Life Lenses: Getting back to more photo-based blogs (& blog archives)

Having most likely bored anyone reading this blog to death about my obsession with Hjartesmil, I am about to mention it yet again.

This time, because I have realised how much I used to enjoy making those posts full of large simple pictures, in the way that Hjartesmil blog does (of course I am nowhere near that level of photography, but it is without doubt what I aspire to).

Recently I have mostly been writing lists, random thoughts, things that I like. Essentially a stream of consciousness, or notes-to-self, which I do more for myself than anything. Sometimes I forget that people sometimes read this. Or rather, I think some part of me hopes that they don't.
Which of course makes no sense at all.

I get a sense of satisfaction with having my thoughts laid out in a way that pleases me aesthetically.

But recently they have been mostly word-led.

I love words, I find myself resorting to them often even when creating image-led art forms (eg. film).

Anyway, I wanted to think about what kinds of projects I can do which are more photograph-led.

The blog that used to inspire me the most when I first started this, was probably Made By Kate although it looked a little different back then. I think I preferred the website design back then a little more too (it was the same template as this... ish kind-of). I also think I remembered the blog differently. Isn't that strange? If it were a book I would know for sure if I had remembered it wrongly, because I could hold the book in my hands, and turn the pages. With a website, or a blog, I have no idea what posts may have been altered or deleted. It's more difficult to trust my memory.
I also completely idolised her relationship with her fellow photographer boyfriend, and they even had matching blogs which were the negatives of each-other. (Hers was white, and his was black). I was like 19 or 20 ok? Give me a break. ;)

Anyway -
Here are some of her posts from the past that I really was inspired by:

Imbirowych-przyszosci-o-smaku-kaw-o
I am still obsessed with this look and wish I looked more like her, but I think it's also just the way that the photography has been done.

La-bruja
This was basically me at every Halloween party between the ages of 18 and 21.

Other notable mentions:
http://made-by-kate.blogspot.co.uk/2016/03/cigarettes-and-chocolate.html
http://made-by-kate.blogspot.co.uk/2011/09/i-miss-you-most-of-all-when-autumn.html
http://made-by-kate.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/blog-post.html
http://made-by-kate.blogspot.co.uk/2012/01/21-years-flew-by.html
http://made-by-kate.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/theres-nothing-like-you-and-i.html
http://made-by-kate.blogspot.co.uk/2012/08/zenit-love-story.html

I remember being OBSESSED with this
http://made-by-kate.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/analog-love-story-part-2.html

and this
http://made-by-kate.blogspot.co.uk/2012/08/12-months-zenit-project-august.html

and some newer ones...
http://made-by-kate.blogspot.co.uk/2016/01/25.html
http://made-by-kate.blogspot.co.uk/2015/06/my-mind-roaming-wild-thoughts-of-your.html

I also had a look at my 'Blog Roll', which I don't know if this is still a thing or popular to do, but when I first set this blog up, it was fashionable to have a 'Blog Roll' - ie. a list of blogs that you like or follow.

The problem with this is that I, in case you haven't already noticed, get very enthusiastic about EVERYTHING and get a bit greedy. I want to follow EVERYONE, and collect EVERYTHING, and list ALL the things I like. A bit sort of all-or-nothing, or maybe a total lack of self restraint. Or inability to filter or prioritise. I don't know.

Some of the first / earliest blogs on there have probably changed a huge deal too, but here are a few that I remember being really infatuated with about like 4 or 5 years ago -

http://annais.blogg.no/
example of the posts from her that I read back then - http://annais.blogg.no/m_092012.html
I followed these ones regularly too, but it's more tricky to find their archive stuff.
http://fashiontoast.com/
http://cupcakesandcashmere.com/
http://www.callmecupcake.se/
http://www.theblondesalad.com/
http://girlinmenswear.com/

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Here are some of my old posts, from the "archive" (ha), which are more visual-focused (although of course now I hope I could create something a bit different) -

Amsterdam
This is a post from 2013, although from what I remember it was slightly delayed. I think I must have gone to Amsterdam this particular time in the Spring, maybe April? Maybe earlier. Not sure. But I only posted about it in August.

Rotterdam
Again I am sure that this happened in maybe June or early July 2013? (Yet only posted in August) This was a trip to Rotterdam.

Copenhagen
This was probably my first really detailed review & photography post. I was very proud of it. It was when I went to Copenhagen with my family during the summer of 2013 (August). I turned 21 while we were there.

Cuckoos Bakery
Another photo / review type thing, this time for an Edinburgh bakery. I remember the feeling well. The happiness of the summer was just beginning to wear off, the realisation that things were not going to be the same when I returned to uni that Autumn. I had just had my hair dyed back to brown too. (August 2013)

Middelburg
This was a trip to Middelburg with my new camera. I was happy about the pictures, but my feelings about the trip were complicated. (September 2013)

Sunset on Summer in Maastricht
Some views from my (then) new room, which was to be a disaster.
As was that term.
The title is almost as if I knew...
(September 2013)

Twerking in Antwerp
I was VERY proud of this post.
I ran away to Antwerp in Belgium for the day, and brought my camera for company. This was in October 2013 and things were falling apart, but I am still so glad that I made the decision to go to Antwerp when I should have been studying.

Autumn Leaves
This was when I was really starting to realise how wonderful my camera is. The light was gorgeous and I was inspired to go for a walk.
I had certain songs in my head and felt very odd and melancholic. This was also October 2013.

I will be writing more reflections on this time perhaps as I get closer to graduation here in London.

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Because I hope to clear up this stupid messy 'Blog Roll' page soon (or delete it altogether), here is the list as it currently stands - for archive's sake - and if you are interested / have the time to look through a million random sites that I haven't explained...

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