This story begins in 2014 when I was lucky enough to be able to select an artistic elective with a unique medium: Photography 10.
I had always jumped at any chance to create art but had not previously considered how that could be achieved through a digital medium. This class would become a unique opportunity to explore a hobby through an educational lens. (Pun intended). The class started with an introduction to some basic lingo: lens, subject, aperture, exposure, etc., but quickly escalated to hands-on activities. There was an unusual freedom in this class to explore -- not just the school grounds for subjects but also your creative limits as a photographer. Could you capture an image that went beyond fulfilling assignment criteria within the mundane setting of a rural high school? As it turns out, yes, but it is not without its challenges. Seeing the beauty in the ordinary halls would require special attention, special tools. Armed with the rule of thirds among other concepts, I explored my surroundings with a new perspective. Suddenly, a pick up basketball game captured on a slow shutter could depict motion, a macro-view of a sidewalk crack was a breathtaking vast cavern, and collection of acrylic paint peels displayed a depth of color I could never have imagined. Would this work land me on the front of National Geographic or another prominent photography magazine? Not in a million years. However, the skills learned from this class are not all meant to be taken literally. Exercising your ability to see everyday things as more interesting than they are at a glance takes practice. Six years later and I am still learning. Transitioning between macro and micro views of the world encourages me to remember to be skeptical about how things look at first glance but also keep compassion in seeing the bigger picture. As a fourth-year university student majoring in accounting, a career in photography is not even on my view-finder. I use it as an opportunity to be creative when my brain is ready to implode from consolidating financial statements. Unlike other mediums, photography is flexible. Take as many photos as you want one day and you can pick up your camera 6 months later and they're still there. Are there better, more creative artists out there? Absolutely. I am not disillusioned by my ability but the world of art and creation is not exclusive. In fact, it welcomes diversity and difference more than perhaps any other hobby. Any invitation to participate is open to interpretation and the existence of an outlet is welcoming enough for me. I hope you'll enjoy viewing the content displayed on this website as much as I enjoyed creating it. Much love, Paige
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