from the desk of elena hsieh

hii! welcome to a home for all of my photographic creations and midnight musings.

but first, let me introduce you to some characters:

elena, the protagonist

~ 22, she/her, based in san diego, ca

~ species: human

~ recent grad from uc berkeley, studied english (B.A.), conservation & resource studies (B.S.), and politics, philosophy, & law (minor)

~ likes: berries, long silk skirts, penguins, sunset hikes, linen sheets, willow trees, autumn, psalm 23, the sun and the moon, studio ghibli, poetry, lotus, cheesecake, monet & van gogh, warm lights, koi ponds, rainbows, dogs in sweaters, everything on 2x speed

~ dislikes: mosquitoes, fascism, taxes, morning alarms, small talk, socks that slip off your heel, social injustice, highly social environments, apple cider vinegar, climate change, linkedin

~ hobbies: hiking, photography/videography, weightlifting/calisthenics, reading/writing, biking, baking, designing, gardening

oakley, the sidekick (deuteragonist)

~ 6, she/her, based in san diego, ca

~ species: northern ibera greek tortoise

~ likes: hibiscus flowers, sunbathing, climbing uphill, clovers, spring mix, exploring unknown terrain, anything red, 70% humidity

~ dislikes: being upside-down, getting her nails trimmed, plantain

flour, cat #1

~ 7, she/her, based in san diego, ca

~ species: calico cat (predominantly white with a calico tail)

~ likes: boxes, stealing chairs, dry kibble, sleeping on human bodies, sunbathing on the patio, catnip

~ dislikes: closed doors, car rides, teeth brushing, showers (annual)

buttercup "beanu", cat #2

~ 4, she/her, based in san diego, ca

~ species: orange rat

~ likes: food (any and all), 4" ikea mouse plush (discontinued), long strings, boiled salmon, light reflections, chasing flies, beef toothpaste, chin rubs

~ dislikes: waiting for meals, going to the vet, teeth brushing, strangers (scaredy cat)

the cameras...

fujifilm x-t4

~ mirrorless digital camera

~ bought secondhand in january 2023, first released in february 2020

~ paired with a 50mm f1.4 prime lens or 16-55 f2.8 zoom lens

~ my digital workhorse, used for client work (grad shoots, portraits, student organization shoots, event photography, documentary work, etc)

~ favorite feature: flippy screen (my neck is thankful)

~ least favorite feature: overheats easily

~ accessories: flash, half case, navy blue wrist strap, lens filters

hasselblad 500cm

~ medium format film camera

~ bought secondhand may 2024, manufactured in 1974 (50 years old!)

~ paired with a carl zeiss 80mm f2.8 lens

~ best for studio work, like portraits; not the most practical for everyday/documenting work

~ favorite feature: waist-level viewfinder and the shutter sound

~ least favorite feature: the focus is difficult to nail (might be an eyesight problem lol)

~ accessories: softar filters, lens hood, olive green neck strap

pentax k1000

~ 35mm film camera

~ bought secondhand july 2024, first released in 1976

~ paired with a 50mm f2.8 prime lens

~ great for everyday documenting (she's v portable), portraits, literally anything

~ favorite feature: creates traditional film-esque photos, v nostalgic bc of the imperfections

~ least favorite feature: it's easy to not notice when the light meter battery dies

~ accessories: brown neck strap, half-case

leica m6

~ rangefinder film camera

~ bought secondhand july 2025, first introduced in 1984

~ paired with a 35mm f1.4 prime lens

~ great for everyday documenting, portraits, literally anything

~ favorite feature: internal light meter

~ least favorite feature: she was an investment lol

~ accessories: green neck strap, matching green half-case, cinebloom 10% filter, wooden shutter button