.mallows). haha!
Oh I sure know Katie, of course! She'd been one of my influences to try film :) She has a great As Seen In the Alleyway series, I think that's what you're referring to? Love that as well!
DeleteI know some photographers who are doing the 365 project and didn't begin at the start of the year. There's this one I follow who started in November when he moved to a new country and he's been doing the 365 project to document his first year in a new place. I think it really depends on your intention, not just on documenting an entire year from start to finish :)
Got your bloglink already, yay :) Another one to follow! For some reason I really like reading about other people's lives hahaha T_T
Thanks a lot Mars!
Wow thanks for giving me an idea for the 365 project! That actually makes sense!
DeleteAnd yes, that series was what I was referring to!
Ako rin, I also like reading people's blogs like I used to back when blogging was literally just like writing on your journal!
The tones are incredible! Wow
ReplyDeleteThanks Nadeem!
DeleteHappy New Year April!
ReplyDeleteHope you will achieve what you have decided this year!
Oh, thank you very much Pratiksha! You too, have a wonderful new year :)
DeleteHOLY F IM IN THE SAME LIST AS LEA SALONGA??! <3 This is probably the first and last time that will happen... haha! What was your meeting like? :)
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your promotion! :D Got interested in makeup this year too... a recurring thought for me regarding makeup was "why didn't I do this sooner??!"
I enjoy your neighbor walk series! There really is beauty in the every day :)
Meeting you was a 2015 highlight for me! Thanks April! Happy new year!!
Hahaha natawa ako sa all caps!! It was a highlight for me because you are the first person I met who also do film photography. I've always been hesitant to join photowalks because I don't know anyone in the group (introvert problems). I will have to blog about our meet-up soon :)
DeleteArgh, meeting Lea was brief. It was a simple autograph session, but it was definitely thrilling to be face to face with her.
Thanks Bea! Hope to do the photowalk again when our schedules meet :D