Final Exam :(

PART ONE:

Valentine's Day.
F-stop f/3.4
Shutter Speed 10/94 sec.
The subject of this photo is the Polaroid photo of roses.  This photo has value to me because these were the first roses I have ever received on Valentine's Day.  I chose this as one of my strongest shots because I believe it was my strongest project idea.  This project was never completed and replaced by 'Student Choice' because Polaroid film costs in upwards of $300+.  I had ran out of film, and out of ways to take a true depth of field with this idea.  I believe this picture marked a turning point for me in my photography; it led to the following photos which I believe are my strongest shots.

America The Beautiful
F-stop f/3.5
Shutter Speed 10/1500 sec.
Quite possibly my favorite photo I have ever taken.  I took a weekend trip to New York City with a few friends and returned with ideas for two projects that I think are my strongest ones.  We were walking around in in the Soho area, and then suddenly didn't have a clue where we were.  Realizing we were lost, we pulled out the maps right in front of this building.  I believe this mural encompasses true American pride.  The colors grabbed my attention like nothing else.  I have this photo as the background on multiple computers around my home and it is the background on my phone also.  This photo is one of my coolest shots I have ever taken, I am so proud of it.

April Snow Showers Bring May Flowers.
F-stop f/3.5
Shutter Speed 10/5886 sec.
Another one of my favorite photos I have taken is this one.  One day Steph and I asked to go talk a nature walk, as crazy as we are, it was snowing outside!  I saw this awesome tree outside of the gym and I just had to take a picture.  As snow was falling down onto me, I took this picture.  The way the snow lays on the branches is unable to be copied or photoshopped.  I love photographing natural occurrences, they are just plain beautiful!  I used this as an Around the Block photo, it is my favorite.  I believe this photograph is extremely successful because there is no need for editing to photoshopping, it is just natural beauty.  

You'll Never Walk Alone.
F-stop f/3.5
Shutter Speed 10/350 sec.
My best friend.   I absolutely love my dog.  This captures our relationship in just one photo.  He is always there just listening to me day after day; always there for me.  I love the way I was able to capture just the right moment; I know that you (Mr. Kraus) know how hard it is to photograph dogs!  He hates the flash on my camera, he actually shys away from me when he sees it in my hands!  I decided to keep this whole project in black and white because I wanted to symbolically say he's an 'old friend' forever.  I have this photo framed and it's coming with me to college!

PART TWO:

1.  After photography was invented, society came about with this belief that you have to see it to believe it.  Photography has affected people's faith in great strides, we have tried to make images of God and what He looks like.  When I see images of God, I believe in Him even more because people are trying to portray Him in an image to help other people believe.  Imagery makes faith seem more real, more tangible.

3.  My photographs were mainly focused on capturing the beauty of every day life throughout my macro setting.  My photos were miniatures of reality, very zoomed in miniatures!  Photographs capture reality, they aren't someone's skewed interpretation of reality, they are reality.  Photographs are similar to paintings and drawings because they capture the world.


PART THREE:
1.  I take photographs because they capture the moments in my life that I will want to remember forever.  Photographs help me understand a situation and I take them to show others the memorable moments in my life.
2.  My photographic insight has changed due to my work this semester.  I have become more aware of my surroundings and what the little things look like.  This semester has brought about a new way to see the world, in details.
3.  I would love to continue to develop my work in urban decay photos.  I loved the concept of making something people describe as ugly and disgusting and making it beautiful.  My trip to New York helped draw a creative bone out of me that made me see the ugly and make it beautiful.
4.  I will remain active as a photographer by always keeping my camera with me.  I will have to draw away from being the shy person who is embarrassed to take a million photos.  I will need to push myself to be more 'out there' and capture the moments of my life that are memorable.
5.  I believe my photographs reached to level of art when I began to see them as art.  No matter what the photo was, it was art to me.  When the photographer sees the photo as art, then it has to be.  I will continue to be in this mindset throughout all of my photography in the future.  I plan to update my blog as I enter into college.




Mr. Kraus,
This has been a great experience for me.  I have never thought of myself as an artsy person, or someone that could even be considered creative.  Although I plan on majoring in business and becoming an accountant, I will always have my camera by my side. :)  I want to thank you for a wonderful semester, and for bringing out the photographer in me, I couldn't thank you enough!