Bowl

   Some of the best photographs in the world are pictures of everyday objects- a sign, a bike, a tree. I love the randomness of how I got this photo: looked up, pointed the camera and clicked. For some reason I really like the lines in the photo, as well as the vividness of the colors. The blue, cloudless sky was breathtaking today, and really makes this picture special. Although I am a terrible bowler, I still love going out to enjoy this activity with my friends. Overall, I am happy with my result!!

Inspiration

   Denver is home to some amazing architecture. Here is a picture of the Denver Art Museum that was built to represent the jagged Rocky Mountains. I love the sharp angles of the building, and how dramatic it looks in black and white. When younger I had the idea I wanted to be an architect, and even though that is no longer my dream, I am still constantly fascinated by how each building has it's own character. Even buildings can be extremely inspiring. If you have never been to the Denver Art Museum, I definitely recommend it!!

    I love the contrast of this black and white photo! For some reason I love how black and white captures the light coming off of metal objects, especially off of the pieces of this camera. I have officially experienced all the classes I will be taking this quarter, and let me just say Photography is definitely going to be my all time favorite. I have always been more of a creative person than a math genius, so this class I will be able to have fun and show my strong suit. This photograph is the perfect representation of this class; it's a picture of a camera, held by my photography classmate, in a photography exhibit! Perfect!

Something Beautiful

   I love this photo. It shows that even something bland and ugly like a trash dumpster has something of beauty to offer to the world. The city of Denver is filled with so much character, and it has been awesome getting to explore this wonderful place! I love the black and white contrast, because then it requires you to really look at the picture to figure out that it is a trash bin. The texture of the stickers is also really cool. TOday was he first day of classes here at DU. I am already a bit overwhelmed, but I think I am up for the challenge. More pictures to come!

I've heard it in the silence 

Seen it on a face 

I've felt it in a long hour 

Like a sweet embrace

-Newsboys

Top of the World

    The possibilities seems endless whenever coming to a new place, especially a place as wonderful as the city of Denver. Although college campus is a few light rail stops from the center of downtown, I consider myself extremely lucky. I grew up a mere forty minutes away from Denver, but was never truly able to enjoy everything it has to offer. Now I can experience everything first hand whenever I choose. I love this photo for it's angle. Whenever in a city I look up at the building towering over me, and can't help but feel excited. I love how blue the sky is- representing Colorado's 300 days of sunshine. I'm beyond excited to experience this city to it's fullest!

I'm ready for the pressure

The drama and the pleasure

Got my whole life here in front of me

I'm taking over when I walk the streets

- Pussycat Dolls

The Cave In Which We Live

 (photo taken from http://mahimahi.uchicago.edu/drupal/english/about/alumni/bookshelf)

Through the writing of Susan Sontag in the collection of essays with in  the book On Photography the world has begun to question and analyze the affect of photography, and what can be perceived as absolute truth. Sontag compares the philosophical idea of Plato’s Cave to depict her beliefs of modern photography. Although her ideas have deemed to be controversial, they certainly have gotten the worlds attention, thus causing the mass speculation of what really is the truth behind photography.

Plato is the philosopher who imagined a scenario now known as Plato’s Cave, where a group of people was fooled by shadows dancing on the wall of their cave, believing they were live spirits. These shadows were in fact people dancing behind a fire that they were not able to see. Sontag uses this vision as an analogy to explain her perspective of what photography truly is; Sontag believes the camera provides the world with lies. People believe in the obvious, the captured moment in time, the proof. It is necessary for a person to have a concrete piece of evidence in order to believe something is the truth, which is why photography can be so dangerous. Without context to an event, pictures can be extremely deceiving. While photographs do show a piece of the truth, it can never be certain whether or not the photo is unbiased and not showing a skewed version of what is actually occurring. Sontag believes that photographs are the shadows on the wall. Yes, the shadows do exist, like the moment the picture was taken, but in reality the spirits are in fact just shadows, like the moment the picture was taken is only a small part of the truth.

Another way in which photographs can be extremely biased is through the work of the photographer. The photographer is free to skew the image whichever way they please, and can do this in several different ways. A person who captures a moment on film can show just his or her own perspective. For example in a war zone, a photographer might take a gruesome picture of a soldier from one country killing another. This photograph automatically makes the killer seem vicious and cruel, causing the viewer of the photo to have sympathy for the victim, when in fact the victim may have just injured the killer’s family. Who knows what the truth is? All the viewer sees is that specific second, and from just that they can draw up their own conclusions.

            Another way in which the photographer can alter the entire idea behind the photograph is through modern technology. These days, cameras come with programs that allow the photographer to completely revise the original picture. For example many computer programs enable the photographer to crop the picture, remove imperfections, and brighten the colors. With the program Photoshop the photographer can combine two pictures and create an entirely different photo. These programs allow the creation of something that is not real, an event that did not occur; these photographs are made up of lies. Sontag comments that the world is full of cameras, not necessarily photographers. Today, any one person can take a picture and make it extraordinary using the tools given to us through modern technology. Sontag makes her readers question what it truly means to be a photographer.

            Whether a “true” photographer or an amateur, photography allows everyone to express his or her beliefs and produce images that create a window into their world. Within every photograph lies an experience that the photographer has. Families use a camera to document memories: the holidays, birthdays, talent shows. Other photographers use a camera for their profession: at a fashion shoot for Vogue, or on an African safari for National Geographic. The difference between photography and seeing is the experience. Photography might produce an image that evokes a memory, but actually seeing allows a person to absorb an event and remember internally. What a person sees also can affect their photography. For example, a photography blog may only contain what a person sees every single day. The images are limited to and represent the bubble in which that person lives: their father’s guitar, the flowers in their backyard.  But once the view of what that person sees changes, like moving to a new city, or going off to college, their photography is open to a whole new world, and a whole new perspective.  The way in which a person experiences the world changes the entire dynamic between seeing and photography.

            Susan Sontag presents the truth about photography from an entirely new perspective. Her allusion to Plato’s Cave requires the reader to question what photography means to them, and whether they believe photography to be made of lies. Although photography is an amazing form of artistic expression, Sontag is correct in her beliefs. Photographs are made from a photographer’s personal perspective and ideology, causing pictures to be made up of opinions and bias, not true events.  The way a person sees the world contributes to how and where they take pictures. To see is to also experience and remember, instead of just viewing pictures that solely represent memories. Overall, through the work of Susan Sontag, photography has transformed to a whole new dimension, exposing the personal question: Is the world of photography only shadows on the cave wall?

Cheyenne Michaels

      This is my new friend Cheyenne Michaels, a student at the University of Denver and member of the freshman seminar class Personal Histories of Photography. She lives in the town right next to mine, and we even discovered that we know some of the same people. It's when I meet people like her that I realize this really is a small world. Her favorite color is purple, and if she were to be an animal she would be a snow fox, which are pretty awesome. When asked what the best night of her life so far was, she began to describe a night of trespassing, everything from abandoned train cars to sneaking on roofs. So if you are ever looking for an adventure, find Cheyenne. Also, if you love Japanese food, she is the girl to take to dinner. When asked what food she would eat for the rest of her life if only able to eat one variety, she chose Japanese. So whether you love purple, are looking for adventure, or just need a fun friend, get to know this girl- she's awesome.

Welcome to Denver

    It's my first few days at the University of Denver and I am absolutely in love with this school and this city. Today my amazing First Year Seminar class took the light rail and headed into the city to look at some photographers. Our first stop was the Denver Art Museum where we looked at several different exhibits and then ate lunch, a three course meal at the restaurant Palettes. So delicious. Next we headed to the exhibit of Mark Sink, which was unbelievable. He talked to us about his work, and I can honestly say I left inspired. We then stopped by the building to see Camera Obscura, a collection put together by Hal Gould. It was so interesting learning about how he helped photography to be known as fine art. It was great getting to know my all girl seminar, we all get along so well. Overall, the day was amazing, and I can not wait to learn more!!

If I Ain't Got You

    Linnea, Maren and Nicole have been the most amazing friends through the years! Today was our last day before we all head off to school, so we decided to have a relaxing time at the pool. Linnea is headed to Texas, Maren to Connecticut, and Nicole is going over seas to Abu Dhabi. Even though we have many miles between us, I know we will stay best friends. Like we were close in middle and high school, we will remain close all through college :) Good luck! 

Some people want diamond rings

Some just want everything

But everything means nothing

If I ain't got you, yeah

-Alicia Keys

Butterflies

   One of the best parts of summer is getting to see the world around you come alive. Butterflies are a symbol of happiness and freedom, and that is why I chose to take this picture today. Butterflies are the only insects I can truthfully say are extremely beautiful. I love how graceful, colorful and alive these pretty little things are. It's perfect that I caught this moment, and I'm very grateful to have so many of these beautiful creatures just outside my window. My favorite part of this picture is the contrast of the colors, the green, blue, yellow, and purple. Again, today was a success!

Don't go chasing after butterflies 
when everything you want
is right here by your side

-Norah Jones

Talk

   This is the view from my backyard here in Lafayette, Colorado. I love this view because it reminds me of home, and reminds me that I am lucky to have this beautiful landscape to look at! I chose these lyrics for this photo because in exactly four days I move to Denver and start my new life as a college student! It makes me wonder where I will be at in my life the next time I see this beautiful sight! 

You can take a picture of something you see

In the future where will I be?

You can climb a ladder up to the sun

Or write a song nobody has sung or do

Something that's never been done 

-Coldplay

The Spider's Web

       The spider web can represent so much within our society, whether it be the fear of something or the idea of constructing a foundation. Personally, I am deathly afraid of spiders. I hate everything about them, but I do like the concept of their webs. I love how they assemble their entire lives: their home, their way of catching food, how they can rebuild whenever, wherever. This photo is really cool because the light is shinning, emphasizing the strands of the web. I really like the black and white because it makes it highlighted and more dramatic.

 Thus I, gone forth as spiders do
 In spider's web a truth discerning,
 Attach one silken thread to you
For my returning.
-E.B. White