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Beginner’s guide to establishing a digital photography practice:

11/30/2020

It's easy to buy an expensive camera, and then watch it collect dust while telling yourself that you'll take photos later, or at big events, or on trips. It’s even easier to gasp at the price tag and decide you’ll just have to wait to start taking photos until later down the line when you have more money to spare. But realistically the best way to improve at photography is through regular practice on whatever camera you already have. Just like any other hobby photography is a skill that can't be developed overnight (although your film photos can be! lol). This guide will help you establish a consistent photography practice without having to spend money on everything you think you need to get started. Believe it or not you don't need fancy lenses, or those big umbrella things professionals use for lighting. You don't need an expensive DSLR that goes ka-chunk ka-chunk ka-chunk when you take pictures. You don't even need a traditional camera-- you can simply start out with your phone! Let me introduce you to the joy of developing a photography practice of your own.

Emily in the Rose Garden, Portland, 2019

For some background: I have loved taking pictures ever since I was a kid, but it wasn’t until 2019 that I was able to purchase my first DSLR camera. Though that was a major step in pursuing photography with serious intentions, I have been practicing casually and regularly for over a decade now. The first real step I took in pursuing photography was actually buying my first cell phone when I was 11 years old (a cheap gophone I couldn’t have been any happier to have!). While cell phone photography isn’t always taken as seriously as that taken on fancier equipment it is an excellent and more accessible place to begin. I also owned a few cheaper digital cameras over the years, and those were wonderful tools for building my practice. A nice camera is definitely a helpful asset to have, but all you really need to begin developing your taste and basic skills is a phone or any other cheap camera you may already have access to.

Here I have outlined some simple steps to help direct you in getting started (even as a total beginner):

Start by making an effort to take at least one picture every day. Even better, take many throughout your day. Get curious and excited about documenting your life just for the sake of it, and commit to making it a daily practice. Looking back I love having a visual index of my life dating back to my teenage years. I can search by month or year and use it as a tool to jog my memories any time I need to. This doesn’t mean that every picture is noteworthy; in fact, it means that most of your photos will likely be mediocre or forgettable. If you get to the end of a day and realize that you have no photos try just taking a selfie of how you look in that moment exactly where you are. There is no shame in taking selfies and tracking your changes and growth-- take pictures when you’re happy, when you’re sad, when you’re scared, when you’re angry. Find the joy and curiosity in taking them even if you feel you never want to look at them again. Focus on taking pictures for the sake of documentation without the pressure of looking pretty or good.
Take pictures of your friends and surroundings, especially when you go somewhere special or new. Take pictures of your dog, of the squirrels and birds you encounter, of the sunset each evening. Take pictures of your room, your outings, and your daily activities. Take pictures of yourself. Cast a wide net by shooting a variety of subjects. Give yourself time to figure out what it is you enjoy photographing the most.
Look through lots and lots of photos by a variety of photographers-- professional, amateur, and everything in between. Which photos stand out to you? Which photos do you find boring? Which photos make you feel something? Which ones bring you joy? Is there a photographer whose subjects or style you admire? Make a point of following their work.
Try researching the basics of composition & leading lines, camera settings like aperture/iso/shutter speed, and color theory. Don’t expect to master all these skills immediately; remember that you can take your time and learn these at your own pace. They certainly can help you create stronger photos, but don’t let yourself get too overwhelmed by all the information at your fingertips. Focus on gradually incorporating one concept at a time. At the end of the day the most important thing is that you are taking pictures, not that you are following all of the technical rules.

There is no shame in taking advantage of automatic shooting modes, especially when you’re just starting out, but do give yourself a chance to play around with the settings if your camera allows. Some photographers can be snobby about using automatic modes, but ultimately you must find what works for you. I personally believe that there is no one way to be a photographer. Just try not to limit yourself to automatic settings if you’re not achieving the results you want-- shooting in manual settings can be a major step in getting to know your camera better and learning how to achieve the results you’re looking for. A good place to start is with semi-automatic modes like Aperture-priority or Shutter Speed-priority, where you can focus on experimenting with just one setting.
Invest in a nicer camera if you have the means. There are countless reviews and guides out there to help you pick which brand and model will best suit you. I rarely hear mention of how intimidating obtaining equipment can be when you don’t have the privilege of affording a high-quality camera. Personally I started out with the cheapest DSLR bundle I could get my hands on, and even that took me years to be able to purchase. There is undeniable merit in immediately investing in your dream camera if you are in a position to do so, but there are also many real advantages to starting smaller. For instance, it can be much easier to learn basic settings on a simpler camera with less features to further complicate things.

Don’t let anyone make you feel bad for working with the equipment you currently have access to! The truth is you can practice and expand your skills by working with whatever kind of camera you have, even if it doesn’t live up to the quality or features you dream of. Even just practicing on a cell phone that doesn’t allow for adjustable settings gives you a chance to practice some of the most basic skills of composition and connecting with your subjects. Photography is a relatively expensive practice, and the world needs more photographers who refuse to perpetuate creative elitism and who understand the real barriers that many face when getting started.

** Something I do personally recommend is that if you are interested in self-portraits (and you have the means) consider investing in a camera that will connect to a remote or a remote app for your phone. My first camera advertised that it was supposed to connect to my phone via Bluetooth to function as a remote, but in my experience that feature has never really worked. The app is too glitchy to even use on a basic level without freezing and having to reinstall between shots (I recommend looking up reviews to confirm that others have had success in doing so with the specific model of camera you want). Maybe even consider investing in a camera that lets you compose the photo through your phone, or one that has a screen that can flip around for the subject to see. Think about investing in one that will automatically focus on your face or your eyes. These are all obstacles I’ve faced in taking self-portraits, though on the bright side it has pushed me to find creative solutions and also to focus more on shooting subjects other than myself!
Develop your editing skills. A simple place to start is with Lightroom Mobile on your phone (which is free!), and eventually you will probably want to look into desktop editing software. Take the time to familiarize yourself with the different settings and experiment with each one. Try looking up basic editing tutorials online, or check out the free walk-through tutorials available in the Lightroom Mobile app. There is no one way to edit photos, though some basic guidelines can help you achieve the vibe you’re going for.

Observe others’ editing styles. What kind of color palettes do you like? Are you drawn to warmer or cooler tones? What kind of editing wows you and what do you find to be cheesy or tacky? Do you like shooting in color or black and white or both? Many people opt for buying presets (which is valid), but personally I recommend learning how to edit yourself since this will give your photos a more personalized touch and help you further develop your own style.
Last but not least, connect with other creatives! Whether it’s another beginner to photography (or modeling) who wants to experiment together, or it’s a seasoned photographer who you’re paying, give yourself the gift of creating alongside others. As much as I love shooting on my own I really enjoy collaborating with other people, bouncing off ideas and creating something that brings your unique styles together. Seek out opportunities that allow you to learn and grow as a photographer. And most importantly, keep producing work no matter how good or bad you feel it is. The only way to improve is to stay committed to your practice!

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Recipe: Sam's Soyrizo Soup (vegan)

11/4/2020

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Sam is the kind of friend who will show up to your house with snacks to share, cook a full vegan meal, and then help clean everything up afterward. Each time that he’s made this soup for us over the years I have eaten multiple bowls (which says a lot because I’m pretty picky when it comes to soups!). The combination of hearty veggies, melt-in-your-mouth lentils, and savory Soyrizo broth make for a flavorful, nutritious soup perfect for the colder seasons. You can only imagine how excited I was recently when I received an email from Sam with his recipe typed up so I can make it any time I want (especially appreciated during quarantine). Sam’s Soyrizo Soup is perfect for making in big batches and enjoying as leftovers throughout the week-- if there is any left over!

*This soup may be a little spicy for those who are heat sensitive (the Soyrizo itself is a little spicy). Personally I love adding some extra peppers to kick up the heat, so I recommend adjusting it to suit your taste!

*Also note that cooking times may vary slightly based on your stove, so make sure to check on your veggies and adjust the timing as you see fit.

Sam’s Soyrizo Soup
Vegan, 4-5 servings
Ingredients

~2 tbsp cooking oil
1 medium Onion (chopped) (yellow or white)
5-10 Baby Carrots (chopped) (or 1-2 full sized carrots. Rainbow carrots also add nice color)
2 stalks of Celery (chopped)
4 cloves of Garlic (chopped)
1 can of Garbanzo Beans (drained)
1 package of Soyrizo (Sam uses Trader Joe's brand, I use El Burrito's)
Water (about 7 cups, add more later on if needed)
3/4 cup Red Lentils (dried)
Broccoli (chopped) (1 medium head or 1/2 a bag of florets from Trader Joe’s)
1 small Zucchini or Yellow/Summer Squash (chopped)
Corn (about 3/4 cup fresh or frozen)
Spinach (several handfuls)

Optional Ingredients

1 Jalapeño (chopped) (add extra or sub for a spicier pepper if you want more heat!)

Directions

In a big pot on medium-low heat cook the onion in your oil of choice for 1-2 minutes, or until it starts to become slightly translucent.
Add the carrots and celery and cook for 4-5 minutes (stirring often).
Move all the ingredients to one side of the pot and add a little more oil to the empty side. Then throw the garlic in the oil and cook for 2 minutes.
Add the garbanzo beans, stir, and cook for 3-4 minutes.
Add the Soyrizo by breaking it up and mixing it in (the size of the pieces isn't too important-- by the end it will have a consistency similar to the lentils). Then add the water, lentils, and (optional) jalapeño. Stir it all together, turn up the stove to medium-high heat, and wait for it to boil. Once it starts boiling switch the heat back to medium-low and simmer for 12 minutes.
Add the broccoli and let it simmer for 5 more minutes.
Add the corn and zucchini/squash and simmer for 6 more minutes.
Add spinach and simmer for 2 more minutes or until it has wilted.
Serve and enjoy! (Consider serving with a pinch of black pepper or a tiny bit of sriracha to taste)

I can already tell that this soup will be one of my go-to recipes this winter. Given how much I enjoy this dish I’m always surprised by how easy and quick it is to make-- most of my time and effort just goes into chopping up vegetables. I hope you like this soup as much as I do, and if you decide to make it please let me know how it turns out!

***A special thanks to Sam Muse for cooking this soup for us with love and care on several occasions, typing up his recipe, sharing it, and suggesting that I post it! While I helped with editing, formatting, and photography Sam is the true culinary MVP and deserves major credit.

Note: I choose to call it a soup, but technically it might fall somewhere between a soup and a stew. It has enough chunky veggies and substance to be called a stew, with relatively less water content in proportion to the other ingredients. However the broth is thin like a soup, and there still is a good bit of it. I think “soup” sounds better in the title so we'll go with that!

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My favorite video games of all time

10/25/2020

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1. Paper Mario (Nintendo 64)

This game holds a deeply tender place in my heart. It was one of the first video games that I ever found myself truly immersed in. Just looking through screenshots of it takes me back to some of my best early memories of sharing a room with my awesome older brother and taking turns playing together for hours on end. The graphics are simple, vibrant, and incredibly charming. Each chapter of the story takes Mario somewhere magical - whether it's inside a toy box full of shy guys or a snowy wonderland surrounded by penguins - and after beating each boss you get to play as Princess Peach sneaking around Bowser's castle for her own mini-chapters. The game play is engaging enough to stay interesting without feeling difficult or frustrating (thanks to a combination of puzzles and turn-based combat), and throughout the whole story it maintains a laid-back and cozy vibe. Paper Mario 64 just brings me a lot of joy, and I can't recall any aspect of the game that doesn't hold up. I can play it over and over again without getting bored. It's always there for me to come home to. 10/10

2. Harvest Moon (Gamecube, Gameboy Advance, DS)

Harvest Moon is the ultimate farming simulation series, and it was the first (and only) game that I was excited enough about as a kid to create my own detailed walk-through notes on. I still have a folder somewhere with print-outs of online guides and cheats, and I remember journaling about how I would spend my days in the game and what goals I was working toward. The concept of caring for animals, making friends, and choosing a bachelor in-game to date was enough to make my 7-year-old heart flutter. When I first began playing Another Wonderful Life I had no sense of how the game worked-- I remember my cows constantly being sick and barely keeping them alive on medicine (later I learned that you have to, I don't know, feed them occasionally!). But I caught on quickly, and I was over-the-moon when my animals began thriving and my cow had its first baby. For as cute as the game is the tone of Another Wonderful Life is surprisingly somber/melancholy: the story starts with your character losing their father and leaving their life in the city to settle down in a small town and take over the deceased father's farm. The mood conveyed by Another Wonderful Life is unique from any other game I've played, and speaks to many of the complicated feelings I've experienced throughout young adulthood regarding major life transitions. I think I might owe credit to this game for planting the seed (lol) for my dream of someday owning my own little ranch-- a dream built strong in my childhood that I have only recently revisited. Each game that I've played in the series balances the peace of a life of quiet solitude with the excitement and connection of a small-town community where everyone knows one another. While there are more games in this series than I can keep track of (and more than a few spin-offs too) these are the three that my friends and I loved dearly and built our childhood identities around: Another Wonderful Life, More Friends of Mineral Town, and Harvest Moon DS. While I've chosen to focus on Another Wonderful Life in this article I should mention that all three of them vary in style, tone, and complexity, with each one bringing something new to the table.

3. Mario Sunshine (Gamecube)

Like Paper Mario, Mario Sunshine just has a really excellent, upbeat vibe and playing it makes me feel really happy. The story centers around pollution and darkness spreading over a beautiful tropical island where it is your job to clean it up by washing away all the sludge and defeating the enemies responsible for the mess. As the game progresses and the pollution subsides the atmosphere itself becomes brighter-- a simple but powerful visual that leaves me feeling optimistic and accomplished. The solid basic mechanics established in Mario 64 (another favorite that didn't make the list), combined with F.L.U.D.D. the water nozzle, make for a really fun and unique Mario platformer. The music is energetic and memorable, and the stages are creative and varied. Some of my favorite areas include a playground-like harbor, an amusement park, and a quaint little bay with historic ruins. Mario Sunshine will make your dreams of jetpacking around a stunning tropical island surrounded by clear, blue water a (virtual) reality.

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Beginner’s guide to establishing a digital photography practice:

Recipe: Sam's Soyrizo Soup (vegan)

My favorite video games of all time

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