Looking Back at the Final Semester

Well, I wrapped up my digital photography expedition at CFCC in May. The semester was a successful one- from getting out and forcing myself to shoot new images to having work hanging in the Hanover Art Gallery opening. I learned new techniques and was challenged to write an artist statement as part of my final project. All in all, I’m very pleased with the journey I’ve taken in photography thus far, and hoping to continue the journey on my own over the summer. Here are a few photos from the semester.

First Photo Shoot of the Semester

When we lie dormant, growth takes place. So when the world starts spinning again, we are ready. Here’s some images that prove just that.

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Just for Fun… Because I Can…

Thankful for a great semester, for learning some awesome new skills, and for all the joy that this class has brought to me. So Happy Holidays to all of you, wherever you may be!

Some of My Final Images

One Final Plea

So here it goes. I finally finished all the prep work for tomorrow’s critique. I hope that my instructor and classmates will be satisfied with what I have to share. This semester has taught me so much, about myself and how I see the world, as well as about the technical and creative aspects of photography. I have enjoyed my time in this class and look forward to taking Digital Photo II and Black & White Photography next semester. I would share my images for final with you, but as you know by now, I like to keep them a surprise. So, for now, you shall have to wait. I make one final plea to anyone who may read my blog: check back in a few days to see what I submitted for my final and see how I fared. Thanks a bunch and happy shooting!

Winding Down the Shots

Well, it’s nearing the end of the semester. Digital Photography I culminates with a Final Critique of our printed work this Tuesday & Thursday. We also have to turn in a cd of our top 50 images, and our blogs. Yes, that’s right, our blogs. This was part of the class requirement, and probably the part that made me think the most.

I’ll be honest. I have struggled with this final critique for weeks now. The ideas I have, well they are good, but implementing them has been another story. I’m running up against my own demons. See the problem with Digital Photography I is that it transformed my purpose for photography. I entered as a mother just wanting to take better photos of her children, which I admittedly have learned to do, and I will leave as an artist who desires to share something of herself with the world. I guess I’ve always desired that, just in different media- predominantly writing. So, here I sit, mulling over ideas for pictures that will take me into the recesses of memory, and frankly, I’m scared to go there. I’ve toyed with the idea all semester, just on the verge of throwing caution to the wind. But this final, this final is a battle between the past and the present. That being said, I have seriously considered bowing out gracefully with some happy-go-lucky images from the filing cabinet of the semester. But, I know better. So, I won’t.

Today, I will force myself to go out into the world and confront memories in photographs. I will challenge myself to think about the world in a new way, and to capture that fresh perspective in the viewfinder of my camera. I will not shy away from the things that will move people simply because they are difficult. I will embrace dark and light, and come out better for it.

Yes, I have gained much from my class, but by far my most important lesson is this: embrace the wandering of your own mind; it leads you to all sorts of amazing places you never would have gone otherwise.

Spend a Day With Me

Sand Play

One of the most difficult aspects of photographing families is the stress of trying to get everyone posed with it still looking natural, them still being comfortable, and everyone still looking at the camera. So often photographers plan an hour or two of shooting time per family, and then wonder why the images come out flat. I had the privilege of photographing a large family this morning out at Figure 8 Island. I was playing second string again, which for me is where I work best. While the main photographer was doing the above, which is what he was paid to do, I went around capturing candid moments. Dad and the boys passing the pigskin, mom and the youngest building a fort of sticks, the discovery of a horseshoe crab. To me, those are the moments that matter.

I’ve come to the conclusion that like most people, photographers have a tendency to rush through photos rather than slowing down and taking it all in strides. This adds to the stress the family already feels. So, I propose a new idea. Come spend a day with me. We’ll go to some of your favorite places. I’ll bring my camera. And while you are enjoying your family, I’ll catch you in the act of doing so.

Seriously, I want to test my theory, and see if it reduces the stress. I’m looking for one family to volunteer. No cost to you, just a day with a student photographer who loves being behind the camera. Oh yah, and you might have to put up with my laughter and cheesy jokes. So who will the brave soul be? Step up to the plate. I’d honestly love to bless someone who wouldn’t otherwise be able to have family pictures taken.

A Kick in the Head

So, today was the big deadline. Cape Fear Community College is showcasing photography in the Q Building, and we had to have everything turned in by 2pm today. I’ve had an absolutely crazy busy week, so I was scrounging around to find the time to enter any photos into the exhibit. Early this morning, I got up and took my USB to have photos printed, then it was off to lunch with a little friend at his school, and over to Townhouse for matting and mounting. They really do a great job, but the agony of all the questions for someone like me did me in. I handed the prints off and waited in the car. Fitted with mats and mounting board for all my prints, we were ready to get busy, to the tune of $50 spent on this one show. An hour  later and I was downtown putting all the photos on board and matting the images. I have to thank Therese, for without her I may not have made it into the show at all, because I wasn’t sure where to leave my prints, and she said she would make sure they made it into the correct box. For those of you who haven’t had the experience, and today was my first, doing all this is like someone kicking you in the head. It’s high stress and it hurts. For anyone local, you should check into the Photo Exhibit at CFCC. I saw some of the possibles today, and it looks like it is going to be great! Hope to see you there.

Second String

I had an opportunity this weekend to go with another photographer to shoot a wedding in Oak Island. The scenery beautiful, the wind frigid- it made for an interesting day. Most of my shots from the event are candid photos, as that was my purpose. He captured all the major moments, and I filled in the little pieces as he went.

During the event I learned a few things about my own style.

1) I work better with nature and objects. People are tricky, and often complicated.

2) I am slow. I like to brood over my images, get them just right. Weddings are not conducive to this, and I found myself missing several photo ops because of this fact.

3) Photography should be fun. The minute it stops being fun, it stops being art.

Art Inspires Photography

I owe Mr. B a big of congrats, for giving me the inspiration today to take some good photographs. We went out on the waterfront to photograph some landscapes for our current art project, which was lots of fun. Well, not wanting to leave my pricey camera in the classroom, I took it with me. Here are some of the images I caught! Thanks Mr. B for not getting upset at my pulling double-duty as I waited for the point-n-shoot camera to come my way!