Ayana Chavis - Scariest Photos

After last Wednesday's class, I've had this boost in confidence so I'm not even sure if I was scared to post these photos or not. I can't say that I like them all that well if that counts. I'm not sure if we were allowed to edit them, if that counts. But they're here.

Erin Copeland- What I care about

-Taking care of myself mentally and physically
- Helping myself get through depression and anxiety
- Try to celebrate even the smallest accomplishment and not stress out so much on small failures
-I care about becoming a more motivated person, to get out of my head more and not be afraid to live
- I care about becoming a successful artist
-Being proud of my artwork, making art I really love and love doing.

I care about these things because being diagnosed with major depression, and multiple kinds of anxiety disorders, I need to try to take care of myself and accept some things are going to be impossible or really hard to get through. Thinking about making art and striving to be successful usually helps me get through it better.

Ayana Chavis - Weekly Artist Post

Alexander Allison

1. Obviously, from the dates (1920s) of the photos they were definitely taken using an early film camera in the default setting of black and white. Most of Allison's work, donated to community libraries were 4x5 photos. He was an amateur photographer who seemingly took photos for personal enjoyment.

2. Allison's work focused on life in Louisiana, mainly local culture in New Orleans. Landscapes and portraits were his focus, as not many of his photos were abstract. He liked to portray everyday life of the people of Louisiana that in turn showed socio-economic status and race relations in the area.

3. Automatically Allison's photos intrigued me. I love black and white photos, photos that show the past and how things looked way back when (especially geography), culture and race relations especially in New Orleans. I had no idea Allison was an amateur photographer, so the fact that I find his photos so great inspires me that my amateur photos are great as well. I particularly love his multiple photos of "mammies" and their white children that they took care of. The dynamics of that relationship interests me so the fact that he captured that was something I was automatically drawn to.

(Erin) Dani Brown -- Weekly Artist Post #1

William Rugen

William Rugen seems to like taking photos that seem cluttered. Many of his pictures don't have a specific focal point and one's eye seems to dance around the images. He also seems to value rich colors, usually one color per photo that is offset by neutral blacks, whites, browns, or greys.

A theme present in his work is nature. He takes a lot of pictures of landscapes and pictures that include foliage. Even his images of neighborhoods and parking lots read like nature photographs. They feel like habitats or vacation spots.

I really enjoy Rugen's work. His photos keep my attention; they give me a sense of anticipation, as though I'm waiting for something to happen. I also like the focus on color. It causes his work to stand out against others.

Lindsey Mott - Scary Pictures

Helen Westergren - What I Care About

I care about my place in this world. More recently, it’s been about finding exactly what that place is. This search for my place and longing to understand what I’m doing has influenced most decisions I’ve made in my life. Of course it’s vague and so a little bit inaccurate, but being able to use the skills and opportunities I have been given to better those around me is probably one of my most driving forces. I think most of this desire stems both from my faith and the feeling that I was put where I am for a reason. There is really no way to talk about these kinds of aspirations without sounding like an inspirational poster, but cliches exist for a reason.

I could break down this idea of place/belonging forever, but there are a few points that stick out as important. Of course the first is family and community. We are all influenced by the people around us, so I find a lot of importance in providing and loving for those who have done the same for me. The relationships I have had since I was young hold the most weight and often feel the most valuable because they have stayed with me.

My art work in another action I care about, perhaps a bit to much. Because I’m in school to better my skills it is constantly at the forefront of my mind, but even when I’m not explicitly working I find that i’m influenced by my art and the art of others. I can’t directly explain this passion, but I think that’s part of the joy I find in it. I am compelled by something to create, whether it is objects, photographs, ideas, and being able to act upon that compulsion is so valuable. 

I also care about the community around me, whether I know them or not. The art I see as most powerful is work that provides some type of social solace or assistance. Art is the ultimate academic pursuit, and being able to share that with others and use it’s unique characteristics to bring about change is very important to me. I want to use art to shift our culture, bring about new ideas and opportunities that no other medium of exchange can, and that is something that I deeply care about.

As un-profound as it is to discuss, I also care about what other people think of me. Gauging whether or not people like me, if I’m smart enough, cool enough, good enough, “the best”, etc has been my default thought process for a long time. I’m constantly trying to understand how people see me, for better or for worse. It has helped me to become hyper-aware of those around me, but also finds me losing my own voice among those who I feel know more than I do. 

Helen Westergren - Weekly Artist Post

Ralph Eugene Meatyard

Ralph Eugene Meatyard first began taking pictures in 1950 when he purchased a Rolleiflex for the primary purpose of photographing his son Michael. He continued to work and experiment with these types of medium-format cameras for there rest of his life. Due to the technology available during his life, his photographs are black and white prints, generally just on paper. Meatyard was an optician by trade and photography was never his primary career but the company he worked for dealt with a lot of photographic equipment as well so he was familiar with the medium before he started making his own work.

Meatyard grew up in Normal, Illinois but spent most of his adult life in Kentucky. This rural, southern influence can be seen in almost all of his work, as well as his desire to document his and neighboring families. Often he would take photos of his family in abandoned barnhouses during family outings they were already going on. Meatyard worked outside of the typical art world conventions at the time. This was primarily because he was untrained, but also because the work he was doing was so unlike what was happening elsewhere. He began to incorporate masks and other methods of facial obscuring later in his career as another way to create narrative. He used his children and the masks as a way to look at surface identity. 

I've always been attracted to the nature of Meatyard's work, especially considering the time that it was created in. These types of surreal, or "fantasy" photos are so prevalent now that we are not really phased by anything. Meatyard used simple tactics and the elements around him to create photos that still provide him with recognition today. Meatyard had a unique aesthetic voice. It doesn't feel to creepy or like they're trying to hard because most are just beautiful, natural photographs. 

Gabe Lugo - What I Care About

As cliche as it may sound, the thing I care about most is helping others. Some may say that's really vague. I feel like it needs to be in order to describe what I care about. My professional lives and personal lives have been shaped by this passion for quite some time. That's not to say that I'm without my moments of selfishness, but at least those moments of selfishness are usually followed by at least some degree of guilt. What I care most about in helping others is their growth, success, and wellbeing. As a young kid I was a boy scout, safety patrol, and I organized food drives. When I got a bit older I volunteered with the special olympics, and generally did as much as I could to help the less fortunate however I could. In my personal life, I spent a lot of time trying to help people who were dealing with personal and family issues. I brought my great satisfaction to make people feel better about their lives and about themselves. Now, as an adult I'm still continuing to help others whenever I can. I spent time volunteering with an after-school program at a local church, and I even enlisted in the military a few years ago. The military thing didn't work out, but that wasn't my choice, I was injured in training and was medically discharged. In lieu of a military career, I decided I would rather help people in the public safety field here at home. I am going to graduate with a  degree in emergency preparedness soon and I hope to work in emergency management so I can help with disaster preparedness, response, and recovery. I think that helping people in need is my calling, and I can't think of a field where you do this more than in disaster relief. My inspiration for this career choice came from a young age. One of my earliest memories as a child is the aftermath of Hurricane Andrew. Hurricane Andrew was one of the most devastating natural disasters in US history, and I lived in Tampa, Florida at the time which was directly hit. My family barely made it out, but I remember some of the details and I remember seeing how badly my neighbors and our community had it. It's pretty crazy to have that as one of your first memories in your life, and it has stuck with me to this day. I can't think of a better way to fulfill this life passion than in the career field I've chosen for myself, and I think that it really embodies my passion for helping others.

Daniel Potes - What I Care About And Why?

I care about the Power structures of Society, what different societal bonds hold together this culture's understanding of Justice and Heteronormative roles. If society is ruled purely by the laws that are set forth, does that not create a system ripe for inequality and the ability to escape the systems plentiful laws and become a banned member of society, an Outlaw?

Photography allows a window from a specific perspective into the world as it is seen from the photographer, if the photographer has set himself apart from Society, if she/he has taken the path of the Giorgio Agamben's Homo Sacre, and become what the romans call the "Sacred" outlaw, then the images created through their lenses will also transcend the structures of power of our society and will take on new form and new meaning. 

I came to care about these things because of Prophetic Social Justice. Prophetic Social Justice has led me to question societal rules and standards just like the prophets of old. They witnessed the fall of their society before it came to pass by being aware of their societies mistakes and weaknesses. Like them, my goal is to use whatever method given to me in order to educate myself and others of the current situations in society and their implications for our future. For this I take photos. For this I do Archaeology. For this I became a journalist. For this I do what I do and I am what I am.

Erin Copeland- Pictures Im afraid to post

Daniel Potes - Images I'm scared to post

Daniel Potes - Weekly Artist Post

Bradley Crump

While technically skilled, Crump chooses to often forgo the more technical aspects of photography in order to capture a rawer image with which he can show the true nature of his subjects. An Urban Explorer, Crump’s use of disposable camera prints shows with an almost spooky clarity, the abandoned facets of Virginia, a state many of us have grown up in but not many of us know.

Crump’s images often are associated with an act of lawlessness such as breaking and entering or trespassing, by placing himself in a state of separation from the laws of society, He allows himself the freedom to take images that would normally not be available to the everyday law abiding citizens. This “withdrawal” from society is one of the most powerful artistic tools in our disposal, both in terms of cultural exploration and in terms of societal activism.

As my peer and a local Virginian, Bradley Crump gives me the hope that I too will be able to make images that are both startling in their beauty and relevant to modern culture. By taking images of a post abandonment United States and documenting objects that normally are completely ignored by the general population, such as Cell phone towers, Water towers, abandoned buildings and their contents, Crump manages to bring to light a facet of our country and specifically our state that we might otherwise totally ignore.

Gabe Lugo - Weekly Artist Feature

Tony Harmer 

Tony Harmer's Tumblr

1) I'm no expert, but it would appear that Tony Harmer uses a high resolution DSLR. He does a lot of commercial photography for automotive companies and other large businesses, so I'd imagine that working digitally makes this easier for him and his clients. He may work with film cameras in his personal time, but I'm not quite sure how to discern between the two at this stage of my photography education. The first two photos were clearly taken using a very long exposure time to create interesting lighting effects. 

2) Mr. Harmer's photos definitely seem to have a fairly common theme. If you cruise through his portfolio and his tumblr page, there is a ton of automotive and urban landscape photography. His photographs of automobiles are mostly well lit and fairly plain, while making good use of lighting to highlight details of the cars. His action shots of cars in motion generally have a lot of motion blur, while still maintaining a sharp focus on the vehicle so that no detail is lost. The first two photos that I posted show that he clearly enjoys urban photography, and experimenting with lighting in low-light photos.

3) I've known about Tony Harmer for a while, but never really reflected on his on how I felt about his photos. I've always just though, "damn, that looks cool", and my feelings towards his work pretty much ended there. I think his use of lighting is very interesting, and since we live in a city I too would enjoy learning how to replicate his style of photography in urban low-light shots.  I'm not a car guy, in that I don't know a lot about them... but I really like cars and can appreciate a particularly sexy looking car. Tony does a great job of highlighting the design features and details with his style of photography and use of lighting.  His work touches on two of the things I'd be interested in taking a lot of photos of. Cars, and urban landscapes. The fact that he uses lighting well to really make his photos stand out is something that I would like to learn too.

Mary Pforr- Scary images

(Erin) Dani Brown -- Images I'm Scared to Post

Sierra Doucette- Weekly Artist Post

Thilde Jensen 

These photos are from Thilde Jensen's book The Canaries, which attempts to show the debilitating effects of living with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity. Jensen uses a similar color scheme for her photos. Jensen uses real people who suffer from MCS rather than models in order to capture their true emotions.  

Jensen's photos depict the lifestyle of being allergic to everyday objects like pencils,  metal cans, carpets, paper products, cosmetics, and much more. Facing daily health challenges, sufferers of MCS are outsiders surrounded by products that make them sick. Jensen's photos capture this detached feeling by showing them as individuals, apart from society. 

Thilde Jensen was diagnosed with MCS in 2003 and chose to start this project shortly after. I like how she managed to express herself and spread awareness for the condition simultaneously. Jensen didn't give up after her diagnosis, instead she let it motivate her to travel and create art while meeting other people like herself. 

What I Care About

- My family and Friends (I know, "so cliché...") because nobody is made to function well outside of community, and that includes family, the community we're born into. Not everyone has a healthy family life, so I'm definitely grateful to have my family. 

- God. As a Christian, I'm a believer in God, not simply that He exists but that He is the fundamental aspect of human existence, and that includes my life. Knowing God means a relationship, not some joyless practice of religious duties. For that, I'm thankful.

- Artistic expression. Whether it's writing, drawing, painting, sculpture, filmmaking, etc. It's an incredible release to be able to express one's thoughts, even if that expression is someone abstract. Not only does this expression include the relaying of already-formed thoughts, but it includes the ability to find those thoughts in the process of making that art. 

- Compassion. Thinking about it now, this seems a bit random, but I've always wanted to be someone continually growing in compassion and care for others. I want to do what I can to make others feel welcome, like they have a sense of community and a place where they can find some refuge from life's occasional craziness. 

Cell Phone Pictures

Frankly, these pictures are not nerve-wracking to post due to their content, but due to their quality. When one lacks a Smartphone, these are the results.  :P 

Sierra Doucette- What I Care About & Why

Things I Care About-

• my dog and the way she greets me when I come home
• my parents and the way they always say "i love you" before they hang up 
• my new friends and a couple old friends 
• my appearance 
• traveling and seeing the world- not just the pretty places
• remembering peoples names and doing small favors 

Why I Care About These Things- 

I'm an openly emotional person and sometimes my emotions get in the way of seeing the bigger picture or whats really important. This is why little things are important to me, like small displays of affection or remembering details about someone's life. I think traveling is important because it gets me out of my comfort zone and I learn new things about myself and about other places and cultures. 

Artist Feature

From photographer Bruno Fabien's series, Intermission, these images focus on the themes of presence an absence. Fabien uses abandoned buildings and deconstructed architecture to give a sense of presence within absence.The exposure of these buildings reveals not only the architectural interest otherwise hidden, but also reveals the human aspect infused in the framework and interior. 

Rather than communicating a sense of emptiness and absence, the ghostlike quality of the structures reveal memories of former human lives and stories. In particular, Fabien's feature of the sheer fabric and the open windows give the sense of a vision into the past, namely the human lives that once inhabited the buildings. 

I was particularly intrigued by Fabien's excellent use of architecture. His freuquent inclusion of windows and doors not only bring visual interest, but serve as frames for a view into human history. Fabien takes what might otherwise be simple architectural images for the purpose of visual interest, and weaves a story out of them. This ability to create a message, inspiration, or story, and move away from merely documenting images is something I want to grow in in my photography. 

Fabien's Website: http://fabiendupont.fr/accueil/intermission/

Sierra Doucette- Scariest Pictures to Post

(Erin) Dani Brown -- Things I Care About

I care about:

• my family
• my pets
• my schoolwork and making my family proud
• inanimate objects that have sentimental value
• television shows
• homeless people.

Generally, I care about attachments >> emotional relationships with people/objects/the world >> being connected.

I would like to think that I care about these things because I am incredibly empathetic, but it probably has more to do with the fact that I am overdependent on others. I care about the things/people that I depend on to keep myself sane.

Gabe Lugo - Pictures That I'm Scared to Post

Selasi Fynn - What I Care About

Things I care about:

• my poetry 
• poetry in general
• the way I take care of my mind and my body 
• my interactions with the people on a daily basis
• doing things that make me content, not necessarily happy
• trying my best to experience the world for what it is 

why I care about these things:

• I know what it feels like to have no outlet and now that I've found one, I feel a little bit better about things...
• I realized that I used to try my best to steer clear of things that were not positive  thinking that doing that would make me happy/happier. I feel like experiencing things for what they are, and experiencing things that might not make me happy helps me realize some of the things I want or don't need in my life. 

Lindsey Mott - Weekly Artist Post

Thomas Jackson

In Thomas Jackson's series "Emergent Behavior", he uses string to suspend man-made materials such as yarn, straws, and glow sticks, in natural environments. His process involves shooting the backdrop prior to creating these sculptures, and then again after they are set up. This allows him to easily remove the strings during the digital editing process. 

According to Jackson, "Emergent Behavior" is inspired by the patterns created by swarms in nature. Instead of using natural materials, he chooses to use man-made materials to create something structurally unique in a natural environment. There is a stark contrast between man-made and natural, even though the man-made material is organized in a way that recalls organic forms. Conceptually, Jackson blurs the line between sculpture and photography, yet creates something that can only exist as a photograph (sans the strings).

Technically, I appreciate how Jackson uses Photoshop in an intentional yet subtle way. In his interview, Jackson describes the struggle of restraining himself when it comes to digital editing, a struggle that is extremely relevant to modern photography. What's the use of photographing something that you can create on your computer? Where do we draw the line when it comes to editing? I think this is a question that every photographer must answer for his or herself. That being said, I really enjoy how Jackson's photographs are composed. For me, he is a great example of photography as vehicle for creation, not just documentation.