Cultural Event 3

During one of our classes’ outings, I was introduced to the camera obscura gallery. Never before had I been to a photography gallery so I was in for a real surprise. At this point in the class, I was still unsure of the criterion for a good, sellable photograph. I walked around and browsed the photographs, making mental notes of the ones I thought were the best. Then I started to notice their price tags, most of which were over three thousand dollars. I was in shock. How could something, that can be copied an unlimited amount of times, cost so much? Even though the most famous names in photography were in the author section, it still puzzled me. What could be the reason for the extremely high prices?

A few weeks later, I learned about the printing process during one of our class times.  This process is not an easy one. In fact, it is quite time consuming. Knowing this, I can better understand why a print costs so much money. How an image is printed is just as important as the original picture itself. Each of the prints in the gallery were the result of a carefully planned out process. The contrast, the sharpness, and the coloring were not created by chance. It is the work of the printer that largely impacts the value of a photograph,

This cultural outing really provided me with some insight into the business aspect of photography. Until then, I was completely unaware of the fact that photographs are accepted as works of art and priced accordingly. When I first saw the prices on some of the photographs, I thought that the person buying it must be a nut job for paying that much. But now I realize that these prices were actually reasonable. I am glad that we live in an era that recognizes the value of a photograph and I owe this all to the camera obscura gallery. 

Cultural Event 2

During a class period one day, we ventured to the library to view the debuting exhibit. When I entered the class that day, I was completely unaware that we would be taking a field trip. This presented an opportunity for a much needed break from the traditional classroom.  We walked over as a class and had lovely conversations.

            To my delight, there was a buffet filled with all kinds of goodies waiting for us.  After we devoured as much as our stomachs could physically hold, we awaited a speech from the artist.  Not to my surprise, Roddy was already well acquainted with him. We listened as he humbled himself and his images. I had taken a peak at some of his work on the way in and knew that he was very talented. 

            He spoke of his journey to accurately document these extinct bird species. It was truly fascinating listening to the stories of how the bird became extinct.  It amazed me how familiar he had become with each species. I believe he did this in order to gain a better perspective on how to photograph each individual bird. He did a fine job of capturing the true beauty of each unique bird. There was a beautiful yet morbid attitude to the set of photographs. Each bird is unique with different brilliantly colored feathers, oddly shaped beaks, and sizes of bodies. However, each experiences a similar fate.  A man made problem caused the existence of each one of these birds to cease.  God created something beautiful and humans destroy it. What a sad fate. This was an informative exhibit. Can we make the change to not see this pattern repeat itself? How many more beautiful creatures must be sacrificed until we realize our stupidity?

Henri Cartier Bresson

Henri Cartier Bresson is regarded as the father of modern photojournalism. He earned this name through the use of candid photography. His style is possibly the most influential style on photography today.

Bresson photographed a number of historical events. He had the opportunity to be the eyes for the rest of the world during these happenings. He did this job beyond any expectations. Armed with a 35 mm Leica camera, he produces art with the press of a button.  In his book, “The Decisive Moment,” he explains that there is a precise second in which the optimal picture must be taken. Each fleeting second is different from the next; therefore, a picture can be there then gone in the next instant.

While watching the video, I was moved by Bresson’s passion for capturing an image. Each image has a connection between the camera and the subject. They are depicted in the most appropriate way.  He strived to communicate to his audience exactly what he felt or saw. This was not cause by luck but it is his refined talent that produced these amazing images.  Bresson had insight on the emotion and character of humans, which played a very important role in his photography.

After reviewing some of Bresson’s pictures, I have no doubt that he is one of the most talented photographers in the history of photographers. I, myself, have learned a great deal from him simply after watching this video.  I now take it upon myself to gain as much knowledge as I can from him. 

I love these funky mammas.  Each one is so different from the other but we all possess similar qualities that makes us friends. They actually are all from minnesota and went to highschool together. However, they have made me feel like I was there the whole time. I am very picky when it comes to girl friends. I am more partial to guys. So good girlfriends are few and far between. I am so blessed to have found these ladies because they are very special. 

One of my favorite hobbies is hula hooping. To the person who has never seen this, it seems to be an odd hobby. It is really a combination of hula hooping and dancing. It is also a very good workout. It brings me so much joy. I asked my friend to take a picture because this hula hoop was huge. It is a comical picture to me because it was almost impossible to hoop with this. 

This is another attempt at a self-portrait. I am so used to being behind the camera, I often do not get into any of the pictures. To fix this, I have begun to take a picture of myself every time I shoot an event. I took this picture during my weekend trip home. I stopped at a random field place to take some pictures of my friends in the beautiful light of the sunset. This was the last picture I took. Its evidence that I was there.

I love this picture. My friends were waiting for me to grab something out of my car and leaned against this wall for some support. I quickly got out my camera and snapped a couple pictures. These people all have amazing unique personalities. The graffiti sets the perfect mood for this picture. The two aspects compliment each other. For me, this picture means a lot.

This is my little sister, not in a biological sense, but blood could not make us any closer. We met when she was only 14 and I was 17. Since then, we have often been confused as sisters. We immediately took a liking to one another and have been inseparable since. She has been through more hardships than a person that young should have to endure. I have been there with her through almost every one. Holding her while we cry together, giving her a ride whenever she needed, offering advice or help whenever I could, and doing whatever I could to help her through a rough journey. In describing our relationship, it sounds very one-sided but this is not true at all. I have learned so much from Heather. She really has had an influence on the person I am today. 

Feeling homesick, I came home on very short notice. Sadly, my dad was unable to get off work. My parents had come to Colorado to visit me just two weeks before my trip home so the point of this trip home was really to see my friends. Of course, this didn't mean I would just ignore my parents. Since my dad had to work, I decided to visit him there. He had just taken a new job as the director of the ER and it delighted me to see that his charm had not failed him. He is the most likable person I have ever met, and I could see that his new staff had accepted him with little problem. My dad taught me how to be a compassionate leader, how to love my friends and how to love my enemies. I owe so much to him and I remind myself of this everyday. I am so lucky to have my biggest role model as my father. 

Don't get me wrong here, I love CO. But there is something special about the countryside. I love taking a car ride right around sunset out in the country. The air is sweet, the sky is filled with brilliant orange and yellow colors, and nothing but fields upon fields fill your eyes. In front of you lies a long two lane road and behind you is the path you have chosen to take. Living in Denver, I realized what a luxury the barren country is. Back in the day, I took this for granted and often remarked, "I hate this boring place." But now sometimes, I find myself in my car  around sunset, driving away from civilization for no good reason.

Feeling homesick is an emotion that is only multiplied under stress. I was in week 7 of this quarter and I was stressed to the max. In a frenzy, I called my mom and asked her to get me home tomorrow. I could either make the 17 hour drive or the 2 and a half hour flight home, I chose the flight. I was home by friday evening and back into my wonderful friends loving arms not soon after that. I spent every second of my time home with loved ones and I came back to CO with a much lower stress level and completely recharged. I am so blessed to have the means to go home when I really need to. I needed to see my house, my parents, my bed, my dogs, and most of all, my old friends in order reestablish sanity in my mind. I am so lucky to know such wonderful people.