Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with artistic

More Wattage please.

gypseefire — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 20:36:01 -0800

I have cycles of creativity. The more stress or responsibility in my life the harder it is to achieve those creative places in my mind. I am looking for unusual, insightful and helpful ways to rekindle my creativity, in spite of any real or self made diversity I'm experiencing. Please don't hold back with your suggestions, I have personal projects and goals that require this passion and creativity, help!

Looking for goal-oriented, creative hobbies

Quizicalcoatl — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 18:48:01 -0800

Ms. Quizicalcoatl is looking for an artistic hobby, but she is very goal-oriented. Help! Now that all the schooling is done and the job is got, Ms. Quizicalcoatl is looking for a creative outlet. 30-odd years of working towards a career type goal have left her a very goal oriented person.

She'd love to explore some artistic or creative activities. The problems she's run against are 1) she's not a naturally creative person and 2) she likes objective benchmarks and much of art is subjective.

Things she's already explored are amateur level knitting, and jewelry making. She's mentioned accordion lessons, but doesn't really know where to begin with it. She'd like something unique and something where part of the artistry is being able to complete it at all.

Finally, between job and family, a suggestion to spend a year in Tibet learning Buddhist chant would probably not be the best suggestion.

Reading Rainbow

Parasite Unseen — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 11:55:23 -0800

Help a friend survive in Reading, PA. Due to an unfortunate set of circumstances, a friend of mine has been forced to move back in with her parents in Reading, PA. She's grateful that her parents are giving her a hand, but she's starting to go a little bit crazy and she feels very isolated. Her life prior to this was in Los Angeles and New Orleans, so she's away from her friends and experiencing a little bit of culture shock. Please help me find things nearby that will ease the ache of homesickness for her.

The lady in question is in her mid-twenties. She doesn't have drive, so anything will need to be within biking distance or easily reached via public transportation. Her interests veer towards the nerdy (roleplaying games, comic books, science fiction and fantasy), she has a strong artistic streak, and her previous social circles seemed inclined to gather in goth/fetish clubs. Local businesses, museums or groups that cater to that sort of crowd would be appreciated (also, let me know if any of them do gift certificates, as I may be in the market to send her a little something to increase her cheer level). Also, please keep in mind that her funds are very limited right now. This isn't to say that you shouldn't make a suggestion if something perfect happens to cost a bit, but cheaper is definitely better in this case.

I know that this is a bit of a long shot, Hive Mind, but I'd be really grateful if you could help me help her feel a little bit less cut off from the world that she loves.

I've never run a business before!

Spyder's Game — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 13:41:13 -0800

I am trying to start up a wedding video business. What do I need to know? I already have two Canon XL2's - a camera stabilizer - a tripod, and Final Cut Pro (I even know how to use it!).

I would like to break into wedding videos. I'm in the process of editing down the four free weddings I've done so far, and will be putting together a website when I get a good reel edited together. I'm trying to go for a more high-end artistic looking wedding video. Not the boring set-it-up-on-a-tripod-and-let-it-roll kind of video. I'm an editor by trade, and I'm learning the camera skills more and more every day.

What do I need to know about liability? What do I need to know about contracts? How do I get business? What can I do to increase business? What should I watch out for? Do I absolutely HAVE to have HD cameras? (I just bought the Canons and they have 24fps capability and can shoot 16x9) What about wireless mics? What do I do if I screw something up irreperably?

In short, I have most of what I need - how do I make this business fly? In the beginning I won't be relying on this as my sole income, so there's some wiggle room. Help me out, HiveMind, what do I need to know?!?

Business based in So.Cal, if it helps.

Advice for finding reputable photographer for nude photos

Anonymous — Mon, 28 May 2007 09:45:33 -0800

How do I find a reputable photographer who will take artistic nude black and white photos of me? So I'm staring 40 in the face. I've been fortunate enough to have some free time this past year and I've taken advantage of it by getting in pretty good shape. Because of that, I'd like to memoralize this stage in my life. Someday, when I'm 70 (hopefully), I want to look back and say, "wow, I was sort of a babe back then." The thing is, these photos would only be for me -- not for display and not to show anyone but my husband. While I'd want them to be sensual, I would hate for them to look like the typical boudair photo which resembles a "glamour shot" taken with the subject in a feather boa and a polyester teddie. I'd want something in black and white that emphasizes the curves of the female form; me on my back showing the curvature of my butt or shot of leg as it extends to my hipbone and stomach. Basically, nothing that would require me to stare into the camera and feign some kind of look of passion.

So my questions are: 1) who would do this kind of photography? Do I look under artistic photography, erotic, nude, etc.; 2) Look where? In a phone book? Is there a professional organization for nude photographers that has more than one member named Billy Bob who swears he'll destroy all copies?; and 3), not that anyone past the age of 55 would be interested in looking at the naked form of a 39-year-old woman, but I would hate for these to be anything other than a snapshot for myself and my husband of a specific time in my life. God forbid my photos start showing up on craigslist or something equally humiliating. How do I ensure this doesn't happen?

Although I don't live there now, in approximately 4 weeks, I will be moving to the DC metro region where I assume my choices of photographers will be much improved. Do I troll art galleries looking for nude photos I like and trying to contact the artists? (Can you tell I'm completely flummoxed here?) Also, while I want these to be professionally done, I am by no means wealthy so someone world-renowned for their artistic nude photos would be way out of my price range. On the flip side, someone with 3 megapixel digital camera and a red shower curtain as a backdrop isn't what I'm looking for either.

So -- any words of wisdom from the hive mind?