Captured with my manual Yashica

First time using a manual and these were the only two I loved from the 24 shot reel. Still figuring out how to avoid camera shake and make best use of the aperture…

Picture Taking

My first attempt with a manual SLR turned out to be a success!

And I went for a Cello Ensemble

Classical music has never been a favorite of mine, it not that I don’t appreciate it…its just that I need to be in the right mood, the right ambience and if there must be company then the right kind. So an auditorium
where love starved girls giggle behind you and smart alecks who can’t pronounce ‘minor’ is just not the right ambience. The fact that I was after a stressful day at work didn’t help and the company I was with didn’t quite cut it either. So I left feeling like I shouldn’t have gone in the first place.

I was happy to see my drama teacher play, I still remember hearing her play the cello in the far corner of the academy. The only boy who was playing the cello there was absolutely stunning. Maybe one day I’ll find a boyfriend who can play an instrument (Ahem no not that instrument), it’s amazing how quick their fingers move along the strings.

While I was sitting there amongst the bad ambience and the awful sound projection I was thinking how I’m always in awe when things work to timing, whether it’s music, dance, acting or a well timed joke. At times like those I instantly jrop my daw.

Behind the camera

Spending the past three years in the ad industry has exposed me to a lot of things. I’ve learned a lot and hope to put them into good use. I’ve also picked up a few glitches along the way. For instance, what’s it with Sri Lankan photographers and commercial directors?

First let me rant about the photographers.

I think we have some awesome talent when it comes to photography. Most of our local boys and gals can shoot a subject or an object pretty darn well but when it comes to complex shoots (fashion photography,shooting people) they fail. Fail to get the desired expression. Fail to get the body language right. So many things that they get wrong than right. Why? Because the photographer simply shuts himself/herself behind the camera. There’s this massive distance between the two, so the model doesn’t react, doesn’t feel the mood or rather doesn’t know what it is… I’ve noticed when foreign photographers shoot, they constantly chatter, they encourage, they motivate, they criticize hence the outcome is fabulous. Plus the Art Director, model and photographer work together instead of in
isolation. The problem with our Art Directors is that they’re really good at dissing the photographer after the shoot. When I question as to
whether they mentioned their concerns at the shoot, they laugh and tell me that the photographers never listen so they don’t bother.
That may be true but you’ve got to fight for what you want, right?

Second the Commercial directors, I simply dislike working with Sri Lankans because when the script falls into their hands they like working without the writer. That’s why the finished film is never as good as the script. I had the privilege of working with an Indian Director for one of my commercials and I simply loved the experience. He was open to suggestions and after finishing a scene he would ask me whether that was what I wanted and if I was dissatisfied he would shoot it again. Also he made sure he took a cut he liked, then in the editing room we would view both and come to an unanimous decision. Something else I liked about his style of directing was
that he was very involved with the actors, he spoke to them during breaks, he made them feel comfortable, he got them to do it over and over again till they got it right. That is the attitude I would like to work with instead of obnoxious twits.

That’s all I’ve got to say on the matter. Back to writing scripts and facing clients who won’t approve them.