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, lotus, cheesecake, 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