Shot of the Day - 02/28/10

Ollie's audience.

Shot(s) of the Day - 02/26/10

Here are my favorite shots from the "Rail Jam" snowboard and ski event. There were some cool tricks, and some cooler wipeouts.

Shot of the Day - 02/25/10

A mother's love. Thanks eh? Love ya Mom.

Shot of the Day - Bonus - Star Wars Car

This was sitting outside one of my friend's houses and I couldn't resist taking a picture. I'm not claiming any artistry on this one; it's just too fun not to share.

Shot of the Day - 02/24/10

"... and I saw."

Shot of the Day - 02/23/10

Another shot from around Grand Rapids. I think the stars of this one are the streaks of water running down the wall. They have a sort of grimy, unreal look that I really liked.

Shot of the Day - 02/22/10

Our fair city.

Indie Film Watch - "Nuit Blanche"

I've invested far too many hours in the past few days thinking about the meaning of life. Mostly, I'm realizing that the only life for which I can divine meaning is my own. I'm not suggesting that other lives don't have meaning, I'm simply not in any position to presume what that meaning could be. For me, as far as I can tell, thoughts and ideas are the meaning of my life. My best guess for those things that comprise the meaning of my life are the things that make me feel most alive. I feel most alive when I'm developing my own ideas and exploring those of others. The most incendiary catalyst for thought is the visual image, more specifically, the visual narrative. Of all the visual mediums, motion picture speaks loudest to me. This short film, "Nuit Blanche," is a reminder of what I love about visual narrative. It's clear enough for one to begin exploration of meaning, but is ambiguous enough to not cage that exploration. [The following are my thoughts on this short film's meaning. Skip down if you don't want my views tainting your own]. Very simply, I think it is about love. One interpretation I had was that it is a memory of the first time those two fell in love, and that the story is actually a flashback to the happiest moment in their lives as their car crashes. It could also be slightly more fantastic, in that it was a story of love avoided. This scenario involves us seeing, however briefly, the potentially tragic love life those two could have had if they had gotten together. Either way, it's an absolutely arresting visual experience that I am only too happy to share.

Nuit Blanche from Spy Films on Vimeo.

Shot of the Day - 02/21/10

Bogart button.

Shot of the Day - 02/20/10

CD's in umbrella. Yup.

Shot of the Day - 02/19/10

Gyana Ashang.

Shot of the Day - 02/17/10

I can't even be sure that I like this one, but I'm drawn to something about it.

Shot of the Day - 02/16/10

Home sweet home.

Shot of the Day - 02/15/10

I put a bright light behind some of my favorite colored vinyls. This one is Jack White & Alicia Keys, "Quantum of Solace [single]."



For the rest of the vinyl shots, go here:
http://picasaweb.google.com/jdforslin/LitVinyl?feat=directlink

Shot of the Day - 02/14/10

It's Valentines Day, and I love my record player.

Indie Film Watch - "Skhizein"

"Skhizein" is a short film by Jeremy Clapin about a man who is forced, by forces out of his control, to live 91cm to left. If you don't know what I mean by that, I'm not surprised, but all will make sense after a viewing. This short, like all great things, does something new in a way where you can't imagine it being done any other way.

Skhizein (Jérémy Clapin,2008) from Bertie on Vimeo.

Shot of the Day - 02/13/10

Felix the Giraffe.

Shot of the Day - 02/12/10

Riding at night with Greg.

Shot of the Day - 02/11/10

One of my favorite little guys to take pictures of.

Shot of the Day - 02/10/10

A shot of myself testing the new camera. It was taken the first day she arrived in the mail.

Shot of the Day - 02/09/10

Wood paneling on the ceiling of the DeVos Center.

Shot of the Day - 02/08/10

Took this wandering the chilly GVSU grounds with my all too patient friend, and temporary photography assistant, Tshering.

Shot of the Day - 02/07/10

I was walking around last night, and took some shots of the art museum. This was along the wall of the building, with the lighted hand rails. I'm pretty happy with how it came out.

Amazing Videos - The Third & The Seventh

When I first saw this video, I was reminded repeatedly before hand that everything I was about to see was computer generated (CG). I said "okay," and the video started. What I saw stunned me. This is, without a doubt, one of the most beautiful videos I've ever seen. If this had just been shot with a regular camera, it would have still been gorgeous, but it wouldn't have affected me as much. Something about imagining that everything I was seeing looked so real, and so beautiful, yet all of it was generated with computer bits and bytes all working together in this harmonious performance that I really connected with. So here it is, The Third & The Seventh.

Note: I can't stress enough that you should turn HD Viewing on.

The Third & The Seventh from Alex Roman on Vimeo.

New Camera - 500D

I finally broke down and bought a digital camera. I bought the Canon Rebel t1i 500D. I've been having a lot of fun with it, and hopefully I'll be putting something up every day, now that I don't have to wait for development time or buying film.