Electric Manatees

During our trip to Florida, John and I had the opportunity to go to a Manatee Viewing Center. Apparently when the water gets cold, manatees and other sea creatures migrate to warmer waters... like the Tampa Electric area.

Frozen Ideas

Great ideas can stem from the smallest questions. Sometimes they work, other times you have to try a couple of times before you succeed. Even growing up in Minnesota, land of 10,000 skating rinks, I never really thought about this as a winter sport option... bravo Germans.

Where do great story ideas come from? How does the photographer get from point A to B, without going crazy?

First of all, I don't think that getting to B can ever occur without going crazy. Especially when working on a great story.

Starting a project can seem like a daunting idea, especially after looking thorough the POYi archives. I always find, like Anne Lamott also says, that ideas have to start small, "Bird by Bird." I think that with photographs, a story needs to start with a question. Unlike writers, we cannot sit in front of the computer recalling memories or scenes and create them with your finger tips. Photographers have to walk out the door, drive their car in the correct direction, and ask a question. "What do I want to know more about?" You have to be curious about the subject, and show your process and your excitement with the subject through the medium of the photograph in order to fascinate a viewer. It may take years for your story to take shape, but you have to have the stamina and intrigue to keep going. When I was younger, my mom bought me a book with what I thought were the answers to everything in the world. My favorite chapters were, 'why do cats purr?' and 'How do fish stay alive in the winter?' I forget the name of the book, and I'm pretty sure it has been lost in one of our moves, but I would love to have that book on my bookshelf, right in between my favorite photo books. It reminds me to question every second of the day, even the tiniest things. One of those itty bitty questions that seemed so trivial at the time, may turn into the corner stone of a truly magnificent story.

Eye Sea

Eye Sea from Chelsea Sektnan on Vimeo.

Video

fireworks

Video

New Year from Chelsea Sektnan on Vimeo.

moving forward

Photography as an Obsession

How much time do I spend 'doing' photography?

That's the question that was raised by LensWork publishing editor Brooks Jensen in the audio clip we listened to for class on Friday.

"Success happens when opportunity meets preparation." - Vince Lombardi

It is said that....
Talent is what really differentiates one artist from another- it's the genius of talent that counts.
... is that really all?

Malcolme Gladwell makes the argument that talent is not irrelevant, but overrated. He points out that in order to be really good at anything you have to have put in 10,000 hours working at it in order to develop that skill set to a top notch level.

In order to be a good photographer you have to do a lot of photography.
You have to spend a lot of time working on the development of your own eye. The more time you spend on it, the more you have the ability to see a good photograph the ability to see what makes a good photograph. That only comes with time.

How much time do I spend-
Out photographing
Looking at prints
Thinking about photography
Attending Gallery shows
Reading photography
Reading Books about photography
Using photoshop
Working in the darkroom
..... 'doing' your photography.

What am I physically doing this semester to get better at my photography?
I am taking a darkroom class
Taking photographs for the A&S department
Photo Story Class
Reading as many photo books as I can get my hands on*
Carrying my Lumix with me everywhere... like usual.
Attempting to blog everyday

I think all of these things really do contribute to being successful as a photographer.


If experience is the single largest component that leads to success, Jensen says that, It might be worthwhile to think about how much time you spend actually following your passion.

**Apparently my photo book obsession is a good thing...

Duaflex II

Today, I am stoked.

Why?

Two reasons.

1. I was allowed to drop a completely pointless class, and instead, add Basic Photography. Basic photography? Yes... basic photography. Why am I stoked for this? Well I'll give you a hint... I get to work on photography assignments in a room that is small, and dark. Also... I get to use this little baby.


(Etsy photo)

Now I just have to figure out how to put a spring back into the camera so it works properly... anybody know how to fix these?


I do believe there were TWO reasons for being stoked, not just one completely awesome reason.


2. The 'Hope for Haiti Now' album is available for purchase on iTunes, and (apparently) 100% of the profits from the $7.99 album do in fact, go to Haiti. According to the News Chronicle, the album has already raised 58 million dollars for earthquake relief. Admit it, that's pretty awesome. The album is pretty good as well. I'm not really a huge fan of many of the artists on the album, but for the first time, many of these musicians have actually really impressed me. (You actually get to hear what their REAL voices sound like!)

Anyway... if you have an extra $7.99, it's a really great way to contribute to helping out Haiti. Plus, you get some classic songs sung by some surprisingly talented singers. (The Jay-Z, Bono, The Edge & Rihanna compilation is especially surprising.)

slow- life in a tuscan town

For Christmas, I got a gift certificate from my mom for Barnes & Nobel. One present- limited possibilities. Normally it takes me HOURS to decide on a book at a store. I'll pick up one right away, find it interesting, get distracted by another one, put it down, find an even more awesome book, for get the last book etc until the cycle takes three hours and I've left a pile of random books throughout the store and I've spent $150.

This time was different.

I walked into the store, got distracted a little bit by a Sarah Palin dedicated magazine, walked a little further into the store and fell in love. Two things I really enjoy- Italy, and Dan Eldon. The front cover had both. It was like Dan Eldon IN Italy. Except, it wasn't Dan, it was Douglas Gayeton, and he was in Italy. With a camera, and an AWESOME idea. Here- watch the short clip about his idea.




When I was at the book store, I wasn't aware of his concept. I just thought it was a pretty awesome book. (You can take a peek at it here)The book really gives rise to the concept of photography, and what it is and what it can be. Photography is a story. How can you tell a certain story?! There are literally THOUSANDS of ways! I think Douglas Gayeton came up with a pretty original one. My question for you dear readers is this- Would you consider Gayeton's book journalism?

Redecorated and Reorganized

School has STARTED. That means procrastination has also begun... After having pneumonia for most of the week, many things piled up in my room because of my fever induced laziness. I got a spirt of energy this afternoon, and turned my room upside down! What do you think?! (besides the HORRIBLE color of the middle photograph!)

I have also decided that I am a book hoarder. I need an INTERVENTION!

Extra credit if you can find the cats in each photograph.

Thanks John and Erik for helping me hang things up! My 5 foot 2 inches doesn't quite reach the ceiling...



End product of the other wall. (Yes... I did paint the bird on the dresser. Thanks, I think it's nice too.)

Sassy Water

After a recent visit to the Student Health Center, and a astonishing revelation on the scale- it's been decided that I'm going on a diet. My favorite part of this diet, Sassy Water!

Sassy Water
2 liters water
1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
1 medium cucumber, peeled and thinly sliced
1 medium lemon, thinly sliced
12 small spearmint leaves

Combine all ingredients in a large pitcher and let flavors blend overnight. Drink the entire pitcher by the end of each day.
(Eat the cucumber after emptying the pitcher. You can even use the cold pieces on your eyes to reduce puffiness.)


Attempting an olive oil hair masque. (Looks odd, but it worked)

Another recent obsession of mine is OLIVE OIL. One of my friends suggested shaving my legs with it instead of using shaving cream, and it changed my life. Go now- go to your kitchen, grab some olive oil and GET IN THE SHOWER! I'm not kidding. My legs have been smooth for three straight days. They are normally smooth for three hours. After that revelation, I googled other options, and I learned of olive oil's other magic properties. After going down the list of things olive oil can do for you, I decided to try it on my head- and.... ABRA KADABRA- smooth, shiny hair!!! I'm not normally a hair masque, face masque sort of girl, but this was great! I may just become obsessed.

Olive Oil Hair Masque
4 tablespoons Olive Oil
2 Eggs

Whip them together and rub into hair.
Cover with saran wrap (or plastic bag) and let sit for 30 minutes.
Wash out thoroughly with shampoo.

2010 has already taught me many things...
I'll keep you updated on how the diet is going.

Life and Work

Passion. Obsession. Photography.... what a journey.


My first camera.

This week in my capstone photojournalism class, we are talking about the relationship between life and photography, and how your own personal style emerges from your own personal self discovery.

The question of the day seems to be, How does your personal life influence your photography, and SHOULD it influence your photography?

I think it does, and darn well should. If you're going to be any good.

As Bill Jay said in his essay life and work-
"... all good photographers have a deep commitment to, and involvement with, their subjects, and through photography they are communicating their understanding and passion to others. If nothing out there is utterly absorbing then a good photographer cannot exist. It's like trying to be a scuba diver in the midst of the Mohave desert. If the photographer is communicating a personal passion in something, anything, through the pictures then the images are also revealing, incidentally, a great deal about the photographer as well as the subject. His/ her attitude to life is evident."

I agree with Jay, when he says that it should be intertwined, like a braid. When I make the best photographs, it's because I'm passionate about the subject that I am photographing. I believe that is the same with anything in life.

When I was growing up, my mother allowed me to play the violin in the school orchestra. I loved the orchestra at school with my friends, but hated practicing that dang suzuki book at home. I would practice the littlest amount possible, just because I had no passion for that sort of music. It wasn't the violin that I hated, I wanted to play the violin, it was that horrible music.

One day my dad bought me a book of fiddle music. I loved it, it ignited a spark under my butt. From then on I had no problem practicing, I just didn't practice what I was supposed to, or where I was supposed to. I would practice in the woods, in the silo (great acoustics!), in the barn, anywhere but where I was supposed to be playing. (I think it was my form of orchestra rebellion...) I had found something I was passionate about working on. I think that's the same thing with photography. Find a subject that lights a spark under your butt and doesn't let you sit down.


Various photographs that have inspired me throughout my journey.

On Style-
Throughout my career at the University of Missouri, I have noticed a few of my colleagues' personal photographic style. There are many photographs at the University that I could immediately be recognized as being a certain photographer's (Mito's style being the most obvious! There are more!), but not many. Those people who have already found a style and an eye, I am envious! I feel a lot of people are still striving and struggling to find their personal style, and often times with that comes work that doesn't reflect the true identity of the photographer. I find myself doing that often. I get into ruts with my own photography, and often find inspiration from other photographers. Often times I am inspired by a photographer and I will often make photographers through what I believe to be that photographer's eye. I know it never is, and my photographs will never be like Henri Cartier-Bresson's or Diane Arbus', but they will end up being through my own eyes, and focused through my lens, in my time. Photograpers from all over the world inspire me. From postmodern photographs and news photographs, to wedding photographs, diaries and my Grandfather's old slides (which is the inspiration for my logo). I am inspired by it all! Joel Meyerowitz, Douglas Gayeton and , Michael B, Dan Eldon. (Dan Eldon, Finding a Style) Have been especially big influences on my photography. Neither one of the photographers have anything to do with the other, but different parts of their photographs and styles inspire and shape the photographs I create. I often asked myself if it was right to emulate somebody else's style, but after awhile I realized that I am creating my own style from all of the influences around me. (How postmodern! Are we really ever original?!)

Bill Jay says, "When I walk through the forest at night, the track emerges from the darkness by not looking for it. A unique style emerges in photography by ignoring it, concentrating on the subject, and allowing care, passion and knowledge to bubble to the surface through a lot of hard work over a long period of time."

I find that to be completely true. I am not striving or forcing myself to have a 'style', I think it's better to learn, grow, educate yourself and be passionate about photography, then your style will follow. I'm excited to see what my style will one day be!

Journeys always have a beginning-
I can still remember the moment I realized that I wanted to be a photographer, and the photograph that pushed me to follow this crazy obsessive path.

After visiting Alamosa Colorado with my church group, one of the leaders who was also a photographer, looked at one of my photographs and told me that he thought I had an eye for photography. He pointed to a specific photograph, and told me how it reminded him of Steve McCurry's style. I knew I loved photography, but didn't think I was any good! As a 10th grader in High School, I was so lucky to find something I had a passion about, and I have been following it from that day on, thanks to Hans Muessig's kind words!


The photograph that got me started.

The journey is a continual cycle of self discovery and curiosity about the world-
Jay also asks young photographers, "what are you interested in, what excites, intrigues, moves, fascinates and energizes you? What could cause you to wake up with a sense of excitement about the coming day?"

We, as the next generation, need to answer those questions and get sucked into our photography. As Rita say, "as if our hair was on fire."

That is my goal for the semester. Find something that energizes, excites me, and connects my photography with my life, and vise versa. The road to photojournalism is bumpy, but oh so exciting.

Paradise

This really is paradise.



We used to have a sunset photograph of Grand Cayman taken in the 80's that this photograph really reminds me of. It had a really classy flock of seagulls flying across the sky, and the sunset was a dark orange. Maybe tomorrow I'll wait for the perfect group of birds to remake that photograph.

Island Textures

I get distracted by colors... and textures.
Anna Maria island is filled with both!

Poor fish

I am lucky enough to be at Anna Maria Island with the Schreiber family for a week of my Christmas break. The weather hasn't been too warm, but it's been nice and sunny! Apparently the water temperature hasn't been too high either- this morning we woke up to thousands of dead fish lining the beach in front of our house. John proclaimed that "we didn't have to go snorkeling, all we had to do was walk the beach!" A little sick, but true. We saw a baby hammerhead shark, a squid, large moon jelly fish, manta ray's and many other fish. I felt a little sick taking photographs, but even in death, the fish were beautiful.

Although it seems tragic to see all the dead fish lining the beach, it is a part of nature. The waitress a few nights ago told us that it is, "like a wildfire... it has to happen every once and awhile."

A link to some additional information about the dying fish- http://www.amisun.com/headlines.htm#one
http://www.islander.org/1-13-10/cold-side-01-13.php

More photographs- http://www.flickr.com/photos/26079757@N02/

Hammer head shark

I had a little fun with curves. Can you believe that those colors actually came from the shark?

Looks like they are swimming...

.... but they are dead.

I didn't kill them. The cold did.

Tsunami?

Flying a 737

Perfect Morning Brew

Georgia Aquarium- Across the Ocean

Across the Ocean from Chelsea Sektnan on Vimeo.

This video file may take a few minutes to load depending on your internet speed. Don't despair, it's worth it! Go make a cup of tea, and when you come back, it will be ready!

After an evening at the Georgia Aquarium, it was impossible to not be inspired by all the beautiful creatures. On the way out of the exhibits, Across the Universe played, and inspired me to create this video.

This movie was made with over 4,000 photo frames and 3 video files.

An estimated 80% of all life on earth is found under the ocean surface and the oceans contain 99% of the living space on the planet. Less than 10% of that space has been explored by humans, and less than 7% of that is actually protected. We NEED to start caring more about the life under the water even though it's not often seen in our day to day lives. Please do what you can on land to protect what is under the sea. Recycle your trash, conserve water and do not dump anything that could drain into the water. Be thoughtful of all living creatures on earth.

Video created at the Georgia Aquarium
georgiaaquarium.org/

Song by Fiona Apple- and of course, the Beatles. I hope they don't mind it being used for this!

New Years Resolutions

Jet lag has caused me to keep odd hours during this trip to my father's house in Germany. Normally, I do not enjoy the morning, but lately I have started to enjoy the light blue of that unknown time. Even at home in Columbia I have started to enjoy the light haze and quiet of the first light of the day. Right now, the sky is turning the world a eerie dark purple, and the snow seems to be glowing. I'm sipping coffee made from the fabulous french press, uploading photographs from the past week, eating a crossant with honey and trying to remember my new year's resolutions from last year... which I cannot remember. Lets hope I kept them... they were probably study hard, and blog as often as possible. Check... and check!

New Year's Resolution 2010- graduate and find a job.

...oh yeah, and wake up earlier...

*fingers crossed*

Welcome 2010, lets make this a great year!

Füssen, Germany and Schloss der Neuschwanstein