Angel V.'s Photography

So I was cleaning my car out in the front yard this past Monday when I noticed that there were a lot more bees buzzing around then usual.  That’s when I noticed the relatively small bee swarm that was forming around a tree branch right next to the drive way.  Thankfully, they were there long enough for me to sneak in a few shots of the swarm growing in size before they finally dispersed to a palm tree a few blocks down.  They were a lot of fun to take pictures of despite being surrounded by the constant buzzing.  

Then there was this little spider I found underneath an old Fisher Price Stepping stool that I had out in the back yard next to the pool.  I just happened to notice them as I was finishing up my annual swimming laps during the afternoon.  Thankfully, this particular spider wasn’t aggressive in the slightest.  It was instead quite photogenic and easy to work with.  I really liked the backdrop of the blue plastic of the old stepping stool.  Really gives the photos an overall interesting color.  

Found this little beauty in it’s full web outside my front door while on my way out for work in the morning.  Since I was getting off early today, I figured I’d take a few close ups of this little spider after work.  They turned out surprisingly well despite it being rather windy out today.  But the sun was shinning bright, so the lighting couldn’t be better.  I had fun shooting photos for this one.  I just hope not to be surprised by spiders like this any more often as I go to and from work each morning.  

These photos have unfortunately been sitting in my camera memory card for far too long before finally getting the post editing attention they deserved.  These are various photos I took during my weekend trip to Chicago for my brother in law’s birthday celebration this past December.  I was only there for a short period of time.  So I figured I’d make the most of the scenic surroundings before getting completely swept up in the proceeding evening shenanigans.  

Various photos taken from this past year’s Renaissance Fair in Tampa, FL.  The Ren Fair is one of those yearly evens that you always forgot to attend until the last possible day.  Thankfully though, my friend Jeremiah and I were able to make the most of that last day at the Ren Fair.  Here’s to hoping I’ll be able to attend far earlier next year.  

I was invited to do this particular photo shoot during my one day trip to MegaCon on Friday.  I have to say, even though I wasn’t able to follow up the remaining days of MegaCon, this one day’s worth of a photo shoot made that Friday feel all the more worth it.  Here’s to hoping I can do MegaCon all three days next year.  And to working with these fine cosplayers again!  Their costumes were top notch!  (You may recognize them from the previous YuGiOh photo shoot I was invited to do during last year’s MetroCon.  I certainly hope we can make that happen again this coming year.)  

I have to thank Cait for this little beauty that now graces my room with it’s presence.  I didn’t think this would be as photogenic as it turned out to be. Despite the joints being stiff, It looks still amazing regardless of what pose or angle you view it from.  My one complaint is it’s lack of more then one arrow.  And the bow it’s self having very limited pose options since it can’t really be drawn back.  But considering this little gem only costing twenty dollars at the Downtown Disney store, I’m more then happy with how everything else is practically pitch perfect.  Although you really can’t see it, the cloak actually has a hood!  Unfortunately, Merida’s hair is so large that their is no conceivable way to pose it with the hood up.  So it’s more or less always concealed by her hair.  Regardless, I love it and am more then proud to have it posing just across from my Big Boss figurine and in close proximity to my Kino’s Journey figurines.  They all complement each other beautifully.  Thank you again, Cait!  

I honestly feel like such a claude for not keeping up with my DeviantArt in over two years.  That’s what Tumblr will do to you, though.  Make you completely forget and even ignore your previous social networking sites.  Either way, for those of you wondering, my DA is still up and will remain a standing host for all of my older work that isn’t featured here.  So in essence, my DA is my past and my Tumblr is my present.  

 http://pliskina22.deviantart.com/

As for my future…well my recent work is being featured on Flickr via NegativeDreamer’s Photostream.  

http://www.flickr.com/photos/7309685@N08/

My latest photo shoot with them can be found here.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/7309685@N08/sets/72157632760514339/

My apologies to anyone wondering where I’ve been on DA for the past two odd years.  I’ve been dizzyingly busy and it’s been one hell of a roller coaster.  But I’ve come a long way and I’m not slowing down any time soon.  

I’m not going to lie, I started to feel really nostalgic when looking over my early work on DA.  I honestly didn’t think I’d come this far.  Or learn this much.  I feel simultaneously humbled and blessed.  One particular set of comments from DA user PockyEater101 referred to the first photo posted above as “the best photo of us ever <3”.  She even went to great lengths to tell the story of how we met at AFO 2010 and even how we took the photo inside of the hotel’s StarBucks cafe.  It’s an incredibly heartwarming post which can be found here amongst the rest of her DA profile.

http://pockyeater101.deviantart.com/art/Some-Ouran-Hosts-190991006

The second photo posted below Is even older and features DA user MadxRaver.  I first took this photo of her at Orlando Anime Day 2010.  The first and only one I’ve been able to attend.  Having just started photography at the time, I felt so nervous and even bashful about taking anyone’s photo.  Let alone approaching and asking permission.  But she was so kind hearted and even offered to pose for me.  Thanks to her helping me break the ice, I was truly inspired by her to keep taking photos for the rest of the day and have an overall blast.  I unfortunately was never able to keep up/follow up with anymore shoots or conventions with her afterward.  Life got in the way for both of us.  Regardless, her profile and rest of her work can be found here.

http://madxraver.deviantart.com 

I know it sounds cliched, but it’s appreciative comments like this and simple gestures of kindness that can really keep you going when your stuck in the mud or nervous and unsure of yourself.  Most importantly, it inspires you to keep going further.  Not just immediately, but also continuously later on down the line when you need it most.  On New Year’s Day of 2013, I decided my new year’s resolution was to really keep my photography up through out the entire year.  Since then, between doing shoots for NegativeDreamers, my own personal shoots for friends, and the occasional conventions in-between, I feel far more confident and determined then ever to keep honoring that resolution well beyond this year.  

As I do so, I’ll look back on these early photos with their accompanying comments.  And I’ll never stop appreciating your warm words of encouragement and gratitude.  

Thank you PockyEater101 and MadxRaver.  For continuously reminding me of why I’ve been doing this for the past four years.  And will continue to do so regardless of where life takes me.  This particular post is for both of you.  

Thank you.

Some of my favorite photos taken during the various photo shoots of ShawnCon 2013.  I photographed the PacMan cosplayers on Saturday night in downtown Orlando.  I also photographed the various couples that previous Friday in Downtown Disney.  Which was a load of fun both during the shoot and after.  Special thanks to Shawn Tuffy of ShawnCon himself for inviting myself among various other photographers to work together during all shoots.  It was a blast and I certainly look forward to next time!  

Couldn’t help but take a panoramic of some evening clouds that I came across on the way to my car from work.  Gotta love those impromptu photogenic moments that you stumble across every now and again.  

Found this bad boy hanging out in the garage bathroom.  Thankfully my father and I were able to nab him before it could cause any further shenanigans.  We were able to capture it alive and take photos without harming it.  We let it out in the backyard after we were done.  (Fun Fact:  This particular spider measured in at about two inches!)

Also, I included two photos I took of a spider in a park.  The park it’s self is close to Safety Harbor in ClearWater, FL.  It’s a good thing I didn’t run into it’s web.  It was quite easy to miss all together.  

The last three photos are of a large spider who’s taken it upon it’s self to become the nightly stalwart guardian of the front garage.  I happened to brush against it’s web on multiple occasions during the day when it was not actively stalking the front.  But as I pulled into the driveway at night, that’s when I noticed it proudly sitting upon it’s web and watching over the surrounding front yard.  Quite intimidating yet oddly comforting knowing that any scheming bugs stand little to no chance of getting past this silent behemoth.