Artist's Statement (Senior Year, 2020)
I entered this semester with the intention of learning the standard and professional techniques, language, and concepts within photography, as someone who had previously taken photos only through intuition. In the beginning I felt unsure and underdeveloped, and a lot of the technology and set-ups provided were very new to me. I also had to become more confident in myself in order to be the subject of my own photography at times. By the end of this course, I feel a stronger sense of motivation and interest in photography. One of the biggest changes I experienced was in my concepts: before I had only worked with landscape, and wasn't interested in portraiture, but when I began working with lighting (low-key specifically), I really loved and wanted to spend more time on it, to work with different models, and to see the different ways that I could bring out a human's face and generate a mood through an image. As a result of the egg project, I also became more conscious of my limited resources: I don't have a light set-up, and I prefer natural lighting- a newer thought I experience when planning photos is thinking of the time of day, and being able to visualize the effect different lightings would take on a given image. I think my biggest struggle was limitations in my physical capital, but this also helped me as I had to learn how to use what I have to the fullest extent, and as a result, I appreciate the opportunity to use professional tools when given the chance.
The most important lesson I learned and (in moments) accomplished was being able to say something through photography. Before this course, I took images to "remember," and in only rare moments (by luck and accident) would I take an image that was more than a document: that was communicating a message. In this class, it was required to reflect on our work, and as I progressed in reflections, I realized they became more personal than solely technical. When I didn't take images that said something, I felt frustrated and wanted to try again. I have developed a stronger habit of wanting to connect with what I'm doing, and be able to publish an image that communicates to the viewer as well.
My only wish is that I could have spent more time with my teacher and my peers in person. I will cherish the ability to be in a learning environment with others more than I ever have before.
Thank you,
JG ("Jaeji")
I entered this semester with the intention of learning the standard and professional techniques, language, and concepts within photography, as someone who had previously taken photos only through intuition. In the beginning I felt unsure and underdeveloped, and a lot of the technology and set-ups provided were very new to me. I also had to become more confident in myself in order to be the subject of my own photography at times. By the end of this course, I feel a stronger sense of motivation and interest in photography. One of the biggest changes I experienced was in my concepts: before I had only worked with landscape, and wasn't interested in portraiture, but when I began working with lighting (low-key specifically), I really loved and wanted to spend more time on it, to work with different models, and to see the different ways that I could bring out a human's face and generate a mood through an image. As a result of the egg project, I also became more conscious of my limited resources: I don't have a light set-up, and I prefer natural lighting- a newer thought I experience when planning photos is thinking of the time of day, and being able to visualize the effect different lightings would take on a given image. I think my biggest struggle was limitations in my physical capital, but this also helped me as I had to learn how to use what I have to the fullest extent, and as a result, I appreciate the opportunity to use professional tools when given the chance.
The most important lesson I learned and (in moments) accomplished was being able to say something through photography. Before this course, I took images to "remember," and in only rare moments (by luck and accident) would I take an image that was more than a document: that was communicating a message. In this class, it was required to reflect on our work, and as I progressed in reflections, I realized they became more personal than solely technical. When I didn't take images that said something, I felt frustrated and wanted to try again. I have developed a stronger habit of wanting to connect with what I'm doing, and be able to publish an image that communicates to the viewer as well.
My only wish is that I could have spent more time with my teacher and my peers in person. I will cherish the ability to be in a learning environment with others more than I ever have before.
Thank you,
JG ("Jaeji")