Teju Cole brings a conflicting perspective to what individuals immediately assume about portraiture. He is able to illuminate the idea that portraiture has been a style of photographing a person prior to the establishment of photography. Through portraits, the image is able to convey a truth, whether it be about a person, a situation, or an emotion. Cole is able to look past the aesthetic, and the normal interpretation of the picture, and really excavate a larger meaning from it. He touches upon the idea that, as an audience, people determine emotion from facial structure (I.e. “foreheads are deemed intelligent”). As a photographer, I have found extreme interest in portraiture and really enjoyed reading his interpretation of specific pictures.

 

 

 

 

Agoraphobia is a known anxiety disorder that entails the fear of vast areas or open spaces. Those who are diagnosed as agoraphobic are fearful of being unable to find a safe place for them, therefore, inhibiting anxiety attacks. This can be considered an altered perception, because those who experience this anxiety, are unaware of the world surrounding them, only the comfort of their own home.

Autumn is my favorite season. I’ve always loved the weather, the holidays, and the aesthetic of nature. Looking at the leaves brings me back to driving up to Windham, NY with my family, preparing the upstate house for a cold winter of skiing. I had a few ideas of what I wanted to convey through my narrative, and I thought what better timing then when the leaves are changing. We’re anticipating the winter, but enjoying our time in the beautiful colors. Unfortunately, during my photoshoots, my camera was having some technical difficulties with the aperture/shutter-speed mechanism, making it difficult to get a really focused picture. I ended up balancing my camera on the slate patio outside, and collected the leaves. I enjoyed this project because I was able to stay out in nature, and really focus on it.