The Coffee House Wall

Untitled Locker Shot

2008-12-01T06:32:00.001-08:00

Untitled Locker Shot
Originally uploaded by Mat W.

as I always say when I post something on here. God, it's been so long.

But it really has this time, and I am trying to post more, I really am, but I am in a photo Journalism class which is eating all of my creativity, and very little that comes out of it is good enough to post, because really it's a class to test your ability to make deadlines, not take pictures.

But, anyway, enough of my ranting, check out the new untitled picture.

I just bought a Holga, so I'm hoping that will help to fuel my creativity. I plan on taking it EVERYWHERE with me once I get it, and I mean EVERYWHERE. I will never put it down. I am so excited. I bought it from some company in Europe, though, Lomography, so I probably won't be getting it for a while... express delivery said (a week ago) that if you used it then you would be "guaranteed to get it before christmas", and I did not use that, so I may very well not get it until January... Oh well, exciting anyway.

The Number Thirty-Eight

2008-08-20T06:58:00.001-07:00

The Number Thirty-Eight
Originally uploaded by Mat W.

Also in Ireland.

Dangerous Cliff Edge

2008-08-19T09:55:00.001-07:00

Dangerous Cliff Edge
Originally uploaded by Mat W.

Another picture from my trip to Europe, This is at the Cliffs of Moher in Ireland.

Bath Abbey

2008-08-18T07:32:00.001-07:00

Bath Abbey
Originally uploaded by Mat W.

A photo I took in Bath, England in June.

Serene Park Scene (Water)

2008-08-17T10:23:00.001-07:00

Serene Park Scene (Water)
Originally uploaded by Mat W.

so, the post everyday thing TOTALLY fell apart this summer. I guess I have more discipline (or perhaps more reason for my discipline to be diverted to this blog) during the school year.

well, after a long long long long, LONG, time here it is, a picture.

Shoes

2008-02-24T17:22:00.000-08:00

My aunt suggested I take these pictures. I'm really glad she did. They ended up looking great.

Let me know which one is your favorite, I'm going to submit it (along with the ones from my last couple posts: the camera, and the starbucks cup) to my high school's literary and arts magazine.

2008-02-14T16:34:00.001-08:00

I feel bad I haven't done anything for this in a long while, well I have a good reason, I've been working on an application for a Photo Journalism class at my school. It's basically a photography class, the whole "journalism" aspect is just there to confuse. Basically I want to be in it because 1) I love photography (obviously) and 2) I will learn to process film in a darkroom! How exciting!

so, here are pictures of my photojournalism application. the basic assignment is decorate a paper bag, I think they just want to know you have some creativity in you or something.

(full shot of the bag)

(closer shot of clouds, also a really good judge of what the colors actually look like, in the others it seems distorted)

(the little guy on there, closer look)

Well, let me know what you think, either on here or on Flickr.

Thanks.

I want a large collection of vintage cameras!

2008-02-10T03:02:00.000-08:00

But until I have enough money to expand my collection, I've got this:

Starbucks Today!

2008-02-09T09:39:00.001-08:00

This one took a while. I hope you like it.

I played with Play-Doh today...

2008-02-02T13:16:00.000-08:00

It was fun.

2008-01-28T17:28:00.001-08:00

After some MAJOR editing, I've gotten the picture from yesterday to look halfway decent. (Thanks to Megan for advising me to try photoshopping it, it looks a lot better than it did.)

I suggest clicking this one for full view.

2008-01-27T08:17:00.000-08:00

So, todays picture is cool, but a disappointment for me.

Here is today's picture:

And here is the picture I wanted to be today's, but unfortunately I forgot to turn off my flash, and it reflected off the window:

2008-01-26T05:18:00.001-08:00

2008-01-25T15:15:00.001-08:00

I thought I already posted this, but couldn't find it anywhere, so I guess I didn't.

2008-01-24T13:04:00.001-08:00

This "post every day" concept is still sorta foreign to me. I'm working on it.

This one... I don't know why I like it. something about the lighting and the position of them within the frame. It looks like a picture that would accompany an interview in a magazine or something.

2008-01-22T05:33:00.000-08:00

I skipped a couple days. Sunday, and MLK Jr. Day. I think I'll make taking Sunday off a regular thing, and I decided since I had MLK Jr. Day off from school, I wouldn't post. So any holiday I have off from school, will be a day I don't post anything. I may be taking pictures, but I won't post. I think the more rules I make for myself, the better I'll get about posting every day.

2008-01-18T14:48:00.000-08:00

mmmhmmmm....

2008-01-16T14:24:00.001-08:00

I have also recently acquired a Flcikr account, so if anyone is on flickr, add me.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mathewbenedict/

I have put up my limit for this month. My goal is to one day be able to put new ones up on here and on there on the same day, although I don't know if I'll ever be able to catch up. Until then, it's a nice concise way to look at some of my old photography.

2008-01-15T20:49:00.001-08:00

I don't know if I like this one or not... I may, but then again I may not. Only time will tell. Perhaps you like it?

I skipped sunday...

2008-01-14T17:01:00.000-08:00

But then again, a lot of people do.

Enjoy and such...

oops, almost forgot!

2008-01-12T20:04:00.001-08:00

and once again...

2008-01-11T03:25:00.001-08:00

I've posted on time. I'm on a roll... And am running out of pictures. I'll take some more today.

another day, another post...

2008-01-10T15:47:00.000-08:00

I'm getting pretty good at this "post everyday" thing I promised at the beginning!

trees

2008-01-09T04:09:00.001-08:00

2008-01-08T14:57:00.001-08:00

Fall is here, hear the yell, back to school, ring the bell, brand new shoes, walking blues, climb the fence, books and pens, I can tell that we are gonna be friends.

That's from a song by The White Stripes. I'm not a huge fan of the White Stripes, but "We are going to be Friends" is a really amazing song.

I am very proud of myself!

2008-01-07T12:19:00.001-08:00

I'm proud of myself because I went out today and picked a plethora of pretty pictures with my camera!

That alliteration was fun to write.

and now I will show them to you one every few days. Have fun!

2007-12-23T16:21:00.001-08:00

I did one of those 7 facts about myself things because my aunt, Megan, tagged me. It turned out somewhat depressing I think, although you may not think so.

click here to read it.

2007-12-07T14:54:00.000-08:00

A lot is going on. I felt really terrible when I came on here to post this, and let everyone know I'm alright, and I had to sign in again. I hadn't been on here in so long it had not logged me in automatically.

It's been a while. I'm sorry I haven't posted. My band had to kick our singer out, and so a lot has been going on with that. More creative freedoms for us musicians have been opened, though, now that we don't have to cater to the numerous needs of our previous singer. We're hoping once we find the perfect new voice, we can start recording the 7 songs we've been working on. It's very exciting.

Also, I've been working on a new movie. We started filming it during the week of Thanksgiving (week of nov. 22nd for anyone not in America) and have since decided to break it into smaller sections that we can film and release as an online episodic series.

And on top of all that; school. With Christmas break quickly approaching, I assume I will have less and less time to do anything artistic. Then once the break starts, I will try to take as many pictures as I can. I really want to keep this going, it just may not be as frequently as I always hope.

oh, and an added bonus today!

2007-11-18T08:01:00.001-08:00

I made this from a bunch of the pictures of our band jumping from yesterday.

From left to right: Nathan - Piano, Mat - Percussion/Lyrics, Gianni - Guitar/Some Percussion.

We're going to record again in two months, then we'll have some really good music on our band's page, but until then, it's just our early recordings, and they're not that good, so, In a couple months when we have some good songs up, I'll probably mention it again, until then, if you're in the Austin, TX area, come to one of our shows! We've been told we're a lot of fun to watch play live.

www.myspace.com/changeswhite

Thanks!

photoshoot?

2007-11-18T06:28:00.001-08:00

My band did a sort of "Photoshoot" yesterday at practice. I took the pictures. This is one of them. Don't look at it as art, but rather as what it is, a portrait of musicians, I think you'll enjoy it more if you do. (I'm the one on the right with the tambourine by the way)

Sunset (In Two Parts)

2007-11-16T18:35:00.000-08:00

Part 1:

Part 2:

Self Explanatory.

A Truly Visual Medium...

2007-11-06T21:29:00.000-08:00

I really liked how of Montreal made everything associated with going to see a band perform live into a truly visual art medium. Tons of make-up, crazy light shows, awesome cartoon loops playing on some projection screens, and this:

Their bass drum was even decked out for the occasion.

it was beautiful.

Final Fantasy!

2007-11-04T18:18:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, along with tons of pictures, I also took tons of video. Only two had such bad sound quality I couldn't upload them. I realized later that it was the bass that was messing up my camera microphone, good thing Final Fantasy has a high pitched voice, and high pitched instrumentation.

An Actor's Revenge (Destroyer Cover) (The sound quality's pretty bad on this one)

An Actor's Revenge (Destroyer Cover) with Cadence Weapon and Daniel Bejar (aka Destroyer himself) (better sound quality, shaky video)

The CN Tower Belongs To The Dead (poor sound quality and shaky video)

He Poos Clouds [Just the second half] (One of the better quality sound recordings, the videos kinda shaky, but whatever...)

Hope you enjoyed them all!

Fun... CUBED!

2007-11-04T07:42:00.000-08:00

I went to Fun Fun Fun Fest on Saturday. It was amazing. I can't even put into words the awesomeness that was of Montreal, let alone, the awesomeness of seeing "Final Fantasy" "MGMT" (pronounced as the letters, not "Management") "Okkervil River" "Brothers and Sisters" "White Denim" and "of Montreal" all in one day.

well, needless to say I captured a cornucopia of pictures, and here is just a taste. This is probably the best one I took of the bands, but I have some that I think are better of other stuff. Balloons, trashcans, etc. This one was taken when "of Montreal" was playing their grand finale song "Requiem For O.M.M.2" as you can see from the pictures, they wear make-up, costumes, and have a mind-blowing light show. They turn the act of seeing a live band into a true visual medium of art. I think this picture is pretty much the closest I came to capturing what it was like. It doesn't even meet halfway though. The show was just... wow.

2007-10-20T14:26:00.000-07:00

So, in a freak occurrence, the other morning when I went out to get the paper at 6 in the morning, there was a dense fog settled over everything (although it still felt like 80 degrees out)

So I took this picture.

awwww.... where'd it go!?

2007-10-16T20:29:00.000-07:00

I'm very sorry I haven't posted in a while, and I actually don't see myself posting in at least a few days after today and here is why:

I am completely creatively drained for three reasons, and those reasons are a) I have numerous other creative endeavors I've been working on including my band (which after just two months may have a very good chance of getting support from a severely indie record label here in Austin) b) I have a lot of schoolwork (by the time I'm done with my homework, while I want to do something creative, it's 10:00 at night, and I'm ready to sleep) and finally c) it's just too hot (this is a problem because, I find, I get a large portion of my inspiration from the weather, specifically the beauty of nature. When it's too hot for too long, everything seems very bland, everything seems the same, hot and sticky, and like nothing good is going on, whereas once colder months hit, I will again regain my inspiration through the way the trees look without leaves. Or the way the fog wraps around the curves of the road, and other obstacles, and the headlights emerging from the misty depths that is a cold foggy winter morning).

So, basically, I'm taking pictures, I'm just not thinking any of them are good enough to show to anyone.

I hope you understand, I'm not ignoring this, or forgetting about it, but until inspiration hits me once more, and the photos pour out, it seems to be on hold. Don't stop checking, check once a week, I may throw something up. As Anton Newcombe puts it in the documentary DiG! when asked if the city he moved to was creatively inspiring "I find it dismal" and that is exactly how I feel about the city I'm living in right now.

2007-10-09T15:17:00.000-07:00

Dead flower...

2007-10-05T15:31:00.000-07:00

I was going to post a different picture today, but I gave my friend 15 of my pictures for a project he's working on, and he said this was his favorite. I had never posted it, I had never even thought twice about it, actually, because I thought it was kinda blurry, kinda weird. But he likes it, so here it is, perhaps you will like it as well.

Flash

And to make up for lost time these past few weeks:

The Front Line

I chose this title because it appears to me as if the clouds are the front line of an army charging towards their enemy (the sun)

2007-10-04T13:05:00.000-07:00

hello there. I hate two tests today (that was fun...)

I haven't been posting because I've been relaxing and recharging this week, and taking lots of pictures. here is one!

Autumn

That is actually one of my favorite words: Autumn. That, and Indubitably, and falafel. The three best words in the English language. (although is falafel technically English?)

2007-09-30T08:08:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone! I'm back!

2007-09-22T06:54:00.000-07:00

I'm fine, for anyone that was wondering.

I have had a lot of work and such to do, and as far as I can tell, This will be my only picture to post until at least wednesday. In the meantime, you can check out my DeviantArt page. (although some of those image could show up on here sooner or later, so you may want to be weary about looking at them on there)

or not...

2007-09-16T06:51:00.000-07:00

It seems I skipped a day again. How did that happen?

well, here are two pictures:

The Depressing Path of Life

I like how creepy the ferris wheel and other carnival rides look in the background of that picture.

Disoriented Spectrum

The reflection in the back window of our van, when parked in the garage.

perhaps every other day would work better...

2007-09-14T17:18:00.001-07:00

because it seems that is about the pace I'm putting them up these days. Well, the weekend's here! so, be expecting them everyday for the next couple days.

Adam Ant

Me and Mr. Ray

If you didn't notice, I used musically themed titles today. The first "Adam Ant" is a reference to the name of an 80s band, and the second "Me and Mr. Ray" is a reference to an 80s band (then Miracle Legion, they eventually became "Polaris" and now Mark Mulcahy does solo stuff)'s album.

Not to sound stuck up, or full of myself or anything... but I really really like "Me and Mr. Ray" the title, the image... just everything. It's one of the very very few photos I have taken that I am proud of, and probably the first one that I am proud of just about everything about it, the image, the title, the reference, the lighting... I think it's alright that I mention that, 'cause I did say it's one of the only ones.

and, to make up for all the times I haven't posted pictures, here is a song I've been really enjoying lately. It is "Toxic" by Britney Spears. I know what you're thinking... But it's not by Britney Spears. it is an AMAZING cover of the song on the Ukulele. It blows my mind every time I hear it. I hope you enjoy it just as much as I have.

English?

2007-09-12T17:05:00.000-07:00

English essay last night...
Sorry 'bout that.

Flabbergasted

2007-09-10T17:43:00.000-07:00

Wow.
I returned home from school today, and checked my email to see if there were any new comments on this blog. I click, and see Royce Addington had left me a comment telling me that I was mentioned on the blog they run (MUSEologies) and said some extremely nice things about me. I would like to start off this post by explaining how extremely giddy I was when I read their comment and blog. I am really excited that in just 18 posts people are beginning to think I have talent. So thank you to Royce, and everyone who has viewed this blog, or has posted a comment, or anything that has supported me. All your comments make me feel extremely happy (Inspired, thank you for watching continuously and posting comments every day, it flatters me) I had no idea I would be getting this kind of attention this quickly. I think I also should thank my aunt for mentioning me on my first day on her blog. Thank you for all of your continued support. I really haven't felt this giddy in months.

Now, on to the photo. I hope I don't disappoint.

Whirlwind in the Sky

A Y oung Mind

2007-09-09T17:40:00.000-07:00

A Young Mind

Because everything seems like magic to a child

Vegetable(?)

2007-09-08T16:06:00.001-07:00

Fruit(?)

Tomatoes. Vegetables or Fruit? I can tell you, it's technically a fruit, It has seeds.
These ones were particularly juicy.

Dunk (plus yesterday's titles)

2007-09-07T15:40:00.000-07:00

the two from yesterday are now called "Slam" for the basketball one and "Anansi" for the spider one. Anansi has to do with the African spider god. and Slam is the one from yesterday, Anansi is for the day before. that matters because today's is called:

Dunk

hmmm....

2007-09-06T13:27:00.000-07:00

I'm not sure if you noticed, but this photo a day blog plus my homework seems to make for a terrible combination.

to make up for it, here are two pictures. See, the problem is I have 6 hours of homework one night, and zero the next. I always attempt to do three one night, and three the next, but it doesn't always work out like that, and that is when I have to come up with excuses for this blog.

again, very sorry. Just, forgetful, and homework, and those are all my excuses.

two pictures. I'm very tired, so I will come up with titles tomorrow.

Three Textures, Two colors, One corner

2007-09-04T15:58:00.000-07:00

Three Textures, Two Colors, One Corner

This is a corner in my room.

Make a...

2007-09-03T15:43:00.000-07:00

SPLASH!

Different layout today, for a different title. However, I do not really like this picture. As you can tell the best looking splash is sort of out of focus to the right. if that were only centered and in focus. Oh well, I took about 20 of these while it was raining, and this was the best one. This is in my front yard. The pathway floods a bit when it rains. Looks much deeper here than it actually was though.

An Apology and "The Awakening"

2007-09-03T06:34:00.000-07:00

Sorry, I got my days all confused, and thought I had posted a picture yesterday, when in fact, I hadn't.

I'm really sorry, here is yesterday's picture, and todays will come later.

The Awakening

Budding Beauties, and An Added Bonus Today!

2007-09-01T16:00:00.001-07:00

Before I get to the photography, I have an added bonus for lovers of music. My band got together today and recorded a rough mix of a Christmas song we are working on (once finished it will be submitted for consideration for a Christmas album which will include many young local bands). listen to it over at our myspace. we are called "Changes White" the track is called "Christmas rough cut". It doesn't have lyrics on it, but it will in time.

Now for my picture:

Budding Beauties

This was taken on one of the first days I had my camera. I think this was when I used the macro setting for the first time.

Enjoy.

A Life of Wonderment

2007-08-31T15:22:00.000-07:00

A Life Of Wonderment

This is a picture of my aunt. You may know her as the genius behind "A Dot In Time" and "A Month of Todays". My 16th birthday present from her was a trip to Seattle to see her. It was so much fun, and she let me use her digital camera while there. Regrettably this is not a new picture, if you have seen my DeviantArt gallery, then you have probably seen this before, I'm sorry for that, but I haven't had time recently to take pictures. I will this weekend though. It is a long three-day weekend, so I've got time. Pictures of my aunt always make me wonder what she's thinking...

Clouds Part V: The World Through your Window

2007-08-30T04:54:00.001-07:00

The World Through Your Window

So, here it is. My personal favorite of my cloud shots. This is the final cloud picture... Which means I have to figure out what to shoot for tomorrow. I hope you have liked this series. If you didn't, don't worry, here is the end!

If you could answer in comments this question. Do you like the large image size, or would you rather it remain at medium size, like it has been?

Journey to the Unknown

2007-08-29T15:39:00.001-07:00

Journey to the Unknown

Sorry I'm a bit late with it today. I woke up this morning late, and barely had enough time to eat and get all my things together before my friend was here to pick me up, so I didn't have any time before school to put it up. I got home about an hour ago, finished all my homework, ate and here it is: Clouds: Part IV

I like this one. I like it A LOT. There is only one that I like more than this one, and you will be seeing it tomorrow. And thus will end my five day cloud series. I hope you've been enjoying it.

Early Morning Fluff

2007-08-28T05:10:00.001-07:00

Early Morning Fluff

Clouds: Part III - This one was taken on my short trip Saturday. If it were not so dark, I think this one would be better.

Hidden Beauty

2007-08-27T04:31:00.001-07:00

Hidden Beauty

This was taken on the second day that I had my camera. I like how the sun is just barely poking out from behind the clouds.

Closer Than You Think

2007-08-26T04:59:00.001-07:00

Closer Than You Think

I went to a small town near my home yesterday. They have great antique shops. I really thought I would get some great pictures there, but completely forgot I brought my camera with me. All I have are about 4 really really great looking shots of clouds. So for the next few days you may see a similar theme (I will try to choose a better and better one each day, but I don't know, you may end up liking one of the first ones better than the last ones) So, just get ready for an amazing look to the sky this week!

Life's Essentials

2007-08-25T05:52:00.001-07:00

Life's Essentials

Not Necessarily Tambourine and water, But music and water are two of many of life's essentials. I firmly believe that if there was not music, the world would be a much more horrible place to live in. I think movies and food are also up there as well.

And as an added bonus today, I have updated my writing blog a poem I wrote. So, go check that out as well.

Going Down?

2007-08-24T04:48:00.001-07:00

Going Down?

I went with my brother to the airport at five o'clock in the morning. Got a few great pictures out of it, though, so I suppose it wasn't a total waste. This one I was kind of afraid I would drop the camera, I had to lean over the railing on the second floor to get this shot.

An Overview

2007-08-23T06:14:00.000-07:00

I will post a new photo every day, and you can enjoy them right here, with some coffee, or tea, or nothing at all. It's like the wall of a coffee house (hence the name). Constantly getting great new photos, keeping you constantly enthralled (I hope).

Through a Child's Eye