The Evolution of An Accidental Technique: Light Painting (Photography)

Light Painting or Light Graffiti is a photographic technique in which the photographer sets the shutter to stay open for a period of time and a light source is used to "paint" in the darkness. Once the "painting" is complete and the shutter is closed the picture is then complete. 

This technique was first used by a married couple in 1914 who were trying to record the movements of manufacturing and clerical workers, in efforts to improve upon work conditions. 


The first photographer to use this technique was Man Ray in his Space Writing series of the 1930s.



















Once Man Ray officially introduced the world of photography to this technique other innovators started creating their own masterpieces and point of views using light sources. Pablo Picasso is famous for a lot of different works but he is always reknown for his light painting entitled "Picasso Paints a Centaur in The Air"

This technique was created and used to track movement for research purposes and artists, being who they are, saw something with potential and gave it life. Todays photo world has also taken its cues from the innovators and creators listed above and others that are not mentioned, and have turned light painting (more affectionately called "light graffiti") into a world of its very own. Now with the light sources coming in an array of shapes and sizes and colors the possibilities have become infinite. This is what Light Painting the technique used for movement research has turned into!!!

A Letter to Love by Unknown

I found this piece entitled "A Letter To Love" by an unknown writer. The art of writing is not dead nor stiffled its just with modern day technology who really WANTS to read. Read this and remember why writers exist. From the authors heart to mine to yours.-K. Rose

A Letter To Love

by: Uknown

 

Dear love how dare you?

you open the minds and hearts of all mankind and you leave them

or you trash the sacred unity that is supposed to just be

how can you be ok with yourself knowing that you kill

you kill hearts and souls and dreams

yet in still you feel so right

you feel so good

that when you do wrong I close my eyes and drift into the tears that you have created

 

dare i question the reasons why you exist

if not for you nothing could make me feel like this

with the pen in my hand I feel like a woman

a woman thats being caressed by a man, a good man

for when I draw

I draw with the sheer force of your love

that sings out for me like Lena Horne over the records that were of

 

love

 

When the paint is in my possession

I drift off into the canvas that guides my brushes and teaches my hands a lesson

The colors, O the colors

are like every emotion either by themselves or mixed for custom

like how I feel when I hear the shutter that captures the moment

that burns vividly in my mind

and still at times

I wonder

 

Love have you ever met me?

why do you know how to drum my beat, or paint my picture or sculpt my heart

Did we meet in silence and you decided to part?

is that the part where my love for this really did start

did you teach me such a deep appreciation without meeting me

so much so that the folkloric funkadelic art inside of me screams to know that any moment

it can vanish

like a thief in the night you just might

runaway with my heart and mind be slow to follow

all because of

 

love

 

Love for my pen, love for the flash, love for the indecent exposure

that has that artist saying "at last"

my masterpiece is complete but it still troubles me

'cause love i dont know you but you for damn sho know me

how can i learn from what I cant see

Do I trust the feel of the fingers gliding across the piano

as if it were his fingers on the small of my back

do I lay still in the night

Reminiscing

While Sir Duke puts me to sleep

Do I smile back at the Mona Lisa who inspires me

or do I paint with the colors that have troubled me and loved me and just let me be

 

Love O Love

Dear Love

Thank you for teaching me

 



Don't Lose Yourself

When you're dealing with the wonderful world of art a time will come where you will have to choose to stick to your ideas. Art and all that it encompasses is truly a form of self expression. Once you have discovered your talent and have made it your own you must stay true to it. There is nothing wrong with visiting an idea but going against yourself to make the idea a reality is a problem. People will not always agree with, like or even support exactly what you're doing. If its what you want then who cares.

In all areas of art there are the amazing, the great, the good, the bad and the ugly. The first two speak volumes by themselves, "the good" is simply a middle ground. The bad and the ugly can be different things. They can be bad or ugly and still have a true beauty to them OR they can be bad and ugly and have you compromising everything that you stand for. If it feels wrong and you keep questioning it, it probably is wrong and you should walk away.

With art being an expression of ones true self nothing anyone does is wrong. However, when what someone else does has the potential to make you look bad stick to YOUR art first. If you visualize your painting, your sketch, your design, your story or anything and what the artist your trying to work with is doing could taint that image, stop. Unfortunately, being an artist on any level in any genre is tough. There will most certainly be collaborations because thats what us artsy people do, we create and network so that we can create some more on an even bigger scale. The down side to that is picking and choosing what is worth it and what isn't. If you are the most amazing charcoal artist would you rather work with someone who is amazing at digital design or is bad at drawing in mud with sticks?

Sometimes art is not a choice because it just clicks in your mind for you and sometimes for you with another artist. Sometimes art is a test of wills, is yours strong enough to not bend or fold? Compromise is inevitable in life period but in art you must choose to compromise either your art or your involvement. Your art is who you are so you should never compromise that, your involvement is at your discretion. What another artist does can't affect you unless you let it. Stay true to yourself and your art and you'll always come out on top!! Don't lose yourself, lose "the bad" and "the ugly".

Are Your Head and Heart Evenly Matched? Art Life

Just recently I had a conversation with a friend of mine about the life of a TRUE NEW ARTIST. We both agreed that there is one thing that every aspiring artist should verify. Is your HEAD and your HEART in it equally? Your HEAD will tell you that you can do it or that you Can't. Your HEART will feel the burning desire to go for it. To leave everything in its current state, to take the chance on a dream and to follow what the heart wants.

There are many challenges along the road to becoming all that your mind says you can be. For instance are you ready to quit your job? Are you ready for hours of practice and endless study of your genre? Are you really ready to take a lot of free gigs? Being an artist is an amazing thing BUT its not always what its cracked up to be...at first.

Its easy to see someone display their work or what they Did that day or that week but what about what they Did or went through to get there. As with anyone artists have a backstory and a current story with their future unfolding before their very own eyes.

You can say you want it but what will you do, what will you go through to get it? Are you willing to put your craft first and learn to make it work or will it be a hobby until it picks up? Just as you may dedicate your life and time to a regular 9-5 job and be miserable, you also may dedicate your time to your craft and be happy and struggling, starting over or being a dream chaser. I don't consider it chasing dreams when you constantly work at it or improve on it. I only say that based on experience. I love Makeup but until recently my head and heart were in different places. My head said NO but my heart said YES.

If your head and heart are not equally yolked, just as with anything, its NOT going to work. So search your mind and your heart and determine what lengths you will go to in order to get what you want. If its too risky then wait. If you cant help yourself and your mind says yes and your heart says yes then dive in! Prepare yourself for the struggle because you will want to give up but you can't, you'll constantly be searching for your next gig because they don't always fall in your lap.

Never will I discourage an aspiring artist but I will say prepare yourself. The art life Does have a shadowy side but if you LOVE what you do you can't quit! I've quit many things that I didn't love. I TRIED to quit Makeup and I TRIED to quit this blog before it even started but the ART LIFE, struggles and all keep calling my name and tugging at my hearts strings. The colors, the fashion, the technique, it all screams at me!! What's screaming at you? Are you ready to scream back? Are you ready for the grind that is ART LIFE?
-Kendall Rose MUA--- I planned on removing the MUA and I'm glad I didn't! I'm screaming back! Are you? #artLIFE

The 9 with Chris Cordova Director/Filmmaker/Artist

Okie dokie!


1) How long have you been making films?

I have been making films since I was 13. I started by making skate videos of me and my friends.

2)What are some of your inspirations?

My inspirations are myself; the desire to better my life and change it for the positive. My family who has worked very hard to provide me with a comfortable and secure living, and finally the people. Who deserve to have a better cinema out in the world: something with values, with heart, passion, love, and truth.

3) What have been some of your favorite projects so far?

Some of my favorite projects so far are the ones where I get to travel, do something really creative, or JUST DO ME. Like when I got to take a crew of 8 to vegas to film 3 music videos in one weekend. That was a blast. Or like my latest music video with Narendya and how that came out super creative. Also, now that im working on my movie thats climbing to the top of my favs. Also my movie Amy and Penny.

4) What keeps you motivated?

Failure is a big motivation. I have no where else to go. Its apparent to me that a long time ago I made a decision to pursue my dream of making films or at the very least working in the industry. Ive put in so much time and work that to give up and go anywhere else would be hopeless. Plus ive yet to reach the altitude I plan to and with that help all those who have helped me. So that keeps me motivated.

5) When you are shooting how do you know you got the shot you're looking for and what Does it feel like to see the finished product?

Well, the thing about me is I'm an editor. So normally when I'm on set I'm already piecing all the shots together in my head. And in all reality that happens before I even show up to shoot. But Its something I have come into with experience as being a director. Eventually you kinda just know, yea we got all the stuff we needed. its gonna work. Or no.. we gotta keep going until we get a little more.. Its like a sense.

6) What do you do to overcome creativity block?

I like this question. to overcome a creativity block I simply get away. Not from life but from the creative act itself. I go hang out with my girlfriend, my little brother, some old friends, my family, my dog! lol I do things that remind me about life and the very reason why I'm doing what I do. I also like to pay close attention to things around me. That helps light up my creative fire.

7) What is your mission as a film creator?

As a film creator? well. like most, I wanna be the best. and I wanna establish a line of films from Chris Cordova. A whole enterprise working and thriving off the creation of great films, cool, positive, and just world changing.. ahah atleast in my opinion. As a filmmaker I believe it is our job to help the public see things differently, to push them. We live in a time where we are so easily influenced by the media. some of us from within that system need to be doing all we can to push things in a better direction. A goal for all artists in general.

8) Any advice for aspiring directors?

Practice practice practice. The only way to truly be a filmmaker, a "Director" is to really BE about it. Not flaunt, not brag, not "pretend" and take a bunch of pictures with you holding a camera. Its the opposite of that. Its thought, its planning, its pre-meditation, the learning of execution AND the ability to think on your feet. Its hours and HOURS and HOURS of sitting in an editing bay putting things together until YOU feel its right. Just like everything, try it if you want. See what it does to you. But if you really wanna be good at it, if you wanna be serious at it. It needs to take over your life. You need to LIVE it.

9) Whats next for Chris Cordova? And are you gonna keep F.A.M.E upto date on your pending success?

well, I feel that all of my life has been leading up this point: my execution. from now on its Chris Cordova the filmmaker/artist making works that have something to say. A point of view. I have done my work. I have put in my hours. hNow its about me doing ME to my enjoyment. To the level that I want to work on. On the projects that mean something to me. all the while climbing that ladder of success. Meet new people, work with different artists, create better work, bigger work, and pushing myself. Im on a journey and I feel like now its about to really start getting good. Im all packed up and ready to go! lol, and I really feel that I'll always be in touch with my friends and fam. for without them.. I wouldnt have made it this far. Of course I'll keep up with F.A.M.E and with you Rose, you are such a Cool girl. I'm doing this for all if us. So that i can hire all my friends on that big million dollar movie when it comes. That's the agenda- ChrisCordova.com

There you have it folks. Straight from the directors mouth! I've had the pleasure of working with Chris and you definitely wanna keep your eyes on him!! Come back soon for another 9.

Who Says You're An Artist??

The brushes, pens and pencils, computers, cameras, foundations etc are just examples of some tools that we use to enhance our creative selves. While these tools help us in our journey they are simply not enough. They can tell you when there is a technical error, or refer you to the charts that tell you what colors to mix, or how to follow the rules to creating in a software but these things are not the artists!!

      It takes a special mind, a creative mind, to conceive the images and numbers that we tend to see in our minds. Not saying that everyone can't pick up makeup and start painting, or pick up a camera and start shooting, because they can. The difference is the eye of the individual. Artists can look at a blank canvas (or situation) and not see the blank but see the colors, angles, shadows, highlights, contours and so on and so forth. When these things are created in the minds of the artists they will do anything to achieve them. There are often times where near perfection is not enough for an artist. Once they hit near perfection the bar raises automatically in efforts to keep up with the times, styles and techniques. Artists often lose sleep over work. "Todays work is good but tomorrows work will be great" is the typical thought of an artist.

      Some people are classically trained in whatever realm of art they're in, others are self taught, and neither of them are wrong. Some people have the talent buried somewhere deep inside themselves and need a teacher, mentor or even a motivator to pull it out and force them to use it. Some are able to identify the love they have for art and attack it head on reading books and investing the time in the trial and error process. There are times where people can have a God given talent in a genre of art and not do anything with it. Its not only the skill you possess that makes you and artist, its the time and effort you put into it. If you are going to sing, you must sing daily, if you are going to draw, you must draw daily. Study what your industry is doing and build upon, improve upon and create anew...

     Tools are just that, tools. None of them are able to make the decisions of a true artist. Learn to trust your mind, your eyes and your vision. Feel the work as it happens and trust every gut instinct you have. Let no one deter your dreams or tear you down. Seek comfort in the fact that you an artist and unlike "normal" people, you are a visionary. People look at what you do and applaud you because in your special mind you created that special piece!!

   

    

Makeup: Who Sets The Standard?

When it comes to the wonderful yet broad world of makeup (and fashion for that matter) who sets the standards? Some would argue that its the people who formulate the colors and magic potions we all love. Could it be the designers who choose what the models faces look like on the runway? Maybe even the most popular cosmetic companies who set out to collect every penny in your wallet with their special collections or limited edition products?
   Now please don't get me wrong these people are wonderfully skilled at starting and identifying trends, but who sets the actual standard? Maybe its the gurus we've all come to love and the products/brands they rave about or dislike. Someone said "you can't achieve industry standard looks without industry standard [expensive] product". This may very well be true in some instances BUT who started this makeup craze? Maybelline!! That's right I said it Maybelline! Maybelline was the first and only until about 1960. With that being said, who Did all of the most popular and timeless looks that we all copy to this day? Other brands like MAC started popping up early to mid 80s. Even in present day Maybelline and Covergirl are still widely used on runways and TV productions around the world.
    Some brands are said to have better color payoff and/or staying power. I totally disagree. As far as range of color, specialty products and skin tones the department store brands may have a slight edge. When I've asked people why they do or don't use MAC products believe it or not most of them don't have an answer!
  There is nothing wrong with using department store brands, my thing is this 1) set your own standards and stick to them 2) explore, know what's out there 3) learn what works best for you, your skin and your budget and lastly learn how to use the products in order to achieve a flawless finish. Me personally I seldom frequent the malls to stand in line for whatever "new or hot" thing is out that day. Also do YOUR OWN RESEARCH! Walmart carries the brand Hard Candy Cosmetics, which if you didn't know, is owned and produced by Urban Decay. Point is neither drugstore, internet or counter brands are wrong BUT remember they don't set the standard YOU (the consumer) Does. Purchase to your hearts desire. Happy shopping!!