Wednesday, August 30, 2006
Photograph by Barbara Salinas
It was funny today in my lovely Photo Junior Seminar class when my professor asked the class basic questions of what photographers we like, books we've read, how technically proficient we are and all that jazz. Like usual first classes, we all sat there, blank faced, and nervously waiting for one person to break the silence. The introverted artists in most of us didn't say a peep but when someone took a dive and said a very very well-known photographer he liked, our professor asked the rest of us if we knew of Joel Peter Witkin. I have an ego and can be quite the cocky bitch but I wasn't about to wave my hand frantically in the air and say "I know him, I know him!" We didn't respond when she asked us what camera experience we have, other famous contemp. photographers, etc.We basically sat and stared at her. So I'm sure she's worried that we're a bunch of retards and will be the worst Junior class ever. Play dumb first and then surprise the shit out of them later.
Syracuse is a weird place to be. On one hand, I think it's nice to be out of my comfort zone to explore new things but (there are always buts) in the 2 years I've been here, I find it dull, stereotypical, and mentally takes a toll on my brain. There aren't times where I can just take the train by myself, where walking through the streets I don't feel insecure. I don't even laugh as hard as I do. Since the first day I've entered Syracuse in Fall of 2004, I needed things to get better. Now I'm sticking it out for two more years to get that degree and get the hell out. There are more things I can go into, but I'm sure to offend some people whether they read "blogs" or not. This is an obligatory "I hate Syracuse" entry that wanders in every couple of months. It's sad to wonder "what if" (especially since I got into all the schools in the city). Being this frustrated and unhappy makes me wonder almost everyday what home means to me.
Photography by Kanako Sasaki
Anyway, I was going through PDN's Top 30 Photographers to Watch 2006 and saw some favorites and some familiar names (people who've submitted to Hey, Hot Shot!). Choosing photos to show is a hard task and I think people should always get multiple opinions from outsiders. When you can only submit 3 images, choose images that wow people and get a point across through them. See and absorb as much as you can when it comes to new artists- I do. It's inspirational and motivational. Get with the program, photo kids.
posted by Jane Tam at 12:30 AM
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