EOC Week 4 Plans for Visiting a Photo Shop

In the city of Las Vegas we are not forante to have many photography shops in town. Most of the time I have to make a stop at Best Buy and hope they have what I am looking for. For this week's photo challenge though I will be make a stop at Casey's Camera and B&C Camera. I have had the opportunity to visit Casey's before and it is well equip with photography supplies and the staff is very helpful. While researching other shops in town I found B&C. I had never heard of them before and I think it will be helpful in the future to know about any of the photography shops in town. Though I do most of my photography supply shopping online, those last minute needs do happen and having a place to go is extremely nice to have.

Casey's Camera: 

1550 E TROPICANA AVE 

LAS VEGAS,  NV 89119

B&C Camera:

4511 W Sahara Ave.

Las Vegas, NV 89102

BOC Week 4 Photo Challenge

I have been very fornate to have been able to travel many places in the world. Every where I have gone has given me experiences that have shaped and made me who I am today. I feel experienceing another culture is the true way to appreciate it. One of my favorite places I have gotten to see is the Bahamas. The colors, the people, the art, the overall feeling you get when walking around is such a well known place. Sure you can see it in movies but you really can't say you have seen the Bahamas without walking on the beach and hearing a friendly greeting from the people of the Bahamas.

During my most recent trip this past weekend I went on a Disney Cruise with my friends and family. During the cruise we got to visit to the Bahamas where we were taken to Disney's private island Castaway Cay. It was absolute paradise there. I took this picture while swimming in the water. I set my camera on a tripod zoomed into the water where I was going to be and set the camera on the self timer. I was lucky enough to get this shot which shows the beauty of the Bahamas.

I love that I got to see the amazing place with people I love. Photographers can become lonely people but what makes photography so special to me is the people I get to experience these photos with.  "Do not exchange a meaningless award for the sorrow you will feel each morning you wake up alone without you spouse." (Harrington, 483)

Week 3 EOC: My Committment

After discovering my love for photography I gave myself a commitment. I would do whatever in my power to make my love for photography a career. I had to make the transition from focusing my attention on social work to what I needed to do to not only be a photographer but a successful photographer. I first made the decision to completely change my education plan. I left grad school and began my journey to discovering what it would take to be a professional photographer. I committed to myself that as a photographer I will provide high quality professional portraits to professionals and families while making a lasting professional relationship. I want to be the portrait photographer that gets to see their clients children grow up and remembers taking pictures for their daughter’s graduation photograph. Making my career incorporate my social work skills will give me a uniqueness that will help my clients identify me from the hundreds of photographers in the surrounding Orlando area. “Uniqueness could be that the style and approach you have are so unique that you can command a premium for your distinctive style. In these cases, the client is likely willing to hire you and fly you to wherever the shoot is---and yes, pay the premium rate.” (Harrington, 60) Photographers like David LaChapelle also have this uniqueness about their work. Having this uniqueness to my own work will give my career a head start from other people who happen to own and camera and like to take pictures of people’s faces. I also commit to make every photograph creative. Some ideas may be used more than once but that doesn’t disregard the creativity that was used to create them first. “The creative factor is often one of the largest contributions to the photographer’s fees, and this is why it often referred to as the creative fee.” (Harrington, 61)

Week 3 BOC Photo Challenge Self portrait paparazzi

The paparazzi have always been an the unpleasant side of photography. Though many photographers enjoy their job and enjoy the income it seems that paparazzi have turn this art form into a way to make celebrities and well known names fear the camera. Is it because we can see more with our camera than what people can with their eyes? No it's because we can capture an action and like the saying says "A picture is worth a thousand words" can manipulate to how we see fit.

In this self portrait I was trying to see what I always thought about when I see paparazzi. You never notice their face because it is always covered because of their camera. As mentioned in class many photographers are being threatened of work because of the lack of actual cameras being used. Like many people I own an iPhone and decide to pose with it as I'm sure plenty of paparazzi are using them to catch someone on the go. I took this in the early morning for dramatic shadows with a Canon 7D on an ISO 100, the aperture was set to 18, and the shutter speed was set to 1/30.

Week 2 EOC: La Dolce Vita

This was my first time seeing La Dolce Vita. Though I was not able to get to see the entire film, I was surprised that out of the scenes shown an instant memory was struck. In the scene where Sylvia is in the fountain, I thought to myself "I’ve seen this before" but I hadn't. I had scene the imitation of that scene in the movie "Under the Tuscan Sun". It was a strange feeling to know the scene yet having never seen the original film where it had come from. Fellini did an amazing job capturing moments that would some day be a common occurrence. How was he able to see that in our society we would always be fascinated with celebrities? Why do we care what they eat or drink? What they wear? Maybe it was this film that generated our need to know what our favorite movie star was doing on their vacation. In this sense it’s as if we de-humanized people that are celebrities. They no longer deserve privacy in our eyes because they signed away that right when they became famous. Should we feel sorry for these celebrities who complain about just wanting a normal life outside of working? Personally I believe that if your goal is to be famous in the industry that the downside is, yes you do have to give up a lot of your privacy. It comes with the territory. La Dolce Vita gives an interesting performance and gives an “insiders” view of what it was like to be considered famous in the 1960s.

During some research I was able to find a review of the film by Variety. It was published in 1960 during the year the film was released. Even though the imagery in the film was shocking for those times the author of the review was able to appreciate the performances in the film. “The performances are uniformly excellent. Mastroianni is perfect in the key role of the basically good and honest boy who succumbs to the sweet life. Ekberg is a revelation as the visiting star, while Furneaux almost runs off with the picture as the reporter's instinctive, possessive mistress.” Though the reviewer enjoyed the film he does not mention anything about the ever-present paparazzi in the film. I believe before we could check the Internet we thought differently when it came to celebrity gossip. Performances should be what are important in a review instead of the personal life of the actor.

Week 1 Photo Challenge

I've always loved David LaChapelle use of colors and lighting in his photographs. I've always admired his ability to have such an extensive gallery of celebrity portraits. Here in this photo is one of his famous Madonna portraits. LaChapelle is known for his ability to put several people in one photo and you still know who the photo is all about. Madonna is iconic and here we know exactly who to look at.

LaChapelle got his start in New York City in the 1980s. After having shows at 303 Gallery, Trabia McAffee and others, he got the attention of his hero, Andy Warhol. Soon after he began working as a professional photographer. With the success of his photography he began directing music videos for such artists as Christina Aguilera, Moby, Jennifer Lopez, Britney Spears, The Vines, and No Doubt.

LaChapelle's work is easily recognizable. His ability to use vibrant colors and extreme reality is often imitated. LaChapelle has created a link between fashion and celebrity. He is truly become one of today's most important pop culture photographers.  




My addition to his LaChapelle photo is a self portrait. I used a ceiling light as well as make up lighting set up around the mirror.

Photo credit: David LaChapelle

Week 1 EOC: Stallions not Unicorns

In the world of photography there are so many different opportunities for us to explore.  My goal is to be able to be my own boss. I want to own my own studio and produce high quality photographs in an artistic fashion. By owning my own studio I can have the advantage. No need to rely on rented studios or renting equipment and having the burden to bring it everywhere. I want to make my photography studio a household name in the city I decide to open in. Growing up my family always went to the same photography studio, Gerlinde Photography.  The head photographer has literally seen me grow up from a small child, graduate high school, and now become an adult. I want to build relationships with my clients so that they will always use my skills and studio for their portraits and memories.  It is this connection photographers are able to create that makes this profession one of a kind. Not only are you doing something you love but also helping others benefit from your passion.

Week 1 EOC: My Voice

My name is Christine McCall. I am originally from Hollywood, Florida. After deciding to become a photographer I moved to Las Vegas, Nevada and began my degree at the Art Institute of Las Vegas. I love all aspect of photography, the work that goes into it all the way to the finished product. When I discovered my love for photography I was attending Florida State University pursuing a degree in social work. I wanted to work with people and help them.  After studying aboard in Florence, Italy photography became my haven. I was able to create and express myself without words. Through photography I am able to see things that I do not normally do without my camera, the embrace of two people, a smile from someone reading a book. These everyday occurrences go unnoticed but to a photographer it’s what we notice the most in our day-to-day life.  My topic of interest is portraits. Though all photography is expressive, portraits have the ability to make you feel their emotions.