My Artist Statement

I have always really loved photographing and editing pictures. I have been passionate about it for years and got my first real camera in 8th grade. When for-casting for high school, I got really excited to see that there was a photography class. Through taking digital photo I have learned many amazing things about working with cameras and how to adjust certain things like the ISO and Aperture, shutter speed and more. Photography has helped me to learn that I am better at nature photography and could use more practice at portraits. A challenge for me this semester was working with photoshop when it came to doing certain projects like the clone project. My favorite project this year was when we went out and photographed leaves. I really loved it because it was sunny outside, the lighting was perfect and the fall leaves were blooming with so many different colors. If I could redo a project, I would chose to redo the clone project. It didn't turn out the best for me and I didn't really love it. It was really hard and I had to retake pictures many times because the camera would move and then the pictures would be messed up. 

This was my favorite photo from my self portraits because I love the message behind the image. The message is that beauty is killing this girl. It is holding her back and restraining her. She's controlled by judgement and opoininons of looks. Her hair is wrapped around her neck strangling her and she's fighting by pulling the hair back yet it takes over her and over all, consumes her. The lip stick symbollizes bullying and the nasty things said about not being good enough. If someone saw this photo, I would want them to think about how everyone is unique in their own way. Make up and hair is not beauty but these expectations are dropped on everyone to be different, to change themselves to meet standards. I would want them to look at this a realize that no one needs to wear make up, do their hair all fancy, or dress Prada to be beautiful. They only really do it because the concept of beauty consumes them and controls them, the expectations and judgement. 

My best advice to a future photography 1 student would be to pay really good attention to Mr. Hohmen when he does photoshop tutorials, because they are super important for your success and if you don't understand something, you'll have a harder time. I would also say that it really helps if you have a professional camera. It's a personal pet-peeve of my that all my photos are high quality and never blurry or staticy. It really bothers me, so if your like me, make sure you get a high quality camera, or take iphone pictures with lots of natural lighting!