EOC: Where am I at 50 years old

Since I am in the photography business, I see myself running a successful studio.  I will have my studio here in Las Vegas and since I am into paintings also I will have a few galleries opened.  They will be located locally here in Las Vegas, then in major cities like Los Angeles, and New York.  I will exhibit my artwork, paintings and photographs for the world to see.  I will be famous because of my work and be earning a lot of money.  Different businesses will commission me to do work and work will come so much that I would have to be selective about the clients with which I work.

On top of my photography career, income would be generated through different investments such as stocks and real estate.  My kids would be well taken care of and even their college would have been saved up for.  I would not have to rely on them to take care of me for the reason being that my businesses produce residual income.

I could take time off whenever I want as I will have an assistant who will take care of the business while I am gone.  Be sitting on the beach enjoying the sun or even skiing in the mountains, be on my expensive yacht, just taking the whole family out for fun.  Regardless, all the hard work I have done would definitely pay off.

In time, I will be holding seminars, even teaching classes in my spare time and even write a few best sellers.  Movie producers and executive businesses will hire me for consultation.  My group of friends will now be of the famous, successful kind as we share our thoughts and actions.  One thing for sure is that when I am 50, I will not be struggling to survive.

You Incredible!

Me relaxing at Lake Las Vegas during sunset

I took my family out to the Lakes for this assignment. It was a gorgeous day and the sunset was beautiful.  This is a shot of me looking out the lake with a Canon T3i.  I had my nephew help me as he's the one that took the picture.  We rushed to the lake because I wanted to take the picture in the 'magic hour'.  I wore an orange shirt so it would be bright enough and also because sunsets have that reddish-orange glow, so I could match the colors.  I composed myself at the bottom right of the rule of thirds because I was facing to the left of the picture and that I would still be looking within the picture.  This makes it the viewer follow where I was looking, instead of being lost looking at it.  I am glad that it was a quiet peaceful day and so nobody was in the background to spoil the shot.  Overall, this was my National Geographic assignment and I enjoyed working on it.

About me...

I have always loved ART…it’s in my blood.  As a kid, I would draw, paint or design something.  I would always appreciate artwork that’s around me.  Whenever I could, I would visit art museums and see the paintings and different designs.  I wanted to be just like the person who created that piece of art, and be famous like them.  And just like everybody else, I wanted to make some money doing it.  So it had to make sense financially.  Sell my art, sell my stuff, and grow it as a career.

Then photography came along.  I bought my first DSLR and have never stopped using it.  It would be with me in parties, weddings, different events, just about anywhere.  So it caught my interest and I started reading books on photography, watched videos on the internet and learned from professionals.  I know I could be just as good as them or better.

I am here at the Art Institute because I want to turn photography and art into a successful career.  I want to learn the different fields of photography.  Since Las Vegas is a wedding town, I should be able to profit as a wedding photographer.  Fashion photography is another interest of mine.  Eventually, I want to get into landscapes and present my work in art galleries.

I work a full time job and now full time in school and I want to be a professional photographer.

Week 3: EOC

Japanese Maple, Oregon

by Fred An

The reason I chose this picture is for several reasons.  The composition, color combinations, and the way lines are used make the picture very impressive  One can see the bright red and orange colors frame the main subject which is the tree trunk.  The leaves in front are out-of-focus creating a natural depth-of-field.  Also, it seems like the leaves that shroud the trunk do not allow too much light to come through making the main subject dark in contrast to the bright leaves above. 

The other reason I chose this picture is the color combination.  In regards to the color harmony of the color wheel, this is an analogous as we have red, red-orange, and orange.  Its combination makes it attractive enough that some may use as a desktop wallpaper.  The lines are mainly curvature and evidenced by the tree trunk.  The viewers' eyes start from the bottom and would follow the lines of the tree outwards.  However, the leaves will direct you back towards the center of the picture and the whole observation will start again, leaving your eyes to stay focus on the picture.  As the smaller branches are dark, they separate the color of orange leaves giving them texture.

The trees in the far background are green which makes you wonder if this tree is unique to this field.  With that in mind, the green definitely complements the red color.  The high contrast of the complementary colors provide a vibrant look especially since the picture is at full saturation.

When it comes to rule of thirds, the placement of the tree is right in the middle, so in essence it is breaking this rule, but it is still very effective.  There is no other way that I would take this picture other than this if I were to take it myself.  Overall, I enjoy looking at this picture, even with the bright vibrant colors it still has a calming effect.

Work cited:

http://photography.nationalgeographic.com

Week 2 BOC: Weekly Photo

This is a picture of Jin-jin Reeves of Hitzville Motown Revue.  I work as a concierge for Polo Towers so we get to see some shows for free.  I took my nephew along with me and Ms Reeves was kind enough to allow me to take a picture with her.  She is the main star of the cast of Hitzville shown at Planet Hollywood.  They perform songs from Motown, from Gladys Knight, Supremes, Diana Ross and the Temptations.  This is an amazing show that the guests at the hotel enjoy watching.  They have a lot of fun performing the show, which is almost daily.

Week 2 EOC: La Dolce Vita

I thought the film was ahead of its time.  If you compared the movie to some of the ones out today, other than new technology in movie-making, this is brilliantly made.  I loved the composition and how the film maker effectively utilized light and dark.

What I think of paparazzi is that they work very hard to get the picture they want.  However, some of them do go overboard and really bother the celebrity.  I guess it is because the consumer demands it.  We buy everything from magazines, newspapers and we even watch different shows on tv based on candid photographs of celebrities.  It is incredible that consumers just admire or even worship celebrities even if they are at their worst, which was depicted in this film.  The director showed how paparazzi will  push each other out of the way and do whatever they can to get the shot.

On a personal level, I am probably not going to become a paparazzo as I intend to work in weddings.  Although one may never know because anything can happen to your career and pursue where the money is made.  I never thought I was going to be a car salesman or a concierge at a hotel, but that is what I did for a few years and made some money doing it.

Being a paparazzo might end up being enjoyable even though it seems like a stressful job.  So as a paparazzo for the assignment what I am planning on doing is to go to different clubs where celebrities hang out, or even check out different shows.  Maybe just hang out on the Strip and photograph a famous celebrity there.  Las Vegas is known for having several celebrities party here and I will be wearing the Press Pass I will make from this class.

Week 1 BOC: Constructed Self Portrait

Constructed Self Portrait

GHOST Peter Lik

This is one of my favorite works of Peter Lik.  In this, sand was just thrown in the air to create dust and a ‘ghostly’ figure appeared.  I used my picture from the Phantom of the Opera as I thought it was appropriate to the setting inside this cave with a ghost, especially as my picture was taken with the word ‘Phantom’ above me.  Figures like the phantom or ghost have been frightening people for centuries.  Not really a fan of musicals but I enjoyed the show immensely and also not a huge fan of films or pictures that remind me of the dead but I love this photograph from Peter Lik.  I have visited his galleries in Las Vegas and this had always been one of the attractions.  Lik’s picture is probably never going to be duplicated by another photographer or even by Lik himself.  This was just by pure chance that the dust under the perfect beam of light presented itself this way. 

As a matter of fact Lik’s Ghost has won a prestigious award and had been displayed at the Smithsonian.  In the future, I would love my work to be displayed in well-known places for everyone to enjoy.  Although there are thousands of entries each year in any competition, if I strive hard enough, hopefully my work will be chosen as well.  Lik is self-taught and he is one of the world’s most awarded photographers, and as I progress in my field, I will travel the world and create unique, stunning images.

I was looking diligently for the right self photograph and suddenly I realized that I had this picture all along from a couple of years ago.  I made my photograph to what I believe is in size comparison to the ghost figure.  One thing about watching the Phantom of the Opera is that the theatre is very dark other than the stage, similarly here in the cave except for the light shining down on the canyon floor.

Week 1 EOC: My Voice

Before I became part of the phenomenal world of photography, the most exciting part of my day was serving the hotel guests  to help them make most out of their vacation.  This customer service has transferred to servicing my clients in the field of photography.

As a photographer I strive well in everything I do and create breathtaking images.  Always looking for different angles, unique pictures to provide the best story for that moment in time.  However, it is not just simply photography, but to capture those amazing emotions as well.  Whenever I can, I pick up my camera and just shoot whatever I can, and practice every chance I get to help me improve my skills.  I used to only see photography as a hobby, but now I see it as a career which helps friends, family and clients bring back memories.  It is always my goal to capture candid, unforgettable moments that tell charming delightful stories.  Each and every time, clients feel very comfortable in front of the camera, and the pictures I take are truly memorable and to be treasured forever.  I am flexible and truly listen to clients so that their needs, time and budget are met.

Week 1 EOC: Stallions not Unicorns

My goal as a professional photographer is to pursue a career as a wedding photographer.  We live in Las Vegas that sees numerous weddings daily.  I know initially it is going to be tough to succeed, but I am willing to work hard with great determination.  I will market heavily online, bridal conferences, bridal shops and magazines.  I want couples to discover that I am a very good photographer and that they could refer me to their family and friends for their big day.  Since weddings are special events to remember another major goal is to help plan wedding photography from start to finish and provide my clients images to be treasured forever.  I enjoy overcoming challenging situations especially in photography where they suddenly surprise you.  I will strive to produce the most professional, artistic images to be preserved for a very long time.  Although traditional photography is usually the case, I will consider myself a wedding photojournalist as I love capturing candid moments.