4056-pau2

[4056-pau2]

[4056-pau2]

Photoshoots

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Final Project Process

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Final Project

Numbness of Sorrow

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The project tries to represent the pain of a loss, a departure that leaves a hole in the heart, where before there was so much love and feeling now there is only numb darkness.

At the beginning, the project focused on how a broken heart is transmitted from the dance, but as the project evolved the dance was left aside and was replaced by a more real pain, a more genuine interaction and more structured poses almost becoming rigid, following the way the model expresses herself through lines and angles which gives a new perspective to the work, similar to the danger and pain caused by sharp things. Most of the expressions are of numbness as a reflection of the shock that such pain lefts imprinted in a person's heart and soul.

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1.

It is a desert in the middle of the mountains; it is not hot, but there is a lot of sand. It is curious because, despite the imposing mountains rising on the horizon, along the way you can find desert plants, cacti and agaves, which are also native to the Ecuadorian highlands. The mountains and valleys surrounding San Antonio are proof of that. Although at first glance it feels desolate and deserted with no important happenings, when you look a little closer or stop your car to get out and observe that empty lot, you can see that a complete ecosystem has formed inside and outside of it, from the small insects that live in the plants making their way through the sand to not so stray dogs living in the rubble. Around, there may be homes and communities nearby that are affected or not by that empty lot, depending on whether they have large houses with their own fences or if they have to rely on the border of that land to build their own homes. Despite this, the abandonment is evident; the owners of the lot have every right to do whatever they want with it, whether that means fencing it with spikes, accumulating debris, or letting nature take its course and take over the space while progress continues in front of it. All that remains for the vacant lot is to wait for a "SE VENDE" text on the wall.

2.

Desolate but surrounded by people, people who live around empty, wild lots, sometimes surrounded by spikes or with some fence, sometimes not even that. These lots are simply identified by a writing on a wall and a phone number “SE VENDE”, I don't want to go deep into the economic and social situation that led to such decisions. But I do want to go into how these lots once had life inside them, had constructions or maybe not, maybe they are still virgin land that in the future will have a edification inside them. Even if it is made out of wood, something will always change in this half abandon places, because the only constant thing there is change.

The passage of time, traces that are left behind marked in the sand, it is a deserted landscape, arid, nothing exists or maybe it ceased its existence, but there is hope maybe to get a little cash and rebuild again in another place. The hope varies according to the eyes of the beholder, the herbs and nature retaking the space is a symbol of fight and recovery. But these same plants that emerge from the abandonment are an impediment to the human objective, selling is more difficult when you have to spend on adapting the land to make it suitable, suitable for what?. To live so that it is comfortable for people or at least useful, an office or a local, we measure the value of things and spaces according to how much income they can generate us.

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Risk Assessment

My photography project was intended to capture the vibrant and artistic atmosphere of this event by focusing on the various vendors and their uniquely designed products. I intend to document the visual artistry surrounding the event, from the intricate details of the crafts to the overall ambiance of the space.

One of the main challenges I faced was the concern of bringing my camera into a crowded environment. Some of the potential risks of bringing it to downtown included the possibility of having it stolen, damaged during transportation, since I was going by subway, or causing discomfort to someone that might become angry or aggressive because they felt their privacy was being invaded. Additionally, I had to consider possible security restrictions, which might prohibit photographing in certain areas or even worst the whole event, forcing me to quickly change projects. Fortunately, I was able to navigate these challenges without any incidents, nothing bad or strange happened during the shooting.

To ensure safety during these types of documentary projects, I take precautions, such as carrying my camera in its secure bag, being aware of my surroundings, respect the privacy of others, and ask a friend to accompany me. It is also important to ask permission before photographing, especially in public spaces. In addition, I familiarize with the place and know if it is safe to bring the camera there. By taking these precautions, I minimize risks and continue to capture diverse pictures.

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Documentary Critique

What is your project about?

My project documents the experience of being in a fair and an exposition that shows diverse vendors and products with a unique design. I seek to capture all the art that revolves around the event.

What was the most challenging thing about it?

One of the main challenges was to bring the camera to the center, as I was worried that something might happen to it, but being accompanied there was no problem.

What did you learn from it?

I learned that people's reactions are diverse and unexpected and that I need to get out of my comfort zone in order to get good photographs.

Of all the things we’ve covered this semester, which have you enjoyed the most and / or would like to learn more about?

I really liked documentary because I feel that it combines landscapes and portraits without focusing of the person in first page. Also, it feels more natural and original because people aren’t posing awkwardly.

Which genre (or mixture of genres) do you think you’ll end up choosing for your final project?

I think I will use mainly documentary but I feel that I can also focus a bit on portraiture depending on the test shoots and how the project develops.

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Documentary

The concept of this project appeared when an advertise of the fair pop up in my Instagram, I immediately knew that I wanted to capture the essence of the festival especially because it was announced by a store which I follow and connect since I knew about its existence, being its main feature that within the same space it collects design brands and Ecuadorian entrepreneurs with unique merchandise mostly made in a handmade way. In this manner I wanted to capture the experience of this store but taken to a major event where people who do not know La Imaginativa can meet and buy the products of the participating brands. Also, it was a plus that there was an exposition of a poster design contest which gave a new and refreshing vibe to the fair concept, as the colorful posters matched the various handicraft stands.

During this project I had some difficulties, especially because it was a one-day event and I couldn’t do test shootings I had to be prepared for anything my camera is having some problems and I have to tighten the lid every time I use it, it is not an impediment to take pictures but it requires more time and preparation as I have to be more careful when I change the controls. One thing I could have done better is to have the camera checked and fixed before going to the show but I don’t know where I could do it. One aspect that made it easier to take pictures during this project was that the event took place on a semi-open patio with good lighting where the sun did not enter directly or too strong to affect the photography.

This being a documentary was a different and exiting experience, at the beginning I just took general pictures of the place and people around, the majority of them wouldn’t realize others would avoid going in front of the camera until I took the picture as not wanting to get in the way. Once I started taking pictures of specific people, mainly vendors and their stands, they were the ones that reacted to the camera, some posed and smiled others turned away, some ignore it and a few asked me if I had an Instagram or a photography account where I would post the photos, to them I just answered that it was for a class. It was a fun experience taking documentary photos since in certain cases I talked to people and they commented about how they appeared in other photos that day. There was one guy who was embarrassed but after talking a little bit more with him he agreed to appear in the photos, later, by asking simple questions he told us a lot about his art I enjoy when people are passionate about what they do.

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Mapping the Invisible

It's a sunny Sunday, perfect for a going downtown, even more when a fair is announced. But upon arrival the amount of people is overwhelming, everyone had the same idea, is it because of the fair or is there something else.  The doubts are cleared when at the place although bustling there are not as many people as in the streets, it is spacious and fresh also smells great, freshly baked cookies, in one corner live folk music is played there is color everywhere, the different merchandise become eye-catching especially the small ones like stickers and prints with beautiful and intricate designs.

The first thing people see when entering the grand hall is us, line up from the ceiling like rain drops slowly racing to the bottom of a window. The air helps to this narrative moving us softly we're not going anywhere but at least we're not standing still. The warmth of the sun gently entering above us is the only thing we can feel, our distant but constant companion, people although closer only stop for a few minutes, take pictures, exclaim what beautiful designs we are but barely read us much less seek to understand. Many see us but very few look at us.

It's boring to wait for visitors but it's even tiring to wait for a tattoo to do. I'm an artist that's why I'm here, to show my art. But I'm still waiting for someone brave enough to get a tattoo at a fair with pre-designed art so I get lost in my thoughts. People passing by, asking about, buying stickers, looking around. It's cold here even when it's sunny, I hate the crazy weather in this city. I’m getting hungry; the smell of the cookies next door doesn't help. Wait, there's a customer, I'm finally doing a tattoo, it's amazing when I do what I love.

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JAM

Interdiscipline, connection and expression that’s what this is about expressing them self’s and in unison as part of one group. Exploring bodies and abilities was the means used to achieve a performance that is understood as individual but at the same time forms a whole, each artist is a fundamental piece, contributing something different from each area. United in a single shared experience and interpreted according to the perspective of each person, from musicians, dancers, drawers and even photographers, everyone create and feel a unique moment which, no matter how many times the dynamic is repeated, it will never be the same, the same movements will never be made or the same photos will never be taken and that is the point of the jam to create a connection that can only be experienced once but that remains in the memory of those who participated.