the order of ceremonies

The New York Times posted a photograph of six soldiers carrying a casket through a mass burial grave site. The photograph is striking for its order and symmetry. The earth is dark and the white sheeted caskets settle into the ground in a geometric pattern. Each grave is paired with their individual shovel. I sketched the subject in charcoal to describe the moment between procession and when the burial is completed.

Japan Reflection, Continued

In my previous reaction to Japan, I used physical media (collaging, paint) to express how the people of Japan might be feeling, emphasizing on the emotion of distress and perhaps even pessimism towards their current situation. For this post, I wanted to again show how I think these devastated people may be feeling, but in a way that also instills a feeling of hope about the situation using digital media.

This is a photo of my friend Lara, who's parents are from the regions affected by earthquakes. This image shows solitude and loneliness that I assume many in Japan are experiencing and that they don't expect to disappear. However lonely and desperate a situation, it will eventually come to pass. Tomorrow will always come. And I hope that this image represents both those feelings of loneliness, but also hope.

Japan Project 2: Expanding the Idea

Following behind my last response, I was thinking more about the frailty and the fleeting nature of all that we think we know. Here is a can, something that we are all familiar with, and by our very nature we consume and then destroy it. The parallel, and yet tragically disconnected event in Japan is reflected on a colossal scale in that so many things had just come to an end, as if they had run their course, served their purpose, and then were disposed of. Also, I have decided to stick with the color red to tie the series together.

This set of four images were taken from the New York Times. In church this week, our pastor mentioned the passage Matthew 24:7 which talks about the end times being signified partially by earthquake and famine. Whether or not these series of earthquakes is signifying that, it is a thought to ponder and to not take lightly. I chose to overly the verse in both Japanese and English, stating that this is a world event, effecting the Japanese first and foremost but the world as well. There is a new worldwide community that has been built up over the past few years because of all the natural disasters and the willingness of nations to help others in need. Although this tragedy in Japan is great, I do not think it will be long until the next one takes place. Because of this, our faith and the way we are living with our time left on earth should be handled with the utmost care and obedience to our Maker. (At least this is my view on the matter.)

Supplies

I constructed this still life out of an apple and the top to a fire hydrant. The apple simply represents food and the shortage of food, and how we tend to take it for granted to easily. Yet, presently in Japan, grocery store shelves are empty, people are sharing small portions, and they are not getting the amount of food they need or are used to. Earlier today, I was complaining to a friend that I was hungry because all I had eaten today was an apple. Just one apple.Yet that's more than the majority of the world, including those currently in Japan, get on a daily basis.

I chose to include the fire hydrant top for a few reasons. First, it represents a source of water, which has become just as scarce as food has. Next, it represents humanitarian aide to the nation. The entire world has to pitch in to assist in the cleaning and rebuilding of Japan. Also, it represents the attempts of Japanese forces to contain the problem at the nuclear reactors along the west coast. Lastly, the fact that it is separated from the hydrant and that I chose to show the underside of it, which is all rusted, represents the destruction and damage done by the hurricane. The entire Japanese society has been dismantled and turned upside down in one day.

Japan Project

I chose to do take a photograph like this because I didn't want to pretend like I've ever experienced a disaster of the magnitude that Japan is experiencing right now. Instead, I took my thoughts inspired by the images we looked at and reflected on the damage that water is capable of. This poster serves as a reminder, at least to me, of the extremes of water when it comes to life and death, and also of how often I consider myself to be in control of my surroundings.

Irony

I took this a couple of weeks ago and just forgot to upload it. I was on my way to school and snapped this image of my car just before leaving my house. The ice was still there when I got to school.

I chose this image purely because of the irony. I like irony.

people, land and home

For the response to the tragedy in Japan I experimented with the artist Curtis Mann's process of bleaching out printed color photos. These photos were manipulated to visually convey destruction: when people, land, and home are eroded, separated, or invaded. What has actually happened (and is still happening) physically in Japan is a level of "washing out" and erasing that I cannot really process but hope to reflect in a small way with these images.

This image was created by collaging pieces of an image I took this weekend. I was out driving in the back roads and I happened to find this huge pile of concrete pieces probably 25 feet high, just sitting out in the middle of nowhere. I used the images of this to create a collage of rubble, layering as I went. I decided to use this as a background for the Japanese flag, which is usually white with a large red circle. I feel like the mass of concrete replacing the white represents the feeling of what's going on right now. It is no longer a pure, untarnished place as it was just weeks ago. Now it's buried and far from perfect.

Impact

This photo represents the impact of Japans' recent tragedies on many people lives. The main photo is to display the emotions derived from the tragedy along with the tragedies displayed within the layering of photos. With the layers interacting with each other it was to describe the impact on her life.

This is an image I took on our 16 hour drive to Florida. The green grass and scenery was just beautiful to look at as we drove that long way. It was literally a breath of fresh air. The sunlight showing through the clouds was so beautiful. I shot about 80 images of this sky as we drove, watching different things pass underneath it. Originally, this image began as exploration of the social landscape project. I have a huge appreciation for simple and beautiful landscape images such as this and am excited to continue to explore it further.

second view of a record store

Here again is a view of the record store, i'm sorry for the repetition. I'm not sure if this is a landscape or a still life (?). I posted this, I enjoy this for again the fluorescent light as the harsh leading line, the colors, patterns and textures. And, I'm drawn in by the two mechanical utilitarian figures that seem to be trying to project their personality and even worth.

Confrontation

This is an image I took a while ago. Going back through pictures, this one caught my eye because she's looking directly into the camera. It's very confrontational. She isn't really reacting. She's just looking at you. It's an interesting contrast because she has such a sweet face, yet you don't really know what's going on in her head. But she's obviously thinking something.

I really enjoy pictures like this one, where the subject is addressing the viewer, as opposed to reacting to the photographer.

Giant

I chose this image mainly because of the interesting perspective. There are very few visual clues as to where my brother-in-law is in relation to my sister, making the proportions of these people a subject in itself.

Japan

Here is a really good set of images capturing the tragedy Japan has faced in the passed few days:

Japan

record store

music as a social landscape.... exploring different ways of reflecting social habits, interests, and lifestyles. I enjoy this photo for its depth, leading lines, and color palette.

Dampener

This is a picture I took for my a project I'm doing for my sister. She's a middle school music teacher and she wanted a series that included shots of different instruments. This is an image of the dampeners inside of a piano. The repetition of the dampeners and the strings bring continuity to the image as well as an even visual weight. The composition is very dynamic which adds interest to it since instruments tend to be fairly commonplace, and sometimes uninteresting. I think the image being in black and white also adds to that, causing it to seem more dramatic than just an everyday object, which I think accomplishes the original goal to emphasize the importance of music.

A Simpler Way of Life

This image is representative of how my life slows down when I go home. We heat our house with this wood-burning stove thing, and it is just one way in which my environment gets much simpler when I am at my house. It is a great place to rest and relax for a week before the second half of the semester begins. I liked the pattern and texture in this image as well as the way the light fell on the different geometric forms. There is also an analogous color scheme happening.

Road Trip!

This is a photo I took of one of my closest friends, Alanna. Four of us girls took a 16 hour road trip to Orlando, FL. Alanna and I shared the backseat and we were dancing to music the entire trip. It was a great time and this picture including here facial expression and air about her is showing how contained we were in the car but how much fun we had regardless...

Color

  

This is by far my favorite image from this last project. Unfortunately I was unable to print it.

I like this image so much because of the color. It just seems to jump out and grab you. The contrast of the white background and the clothes allow that to happen.

Orange

I chose this image specifically because of the vibrant color present in it. The flower came out very clear and yet the viewers attention is drawn to the highlights behind it. This is a very interesting focal confrontation to me.

MUSCA DOMESTICA LINNAEUS

This image is simple and shows how tiny things can seem bigger and and beautiful than they usually appear to us. This fly is shown in an epic pose, ready to take off. In reality, he is dead and just happened to stay in this position after he passed away. The computer cord in the background adds a subtle break in the picture plane and gives in a soft middle ground. The colors are very soft and the strong contrast makes this fly come to life (so to speak).

Best Interpretation

I chose this photo because it was decided that it was the strongest from my group of photos. The project was inspired by Dauwood Bey, and the lighting, neutral clothing, and the natrual lines from the surrounding area created a simliar asthetic to the photos that Bey takes.

Matthew

I took this image as I shot pictures for the Color Portraiture project. I really appreciate the warm wood tones in this color image. I see my brother Matthew here quite a lot. He plays on his iPod touch whenever he gets the chance, and if you are looking for him, he will probably be in this chair, where his iPod plugs into the computer. I captured him at a time when he was deep in playing a game so he does not look happy in this photo. He normally doesnt like his picture taken, but seeing him in this photo after having taken it, I like the movement in his body and the lighting that shines on him as he plays his game.