Missed Opportunity

Throughout this semester, like Jenny, I have been careful to stay within my comfort zone when it came to shooting documentary. I was able to move past that in my photos for the last project "At Large" and I think the quality in the content of the images far exceeded what I'd done before. It goes to show how getting over that fear of maybe being glared at or even confronted can really pay off.

Though it isn't one particular moment, my missed opportunity, I think, would be in a project like "At Play" where most of the people I photographed we're friends who were very aware of the camera being there. In photographing people who are unaware or aren't anticipating that a photo will be taken of them, the emotion and and feeling of the picture are more real, and appropriate for documentary. Even though I was able to move past this for the most recent project, I wish I could've done it sooner.

Additionally, not having a car on campus really limited the range of places I had access to. I would've liked to have traveled a little farther than just the areas so close to Hofstra/ on campus. I definitely would've liked to have gone into the city more if money and time weren't as limited. There were also times where I though printing color or digital woud've made more sense or just looked better for the particular assignment than black and white. For "At Large" I thought it might've been stronger in color just because there is so much color in the fast food restaurants.

There were too many times where my great creative epiphany happened, like, halfway through my second role; doesn't help much. I now realize that next time I need to thoroughly think through my idea to make sure it's solid enough, and doesn't leave me figuring it out as I start shooting. This way I have more photos to work with and can shoot a cohesive theme/idea all the way through.

Il n'y a rien dans ce monde qui n'ait un moment decisi.

"Photography is not like painting. There is a creative fraction of a second when you are taking a picture. Your eye must see a composition or an expression that life itself offers you, and you must know with intuition when to click the camera. That is the moment the photographer is creative. Oop! The Moment! Once you miss it, it is gone forever." Henri Cartier-Bresson

Missed opportunity:

My photographic choices (which seem to be the opposite of my filmmaking tendencies) match my personality; I do what's safe, and unfortunately everything I shoot seems to come off as light or insubstantial. Often my fingers are afraid to capture what my eyes see, and with great regret, fear triumphs artistic vision; I miss the Decisive Moment.

I am sure I have missed thousands of photos due to this fear of making someone uncomfortable. One specific image haunts me, it's lack of presence in my portfolio is a constant reminder of my fear and insecurity behind the lens. In 2010, I traveled to Ohio to surprise my biological mother with a meeting. Most of the interaction was captured for a documentary I made, and a few pictures were taken by my friend, support system, and fellow filmmaker Corey, but I never had the gull to take my own photos of the third shift bar I found her in. I am grateful of the photos acquired from the meeting, but am disappointed that there are none of what I saw, felt and needed to see again. This experience was truly once in a lifetime, and the stills that came from this were created through someone else's eyes. I had the opportunity, I even had the camera, I just didn't have the courage... and it's a shame.

Missed Opportunity

My missed opportunity occurred years before I ever picked up a camera or understood the power of photography.  As a sixteen-year-old going on a family vacation in Thailand, I relied on my parents for the basics like souvenirs and meals.   Regretfully control over the camera was mandated to them as well. 

            One day my brother and I decided to separate from my parents and go exploring on our own. By this point we had been in the country for about two weeks so we had a good idea where to locate most things. Late during the afternoon we jumped in a rickshaw and told the driver we wanted to go to this horseback monastery we had been hearing so much about. Once we got to the monastery it was one of the most welcoming places I have ever entered in my life.  It wasn’t your typical monastery either; the property was located on the top of a mountain and was lined with makeshift buildings.  Each monk was dressed in an orange robe and traveled around on a horse. 

            Although every moment seemed like it should be captured through a lens, there was one moment that stuck out to me in particular. Right before we were about to leave, there was a young boy who couldn’t have been older then ten. His appearance matched that of the other monks and his face held an expression I had never seen before. He seemed so wise yet it looked like he was holding so much back. It felt like something out of National Geographic.  The story his face held alone captivated my interest.

Although I was not able to capture this amazing moment, in some ways I am glad that I didn’t.  I really believe that this missed opportunity turned me into a photographer because I realized the possibilities it held.

Missed Opportunity

Last year I was in Union Square walking around with Elizabeth. I noticed a large rolled up carpet and teenagers jumping up and down on it. We immediately stopped in our tracks once we realized there was a homeless man inside of it trying to stay warm.

Homeless people hold a stereotype. Just like in Streetwise most of the class had preconceived notions about those children. Most people would believe the homeless are mostly left alone to live where they want to. Who would think they would be harassed when most just want to ignore their existence.

This would have been an incredibly gripping yet disturbing photo if I would have been able to capture it, let alone capture it well. Instead I did what any decent person would have done and yelled at them to stop. One of the girls actually asked me if I wanted to join them. I felt absolutely sick seeing it so I didn't tell them off in a polite fashion at all.

In a way I'm glad I didn't have my camera. Allowing them to jump on him for a second more would have killed me just for a picture. This day still sticks in my head clear as ever.

photo by Brent Stirton--#7 in slide show

Prof Ray posting for Kateleen 
 http://lens.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/02/10/a-painterly-world-press-photo-winner/

This image depicts a woman who works as a sex worker and suffers from drug addiction. Her name is Maria and lives in Kryvyi Rig, Ukraine, where she rents the room she is featured in. The photograph was shot when she was in between clients. She is battered and bruised due to her addiction and her occupation. Her undergarments are equally as battered as her body, suggesting she lives in poor conditions.
The image appears to be lit with natural lighting, the brightest parts of the image being her face and roughed skin. The bruises on her leg are very easily visible, and her bandaged leg can be seen in the shadows. Her burning cigarette can be seen as an indicator that she is addicted to more than just drugs. Maria is positioned lying on a table in a slightly provocative position; the photographers might have chosen this position to communicate her occupation to the audience. Her tattered clothing and run down living conditions show that her occupation is not a choice but something she has been forced into due to her circumstance.
This photo works extremely well by itself and I feel that a series would actually take away from the impact it instantly leaves the viewer with. I find this picture to be so beautiful, others may not see it as such because according to society’s standards, she would not be considered beautiful. This picture’s raw trueness is so riveting, this photo definitely brings new insight to any viewer. This image tells a piece of Maria’s story.  

Missed Opportunity

This summer, I was driving cross-country with my two best friends and I had been taking photographs of the journey. Out west, it is a vert different landscape and lifestyle than the one I am accustomed to on the east coast. I don't remember where we were exactly, but it was on the return trip and we were traveling very fast down a two lane highway that bisected acres and acres of fields of hay. Right next to the highway was a decrepit looking barn, looking very much the same color and texture as the sea of hay behind it.  On one side of the pointed roof, METH with an X through it was painted in white so large that it filled up the entire side of the roof.  We sped by it so quickly that I felt bad asking my friend to stop and turn around. I definitely regret it though, it would've been a great photograph.

In one way it would've fit in well with the project I was already doing, which was documenting my trip and photographing the West. In another way, it would be been a gateway to a while new investigation. My friends and i were really confused about the anti-meth posters in gas stations and painted on buildings as we drove through tiny rural towns. The meth problem and culture in these areas would be an interesting investigation. Weather it is possible for me in my current situation to complete now or not is undetermined but it is something I can always put in the back of my mind and revisit on a later date.

Streetwise

Hi gang, I don't have everyone's email address so I posted on here Streetwise. I certainly think it's worth a watch, especially after our discussion today.

Thanks,

Jenny

Watch Streetwise - 1984 Documentary about Seattle Street Kids in Travel & Culture | View More Free Videos Online at Veoh.com