Higher Standards
I made these portraits of Sara for my portraiture assignment. These images actually are from a second shoot, see yesterday’s post A Girl and Her Horse to see the shots from the first take. Initially I really liked the shots from my first shoot and was very pleased — good light and a beautiful subject distracted me from the fact that my shots were missing interaction and a moment. So I went out again with the intention to capture a portrait that gave us a sense of connection between Sara and her horse. I think that I was able to do just that with these images. Unfortunately I’m in an awkward position of having to pick “one” for class and for the life of me I cannot pick just one of these images.
The title of today’s post is Higher Standards mainly because I’ve been been getting frustrated with some of my peer PJ’s. I feel like a lot of people are rushing assignments and turning in stuff that is so far below their capabilities. I don’t know if it’s just because it’s getting to be the end of the quarter or what. But, it’s important that we keep ourselves working to a higher standard. We’re all a team right now and the harder each of us works individually the harder we will push each other to grow and photojournalists. I’ve tried espesically hard in the last few assignments to make sure that I’m shooting to that higher standard — that’s why I went back and shot again. I’m not trying to sound haughty or pontificate, I just want us all to be aware of the fact that effort shows in our photos.
I know what you mean Aaron. I’ve been thinking a lot about this and especially how I fit in the picture (no pun intended haha). I know personally I’m upset with myself for not producing good caliber work in these weekly assignments. I take solace in the fact that I’m not ignorant to this though.
I think the team concept is definitely important to maturing as a shooter. I spend a lot of time with non-photojournalism majors (not that there’s anything wrong with that), but I notice that they give me too much credit for taking in-focus pictures they want for their Facebook. There’s a lot to be said for surrounding yourself with a community that will push you and your work further. That’s something I admire about Ohio Univ.
I’m especially looking forward to picture story class this winter.