I copied major works by my peers
My sister, Julie, has forced me to stand still and look pensive since she was in high school. I’ve been around cameras quite a bit, but it was always Julie with the camera in her hand. One of my most memorable classes at University of Washington was the Honors Photography class I took my sophomore year. We swapped roles; now Julie was the one charged with an awkward pose and it was I holding the camera.
I began to be interested in photography when I got my first iPhone. This meant that I could snap a shot wherever I went. Our professor one day, however, asked us what separates an artist from a tourist with a phone camera. A painter has years of brush stroke experience over an amateur, but an amateur photographer can press a button and capture a scene just as easily as the next. In this class I learned that this previous statement is incorrect. Not only are there complex settings and considerations to make on the fly, but also possible perspectives and compositions are infinite for a photographer.
I gained a lot of respect for artists during this class. There are some challenging homework assignments in chemistry, physics, and biology. But the time commitment and thought that goes into each photography assignment exceeds impressive. Procrastinating is not an option and learning to be patient with printers is a must. Say you come up with a great idea; to execute this idea means the proper light conditions, cooperation with your camera, successful management of your props or models, finding something cool enough to shoot, editing your photos, and then PRINTING! A lot can change in the struggle of this game.
I liked learning about the social projects that some photographers underwent. One artist got hired as a maid at hotels and motels and took photos of peoples belongings. One artist followed individuals for an entire day around the city taking pictures of their on-goings. One artist took a daily self-portrait of himself and his partner for years as they traveled through America. Art, I learned, is not only about the product, but the process. I like to think about what social project I would do if given the opportunity…and if anyone is following me around for pictures.
For my final in this class, I copied major works by my peers completed throughout the quarter, but through my own unique compositions. Artists are always trying to make a point with their work, not just make something that is pretty. This project explored the nature and relationship between an artist and his/her work. I bet it was fun for my fellow students to see variations of their work on the wall. I certainly enjoyed it!
Moving forward, I would like to eventually invest in my own camera and continue to explore photography. Instagram has been fun to share my activities in an artistic light. Check out my handle: @rossfurbush!
I began to be interested in photography when I got my first iPhone. This meant that I could snap a shot wherever I went. Our professor one day, however, asked us what separates an artist from a tourist with a phone camera. A painter has years of brush stroke experience over an amateur, but an amateur photographer can press a button and capture a scene just as easily as the next. In this class I learned that this previous statement is incorrect. Not only are there complex settings and considerations to make on the fly, but also possible perspectives and compositions are infinite for a photographer.
I gained a lot of respect for artists during this class. There are some challenging homework assignments in chemistry, physics, and biology. But the time commitment and thought that goes into each photography assignment exceeds impressive. Procrastinating is not an option and learning to be patient with printers is a must. Say you come up with a great idea; to execute this idea means the proper light conditions, cooperation with your camera, successful management of your props or models, finding something cool enough to shoot, editing your photos, and then PRINTING! A lot can change in the struggle of this game.
I liked learning about the social projects that some photographers underwent. One artist got hired as a maid at hotels and motels and took photos of peoples belongings. One artist followed individuals for an entire day around the city taking pictures of their on-goings. One artist took a daily self-portrait of himself and his partner for years as they traveled through America. Art, I learned, is not only about the product, but the process. I like to think about what social project I would do if given the opportunity…and if anyone is following me around for pictures.
For my final in this class, I copied major works by my peers completed throughout the quarter, but through my own unique compositions. Artists are always trying to make a point with their work, not just make something that is pretty. This project explored the nature and relationship between an artist and his/her work. I bet it was fun for my fellow students to see variations of their work on the wall. I certainly enjoyed it!
Moving forward, I would like to eventually invest in my own camera and continue to explore photography. Instagram has been fun to share my activities in an artistic light. Check out my handle: @rossfurbush!