#bruh the more i read the more i realize just how much i resonate with anais

[sfsolstice]

Anaïs Nin, in a letter to Henry Miller d. Feb. 22, 1932, in A Literate Passion: Letters of Anaïs Nin & Henry Miller, 1932-1953

[adachimerica]

I really felt I should express how overjoyed I am knowin LQs been nonbinary all along!! And especially that it helped u to explore ur own gender back then and you've since realized! Like, I remember when you made Lowell and I loved them and they meant so much to me because I hardly EVER saw nonbinary characters, like even the amount of OCs I ever saw back then I could count on one hand. And they just resonated with me a lot and now i fully realize why! Also, does LQ just use any pronouns now?

haha yessss!!! 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

yeah its so funny tho like, we're re-reading lqs blog again and its. SO obvious to me now, but back when i was writing it originally i like.... knew LQ had some sort of gender dysphoria? especially after his magic anons and whatnot lol, but i never connected the dots as to A) why he was like that, B) why i wrote him like that, C) why I, me, a ""cisgender"" person wrote him like that.... and then wrote Lowell as a nonbinary character as well............................................................................................. im not very bright when it comes to stuff like that ngl ;;

(i mentioned to my sibling that im seriously considering top surgery finally and she was like 'bruh yeah go for it. you've been wanting that since they grew in' like ?????????????????????????????? how tf did i miss that)

anyways LQ's pronouns are more of an any-pronouns sort of situation - he still uses he/him a lot and isn't offended when others use it for him, but if anyone were to call them 'they/them' or even a she/her i bet it'd bring em a lil smile :>

(also a side thing that idk if we'll get to it or not but - morgan and i were joking that LQ is nonbinary but... doesn't know literally much of anything about it... he maybe thinks he invented being not cisgender? who knows)

(also also - does he use a singular they/them or a plural they/them??? yes)

[gossiprry-backup]

I just saw the video of the kids at the show and ngl all I could think was ewww. Just ewww. Everything about that made me cringe. The kids are so cute and innocent and having a good time and Olivia is playing the doting mother but I cannot for the life of me see H being in a blended family. Both his parents have been married multiple times and I just feel like he wants to create the happy family he never had like parents who stay together and are madly in love. H will be such a present dad and so doting on his partner. That’s why we’re all like wtf?

Like I just felt like he had to hate that. I can’t see Harry thinking it’s cute. Watching it just made me realize how weird it really all is. Like her pushing this weird family narrative when Anne and Harry seem uncomfortable. Fuck I’m uncomfortable watching it because it’s just so against everything Harry is. Like H would never ever have his kids out like that. Not ever y’all. He’d be more private than Zayn like I honestly don’t think people will even know he’s a father for years, that’s how much he’d protect his family. Just even the obscure white man with inevitably a basic name dancing seemed weird. Like it seemed that guy was trying to make it look less weird and tense and bring it all together but gag. I just. I can feel the distaste. No Anne would not think this woman is Harry’s one. There is no way people actually think this?

Also part of me wonders if this is some weird self sabotage or some shit. Like Harry is so on top in everything that he sabotages his love life? Idk like does he have some warped feeling like he deserves this? It feels to me that deep down he’s actually so sad he can’t find his person. Honestly guys that’s why I think he works so much. If he really is aware they’re out there (which I believe he is hyper aware of this) I think he stays busy to not feel lonely and to distract from that emptiness. He’s like well I can control work and that’s where I’m shining so I’ll focus on that and build up a legacy even more for my family. And I think part of him feels hopeless so he’s like well I can’t find my person so who cares might as well live up to my image and be a homewrecker and go down this PR path because what’s the point anyway? They aren’t here. I have this whole empire and no one to truly share it with. I think it eats at him. Some anon said he’s missing his spark? It’s this. I also think that’s why he acts so obviously not into it. He knows his person could be watching and wants them to know it’s bs. I think he really wants to find this person and start building his home life and I think it really hurts him that they’re lost to him. I think he’s constantly looking for them in the crowds at shows or on the street, wherever he goes. Bruh this is so dark y’all, but seriously I think that’s why he’s been off. That clown he dressed up as, the backstory, is about someone pining for a lover they can never have and seeking friendship with the moon. Have y’all read the lyrics of the songs in his preshow playlist? He obviously resonates with these songs for a reason. I think him sitting with himself so much in the pandemic made him really realize what matters most is spending time with the people you love and the one person he loves most, he can’t find. He had a song in his 2018 playlist that was basically this— if you can be with the one you love, love the one you’re with. Ugh. I wanna cry. You know how in dazed he mentioned losing himself and being pulled back in? I think it relates to this issue. Losing himself in the sadness and darkness. I don’t think he’s really with Olivia but for some reason he feels like he deserves this and that’s why it’s gone on so long. He’s been miserable the whole time and he’s on some weird masochistic quest because feeling pain and negativity is better than feeling nothing. And idk why all this is coming to me as I type but my heart hurts for him. It’s like he thinks he’s cursed so why even try? Ugh. I have a feeling HS3 is gonna be dark if it’s a pandemic album and that line in dazed alludes to it. Like sad, inner journey, singing for a lost lover album. I could be wrong but I just get depressive vibes. Even if it’s upbeat the lyrics will be dark I think. Sigh. Poor baby.

I’m sorry I’m always up in your inbox writing a fucking novel but like stuff comes to me as I write.

this made me emotional.

[sunseteyes]

TAROT READER S/O HEADCANONS

characters: shouto todoroki, izuku midoriya, katsuki bakugou

warning/s: swear words (bruh it’s katsuki ofc)

taglist: @kacchanori @chickynn @todominica @sparkleswritings @bitchtrynafck (feel free to send an ask/dm!)

rv: i am a tarot reader myself so i just thought this idea might be cute hehe the readings below are just a couple of cards i pulled to help me with this headcanon. i enjoyed writing this so hopefully you guys will too!

SHOUTO TODOROKI

todoroki would be the one to go along with it, honestly

“tarot card? you know how to read them?”, “how did you learn?”, “are you a professional?”

he would be genuinely curious. he’s not questioning you with your abilities please don’t misunderstand

he’d be the type to ask “what kind of person am i?”

or you’ll suggest that and he’ll eventually agree because he didn’t really have any other thing in mind

“queen of cups meant you’re a compassionate person, shouto. well, i don’t disagree!” you’d beam, and even if he looks like he wasn’t particularly interested, he’s gonna be focused on what you’re saying, taking note of each one of them

if you got his reading correctly, he would be very impressed

he’s also gonna have realizations as you read his personality or other things that he feels like he hadn’t focused on or thought about before

he wouldn’t mind being read afterwards but i don’t see him as someone who’d want to voluntarily do so because he wouldn’t be the type who’d want to bother you just because he wants a tarot reading

aw bby is just so sweet ok we’re having soft shoto hours at 3am

still, shouto is a logical person so even if he’s interested and doesn’t doubt you the slightest, he wouldn’t be relying on your reading much and would still work hard on his part

which is an extremely good attitude because that’s how we should really approach tarot cards, honestly

IZUKU MIDORIYA

“ah, (y/n) are you really sure about this?” he will be slightly nervous since he has never had anyone read tarot cards for him

but he’d be someone who believes in what he could see, and if your reading would resonate well with him, he’d be left wanting more

would be the type to ask “would i become a good hero someday?” with a serious look on his face i could honestly imagine this

“the road will be long and rough but you will have a lot of realizations about yourself that you had never had before based on the cards. your passion to be a hero will be tested countlessly, but it is up to you if you would be a hero you dream to be.” 

izuku’s eyes would widen, his eyes would visibly twinke that you’d just halt and ask if there’s something wrong

but deep inside, izuku will be very amazed. because?? it just feels like it resonates??

and also, he’s a fellow cancerian so he’s very intuitive too

never underestimate a cancerian’s intuition

NEVER.

also, out of the three, he’d be the one who’s gonna want to learn basics of tarot cards

izuku is hungry for knowledge so even if it’s about tarot reading, if he finds it interesting, he’d want to know at least a thing or two

maybe not everything but i just feel like he’d be wanting to try and know a lot of things

KATSUKI BAKUGOU

“what the hell is that? and why would i let you do that to me?”

i swear it would take more than a few asks for this boy, but it’s best not to be pushy of course

still, i think katsuki’s not gonna want you to read about him because?? uhm?? you want to know what i am?? who i am??

in short, he wouldn’t wanna be vulnerable. but at the same time, he’s also one to never back down on a challenge

so it just depends on how well he knows you. if he could trust you enough, then maybe he’d let you persuade him

one thing that would make him much interested would be to ask izuku first, or just mention that you’d instead inquire the other, making sure that katsuki will hear it

“the fuck?! why are you suddenly changing your mind? come on!” that’s it, good job

i can totally imagine him spitting the question “will i be the top hero?” since that’s basically his top concern out of everythinf else

“you will reach the top when you find the balance inside of you.” 

"couldn’t that be any more specific?” he’d question. i mean, he understood what you said but you need to say something that is in bakugo language.

and this boy is looking for something that is not vague, so that he could take note of it

even no matter how much he denies that he’s only doing this because you want him to

would he want to be read again? probably when he needs them or when he remembers that you can

but honesltly that question will be the only thing that he’s unsure of—unless he still hasn’t gotten you—so i think he won’t need a tarot reading soon

plus he’s very independent, much like shouto, so he’s not gonna be tying himself down on a fate that he is unsure of yet

[smndragon]

Hii! Omg, i didn't expected such a long, detailed message i'm in shock shsnsn 😭!!! it's also okay that you did the past life reading then lmao. I was tbh struggling between these options 🤠

anyways, feedback! :

Aaah your reading did resonated with me so much, even tho i was confused at first if it was a past life reading or past self reading lmfao 😭 but both resonating and share similarities of readings i already got in the past!

"Your past self felt intimidated in some way, I feel you've realized that some of your heroes when you were younger weren't what you thought. The concept of understanding that great people are people too or that they weren't all as good as you thought. I see a young person looking up at an older person of some kind, a mother or woman. I'm sensing elder vibes so possibly a grandmother even. With short hair and perched lips. A big smoker. She looks down at you like you're someone else before put their hand on your hair and messing it up. Walking away and going back to whatever they were doing. I sense you were in a kitchen or possibly somewhere home." well you are such on point, even with the description. Like, you are reading all the memories back in my brain?? 🤠

"The person that you looked up to was in parts very jealous of you I feel, jealous you had the youth they'd forgotten or lost. Possibly even angry they were left with you at times. I'm sorry it's really negative in these parts. You may feel like this now, I feel a relapse of some kind, going back to doing something you thought you'd never do again or wouldn't get into. " well yes, it resonates. :') but i don't know, if i'm holding on on a object currently? but i probably did it in the past. "Your best American Girl" is a pretty good song! Slightly resonating. :)

"For your teenage or elementary to middle school years you could've felt like a pick me erson. Not bad ways, but you really wanted people to notice and see you. The want to accomplish something. People might've brought you down a lot here. I feel I'm wrong though so I apologize if not, it's just I get the vibe you think poorly of yourself lately. " You are so on point, girl you really have talent??? i mean, life can be for everyone pretty hard 😭

indeed a person aka my friend is growing on me lately and i was in doubt, if our realitionship would be good tho but i'm glad its tge opposite lmao You also was indeed on point with the situation with us both, me also feeling guilty lol. Later on you described her perfectly (brown hair, beauty mark ect), weirdly lately every reader seems to describe her. (in fs readings or others)

Even tho, there isn't really a special romantic connection or anything in this life.

people also indeed compliment me on these features ahsbdnd.

on the past life reading, it did again resonated with other readings, that i was together with someone of the same sex. The past life rly seems to be prominent ig.

And so i was a hard worker... bruh i am now the most laziest person in this world now. 😭 even tho i don't really enjoy life. again you got the point right, i don't feel motivated at all rn and think ill of me all the time, just overthinking. But poor woman i was a asshole to :')

anyways!!! i'm waiting for the seamstress for now ig lmao.

-> Even tho i just talked nonsense, i wanted to give you a long ass feedback cuz you deserve!! you literally deserve all the appreciation and you are breathaking talented and good, wow you just need to get more attention with your hard work. Thank you so much!! 😭 pls take care and hope we will see us again 💕

(there are much more things i want to say about all the reading, but i think it's enough ahsbsn thank you <3)

I love how long this is first of all lol. I'm glad it resonated for some parts! I really enjoyed reading this idk what to say🧍🏽‍♀️

The beginning of each one is really confusing I know, it usually comes jumbled and I can't really put it in the right places or say things right.

Hopefully some of the advice helps though I know it wasn't exact or much.

IM SORRY I got distracted and ended up watching YouTube before finishing this.

Thank you for sending in feedback! I hope that you start feeling better about yourself you deserve the world. If you are interested in your friend then I think there's a chance but if you only want a platonic one then its completely up to you! Please take care to yourself and drink well💕💕

Sorry I didn't really know how to respond😭

[yourpakichic]

Episode 19 thoughts

- I love the boys vs. girls scenes! The similarly layered conversations that occur are an absolute delite to watch!

- Engin making Serkan PANIC over Eda finding another man! Like he really didn’t think so until at this point! But also, Melo trying to make her eniste really panic!

- Selin really trying to play house with Serkan.... *eye roll*

- Their individual monologues caused me pain. They want each other so bad. To only be each other’s. To only look and smile at each other. And yet, those words only remain in their hearts, unable to find escape into this world, held back by the circumstances they are currently entangled in. As true and bright as the day but hidden in the darkness of the night deep within their hearts.

- AIDAN PLAYING CUPID FOR EDSER? I begged for this and I’m actually receiving it? I’m shook.

- Ferit suspecting Efe? I was taken back by it, didn’t see that coming!

- KIDS IN LOVE, they are literal children in love! Their sarcastic responses give me life!

- The tension at that breakfast table would cause me so much anxiety!

- HE CUT THE BREAD FOR HER OUT OF HABIT....I literally can’t deal with them! They cause me too much pain!

- He’s gonna name that horse Eda. I just know it. And I’m gonna fall to pieces.

- My heart broke for Aidan after listening to the story. Her guilt toward the loss of her elder son was so strong and powerful that it caged her in her home. A mother’s pain is incomparable. It’s understandable how Aidan may have blamed herself for being missing in her son’s life and why she tries to be involved in Serkan’s. She wants to be involved and stay connected with her Serkan in a way she wasn’t able to for his brother. But by sending Serkan away at a young age by himself, she distanced herself from him. It’s not his fault he doesn’t trust anyone because the two people who he was supposed to trust in life abandoned him in trying to deal with their own pain while neglecting his needs. I’m not blaming Aidan/Alptekin because it’s his easy to judge from the outside. It’s such a deep and realistic way that these characters represent the dynamics and struggles of a traumatic event and the aftermath. Serkan’s inability to trust and fear of abandonment is real and justified based on his past. Aidan’s fear of leaving the house is justified due to the circumstances in which Alp died. Alptekin’s strictness toward Serkan can be explained by the fact that he lost his elder son (who he clearly named after himself) due to an illness and he fears he might lose Serkan too. Which also makes me think, did Serkan really have an illness in the past? I means he’s a bit of a hypochondriac but I’m thinking maybe just because of his brothers illness, Serkan got conditioned to thinking and living a certain healthy way to protect himself.

- I’m glad Aidan told Eda this because I think it might make Eda open her eyes a bit more. I’m not expecting Eda to forgive and forget but I think it might explain to her why Serkan is the way he is.

- If you ask me, Serkan was pretty fair in asking Efe to claim his mistake in front of the team. Serkan built and has lead this team to such a great standard and Efe ruined that in minutes. They rightfully deserved an apology. And Engin being pissed and backing up Serkan as the BEST FRIEND HE IS.

- Serkan being honest about his feelings and wanting to improve things with Eda was such a good thing to see. It may have taken him some time to get there but I’m glad that he’s come to terms with the fact that he can’t be without her. More so, he doesn’t want her to be with anyone else. Serkan is hopeful about their relationship and I think that’s the first time since their breakup. He isn’t trying to convince himself or anyone that they are over with completely. And I think what Engin said really resonated with him. If they can overcome the truth, it’s true love. If not, it’s over.

- His seriousness went out the window as soon as he realized the flowers were for Eda, HAHAHAH! He said burn the flowers! He’s such an idiot

- HE REALLY DRAGGED HER FROM THE CHAIR, I’M DEAD! freaking children behavior!

- Serkan is really trying to keep the truth from reaching Eda from anyone but him but everything really seems to be going against him! Let me tell you, my heart broke when Serkan mentioned his fathers mistake taking away Eda from him. He cannot catch a break!

- Aidan burning Alptekin’s clothes was so funny!

- Why is Selin trying to dig! Let my man Serkan handle this!

- Efe doesn’t know.... did I read that scene right?

- He’s gonna record their conversation! EFE, YOU SNAKE!

- SO IT IS THE GRANDMOTHER AMD SHE DID SENT EFE FOR REVENGE. But it seems like she wasn’t sure but sent Efe to investigate. She’s gonna use that recording to kill Serkan’s career! IT IS GOING TO BE NON-STOP DRAMA.

- Eda making Serkan jealous like that was hilarious! She really created a whole jealousy scene with that man!

- Eda and Aidan play off each other so well at this dinner, it’s hilarious! The way they are setting these ladies straight!

- The way his eyes lit up when she said she’s in love with him still! It’s like he can’t actually believe that! Idk but I found it weird how Eda didn’t want to even listen to Serkan as he tried to talk to her. I mean up until now, all she’s wanted is for him to talk and open up and now that he’s spent the whole day trying to do so, she just ignored his calls or runs away when the opportunity is there. It’s so not like Eda! I get that she’s given him chances before and he’s missed them and she probably doesn’t want to waste any more time giving him empty chances but I feel like Eda used to understand Serkan’s tone and words but it’s like... she just doesn’t recognize in his tone how much he really wants to talk to her. It seems like a character downplay to me for Eda.

- I’m not that invested in Ferit/Ceren, but that was cute, mostly because I want Ceren to be happy! But I swear, this whole Selin/Ferit crap ruins everything! My girl Ceren deserves better!

- He loves her so much, he’s just playing along with her! He’s so in love with her!he really just said have fun, but don’t dance with anyone! And THAT CONFESSION. He said everything with his whole chest. And she didn’t hear! They will be the death of me!

- He took the bottle! Lol bruh, you gonna need at least 2 bottles to get over this mess!

- Selin really trying to come on to Serkan while he’s drunk and he just straight up says, I need Eda. How does she not get the message!

- YES CEREN! YOU TELL HIM GIRL! I mean for real, what did he expect! But I will say I appreciate that Ferit was honest and didn’t lead Ceren on any further and just came out with it.

- HE IS SO DRUNK, I LOVE IT! Eda is fascinated by his drunk state, he’s so cute, she can’t help but melt! That was such a cute way of involving the title of the show! And that scene is sooo cute!

- Her carrying him up the stairs and complaining that he’s heavy. Him being wasted out of his mind and saying off the wall stuff. I LIVED FOR THIS SCENE. PURE COMDEY. PURE EDSER. I WANT MORE.

- THE SHOWER SCENE. That’s it? That’s all we get? I’M SOOO PISSED! The trailer made it seem like such a scene and then they give us this? The frack? That is unacceptable! That was such a wasted opportunity! THEY WOULD’VE KILLED THAT SCENE! AND HONESTLY IT WOULD’VE SAVED THE EPISODE! Ughhhhhhhhhh

- AHHHH SHIT! She got her hands on Eda’s family, that’s it. It’s over.

- See what I mean. Somehow, Eda didn’t understand Serkan. Serkan never really had a good way of putting with words but Eda understood and didn’t completely twist it around. I honestly think Eda’s jealousy of Selin really makes her so paranoid that she’s able to twist around to justify her insecurity in regards to Selin. Which I just don’t get. I mean Eda did have that kind of dynamic with Selin but she was never super jealous or anything. She always had a way fighting back against Selin and still being confident. I just can’t seem to understand where all of the sudden, it’s turned into this.

- It’s out. The secret is out. But definitely not how it should have been. It should not have been from Selin. Selin seems remorseful about it but I don’t buy it. And Serkan looks like his whole world just shattered. And bless Eda. She’s about to really go through it. The last scene was sooooo well acted! I loved the tension, the angst, the anger!

- One thing that I really need to see happen is Eda/Serkan working on their communication skills. Because they suck at it. They are both indirect and never really say what they want and mean straight up. Since the beginning both of them expect each other to understand with signs or by indirect words and it was cute at first but now it’s annoying. Like two people in love should be able to tell each other anything and SHOULD tell each other everything as it is, free from judgement. I don’t want an argument and then they make up in one of their houses. I want them to talk out their issues, their perspectives! Because both of them have quite opposite views and beliefs so it’s very important for them to say everything out loud to each other. Otherwise, their chemistry and relationship is just gonna be for a show and not hold real value and show and realistic aspect to it.

Overall: A really good episode even though some parts did feel lagged. So the big explosion (one of them) has happened. Now we wait to see the aftermath. Honestly at first I used to think that I would know how certain characters would react but now I don’t know. It’s not easy to say where they will take the characters or the storyline so we’ll see! Tbh, Hande and Kerem are really carrying this show with their scenes and acting so I would love to see them get justice with their scenes! The show at some parts feels like random and misplaced but it’s still enjoyable! Like there’s no need for all these side character storylines right now, like give Eda/Serkan their full scenes in full cut and let it play out! Once everything is more wrapped up, you can add the side storylines! It’s still an enjoyable and fun show and definitely makes me laugh and keep me on the edge of my seat but there’s just some moments when the magic seems missing!

[piracytheorist]

Personal stuff, and I'm on mobile so sorry for the lack of cut.

There are times when I'm hit with such a big wave of reluctance to do anything that doesn't bring me any direct happiness or satisfaction and all I can think of is Holly in P.S. I Love You cutting herself off from social interactions when the time to open the next letter was drawing near. Like, I only read the book once like nine years ago, but if I recall correctly, there was one moment where she left a party or something and stayed on her couch, unwilling to do anything until the clock struck midnight and she could open the next letter.

And bruh, that resonates with me so much sometimes. My circumstances are different, but the feeling is so, so similar. Holly held onto her husband's letters, I'm holding onto new Colin content. And sometimes it creeps me the fuck out how needy I am of it. Right now my mind is so focused on JJ Sneed and DCC that doing even the smallest thing that stresses me out seems impossible. It didn't help that my therapist told me that my stance with studying, from the POV of someone who is not a psychotherapist, might come off as laziness. And I can definitely see merit to what she said, and I'm terrified of my professors seeing me this way. I know nobody's obligated to see through the first layer and realize that I'm seriously struggling with more than focus issues, but it's just fucking hard trying to convince myself to keep studying when I fear that what others see - and not just the professors whose lessons I have to pass this year - is laziness from my part. I don't want to "battle" laziness, because that's not what the problem is, but I also need to know I'm being taken seriously. I'm greatly motivated when things are clear between me and my superior... and as I think of this I realize why two of the lessons I haven't passed yet are from the same professor who has a huge problem communicating with students to the point where that's one of the things most talked about by students when it comes to her.

I know it's silly. I know not everyone I'll have to answer to will appreciate the true me and it's silly, in my line of work, to base so much motivation around it. Maybe it's the youngest sibling in me talking because at times I still feel I'm not being taken seriously by certain family members exactly because I'm the youngest.

And all that ties to my... need for new Colin content. I genuinely felt warm inside seeing the Heartstrings trailer. A lot of my missing motivation happened after OUAT ended, where I'd stopped having new Colin content, no matter how little, every week. And now that I have the trailer... I just wanna curl up in bed, not talk face to face with a single person and just watch the trailer on repeat. Just to avoid even thinking about my studies, let alone actually studying.

Oof. I don't even know anymore. At least writing that down helps a bit, especially since I'm making my thoughts more coherent in order to share them with my therapist on our next session.

[photomaniacs]

7 Ways to Make Your Photos More Interesting http://ift.tt/2siI4CL

When I first started taking photos, I knew the importance of finding what “good” really looked like. I knew that there were a million people out there that claimed to be more successful than they were, and that my taste wasn’t refined enough and that I wasn’t experienced enough to know the difference between them and those that were truly great.

I found people at the top of the industry and read every article they wrote and watched every video or interview ever made about them. Then, when they mentioned someone they admired, I studied them too. Like a butterfly effect, I would break down and understand new artists and the most intricate shooting styles.

I committed it all to memory, taking what made sense to me and leaving behind the rest. After 7 years, I slowly started to gain an understanding of my own style — mashed up and molded from some of the most well-respected photographers, painters, and artists in the world.

In this article I would like to share some of those gold nuggets of information that resonated with me and that changed and continued to push my art forward in new and exciting ways. Some of these ideas you will have heard of and I will reiterate their importance, others might pique your interest enough to give them a try.

Lets dive in.

1. Location

It’s the oldest saying in the book; “Location, Location, Location!’

This is for good reason. Simply by making it a point to place yourself somewhere unique, you are bound to get better shots. I remember the first time I went to Iceland. You could pretty much point your camera in any direction and press the shutter and get 90% better photos than most anywhere else. It was ridiculous.

Not only does the location help you in terms of visual interest in the photo itself, but when you are seeing somewhere beautiful for the first time it tends to inspire you and thus get you into a more open-minded and creative mood. This will always be good news for the work you are about to create. Remember: it doesn’t have to be crazy expensive — just find somewhere that makes you excited the second you see it.

2. Learning to Use Strobes

It took me the majority of my photography career to learn this superpower. When I did, it changed everything. Imagine: the ability to use only the most beautiful quality of light to manipulate any way you see fit. The higher-end strobes can literally overpower the sun. The creative control this gives you is immense. You can now decide whether you want something more dramatic or more dreamy. You can manipulate the light in order to convey any feeling or emotion you want.

In the most simplistic terms, your camera is just a light capturing box. So feed it the best light and those photos will grow up big and strong.

3. Subject

Most of us have been there before. We’ve had a great idea and made the effort to put it together and then we get there and realize that the subject is just the wrong fit. For the type of photography I like to shoot, it’s not all about getting the most beautiful person. It’s about finding someone who fits the emotion I want to convey.

I believe it’s impossible to be a great photographer without incredible emotional intelligence and self-awareness. When you meet someone for the first time, you have to be able to gauge how they make you feel. What emotion do they draw out of you?

Sometimes it makes sense to work with a seasoned model like my friend Crystal below. It certainly can make your life easier if you have someone who fits the bill and has a variety of unique poses and looks in their arsenal.

Other times it makes more sense to take the time to work with someone who isn’t a pro. It can go a long way in creating something that feels a bit more relatable to the viewer.

Regardless of who it is, try your best to get as much time with your subjects/potential subjects as you can. The more comfortable and familiar you are with that person, the more connection that you have, the better your images will turn out.

4. The Haze Machine

For the longest time I couldn’t figure out what created that atmospheric and moody look in people’s images. Was it dry ice? Lots of candles? A fog machine?

In this photo, I even tried spraying Fabreze in front of the lens and inevitably onto my good buddy, Donard. (Stay fresh, buddy, stay fresh!)

Eventually I figured out that it was a Hazer making this magic look! These machines can go a long way in completely changing the way the light falls on your subject and ensure that your space doesn’t feel too stiff and manicured. It can convey mystery and drama and is fairly simple to use.

A haze machine is different from a fog machine in that it’s not as thick and white. This makes it much easier to shine lights through and gives the added benefit of being able to actually see your subject instead of making it look like something’s on fire (which the fog machine is great for).

5. Building a Set

As I became more interested in strobes, I started to dabble and understand the value of a good set. This could be as simple as getting a couple of plants and a backdrop, or as complicated as a full-on build in which you create walls, windows, and bring in furniture to mimic the idea you have in mind. Regardless, the ability to be able to control your surroundings can be a huge advantage in creating a balanced and consistent look in your image. In the industry, we call this “production value”.

6. Tones

“Gavin, where them tones at, bruh?”

My friends love to rag on me about my obsession with tonal equity in an image.

However, this obsession is for good reason and was such a key element to making my images have the style and feel that I had always wanted. In fact, just by using similar tonal values within your images, you are going a very long way in creating a consistent look.

But what are tones? In photography, tones can be referred to as either:

1. The overall lightness or darkness of an area of an image-similar to luminosity, or 2. The color of all or part of an image, usually in relation to its warmth or coolness

One of the best ways to start understanding what you like is to pay attention to films you love. It might be a movie set in a snowy area in which they use blue tones to really help you feel the cold, or it might be a beach day in which red and orange tones are used to warm up the scene.

Spend some time figuring out a combination that makes sense to you.

7. Understanding Your Audience

The truth is that at the end of the day, “interesting” is subjective. All of this is simply my opinion because it has been firstly what’s resonated with me and secondly, my audience. I’m not going to be the guy who sits here and tells you to create work only for other people, because I’m a strong believer in the importance of listening to your gut and making something that you are proud of.

On the other end of the coin, I’m also not going to sit here and pretend that other people’s opinions of your work are irrelevant, at least as a professional. That being said, if your goal is to also make something interesting to other people, then it would make sense to understand those people, yet the amount of photographers that do not is significant.

Where do you want to go with respect to your career? If you want to be a fashion photographer, what do people interested in fashion care about? What are some other interests that are typical of this subset of people? What is lacking in the marketplace? What kind of statement can you make with your imagery that would resonate?

As you move forward with your photography, reflect on some of these things and how they might be able to benefit you. Take the ones that make sense and ignore the rest. If you can cultivate the ability to continually audit yourself and be aware of where you want to go and the gaps that still exist, that will be half the battle won. As I said earlier, this process took place over 7 years, so be patient with yourself and your abilities, yet stay determined and you will come out on top.

About the author: Gavin Doran is a Brooklyn-based photographer best known for his cinematic portraiture and dynamic lifestyle imagery. You can find more of his work on his website or by following him on Facebook and Instagram. This post was also published here.

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June 27, 2017 at 08:00PM