Makena's posterous

Project365 an adventure in photography by Love Raney

Project365: an adventure into photography by Love Raney
     When I first heard that Makena Gadient was doing Project 365, I pictured someone going through a dull, boring cycle:  Take a random picture, post online with some info and a title, rinse and repeat.  Despite having been in a few photography classes and being a fan of taking pictures myself, I couldn’t understand the difficulty and the appeal of the project that Makena had immersed herself in. 
         Ever since the start of the project though, I’ve been able to see the appeal.  I was reminded of why writers do things like NaNoWriMo or Script Frenzy; - the feeling of adventure and danger.  Everyone secretly wants a project or a contest that will challenge their skills in what they’re best at, and will send them on an adventure that is personalized for them and them alone.  For Makena, this was Project 365. 
       If you’ve ever read a story that comes to life, or seen a piece of art that feels entirely foreign and beautiful to you, you know the feeling that Makena’s photos bring.  Despite the fact that you may know where they were taken, or may have even been in a few, looking at Makena’s pictures, is like looking at an entire different world: unique, special, and entirely surreal.  It’s the same with all the photos taken by the brave souls who have set off on this photography adventure.  Whether their skill was mediocre or advanced, their pictures take on an air of pure and wild beauty that normal pictures seem to never have.
       Just like NaNoWriMo or Script Frenzy, Project 365 is raw and real, full of pictures taken daily by the average photographer, who is suddenly much more than average.  It’s the challenge of such a project that adds what we want to see in a picture, and hones the skills that we want to see in a photographer.
        Because of my interest and curiosity about Makena’s project, I decided to do a little interview with her.  The questions and answers are down below.
“How has this changed your view of the world?”
Wherever I am, whatever I am doing, I am now looking for a photo. Framing it in my head. And most of the time I have my camera with me—so I can take that shot.
“How is this testing and honing your skills?”
I’ve learned a lot about what I can do with my camera. I’ve also really learned a lot more about the technical aspect about photography-just to see what my camera can do.
''What does it take to do this every day?"
It pushes my limits. There are some days where I have missed the golden lighting (5:30 -6:30 pm) or  I just don’t have any inspiration. The photos I take on those days always surprise me. And a few of them have become a favorite (day 55, day 80) of mine, and my photography mentors. 

Getting to day 100 on april 10th was a huge feat for me, I realized that I can continue to do this- and get amazing results.  I look forward to the next 265 days. If you want to see me reach day 365, view (and comment) on my photos here www.flickr.com/makenag
“What have you learned so far?”
So much, and not just about photography… I’ve learned about myself and that I have a lot of family and friends that support me. If it wasn’t for their love, support and help with this project I think I would’ve quit within the first week.
“What is your favourite photo you’ve taken so far?”
Just one? That is so hard! I am going to go with, day 26, 28, 100, 108, 84, 78. Mostly because those are just photos that I’m really proud of. If you must have just one, I’m gonna go with day 78-because I love the lighting on the Maui mountains and the sugar cane  field. I love where I live and this shot just embodies what I love about Maui. I like this shot so much that I’ve tried painting it and reshooting it.
“Are others doing it?”
It’s a huge online community that is doing it on www.flickr.com a website that allows photographers to post high res versions of their photographs for others to see and critique. On one project 365 group (there are many-at least 6 that I have found) there are 18,000 members. It’s that big. ..I think the idea originally started for photographers to take a self-portrait a day.
 “As I can imagine how stressful something like this could be, I’m curious as to how you lessen the stress.”
It’s not stressful for me, because I’m doing what I love. It’s not a job, but a joy. I love taking photos; capturing what is already there, or creating art within the frame. It’s also not stressful because even if I’m at a party or at the beach or doing something with friends I bring my camera. If I tell them I don’t have my photo for the day almost instantly (and amazingly) my friends stop what they are doing and start trying to help get a good photo. I love my friends.
“Where do you get inspiration from?”
Everywhere. All around me. I try and capture the art that is already all around us. God has placed me in a beautiful world-I capture that with my photos. I’m also inspired by other flickr friends that are doing the project365. There are some teens on the mainland that are taking amazing photos, a mom in Honolulu taking 365 photos of her son and a gal in new york doing self portraits-we get inspiration from each other. I have two friends I know in real life that do project365 and just knowing that they are doing it along with me is inspiring. For famous photographers I am inspired by Ansel Adams, Edward Weston and believe it or not Annie Leibovitz. Adams is an amazing black and white photographer and really knows how to capture light. Weston taught me not only to come in closer but to also see lettuce as abstract art. Leibovitz is a female photographer who is making it in a mans world, she also really believes in every photo that she takes. She stands up for it, and that’s important. I also like Matthew Thayer of the Maui News, he has not only been a personal mentor to me, but every photo of his printed in the Maui News showcasses the article printed—and he turns his photo into art. He makes every assignment he gets into something beautiful, he never takes an average photo.
“What inspired you to start Project 365?”
Right before the new year I was google-ing new years resolutions that weren’t just ‘lose weight, get a job’ someone posted information on project365. I liked the idea and I started on Jan. 1st 2010.
“What advice would you give to any beginners of Project 365?”
You have got to want it. It’s that simple. It’s a priority to me. I’ve made it a big deal. I’ve told people. When other people know that it’s a big deal to you they will care and try to help you. Having people care and help you is important to projet365. You can’t do it alone.
“Why do Project 365?” To take a photo every single day sounds simple, and it is. But to take a good photo every day is a little harder—a little bit more of a challenge. Challenges are fun, and so is photography. Project365 is just another excuse I need for keeping my priorities straight—photography and writing. 

I WROTE A 50K WORD NOVEL IN A MONTH!!

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You heard it right, i wrote a 50,000 word novel in the month of November! 
But the marathon is not over yet, I may have written 50k words in the month of November (therefor winning the Nanowrimo challenge), but my novel is not finished yet! I am going to just keep on writing 2k (or 4k) a day until my novel is done!

You_won

After I am done finishing my novel I will do some more focusing on my photography. If you have a minute, give me your opinion on my photos on Flickr Comments are like cookies. :D

Tis the season for group shots!

I have just uploaded my Flickr.  And while i know you all are waiting to see how i did photographing the wedding, I have yet to go through and edit those so the ones at my flickr are other good ones. Er, other good group ones. Every new upload is some form of group portrait shot. I put some fun jumping ones from my friend's party up, you can find the set here. Be sure to let me know what you thought of those. It took me a very long time to get them, because not only was a poising everyone on where there feet should be in mid jump, how relaxed there faces should look etc, but also, the sun was a problem. The sun would keep on going right into one of the girls' face. Someone said i should've used a remote flash and that would have fixed the problem. Your thoughts?

The other photos I uploaded is the shots from the reshoot for extended group family portraits. While the color ones did turn out alright, i think my favorite are the sepia and black and white. My sister and asssistant Raven, was invaluavle for this shoot--all i had to do was take the photo because she posed everyone.  You can find those photos Here, since i couldn't make a new set for some reason.

You will probably see more group shots because i have spread the word to all my friends and family about me taking Christmas photos this year. 

Well, I've got to go, but here is a couple of photos. let me know which one is your favorite. 
ps. thanks to the new people who are following me now. :)

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Waiverr

Sorry, but this is not regarding my photography.

Here is the waiver, download it, print it, get your parent to sign it and go to the rink. 

Click here to download:
WAIVER_RINK.pdf (1.22 MB)
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Orrr, we could just boycot the rink all togetehr because this is soooo stupid!!!!!

Prep for wedding

Here are some shots that i got of my sister last night.
The wedding I am shooting today, (the 21st of november) is going to be right at polo beach (where these shots are taken).
I tried to make the sunset and model pop.
All these shots are on Manual.

I like most of them, my only concern is that the person in the photo becomes a little grainy... Any tips?
Also, anyone know how to do Silos?

I would put these on my flickr, but i only have so much monthly uploads, and i'd like to put shots of the wedding on my flickr

Tell me what you think!

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Also, I'm at a 33,135 word count for my nanowrimo novel. :)

fair photo

This is a photo that I took @mauicountyfair in the beginning of October.
Not only did i WIN second place (see other photo) for my black and white photo, but my friend is going to use my shot of the ferris wheel for her school newspaper. It's hilarious, i don't even go to their school!! But Yes, I'll be getting credit for it, so it's awesome!

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NaNoWriMo

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 Check out National Novel Writing Month at www.nanowrimo.org 
That's write, I'm not just a photographer, I'm also a writer. This year I'll be trying to write a 50k word novel  in the month of november! You can follow my journey at My nanowrimo account.
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Below is something I wrote on Nanowrimo.org (Maybe it will encourage you to participate and write this year!
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The 50k word challenge by Makena Gadient

NaNoWriMo is a month long challenge for anyone who has ever had an idea for a novel. National Novel Writing Month is a challenge to write a 50,000 word novel, from start to finish in the month of November. It started back in July of 1999, there were twenty-one writers including Chris Baty, the man who started it all. They were a group who decided to write a novel instead of starting a band. Out of the twenty one writers, six and wrote a 50,000 word novel to win. Ten years later the challenge is still going strong already with 46,018 authors signed up to participate in the 50k word challenge. Last year there were 119,301participants and 21,683 winners. Sixty percent of this year’s participants are returning to try again, or riding on the euphoria of last years win—planning for another one. Raven Gadient, a 15 year old high school student tried last year but didn’t make the 50k. She is returning to try again this year, “I think NaNo is a great opportunity for everyone, I’m finally getting the chance to write a full novel in one month.’’ It’s easy to find past winners on the NaNoWriMo site and they are eager to share advice and knowledge about the whole experience, “It's tiring, but you feel very accomplished afterwards” Clovdyx said in the first week of October.
            Many people are baffled and confused when they first hear about NaNoWriMo; ‘Write a novel in a month? I have no time!’ Chris Baty, founder of the challenge says on the site “the busier you are, the easier it is." In short, make time for what you love and if you want it, you’ll achieve it.  NaNoWriMo participants have proven that it is possible to be a mother, have a job, be a college student (or whatever else that plagues your life making you busy) and still complete a 50,000 word novel in a month. Logistically it only takes 1,666 words a day, which could equate into setting aside an hour or an hour and a half a day just for writing. Exchange watching tv or reading someone else’s book and write your own instead!
          When you hit the 50,000 word mark you are proclaimed a ‘winner.’ But there is no prize money or book deal. While many NaNoWriMo authors have gone on to publish their novels, winning is saying that you were given a 30 day deadline to beat and you were proven victorious. Plus, there is the coveted certificate that you get to print saying that you won.

NaNoWriMo is a non-profit organization. In past years they have donated 50% of all their money to Room to Read, an organization that creates libraries in third world countries. Chris Baty, the founder of the National Novel Writing Month and the non profit that supports it (Office of Letters and Light), encourages people to donate to NaNoWriMo if they got anything at all from the whole experience. Unfortunately hardly anyone donates, which puts a strain on the overhead cost of $566,663 that the Office of Letters and Light (OLL) needs to run NaNoWriMo, Script Frenzy, and their two Young Writers Programs.
           OLL has another writers challenge; Script Frenzy, where participants write a 100 page script in the month of April. Script Frenzy also allows writers to participate by creating a script for a play, movie, comic or graphic novel. It is a great alternative (or supplement challenge to NaNoWriMo) for any writer.
             A lot of novice writers have problems finishing their books. This ‘50k-challenge-write-a-novel-from-start-to-finish-in-30-days’, forces every writer to face their fear of deadlines and the fateful words ‘The End’. Plus, it is just a lot of fun to participate; one of the most exciting things about NaNoWriMo is the fact that there are thousands of people doing the same crazy thing with you, and the forums are full of helpful (procrastinators) who are more than eager to give their two cents in any problem.
           NaNoWriMo encourages people to make time for what they love—writing—and to finally start (and finish) a novel.  User TheTal, a 21 year old winner from last year said she is back this year “because the community here is awesome” and she adds, “without NaNo? Some books may never be written.”  Sign up for free and participate in the National Novel Writing Month 2009. Go to www.NaNoWriMo.org today!