My Time to Bid Farewell

It has been a long journey, full of triumphs and frustrations, but well worth my time and energy.  I have told the story many times that before I began the Photography program knowing next to nothing about the field only that I loved taking photographs and my dream job was to one day be a National Geographic photographer.  I may not be a published photographer yet but it is certainly in my future because I know that I have the determination, ambition, and talent to achieve my dreams.  It's going to take a lot of hard work and time, but over these last two and a half years I have understood all-the-more that hard work pays off.  

A lot has changed since I started school.  For the longest time I was decidedly a Nature photographer but through the experiences that each class and each assignment had presented me with I was able to explore my strengths and weaknesses as a photographer--not something you can easily do by learning to be a photographer by watching YouTube videos.  I still love Nature photography but I now call myself an Editorial photographer.  My goal is still to one day work for National Geographic but in the meantime I plan on working for smaller publications to get more experience, continue building my portfolio, and also build a reputation and credibility as an established professional.   

These things took two and a half years to cultivate.  My plans may change tomorrow but that's ok because in photography we never stop learning.  I had no idea what it took to be a successful professional.  Now I know that it is a lot harder than it looks and I have a more profound respect for those who have achieved success in the field.  Here are some of the best personal tid-bits that I picked up while attending the Art Institute of Pittsburgh - Online Division:

My historic photographer counterpart is Eugene Atget.  

During Photo History we were presented with the notion that we are all inspired by someone from history but at the time I had actually never even heard of Ansel Adams.  I thought this was ridiculous because I didn't have any knowledge of photographers whom I might be imitating.  Through more research and study I found a photographer that struck me as so familiar in style and aesthetic and it was Atget.

You cannot teach passion or curiosity.

It has to come from within.  Instructors cannot instill these attributes.  If you do not have the passion for photography you will not learn how to be passionate about it.  The same goes with curiosity.  If you do not have natural wonder you cannot be taught how to derive a deeper inquisition.

Your demonstrated time management says a lot about your personal character.

I was only ever late ONCE.  It was a response to one of my peers almost two years ago but I have never forgotten.  It is disrespectful and negligent to wait until the last minute to post assignments and/or responses.  If, and inevitably when, something goes wrong you suddenly have excuses for your late post but ultimately you cannot blame anyone or anything but yourself for being a procrastinator.  Stop waiting until the last minute because it's not just instructors who notice and classmates like me, it's your employers, clients, and future clientele who are going to see how you not only manage your time but their time and yourself as a professional.

I am going to miss school but I am looking forward to stepping out on my own with the knowledge I have gained and show the world what a great photographer I am and will be.  Its been a pleasure meeting and working with you all.  Best wishes in your futures!

Works Cited

Atget, Eugène. "(1856-1927), Stubborn horse, 1898, France." Photograph. Encyclopædia Britannica ImageQuest. Web. 1 Dec 2014. 

<http://quest.eb.com/#/search/170_2983546/1/170_2983546/cite>

Atget, Eugene. "Chatillon, glycine, 1919." Photograph. Encyclopædia Britannica ImageQuest. Web. 1 Dec 2014. 

<http://quest.eb.com/#/search/109_165072/1/109_165072/cite>

Atget, Eugene. "Saint-Cloud, 1924." Photograph. Encyclopædia Britannica ImageQuest. Web. 1 Dec 2014. 

<http://quest.eb.com/#/search/109_165412/1/109_165412/cite>

Atget, Eugene. "Verrieres, coin...1922." Photograph. Encyclopædia Britannica ImageQuest. Web. 1 Dec 2014. 

<http://quest.eb.com/#/search/109_165097/1/109_165097/cite>

Your New Tuesday Ambassador is Here!

Hello, everyone!  I am Abby, your new Tuesday Ambassador bringing you insight and inspiration as well as answering your questions from the beautiful Pacific Northwest.  I have been attending AIPOD for almost two years and am preparing to graduate this December.  I went to college the first time right after high school but just wasn't sure what I wanted to do for a career.  Of course I had aspirations of becoming a dental hygienist and even major in Philosophy, but they were all lacking something that I needed in a career.  I have had jobs in which I have excelled and done well at, but they were never going to make me happy because I couldn't explore my artistry.

Like many other photographers, I got my first camera for my 10th birthday and my passion for capturing photos became an integral part of my being though I had never had any experience with photography beyond the two point-and-shoot cameras.  Growing up I was fascinated by National Geographic magazines and they served to illustrate the world as I had never seen it.  It inspired a desire to take a deeper interest in the splendors and mysteries of Earth and nature.  It was not until after my son was born that I stopped making excuses for not following my dreams of working for National Geographic; I needed to set a good example for him and teach him that hard work pays off--your dreams don't come true if you don't pursue them.  He is my reason for going back to school, he why I work so hard at everything I do.

I may not be a National Geographic photographer yet, but I have come a long way since I began school at AIPOD and the level of accomplishment and success I have achieved thus far is only a confirmation that with time, dedication, persistence, passion, and determination you have the power to make your dreams a reality.  Are you pursuing a dream?  What are your career aspirations? 



Wide-Angle Wednesday

Good Morning PSPN and Welcome to Wide-Angle Wednesday!

My name is Corina and I’m a student studying in the BS Photography program. I just recently celebrated my first year at AI and look forward to blogging all about my experience and everything photography right here every Wednesday.

http://www.liveanimalslist.com/mammals/camel.php

Why call it “Wide-Angle” Wednesday? Because “Hump Day” is over rated...dang camel!

Let’s see, a wide angle lens serves a purpose in two ways

• ·        Gives you a wide angle of view
• ·     Shorter focal length

The goal in blogging here at PSPN is to provide that wide-angle view in both our course study and our love for photography. It’s an opportunity to add emphasis and detail to your foreground studies, as you capture and hone your skills in the background. A shorter focal length is not a bad thing; it represents your passion to be up close and personal to your studies.

Take advantage of Wide Angle Perspective!

http://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tutorials/wide-angle-lenses.htm

We have a wide angle view meaning objects up close will seem bigger in size than that of the background. Naturally in life, our short term goals are in the foreground and the long term goals fall into the background. We all strive to meet our long term goals but we can’t achieve perspective without the short term being upfront and completed first.  

So where am I going with the photography, wide angle lens lingo on a Wednesday?

Well I like to make comparisons and normally when I do, I use something recognizable to the audience. I’m also an inspiring landscape photographer, with a side of journalism. As photographers we may take a second or two to determine what lens we need, lighting, accessories, and settings we plan to use to capture the image. Sometimes the outcome is awesome, other times the outcome is a shot being missed. Let your time here be that awesome shot, in other words take more than a second to determine what you need as you go forward in learning new skills.   

We have all heard the saying “cross your t’s and dot your i’s”. I like to take it one step further and say don’t forget to capitalize your Education Opportunities and don’t let the assignment be the period to the end of practicing your new skills.

http://shop.anseladams.com/Half_Dome_Merced_River_Winter_p/5010113-u.htm

My photography inspiration comes from growing up in the Yosemite Valley in California. Anyone from the area has probably seen the works of Ansel Adams a thousand times over. At some point I thought an awesome job in life would be a Forest Ranger. Little did I know I would fall in love with the art, and the history behind the images. I still have a passion for the environment and being outdoors, I just rather wear a camera than a uniform. Below is a quote also well-known and used a lot in the photography world.

"You don’t make a photograph just with a camera. You bring to the act of photography all the pictures you have seen, the books you have read, the music you have heard, the people you have loved.” –Ansel Adams

In closing, let your path in photography be wide angled. Stay focused and your path will be filled with perfect shots. 

I look forward to next week's Wide-Angle Wednesday as it’s Christmas! Good day to capture memories and eat some good food.

From my camera to yours, may all your images tell a story!

The Wednesday Ambassador