My first digital SLR?

So,

It's a few weeks into Summer. I have been consumed by my Summer Spanish class for the most part. But camera talk now...I have been using a FILM Nikon SLR for many years now. I will always have a love for film and the craft that goes into converting film into prints, etc...but I am now seriously considering getting a Digital SLR, a Canon EOS Rebel XSi to be exact. Along with Photoshop CS3 (I found a few "cheap" ones on E-Bay for about $100, which is a pretty good deal considering they are retailed for about 3 1/2 times that price). As for affording the Canon, I'm not sure, maybe take out a small loan from the 'rents, get another job? I'll have to figure it out. The best package that I was able to find online was from photocraft.com, to my luck they are currently out of stock but whatever that can change. It's $674 (no tax and free shipping), comes brand new with the entire package of everything it needs (USB cable, battery pack/charger, memory card, strap, warranty, etc, etc). I know, as a college student that price is so scary, but when you think about it - it is a lifetime investment and is a really good deal for a brand new PROFESSIONAL digital SLR camera package...the fact that it's only about 200-300 dollars more than a typical point and shoot is quite appealing to any photographer...Canon is defenitly the best brand out there right now, in my oppinion.

I've been wanting to do more with digital technology and computers in the creative aspect - I'm interning in the Creative Department at Island all next year, so I'm looking at this from a career mindset as well. I think that if in my time there I can help out with photo, graphic art editing, and build a small professional portfolio; that can definitely help me in my future with working for any creative or marketing department at a company. Hopefully I will take a digital photo and/or digital media class before I graduate, but I think for the most part I can be self taught with an SLR camera and photoshop. I mean, for the most part I was self taught with film and printing. Yeah, anyway, this is the beauty that I've had my eye on:

mine?

podcast promo + squidoo + article

5 OF MY CLASSMATES PODCASTS:
http://download51.mediafire.com/vw9zvtdm90yg/gmmt5lzjdyc/podcast.mp3
http://rapidshare.com/files/227383426/Viral_Podcast_Mix-_DJ_KeN-_April_09.mp3
http://aroomwithinaroom.mypodcast.com/2009/05/Viral_Marketing_Assignment-205346.html
http://rapidshare.com/files/230101503/Data_Dog_Podcast.mp3.html
http://awesomesarahanne.blogspot.com/2009/04/podcast-interview-with-jody-eisenman.html

MY SQUIDOO (ALSO LINKED TO MY BLOG ON THE RIGHT HAND PANEL):
http://www.squidoo.com/lensmaster/new_workshop/photofan

check out my "article" below....I decided not to do a podcast because I'm having trouble figuring it out; I'm just down right bad with technology and computers.

My VM "Article" - Check out the Andy Warhol Exhibit at the Neuberger

I DECIDED TO DO A SMALL ARTICLE INSTEAD OF A PODCAST
I know I'm not supposed to post it here, but I did just in case it can't be reached on the e-zine website for whatever reason...But yeah it's posted on E-zine, the article is a bit more lengthy than this one, I had to elaborate to 250 words. =)

http://members.ezinearticles.com/?type=pv&art_id=2318356&id=323692&pass=a69000c4ed0a22c9598a0adf57ef14e0d365ab7b1295e16f08bbac401677a9ea

Before this semester comes to an end, if you haven't already, be sure to check out the Andy Warhol: Snapshots exhibit at the Neuberger Museum of Art.

The more than fifty photographs represent different aspect of Andy Warhol's career: making art and the glamorous celebrity life.

They date to the 1970's-80's, the time when Warhol established his success as a Pop artist until his untimely death in 1987 at the age of fifty-nine.

The exhibit contains Polaroids of celebrities, socialites, acquaintances, etc; as well at 8x10 black-and-white prints; depicting parts of his everyday life.

The over one hundred and fifty photographs given to the Neuberger Museum of Art by the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts.


Polaroid from the show of Dolly Parton

A Music Dedication - URI

A Reggae band that I saw twice this week, Under The Rasta Influence or URI. Established right here at Purchase College. They play here quite a bit, but also travel everywhere in the New York City / Metropolitan area, upstate and out of state as well.

Front man Donovan Ernest joined up with drummer Rusty Mack and bassist Sean Lewis nearly three year. Forming an authentic reggae band. They have expanded with currently six members who know how to put on a great performance, always capturing an audience and giving great vibes.

Check out their Myspace for more information and upcoming shows: http://www.myspace.com/undertherastainfluence


URI at SUNY Purchase Culture Shock 2009 with guest singer Adrienne Mack-Davis.

happyhappy

Happy international Polaroid week everyone! =)

I'm pretty sure this is the first one I ever took. High school, old friends - Cait, Tara and Dever. Sitting on my first car: 1983 Oldsmobile Cutlass. Ugh I really miss ol' reliable.

Anti-gay protesters...at Purchase?

Really? Well, yes...as I'm sure many Purchase student know already, this past Monday there was an incident at the mall/student services lawn that disturbed and upset hundreds of students. The protesters were a (Evangelical Christian) couple that have been going around to SUNY schools across the state to advertise the "conversion" of gay individuals to become straight. They are the type that believe you can "change" someones sexuality through means of religious instruction, camps, counseling, etc. With Purchase being a very gay friendly campus, there were hundreds of students on the lawn within the first hour of the protesters being here. Personally I am still shaken up by the incident; since I have been here, Purchase has been a safe haven for individuals of every orientation, a little "bubble" as some may say. Though now this bubble has popped. Since this has happened it only means that it will happen again someday, possibly in greater numbers...so how do I feel that the campus handled it?

Overall: I think it was, if anything a positive thing for students. We were brought together as a community and were really able to show how much pride we have at Purchase. Many of the chants and speeches given were genuine, intelligent and heartfelt.

On the opposite end though, I think that if an incident like this were to occur again there are certain things that we could change. Such as not slurring curse words, hateful words, mean chants, religious negativity, or gross things right back at them (how do hate for hate words make us any better)? Also, throwing objects at them and um someone that flashed/danced up on the woman protester (pretty sure that counts as sexual assault in most states). Not acceptable. Why? Like I said, how does this make us any better? Really, we are only giving them what they want. They want us to get rowdy and out of hand - it is something they can video tape, talk about and respond to that helps their cause, not ours. I know we are only human but we are also intelligent students and should always use this to our advantage. If we had quoted Bible versus back at them or just wanted to have a real conversation about the construction of sexuality, gender, etc - they would not know how to respond. They can only respond to rowdy mob mentality.

Again though, I love Purchase and I am over all incredibly happy with how we pulled together as a campus this past Monday! So proud to call myself a student here!

Photographs courtesy of Milo Rayo, Junior, Arts Management

CULTURE SHOCK

As most Purchase College students know, the annual Culture Shock festival will be held this weekend 4/17-19 on the VA lawn! The weekend that so many students look forward to...It consists on carnival rides, snacks, game booths, sunny/warm weather, hookahs, the beer tent, end of the year bonding with friends, parties, and of course MUSIC!

This years headliners are The Cool Kids, Drake, Murphy's Law, Streetlight Manifesto, The Deer Hunter, (Battle of the Bands winner) True Theory, Under the Rasta Influence and many, many more!

There is also a Red Bull tent...apparently they are our sponsors this year?

The school is usually crowded and an attempt to head on an off campus can be a fiasco because of all the visiting students and high security. So if you plan on coming from off campus be prepared to be grilled by the cops - you have to be the guest of a student and have proper I.D. But if you are a Purchase Student than this is our weekend to kick back one last time before finals and the end of the academic year! Enjoy and of course be safe!