DSU Student Housing

Shooting "Wide" Photo Essay

Not that long ago, Dixie College was known just a community college located in Southern Utah. Today, the once quaint Community College has morphed into a University. Although the institution has achieved the status of University, the transformation from College to University can be seen. It started with the construction of the Holland Building, then came the renovation of the Library and the construction of the Clock Tower.  

Now the metamorphosis can be seen in the student housing units. While the housing units that served the college for many years can still be seen, they are giving way to a much grander design.  Although a fence and danger signs prevent a close up inspection of the new student housing facility, the majesty of the crane is a clear indication that something grand is on the horizon for students attending Dixie State University. 

These images were all shot using a Canon 5D Mark III at 24mm. When it came to my perceptions of how I was going to photograph this project, I was a little surprised when it came down to actually photographing it. Shooting “wide” and having those restrictions was a little new to me. Although I have been a photographer for several years, I have never shot in this capacity. When photographing something, or someone I have always zoomed in or out to achieve the image I was looking for. Shooting “wide” allowed for great overview shots of the scene. But, in order to tell a story through photographs you need to move in and get detail shots. Even by getting closer to this construction site I was limited on the shots I was able to actually get. It was more difficult to telling the story than I thought.

F16 1/250

F11 1/160

F11 1/160

F11 1/160

F11 1/160

F4 1/2500

F8 1/1600

F8 1/1000

F8 1/1000

F8 1/800

F16 1/160

A Photographer's Daughters Critique

While out to eat at a restaurant my daughter commented on this photograph that was on the wall. She said, "I would never hang this photo!" I asked her why and she indicated that there was water dripping off of the side of the cutting, and the cutting board was dirty. The next thing she said was, "And look at those fingernails! They are just gross, and dirty. He shouldn't be handling food." Oh boy! I guess I might be a little too critical of images. I was mostly amazed because, first of all she is a teenager and to pick up on such small details amazes me.
The reason I decided to post this is because it is a good lesson in being aware of everything that is in our photographs. The little details really do matter!

Shooting the Axioms

Kalei's Baptism Photo Shoot

I couldn't have had a more perfect photo model. This soon to be eight year old is so excited to be baptized. Her dad will be baptizing her on March 5th. This will be a very special day for their entire family. In May of 2015 her dad was diagnosed with Stage 4 Neuroblastoma. He is currently undergoing radiation and chemo. He is in a wheelchair, but will be performing the baptism. It will be a great day for both of them.

f/16 Exp. Time: 1/60  Deep Depth-of-Field                                f/4 Exp. Time: 1/200 Shallow Depth-of-Field

f/ 4 Exp. Time 1/250 Motion with Fast Shutter Speed               f/16 Exp. Time 1/60 Motion with Slow Shutter Speed

Here are a few more of my favorites from Kalei's photo shoot.

Learning Camera Lens Option

http://fujifilmxmount.com/comparison/en/test-our-lenses/?o=XF14

In all my years as a photographer, this is by far the best way for someone to understand how different lenses, aperture, and focal length effect a photo. It is a great way for them to understand Depth of Field (DOF). This is a great tool for someone just getting started, or for someone looking into buying a new lens. It gives the viewer a great perspective.

Photographer Yannis Behrakis

My Thoughts:
One of the first images I encountered was this one of Yannis. It is his profile photo for Reuters|The Wider Image.

They say that the eyes are the window to the soul. You can see a lot of heartache in this mans eyes. It is obvious in his eyes, that he has seen many things in his life that he probably wishes he could forget. Unfortunately, that is not how the mind works. Yannis stated, "The emotional impact of covering the refugee crisis is devastating. I have suffered from insomnia and nightmares, and felt guilty many times for not being able to do more. I have refugee blood myself, and I am a father."
You can see in his eyes the pain, and sorrow he has seen. I can only image the emotional torture that he has experienced. Being a photographer, I don't think I could stand back and take photographs. I would want to help the people instead.
Under Yannis' profile is the following quote, "The best photojournalist is the invisible one!" That would mean that you would have to emotionally detach yourself from any human emotion whatsoever. I think with him stating that, that he also trying to say that he doesn't want to be seen. He doesn't want to feel the guilt of standing there taking photographs, and not helping.

An ethnic Albanian man places the dead body of two-year-old Mozzlum Sylmetaj into a coffin next to the coffins of three other relatives, killed by Yugoslav army troops.

I found this image on Reuters to be intriguing. Yannis commented on this photograph saying he likes to create something unique. To create something that has never been seen before, or will again. I feel that he tries to look at things from a different perspective, to see things in a different light. His main goal is to create some type of emotion for the viewer. He wants them to feel something, to create awareness, and to hopefully get people involved and help. Yannis Behrakis describes this photograph as something magical. He said, "It almost looked like his spirit was leaving his body for the heavens." He used a slow speed/zoom effect from above to create this image. Honestly, it is all about being in the right place at the right time. I'm sure as a photojournalist this is even more important. You have to be able to anticipate what is going to happen next, and act on that. Another part of this is actually being able to visual what look you want. Being a photographer, you need to be able to know your equipment. This is especially true as a photojournalist. Behrakis takes these photographs as they unfold. He is not able to direct his subjects to do something, as with other types of photography. I feel that this image shows exactly what is happening. The way that it is taken using this technique draws the viewer right into the image and tells exactly what is happening. I think that also because of the motion in the photograph it adds to the emotion of it as well.

Who I Am!

Biography:
Hi! I am Annette. I am a mom, wife, college student, pediatric nurse, product photographer, photographer, taxi driver, traveler, night owl, and much more. I like being busy, it keeps me out of trouble (whatever that means). My kids think I'm "Super Mom", but also think I'm crazy. They like to laugh at me at tell everyone all the funny, quirky things I do. I am just starting my last semester, and I will be graduating in May with a Bachelor's in Photography. This has not been an easy road, but it has been very rewarding. I have a very supportive husband, and three awesome girls that back me in everything I do. My family moved here almost 18 years ago, and it has been the best thing we have ever done. Here are just a few of my favorite things: dark chocolate, Zipfizz!, Chipotle, going to the movies (movie popcorn is the best!), eating out, traveling, exploring, playing games, spending time with family, and anything to do with photography. A few of my least favorite things are dishes, laundry, and buying groceries.

Experience:
I have been involved in photography for about 25 years. I started out by developing black and white prints for my school yearbook. I absolutely fell in love with black and white photography. In 1996 my husband and I put a darkroom in our house. I had a darkroom for 10-12 years. I believe that this type of photography has become a lost art. As a student I have enjoyed working in this media again. Someday, I will have a darkroom again! Starting out I mostly did black and white film photography, but once things transitioned to digital I hesitated. Eventually, I broke down and purchased my first digital camera. Through a lot of trial and error (and possibly a few tears) I learned to love digital. In 2011, I decided to go back to college and get a degree. At that time there was not a Photography degree. I took as many photography/art classes that I could.
I consider myself to be fairly versatile in photography. My most favorite genre of photography is photographing newborn babies. Next to babies, I love photographing and interacting with children. I have done numerous bridals, weddings, and families. I have also tried my hand at landscape photography, but do not consider them to be the best. This last year has started to give me direction, and has opened many opportunities to me in the world of photography. Spring 2015 I participated in an internship for Elite Creators doing product photography for them. I was offered a part-time job over the summer with StatPacks, also doing product photography. Fall 2015 I was asked by Elite Creators to continue with them as a contract photographer. StatPacks as well has taken me on as their product photographer. In a nutshell, I love photography!

Inventory:
Canon Mark III
Canon 5D Mark II
Go Pro HERO4 Silver
Pentax 645 (Film)

Canon 4.0 24-105
Canon 2.8 70-200
Canon 4.0 100-400
Rokinon 2.8 14mm
Canon 1.8 50mm

2 Speedlite
3 Paul C. Bluff White Lightning X1600's
2 Pro Master SoftBox
Tungsten Soft Boxes

A couple different tripods

Lots of Photo Props!

Objective:
My objective for this course is to better myself as a photographer, and to explore a different aspect of photography. I feel that it will help me to step outside of the box, and think more critically. Just to have fun, and CREATE!