Going out with solely one goal in mind, to take photos, was an interesting mindset to take on during the trip. Although I have done photography in many different settings, I previously had not had a chance to go out into the field with no expectations and to capture whatever I found. It was different from what I'm used to, but still an amazing, and exciting experience. My intention as the photographer was to capture not just what I found, but the whole experience. I wanted an audience to be able to look at my pictures and truly live through them, to understand the ideas and emotions as well as the sensory details. I really wanted a story to be told through the pictures I took.
Instead of treating the images as a series, I took and edited each one as its own photograph. Various elements and compositions are photographed in the images. However, throughout the trip and looking back at the photos, I found that I was drawn to lines and shapes in my compositions. The emerging pattern of clean lines and shapes came from my interest in exploring architectural photography as it is a new photographic form for me. I was fascinated by the patterns and compositions that occur in architectural photography. There is true beauty and power in the simplicity of it. While taking photos on the trip I also found myself inclined towards portraits and using humans as subjects in my photos. I felt that using a face or a body was a dynamic method for capturing the experience, and telling a story through photos.
I found the process of taking the photos on the trip also different from what I am used to. Usually, I feel that my photos require researching, planning and a lot of thought that goes into taking the photo. In contrast, when I took photos on the trip I didn't think about it as much, as I went in with no expectations and with freedom of what I wanted to capture. If I saw an interesting subject I would capture it. I think that faster pace of taking photos also tested my skills in composing photos and technical aspects such as focus and exposure. You had to be ready to take a photo of the moment.
Although each one of my photos from the trip can stand individually, I also feel that they all work together and compliment each other in a series. The subject matter and design elements may be varying in each photo, but for me they are tied together by the personal journey that I see in them. They are each part of a larger experience. Seeing that the series together is something that I can connect to and something that reminds me of these moments, I think I was able to accomplish my goal of capturing an experience.
Ultimately, I believe that the Field Trip was a successful learning opportunity for myself. It allowed me to develop many photographic skills, learn to capture the moment as it presents itself, work in an outdoor environment and take unique photos. I felt I was able to break the cycles and patterns that I see in my photography and discover techniques that I really enjoy.
Instead of treating the images as a series, I took and edited each one as its own photograph. Various elements and compositions are photographed in the images. However, throughout the trip and looking back at the photos, I found that I was drawn to lines and shapes in my compositions. The emerging pattern of clean lines and shapes came from my interest in exploring architectural photography as it is a new photographic form for me. I was fascinated by the patterns and compositions that occur in architectural photography. There is true beauty and power in the simplicity of it. While taking photos on the trip I also found myself inclined towards portraits and using humans as subjects in my photos. I felt that using a face or a body was a dynamic method for capturing the experience, and telling a story through photos.
I found the process of taking the photos on the trip also different from what I am used to. Usually, I feel that my photos require researching, planning and a lot of thought that goes into taking the photo. In contrast, when I took photos on the trip I didn't think about it as much, as I went in with no expectations and with freedom of what I wanted to capture. If I saw an interesting subject I would capture it. I think that faster pace of taking photos also tested my skills in composing photos and technical aspects such as focus and exposure. You had to be ready to take a photo of the moment.
Although each one of my photos from the trip can stand individually, I also feel that they all work together and compliment each other in a series. The subject matter and design elements may be varying in each photo, but for me they are tied together by the personal journey that I see in them. They are each part of a larger experience. Seeing that the series together is something that I can connect to and something that reminds me of these moments, I think I was able to accomplish my goal of capturing an experience.
Ultimately, I believe that the Field Trip was a successful learning opportunity for myself. It allowed me to develop many photographic skills, learn to capture the moment as it presents itself, work in an outdoor environment and take unique photos. I felt I was able to break the cycles and patterns that I see in my photography and discover techniques that I really enjoy.