The Evolution of Jumping Shots

Dear friends, 

I am quite certain that everyone has their shining moments of jumping shots. Whether it is stupid, silly, ugly, epic, or unforgettable. Each of us has experienced the ecstasy from that familiar adrenaline rush from reaching the sky. Not all of them ends well, yet at the end of each leap, you found yourself grinning and hoping that the moment captured lacks of your shameful double chins or that awkward weak knees upon your landing. Don't bother trying to hide it. Rather, better just to embrace moments of youth, and remember it well. 

"King of Silly Melon" and his epic clumsiness - by M.L.

The idea of "evolution of jumping shots" pop up the other day while I was thinking about the fun I had running across the beach islands, taking that leap off the edge, doing the craziest poses, falling into the refreshing pool of seawater. Thinking back to when I started to do jumping shots. To be honest, I have never been that person, the outshining ones that are EPIC-ly good at 'looking just right' or even downright amazing mid-air. Me? I prefer those shutter sounds, clicking away, trying to capture all the emotions of those leapers. Regardless, I also occasionally take the opportunity to enjoy those adrenaline rush myself as well.

After some careful analysis, I have come up two different ways to categories these shots. How about going through them together? Sounds like a good idea? Sure, it is. Here we go...

I.   Years:

• Highschool (or prior) Jumping.
  Definition: These shots, they are certainly silly and dramatic. Due to its explorative nature, they are expressive, spontaneous and certainly shameless. It may even tell stories. These are your first times. Here are some examples for me to prove my points. 

Left: Epic mid-air hairdo; Right: Is she boxing? - what are they wearing anyway!? (Lol, it was vintage day.)

Left: Jumping with all her might; Right: Silly person not even trying to jump.

Downright crazy.

          Good examples for Highschool jumping shots? You guys tell me.

• College Jumping.
  Definition: These.. these are the shy shots (meeting new people and all that.. you gotta hold your cool for a while you know?), these are a bit less shameful, more elegant, and often are more meaningful and meant to be remembered. Taken in places that are amazing, somewhere memorable. Here goes come example:

Aftermath, yes still shy there. People don't know my true nature just yet. 

Epic moment. Maehongsorn, Thailand. 

• Post-college Jumping.
  Definition: And.. Lastly the Post-College Jumping Shots. These are either (i) awkward jumping shots for those who had less experience, or (ii) they are sillier and crazier than ever, and you know why? Because we miss the feeling of being young again. These are rare as you're running a different crowds. It's a lot about the moment. Rolling out some examples as we speak..

      To the point? These are ridiculously hilarious.

II.   Purposes:

• Epic Location and Experience Gaining.
  Definition: the name kinda spell the definition out already. Epic moments, epic places. 

Uh huh, yeah right. Big Air Experience at the Victoria Falls (mid-way through Zimbabwe and Zambia), baby!
Those kinds of Leap of Faith.

Cape of Good Hope (Cape Town, South Africa) moments, you need a jumping shot. 

• Just to feel like those Cool Kids.
  Definition: Or at least try to look like those cool kids. 

Amateurs, and a bit of stories telling. 

That is about it for me, I'm out of stories and pictures to tell.

Hope you guys enjoy it!

Love you all, 

Emily A.