Mirror Photography

I've been sorting through my Computer files, trying to organise my Sixth Form Work so that they are easier for me to find if I want to include some of the work in portfolios or print them out. However, it made me realise how much fun I had creating my art and photography projects and how impressed with some of the work I produced (especially since I had only really learnt how to use a camera properly in the first term of sixth form). It also made me come to the realisation that I hadn't posted any of these images here on the blog, despite being absolutely convinced I had. Anyway, I want to start sharing my creative work on here more, starting with my AS photography.

This particular body of work is from my AS exam unit, for which I chose the topic Reflections. I studied artists like Cody William Smith and Bing Wright who all use mirrors within their work to create reflections and patterns within their photographs. I decided to focus my work on landscapes as I thought that would add complex details and textures into my work as well as colour. Using different shaped mirrors; sticking shapes onto the mirror (a la Pistoletto) and even breaking a few along with some clever editing helped create what is one of my favourite projects.

This is a very small collection of the work I created so may appear a little random in order and appearance. However, I intend on making another post with my final images from this project which are more with the broken mirror ( the seven years of bad luck hasn't hit me too hard to be honest). But this gives you a little taster of whats in store!

Tasmin x

Butterfly Friend

Every time I see a butterfly my initial instinct is to instantly grab a camera and take a picture before in flutters away. However, theses beautiful insects don't tend to hang around and I often don't get the photo I desire. But today was different. This little guy wondered into my tiny garden and stayed for a full on photo-shoot. It wasn't spooked when I got very close or by me talking the entire time.In fact, it was still there three hours later (only to be frightened off by my Mum, well done!). I haven't taken out my big camera for awhile and was so excited by the results so naturally had to share them here with you.

Tasmin x

Dream Journal

At the beginning of last year when I was taking AS Psychology, we were studying dream analysis and whether dreams have meaning. To contextualize this, we were set the task of keeping our own dream journal. I just rediscovered mine today and the strangeness of some of them does make me chuckle and I thought that it would be an interesting idea to share with you. They were almost entirely in note form so I have tried to reword some to make complete sense but they are all short snippets of what I can remember.

Notes I made from 20th January- 24th January 2014

1. My neighbour (in dream) knocks on my front door because his wife is having a heart attack. Confused, I state that I cannot drive as I do not possess a licence however he insists that I take him and his wife to the hospital. I walk his wife down the stairs to the car and drive with them to the hospital.

2. I was walking through a large suburb with a couple of friends when we stumbled across a grass-covered driveway. Out of nowhere, Miranda Hart runs over to us shouting at us because we have unintentionally ruined her flower display and then begins to set up a plant display for a garden centre on the edge of the driveway.

3. All my teeth fell out. Starts off slowly, one tooth at a time and then progressively gets worse, with as many as four falling out of my mouth at a time.

4. I was getting ready for a wedding whilst helping two people (both of which are strangers) pick out something for them to wear out of my wardrobe. In my wardrobe, which felt a lot bigger in the dream then it is in real life, there were clothes that were currently in my wardrobe and many pieces from my childhood.

So that is a very deep look into my conscience, take that as you will. There are various theories into the meanings of dreams. My preferred one is that our dreams are our minds way of reconstructing the memories of the day into a structure that makes sense out brain, which is why some appear more ridiculous and nonsensical then others. For example, in dream number one I had recently found out that my neighbour was unwell, hence producing a dream where a make-believe neighbour was also unwell. And with dream number three, my Mum had this dream the night before and described it quite vividly to me, casing me to have the exact same dream. (Thanks Mum, that really creeped me out!)

Although usually it is a bit of a pet-hate of mine when someone describes their dream to me, I found the whole concept of keeping a dream journal quite interesting and challenging; remembering yours dreams is actually really difficult. I challenge you all to try it for a week. You probably won't be able to remember every single one but you never know, you could have a killer movie plot line hidden within one of your dreams.

Tasmin x

Sizzlin' Summer Playlist

After this heat wave I can only presume that everyone is now in full summer mode. Finally! If only there were a playlist to reflect our mood? Yeah, I got a little over excited on YouTube and complied this little playlist full of my favourite summer tracks. They mainly comprise of songs that just remind me of summer or have a very summer-y vibe to them rather than actually being summer-themed but hey, this is my blog and I make the rules! Enjoy! (And that's an order!)

Chelsea Dagger- The Fratellis: The catchy and easy to dance to beat is guaranteed to coax a smile onto anyones face. I literally find it impossible not to smile when this song is playing and can't help but sing along. 

A-Punk- Vampire Weekend: Okay, so if you listen carefully to the lyrics they may not have the most summery intentions (snow and raincoast? I though we were in a heatwave!), but the upbeat track completely overshadows this to make it a choice summer song.

Uma Thurman- Fall Out Ball: Probably the newest song on this playlist, the break down/guitar solo part before the chorus reminds me a little bit of the song on that surfing game on Club Penguin. Obviously a more rockier version. Anyone remember Club Penguin? I feel I might be the only one whose ever made that comparison, however I am obsessed with this song for the summer surfer vibe.

Don't Look Back Into The Sun- The Libertines: This is another one of my rediscoveries and their performance of this song at Glastonberry this year just reminded me of how much I love it. I think you'll find a very common theme in this playlist of upbeat, guitar based tracks which perfectly describes this song. There's definitely a nostalgic edge to this particular song, maybe because I remember listening to it when I was younger... 

Love Like This- Kodaline: Who doesn't love a little whistle at the beginning of a song? It's very hard to find a modern song that appears to feature the notes of an accordion/harmonica (I don't know which one, I am not an expert) and yet here Kodaline seem to do this effortlessly. I really get an old school summer fair vibe from this song, like I'm wondering around a park full of cake stands and fun-fair rides. Again, I think I might be the only one.

Stuck In My Teeth- Circa Waves: I love this band. Absolutely every song on their debut album could of happily fitted into this playlist. However, I chose Stuck In My Teeth as the lyrics spoke to me a little more. The summer just ends too quickly and there is so much you want to do that you can't physically fit it all in and I feel this song admits this. I like it when there are deep and meaningful lyrics with a really fun backing track as I feel everyone can enjoy a certain part of the song.

Alright- Supergrass: If you don't like this song then you clearly hate summer. It pretty much describes how I like to spend my summer, roaming around the beaches with a group of friends and ultimately chilling out. I think it pretty much is the best description of the summer holidays.

She Moves In Her Own Way- The Kooks: I do love this song. This is a very relaxed track that just radiates summer to me. I listen to this album a lot last summer and now the sun feels like it is embedded into every song by The Kooks. It's definitely one you just have to swing and clap along to.

Sunny Side of the Street- McFly: Currently on the Morrison's advert, this is definitely an advert song worth listening to in full. I've loved this song for years for it's easy to learn and sing lyrics and contagious beat. I'd be shocked to find anyone who would refuse bobbing their head along

In The Summertime- Mungo Jerry: You can be forgiven for not recognising the name but I will be shocked to find anyone who hasn't heard this song before. It is the ultimate summer song and so easy to dance along to. Golden oldie! 

And there we have it, a playlist for any summer party/BBQ/beach trip or when it starts to rain in the middle of August (this is Britain after all!). I've only just realised how guy-band heavy this list is, maybe I'll have to make a girl power list to up the equality. Oh, I have so many ideas now!

As always, here's the link to the YouTube version for you to all have a gander at. What's your ultimate summer song(s)? I love to know so do please leave a comment.

Tasmin x