Portfolio

https://jessastorygirl.wixsite.com/photography

   I've learned so much from this class, not only how to physically use the settings on my camera, but how to capture a picture with depth, a picture with psychological value. I also found out that I really love photography! Thank you for all being wonderful classmates, and thank you Eric for being a wonderful and talented instructor.

Feature Edit: Erin Hakoda

I edited a few of Erin's photos. Most of her photos were already clear and well framed, so I chose three I thought could use a little touching up. I cropped, lightened the shadows, and heightened the contrast a smudge.

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Feature: Flood Prevention Project

   After the Hildale flood of September, 2015, the Governor of the State of Utah declared a state-of-emergency for the town. Flood control is the major operation, helping the town recover from the destruction the water caused and taking preventive measures against future floods. Located off of Utah Avenue and Oak Street is the newest project under construction. Starting at the first of March: Machinery cleared trees, dug and hauled away dirt, and brought in loads of granite to line the sides of the containment pond.

    Here are the shots I took of the machinery in action. I tried to get some pictures at dusk when they had stopped working for the night, but sadly my pictures didn't turn out.

Illustration Post: Finding an Identity

I know I have a unique story that others want to hear about, but I have a hard time bringing my experiences out in a way that people can understand. I recently met a girl who has served a mission for the LDS church, and she was clear full of questions about what it was like to leave a cult and adjust into the outside world. I had many ideas for this project but it is quite a broad topic to cover in a single picture. I still feel like I could have done better at portraying my message than the pictures shown below, but practice makes perfect and I'm still practicing.

Physical, Psychological, Social and Cultural Contexts:

I tried to achieve the look of half-way between the cult I was raised in and the life I am trying to live now. You'll notice my hair is up in a wave which is a stylistic symbol of the FLDS Church, as well as the dress I am wearing. The hanging hair and the choker are representation of leaving that behind. The makeup being washed away on the left side of my face is the representation of being torn between letting go of what I grew up with and living a whole new way of life. You'll notice I'm wearing a placard that reads, "Member Number: 4725". That is also a symbol of where I came from and the restriction I lived under -being classified as a number.

f/3.4 1/250 sec. ISO 400 4mm (flash)

f/3.4 1/250 sec. ISO 100 4mm

Raw Photos:

I took this photo with a flash, which created an effect of white-washing.

The Catalina Experience

As a class for Environmental Science, I took a trip to Santa Catalina Island. The time spent was well worth it; I loved every minute of it. I wasn't able to take as many photos as I would have liked to as I had classes and schedules to follow. I was lucky enough to have Maria on the same trip with me. Guest stars: Kimberly Johnson and Ryann Heinlen.

In Class Practice

Outdoor Lighting:

Hunter: f/5.6 1/250 sec. ISO 100 28mm

Markee: f/5 1/250 sec. ISO 200 10mmKaden: f/6.3 1/250 sec. ISO 200 25mm

Indoor Lighting:

f/5.6 1/250 sec. ISO 800 18mm

f/6.3 1/250 sec. ISO 400 18mm

Natural Light Portraits

I visited my old high school to reconnect with and take a few pictures of my old classmates. I found two people in particular, polar opposites, who showed their character to the camera.

f/5 1/60 sec. ISO 200 14mm

f/5 1/60 sec. ISO 200 14mm

The first is Randy, 19-years-old and a senior. He is a goof-off and a trouble-maker. He's always causing the teachers anguish and spending the day in the principal's office. Most of the students try to keep as far way from him as they can, but I've never let him become distant to me. You know what they say, "Keep your friends close and your enemies closer." He came into the hall where I was taking pictures, so I told him to stand next to the window. At first he smiled sweetly and posed and I said, "Wait a minute, that's not you. I've never seen you smile like that." He then pulled the angry face you see.

f/7.1 1/60 sec. ISO 200 15mm

Lisa is the one friend from high school that has stuck around and seeks out my friendship. She is a little blonde and extremely innocent, but she will follow me in and out of trouble and is never scared to tell me the blunt truth. She has an wide smile that she flashes often and a carefree personality. I told her to look serious and it was all she could do to hold back a laugh.

f/8 1/60 sec. ISO 200 20mm