STREET PHOTOGRAPHY
"Street photography, a genre of photography that records everyday life in a public place. The very publicness of the setting enables the photographer to take candid pictures of strangers, often without their knowledge. Street photographers do not necessarily have a social purpose in mind, but they prefer to isolate and capture moments which might otherwise go unnoticed."
For this project, I focused on capturing everyday moments in public spaces—scenes that most people might pass by without a second thought. Working in black and white allowed me to simplify each frame and emphasize shape, contrast, and human interaction with the environment. Because street photography relies on spontaneity, I had to anticipate moments quickly while handholding the camera and adjusting exposure on the fly to avoid blur and maintain detail.
By documenting ordinary spaces—parking lots, park walkways, and people moving through their day—I highlighted small narratives within the public world around us. The goal was not to stage or direct, but to observe and preserve authentic moments that represent everyday life in my community.
A quiet pause in a busy world as someone casts a fishing line, enjoying a small moment of stillness beside the water.
A wide street scene where palm trees and parked vehicles set the stage for motion—just before or after the rush of activity.
Strangers share the same sidewalk, briefly intersecting before continuing on with their separate routines.
OPEN IDEA
This concept was an open idea where you the artist/photographer/student will pursue content that is driven by a specific idea/concept. I want you to challenge yourself to think beyond your comfort zone at times and seek out a variety of ideas and subjects that both motivate and appeal to you!
Ultimately, this is a personal project that is meant to showcase your artistic and creative pursuits that you want to express both within and outside of this course.
Artist Inspiration: David J. Eisenlord
Website: https://www.davideisenlord.com/
Project Idea #3: Nature walk photographed in black and white
David J. Eisenlord’s work—particularly his use of selective color and atmospheric environments—inspired me to explore black and white nature photography in a new way. Even though I’m normally drawn to vibrant color, his images show how much emotion and serenity can come from stripping a scene down to its essential tones. By photographing nature trails around us in black and white, I want to allow the textures, contrast, and natural forms to speak for themselves without distraction. This project will push me outside of my comfort zone while letting the environment tell its own visual story.
The tree divides into multiple trunks, creating a natural symmetry and tension. The reflections in the water behind it add contrast and depth without relying on color, allowing the texture of the bark to become the focus.
Twisted, intertwined tree roots form a sculptural foundation. The texture stands out strongly in black and white, showing resilience and the raw structure that supports growth above.
Thick foliage rises into a dramatic sky, letting the clouds and treetops share equal importance in the composition. The grayscale highlights natural shapes and atmosphere without distraction.
A shaded bench tucked beneath sweeping branches creates a peaceful place of pause. The stark contrast between the dark canopy and bright open path emphasizes solitude and calm in nature.
A wind-bent tree extends diagonally across the frame as if reaching for balance. The tonal contrast between sky and vegetation draws attention to its unique posture and enduring presence.
Self-Portrait
"The simple definition of a self-portrait is a picture of oneself. Selfies can also be described as such; however, there’s a clear difference between the two. Self-portraits are carefully composed, well-thought-out, and meant to create a lasting impression of yourself. Selfies are usually taken quickly with a smartphone camera and deleted if unsatisfactory." (https://skylum.com/blog/self-portrait-photography-ideas-and-tips).
For this project, I created intentional self-portraits using our DSLR or mirrorless cameras set to manual exposure. A self-portrait isn’t just a quick selfie — it’s a carefully planned image that expresses something about who you are. Composition, lighting, pose, and environment should all support the idea or emotion you want to communicate.
For this self-portrait assignment, I explored different aspects of my identity by creating four distinct images that were each intentionally planned, composed, and lit. Rather than casual snapshots, these portraits were framed to communicate personality, interests, and mood through controlled manual exposure.
Working fully in Manual mode helped me gain a stronger understanding of how shutter speed, aperture, and ISO work together:
In my dramatic low-key portraits (top left and top middle), I used a low ISO and a slower shutter speed while stabilizing the camera on a tripod to avoid blur. A small focused light source creates high contrast and deep shadows, emphasizing emotion and expression while also highlighting the props—dice and a book—to suggest imagination and storytelling.
In the neon-lit portrait (top right), I intentionally embraced mixed colored lighting from the LED sign. I kept ISO below 1600 to reduce digital noise, and adjusted aperture to maintain detail in the helmet while preserving the silhouette profile. This image reflects my interest in gaming and sci-fi culture.
In the workspace portrait (bottom), I used my monitor as a primary light source and supplemented with a soft fill light to prevent the scene from becoming too grainy. By keeping ISO moderated and adjusting shutter speed with a tripod, I captured sharp detail in my hands and environment—highlighting creativity and hands-on craftsmanship.
Across all four images, I worked to balance:
✔ Shutter speed to maintain sharp focus
✔ Aperture to guide attention through depth of field
✔ ISO to preserve image clarity and avoid excess noise
✔ Lighting direction to support mood and storytelling
These portraits show more than what I look like — they communicate who I am: someone creative, introspective, and inspired by fantasy, storytelling, and building things. The process helped me become more confident with manual exposure while being intentional about the story each frame tells.
“Roll the Dice” - Rolling the dice to help narrate the story in Dungeons and Dragons.
“Journaling” - Going through the notes from previous sessions, to refresh where we’re in our story told by dice rolls.
“Printed by Passion” - This portrait captures the intersection of creativity and fandom, where imagination doesn’t stay on a screen—it becomes something tangible. By designing and assembling 3D-printed props at my workspace, I bring the worlds I love to life with my own hands, turning personal interests into physical creations fueled by passion and craft.
“N7 Initiation” - Realizing how much a video game trilogy, Mass Effect. Has done for you, by creating a world with memorable characters that helps you navigate life much less provide an escapism in troubling times.
All of these photos were taken during the 2024 Fall Semester at Mesa Community College.