“THE UNLEASHED IMAGINATION”
Kevyn Bashore’s 365 Day iPhone Photo of the Day
Self-portrait
Tuesday, February 7, 2011
iPhone 4s – Hipstamatic – olloclip – Tiny Planets – Blender – Picfx – Scratchcam – Pixlromatic – Pic Grunger – Photo Toaster – Lensflare
“INTO THE VORTEX I – V”
Kevyn Bashore’s 365 Day iPhone Photo of the Day
Hummelstown, Pennsylvania
Saturday, February 4, 2011
iPhone 4s – olloclip – Pro HDR – Photo Toaster – Photofx – Tiny Planets – Picfx
Today is one of those days where I missed a photo opportunity and was hard-pressed to create an image from scratch. I wanted to post a shot of a dear life-long friend of mine, Karen Bone, who returned to the states recently after receiving her PhD in Israel from the Weizmann Institute of Science, and who I spent the day with at my gallery and a winery where we were bombarded by a chili-cook-off mob. But I’ll post more about that later. But in the midst of the chaos and fun–I forgot to shoot her, because I was waiting for the light to get better. It never did. And I lost an opportunity.
So today’s shot is based on a simple close-up of water droplets and bubbles in a glass. Please feel free to leave comments letting me know which shot you think should represent my 365 iPhone Photo of the Day. And here are a few quotes to ponder as you do so:
“The thing always happens that you can really believe in; and the belief in a thing makes it happen.” Frank Lloyd Wright
“I know the price of success: dedication, hard work, and an unremitting devotion to the things you want to see happen.” Frank Lloyd Wright
“The longer I live the more beautiful life becomes. If you foolishly ignore beauty, you will soon find yourself without it. Your life will be impoverished. But if you invest in beauty, it will remain with you all the days of your life.” Frank Lloyd Wright
“INSPIRATION FOR LIFE”
Kevyn Bashore’s 365 Day iPhone Photo of the Day
Students at Milton Hershey School
Milton Hershey School, Hershey, Pennsylvania
Wednesday, February 1, 2011
iPhone 4s – olloclip – Photo Toaster – Pixlromatic – AutoPainter II – Picfx – Blender – Dynamic Light
Four years ago I gave up teaching in all forms to pursue producing personal creative work more intently in photography, film, and video production. I knew then that if I would ever go back to teaching that it would need to come out of what I create personally, instead of only teaching from what others create. For the prior ten years, I had taught period classes, along with three-month workshops, on the arts, film, and screenwriting, along with teaching a college humanities class. And for the past four years I have diligently planted several creative fields that are harvesting fruit, such as selling stock video through Getty Images and iStock, co-producing an independent feature film, and producing a year of images and photography in my 365 Day iPhone Photography Journal.
Yesterday, I broke that four year ban on teaching. I had the pleasure of talking to five individual classes at the Milton Hershey School about my 365 Day iPhone Photography gallery show. The school affords opportunities for education and support for children under eighteen-years-old who are under-privileged, or who have lost one or both parents. It is the second highest endowed such school in the country and has an impressive array of land, facilities, housing, programs, staff, and house parents.
What struck me most yesterday, again, while talking with the students and hearing their response to my work (I say “again” because it’s the same thing that has always inspired me to teach), were two things: 1) How much I enjoy working with and inspiring students, and 2) How important it is for young people to feel that adults value them and believe in them. One student named C (I will protect the names of the students here because of their need for protection within the school system), was very energized by my photo on DAY 115 and what I wrote. It impacted her so deeply, that I will reprint it here for the sake of today’s writing and for those who never got a chance to read it. And also because she was the second person in just a few days who told me specifically how deeply this photo and writing had affected their lives. Last weekend, my dear friend Jessica mentioned this photo and writing as being her favorite and how it has stayed with her for weeks.
DAY 115 – RESPONSE TO LIFE
Rocking on a swing with my youngest nephew and middle niece, they both held on for dear life. But today’s photo captures two distinct reactions: one of fear and trepidation and the other of joy and expectation.
Facing life with fear and trepidation causes one to withdraw and miss opportunities, many of which can never be regained. And each fearful response pours the concrete into which subsequent fearful responses are laid in stone. On the contrary, facing life with joy and expectation causes one to take risks, many of which pay off in dividends years later. For each success builds upon prior successes. And the momentum built by success not only gathers to itself more opportunities, but also more and more people who want to take part in those successes.
Note to self: Abandon fear; Embrace joy.
C grabbed hold of the last statement with gusto and wouldn’t let go: “Abandon fear; Embrace joy.” When meeting C it is obvious that she is filled with joy. But she has many reasons not to be. I don’t know much about her life story thus far, but coming from California, she has spent the past eight years at the school. Being separated from any family she may have for that long is certainly not easy. And I can only imagine how hard it must be for kids in that situation to struggle with feelings of resentment, loss, and the question, “Why me?” And to be angry at God for seemingly abandoning them. And now, at age sixteen, C is nearing the end of her time at the school and is searching for her place in this world. Another grand opportunity for fear and trepidation to set in.
Upon returning to the school the next day and wondering through the art class searching for John, the Museum Coordinator, I ran into C and she immediately burst into a smile larger than her petite frame could contain. And she joyfully held up a painting for me to see. It was an image of butterflies she had painted surrounding the words “Abandon fear; Embrace joy.” And my face lit up with a smile larger than my frame could contain. And without hesitation, I asked her if we could make a copy of her painting and have her sign it and I would trade it for any of my photographs, signed with my signature (which I purposefully offered knowing that if my work ever gains recognition in the art world in the future, a signature will significantly add value to the work for her). C was ecstatic. And so was I. And without hesitation she knew which photograph she desire: DAY 115 – RESPONSE TO LIFE
When teaching students who are forced to be in your class, as opposed to students who choose to be there, it’s easy to focus on the general group of students who aren’t passionate about what you teaching. But it’s always a joy to see a sparkle in the eye–and a fire in the heart–of a student who passionately grabs hold of what you are saying or presenting and allowing it to simmer in their soul and spirit, maybe for a day, a week, a year, or a life-time, and eventually inspiring a unique outlook, work, or response to life that no one else can offer the world.
Thank you C, and the rest of the students that I’ve had the honor and privilege of meeting and sharing with thus far, and to their art teacher Colleen Nielson, and to John Davis, the Milton Hershey School Museum Educator/Coordinator of Visual Arts, for believing in me and my work and for offering me this unique experience to present my 365 Day iPhone Photography Journal at the school. The gallery show runs through March 31 and I’m grateful for this venue for expressing my work and journey, along with the blessing that comes from sharing with staff and students. For it is through teaching others that we many times learn more from the students than they learn from us. And I am learning once again that that joy of life comes through the art of living, giving, and loving through healthy relationships with ourselves, others–our friends and fellow travelers through this life, and God, the Father of all things good and beautiful.
“Rose Nebula Series II”
Kevyn Bashore’s 365 Day iPhone Photo of the Day
Study of a rose with iPhone camera apps
Tuesday, January 31, 2011
iPhone 4s – olloclip – Pro HDR – Photo Toaster – Segmentix – Tiny Planets – Picfx – Diptic
The photos depicted today were entirely created digitally by beginning with a photograph I shot of a rose and then processing it multiple times through numerous camera applications. My final two weeks of the 365 Day iPhone Photography Journal will be concentrated on experimental works and pushing the boundaries of my own creativity.
“Caught Between Worlds”
Kevyn Bashore’s 365 Day iPhone Photo of the Day
Frozen pond, Lehman Farm Lane
Hummelstown, Pennsylvania
Saturday, January 7, 2011
iPhone 4s Camera – HDR Pro – Photo Toaster – Dynamic Light – Photofx
As I shot this leaf frozen onto the surface of the water, nestled beside a splatter of frozen air pockets, I suddenly noticed the twisted pipe lying just below the surface on the bottom of the pond. The juxtaposition of the three forms created an intriguing image. But it wasn’t easy to frame all three in the shot while I was lying on the rickety, old, wooden dock, without also framing my reflection in the water. But I was finally able to snap this resulting image.
“Suspension”
Kevyn Bashore’s 365 Day iPhone Photo of the Day
Air bubbles in a glass of water
Hummelstown, Pennsylvania
Friday, January 6, 2011
iPhone 4s Camera – olloclip – HDR Pro – Photo Toaster – Dynamic Light – Photofx
“After The Party”
Kevyn Bashore’s 365 Day iPhone Photo of the Day
Holiday party hosted by Robert Stadnycki
Harrisburg, PA
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
iPhone 4s Camera, Camera+, Photoforge2
“Ascent Of An Artist”
Kevyn Bashore’s 365 Day iPhone Photo of the Day
Stairwell and Home of Artist Robert Stadnycki
Harrisburg, PA
Friday, November 25, 2011
iPhone 4s Camera, Camera+
“Nature’s Passion”
Near Dinosaur Rock
Kevyn Bashore’s 365 Day iPhone Photo of the Day
Goldmine Road, Jonestown, PA
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
iPhone 4s Camera, Instagram
“Maestro Of The Catwalk”
National Gallery of Art, East Wing
Washington, D.C.
Sunday, October 2, 2011
iPhone 4 Camera, Hipstamatic
“Koi Dream”
Hotel Hershey, Hershey, PA
The Garden Reflecting Pools
Wednesday, September 13, 2011
iPhone 4 Camera, Hipstamatic, Dynamic Light
Koi swarm in the warm waters of a sunny September afternoon at the Hotel Hershey Gardens, just days after Hurricane Lee delivers record devastating flood waters to Hershey, Pennsylvania.
“Flyin’ High”
Kipona Arts Festival
Harrisburg, PA
Sunday, September 4, 2011
iPhone 4 Camera
Photoforge2, Photofx
Version 2
“Anatomy Of A Conch”
Gallery Staircase
First Fridays Arts Event
Lancaster, PA
Friday, September 2, 2011
iPhone 4 Camera
Picture Show
“Heaven’s Jewels”
View westward from my parent’s yard
Harrisburg, PA
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
iPhone 4 Camera
Photoforge2, Picture Show
“Over The Rooftop”
The Bally House
Bally, PA
Sunday, August 21, 2011
iPhone 4 Camera
Photoforge2
Dynamic Light
Photofx
Picture Show
“The Sun Also Rises”
Sunflower – Multiple Exposure and Quad
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
iPhone 4 Camera
Picture Show
“The Apotheosis Of A Wedding Dress”
A Wedding Dress in a store front–transformed
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
iPhone 4 Camera
Photoforge2 & Picture Show
Original Photo:
“Horn of Summer”
Rose Of Sharon: My parents’ back yard
Swatara, PA
Friday, July 22, 2011
iPhone 4 Camera
Picture Show
“Faux Flower”
Thursday, May 19, 2011
iPhone 4 Camera
Photoforge 2
Pop! Cam – Kaleidoscope Lens
As a boy, I loved to look through my grandparents’ kaleidoscope. They lived on a farm and their stoic nature belied the world I saw through their magical tube. The colors and light danced into ever-changing displays of astonishing crystalline worlds. And the vision it created of the “reality” around me ignited my imagination.
Today, I relived my childhood memories through a new iPhone app called Photoforge 2. It is an astonishingly powerful camera phone app which gives one much creative freedom to alter and enhance their photographs directly on their phone and then disperse them through any social media means they desire. To read an review of the new Photoforge 2 app, visit the following link:
Today, I will simply exhibit examples of before and after photographs of shots I took over the past year to which I also applied the kaleidoscope lens and other filters from Photoforge 2. It can be very gimmicky, but sometimes the images created through a kaleidoscope lens can be awe-inspiring.
“Drawn To The Source”
From the FaceBook album: Stream, Rocks, Moss
Monday, February 28, 2011
iPhone 4 & Hipstamatic App
Lens: John S
Film: Blanko Noir
Flash: Off
Driving five hours round trip today for business, I stopped along the way to try out a new telephoto lens I bought from a friend for the iPhone. Yeah, you heard me correctly. It’s fairly fiddly, so I’m not recommending it yet. And I ruined several shots trying to use it in shooting some nature shots. But after taking it off and resuming shooting with the Hipstamatic app, I chose this image of an eddy in a stream as my pic of the day. I am drawn to the vibrant color and energy displayed in the play of light and water.
“Transforming The Profane Into The Sacred”
From the album: Hershey’s Chocolate World
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
iPhone 4 & Hipstamatic App
Lens: John S
Film: Kodot XGrizzled
Flash: Off
I created this shot by shooting through a plastic water bottle; thus, changing the epitome of a symbol of our ephemeral, “throw-away” society into an image of beauty and transcendence.
The iPhoneographic World 
Day 38 – A Beautiful Spirit – Portrait Of Jessica – Kevyn Bashore’s iPhone Photo of the Day
“A Beautiful Spirit”: Portrait of Jessica
Monday, March 21, 2011
iPhone 4
Plastic Bullet App
This past weekend, I went for a wine-tasting tour, visiting six Pennsylvania wineries over two days. The first day, I spent twelve hours traveling, connecting and touring with my good friend Jessica. We decided to drive through south-central Pennsylvania and visit three wineries, stopping anywhere along the way that caught our eye.
We ended up stopping at small town cafes, a bakery, antique store, and roadside sites that caught my eye to photograph. And we ended the day at Hauser Estates Winery, situated atop a ridge, overlooking some of Pennsylvania’s finest fruit vineyards and orchards. It was a great day.
And as we watched the sunset through panoramic windows over a valley vista, amidst the other wine enthusiasts and connoisseurs, and talked about our current activities, pursuits, passions, friendships and life goals, I was struck by how easy it is to under-value and under-appreciate relationships. To know–and be known by–another person is a fearful and wonderful thing to experience. In essence, good friends bring an entire kaleidoscope of experiences, perspective and fulfillment into our lives that would otherwise be missing. Friends add color and meaning to the incomplete, monochromatic canvas of our lives.
Andrew Sullivan once wrote (and I paraphrase) that friendship carries the weight of The Sacred, for even Jesus Himself tells us He calls us friends. Whether you believe Jesus to simply be a good teacher or the Son of God, He placed the highest honor and value on friendship, which makes it a very significant part of life, indeed.
This is what I think of when I look at this photograph. For although Jessica’s physical body is just a very small figure in the right side of the photograph, the entire image is soaked in variations of vibrant colors and light, which represents her true inner beauty, significance and spirit. This is what I experience as a gift when I engage Jessica in friendship. And it’s just one of many kaleidoscopes of color, light and life that I can embrace throughout my life, through the simple act of opening my heart to good, healthy, quality friendships.
Thank you, Jessica, for cultivating inner and outer beauty and for sharing that beauty with all those around you. You remind me of what true character and friendship can be.