Self Portrait

In class we were asked to make a self portrait without a lens. So we were giving the options of a pinhole camera, a scanner, a photocopier, photograms or a digital pinhole without the lens. Thinking of these and how i was going to arrange it was very hard. Firstly i tried the pinhole camera that i made from a shoe box this didn’t turn out for me at all.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Picture Credit: Andrew Deane

Secondly I tried the photograms, as i didnt want to put my face on the paper, i put things that resemble something to me so i put my dr. dre beats, coins and my shamballa bracelet on the photographic paper. This is what the results came out like.

 

 

 

 

 

Picture Credit: Andrew Deane

Thirdly I used the scanner. The way I decided to arrange the items around my face came from an idea of asking people around me that knew me well; how they would portray me. Following from this discussion with my friends and family, I picked these objects because they have meaning to me. I picked the camera because everywhere I go on a night out, I always have that camera with me. The watch I got for me 22^nd birthday, the shamballa bracelet I got for me aunties wedding in Turkey, I love fashion so I got that hat off my cousin for my birthday and I love music so that’s why I have the headphones. I think this is a good starting point to what could be a great self-portrait. I like the way the blue and red captures your eye.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

These were attempts of what i wanted but i still was not happy so i continued to work on it and in my opinion the final shot i got was the best of all four images.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Picture Credit: Andrew Deane

In the next few days i am going to try out the photocopier and the digital pinhole, but i quite like the scanner option. To get my idea we looked at many photographers that did self portraits and got our own visions of them.

William Eggleston

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• Straight Photography
• Representing the real and the everyday life.
• Noticing the stuff of our everyday lives.
• Making the everyday, monumental and iconic

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William Eggleston photography maybe unusual and you look at it and say to yourself why? But I quite like it his photographs maybe weird, it captures your eye to what you see everyday but don’t notice. Eggleston is known for his colour photography. These images helped Eggleston as one of the first non-commercial photographers working in colour and encouraged a new group of photographers. Eggleston wanted to show beauty in the world around him by capturing the things he did showed us that you can get a beautiful picture from anything lying about the streets.

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Dorothea Lange

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• Book – American Woman
• She worked during the great depression in America (1920’s/ 1930’s)
• Representing the real women in society and not the ideal version of what a woman should be.
• She came to Ireland and took photographs in the 1960’s.

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I like Dorothea Lange’s photography; they represent strong independent women in the depression era. Dorothea is an influenced documentary photographer and photojournalist. She travelled a lot and in the 1960’s she travelled to Ireland and took pictures of the depression in Ireland at the time. With the depression in the early 1920’s, Lange turned her camera lens from the studio to the street capturing incidents that went on in these years.

In 1935 Lange began her landmark work for the Farm Security Administration, a Federal Agency. Collaborating with her second husband, labor economist Paul S. Taylor, she documented the troubled exodus of farm families migrating west in search of work. Lange’s documentary style achieved its fullest expression in these years, with photographs such as Migrant Mother becoming instantly recognized symbols of the Depression.

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Cavalier King Charles

The Cavalier King Charles Spannel is a small spannel that is classified as a toy dog by the Kennel Club. They are the most opular breed of dog to have around children. The are placid, friendly dogs. I used to have a tri-colour Cavalier named Tally. She was the cutest little dog all the way up to her death last September.

Picture Credit: Andrew Deane

They are a smaller breed of spaniel, and Cavalier adults are often the same size as adolescent dogs of other spaniel breeds. It has a silky, smooth coat and commonly a smooth undiocked tail. The breed standard recognizes four colours: Blenheim, Tricolour (black/white/tan), Black and Tan, and Ruby. The breed is generally friendly, affectionate and good with both children and other animals; however, they require a lot of human interaction. Tally wanted to do anywhere and everywhere with us. Not only was she my pet but she was part of the family.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Picture Credit: Andrew Deane

People used to laugh at her because when she was excited to see you, not only would her tail wag her whole body would move. I am suprised she made it to the age of 13 when she had a bad heart from the age of 2. I recommend if people are reading this, if you are going to get a dog for your children, then get a Cavalier King Charles, they are so tame and they love both children and adults. They become part of the family and i miss her to bits.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Picture Credit: Andrew Deane

One of the saddest days of my life was when i had to put my dog down, because of her being so old and having mini heart attacks and fits. I knew that she had enough of taking medicine that we used to put in ham for her to take when she refused to eat it. The night before i had to go put her down she had me up till 5am with her and she finally settled down when i had to bring my bed down beside her. I knew at this point it wasn’t fair on her and was cruel to have her in pain so i had to make the decision and have her put down. I still have great memories of her as i grew up with her. I got her for me 8th birthday and I remember to this day going to collect her. She was tiny and very bouncy and mischief. When we got her home she was outside swinging out of my mam’s sheets on the line. To this day I laugh at this moment seeing a tiny puppy running and swinging out of the clothes line!

 

 

 

 

Picture Credit: Andrew Deane

 

 

 

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We got Tally of the Glencross Cavalier King Charles Breeders.

New Years Eve is Around The Corner Lift up your Glasses and Toast to 2013

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New Years Eve is the time at which a new calander year begins and the count down for a new year is celebrated. Many people go to pubs, clubs, parties to celebrate this time of the year. In the irish language New years eve is “Oíche Chinn Bliana”. People mark the occasion by cleaning their homes, stocking up on supplies and holding parties.

Many people go to dinners, parties or galas in private homes, pubs or hotels in the late afternoon or early evening. Many of these events feature some kind of countdown to midnight and the New Year. At the stroke of midnight, there may be fireworks, short parades or performances by traditional musicians. Many parties then continue into the early hours of January 1.

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Other traditions of the season include the making of New Year’s resolutions. Popular modern resolutions might include the promise to lose weight or quit smoking. Most people suggest a new year is a new me but many don’t last.  One of the most venerable New Years traditions is the champaign toast at midnight to ring in the new year.

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So sit back and enjoy christmas and have a good new years everyone!

Chris Brown

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Chris Brown is an American singer, songwriter, rapper, dancer, and actor. He was born in Virgina. Brown taught himself to sing and dance at a young age and was involved in his church choir and several local talent shows. At the age of 15, Chris Brown was signed to Jive Records. By early the following year, Chris had his self titled debut album out.

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Songs from this album are – Run It

Yo (Excuse Me Miss) –

Brown’s second studio album, Exclusive was realeased in 2007. This album got 3 successful singles, Kiss Kiss, With You and Forever.

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Exclusive was also certified double platinum by the RIAA. Brown’s third studio album Graffiti  (2009). included the top-twenty single I Can Transform Ya.
In 2011, Brown released his fourth studio album F.A.M.E, which became his first number one album on the Billboard 200. This album got some good single hits with Yeah 3x, Look At Me Now and Beautiful People.

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F.A.M.E. earned Brown his first Grammy Award for Best R&B Album at the 54th Grammy Awards.

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His fifth studio album, Fortune was released in July 2012. However, apart from Exclusive, Brown’s albums were not well received by music critics. In 2009, Brown pled guilty to felony assault of singer and then-girlfriend Rihanna. He was sentenced to five years probation and six months of community service. The case received extensive media attention and negatively affected his career. Many of Chris Browns fans were outraged about his violent streak. If Rihanna can forgive him and get make with him now after 3 years of hurt and pain she went through so can all of Browns fans.

I think Chris Browns album Fortune is really good, i love the song Don’t Wake Me Up. Reminds me of every morning when I get woken up due to me turning my alarm off. Chris Brown to me may have done something wrong but he is truely sorry. Your life is like a blank canvas you have to write what goes into it mistakes and all and you learn from them. I still think Chris Brown will do very well in his pop career and his love life with Rihanna.

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Tina Modotti

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Tina Modotti was born in Italy in 1896. She was an Italian photographer, model, actress and political activist. Tina was noted for her symbolic close-ups and images of art from Mexican painters.

• Tina uses a lot of still life or constructed subject matter in her work.
• The tones are Black and White and Sepia.
• The use of symbolism and metaphor is predominant in her photographic work.
• The work is both social and political.
• A simple approach to representing complex subjects is seen throughout her work.

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I like Tina Modotti’s work because she captures the poetic beauty through shape and structure in each shot. The use of her eye for shapes, curves, lines, shadows etc. create the importance of space in her work, that make her portraits and still life very unique to everyone else. I like the way she uses a balance of black and white and sepia throughout her work. In my opinion I think Tina’s work stands out more then other photographers work because it’s more relatable for the beauty of someone’s eye on the world. Tina captured still life and portraits very well. You can tell by her photographs that she had a keen eye for photography and everything else she did in her life.

Ice Skating

Ice Skating is becoming more and more popular in Ireland and new ice skating rinks are opening up all around the country featuring ice skating, ice hockey and ice dancing for all ages. Whilst most open just for the chrismas period, there are some that are now open all year round although mainly using synthetic ice. There are now great ice skating rinks venues in Cork, Dublin, Galway and Belfast each providing all the equipment that you and the kids will need.

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Ice skating occurs both on specially prepared indoor and outdoor tracks, as well as on naturally occurring bodies of frozen water, such as lakes and rivers. Ice scating originated from Finland over 3000 years ago. Originally, skates were merely sharpened, flattened bone strapped to the bottom of the foot. Skaters did not actually skate on the ice, but rather glided on top of it. True skating emerged when a steel blade with sharpened edges was used. Skates now cut into the ice instead of gliding on top of it. Adding edges to ice skates was invented by the Dutch in the 13th or 14th century. These ice skates were made of steel, with sharpened edges on the bottom to aid movement. The construction of modern ice skates has stayed largely the same since then.

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Ice Skating has shown us that you can play many different types of sports on ice. Some of these include:

• Figure Skating
• Ice Hockey
• Tour Skating
• Ringette
• Bandy
• Short Track
• Fen Skating
• Speed Skating
• Xtreme Ice Skating
• Kite Ice Skating

Some Interesting spots were you can take the family or friends to go ice skating this christmas are these places listed below.

Dundrum On Ice:

The main rink at Dundrum on Ice consists of 500m2 of ice. They have a great sound system and a super light show to enhance the experience. This is a large rink, there is a handrail right around the rink for people who don’t feel ready to skate alone or let go.  They have an experienced team on hand that will only be too pleased to offer assistance and advice.

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 Swords On Ice:

The Swords on Ice rink consists of 400m2 of real ice. One of the largest rink in Dublin. Just like dundrum they have people to assist you if you get into difficulty and have a railing around the rink for people who just cant let go and skate. There is also a great sound system and they have a super state of art light show to enhance the experience. The new ice rink arena is accessible to wheelchair users and there is a ramp in place for you to gain access to the ice rink. The Ice Marshalls and staff are available to assist you if needed.

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i Skate at the RDS:

I Skate Ireland’s Newest and Biggest Christmas Ice Skating event will run from 16 November to 13 January in the RDS in Dublin. The main rink is 1000m2 and while it might be busy at times it is never overcrowded because they restrict the number of people that can take to the ice at any one time. They also take great care of there visitors ensuring that your visit is enjoyable and safe.

• Family Skate on Saturday and Sunday mornings.
• Student Specials Wednesday evenings.
• The penguin club for young skaters Thursday afternoons
• Every Friday night is 80’s night.
• Junior Ice Hockey takes place on Saturday mornings with Figure Skating on Sunday mornings

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Dun Laoighre Ice Kingdom:

Dun Laoghaire meets Antarctica this Christmas with the launch of a spectacular polar ice-themed festival for all the family. Partnering with the 2012 Shackleton exhibition at the Harbour Terminal Building, visitors to the town will embark on a magical journey to the Antarctic. The Dún Laoghaire Christmas Ice Kingdom provides an amazing day out with endless entertainment and activities for all the family.

A magnificent 60-metre ice slide has been specially shipped in for an unforgettable experience for adults and children alike in Dún Laoghaire Harbour Plaza. Surrounded by hot chocolate and crepe stalls, the spectacle will be lit up from top to bottom and will be surrounded by an amazing inflatable village, complete carousel and children’s entertainment.

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Prepare for a fabulous family day out from 1pm on Dec 16th when the Ski Club of Ireland will give a series of exhilarating performances on the Ice Slide. Mini skiers will open the show and experts of all ages will perform daring tricks to delight spectators in advance of a fantastic fireworks display at 5pm.

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Plex on Ice:

Leisureplex Coolock is currently the only one of the Leisureplex activity centres to offer ice skating amongst its facilities and amenities. Ice Skating at Plex On Ice Coolock is suitable for anyone over the age of six for a fun day out or as a birthday party venue. The ice is not real its a syntethic ice skating rink.

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Here is a video of tips on how to ice skate. Enjoy and have a good skating experience!

 

Emeli Sande

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Emeli Sande is a Scottish recording artist and songwriter. Sandé first became known to the public eyein 2009 after she featured on the track “Diamond Ring” by the rapper Chipmunk.

In 2010 she featured in a song called Never Be Your Woman by rapper Wiley.

Simon Cowell then found her music and said she was one of the most favourite songwriters at the minute and started getting asked to write for a number of artist including Cheryl Cole, Cher Lloyd, Tinie Tempah, Gabrielle, Rihanna, Leona Lewis and many more. This was a great opportunity for Emelie to get into the public eye. In late 2010 she was signed publishing deal with EMI Music Publishing, later she announced she got a record deal with Virgin Records. After that Sande worked very hard in the studio creating loads of debuts. In August 2011, she came back with a bang with her solo single Heaven. This topped the charts. It was breathe taking.

Her album Our Versions of Events peaked number one in the UK and Ireland, soon after its release in February 2012.

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In this album she did duets with Professor Green with Read All About It  and Next To Me

In 2012 she preformed at the opening and closing of the London Olympics. Loads of artists want to work with Emeli because of her amazing talent and wonderful voice. She is an inspiration to young artist out there. One of her songs that i love is a song called Beneath Your Beautiful performed with Labrinth.

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This song is an unreal tune and its what true music is all about.

Emeli Sande is one of the most growing performers to date and will continue to make beautiful songs and perform to thousand of people.

 

Christmas Time

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Christmas time is one of the maddest times of the year. Everyone from Adults, Grandparents, teenagers and children are running around getting things ready for Christmas and its only one day. Christmas is an annual holiday due to the birth of Jesus and is celebrated every year on December 25th by millions of people worldwide. Everyone from young to old gets into the spirit of Christmas. Presents are bought, gifts are made, decorations goes up and cakes are made.

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The practice of putting up special decorations at Christmas has a long history. In the 15th century, it was recorded that in London it was the custom at Christmas for every house and all the parish churches to be “decked with holm, ivy, bays and whatsoever the season of the year afforded to be green”.

he heart-shaped leaves of ivy were said to symbolize the coming to earth of Jesus, while holly was seen as protection against pagans and witches, its thorns and red berries held to represent the Crown of Thorns worn by Jesus at the crucifixion and the blood he shed.

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A special Christmas family meal is traditionally an important part of the holiday’s celebration, and the food that is served varies greatly from country to country.

Every country has there own traditions around christmas time. Ireland has many traditions for this holiday. Christmas really brings out the best in Ireland and the Irish people from cheerful festivities to wild acts of parties, happy reunions, musicical celebrations. Christmas maybe a day but the way we go on, it last up until New Years.

The lead up to christmas is manic for the retailing stores. Everyone is rushing in and out of shops to get all their presents bought for the special day. The streets of Dublin even though there is no space to walk its that crowded, but it is beautiful to tep back and look at the lights, decorations and shop windows. It gives you a real buzz for Christmas.

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Having young kids in your family make christmas even more exciting, because they are so innocent and excited to see what “Santa” will bring them. You bring them to see Santa claus in the shopping centres and get them to write out there christmas list. Just seeing joy on a young childs face makes the holiday even more nice.

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On Chritmas Eve December 24th, you tell your children to get milk and christmas pudding out for Santa and carrotts for the reinderrs and tell them a story that they have to be asleep or Santa won’t come to give them their presents. Most kids will run up and go fast asleep on the arrival of Santa.

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For Adults they get all the stuff ready for a mad christmas day and entertaining family members and start to prefer dinner for the family. Teenagers go out with there friends and celebrate christmas eve together where its in a pub, friends house, carol singing whatever they are into. Christmas is my most favourite holiday of the year because not only are you with your family but its cheerful and interesting each year.

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Leading up to christmas there is loads of christmas films on the tv that get you into the spirit. Christmas music is put on. One of the most famous childhood films and songs that i associate with christmas is walking in the air with the snowman. I remember my first christmas watching this film and i loved it.