Help Luke attend Photography Classes

I've been wanting to enrol in a digital photography course for some time now, but time and financial constraints are holding me back. Ideally I would like to attend the 10 week introductory DSLR I course offered by the Cape Town School of Photography (CTSP). Unfortunately I can't afford to spend 10 weeks in Cape Town, as I need to be in Johannesburg in order to work. 

CTSP however also offers an 'intensive' version of the DSLR I course, which can be completed in only a week. While this is an appealing option, I don't think it's a viable one, as there wouldn't be too much time to complete the various assignments. I like the idea of having as much time as possible to complete the assignments, especially if the weather isn't ideal during the week I take the course. I'd rather be able to wait out the weather for a day or two, or use the time to look for an alternative location/ subject to shoot. 

Thus an even more appealing alternative to the CTSP's intense course is a course run by the New York Institute of Photography (NYIP). The Fundamentals of Digital Photography is entirely web-based, looks to cover the same content as the CTSP courses. Major advantages of the NYIP course is that I'd be able to complete it in my own time, at my own pace, over a much longer period of time than either of the CTSP courses. The disadvantages are that I would only be able to interact with lecturers and classmates over the internet, and that the NYIP course is 12-30% more expensive than the CTSP courses.

This has led me to set-up an online, crowd fundraising project via Go Fund Me in an attempt to raise the $399 needed for me to enrol in the NYIP's Fundamentals of Digital Photography course. While I'm not expecting to attain the full amount required, every little bit would help me get a little closer to enrolling.

I'd really appreciate it if you could simply share my Go Fund Me page, but if you're feeling extra generous towards a stranger, a small donation to my 'Photography Class Fund' would be even better.

Thanks for reading :)

Hundred Million's skull shaped sugar spoons

I was having a quick browse through Kickstarter, when I noticed these quirky skull shaped spoons designed by Hundred Million. I was really impressed to see that the project has already surpassed it's target, and with 26 more days to go. Even more impressive is that Hundred Million has only 155 followers on Facebook, yet there are currently 164 people backing the project. This means they've gotten more exposure through their Kickstarter campaign, than through Facebook!

I'm really tempted to order a pair of these (or perhaps even the mug and spoon set) but at £8 a spoon, they're really pricey, especially with the present exchange rates. Interestingly a set of six spoons costs £40, which equates to roughly £6.66 per spoon. Coincidence? 

The special edition mug, which features a Mexican Day of the dead inspired design is downright rad. As is the catch phrase, 'dying for a coffee.' Sod it, I may just spoil myself with an early Christmas present, although I've already made the mistake of telling Em how much these are, so I may end up paying for these both literally and figuratively. Maybe I should get Em the wood pigeon cutting board...

Nifty narwhal skewers

While narwhals are not really porpoises, they are a member of the same suborder as porpoises. This makes narwhals pretty cool. That, and the fact that they have a giant unicorn-like horn protruding from their face. 

In fact, the 'unicorn of the sea' is so iconic that a barbecue skewer has been fashioned in its likeness. Created by a young designer from New York, she has a Kickstarter campaign to help make these mythical narwhal barbecue skewers a reality.

I may have to settle for a narwhal shirt because I'm not sure if these skewers will clear customs here in South Africa as they may be considered swords...

77 mm filters now available from Mount July

There are still eight days left to help fund the production of Mount July's range of multi-coloured camera filters. So far just over 80% of the money needed to support the production costs of the project has been raised. While predictions show that Mount July's project should raise enough to get the first run of filters done, it looks like they're unlikely to reach their stretch goal of US$ 44 000.

Despite the possibility of not reaching the stretch goal, Mount July are still planning to manufacture 77 mm filters. This is most likely as a result of the large number of requests received for filters with a wider diameter than those originally offered. So far no one has pledged money towards either of the 77 mm options available; US$ 50+ for a single filter, US$ 90+ for two filters, or US$ 140+ for all three coloured filters. I'm now unsure whether to get a set of 58 mm filters for the lenses I already own, or if I get a set of 77 mm filters for the lens I want to buy?

For some more photos taken using Mount July filters click here.

Pictures taken using Mount July creative filters

Last week I posted about the Mount July filter company and their inaugural Kickstarter campaign. So far they've managed to raise just over two-thirds of their US$ 32 000 target in just over a week. Since then, Mount July have also updated the project page with several photographs taken while using their range of their multi-coloured filters, as well as pictures of the individual filters themselves. 

Here's what the three individual filter colour options look like

While a lot of the pictures uploaded to Mount July's Facebook page feature photos taken while using two filters stacked on top of one another (which create some really dreamy effects), there are a few taken using only a single filter at a time. I've chosen one of each of these pictures from their Facebook to share with you, as they really show off the type results achievable with only a single Mount July filter attached to your camera lens.

Stinson (left): This filter looks to simulate an effect similar to over-exposing a scene. It also creates subtle vignetting, which although often undesirable, can result in some creative shots.










Sayulita (right): In contrast, this has been my favourite filter since I first found out about the project. The contrasting colour enhancements caused by the yellow to violet colour gradient immediately caught my eye. If I only ever order one filter from Mount July it will be this one.

Sedona (left): Finally the Sedona creates an even more dramatic vignetting effect, while distorting the colouration around the periphery of the composition.

To get an even better idea of the results achievable you can see a few more examples here, although it doesn't say which filters were used to create the shots.

I really hope these guys reach their goal. The creators say they would like for Mount July to reach all seven continents, well if these filters do become a reality, I'll ensure some of them reach Africa.

Mount July: Colour splashed camera filters

Mount July is a small start-up business that plans to manufacture multi-coloured, creative camera filters. Essentially these filters will allow SLR* photographers to emulate the effects achieved by smartphone owners who use applications like Pixlr and Instagram. 

If you're interested in increasing your creative potential with your SLR camera, then you should definitely check out Mount July's Kickstarter page here. Three colour variations are being offered for 52 and 58 mm lenses, with the possibility of producing a range for 77 mm lenses if US$ 45 000 is raised. I really like the effects created by the Sedona and Sayulita, although I am considering just biting the bullet and going for the US$ 95 'Family Pack,' which includes all three filters.

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* single-lens reflex