I want to start the new year with something new on the blog. I’m sure everyone is tired of me talking about myself and things that I do (which is nothing) so I have decided to talk about someone else at least once a month in the new section “Local Talent”. Each month I will find someone in the community with some talent and broadcast to the world how awesome they are.

This months local talent is none other then Jazmin Latter. I found her on Facebook when a friend was tagged in an album, I looked through it and found some amazing photographs.

I asked Jazmin some questions through Facebook so you can get to know her more.

Ben: Have you lived in Oshawa your whole life? Where did you live before?
Jazmin: I was born in London Ontario and have lived in ontario my whole life, but i have been living in oshawa since about 3rd grade or so.

Ben: Is photography a major hobby of yours or is it in the background compared to something else (sports, dance, chess…)?
Jazmin: I wouldnt say that it is a major hobby of mine, simply because my personal camera isnt great and its way expensive, but i do love photography as an art form and i appreciate it a lot, when not a lot of people acknowledge photography as a true art form. It isnt in the background though, more like in the middle next to collecting monkey stuff, which is sad lol but its working its way up there, my dad is a photographer so i guess it runs in the family.

Ben: What do you do in your spare time?
Jazmin: In my spare time i like to do anything remotely artistic, mostly painting, but i do have this new affinity for sculpture

Ben: What career are you currently pursuing?
Jazmin: I am actually applying to colleges and university right now to major in animation for tv, movies and video games, another personal affinity! i absolutely love video games, and i have always wanted to work on one so i thought this would be the perfect line of work for me. Also, i am absolutely enthralled by the new technology coming out for both games and movies (like Avatar and MGS4, etc..) and i would love to get my hands on Motion Capture some time in my life.

You can follow Jazmin on DeviantArt and on Twitter.

Below are some of her photos. You can see all of her work, including her art and sculptures, on her DeviantArt profile.

View More Local Talent.

This photo was taken behind the Oshawa Animal Hospital. My father built the OAH and I used to hang out with him there and clean up garbage around the site for a few extra dollers. My girlfriend, Sami, says that she loves this pic and set it as her background. I less then three you Sami <3.

I found this site that transforms your face into many things. I think its very cool.

Try it out. Go to http://www.faceofthefuture.org.uk/ and give it a try.

After reading through my all time favorite blog Lifehacker I came across a DIY mini photo studio. I have been looking to buy one from ThinkGeek for some time now and never thought about making it myself. After making it I noticed that I never got any lights so I got my LED flashlight and placed it on top (rather than the side). I got amazing photos but would like to get better lighting, something that I would have more control over.

Here is what I got from it.

The first photo I turned on the auto flash and focus.

The second photo I turned off the flash. I had to move the camera back because the camera would auto focus out up close.

The last image I used the cameras macro function. I was able to bring the camera right up close and still have an amazing photo with no blur.