Project 1: Sense of Place The "Sense of Place" project was an excellent opportunity to really think about our surroundings, and challenge students to consider the space as something more than just a place. What is the importance, history, and collective consciousness regarding the space? How can the photographer capture the "sense" in a photograph? I've always enjoyed this type of photography, as it typically includes architecture and/or form, which locks the space into a specific time frame and function. We studied the "Zone System" of the great Ansel Adams, and it was key in bringing beautiful, dramatic effects to the images, even if it is of two abandoned buildings. I was aware of the "Zone System" from previous photography classes, but never on the level of actually identifying each zone in an image I was editing. Practicing the "Zone System" in post-processing was a game-changer for me, and I feel that it impacted my photographer's eye as far as choosing proper light, shadow, and composition to best capture each "zone" as well as be a better judge of exposure and camera control in general. For me, the history of the place was as important as its visual representation. I am always drawn to the significance of a site, and this project was a perfect fit for my interests in architecture, lines, textures, and tones, as well as the documentation of local history.
Portland Industry I: Railroad tracks zig and zag through the riverfront neighborhood of Portland, Louisville, KY. to reveal its history, both long ago and recent. This factory is still partially in use today.
McDonald and Co. Grain: Built circa 1877, it served the commercial trucking and railing industries in New Albany, IN. The gentleman on the left miraculously walked up as I was shooting, adding to the mystique of the site. I was especially pleased with the composition in this image, incorporating many shapes and lines. Even the clouds were cooperating!
