EOC Week 3: Where are you now and where are you going?

I am a young 25 year old woman.  Everyone tells me I have so much to look forward to.  I have everything I need.  I may be young; however I have been faced with some difficult obstacles.  I am also the first generation to be born in the United States.  I believe that fact is very important because I was my parents “guinea pig”.  It was that and a combination of learning on my own which caused many mistakes.  Without saying too much personal information, I have been faced with financial issues that were not caused by me.  I have spent nine years trying to clear my name; to give myself the first opportunity to be financially stable.  I have had good credit; however that was taken from me.  Since then, I have had high payments in everything I encounter.  I live paycheck to paycheck, living with my parents, and trying to save money here and there.  I have put away 20 dollars every paycheck to save up for a rainy day, however it always seems like a financial emergency just comes up in my life every time I get some where.

I hope I do not sound too negative in the previous paragraph.  I believe adversity makes you stronger.  My financial status is just a part of my life that will keep me fighting and searching for ways to make my financial issues to be small.  If I keep on working hard, and keep focus, I can be at a point where I can say ‘I am stable’.  Then from there I, again, will work hard and keep focus to put money away for a retirement plan.  I believe retirement is a place to relax and not worry about money. Well, I hope.

Photo Challenge Week 2: Crime Scene Photoshoot

Photographer:Kristine Alberto
Set Designer/Make-up Artist/Photographer Assistant: Jeannine Green
Photographer Assistant: Kimberly McClure
Model: Melody Veltman

The crime scene photo shoot was something I thought I could not accomplish successfully.  I felt this way not because I thought of artistic abilities, but because of the time constraints.  However with the help from my loving friends, I accomplished what I thought was the impossible.

I wanted to do a crime scene photo shoot for sometime now.  So, when Mr. Pinto assigned us the assignment I was ecstatic.  Then, Mr. Pinto announced it was due next week; I instantly felt the stress.  To plan the photo shoot that is in my mind would take two weeks tops.  I have to find a model, a location, make-up artist, equipment, and so much more.  Thankfully, I have some amazing friends that were willing to help me!  Two students from the Art Institute, Jeannine Green and Melody Veltman, and my best friend, Kimberly McClure, volunteered to help.  Jeannine Green made the blood, did the make-up, and helped design the set; Melody Veltman modeled, brought the wardrobe, and make-up; Kimberly McClure made the evidence markers and helped with the planning; I provided the equipment, the location, photographed the photo, and did the post work on Photoshop.

In this photo shoot, I placed Melody on the mattress, once placed Jeannine did her magic to recreate a brutal crime scene.  I used one strobe with a grid, and directed it straight onto Melody to create that on camera flash effect.  During post work, I just converted it into black and white, and darken some areas. 

Overall, I believe I have accomplished the impossible and delivered a photo that looks like a brutal crime scene.  

EOC Week 2: Sacrifices

In the movie "Rear window", the main character sacrifices his relationship to continue to be a photographer in the photojournalism world.  If I am ever put into a situation like his, I will also do the same as he.  I am willing to sacrifice love, time, money, sleep, and anything else that I may have, to keep my dream alive.

It may sound a bit bizarre that I am willing to sacrifice what keeps me going day by day.  However, I am a strong believer that no matter what happens love, time, and money will always be in my life no matter how many times I push it away.  There will always be another lover, or time to be with family, or other opportunities to make money.

On the other hand, if a situation ever comes my way where I am given an ultimatum (it's 'blank', or the job, or nothing at all), I will do my best to have a win win situation.  However, if a win win is not applicable then I choose my dream.  I want to be a professional photographer, therefore if anyone gives me an ultimatum, then they are definitely people (or situations) that I do not want to be around.  Who would want someone to drop their dreams and live a life they never wanted?

In conclusion, I will sacrifice any situation for another, so I can pursue my dreams.

Photo Challenge Week 1: My Photo of Me

Photographer: Kristine Alberto
Model: Kristine Alberto

To understand this self portrait I must explain how I made the choice to shoot it and what the photo represents.

To do this shoot, my brother and our friend came along with me.  They kindly chose to help me with the shoot.  They kept me company and made me laugh to accomplish my vision of my self portrait.  I chose University of Nevada Las Vegas as the location because of its quiet, secluded, and open setting.  Usually, UNLV is a loud university filled with students walking around from class to class.  However, I shot this early in the morning during the weekend.  At that time of day on a weekend, UNLV is a nice quiet place to sit and reflect.  When I found the perfect location for my self portrait, I set up my tripod and placed it in front of me.  Since it was early in the morning I just used ambient light.  Then I set the camera on timer.  My next step was to sit in front of the camera and just laughed at what the boys had to say.  In the series of photos I took this photo best represented who I am.

This self portrait is about who I am today and who I was in the past. The columns behind me represent the journey I have taken. There has been ups and downs, and being lost and confused. I thought I would never figure out what I wanted for myself. Then finally, a couple years ago I had a breakthrough. My breakthrough was to throw everything aside and do what I want to do. I want to be a photographer. I ignored the ridicule of leaving the business degree and just followed my heart. Since then, I have been happier than I have ever been. I have been enjoying everything I do and having the time of my life.

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EOC Week 1: My Voice

I am a photographer and what I love about photography is with every photo, the photographer captures a story. With that same photo the viewer creates their own story, or even remembers something from their past. I love how photography can trigger something for someone, and how photos capture different types of emotion, interpretation, and beauty. I have worked in different kinds of photography, from food to landscape, people to still life. I have experience with photography equipment, editing, and on location or studio environment.  I also have the ability to revamp an old photograph. I can recreate someone's memory and put life to it once again. I find enjoyment in photographing a series of photos; a set of photos that tells a story. One day I would love to publish a book with my storytelling photographs. Eventually, I want to get into advertisement. It’s a field where I can promote movies, artists, and companies through my creativity. I love the thought of using my talents to promote other people’s creations. I love using my talents to promote other people’s creations.  I also want to travel the world and photograph places that no one has seen. I want to take adventures to the unknown territories and capturing photos to share with everyone.  In addition, I would also love to find a way to incorporate my photography skills and charity work together.  I would love to give back to the community, especially with something that is so special to me.

EOC Week 1: Haute Couture

Haute couture is a French word for ‘high dressmaking’.  The word haute couture refers to fashion that is created to be exclusive and trend setting.  At times, people use the term as a label for fine art and music.  Haute couture has influenced the world tremendously, with the clothes, accessories, and style.  It has contributed culture to or society and to the photography world.

In society today, haute couture garments are made by hand that is fitted for just a specific person.  When looking at haute couture clothing line, it is very elegant and extravagant.  At times, it may also be over the top; something that you would not see someone wear during their everyday life.  The people that do wear it are people from the upper class.  The upper class can afford these expensive garments.  Also, you can see haute couture on the runways.  Majority of the runways are in Paris, New York, Milan, London, Tokyo, and Madrid.  The costume and fashion history would not be the same without Haute Couture.

In the photography, haute couture is very important.  Fashion Photographers are surrounded by haute couture.  During fashion shows, hundreds of photographers surround the runways to capture a glimpse of the next trend setting style.  Once captured it is sent to magazines to display to the whole world what is hot this season.  In my opinion, haute couture garments is a great opportunity to shoot creatively.  Haute couture garments are made with the finest materials, and have that fine art quality to them.  I want the opportunity to shoot haute couture garments on models, and shoot them dramatically.  I want to capture the uniqueness of the garment while I artistically shoot in different angle and odd poses.

Overall, haute couture is a huge impact not only to the fashion world, but also to the photography world.