Image and Text; Reprise

Based on the review of what I created in the last project, I decided to create a new vision to really fulfill the assignment properly. I wanted to find something that could be continued and can really include anyone as a subject. Since the project is based on words, I decided to have all of my subjects focus on one single word. I asked them to write what they think the worst word is to them. Having photographed a few different people so far, it's become very telling of their personalities. It's been intriguing to see how just one word can say so much about a person. I started by using people I know, but it would be definitely interesting to be able to ask strangers along College Ave or other places as well.

This is my photo editor at the Yearbook and her word is "can't." This made so much sense since what she is in charge of is getting people to do things for our organization. When people say that can't, it probably gets her pretty frustrated.

My friend Ben has for some time been an observer of people in general and society. He always has insightful views on the things he observes and people's behavior. His word, very logically, is "pretentious."

A friend I've me through photography is Katie and she was my next subject. She is a little quirky and overall an extremely friendly girl. When I asked her what her word would be, she jumped immediately to "skeeves." It's not a real word, but when her roommate uses it, the word just crawls up her spine. A colorful word for a colorful girl.

My former roommate and one of my great friends from high school, Mike is not a typical guy. He is certainly unique but he is also very caring and pretty emotional. After thinking about his word for a few minutes, he chose "end." Saying basically that he just doesn't want or like when things end. Pretty special thought.

Lindsay is one of my best friends from the choirs I do here at school. Also a little quirky but it's lovely and special. Her choice of word was almost immediate and it definitely says a bit about her. She can pull a 180 on you if act on her peeves. He word makes her feel quite annoyed; "moist." Note the festive nail polish.

Bill is also one of my best friends from choir. I don't think I'd make it very successfully through a choir rehearsal without him joking around by my side. His word actually even relates to jokes. He hates when people use the verb "fail," as is ever popular these days.

I've really enjoyed seeing the personalities of the people I know through a single word. I'd like to be able to continue the project and photograph some subjects that I've never met before to maybe see a little into them through this single hated word.

Final Project Proposal

My grandmother is a very special person. Not only to me, but just all of the things she has experienced and the tests she has been put to in the recent years. She was born in 1917 and will be turning 94 this November. I'd like to spend one of these upcoming weekends with her at her home in Schuylkill County. That's partially one of the special things about her; she lives by herself on a 30 acre farm. One of the things that was difficult to deal with was when she had cancer and needed to be hospitalized. The amount of medication she has to take these days has caused her a good deal of issues, but she pushes through. She is a courageous little lady who I intend to document over the weekend.

                My plan is to take one of the upcoming weekends and spend it with her at the house. There are also a few places around her little town that she enjoys going to like a local restaurant where she always gets the same dish where I'd like to take her. I want to take the viewer on a visual journey through the daily life of someone who has experienced almost the entire 20th century.  My strategy for this narrative is just to share the story of an atypical senior citizen. When I talk to my friends about the age of their grandparents the range is usually over 70 to around 85 years-old. My grandma is a truly special lady and I plan on photographing the rigors of daily life after 90.

                I don't foresee  too many challenges in this project since she is a family member of mine and loves to have company. The issues that could come up are perhaps her desire to not leave the house where she is comfortable, but she normally doesn't pass up a chance to go to her favorite spots. The challenges are mostly finding a weekend where I am available to spend that much time with her since she lives a few hours away. The best opportunity might actually be this coming weekend since there is no football and my responsibilities might be lighter.

                The method I plan on presenting this project in is through a book. I think images with captions or text on the opposing page would be the best method to really explain what is happening in the images. I am also thinking in my own personal perspective because I would like to document this portion of my life and someone I love for years to come. This would not just be an assignment for the class, it would be a personal intent to capture and remember something important to me. I think there is a story worth sharing, but I would also like to take this opportunity to do something special for my family. 

Image and Text: Photo 402

I had a great deal of difficulty real boiling down what I wanted to focus on for this assignment. I find many times that I can't personally come up with the coolest things to say but I've always heard someone else say the right thing for the situation. That was a slight basis for the inspiration behind this project. I decided to look to one of the people who has truly created some of my favorite modern day lyrics; Marcus Mumford of Mumford&Sons. I went through all of the songs and chose several of the phrases that really stand out to me. Taking these sets of lyrics from their album "Sigh no More," I attempted to weave a narrative through a character in the images. As a virgo, I've always been a little bit of a romantic. The story I created follows one girl on her voyage to freedom through finding love.

 "You'll be happy and wholesome again when the city clears and sun ascends"

This is, more or less, the preface to the story. The time when you are living with a broken heart. Still in that shell of hurt and everything seems down or dreary.


"Come out and see the world hanging upside down"

This is the beginning of the story where she is just starting to explore that whole new world of love and perhaps is ready to have her heart out in the open again. It's about trying to look at the world from a new perspective.

"I will hold on hope"

There is belief that some good will come soon. That she can be happy again.

"Lead me to the truth and I will follow you with my whole life."

That feeling of falling or reaching out off of a ledge to that person you know will be right there for you always. 

"Love; It will not betray you, dismay or enslave you. It will set you free"

Finding freedom through truth and love. 

A Day in the Life Photo 402

 I tired to think of subjects that would really be interesting to capture for a project like this. Recently, I have become friends with the drum major of the blue band. I actually started talking to Ian outside of band and during his shows as part of the band "Public Domain" which plays songs at Cafe 210 every Thursday. He recently joined the band and I've been going to their shows every week for months now since my roommate is the singer. Ian is the 'new guy' and I thought he would be a really interesting spotlight to show the difference between performance mode for a University staple and something he does on his own. The first set of photos are Ian at rehearsal preparing for an upcoming field show. 

This is the typical beginning for the rehearsals of a new Blue Band show. The whole band gathers together to watch an animation on the screens of the drill that they will be putting together for the week. The next home show is going to be a collection of Sinatra pieces. Ian watches as the drill unfolds. 

In these rehearsals, Ian really doesn't have too much to do since he mostly conducts the music and makes sure the tempo is on track. He stays in one place, where the band is always moving. So in these practices he mostly watches from the tower. 

The tower is actually a brand new addition to the practice field. The director, Dr. Bundy gets to take the highest view, but from where Ian stands, it is a pretty decent view of the formations. 

Since this is just a practice in finding all of the right spots for the band members, the instruments stay on the sidelines. 

From a great height, Ian really has a great view of what is going on down on the field. He always follows along closely with the drill. 

  I talked with Ian a bit while he was overseeing the operations and one tool that never leaves his side is the baton. When he is down on the field, he is always twirling or tossing it. It is given to him traditionally by the Lion at every game after he completes his second flip. 

At rehearsal, Ian commands over 300 students and there is a very strict attitude in his behavior. He can definitely laugh and have fun, but all of these kids need to look up to him. I can definitely attest to his seriousness regarding Blue Band and most of all, the flip. The other side of him I wanted to portray was the fun that comes out when he plays the bass at his other band's shows. There is definitely a different side to him at these shows.