Anyways...
I haven't been able to create any new short films recently, because I just haven't really had the time or (more importantly) the equipment. But Christmas has come and gone, and I finally got my first camera! Its not really a camcorder, but its a still-photo camera that happens to shoot HD video as well :D It's called the Canon SX130 IS and it not only takes nice video, but amazingly clear photos (if you know how to use it). The photos can also get pretty big, around 4000x3000 pixels :)
In the last 2 days alone, I've taken almost 200 pics! Here are a few of my favorite ones below:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/57523975@N03/sets/72157625681563528/
As you should already know, I am most interested in going into film. But I am starting to enjoy photography so much, that I am going to be looking into getting into it professionally as well. The 2 fields work great together and compliment each other easily. It should be beneficial switching from one to the other, if I happen to have any downtime in one of the other fields... I am a creative person at heart, and I love the visual freedom that comes through photography. And the feeling of taking a great photo is beyond words because you know that YOU did it. You know that YOU took the effort to make a memory and/or moment out of the most mundane thing. And in the end, it is YOUR picture, not your teammates or friends, but yours...
Photography is just another great outlet letting me express myself!
Speaking of expressing myself, remember how I wrote about getting into parkour? Well I was off and on with it (as usual) but I have finally made the effort to stick to it, and have been at it for a little over 2 months now! I practice for about 1-2 hours a day, 3-5 days a week, rain/snow/night or shine. I created a little 2 month progression vid, if you want to check it out below.
It's not a lot, but hey... One of the leading parkour and freerunning communities in the world, WFPF, posted my vid on their facebook and home site! They said that it was one of their most fav vids they saw that week, and loved the happiness shown through my training in it. I'm not going to get too deep (or maybe I should), but parkour has taken a very important place in my life. Not only physically but mentally...
When I first started parkour, I followed the basic philosophy strongly. Be as useful as possible, so that you may help anybody in a time of need. I still love that aspect, but have also evolved due to my training and have an even more open mindset. As of the moment, one of the greatest things I enjoy most about parkour is the "flow" that can be achieved. To know what you're body is capable of and using that to your advantage. To know your limits and understand the many different opportunities to grow. With this in mind, I am getting a lot more done in training and loving every second of it. And the great thing is that it doesn't limit itself to the physical body. It has made me stronger mentally as well.
I definitely feel the changes that has happened mentally. Through training, my confidence and self-esteem has shot up immensely. I have learned how to overcome obstacles as efficiently as possible and learned to not "sweat the small stuff" as much as I use to. My outlook on life has become immediately brighter and I find myself finding even more pleasure in the simpler things in life. It is a feeling that I cannot explain, but parkour has changed my life for the better. I am stronger, happier, and more satisfied with myself...
Another thing has made my life a ton better recently is my preparation in serving a full time LDS mission in a couple of months. I am halfway done with the paperwork at the moment, and cannot wait until I receive my mission calling. I always coasted through church as a boy and teenager, but now that I have focused more on my Church, I can say without a doubt that this is the happiest I have ever been in my entire life! More news on this later...
Well everyone, thats a wrap for now and I'll see if I can update this more often haha.
Peace!
