Social Media Detox

It's written on the wall... just not the Facebook wall.

It was the day before Christmas Eve, I knew I'd be away for a few days and thought it would be a good time for a bit of a break from social media. I proceeded to delete the Facebook, Twitter and Instagram apps from my iPhone, and ensured I was logged out of all social media pages on my computer. I thought I'd last a week, it turns out that I've lasted one month now and to be honest I'm not sure that I want to return to the world of selfies, re-tweets and likes.

I feel like a reformed smoker whenever someone asks me how I'm fairing without social media, some ask in tone of desperation “Oh, how are you coping?” or “When will you be back?”, others, having had a similar experience to my detox, nod and smile knowingly.

So why did I feel like I needed a detox and what did I discover about myself?

For a while now (maybe 6 months), I've felt less and less of a need to post to social media. Every time I checked my iPhone or logged into my computer, there was a Facebook or Twitter feed vying for my attention, “Read me… READ ME!”; so I'd read my friends posts; commented, liked, retweeted, replied etc. But as each day passed, I felt like I was participating less and less with these “friends” of mine, and time on social media felt more and more demanding.

Little did I realise just how much time this dutiful addiction to social media was taking up in my day to day life, I didn't even realise that I was checking social media every chance I had, especially on my iPhone, just in case I was missing out on something important. In reality, I wasn't missing anything important.

About two weeks into my detox, I came to the realization that we no longer really communicate with our friends, messages are no longer personalised our online communication, we BROADCAST our life online and if it is overlooked or not liked or replied to, we see that as disinterest from the parties involved. I was spending so much time keeping up with the Facebook-Twitter-Instagram-dashians than I wasn't giving myself time to make a life of my own.

In my third week of detox I attempted to calculate just how many hours per day I had added back into my life by not using social media, it was around 3 hours per day. That’s three hours I could catch up with a friend in real life, or read several chapters in a book, take photographs, paint, draw and talk to my housemates etc. That’s 21 hours a week and 210 hours per month. I was spending close to 9 days a month on social media. That’s definitely not living life.

I'm not saying everyone spends this amount of time on social media, but I really didn't think I did either, until I stopped and reflected. Did I really need to see 5 different friend’s photos of their Christmas trees? Did I need to hear about your new car? Or your football injury? Was my life being enriched by your drunk duckface pose photos? The answer is no.

Honestly, my life hasn't felt empty in the slightest since I went ‘offline’, I've probably seen more of my friends face-to-face than I had in months, and those friends who did want to know how I was emailed, or texted, or called. Was any less happening in my life because it wasn’t being broadcast online? No.

I now know that you cannot live your life online, at the whim of other people’s judgments while being bombarded with the broadcast of the news feed hive collective. My iPhone battery now lasts all day, since I'm not checking social media every chance I get, I've discovered just how much I can fit into my day when I’m not burying my head in a constant stream of other people’s views, insights and options.

For someone who has been on Facebook since 2008 and Twitter not long after, I really never thought it would want to quit social media. So, I'm not quitting, but once I'm back "online" I will most definitely be scaling back my access to social media, thinning my friends lists and participating in the online community on a more professional, less personal level.

Although I am ready to emerge from the cave of the summer of my social media discontent, I have to set myself boundaries and see if I keep a clear head about the effect of it on my life. And remember, I am always just an email, text or call away.

I'd really like to hear your thoughts on social media and the role it plays in your life. Have you ever gone ‘offline’ or abstained from social media?

x Mel

Winter, just passing through

LC-Wide (Kodak T-Max 100)

I seem to be shooting more black & white than usual these days, discovering new film favourites and letting the winter light speak for itself. I'm enjoying spending my days at the studio, working on projects and having the time to go out and shoot in daylight hours.

x Mel

P.S. I'm running a Introduction to Lomography workshop in Melbourne on August 15th if anyone is interested! You can find all the info and booking details here: Introduction to Lomography Melbourne.

Black & White Autumn Waltz

Belair X6-12 (Lomography Lady Grey 120 film)

So, winter, you've well and truly arrived in Melbourne. Short, short days, filled with coffee and wholesome soups. It feels like there is a wind of change (a bit of an icy one) blowing through town at the moment. I've recently resigned from my day job, which is equally scary and exciting, but will leave me with more time to devote to Lomography Australia and my own art/photography practice. The lovely folks in my studio have been super supportive over the past couple of months, and it's wonderful to get advice from creative types who know what you are going through.

I'll be back at VCA completing my first year of post-grad next semester, so it will be lovely to have more time to dedicate to my projects and also to spend some daytime hours in the studio.

Many changes are afoot, who knows what will happen in the next few months, but I can say one thing, I'm looking forward to the change. (hopefully you will also see more posts from me on this little blog)

x
Mel

Former Yorkshire Brewery, Collingwood.

LC-Wide (Kodak Ektar)

I managed to catch one of the last sunny warm weekends to spend on a photo walk around Collingwood with a few of my fellow film shooters. One of our main destinations was the former Yorkshire Brewery in Collingwood, that is now derelict & awaiting council sign off before being turned into a multi-storey apartment building.

However, currently it is a mix of bright graffiti & urban flotsam... with nature slowly taking over. Sometimes its nice to get out and shoot in places you've not been before & if you can find some friends who have local insider knowledge of what is out there, then that's even better!

How that winter is slowly setting in, there will be fewer warm sunny days... so it looks like I'll have stick to Portra 400 film & try to overlook the clouds & rain that are on their way.

x
Mel

Mother Megan Love

LC-Wide & Belair X6-12 (with black borders)

To say that I'm over the moon about the birth of my best friend's little girl, Harriet would be an understatement... so I wanted to post a few more of the photographs I took back in February for Megan's pregnancy photo shoot.

These are some of my favorite shots from the whole day & I really love the way that they show just how happy Megan was to welcome her first born into the world. I feel that they are a mix of celebration and heartfelt happiness, which were exactly the emotions that that Megan was expressing on the day.

I had the opportunity not only to use my beloved LC-Wide, but also my new Belair X6-12... this was only the 2nd time I had used my Belair & I found that it gives such a beautiful quality to these portraits. I can't wait to use it in more portrait sessions in the future.

I especially can't wait to take photos of little Harriet when I am next in Brisbane. 

x

Mel

Like List #1

Instagram of one of my Belair transparencies from a shoot with O'lovely

Here is my first ever little like list!!

Firstly, Max Gimblett is one of my all time favorite artists, he is a Kiwi who now splits his time between New York and Auckland. I fell in love with Max's work back in the early 2000's & he is one of the most consistent & hard working artists I've ever had the pleasure of meeting.

His most recent works are available to view on his website & I am currently in love with his colourful Quatrefoil works on paper. 

Max Gimblett's colourful Quatrefoils on paper.

Secondly, I was doing some research into artists who had attended the Art Student's League of New York, and I stumbled upon the Lost Artwork's page on Wikipedia. I never had any idea of the quantity of artwork that has been destroyed or 'lost' over the years & I found it incredibly interesting to read about the circumstances in which some of the art was lost.

Lost Artworks on Wikipedia.

& finally, I am going through a 'I want to run away to Paris!' phase (again!) & stumbled upon Airbnb. It's a nifty little place where you can view & book cheap apartment accommodation, pretty much anywhere you want to travel. You can rent just a room, or an entire apartment, with prices according to what is provided & location. I must say that looking at Airbnb fuelled so many daydreams of Parisian photowalks, cafe au lait, crepes & bottles of wine drank on the edge of the Seine. 

Airbnb - Holiday Apartment heaven!

x
Mel

Spotty Melbourne

LC-Wide (Kodak BW400CN) (colour spots added in Photoshop)

I'm a big believer in being authentic in analogue film photography, especially when portraying the end result truthfully. I'm not big at editing my film shots, I pretty much just remove dust & straighten the occasional photo. However since doing Blogshop in Sydney back in December, I've been inspired to add a little something to a few of my film photos. I don't think this will become a regular occurrence but it was fun &interesting to play around with a few effects & such in Photoshop.

These photos are from a selection from I took in Melbourne back at the end of last year... & these three just seemed to work well together to me.

How do you feel about post-processing / digitally editing your film photos?

x
Mel

Vignetting Victoria Lomography Exhibition

Lomography Australia / NZ is proud to present an exhibition of selected photographic prints collected from 35 photographers Australia-wide who utilise a range of Lomography film cameras and techniques. Discover the Lomography photographer’s view on Melbourne and Victoria, with a blend of urban, suburban and rural work that ties together the beauty not only of Melbourne but also the state as a whole.

We’ll also be having workshops, a POP UP Project Store and also a DIY station where you can personalise your own Lomography La Sardina camera. For more information follow Lomography Australia/NZ on facebook or visit www.lomography.com.au.

I will be gallery sitting the exhibition for the entire 2 weeks it is running, along with running a Lomography POP UP shop in the gallery space & running Lomography workshops.

The workshops I will be running include Introduction to Lomography; Fisheye 1, 2 & Baby Fisheye; Diana F+, Diana Mini & Baby Diana; Light Painting & Multiple Exposures; and finally a Lomography Melbourne Night Walk. Pop on over to the Lomography Workshops website to book, since spaces are limited.

I can't wait to meet all the Melbourne Lomographers who come to the exhibition & those who have work included, so come by & say hello!

x Mel

Supersampler Early Winter

Supersampler - Lomography 800CN film

Oh Melbourne in winter, there is always that chill in your bones that often disappears in hot showers & cosy beds, but always reappears with a sudden jarring moment familiarised by the term 'burrr'. Then there are the sunny days, that aren't necessarily any warmer, but they give a heightened illusion of warm, even if just to the eyes. They make the cold that much more bearable & all the layers, socks, scarfs & coats worth it.

I've been lucky enough to have a couple of my wonderful interstate friends & my awesome family visit in the last few weeks. It is always lovely to have visitors, show them 'my' Melbourne & share with them my favorite cafes, restaurants, galleries & lane ways.

This time last year I was preparing for a trip to New York City... a summer break from the Melbourne winter chill... this year I will just have to layer up, curl up & think warm happy thoughts.

x
Mel

Melbourne, can you hear me?

LC-A (Agfa Precisa 100 shot at 50 ISO x-pro)

Melbourne! Victoria! Yes, I'm talking to you!

Do you shoot film? Would you like to learn more about film photography?

I am now the Melbourne/Victorian Ambassador for LomographyAustralia/NZ & I am here for all your Lomography needs, wants & queries.

What better way to celebrate Lomography in Melbourne & Victoria but an Exhibition, right?

You can find all the details about the Vignette Victoria Lomography exhibition that will be filling the No Vacancy Project Space in Federation Square in September 2012, over at the Lomography Aust/NZ website.

You are also more than welcome to contact me at melbourne@lomography.com.au with any questions to may have.

x Mel

Melbourne in a season of change

 

Lomography SuperSampler (Lomography 400CN film)

Apologies for my blog absenteeism of late. Life has been busy with family & friends visiting Melbourne; the shortening days of early winter; spreading the Lomography love in Melbourne; falling in love with my LC-Wide; watching leaves fall & trees turning into empty branches reaching for the sky.

One thing I can say Melbourne, is that there are exciting times coming for the Lomography community! *wink wink*

"Everybody says that time heals everything all in the end

What of the wretched hollow, the endless in between?

Are we just going to wait it out?" 

Wait It Out - Imogen Heap 

x Mel

Melbourne Finders Keepers Markets

LC-Wide (Fuji Superia 200 film)

Last Friday & Saturday I had an exciting opportunity to help out the on the lovely Lomography Australia/NZ Finders Keepers Market stall... fun times! I spent pretty much the entirety of Friday night & Saturday talking about cameras & film.... I ended up a little voice-hoarse, but very happy to share the Lomography love in Melbourne.

Did you go to the Melbourne Finders Keepers Market? What did you find & keep?

x Mel

P.S. You can now find milk&miel on Facebook!

Oh, LC-Wide!

LC-Wide (Kodak BW400CN)

Forgive me Visa, Forgive me MasterCard - for I have sinned! I promised myself that I wouldn't buy any new cameras this year & I did very well at this, until a couple of weeks ago, when I caved & purchased the Lomography LC-Wide. (Trust me, now there will be no new cameras for a very... long... time!)

I always have a few nervous rolls of film when I start with a new camera, it can take a couple of rolls to really feel the camera's mojo & by the time I shot my 2nd roll of film in my new LC-Wide... I can confirm that it's love!

I love my LC-A, but I must say that the LC-W is doing it's best to win a place in my heart. The wide lens is... W I D E & I was a little scared off in the beginning about having to get so very close to my subjects when shooting, but to be honest I am really liking some of these 'people from a distance" shots... something about the wide lens works so very well with the little lane ways of Melbourne.

Getting used to only 2 distance settings after using a LC-A for such a long time has been interesting & even though I've not used the square frame, half frame or MX options yet, I can't wait to really see what this camera can do.

In other Lomography news, the Australia/NZ Lomography crew are setting up a Lomography stall at the Melbourne Finders Keepers Markets on April 20th & 21st, so if you're in the fair city of Melbourne next weekend come along & have a look & play with all the cool Lomography cameras & gear. (You may even see me hanging around, so come say Hi!)

x Mel