I ended 2015 with the trip I had dreamed about for years. Venice, Italy. As a kid, I would sit and listen to my mimi’s story’s about riding gondolas and dancing in St. Marks Square. I was hooked. I debated on this, but with it being the most romantic place in the world, naturally I have to include some kind of mushy story to go along with it. The first gifts I gave to my girlfriend Fay were a clock and a journal. The clock was to always stay on my time while she was in London, and the journal was for her to document all her travels and experiences along the way. The cover of the journal, tastefully chosen by yours truly, was St. Marks Square in Venice. Little did I know that a year to the day I gave her both of those things, we would be flying out of London on our way to Italy, all planned by her. Here’s a little view into the city on water; for those who haven’t been and especially for those who won’t be able to make it. In one year, my dream turned into reality. I cant even tell you how excited that makes me for this next year. Friends, here’s Venice as seen by me. Best, Jordan Shot ProResHQ on BMPCC Canon 16-35mm f/4 IS (actually f/2.4 with the metabones speedbooster) Colored with OSIRIS and Film Convert. Edited in Premiere Pro CC.

We recently invested in nice little "pocket" sized camera, the Black Magic Pocket Cinema Camera. Its unbelievable what Black Magic has come up with and all that dynamic range in such a small camera. It's small super 16mm sensor proved to be a challenge, especially using a 50mm lens. Luckily we also bought the Metabones Speedbooster adapter. It increased the speed of the lens (my f/1.8 lens turned into an astounding f/1.1 *drops jaw*) and it also helps with the crop of the sensor. I had heard bad things about the low light capability of the cameras, but was largely impressed with how well it functioned, especially going out at night and hand held at that. I cant wait to get my hands on its older brother 2.5k and more impressive 4k. As photographers, cinematographers, filmmakers, and story tellers, I believe we see the world a little differently than those around us. We look for the beauty in any and every location. We notice how scenes in life would be framed, what story it would tell, and how we could impact and move people to feel what we feel. I'm always looking for a way to turn something simple into an often overlooked and complex idea. I stepped back from the crowds and music to see what was really happening at a local Texas event, Wurstfest, and what I found was simply amazing. With a simple change of tone, the joy that this festival brings to almost every generation can easily be seen, from a toddler admiring a musician on stage, to a senior enjoying the music her grandparents used to hold close to their hearts. I encourage you to take a step back from where ever you are in the world, and just look at whats happening. Look at whats making other people around you happy and embrace that. You are in it. You're making it happen. Enjoy the ride. Black Magic Pocket Cinema Camera Canon f/1.8 50mm Graded with Adobe Premiere Pro and VisionColor Music: "An Ocean Tumbled By" Lowercase Noises