Photolearningism

For anyone who may have been checking in over the last several months, I haven't been posting while I gathered up the needed momentum to push this effort forward. I've been searching for ways to make photography less of spectator event and more interactive for the audience. To help ramp up this effort, I started LIVE streaming via Twitch to show the photo editing process using Paint.Net (a FREE photo editing tool) and am looking for additional ways to connect and share experiences with everyone. Tune in and keep watch! Things are about to get busy and I'm excited to press on and share! https://www.twitch.tv/klinnowar Take care! -Nate

STEPPING UP I've spent a considerable amount of time redesigning my site to be more accommodating to multiple devices, chasing new ideas and concepts. I'm very pleased to announce the version 2 release! V1 Design V2 Design ( NEW! ) WHY THE CHANGE? I set out with a specific idea with my first version to create a gallery style site, with an option to expand to a stock library in the background. While I felt that I accomplished the "gallery" idea, I realized how restrictive the concept design was in preventing expansion towards the stock library approach. I was forced to abandon the V1 design and move towards a multi-device design, capable of supporting interaction without reliance on a specific user interface (for example the mouse point and click approach of a PC, versus tap interface of mobile devices). Hence, the V2 design was born, looking towards greater scale-ability with a variety of features.  I'm very excited to expand into this new des...

NEW YEAR = NEW GOALS  "FROZEN FOREST" I'm very excited to begin a new year and reach forward for new personal initiatives to accomplish. These are not "New Years Resolutions", but continued photography-related goals for 2018. In large part, I floated through 2017 trying to get my bearings on how to use my new camera, what to do with my website, and where to go from here. Well! Here's a (short) list of what I'm after in 2018: Nate Ciraulo Photography YouTube Channel -  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCav-Z9igJxYaNTwsle43VcQ I've managed to get a "pilot" episode of sorts in place, but there's a ton to do and I'm still refining the format of what this will be. Additionally, I've found the YouTube content creator interface a little clunky and difficult to navigate. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate the free service YouTube offers, but it's just a little daunting to figure out. Some features require a minimum nu...

LIFE THROUGH A LENS Sometimes I feel like the world through a camera takes a different shape. It's more than just a moment you're capturing. It's more detailed than colors, lines, and shapes. The image is deeper than a feeling. It's an expression of the heart. A seeking of meaning and understanding. It's an exploration. It's an adventure. It's (always) a learning experience. It's why I sometimes twist myself sideways or upside down.  PHOTOLEARNINGISM I imagine my branding of "Photolearningism" causes some to raise eyebrows with a moment of quizzical fascination. It's not a word you'll find in any dictionary (except maybe Wikipedia some day, if that counts - It's not there now, I checked! LINK to Wikipedia Search  ), but it's the thesis of my photo journey. Let's break it down: PHOTO (or Photograph) =  "An image of an object, person, scene, etc, in the form of a print or slide recorded by a came...

SKILL SHARPENING I've spent my time away from Blogspot aiming to refine my photo style and study the technical end of photography to better understand how I can improve. There is such a wide world of growth to explore for technique and best practice! While I recognize that photography is a creative art, it does operate under some basic rules that impact the quality of color captured. Like any constructed piece, even if planned prior to execution, the final product is not as deep a story told if executed with a flawed plan. Hence, a better understanding, and not just practice, is a necessary step.  THE STEPS FORWARD While I haven't updated my camera or purchased any accessories to enhance it, I've gained insight into getting more out of my current equipment. While I certainly desire a more powerful camera, available budget prevents this. Though, in considering my pursuits, perhaps this is good and right that I should focus on how to properly conduct use of my current camera....

THE VANISHING POINT Some of you may be asking, "Where'd you go? Did you wind up under a truck?". I'm happy to clear your mind with the following answers, that I'm right here and still very much NOT under a truck. Whew! Glad we got that resolved. So if I didn't disappear, then the question remains, why haven't I posted any new adventures recently? The answer to this is equally simple; I haven't written. I have been around and posting, if you've been following my various feeds. Truth be told, I haven't been on any grand trips lately. The tick encounters of the last trip really took the wind of me, and I haven't braved anything too far off the road in a while. Rest assured, my discomfort with bugs 1/1,000,000 my size will soon be past me.  UPCOMING PROJECTS I participated in my first ever photo exhibit at the East Fishkill Community Library, which is truly a class-outfit, and did an amazing job of hosting me and my guests to kick off a month o...

IT SEEMED LIKE A GOOD IDEA I'd observed a somewhat picturesque stream heading off into a wooded area on a road close to my house. I should've taken the early warning signs of "intruding trees" blocking the unfettered view I was after. I slipped down into the space, which I quickly realized was not so much a "wood land" as it was a "swamp land". No matter , I had told myself. I'm the adventuring sort.  I managed a few shots, but didn't want to turn back without at least checking the area some. My way was quickly cut off by an offshoot stream that was too wide to step over.  PERSISTENCE WITH CONSEQUENCE I doubled back and attempted to explore from the other side of the stream. Different from the far side, this one was so thick with bushes, thorns, and other plant life that I couldn't get through standing up. I hadn't found my way a quarter mile before getting tired and pushing towards the stream for a few more photo attempts. Observin...

WEATHER RESISTANCE I was a little discouraged this morning in seeing the conditions of the outdoors (which was thick overcast, snowy, dark, and just BLAH). I had been hoping to spring out in the afternoon and snap a few photos and had convinced myself that today simply wasn't worth braving the cold and flying, frozen water. I had taken brief retreat in my bedroom because my children had simply used up my "nice and patience daddy-ness" and took to consideration the afternoon before me. I pondered the return of a day such as this and came to the conclusion that since I hadn't means to change the weather, I would bundle myself and embrace the gruff outdoors and prove my resolve. BACK TO THE ADVENTURE I had a spot picked out, not far from my home in Wappingers Falls, NY. I'd been to various stretches of Fishkill Creek and had decided on a new extension of it. I left my adventure-mobile in a safe parking lot and carefully crossed the road between car gaps. After jumpin...

GETTING GOING AGAIN After a few weeks of attending to family maters and (to be perfectly honest) my own mental health, I took to the cold this morning, thanks my wife's encouragement. To make the best of a small amount of time, I traveled about two blocks down the road to a pond I'd been before. It was actually the first place I'd ever visited to photograph, from well over a year ago.  DEJA VU It was just as cold as the first visit, with a breathtaking morning. I was still wearing the same hoodie with the same winter coat (with the same paperclip in the zipper to keep it going). I promise that the hoodie has been washed a couple of times since then. Maybe more. To shake things up, I didn't climb a tree this time. I felt like I had mastered that tactic from the last visit and should explore other options (such as not climbing trees that overhang precariously of a frozen pond). FEELING THE GROWTH I shot 21 pictures in the span of 10 minutes, waiting for the sun to ...

THE WELCOMING FIELD I had taken note of some impressive farmland in Langrangeville and hoped to grab a few shots today. Apart from the proximity of youngliings stamping the gas of their obnoxiously loud Mustangs, it began as a pleasant experience. I found a safe gravel inset to park my car and up the road I walked, looking for vantage points and keeping an eye skyward, as to escape rain, should it rear its ugly head. THE TRAP After capturing a few places to my satisfaction, I came upon a dirt road leading into the field. As is my practice, I checked for "no trespassing" signs, of which none declared themselves. Deeming the road safe for exploration, I began to press in. First, a deer took me by surprise, leaping from the shrubbery with great speed and disappeared into some trees. A short distance further, an unsettling buzzing noise tickled my ears. To  my great dismay, a cloud of large, black insects had gathered behind me and looked to be in pursuit. I hazar...

I realize that it's been several weeks since my last post. Truth be told, the only reason I get to post today is because I'm sitting in my favorite pizza shop, enjoying my "Dad's Night Out". I haven't been out much of the last several weekends, on account of my new baby boy arriving. That makes today very special, because I took some time this evening to find some new places to photograph. I made plans right after work to take in the "Ridgefield Landscape" a bit. Before art, I really wanted to run and stretch out, after a full day of work. My boss (who is a fellow runner) recommended a rail trail within a mile of where we work. Many of the town roads (and back roads) are dangerously narrow, and basically put you in the optimal position to play chicken with very aggressive townies in their BMWs. I took my boss's advice and pressed on to the rail trail. I covered close to four miles and felt great! After cooling off just a bit, I made stops...