I wish I had a dollar for every time someone touched my dreads.  ;)  I’m still loving them!  Today I have a ponytail with my three fabric strips tied around my head.  Very comfortable, not tight like I thought they might be.

Yesterday, I went to Gloria’s for lunch with a group of people from work, that was also an interview for a video position we have at the church.  I ended up going back to Gloria’s for dinner with some friends.  The waiter recognized me right off, even though I was sitting in the back of the restaurant.  Ha!  I’m not stealth Jody with this hair style.  :)

Totally loving them! It’s nice to have something fun and different, without the commitment of having to cut them out when I’m tired of them.  I plan to keep them for a week or so.  I slept with them pulled into a loose ponytail on top of my head.  I think they look better after sleeping on them for a night.  They’re a little looser and look more like real dreads, just a little thinner.

Reactions from people I know…

“I have to live with them for a while before I can decide how I feel about them.”

“Oh, that just rocks.”

“I dig it.  Glad to be dread-spiration. ”  (from Rhyanna, my inspiration)

“Oh my gosh. I think you’re the first in the family to have this, but it so suits you. What do the boys say?”  (My kids have not seen them yet)

“That is so you Jody!!! I am just surprised you were able to sit still that long to get it done!!!”

“You should make it permanent. Its a good look for you.”

“Cooollll doo. Miss Jamaica Island girl 2010 ”

“Make each dread a different color…NOW we’re talking.”

“you got dreadlocks?!?!?!?!?!”

“i wanted dread locks when i was in high school…i didnt know there were temp ones i would’ve totally done that…that’s awesome ”

Over lunch today, I was saying how awesome it is that I work in such a great environment where self-expression is allowed.  More tomorrow.  :)

Okay, they’re temporary dreads, as I have commitment issues.  LOL  Here they are!  46 of them, took about 1.5 hours.  Steve rocks!  My hair started at 4 days unwashed.  Yeah, I know, some people can do that, others, not so much.  I can go a week and nobody would know.  I will do daily updates on the maintenance.  :)

Thanks for everyone that came to the class last night!  Here’s the screen shots I took:

These were from adding textures, lighting a bulb without electricity and sunshine coloring.

Here are most of my photos on flickr if you need ideas or want to see some of the examples from last night.

Thanks!!

We had our photo light painting safari last night and it was AWESOME!  One of the photos I took reminded me of one of my favorite photographers, Gregory Crewdson.  Here’s my photo:

Here’s one of Gregory’s that is a bit similar:

Here’s my favorite of his, and it’s his book cover for Twilight (not to be confused with the vampire fad)

I love his use of light, but more so, I love how he builds these crazy elaborate sets.  At some point, I hope to meet the owner of one of these abandoned houses and get permission to ‘stage’ a shoot.

If you like abstract photos, staged photos and light painting, here’s a few things to google…

• Gregory Crewdson – Photographer
• Sandy Skoglund – Photographer  (she’s been my favorite since I owned my first camera)
• staged photography
• abstract photography
• light painting photography
• surreal photography

See you tonight at the photoshop class!

photography / photoshop class

Location: PTCC

Friday, July 16th, 5:30-7:30pm

**ADMISSION**
Bring some non-perishable food items for donation to the food pantry.

I’ve had many questions about photography and cameras, so here’s your chance to learn a little more about general photography and details of your camera. We will cover the basics and also some creative skill sets.

-SLR camera functions, aperture, shutter speeds and white balance
-difference between point and shoot cameras and SLR’s
-getting good shots with ANY camera, including your phone
-seeing the world though a lens
-light painting basics
-shooting for WYSIWYG or Photoshop editing

Most of this class will be about photography, and just a little bit on the Photoshop end. There will be 2 photo shoots then a follow up Photoshop class. these classes are informal, so bring your camera, bring your questions and bring your friends.

[vodpod id=Video.3958787&w=425&h=350&fv=%26rel%3D0%26border%3D0%26]

I made my first video with a Nikon D5000 DSLR.  My friend (and video genius) Jerod has been giving me pointers, and over the years of working with him, I have learned much.  He talks about using Photoshop graphics in his videos and how you can use all of the same blending modes.  He uses FinalCut, I’m using Premiere.  Here’s the graphic I used to get the textured effect.  I added it on top of the video and changed the blending mode to ‘overlay’.

I had a blast making this video!  Its only purpose was to learn more about video making.  Ambient noise and the music was more challenging for me than the video parts.  I did find some stock music, but I need to learn more about blending it in properly.  :)

[vodpod id=Video.3958787&w=425&h=350&fv=%26rel%3D0%26border%3D0%26]

This is my first video, footage taken with my DSLR (Nikon D5000) and edited with Premiere CS5.  I still have a lot to learn, but I sure had fun making it.  And thanks to Elizabeth and Steph for putting up with me!

• Paperback: 215 pages
• Publisher: New Hope Publishers – Impact (August 17, 2006)
• Amazon link: http://www.amazon.com/Trolls-Truth-Realities-Todays-Church/dp/1596690100
• ISBN-10: 1596690100

This is an amazon.com book review I did on June 5th, 2010.

I’m not sure where I first heard about church under the bridge, but I needed to go check it out for myself. I drove down there with a friend to go to church a few months ago. I can honestly say I never thought I would drive 4 hours to go to church. If you haven’t been, it’s amazing and worth an even longer drive than that one.   Continue reading →

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Multnomah Books; 1 edition (May 4, 2010)
• Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Radical-Taking-Faith-American-Dream/dp/1601422210
• ISBN-10: 1601422210

Amazon.com review from June 14, 2010

Although I really like much of the content in this book, and I am glad I read it, I struggled some with the author’s communication style of ‘you need to do everything I’m saying’. He has many great points about taking back your faith from the american dream. I live in a city where the income average is twice that of the national average. I have a 1780 square foot home, which here is considered extremely small, yet I consider it very big. I drive my 14 year old car next to many new and much fancier cars. Over the past couple of years, and a lot lately, I really have to wonder why God has me in a place where people are living the american dream… times 2. I clearly don’t fit in here, or do I?  Continue reading →