I have moved.....

MY NEW BLOG

Lemonade...

Thanks for the inspiration Annie Lou. A good friend of mine and a talented painter, Annie Lou, posted this link. We met through our early years at San Diego State, and I don't get to see her very much, but when I do, we talk about where we are and where we want to be. Thanks for reminding me again.

Behind my Lense for a Year...

It's officially been a year since I moved to New York. I think it's a thing to record and take note of THE date you started to live in this concrete jungle. A "milestone" I think a lot of people like to keep track of. The day one decided to make that jump. It can be both a magical and harsh reality-- this city. It can be inspiring and challenging. It can be a moment of clarity or moments of uncertainty. It's something different for everyone, but no one can deny that New York has a definite attraction.

Poems, songs, books and movies are created that introduce New York as its main character... I created a multi-media piece-- okay, i created two-- about my one year love affair with this city. They are both pretty similar in terms of music and layout. But, I was quite torn in what I wanted to show with this piece--something more personal to share with friends or something more general for others to relate. Or should I find the balance between the two? I had so many photos and videos to edit through, so it was a definite task to eliminate.

So, I really like the beginning of Take One-- but I think the photos go too fast, and this piece is more a "personal piece." The pace, I like to argue, represents the speed of this past year-- it just flew by.... BUT, the second piece, definitely has a slower pace- which allows the viewer to absorb the photos longer--BUT, not all the photos I wanted made the cut. The beginning of my second piece, I feel is a bit cliche--but I do like the ending. So, I am still trying to figure out which one best represents my eye-- my experience and perspective of New York. Maybe both do--- or maybe I just need to buckle down and edit. What do you think???? Yet to make a "final" edit.

One Year in NY- Take One from Diana Diroy on Vimeo.

One Year in NY- Take Two from Diana Diroy on Vimeo.

Ma-mamiya!!

A couple months ago, I went on Craigslist in search of a film camera. I was not quite sure which one, but I knew I wanted one. Besides my Canon Rebel film camera, my Holga, and my Diana camera, I wanted an all manual camera. Through the advise of Paul Quitoriano, a talented photographer who also shoots with a Mamiya- among other light-capturing devices- I purchased a Mamiya 645. With school and work, I have not had much of a chance to play with my new baby, but got to take it out here and there. My first role, was not a success. The photo above is the only thing that was salvaged from accidental exposure. But besides my first roll, here are "proof sheets" of other photos I took.




I don't have a light meter, and am still learning the camera, and eventually I will work on a project with it.

As for right now, I am on summer break. No summer classes, but I am still teaching Video Production for NYC City Parks Foundation and just started interning for Third World Newsreel. My focus right now has been video production and editing, but I'm really still trying to shoot photography as much as I can. I'm looking for any opportunities, so holla at me if you know of any;)

Through a window

Performance. I have not heard or thought much about that term, until this past year. It is something that we probably do not think much about, but we always do... we perform. We are performers. The way one acts with her family, will be different from the way she will act with her co-workers. And in the internet world, when it comes to social networks like Facebook, its just the same. One puts on a show. Not necessarily something fake, but rather, revealing OR withholding certain things about one's self. Do I want this to be "professional" page for clients , or do I want this to be a spot to reconnect with friends or family, or do I want to use it to show photos of my work, etc... The reason why I bring this up, is because this blog is just the same. I am not really sure what to write or what to post because I am not sure what role I am performing in the blog. Is this my diary? Should I write about my feelings? Is this a spot to show photos I take? Is this a spot to talk about camera equipment or the newest documentary that has inspired me? But hey, why not all of the above? Maybe it is my "shy" or rather private personality. I like to share, but sometimes I wonder...who is reading this? Hello world ;)

Anyway, I got to visit home about a week ago. Refreshing. It was a very short visit though. First thing I had to see was the ocean. The smell of fresh air and the sound of crashing waves-- definitely something I do not experience so much living in New York. And something I crave especially since I live literally right next to the JMZ subway line.

(A View from my bedroom window)



I think it was harder saying bye to home this time around, more than it was for me when I moved (which is about a year ago). Maybe because I have no idea when I will be back. Maybe because after being surrounded by people I love and being spoiled by my mom's HOME COOKING (!), it is hard to go back to what I know I won't have or see in a while. But here I am now--back in the concrete jungle, back into the groove of things. Or rather trying to find my summer groove. Meaning, I am plotting! Writing down goals, reading, researching, plotting....

Its was hard to leave home...that's my grandma watching me leave. ;(



And that's a view of the beautiful bay that i miss so dearly.




(I think the theme of this post is definitely windows.)

living in Bushwick, Brooklyn

I hear it takes about a year to adjust living here in New York. Or maybe I am making up an excuse as to why I have not been keeping up with my blog....adjustment. Absorbing. But how much can one absorb without being able to express or reflect on one's surroundings, thoughts, and experiences. How much inspiration, art, random/intellectual/enraging and engaging conversations can one undergo without being able to share. Maybe I have not been able to share with the internet world, but I feel I have other outlets in conveying my daily occurrences. Absorbing and recording, but not necessarily posting? Something I would like to do more often. I would like to say I will do more often, but seriously, no promises...

I would like to share this piece though. This past semester one of the classes I took was Documentary Time-Based--basically learning the basics of sound using pro tools and editing using final cut. so for my final project I decided to work on a project that I have been really interested in. Gentrification. For the most part, my interest rooted from my observations of the neighborhoods I grew up around in San Francisco. Conversations are endless when I talk to my fellow Bay area natives about how much the Mission or the Excelsior are changing. "It used to be like this, and now it's like this..." But once I moved to Bushwick, Brooklyn, I realized that I was that new neighbor coming into a neigborhood I barely knew. I felt like I have experienced and am experiencing both sides of the coin. Which led me to my most recent project entitled, "Portraits of Bushwick: Immigration and Gentrification."

Portraits of Bushwick : Immigration and Gentrification in Bushwick from dee dee on Vimeo.

This is definitely still a work in progress. But so far, through this investigation and documentation of Bushwick, I have learned so much more about the new neighborhood I live in.

Inspired by New York

A music video, a documentary, and a multi-media piece--- pieces that I admire about New Yorkers talking about New York.

Spec Boogie - Bed Stuy from Boombaye' on Vimeo.

Brooklyn Boondoggle from meerkatmedia.org on Vimeo.

Departure From a Love from Ishmael Islam on Vimeo.

bits and pieces....

I like this...

Fifty People, One Question: Brooklyn from Fifty People, One Question on Vimeo.

First real winter

It was a Friday afternoon, and rumors were going around that a blizzard was going to hit New York 9am the next morning. I was excited just hearing about it. The first blizzard while living in NY... So I wake up the next morning a little bit past nine expecting to see snow... but none. I thought maybe, it just went around Brooklyn. And then a few hours later, I look out my window and I jump on my bed and yell, "It's snowing!!!"

Outside my window....



This holiday season definitely did not feel like past holidays... maybe its because I was not with any family this year? Or maybe its because I'm getting old? Or maybe its because I had to work on both Christmas Eve and Day? I dunno... Yesterday I had dinner with some friends who were living through their first christmas in NYC---some who lived here for years...I asked..."Why did not one go home this year?" My friend Ni responded, "One word: recession." haha.... oh, but so true.

Secrets

I really like this short movie piece.

PostSecret: Confessions on Life, Death and God from Frank Warren on Vimeo.

A night of disguises...

I felt the Halloween spirit this year for the first time in a really long time;)









-----------------------------------------------------

Just having fun with friends....

AMAZING!!!!

Just hanging out at the lobby of Parsons, planning to read and catch up on homework, when inspiration caught me by surprise. There were a few folks setting up projectors and screens, and were doing a practice run for this Friday's event. They started screening a piece, and I was glued to that TV screen. Watching it over and over....

The Eyewriter from Evan Roth on Vimeo.

After recieving the news...

I'm so glad I followed my heart and saw Tita Lita before she passed. Thank you for your compassion, smile and open arms.

Time interviews Ken Burns about newest doc about National Parks

Transplanted, Processing, Cultivating

So, its been a little bit over three months since I moved to New York and I haven't wrote one entry in this blog about any of my experiences. What can I say, time goes fast in this city, and when you're in the mist of adapting to a new place, starting grad school, settling down, and figuring out how to pay rent---one can be definitely be absorbed.







I currently live in Brooklyn. Bushwick to be exact. In a three bedroom apartment with two friends from the Bay Area. I started classes about a month ago at the New School, pursuing my Masters Degree in Media Studies and Film. I started to have anxiety attacks in the beginning of the semester because I was struggling to balance the endless readings and assignments with my waitress job that requires me to get home at 4 or 5am.

The "New York lifestyle" where it is quite unusual to be "nice." Where kindness is a weakness around here. Well, at least to some people I've been coming across. When the cold hearted folks start getting to be me, I remember some wise words that someone said to be..."Don't let anyone take away your spirit, your joy."




Don't get me wrong, NY is not pure evil. I love New York. I don't know if its because of the millions of people living and moving on top of each other or that because one lives in NY one must have a certain state of mind--- but New York has a certain feel to it. I don't know how to define it, and I guess I am still trying to figure it out.

Fight, No Flight.

Come see my most recent project!

Saturday, June 13, 2009 4-6 pm
Exhibit Opening Reception +
documentary piece about women community leaders

Exhibit Opening Reception
FIGHT, NO FLIGHT
Women, Community & Power

Recent Projects by Jenifer K. Wofford
and Diana Diroy + Aisha Heredia

I live...

I like to think I live in the moment... but I also think I live in the past. Hence why, it takes me forever to upload pictures... I like looking at them later, later, later...just when you think the magic of that moment no longer lingers, a photo can arise a memory of that moment all over again.


(Greensboro, North Carolina)


On our way to Washington D.C. in a 15-seater van!


A moment caught in time.

A tree that stood out, in what can seem like a monotonous series of legal buildings in Washington D.C.
I got one guy to look up...

Analyzing the media

I like analyzing the media... and I like talking to people about the media.

Growth

One of the things that Dai Sugano said during San Jose State University's Visual Journalism Day was something along the lines about being inspired at least every six months and that will be his fuel to keep on going, to keep on creating. I smiled when he said that, because I know exactly what he is talking about. But, he only needs it every six months, I crave for inspiration at least once a week, if not everyday! haha... And for the most part, my craving is fullfilled maybe once a month.

People are amazing... it is really nice to see how people grow, and how their creativity and artistic eye grow as well.

Whether it be a fellow photojournalist I met through Chips Quinn, Deanna Dent, who knows how to capture the beauty of a moment, or whether it be an old "room mate" whose growth in spirituality is evident in her music and her being, djraichous, or whether it be a friend from college whose brush strokes continue to be more bold, original, and beautiful, Annie Lou -- I am quite lucky to be inspired by my friends, and to continue on the same road that our passion leads us---whether it be photography, music, or painting...

Thank you.

As a token of my appreciation, I will try to blog more, and post up photos more often! haha.... I am known to take a bunch of photos, but never really post 'em... okay, okay... I'll start doing it...

Here are just two photos from the Chinese New Year Parade a couple months back...





More to come...