Internship #13

I took this picture during my internship, and decided to use it for this post because it was one of the first times I decided I would look harder for something to take a picture of. I have widened my perspective.

It's amazing to think that just a few weeks ago, I was beginning internship, thinking I was already well prepared and aware of what I would learn. I did not underestimate my mentors, but I did overlook a lot of details to photography. I guess there wasn't really any way of me knowing. Within the first day of my internship, I learned more than I had even imagined. The things I learned were not just about photography, but about life. I soon realized that every single moment is one of a kind, and every day, every hour, every minute, they pass us by. I had not come to realize the true beauty of the world—all of the world—until just recently. Thinking back on it, I can't believe how unaware I was of what was around me. There were so many things that went unappreciated. For example, I always thought of my neighborhood as dull and boring, with little to offer. But one day, when I was trying to take more pictures, I explored it. In doing this, I forced myself to widen my gaze, and what I saw was little details that made things beautiful. Things I had never noticed. It seems I do this more often now.
My final products are a slideshow, a photo album, a business plan outline, and a business budget. I’m quite proud of all of them, but I can definitely improve on each of them. The main product I know I could improve is my album. I got many of my pictures in it, but not all. The design of it isn’t very particular. The next time I make an album, I’d like to put more thought into it, so it can tell a story. The same goes for my slideshow, but I like the way my slideshow turned out better than my album. I’m quite proud of my business plan outline, because I think I put myself into it, and while I was writing it, I really thought about how I would want my own business to be, and I realized just how unique my ideas were. The budget I made was a bit of a challenge. It was hard to decide on prices, and think of why I would price them that way. But with Betsy and Jeff’s (my mentors) help, it was easier, and I managed to do it through a lot of thought. However, I have a feeling that I’ve overlooked something. So, I think that if I could, I would double check, and get a critique on it. I really enjoyed learning about business, because it’s fascinating how much goes into it all. This is the part of math that I enjoy. The kind that connects to a lot more in my own world.
I realized that this world has so much more for me, and there’s still a lot about myself that I don’t know. I don’t know exactly what I want to be, or what my future will be like. But for some reason, I know I’m ready to take it on. Before, I guess I was afraid. When I would think about how close I am to adulthood, I’d start to wonder if I was anywhere near ready for that kind of responsibility. I’m just a kid. I didn’t feel any different than how I was in middle school, other than being smarter, and a bit wiser. Still, I wasn’t sure. But somehow, now I know I can take it on. I know college and beyond will be a big adjustment period, but at the same time, I love those kinds of times, because I love new experiences and I know I’ll get through it. I’m more confident in my ability to be independent.
I’m not sure if I’ll be a writer of fiction or fact. I’m not sure if photography will be something I do on my own, or if I’ll make a living off of it. All I know is that I want to do both, because they are both my passion. I’ve realized that I genuinely enjoy fashion photography. When I went to this Photog event, I felt like I could just be. I felt like I was in the right place, and I enjoyed it in a way that felt natural. I didn’t think I’d enjoy it as much as I did, and now I’m even considering pursuing a career in it. But I don’t plan on being like many of the fashion photographers I see. I don’t want my pictures to turn out the way many of the fashion pictures I see do. I want my pictures to tell a story. Simple, unique, and genuine ones that people can identify with. I want to improve the way people see advertisements in magazines and other media, because I know that there has to be more than just poses. There has to be a meaning, and a look that makes the picture seem real.
Who knows? Maybe I’ll be a magazine journalist who takes pictures to go with the article. Would that be another form of photojournalism? All I know is, I’ve definitely got a lot more decisions to make in order to pursue my dreams, and I’ve got to be ready to take on the challenges of the moments that are sure to come.

Then, write a reflection in which you highlight the most significant personal learning experiences for you at internship.
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Internship #12

Post a portrait of your mentor.

Betsy McCue

Photographer and Photo-editor

La Vida Creations.

When Betsy went to college, she had an interest in architecture. She thought this would be her job. However, she came to realize that her interest was not in actually building, but simply in the art of architecture. She loves symitry, and the beauty of buildings. So she often incorporates this into her pictures. Graphic design is still her main focus. She is a very happy person, and she was a little shy in the past, but now she just shines, and talks to everyone she can.

What was your college experiance like?

I LOVE College! College is really where I developed my creative side and sense of self. We didn't have a photography major, but I was still photographing the world as a hobby. I learned to think critically about the world in my exploration of who I was and where I wanted to go. I came in as an architecture major and left with a communications degree. I learned to handle all aspects of the creative industry I chose to be a part of: graphic design. I wrote and designed. Photography was still a hobby. We started our business 6 years ago.

What did you think you were going to be while studying in college?

Photography is my second career. I was a graphic designer for years. However, I also think that my graphic design sense of style and aesthetic has most definitely influenced my photography style.

What inspires you?

Other photographers, our friends and family, and clients. We find great inspiration in the people who surround us and get excited about the way we see the world. Travel also plays a great role in inspiring us as well. It's ALWAYS good to go out capture the world and our experiences in a new light!

Internship #11

Choice 3. Post three pictures represent what is most significant to your experience as an intern. No matter which one you choose, for each picture, write a caption of at least a few sentences that provides information or story development that we can't get from just looking at the picture.

This picture in particular is very significant to my experiance as an intern. I took this picture when we went out on our first photoshoot, and I didn't notice these ghosties until one of my mentors pointed it out. I couldn't believe I had missed it! They look like the PacMan ghosts, and my family and I are big fans of Pacman. So, from this point foreward, I told myself that I was going to widen my perspective and be more observant so I don't miss things like this.

This was one of the first pictures I took where I could really tell I was being more observant and appreciative of the world around me. I had also noticed a big difference in the quality of my pictures at this point as well. I was putting more thought into my pictures, as well as the work I did for internship.

This picture was taken when I went to the Photog Shootout, which is where photographers gather together to take pictures of models. I had gotten a little bit of practice with people photography, but had to work on them. I had a lot of fun at this shootout, and while I was there, I noticed how much more confident in photography I really was.

Internship #10

Part 1: Documenting collaboration
Post photos of collaboration at your workplace—this may be people working together or the result(s) of people working together.
Well, I can't literally copy and paste the results of Monday's collaboration, but my POL was on that day, so I had an entire presentation that went on for over an hour, and I displayed my slideshow. Jeff and Betsy helped me by making sure I had everything I needed, and helped me set up, and I presented. Betsy and Jeff also answered questions and engaged in conversation with Randy.

Part 2: Writing about collaboration
In the course of one typical workday, how many different people do you directly work with? How many people are indirectly affected by your work.
On the typical work day, I just work with Jeff, and by myself. A lot of my work is independent. As for who is indirectly affected by my work, I'm not sure I can say. I can list plenty of people who are directly affected by my work, since photography is a personal connection. But indirectly is a little harder to come up with, since this is a personal, self ran small business.

Describe your direct collaboration with others—how does it go & how does it influence the work?
I work directly with Betsy and Jeff. Betsy teaches me more about the photography side of my work, and Jeff gets me working with the business side of ot. After I've done photography with Betsy, I notice my pictures get better and better, and I become more satisfied with their turn outs. What Jeff teaches me about gets me thinking a lot about business and it's connections to the world, and reminds me that not every part of business is meant to be extremely fun or enjoyable. After I've worked with him, I usually add more to my business plan, and get more specific and organized with the work that I do.

Describe your indirect impact on others through your work—there are probably many people you never actually see who are affected by your work. How does this happen? How does this influence your work?
Well this is an easier question to understand and answer. I'd say my work indirectly affects Jeff and Betsy's clients. We practice photography together, and we've both been inspiring each other for new pictures. By doing this, the creativity in our pictures grow, and Jeff and Betsy's clients I'm sure will appreciate that. This inspires me to take more pictures, practice more often, save up for a new lens, and network my photography as well.

Intern Interview

What was your high school experiance like?
HS introduced me to a lot of creative outlets. I worked on yearbook at the end of HS.

What was your college experiance like?
I LOVE College! College is really where I developed my creative side and sense of self. We didn't have a photography major, but I was still photographing the world as a hobby. I learned to think critically about the world in my exploration of who I was and where I wanted to go. I came in as an architecture major and left with a communications degree. I learned to handle all aspects of the creative industry I chose to be a part of: graphic design. I wrote and designed. Photography was still a hobby. We started our business 6 years ago.

What do you wish you had known before you went to college?
I wish I had known how much photography was going to be such a huge part of my life. I didn't think I could make a living doing photography at that time, I just thought it would be a hobby, never a career. I wish I had known that possibility!

What did you think you were going to be while studying in college?
I think that this is the same answer as #3 for me! Photography is my second career. I was a graphic designer for years. However, I also think that my graphic design sense of style and aesthetic has most definitely influenced my photography style.

What inspires you?
Other photographers, our friends and family, and clients. We find great inspiration in the people who surround us and get excited about the way we see the world. Travel also plays a great role in inspiring us as well. It's ALWAYS good to go out capture the world and our experiences in a new light!

What's the strangest way an oppertunity presented itself to you?
We got together with our wedding photographer for an anniversary shoot with our dog. We had always kept in contact with him and he knew we did a lot of photography as a passionate hobby. He asked how that was going, what we had been up to lately. He asked if we had ever thought of people photography. We hadn't! So he encouraged us to come out and shoot with him at some weddings and see what we thought of that kind of photography. We fell in love with it immediately!!!

Internship #9

Please post a summary of your week at internship. What were the highlights? What were the challenges? What was memorable and why?
This week was very busy, since I've been finalizing my final products. But, in the end, I'm happy with how their coming along. I finished getting all of my alphabet pictures together, and I've finished editing them as well, so that was a big relief. I also finished my slideshow today, which was another huge weight off my shoulders. It was a little stressful for a while, but I got those done, and I'm very happy about that. The last thing I have to finish up is my album, but I'm having trouble getting my name off of them. We put watermarks of my name on them, you see, and I don't want those to be shown in my album. Hopefully I can get my entire Album up and ready by the end of the day tomorrow.
I plan on going to this photographer thing called Photog. I won't be able to take pictures of the models, but hopefully I can take pictures of other things, and learn how to direct people as well. I can't believe my POL is on Monday. The news seemed to come so suddenly. I think I'll be preparing all weekend.

Internship #8

Feels like I've been sitting in front of a wall all day. Maybe I'm a ghost...or a zombie.

I don't mean this in a bad way. All of the work I've been asked to do requires me to be infoors, in front of my laptop, working. I guess the rain outside gave me even more of an excuse to stay inside. While doing this intership, I've started noticing more of how beautiful the world is. I'm amazed by how much of the beauty I haven't seen, even in my own neighborhood. In the very beginning of this internship, I realized that every single moment is once in a lifetime. Photography has become so much more important to me, because I know that there are just so many lovely moments that just slip by, even now. My gaze has been widened so much. How many more moments will I be able to capture? Where will my life take me? It all seems like one great big adventure for me to document now. I love walking around everywhere more than I ever have before, and getting on the ground and climbing things to find new angles to take a picture of what I see seems so much more natural now.

Oh, I didn't do yesterday's blogpost mostly because all I could find about them was their adress's, and their website. So I'll be asking all of my questions when I interview Jeff tomorrow.

Questions I'll be asking:

1. What was your highschool experiance like? How did it lead you to where you are today?

2. What was your college experiance like? How did it differ from highschool?

3. What do you wish you had known before you went to college?

4. What do you wish you had known after you left college?

5. What is your favorite part about your work?

6. What inspired you to get into professional photography?

7. How did you end up here?

8. How much have you changed compared to how you were in highschool? College?

9. Who was/is your greatest inspiration?

10. How did oppertunities open up for you?

1/18/09
Yes, I went to internship on MLK Day. It's an important holoday for my family, but it wasn't as if I were giving up anything. I enjoyed being at internship, and it was my choice to go. Afterall, I'm doing so much on this internship, I have to get in and learn more as much as I can. Sieze the moment, I guess.
Isn't it just hilarious that this week, my photography was supposed to be focussing on sunsets and silhouettes? Kind of hard to do with raging gray clouds in the way of the sky, and thrashing wind blowing the camera out of my hands (that didn't happen, but it seems like it would). It's supposed to rain all week, too. I'm trying to brainstorm what I should take pictures of next. I love the rain, but it's pretty hard to capture on camera--at least for mine.
But anyway, back to business. Today during ingternship, since we didn't get to go out and take pictures, Betsy taught me about metering and white balance, as well as movement within pictures (how to capture it). I have a generalm understanding of that, but it was a good review, and I even learned more. Contrast is a key element in a lot of photography.
We also went over photoediting and presets. It was a pretty busy day for Betsy and Jeff. They had to do a lot of editing, and phone calls, and so on. They even showed me some pictures they took of dancers. It was lovely, really, and it was kind of interesting to see them in there focused modes.