5DaysOfBlack

After watching a documentary on one of my all time favorite R&B singers, Maxwell, my passion for what I love to do has been revived. There is always a time where my inspiration dwindles and I yearn for a push, some type of light bulb to go off. This documentary is about this vocal artists journey to completing his most recent album, BLACKsummersnight. As an artist myself, I get inspired by his emotions and feelings behind what each song means to him and his overall passion for music. He talks about "the lessons that I have learned to live first and create after" which I find to be true with all art forms in terms of the experiences that create these monumental moments in your life. Those experiences are great influences and inspirations for art...even more for the artist.

When he talks about one of his singles, "Pretty Wings," his description behind this beautifully written song, comes to light.
"Pretty Wings is about letting someone go, letting them go when you know that you would rather them not go, but knowing in some way that the timing isn't right and that you're supposed to separate, live and maybe come back together. And even if you don't, just understand that higher voice, that pushes you to see the big picture and make a hard decision."
This song bleeds and oozes this description and meaning behind the love of this track; it creates this relatable story. This creation of a story reverts back to what I yearn to portray within my photographs. This is one aspect I have been working on for the past two quarters and am beginning to understand how to let the picture speak for itself; in the same way this song speaks to it's listener.

art.nouveau

While researching for my photojournalism class, I found this Atlanta based magazine, art nouveau. I have always been intrigued by up and coming artists from around the area and learning about the growing Atlanta art scene. I find this magazine to capture in your face artists who graphically express themselves through their art. I find that expression to be admirable and fascinating due to the confidence and passion these artists embody.

Illustrator

Stumbling across the art nouveau magazine, I found an interesting illustrator by the name of Rich Pellegrino. He is based in the Rhode Island area and creates innovative and colorful artwork. I found these abstract portraits to be eye pleasing and make me linger in each one because of the dynamic use of colors and brush strokes.

Phillip Toledano - Days with my Father

After checking out Forest's blog, I found the post on Phillip Toledano. I went to his website (http://www.dayswithmyfather.com) and looked at his series. I immediately fell in love with the deep devotion and meaning behind this project and how personal it was for him. There is one quote from the series that strikes me as absolutely beautiful "I feel lucky to have had these last three years. To have left nothing unsaid. To know that we loved each other nakedly, without embarrassment." I feel that these are a lot of aspects of life and death that people always wish they could redo when they loose a loved one.

I take this project to heart because my grandparents are in a similar situation. My grandmother has alzheimer's and is slowly deteriorating while my frail grandfather is taking care of her, while dismissing his own health. When I see two people that sincerely love each other and have been together for 50 + years, that truly captures the vow "till death do us part." I know they will be together until one of them passes because of that vow they made and the unconditional love they have for one another. I have been toying with the idea to photograph them as a personal project to show selfless my grandfather is to take care of his ailing wife due to how much he loves that woman. I find this action to be inspiring and captivating because of how many people, nowadays, that take the word "love" for granted and have no idea what it truly means to love someone, unconditionally.

I recently stumbled upon this beautiful photo taken by Christopher Cosgrove, a photography student from the Savannah campus. When I saw this photograph, I was completely fascinated and could not stop looking at it. The composition, flattering lighting, and simple pose of this beautiful model has created a breath taking photograph. It is images like these that inspire and motivate me to experiment with my own potential ideas to pursue on my own time. I find myself struggling with completing my own ideas outsides of class because I feel so wrapped up in my projects. I think that is one thing that many SCAD students struggle with because of the high demand for a fabulous project, for the grade. This is one aspect that I am striving to work on and allow my creativity to flourish -- for more than just a good grade.

A True Photographer

One of my favorite photographers, Yousuf Karsh, continuously inspires me. He was well known for his portraits of influential people and celebrities. The approach he took to photographing these people truly captured an essence of who they are and / or were. I strive to capture this similar essence. A quote that embodies his outlook on his photography and drive is what motivates me when I photograph portraits of people.

The endless fascination for these people for me lies in what i call their inward power. It is part of the elusive secret that hides in everyone, and it has been my life's work to try and capture it on film. The mask we present to others and, to often, to ourselves may lift for only a second -- to reveal that power in an unconscious gesture, a raised brow, a surprised response, a moment of repose. This is the moment to record.

To my deep satisfaction, through my photographs many people have been introduced to some of the outstanding personalities of our time and, I hope, given a more intimate glimpse of and greater insight into them.

My own quest now has stretched for over a lifetime. The search for greatness of spirit has compelled me to work harder -- to strive for perfection, knowing it may be unattainable. My quest has brought me great joy when something close to my ideal has been attained. It has kept me young in heart, adventurous, forever seeking, and always aware that the heart and mind are the true lens of the camera.

Yousuf Karsh

Snow Day

As I sit here on this beautiful snow day in Atlanta. I start to get some photography ideas of doing a shoot in the snow. Since this is such a rare occasion in the south, it would be very interesting to go out and shoot in this weather. I got some dope shots last night of the snow falling which allowed my creativity to start going. Some type of high fashion shoot with bright colored garments would pop with the surrounding of white powder around the model. Anything that would contrast and play off of the white snow would make for a dynamic photograph and allow the viewer to create their own story from the image. It's fascinating to me how inspiration can come from practically anywhere for anyone to create this unique masterpiece.