I’ve officially lived in Chicago for a week now, and started my first classes today. And since everyone is asking, I’m doing good. I mean I’m trying to settle in and get used to the city, and meet new people; which unfortunately is kind tricky and is an awkward limbo state. 

So far I’m really enjoying Columbia and still stand with my decision to transfer. A feeling I have not gotten used to yet though is being surrounded by so many talented people. I don’t know if I’ve seen such a large congregation of very talented people in one place really. It inspires me while at the same time makes me feel very small. 

The hardest part though, is this new question everyone is asking me: What is your photography like and what genre do you shoot in? While this seems like a fairly easy one to answer, when an interviewer for an internship asked me, I was stumped. My work is very broad and I cover a lot of genres. 

I don’t do portraits only nor do I do landscapes only. I do whatever floats my boat. Some have said its very Fine Art based (which surprised me) and others have called it the foundation to Commercial. Honestly, I don’t really know what I want to be doing yet. I have a vague idea of what I am trying to pursue but I’m generally just a little lost. 

Hopefully when I start my studio classes it will even out, and I will figure out what my style is. But currently I don’t know how to answer the question just yet. And I think that is one of the strangest feelings I’ve had since being in Chicago. 

Also the story behind the photo, is this is Kathleen, one of my new roommates, and I asked her to sit for me. I was mystified by the fog settling in the city, as we watched from our apartment. I then wanted to see a person in the frame to give it some depth, and I was fiddling with my flash for a solid twenty minutes. 

Kathleen was a trooper though, and just sat while I figured out the best positioning of the flash and intensity; all the while sitting still for the long exposure. I actually really like this photo, even though it’s dark, but I guess my photography is dark. So lets go with that. 

January 20th, 15th Floor, Chicago IL

16mm - f/5.6 - 5s - ISO 320 - Flash 1/64