Dominique

“As we go through life we gradually discover who we are, but the more we discover, the more we lose ourselves.” 

― Haruki Murakami, Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Years of Pilgrimage

Rooftop

As young explorers me and the boyfriend decided to uncover of Aucklands best kept secrets. The observation deck of the Oracle building. I wanted to go up there beause I really wanted to take some shots with a stunning view of the city but when we got to the observation deck (after getting lost about 4 times, then realising we kept walking right past it), we discovered that in order to get anywhere remotely close to the edge you had to tresspass. But it was a nice location anyway, and i'd definately go back for more shoots but if you're looking for a great view of the city, the Observation deck is not the place to go.

9/52 I ride waves in my dreams

This is the first time I've taken and edited a photo all in one sitting. I usually like to let my photos settle a little before I start tinkering with them, but this week (or las week) I was on a pretty tight schedule.
I thought it would take a few more weeks of uni for me to start feeling the pressure, but we're only at week two and I'm already getting the urge to run for the hills.
I've had this idea sketched into my notebook for a wee while now and I always had the thought that I was saving it for another week further down the line when I was better. I guess what I'm trying to say is that I learned that I shouldn't save ideas, I should just go out and do them and think of better ones for the future. We're all constantly improving and if we attach ourselves to old ideas, it stops us from growing.
Now, who is to say that I can't retake this image later and do it even better?

Anyway, that's me for this week.

8/52

7/52 Colours of the Wind

When I was younger Pocahontas was my favourite Disney princess. That was because at the time, there weren't many, actually, there weren't any Disney princesses that actually looked like me. So I was searching for myself in everything and I found a little bit of myself in her. She was strong, she was brave and she was strong willed which was everything I thought I lacked.

Fast forward a few years and I find out Pocahontas was only 10 years old and it was not John Smith but John Rolfe who sexually abused her and kept her prisoner in England. (Well done Disney) But I guess the essence of Pocahontas is still something I admire, so that is what I based this week's image on.

I also thought I'd take the opportunity to include some links with information about the Dakota Pipeline.

4/52 When men come, set yourself on fire

I decided to post both of these because I like them both equally but for different reasons.

My body is still aching from this shoot. I walked all the way down to the reserve near my house and somehow I got stuck on the hour trail after having already spent an hour scouting and shooting in different locations. I had a book of photo ideas I'd sketched out but I just happened to walk past a small stream and that song "I keep, going to to the river to pray" came into my head and I was like okay... Well, now I have to take the photo.

Coronation 3/52 Weeks

There is freedom waiting for you on the breezes of the sky, 

And you ask "What if I fall?"

Oh but my darling,

What if you fly?”

e/h

I did It guys. I've been going through a real downturn in my self-portraits. I did quite a few shoots this week and they all didn't produce anything I was happy sharing but I had this image in my head though okay let's give it a go. To my surprise, it actually came out halfway decent!

2/52 You think I'll be the dark sky so you can be the star?

You think I'll be the dark sky so you can be the star? I'll eat you whole - W/S

He stood in the corn fields

This wasn't an actual cornfield, call it the budget version haha. We took a walk in the reserve and found this tall grass and we HAD to take some photos.

1/52 Your warmth attracts parasites

“But sometimes your light attracts moths and your warmth attracts parasites” - Warsan Shire

So i'm giving the 52 weeks project a go, maybe this time I'll stick to it. I've been a little disappointed in myself because I haven't been taking as many photos as I used to and I haven't been creating as much in general. It's easy to use University as an excuse but when I think of all these people working 2 - 3 jobs, studying and keeping a roof over the heads, I really have no excuse. So here's to a year of challenging myself creatively and fighting procrastination.