November The First

theclassyissue:

Take My Picture by Garage Magazine

You want to kiss all kinds of different people, you want to wake up in a stranger’s bed maybe once or twice just to see if it feels good to feel nothing, you want to have a group of friends that feels like a tribe, a bonafide family. You want to go from one place to the next constantly and have your weekends feel like one long epic day. You want to dance to stupid music in your stupid room and have a nice job that doesn’t get in the way of living your life too much. You want to be less scared, less anxious, and more willing. Because if you’re closed off now, you can only imagine what you’ll be like later.

—Ryan O’Connell   (via weaverofstars)

We crave what is real

(Source: hellanne, via lovealways--k)

Andrea, the Photographer.

    My first photo project was in CEGEP. I had to make a photo book and it was self portraits.

    I decided to become a photographer because I realized I had talent and passion and wanted to be one       of those ambitious people who go after something no matter how difficult or unrealistic something was. 

    I would love to open a gallery one day and work as a travelling artist (residencies, etc) I work in analog and don’t think i would ever do anything commerical. 

    Rineke Dijkstra, Richard Renaldi, Alex Soth, Sanders, etc. 

    By now I pretty much now in what style I like to work in so I no longer have to think about the aesthetic. I get most of my ideas by wanting to expand on my older projects or by looking at contemporary artists.

    Because when you are feeling like you are at a dead end and have no way to go further, it’s nice to look at the progress you have made so far and to see how things have evolved and never stop evolving.

    The BIGGEST challenge has been myself. I long felt that school had made photography so deep and contemplative and complicated that taking a photo was no longer simply making art but also making a political and social statement. This was heavy on my shoulders and made me want to give up and that was my biggest challenge as an artist. Not giving up.

    I try to keep the outcome in mind. The subject may be intimidating but that is where the most interesting subject lie and therefore the best projects. 

    I work in a way where I control almost everything (except the weather of course!) I think up my projects beforehand and set everything up. I do not work in a studio but when I shoot my subjects I have 

chosen them carefully and I have chosen the location as well. 

      It is two complete different things. In my opinion they should even have different names (not both photography). When I shoot film I feel like I am creating something, it is almost a visceral feeling. To me digital is not truly photography, it is simply a compilation of 1’s and 0’s. Not to mention the aesthetic is COMPLETELY different. I understand film better.

      When I started taking photographs I was a young pre-teen and enjoyed taking beautiful pictures of the people I loved the most. I still like to take beautiful pictures of people however I have immensely evolved in a way that I now have my own style and methods whereas before it was more of an intuitive and naive style of shooting.

      I like working in medium format (6X6) for its formal qualities and flexibility (I dont necessarily have to use a tripod)

Being in university has helped me understand how serious artists live their life and what the art world is like. Being around other serious students and learning everything there is to know about contemporary artists has helped me discover my personal style. I am not involved in any other art disciplines at the moment. 

      Very important. When you experiment, not only does it allow you to discover things you will feel comfortable with in the future but it reminds us not to become jaded with the medium. Photographers often lose their sense of naivety when they study the art but experimenting takes us back to the love of it. 

      It is different for everyone and the answer should be both however I have to admit that to me it is within the darkroom because I do not always feel comfortable with a camera in public, I believe it draws way too much attention. In the darkroom, my work comes to life and there is always a sense of awe when the image appears in the developer. 

      American culture is fascinating to me. I am able to relate to these people but still feel distant and different. I am interested in who we are now and why - not in history. Americans are often underestimated in the art world.

      Because photography is so close to other mediums such as painting - other art forms have so much to teach us.

      It begins when I feel strongly about something, or I feel passionate or excited. Photography allows me to share this interest in my own way, showing my own vision. I communicate much better through photographs than language.

      I am a very sensitive person, I am inspired when I feel things. I find inspiration in feelings. I also find inspiration once again in other photographers and by traveling. Discovery inspires me. 

      Being creative means being able to express yourself in a way thats original and still understandable. It is extremely difficult to communicate either feelings, an idea or an opinion in a way that is universal. Unity is very important to creativity. 

Delicate :

 1 very fine in texture or structure; of intricate workmanship or quality : a spider’s web, strong yet delicate.

2 easily broken or damaged; fragile : delicate china.

3 requiring sensitive or careful handling : delicate negotiations..