Deaf Dish - ASL vLog / Blog

My post title is Eye2 (the "2" should be displayed as a mathematical symbol of squared similar to this image I created, ), but I do not know how to do it in wordpress.

Squared photography works I love! I remember I used to shoot medium format in the 2 1/4 x 2 1/4 or 6×6 square when I was at Gallaudet University under the wing of Donna MacLean. I love the square images and can't imagine photography without this type.

For me this format has been the most significant tool improving my photographic skills and basic understanding of composition. I try to see the world in square and compose in square. Images in square seem not natural to human vision.  That's what make them more interesting or striking. They force viewers to relate to images — looking at them rather than seeing them as scenes.

There are many different viewpoints about the square. Some people like it, some not.  There are millions of photographs done either in landscape or portrait. They are accustomed to see images that way — and see the world as a scene.  Also, many people are taught to "compose" parts into a rectangle such as prints, canvas (painter), letter or legal sized papers, television, and so on. It's all about the aspect ratio. (square - 1:1 . . . 35mm - 1:5 . . . I am not going to further this… maybe in another entry). It is very rare to see photography works in square except for some fine art galleries and thumbnails seen on several sites like flicker. 

I use 35 mm and digital equipment since I could not afford medium format equipment (2 1/4 x 2 1/4 or 6 x 6), and I use Photoshop or Aperture to crop my photographic images into its format of square, sometimes convert them into black and white to create double impact.

It is not an easy task, but I always keep in mind the principles of design and photography techniques such as rule of thirds, contrast, and so on. You have to aim for an image in its thirds and square before shooting – envision what will it look like in a square before capturing and cropping.

It is quite a challenge to aim for a perfect square, be it done by either with a camera or sophisticated software. It requires some intellectual efforts to put parts together into a whole equal sided quadrate.

Squared photography is considered more "fine art" than rectangular - landscape or portrait. It really grabs attention, even to some people who care less about photography.  I think the square, like black and white film, tends to have strong visual impact — less visual distractions, focusing more attention on the subject.

Signifying Squares! (B & W, too)

A vlog reveals an intense secret! Please do not judge! Thanks!

Attention: Gallaudet Freshman Female Students! Be sure you view this ASL vlog before that fateful day soon.

Play Quicktime version

Note: I find it very interesting that I look at the laptop recording my vlog, not directly at the camera. No blank tapes! A question for you, readers … do you prefer me to look directly at the camera? Or Does not it matter? Just wondering. One attempt! Not bad?

Two-Year Transformation Photo Gallery (3/2001-11/2003)

Here's a 50.3-second video response to several comments asking me why I seem leaned towards blogging, not ASL vlogging. It's my shortest vlog ever. The vlog includes an 8-second opening. Yes, it is in fact less-than-a-minute vlog!

Play Quicktime version

On a serious note, it was really an experiment — to see if I can produce a vlog less than a minute! It was NOT easy! Sigh!

Last fall, many deaf vloggers suggested to limit video clips up to ten minutes depending on what contents are.  Now … should we conform some newest vloggers — restricting vlogs to two minutes long?

Readers, you know you are free to watch complete vlogs or not.  Shall it be a long or short one.  It's all about how you relate your thoughts or feelings to vlogs, even to blogs.

Often I find someone else who sums it up in ASL or even in written english — whatever it is, whatever the length is — better than I ever could and rather than say "Hey I was thinking that",  "Gee I wish I expressed that in ASL first", or " Wish my vlog is not that short".  I can now say thanks for vlogging or blogging that - saves me the bother whether it is a long one or not, or is it a vlog or blog. 

It's all about how you call to mind– not to focusing on how to "compress" thoughts on it all into a two-minute vlog or one-paragraph blog. Be yourself – expressing yourself fully and FREELY – be it short or not – be it a vlog or not (blog). May be it nonsensical or not.

Okay … in written ASL … ME SERIOUS ME GO BACK STUDY ME SOON ALMOST FINISH! 

Yes, I am back!

I just did a vlog right after doing my video project for the graduate study. So, I grabbed the opportunity to express my thoughts.  An impromptu thing — no script, research, or whatsoever. One try.  Pardon my mistakes I made during taping.

There are three different short discussions; the clarification of my blog on ignorant hearies, and a response to Roger Kraft's first vlog and Amy Efron Cohen's angry vlog. 

Oh boy! Sure am I exhausted! I now sit and relax reading blogs, vlogs, and comments on my blog. I will respond them sometime tomorrow after doing some homework.  

Let's tune in. 

Play Quicktime version (Full Version - 10 min)

FYI, at the end of vlog, it is actually an abrupt cutoff.  I ran out of the blank tape! Always something!?! 

Update (2/24): I meant to edit the vlog into three clips last night, however I did not have enough time. In fact,  I thunk up of splitting my thoughts into three separate vlogs, but I thought it was silly to post three different entries, and spend more time editing and uploading videos. There is a vlogger giving some tips on vlogging. Ugh! I know! Just that I wanted to do it the short way. So, today I had to give up some of my study time to edit the full version into several mini clips just to please some people. 

Hey Deaf Dish readers,

Thank you for being so patient and waiting for my return. I hate to say this . . . it is really from hiatus to hiatus – out here on my blog just for a couple of minutes. I am still working on the graduate school stuff. A lot of readings, writings, and projects. Hopefully, I will complete them all before the end of this month.

Oh my! I tell you this past two week not being able to blog was slow and somewhat boring. Not totally boring mind you, but I found myself sitting here before the screen doing homework, checking emails, and researching via the Internet each and every day. I was tempted to do a blog especially after getting a surprise from someone you know (Yes, someone you know very well).

A couple of days ago I received an AWESOME email from Joey Baer, an awesome friend (I know I said it twice) and the father of ASL vLogland. He sent me these way cool pictures taken by Cat Cassidy when Chris Corrigan visited the Bay Area for the Deaf Gala last December.

Should I create a new canvass looking for some potential deaf male bloggers or vloggers to be voted as the Sexist Deaf Male Blogger/vLogger? Not such a bad idea, is it?  Nominations?  Email me or leave a comment with names. 

Be back soon.  

PS: I promise I will reply all the comments left on my blog SOON!  

Update: I now realize it is not worth to set up a poll. Joey will win with flying colors. :)