Generation Gap

In my digital photo class we got together with partners and discussed concepts that we would like to explore through photography. Then, using the information that our partner gave us, we were told to free-write describing the photograph that you imagine your partner taking. Here's what my partner assigned for me. I did my best with the time and resources I had to match her description.

“Ok, for Zoe's assignment I imagined her taking a photograph that dramatizes the differences between generations. Someone who's alone in a nursing home is going to have a totally different view on the world than a college student. I imagine an old woman or man sitting in a wheelchair in their bedroom. The walls would be stark and everything would be clean with small trinkets on shelves. The lighting would be very clean and white. Then I imagined a college student sitting in his/her room. The room would be messy and cluttered with posters and pictures all over the walls. The lighting would be warmer. Then I imagined these two photographs juxtaposed together so the viewer can compare the differences in the way each lives.”

First two digital projects

Hey everyone! Between jobs, more classes, living off campus and cooking my own food, and having my dog Cody with me this year, I haven't had nearly as much free time as last year. Consequently, I always forget to post. But finally, here's something. These are the first two projects that I have turned in for my digital photography class.

The first was an attempt to find places where light and color exist in harmony to create the composition of the shot. Of the three images, I think the first is the most successful. The second two fulfill the project requirements but don't go much further than that, I don't think.

My second big assignment was to think of a photograph that I'm scared to take. I decided that I get most nervous as a photographer when I am faced with people that are in pain or grief. It feels intrusive or detached to put a camera between me and a person in despair. But alas, these are the situations that I need to get over in order to be a fearless photographer. I thought about trying to shoot in a hospital but decided I would definitely be told to leave without any sort of permission to be there. I tried to photograph a bad auto accident near my house the other night but was promptly told to "GO!" when I couldn't present a press pass. Finally, I discovered a small adult day care center.

I drove by it one day and decided to stop in. I met the owner, a very enthusiastic woman who was thrilled at the idea of me coming to shoot. In fact, she even wants me to do a shoot with her so she can have some portraits of herself. I offered a trade- pictures of her patients for pictures of her. So this afternoon I came back with my camera.

This is Ron. A few moments after I took this picture, I introduced myself and asked him what his name was. He told me, asked me how old I was, and if I would marry him...all in the same breath! I told him I was 19. He thought he could probably deal with that.
_________________________________________________________________________________
Once I get a chance, I will scan in the prints from my last couple b&w class projects. I've been spending mucho time in the darkroom lately!

Late Night

Now for the photos using my other new camera, my digital Canon 7D. I've been working at a restaurant/bar in Chapel Hill all summer (mostly so I could afford this camera). I'm a hostess for dinner service, but after dinner the place turns into a late night club- one of the most popular places for UNC students actually. I've photographed late night a couple times, both for my experience and possibly also for the restaurant's website. It was so much fun! I am definitely interested in trying to shoot at clubs in Richmond once I go back.

This one came out kinda cool. I'd like to paint something that looks like this.

                              And these guys here...THESE are the pride of UNC Chapel Hill.

Finally!

I have had a bad spell of photos recently. I've mostly been focusing on figuring out how my new film camera, my medium format Mamiya 645 Super, works. For various reasons (most of them mindless mistakes on my part), only 2 of the 6 or so rolls of film I have shot on it have come out at all. It has been frustrating, both because I have lost so many photos and because buying, developing, and printing color 120 film is NOT cheap!

Anyway, the first 3 of these were taken on my Mamiya. I cropped the third one in the computer after I scanned it in. The last 4 were taken on my Diana F+ (because it's a little simpler to operate and I wanted SOMETHING to come out!).

I don't understand!

Here are two recent paintings. Neither is an "album painting," though. I titled this post "I don't understand!" because I am so confused by my paintings. I have no idea where they come from. I struggle to make any sense of them. But maybe that's ok?

Laurie Anderson, Crooked Fingers

Here are a couple more "album paintings" I've done recently. The first is in response to Laurie Anderson's "Life On A String." The second is Crooked Fingers' "Dignity and Shame." I've been playing around with incorporating text into these paintings. I think there are good and bad sides to it. The good part is that the text makes you think of something you would not otherwise have thought of when looking at the painting. The bad part is that words are limiting, and can confine your thoughts to not wander beyond their meaning. But, as in many of my creations, these paintings are mainly just a form of therapy for me--my objective in painting them is not necessarily the final product. What I mean is that I do not approach any of these pieces very seriously. I am merely experimenting, letting my hands decide where to go next, and not letting my brain get in the way of trying something new.

...pssst. just got TWO new cameras. photos coming soon :)

Girly Whirls

Here are a few photos I shot on a cheap, old, plastic automatic camera I found at a thrift store, you know, the kind that every mom had in the 90s. One of my jobs this summer is babysitting my two neighbors, Olivia and Lyra. I brought the camera with me one day while I was hanging out with them and shot a roll.

 

 

 

 (plus one of their kitteh!)