week5

WHAT I DID: This week I wanted to continue exploring images that were still in my head which are the photos in the previous post titled "night photography." I took those of the Huron River at night. I thought putting the ring of glow bracelets under the water would create more of a blurred glow effect, but it didn't. I also made word lists and mind maps of interests in an attempt to figure out a subject matter that stands out to me. I think the process was healthy for me but I did not have that all important moment of clarity. I received my book "Night and Low-Light Photography: Professional Techniques from Experts for Artistic and Commercial Success" by Jill Waterman. This book has a lot of great advice in it from techniques and equipment to things like bringing plastic shower caps to cover equipment and a good book for long exposure times :) My project will not focus around this type of photography, but it may be included or I would be interested in exploring this on my own either now of after graduation so it is a good resource to have living on my bookshelf. WHAT I DISCOVERED: I discovered that I am interested in many things that are not related at all. They could be related if I chose to make them, but that desire does not exist yet. I learned that there are many things to explore but I may not be ready to focus on them for this project. I have felt really lost this whole time as far as content. During my conversation with Shay I was talking nonstop about how lost I am, how frustrated etc. and maybe I just needed to get that off my chest more than I already have to other people. Sometimes I discover things when I'm thinking out loud and the act of having someone sitting silently and just listening helps me somehow work things out in my head. She asked me what photo work I've done in the past. I responded by saying "oh just a lot of journalistic stuff of people I'm not attached to in high school and a lot of pretty but meaningless abstract stuff in college, except for this one project...." and in the description and discussion of this particular project I discovered a subject that is really close to me. This solution includes both in the moment, journalistic portraits, and the potential for more creative, fabricated situations and lighting. I always thought I had to choose, but this idea includes both, and the comparison of the two and dual existing truths. You will understand further when you read my proposal :) WHAT'S NEXT: Through trying to write the first draft of my proposal and the group talk today, things I need to think about further were brought to my attention such as who my audience is, what subjects do I want to use, how do I choose them, more details about my process etc. I'm not sure the best way to discover these things! I'm guessing that after I'm finished revising my proposal for tomorrow night, I might have a better idea of what my weekend homework should be.