north hampton musicians

don't really know anything about these fellas, but they definitely caught my eye and ear.

Arnold Newman.

My photo teacher, Greg Heisler (kinda a big deal), assigned a project for us to shoot: take a picture inspired by the famous photographer Arnold Newman. Although I didn't know it at the time, Newman is one of the most influential portrait photographers. What he did when he began was completely unique for the time, hard to understand, abstract and captivating. Best known for his black and white pictures, Newman popularized environmental photography. Before he came on the scene, photographers in the 40's (and before) didn't focus on the background. However, Newman put serious thought into the set up. In a book, Newman said, "The surroundings had to add to the composition and the understanding of the person. No matter who the subject was, it had to be an interesting photograph. Just to simply do a portrait of a famous person doesn't mean a thing."

As an amature photographer I usually stress out about the way the model looks, but put little time into having the background compliment the subject or having it tie the everything together. I believe backgrounds can help tell the story. SO, with that said, I tried to put a little thought into my shot. I'm not completely stoked on the picture because the rain forced me to be inside..but, it was good practice and forced me to be creative. I was inspired by an Arnold Newman photo I saw of his subject sitting in a backwards chair. I took that idea and tried to make it my own. Because Newman likes shapes and composition I focused on that.

With the few things I have in my room I came up with this (mines on the right).

happiness.

I've been slacking pretty badly on the whole blog updating thing. I will get better, I promise :)

Updates: I moved! I'm living in Massachusetts now and going to Hallmark Institute of Photography where I will learn how to CORRECTLY take pictures :) I am so excited to grow and be stretched and challenged and inspired. Its only been a few weeks and I'm already learning a ton! The instuctors here are so helpful and knowledgaeble. They genuinely want us to succeed. Its wonderful and a lot different than any kind of school I'm use to. It's the PERFECT fit and program for me to be in.

My house is cute. Although I miss my family, I love living on my own. I can eat fudgesicles for dinner and Cheeto Puffs for breakfast and take 25 minute showers. Its awesome! My room makes me happy. I'm in it very little, but when I am, I feel at peace and inspired. My friends are amazing. I mean AMAZING! Cali, Dan, Dakota and David... those are my homies! Its an answered prayer to have them in my life. Each of their hearts is HUGE.

I'm in such a good place. Locationally and emotionally. I'm discovering one of my purposes and I'm learning about the things I've dreamed about. I can't wait to get super good at photography and see how me and my friends here have grown and how our skills have developed.

I'll be posting more pictures. Probably less pictures of pretty girls.. and more school assignments and what not.

Here are some pictures of me and my buddies:

Michaela is a rockstar and I want to take pictures of her for the rest of my life. She is the reason I has such a successful summer.

So thank you Mic for referring me to everyone, your friendship, and for treating me like I'm Annie Leibovitz.

<3