Chantale Perron - Project 365: The BlackCAT Adventures

Christmas Chaos

"C" is for Christmas Chaos. 

It's December 26th - the rush of Christmas is over. Presents have been exchanged, the sea of wrapping paper, ribbons and bows are crumpled up in the recycling bin, and I can finally take a moment to soak in all the awesomeness of this year's Christmas Chaos. And although I'm making sure to take it all in and keep the memories fresh, I hate to admit that I didn't even pick up my camera today. :(

Tomorrow is another day, and I for one cannot wait to play with all my new toys (an awesome remote trigger, for one!). 

Hope you had a wonderful Christmas. xoxo

 

Christmas Top 10

Last weekend, I curled up on the couch with a glass of wine, my BFFs on-line, and watched Will Farrell's Elf, for the 1st time. I laughed so hard I cried and I've been reciting some of my favorite lines ever since. 

Today I checked in on Justin & Mary's blog, to find them reciting quotes from Elf, too! I knew I loved them! They also posted a cute Top 10 list Christmas questionnaire and so I decided to take inspiration from them and answer their Christmas questions myself. 

So here it is, my top ten things of all things Christmas-y. I hope you enjoy! And that my goofiness brings you a little cheer this Christmas Eve-Eve.

Just call me Santa

Every year, I get caught up in the Christmas rush and panic and find myself shopping, wrapping, baking as late as Christmas Eve. "THIS year will be different", I promised myself. I set my professional deadline for December 1st to have all shoots completed, orders fulfilled. As a new personal deadline, I decided December 15th would be the latest I'd have everything decorated, purchased & wrapped....uh yeah, good luck with that Shawn!

Just when I thought I had finalized all my client orders, no sooner did I start fielding phone calls. And because I love what I do, I just couldn't bring myself to say. I took on 2 last minute shoots and 3 new album design projects. Some last minute print orders were also placed! I guess I wasn't the only person to do things last minute....

So today, I delivered the last of my orders, and still have 1 album design left (which will be delivered early in the New Year). Oh yeah.....my shopping will start tomorrow.

One day I'll get those deadlines in order! 

Uh yeah....good luck with that, Shawn!

Christmas decorations

I love this time of year....the colors, the decorations, and the lights! Before I put up my tree, I always like to play around a bit. 

Merry Christmas!

My "Less Than Perfect" Year in Review

2011 is quickly coming to a close so you can bet your money everyone will be releasing their "Year In Review" reports. The radio will be counting down the Top 100 songs of the year, news channels will talk about Mother Nature's worst disasters and the top 10 things that happened in Business, Entertainment channels will talk about the top movies in Hollywood and Fashionistas will tell us all what the hottest trends were, who wore them best and who didn't. 

What can you expect to see from Photographers from around the world? You can expect to see the very best of the most spectacular images ever created; beautiful people, equisite lighting, flawless posing, breath-taking landscapes, incredibly creative concepts, and the list goes on...

But what happens to those images that aren't perfect? Do they just get discarded and moved to the trash can because they were less than what was expected? Nope. Not on my drive they don't! Some of my favorite images are way less than perfect technically and will never win me accolades in the industry BUT they do make me smile and feel super happy. Whether it's the expression, the moment caught, the colors or composition of the photo, there is just something about these photos that please me and evokes happiness in me. Nobody else may like them or think they're special, but the are to me and that's all the matters.

Here are just a few of my personal favorite images of 2011, which make what I am calling my "Less Than Perfect" Year in Review. 

Photographer Cassie Strom (of Calgary, Alberta) and I fooling around with off-camera lighting earlier this year in Vegas at WPPI. 

Photo taken at the Montreal Roller Derby's Beast of the East Roller Derby tournament. Don't ever underestimate the power of a good stretch!

Kami, allowing me to infringe on her chill time

Boudoir beauty enjoying the process. I LOVE that smile!

Gentle reminders

The look of exhilaration meets sheer exhaustion; my nephew after playing 3 soccer games, back-to-back-to-back in 36 degree weather.

Peaceful. Beauty.

There's just something about silhouettes...

It. Is. Always. About the shoes.

Just a girl and her horse

I hope you enjoyed my "less than perfect" faves as much as I do. This Holiday Season, why not put together some of your images that may not be as strong technically but make your heart sing. Then pop by here and leave a link to your faves portfolio in the comment box. I'd love to see them!!

Have a wonderful day! xoxo

The industry, Facebook censorship & feeling betrayed

 

They say the photography industry is a small one; but it's also really big. And scary. It's funny though, how in an industry filled with so many amazing people, it's easy to feel alone. I remember my first experience at WPPI a few years back; I sat in classes alone, walked the halls of the convention center alone, I ate in the food court alone. My evening schedule was quiet; definitely not filled with all the parties that were going on every night.

I left my first WPPI experience with only a handful of introductions, people whom I never communicated with again. It was a horrible feeling. I vowed that I would step out of my comfort zone from that point on and make an effort to network and meet more of my industry peers. That year, I attended more workshops, conventions, shows and events and joined Twitter. Now I leave each experience with new contacts who always seem to become dear friends. I'm not alone anymore and it feels great.

Recently, I joined a couple of quite large photography groups on Facebook. It was overwhelming at first just trying to keep up with the hundred of posts made a day! I couldn't help wondering if these people actually worked or if they just posted stuff to Facebook all day long? Lol. I recognized a few friends in the group and I also made a few new ones. Within a week I was just one of the gang! I felt at ease and began commenting on topics but it wasn't long before the fun stopped. Last Friday I commented on a particular topic - one that apparently has photogs divided; you are either for it or vehemently against it. I learned quickly that there wasn't much room for a healthy exchange of opinions and debate. It wasn't long before I was attacked on a personal level, my talent & abilities as photographer were questioned, as were my intelligence, my business sense and marketing knowledge, or blatant lack thereof. I had never met or even heard of this person, and yet she was publicly slinging insults. Just where, when and how did this all go so wrong?? Is there no such thing as a healthy debate any more? I wish I had known earlier as I could have skipped all my college debate classes!

Then last night, I received a notice from Facebook that some of my images had been flagged and removed as they were "offensive in nature". The photos had been up for more than 2, 3 and even 8 months and just NOW they were being flagged? Just 48 hours earlier I had voiced an opposing opinion on a discussion board....was this just a coincidence, or was it related? Either way, I'll never really know the truth. 

My Twitter philosophy is simple: if you don't like what someone is saying then unfollow. It's simple. And I live my life that way also; live and let live. You do you, and let me do me. Equally simple philosophies, don't you think? So knowing full well the Facebook reporting process is not an automated system, I definitely can't help feeling betrayed by a fellow photographer. If I have posted a photo that offends you in any way, then please let me know. Let's discuss it - don't hide in anonymity behind the guise of high morals.

So even though I was hurt by this childish act, I'm going to take the high road and choose to believe that whoever reported my photos is just jealous of my work. They say you know you've made it when you have haters! 

Have an awesome day! xoxo

 

A + G = Baby to Be

There's nothing I love more than a mommy & daddy to be. It's such an amazing time of life and when I show up, all I get is smiles from ear to ear....I love love.

So happy for A + G and can't wait to meet the little one! xoxo

Hipstamatic does it again!

Just when you had had enough hearing about my love for the Hipstamtic, THIS happens! They just released their newest product; the D-Series Disposable camera! This camera pack (free now in the App store) is the world's first social camera. You and your friends can now connect your cameras and shoot away with the shots being sent to the same roll of 24 exposures. Once the roll is finished the photos are instantly exchanged amongst the group. And of course the geniuses at Hipstamatic wouldn't be geniuses if they didn't offer the option to instantly connect to Facebook and share your new album on Facebook, Twitter or even email them directly to mom!

You can download 3 new disposable cameras now in the iTunes app store. Additional disposable camera & film packs are available for purchase; 9 cameras for $0.99, 36 cameras for $1.99 or 99 cameras for $4.99

Having just read the announcement, I haven't had the chance to try it yet.....yet. But you could pretty much bet your money I will be later today! I can't wait to get my hands on the Foxy X69 series! 

Have an awesome Saturday! xoxo

Friday Infatuation - The Hipstamatic

If you haven't heard of Hipstamatic app, you may want to get out a little more! ;) This digital photography iPhone app uses the iPhone's camera to shoot shoot square photos and offers a choice of different lenses and film options, always giving you a different look to the final image. The last couple of years has brought a resurgence of all things "retro", and camera apps which allow you to take photos like where done using the old cheap antique plastic film cameras, which have obsolete for years (like the Lomography and Polaroid instant cameras).

The history behind the Hipstamatic.

Apparently, a real camera called the Hipstamatic 100 was produced back in the 80s, here are the stats I found documenting it: 

Founders: Bruce and Winston Dorbowski

Founded: November 1982 (Unofficially, as in no lawyers)

Location: Merrill, Wisconsin, USA

The Idea: Bring people a camera that cost less than the film. Bruce had a Russian plastic camera that our father gave him as a Christmas gift in 1972. The camera had since broke and was no longer being made or sold, at least anywhere he could find it. So Bruce and Winston came up with a plan to recreate something similar. Winston had fallen in love with his Kodak Instamatic and that was the start of the Hipstamatic.

 

Camera Specs

Model: 100

Material: Plastic Body, Plastic Lens

Produced: 1982-84

Type: View finder camera

Lens: Hipsta A1

Film: 35mm

Picture Size: 28mm x 28mm

Original Cost: $8.25

Focus: Automatic 

Aperture: 2.8

Flash: hot shoe

Now, as the story goes, Richard Dubrowksi (brother of Bruce & Winston) says that only 157 Hipstamatic 100s were ever produced. Apparently 154 were sold and his family has 3 in storage; 1 white, 2 black. Researchers have said there is no actual proof to these stats, or even of the actual existence of the camera. Duh-duh-duhnnn.....who knows what the real truth is?? Regardless, cut to late 2009 and a company called Synthetic develops an app honoring the story of Bruce & Winston Dorbowski and their alleged product; and the Hipstamatic app is born.

Now, I KNOW there are TONS of photography titles in the App Store. I've tried many of them and although I'm sure they're all great, for me, nothing comes close to the Hipstamatic’s blend of simplicity, serendipity and art. Most simply put, the app is a filter that will unpredictably blur, discolor or saturate your images, as well as other cool stuff. You never really know what you're going to get, but the results are always surprising and most of the time stunning. The base Hipstamatic pack sells for $1.99 and offers additional add on packs of lenses and film effects for $1 apiece. Being the shopaholic-camera-whore that I am, and you pretty much guessed right if you said, "she probably has them all". And I do! I'm the first to jump on any pack that comes out - sometimes they packs are free and sometimes they're a buck....either way, you know I'll be playing with it. 

It's my go to camera on my phone. I've also been known to shoot ALL my vacation pictures using ONLY the Hisptamatic on my iPhone. I think it's safe to say I take at least one photo every day with it. Here are just some of my favorite Hipstamtic photos from 2011. 

Have an awesome day. xoxo

The Mean Green

It seems a lot of people were intrigued with yesterday's post! Love that! I got quite a few emails, messages and even a couple texts regarding the the juices shown in the photos. The green photos, although taken with the Hipstamatic, did not have a green filter. Yes, everything is THAT green! Here is recipe:

The Mean Green 

• 6-8 leaves of Kale
• 2 cups of Spinach
• 1/2 Cucumber
• 4 stalks of Celery
• 2 Green Apples
• 1" piece of Ginger

It never turns out tasting exactly the same everyday as I play around with the amounts of ingredients depending on my mood. I usually add a couple more apples for sweetness and sometimes bump up the ginger for a stronger bite. Either way you try it, it's yummy (once you get used to it)

And this is basically what you can expect your refridgerator to look like every couple of days when you start juicing. ;)

Bottoms up! xoxo