Sticking To My Original Topic

Since starting school I've been debating about weather or not I should keep photography as my topic or pursue culinary art as a new topic. I looked at the pros and cons of both and it was very hard to eventually choose, I mean even as I write I'm having my doubt. I just want a topic that leaves me with connections that will help me with a career in the future, you know? Eventually it came down to thinking about mentorship, I have a mentorship for photography and wouldn't have a problem finding one in culinary art ( my dad's cousin is a chef). After considering mentorship, it came down to distance and how far I would have to travel to work with my mentor, if I had chosen to work with my dad's cousin, I'd have to find a way to make it to Norwalk and I just don't have the resources nor the finances for gas to do that at least a couple times a week. Continuing to work with Jack, I only have to travel for about 10-20 minutes to get to the studio and I got into his ROP class, convenience won out this inner battle. Hopefully my interest in photography will continue to grow and not be hindered by "what ifs" transpiring from my topic choice. Photography it was and photography it shall stay my senior topic.

Blog 4: Interview Preparation

1. Who do you plan to interview? Why?

I plan to interview my mentor, Jack Bohlka mostly because even though I worked at his studio a lot I didn't get much chance to pick his brain.

2. You have to ask 5 questions. What additional questions do you plan to ask? 

• When I went with you to that photo session, I helped keep a small child's attention on the camera. It was a bit challenging. Is it always difficult to work with small children?
• Of all of the photo sessions you've done for different types of photography, what would you say is your favorite?
• It takes time to work on a photo and develop a style of editing that's pleasing to the eye. How long would you say it took you to develop your style?

There are a lot of other questions I plan on asking but right now they're just not coming to mind. 

Blog 3: Topic Choice and Semester 1 ESLR Goals

1. Project Topic: Photography

2. ESLRs:

• I-Poly Citizen: I think to grow as an I-Poly citizen I'm going to actually show up to all of my classes on time, to avoid interrupting lessons and the consequences that fall upon me for being late.

• Effective Learner: This year I'm actually going to try harder in my core classes, not half-listen and make it by on a wing and a prayer. I'm going to actually study material and learn it to really earn my grade.

• Effective User of Technology: This year I'm going to further my skills in Photoshop in order to further see another part of the amount of work it takes to make my topic, photography, into a career.

• Effective Communicator: This year with projects and core, I am going to try harder add my input when the opportunity presents itself and not hold myself back by keeping my opinions to myself.  

Blog 2: Summer Mentorship Component

Literal:

1.  (Know) Log of specific hours with a total and a description of your duties.

The hours that I completed for the summer can be viewed here.

2. Contact Name & Number

Jack Bohlka
Studio: 909.981.6318
Mobile: 909.228.4824

3. (Need to know) What questions were raised because of the 10 hours experience? List them.

Why is it so important to have two of everything when going to a photo shoot?
Why do we need a light when we're doing a photo shoot outside?
Is it always difficult working with small children in family sessions?

Interpretive

4. What is the most important thing gained from this experience? Why?

I think the most important thing I gained from this experience is the knowledge that it's important too keep track of client orders because a past client could call and ask for the same type of package they ordered a year ago , so it's good to know where that order is in order to know what they're talking about specifically. It's also good to keep track of past orders because then everything is organized and you don't have to search everywhere for them.

Applied

5. How did what you did help you choose a topic. Please explain.

Most of what I did during my mentorship, I don't think really helped in my decision on my topic, if anything it kind of hindered it; but I think that the one day where I actually went to a photo shoot helped me decide that this is what I want to do because everything I helped with and observed made me realize that there is a lot that I don't know and a lot that I can learn as I continue to work on this topic.