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Artist's Statement

I was asked to make a statement. I thought, “What can I talk about? I learned so much...where do I begin?”

I was lost.

Until, an idea came to me. An idea that would turn into a sentence, which would turn into a paragraph, until...

I had a statement.

My growth in photography is somewhat substantial. From the beginning, to the end, I have learned many skills and philosophies of photography that I believe I truly have gained an understanding of what photography is, who the photographer is, and what the story is behind every picture.

In September, in the first days of photography, I had finally gotten my hands on a digital camera. But, unfortunately, my mother had one of those “Home Shows,” you know, one of those go-to-so-I-can-feel-envious shows. Regardless, it was the end of the show, and It was time to go home. Until the idea came to me. The Princess Gates, the very entrance to the CNE Grounds, was to be my target. I started to crouch, and I didn't know what I was doing. The Camera took over.

No. That's not right.

I was the Camera.

I began to take pictures of the Angels, then the arches, and finally, the sidegates that no one paid attention to. But these gates, coincidentally, became the focal point for my first big hit, which I entitled “The Holy Grail.”

After that, I hit the ground running.

Each project, I continued to formulate ideas, images, pictures, and thoughts as my hands first touched the digital camera. I began to feel the camera's guidance; “What should I do?” I thought.

It seemed to respond. But not through words.

I snapped a picture of a tent. Then, a tree. Then a person in a tree. Then a person in a tree taking a picture of someone in the tree taking a picture of a person on the ground. I had become sensory, and I began to precieve photography as an art, not as a documentary item good for scrapbooking.

I have to admit, I hated photography when I was younger. The thought of having to bring the film to the camera, wind it, press the clicker, wind it again, (etc.) I then remember bringing it to Shopper's Drug Mart, and I waited...one week. Seven days of waiting, and that's a lot for a ten year-old. Luckily, my first bout with photography wouldn't be my last.

But this is my statement, the message I wanted to get across:

Photography is like a bike rider (and not in the traditional, clichéd sense either.) There are two kinds of riders, a slow and steady one, and a fast and furious one.

The slow and steady one will continuously ride his bike at the same pace, will wear a helmet, and always make sure he abides by the rules.

A fast and furious rider is quite the opposite. Careless speeds, death defying stunts, and reckless abandonment is what comes to mind.

I learned that being a fast and furious photographer is just as important as being a slow and steady one. Although a slow and steady photographer would most likely never fail, and will consistently bring the same techniques to the table, being a fast and furious photographer is what is needed to grow. I learned that taking risks is huge, and that not always abiding by the rules is acceptable, and that a photographer grows by crashing down, and getting back up.

I learned that while we all can't be Richard Avedon and Irvin Penn, with the right tools, and proper instruction, a simple picture can pack a loud punch.

I also learned that Photoshop is my best friend. Fixing everything for me, Photoshop and I are inseperable when it comes to photography. From shadows, to tonalities, from colour, to monochrome, Photoshop has helped me every step of the way to becoming the photographer that I am today. Let's face it, even Avedon would be jealous of us with Photoshop.

What inspires me? What moves me to bring myself to new levels?

During the course of the photography year, I've been exposed to many new and exciting things through the use of Flickr. My most memorable moment is coming across Tyler Knott Gregson, screenname “TylerKnott.” His work is excellent, and his portrait series is remarkable. Ranging from HDR, to Lomo, to portraits, Tyler Knott has demonstrated everything there is to be a photographer that I want to be.

He captures the smallest wrinkles on the skin, and he has a passion for the photographic eye. It appears that every picture that he posts he succeeds in. I marvel at his love for a person is translated into the image that he captures.

From his girlfriend, to his dog, Tyler Knott invokes a warm, photographic image His influence has helped me to perfect my portraiture, which indeed is reflected upon my final project, which reflects playfullness, childhood, and laughter.. I believe that there should be more photographers like himself, who photograph the light, amusing, and happy side of the oh-so-messed-up world.

Now, I feel that my growth for this year has become complete. Finishing off with a tale of a girl in a California beach house, I now feel that my Flickr account can finally rest, and my next inspiration, wherever you may be, will not be far behind.