2015 May » You Can Sleep When You're Dead: Blog by Colleen Miniuk » Page 2

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May 122015
 
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Photo copyright Stephanie Austin

As someone who has been interested in photography from a young age, I always enjoy a challenge and forcing myself to think outside of the box. When my photography teacher gave us the assignment “Painting with Light,” she showed us images of people using flashlights to create shapes or to illuminate their subjects. I wanted to create an image that did both. I had experimented with the concept before in my high school years, but I was unsatisfied with the results and had not thought to retry the technique since. As the teacher continued to show the class different examples of the technique, my wheels were turning. By the time class finished, I had already planned exactly what elements would be a part of my image.

Just over two years ago, I had my first exposure to a rising party trick—gloving. Using gloves with rapidly flashing LED lights inserted at the fingertips, people can create a light show that, paired with the right music and movement, can put viewers into a hypnotic state. When I first met Jordan, it was at an ecclesiastical function. I remember walking in to the gym with my friend, the beat of the music pulsing through our bodies. When we entered the room, I immediately became aware of the flashing lights that on my left that seemed to be moving in sync with the music. At first, I assumed they were a part of the ambient light, maybe a disco ball or something. Upon closer examination, I came to realize that there was actually a person manipulating these lights.

Jordan has worked with the art of light for about 5 years now. His light shows have always been a party staple, one that catches the attention of many. When my photography instructor gave us the assignment “Painting with Light,” I immediately thought of the shapes and displays that Jordan made while demonstrating this talent.

We soon after collaborated to create our “Painting with Light” image. To capture the exact image that I had pictured, we ended up trying this technique two separate times. On the first go, I did not have an exact game plan for how I would execute the photo, but I had an idea of how I wanted the image to turn out. Not only did I want to capture the movement of the lights, but I also wanted Jordan’s face illuminated. I had hoped that the lights from his gloves would be enough to illuminate his face, but we quickly discovered that this would not work. After enlisting the help of my external flash and about 200 frames later, I had finally captured an image that I was almost satisfied with.

On our second meeting, we both had a little better of an idea as to what we needed to do in order to achieve the exact look that we wanted. After setting up a studio in the apartment of my front room, we got to work. We found that the exposure could be no longer than 2 seconds; otherwise, the movement of the lights would take over the image and make it difficult to see who was in control of the lights. We also found that it was better to illuminate the external flash at the end of the exposure. This allowed the camera to capture the light trails that Jordan created, and the flash acted to illuminate his face and hands.

For this image, I used my Canon Rebel XS. My shutter speed was set for a 2-second exposure, with an f/stop of 5.0, and an ISO of 100. When the exposure began, Jordan would start creating shapes, and I would manually activate the external flash to illuminate his face. In post processing, I made some changes to the exposure and boosted the contrast. I also made sure that the background was dark where it needed to be and that there were no unnecessary light spots on the background.

About the Photographer:
My name is Stephanie Austin; I am a photography minor at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, Arizona. I really discovered my passion for photography in my early high school years. From a young age, I had always found joy in using my mother’s camera to take pictures at different functions. However, I had never really thought of using photography as a form of art until I enrolled in a photography class my freshman year of high school. From there, my love for photography has only multiplied. I have always enjoyed photographing people and their interactions. Some might even label me as a people watcher. In recent years, I have turned my focus to photographing the beauty and mysteries of nature and the world around me.

To see more of my work, please visit my Facebook page: www.facebook.com/stephlynnphotog

To read more about the Northern Arizona University “Behind the Image: Guest Blogger” project on our blog, please read the introduction at http://youcansleepwhenyouredead.com/wordpress/3rd-annual-northern-arizona-university-behind-the-image-guest-blogger-project/Please take a minute to leave your insights and constructive comments in the Comment section below – the student would love to hear from you!

May 122015
 
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“Happy Stranger” photo copyright Eleanor Carty

“Happy Strangers”
In the midst of February I was walking into downtown Flagstaff for a photo assignment and ended up with this lovely picture.  I saw these two at a distance walking down the street and their clothes, body language, and general appearance began to really intrigue me.  I asked the couple if it would be ok to take a few pictures of them and at first they were messing around with each other as most people do when they are put in the spotlight; but all of a sudden they broke into laughter and even though they did not appear wealthy, were carrying around large bags, and seemed to be wearing all the clothing they own, they are the happiest couple I have seen in an astonishingly long time.  This really made me want to reevaluate the way I look at things; the way I look at the little details in my own life.  Even though I do not know these people and they are not living this typically ‘great’ lifestyle; I don’t feel sorry for them.  They are genuinely happier than most people I see on the daily and seem to take so much pride in what they already have. I look to people like this for real happiness.

I personally love taking photographs of people because I feel as if they can say so much about somebody just by capturing them in a split second.  Emotion is the way we human beings run; we feel emotions every day ranging from passion to anger to blissful, and when these emotions are captured in an image, it is truly beautiful and cannot be replicated even if tried.  Don’t get me wrong, I am amazed by the breathtaking landscapes and wildlife that inhabit the earth also, but humans will forever be the most interesting creatures to me, there are not two single people even remotely alike in this world and that is a fascinating reality.

When editing this image I decided to change it to black and white, the reason for this being that the subject is so powerful that it needs to be simplified, the main focus is solely directed toward the two characters in the photograph.  I own a Canon EOS 7D and the particular lens I shot this image with is a telephoto 28-135mm.  I shot this image at an ISO of 300, a focal length of 85mm, the shutter speed at 1/640 of a second, and the aperture at F/ 5.6.  It gives me so much pleasure to document the happy times of other peoples lives and this picture will forever resonate the true essence of love between these two humans, and I am proud to have even got the chance to capture this moment, and that is what I believe photography is all about.

About the Photographer:
Hi I’m Eleanor (Ellie, Bella; any will do).  I’m a college student at NAU and am currently studying Photography and journalism.  I am originally from Surrey, England but have been living in the USA since I was twelve.  From New Jersey to Virginia to Arizona…  I take a huge interest in communicating to various audiences through the lens of my camera.  My main purpose is to exude emotion through my images and hope to interest those that view them, there are so many people, places, and ideas out there that deserve to be seen, heard of, and acknowledged.  It takes less than half of a second to capture a single moment in the click of a shutter, but it is a memory that can be passed down through generations, for decades. For years, I have been learning through the right side of my brain and it has brought me a lot of luck in achieving my goals.  I have been able to document my own and honorably other peoples moments in life through photographs. Your adventures are something that should be remembered and treasured.

To read more about the Northern Arizona University “Behind the Image: Guest Blogger” project on our blog, please read the introduction at http://youcansleepwhenyouredead.com/wordpress/3rd-annual-northern-arizona-university-behind-the-image-guest-blogger-project/Please take a minute to leave your insights and constructive comments in the Comment section below – the student would love to hear from you!

May 112015
 
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Photo copyright Natalie Smith

I am a lover of the arts in every form. I love when things are executed cleanly and detailed. The reason that I chose my water drop photo is because it represents the detailed style of photography I enjoy shooting. For some time now I’ve wanted to capture motion of water drops in a creative way. I enjoy shooting photos like this because I can set them up in different ways to create unique shots. Taking images of small details is fun for me because I can tweak little aspects of the shot to change the entire look of the image. This allows me to have fun playing with my subjects with endless possibilities. I was trying to communicate a simple shot with different colors blending in the water. When I was taking this series of photos I ended up with many shots with the drop or multiple drops before they hit the water. I chose this particular image because I liked the way the colors in the water blended, and how still the surrounding water is. I was happy with the turnout of this image because it is clean and crisp shot of motion. I am constantly striving to meld my passion for art with my passion for photography. By using my watercolor paints in the water I was able to achieve some sort of unity with my passions. I added drops of different liquid colors in the middle of the bowl for the water drop to blend together. I think this photo conveys a serene feeling with the cool colors and still water around the area where the drop landed. I made the background simple to keep any distractions away from the individual drop. I used my trigger so I could add paint in between each drop of water landing. The camera that I shot this photo was my Nikon d3100. The ISO was at 400, the aperture was at 5.6, and the shutter speed was at 1/200. In post processing I cleaned up some specks of water that were distracting in the background. I also boosted the clarity a tad around the crown of the water drop.

About the Photographer:
My name is Natalie Smith and I am a sophomore at Northern Arizona University. Last year I took my first photography class with no intention on pursuing it as a minor. I found all the classes very fun and informative therefore I decided to make photography my minor. My background has definitely led me to taking photos and shapes the style I shoot. My whole life I grew up as a dancer and have always loved painting and drawing. These passions are reflected in my most favorable shoots. I love taking pictures of dancers and love incorporating art in any way possible. I feel truly lucky to be attending NAU and expanding upon my passions in ways I never imagined. I have come to realize my love for capturing details within my photography. I am looking forward to seeing what other wonderful things will come from my passions and future education with photography.

To read more about the Northern Arizona University “Behind the Image: Guest Blogger” project on our blog, please read the introduction at http://youcansleepwhenyouredead.com/wordpress/3rd-annual-northern-arizona-university-behind-the-image-guest-blogger-project/Please take a minute to leave your insights and constructive comments in the Comment section below – the student would love to hear from you!

May 112015
 
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Photo copyright Thomas Miner

I was inspired to create this image from seeing this type of photo done before online. However, I wanted to try it with my own creative style and see what sort of image I could create. I wanted to show the natural beauty of my model, as she doesn’t always think she is pretty but she really is. One thing I had difficulty with was trying to find a good location and model. When planning this shot the most important thing was to have a model that is experienced and extremely comfortable with the photographer. I chose to go with a close friend of mine who has modeled for me in the past as my subject. The main reason why I picked her was because of her blue eyes, I think they are really piercing and defiantly provide a good example for the saying that the eyes are the windows of the soul.

To light this I wanted it to look like natural light so I used a flash and a white reflector underneath her face to give a very subtle fill light. The flash was on the lowest power as to not blow out the highlights in the face.  My setting were Shutter Speed 1/200 aperture f7.0 and ISO 800. I had difficulty getting the eyes tack sharp as the eyes are the main focus of this image. I used a Cannon 5DMkIII with the 70-200 2.8 lens at 125mm length. I chose this lens because of the beautiful bokeh that it produces as well as the compression that it creates in the background. I would have preferred to have used a 85 f1.4 however at the time I only had access to the 70-200. I am normally a Nikon D610 shooter so shooting with a Canon was a little odd. A problem I did have was when I went from inside to outside the UV filter on the lens was not tightened all the way to some air got inside and formed a nice hazy circle in the very center of the lens. This proved to be a huge headache as I had no idea what was going on until I looked closely at the lens. The hat on the model is what really draws the viewer’s eyes to the models eyes. I think that it defiantly complements the face and almost frames it.

About the Photographer:
My name is Thomas Miner, I am a freelance photojournalist who covers everything from weddings to landscapes. I been a photography for five years now and started my photographic journey my Junior year of high school. I have photographed the 2015 USA hockey national championships in Salt Lake City. I prefer to photograph people because I love meeting new people and hearing their stories. I feel that everyone has a story to tell, but they sometimes may not come off as someone who does but they really do. As a photojournalist it is my job to take everyday events and make them seem like something extraordinary. I really love color in my images, especially my landscapes. Showing the true color of the subject is very important in conveying the correct message.

To read more about the Northern Arizona University “Behind the Image: Guest Blogger” project on our blog, please read the introduction at http://youcansleepwhenyouredead.com/wordpress/3rd-annual-northern-arizona-university-behind-the-image-guest-blogger-project/Please take a minute to leave your insights and constructive comments in the Comment section below – the student would love to hear from you!

May 102015
 
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Photo copyright Jubran Mohammed

We have always parked our bikes and cars but today with the camera in hand I can see the parking space as a nice spot to click photographs. The parking space is full of clarity in the view. You can see the clear sky and it helps in generating enough light to take good photographs. A neat background with trees in the back also helps in bringing more life to the photographs.

I would like to place myself above an amateur and below a professional. I believe that learning is an ongoing process and thus it will take more time before I can stand amidst the truly professional lot. Photography needs experience and thus the more I keep gaining the more I will keep getting better. I would also like to mention that as I have moved a step closer to being a professional I see myself with immense information regarding the same and thus with time would keep updating my knowledge and reach a point where I can call myself a professional in the field of photography. Photography is a passion which for some holds a very close place in their life. Photography is a passion and an art which needs mastering and lessons of practicing will help me add more flavor to my own photography and will also make me feel a real performer in the field. I can add more lessons with gaining more experience in life and also by learning through my own mistakes in life. Photography is no magic which happens but is the magic which is created. The reason why it is an art is because it can be created and modified to an extend which are beyond ones thought.

To read more about the Northern Arizona University “Behind the Image: Guest Blogger” project on our blog, please read the introduction at http://youcansleepwhenyouredead.com/wordpress/3rd-annual-northern-arizona-university-behind-the-image-guest-blogger-project/Please take a minute to leave your insights and constructive comments in the Comment section below – the student would love to hear from you!

May 102015
 
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Photo copyright Jordan Thompson

Portraits to me, should capture the true essence of the person that is photographed. With portraits, I am not a big fan of photographs that look extremely posed and unnatural. This image of my friend Andy does just that. She is someone with a beautiful smile that sometimes is a bit camera shy and I truly wanted to grasp that smile in a natural, gracefully type of way. My friend and I went to Lake Mary during sunset to achieve the look I aimed for with this photoshoot. We decided to go at a time we were both available but would also give beautiful light, and since it happened to be cloudy on this day, I thought it was the perfect time. However, when we arrive at Lake Mary, there is not a cloud in sight and harsh sunlight lit the whole area. I have to adjust to the situation at hand, I ask my friend to try a variety of different poses and postures until I find one I really liked. Andy sat on a rock in the field and the backlight from the sun creates the most beautiful rim light around her as well as the illumination of the grass field behind her in such a gorgeous way. Her friend came along the shoot as well and told jokes and sang songs to help me achieve that natural smile you see in the finished photograph. To get this backlit photograph, I had my Canon 60D with a 50mm fixed lens at F1.8 to get that nice shallow depth of field, I was at 1/400 because it was getting dark outside, this is also the reason I chose to shoot at ISO 320. For post-processing, I use Lightroom to edit and make small changes to the picture. I added a radial filter to brighten up her face, this allowed me to maintain the background because of how beautiful and whimsical as it is. I continued to edit the image further with slight increases to the overall contrast, exposure, and clarity. I choose not to add filters to the photograph because the way it was lit was just too beautiful to adjust. In black and white, the image looked a little flat and unlively. In a cool tone, the image did not read as beautifully as it does currently. The warm tones really added to the photograph and gave Andy the nice radiant effect a lot of people look for.

About the Photographer:
My name is Jordan Thompson and I am currently a student at Northern Arizona University. I am majoring in photography and minoring in sociology. My main passion within the photography realm is portraits. I don’t have a specific area of interest within portraits because I love to photograph sports, senior portraits, weddings, engagements, newborns, and everything and anything in between. Capturing the true essence of a person is what I am so incredibly drawn to and what I make my mission as a photographer, whether they are running down the field with determination in their eyes or a couple gazing at each other with complete and genuine love.

To read more about the Northern Arizona University “Behind the Image: Guest Blogger” project on our blog, please read the introduction at http://youcansleepwhenyouredead.com/wordpress/3rd-annual-northern-arizona-university-behind-the-image-guest-blogger-project/Please take a minute to leave your insights and constructive comments in the Comment section below – the student would love to hear from you!

May 092015
 
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“Cotton Candy Skies” photo copyright Sunday Miller

“Cotton Candy Skies”
I was inspired to create this image because I find sunsets and other natural beauties of the world are often forgotten. As adults we get lost in our busy routine and forget to stop and smell the roses. Watching the sun set or rise has always been a special experience for me and a reminder to enjoy the simple things in life. That is what I was trying to communicate with this photo, the idea of all the beautiful things this world has to offer and how a camera is one of the many tools that can capture that beauty.

When I took this image I was busy doing homework all day when I glanced over and saw the stunning oranges, pinks and blues in the sky. I quickly grabbed my camera and tripod and ran outside knowing I’d only have a few minutes left of this view. I knew I wanted a silhouette of the trees and buildings framing the sunset so I moved around until I found the perfect spot. Over the course of 20 minutes the sky changed from soft pinks to dark reds and it was amazing to watch as well as view my progression of photos afterward.

This is also the photo I decided to hang in the gallery for the Photo 285 show because I consider it one of my best pieces both technically and emotionally. After staring at it for a few minutes and letting my feelings for it take over, I came up with the title “Cotton Candy Skies.” Not only does that title reflect the combination of colors but also the childlike enjoyment people get out of watching the sunset after a long week or eating sweets at a theme park.

The technical information for this image is as follows. I used my Nikon DSLR 3200 and the kit lens to capture this photo. I took this photo in late January when the sunsets were most colorful. I was shooting at a speed of 1/60 of a second and my camera was stable on a tripod. My f-stop was 4.5 and my ISO stayed low at 100. I did not have to zoom out very much so this photo was taken at 22 mm. When I took this photo into Lightroom for editing, I did not have to make very many changes. The most difficult decision was choosing my favorite of the sunset images. However, when I saw this one I knew based off of the colors and silhouettes, this was my strongest of the batch. I simply cropped it in a little tighter both on the sides and bottom to remove some distracting elements and make the overall framing of the sunset more desirable.

About the Photographer:
My name is Sunday Miller and I am a student at NAU pursing a degree in Photojournalism. Growing up, my father was my biggest inspiration since he is also a photographer. He covered our house in beautiful framed works of art, both his own and of other artists he looked up to. I prefer to capture candid moments with my camera, ones that tell a story and could never be duplicated. Within the last two years I’ve obtained a minor in photography and am a part of the student newspaper on campus called “The Lumberjack.” As an artist I hope to travel the world and photograph its beauty along the way.

To read more about the Northern Arizona University “Behind the Image: Guest Blogger” project on our blog, please read the introduction at http://youcansleepwhenyouredead.com/wordpress/3rd-annual-northern-arizona-university-behind-the-image-guest-blogger-project/Please take a minute to leave your insights and constructive comments in the Comment section below – the student would love to hear from you!

May 092015
 
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“Papa and Papa Veen” photo copyright Ursula Woody

“Papa and Papa Veen”
I love to create memories, passion, imaginations, horror, and fantasy in my portraits. What inspired me to create this photograph is because family means a lot to me. This photograph I took is my father and his first grandson, a couple of days after he was born. There are a lot of meaningful thoughts behind this image that I admire dearly.  My family and I were in sadness last year on January 15th. My brother and his girlfriend lost their first born that day. My parents had already planned a surprise baby shower, but never knew this would happen. I was in school when I heard my brother weeping on the phone. I felt heaviness in my heart. None of us knew weather the baby was a boy or girl. We wanted to be surprised. Now, we don’t want to ever know. This photograph gave me hope again, because a year later my brother became a father. My parents became grandparents. My little sister and I became aunties. I go home every weekend or every other weekend to visit, a six-hour drive doesn’t bother me. I am happy to see family smile and be together.

The visual message I like to share about this photograph is to ‘cherish every single moment that approaches.’

I used Photoshop mostly to create a dim saturation on the photograph because I wanted the effect of how this photograph draws you in a lot. I also lightened and darkened some areas. Cleaned up a few places on the photograph that looked distracting and added a sample of what my logo business might be.

I used my Canon Rebel XS and my lens is a 35mm. ISO is set to 400, Shutter speed is 250, aperture is at a 4.0, and my flash modifier is attached on top of my camera. I just had my camera and flash modifier to create this photograph. No poses were ideal. I took many different photo angles of poses that I visualized to be memorized. Most photographs came out the way I expected them too.

About the Photographer:
My name is Ursula Woody from Farmington, New Mexico. I am a transfer student at Northern Arizona University. Major is in Photography and my minor is in Japanese. To work with media equipment plays a high significant role for my background. I have worked with film, digital, and video cameras for years now. The subjects I find passion in is the genres of imagination, fantasy, horror, drama, suspense, artistic, and creative.  Why? I love to be creative on how individuals build their own world to stay in. Techniques I use come from music, movies, stories, and history tales. Because once I visualize and create my art, I immediately write down and make a list of what I need. My work comes from my mind, which often wonders off into wonderland. My goal as an artist is to show what I do for my work and be recognized by them. Who and what inspired me is a mad man known as Tim Burton. Burton’s art is very odd and detailed. Tim Burton is my inspiration.

To read more about the Northern Arizona University “Behind the Image: Guest Blogger” project on our blog, please read the introduction at http://youcansleepwhenyouredead.com/wordpress/3rd-annual-northern-arizona-university-behind-the-image-guest-blogger-project/Please take a minute to leave your insights and constructive comments in the Comment section below – the student would love to hear from you!

May 082015
 
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“An Unforgettable Memory” photo copyright Hannah Petersen

“An Unforgettable Memory”
Above is an image that barely showcases the expansive view from the 10,418-foot summit of Mt. Kendrick, one of the highest lookouts in Flagstaff, and an unforgettable hike.  For as long as I can remember I have always had an insatiable desire to take on the most physically and mentally taxing challenges and this hike had been no exception. A 9.2-mile round trip hike had nearly ended my hiking career for quite a few months and I would do it all again because not a thing can compare to the view of the world at the top of a mountain.

As I stood at the top of Mt. Kendrick, beaten by hail, drenched by rain and sweat I couldn’t resist taking out my Olympus PEN Mini EMP-2 with a 14mm lens and capturing the view before me. At the time I honestly had no idea what my camera was set at, I just knew I had to capture what drives me to be a photographer. Nature has and always will inspire and rejuvenate me.

To capture the view I specifically knew I wanted to take a panorama, which meant setting up the three and a half pound tripod I carried 4.6 miles. On top of that, the day couldn’t be more perfect, even though it had hailed and rained, it allowed for the perfect cloud cover, I couldn’t of been more pleased. However, the single complaint I did have was that I was too short to get the camera over the tops of the trees. I had always wanted to get that perfect panorama to make up for my past mistakes such as getting to the top of Mt. Humphrey’s without the adequate equipment to take the necessary picture that would capture all that was before me.

The time than arrived to get back down the mountain and it did not bode well for me. On the way down I took a miss step and ended up falling onto my left knee tearing it apart enough to get myself put into the ER and receive three stitches. The absolute worst time of my life, because if I have not mentioned, I hate needles with an insatiable passion and am not afraid to admit that I will start crying like a baby. Worst part of it all though, I still had to hike down over four miles of a mountain with a gruesome hole in my knee and I have to admit, I was more concerned about my camera and making it back down again than the repercussions my fall would have.

Injured and bedridden for the next few days, I had ample time to edit and work on getting the panorama put together. In post processing I learned that I took the images with F/3.5, a shutter speed of 1/3200 of a second and an ISO of 200. The F/3.5 allowed me to capture the wide variation of light that I quickly amplified and boosted up the contrast. One can see that I have a love for contrast and even though this image may not be the best, it has “An Unforgettable Memory” to go with it.

About the Photographer:
My name is Hannah Petersen and I cannot nor will I ever deny that I am not an avid hiker and I utilize photography to capture the wondrous things I see. It can be anything from a plant, an enchanting view, a random building and the occasional individual, if they spark my interest. I strive to capture what my eye sees; the lens of my world and my world has vivid colors, striking contrast, and a passion for the little details.

To read more about the Northern Arizona University “Behind the Image: Guest Blogger” project on our blog, please read the introduction at http://youcansleepwhenyouredead.com/wordpress/3rd-annual-northern-arizona-university-behind-the-image-guest-blogger-project/Please take a minute to leave your insights and constructive comments in the Comment section below – the student would love to hear from you!

May 082015
 
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Photo copyright Morgan Louvier

This picture just showed up in front of me. The two performers were simply standing there, and I saw the image in my mind through a lens. I wanted to show behind the scenes of a real circus. Rarely are they the classic big top nowadays, with the smiles and chaos. Contemporary circuses are much more influenced by modernity, hence the background of graffiti in this photo. I told the subjects not to move, not to change anything. Their facial expressions show a different side of the circus, even with the face paint. I changed the color balance to really make the colors stand out and pop, because I wanted the contrast between the graffiti and the subjects’ mostly black clothing. While you cannot tell what the subjects are thinking, I feel like the photo conveys a neutral mood, which contrasts with the subjects. We expect circus performers to be all smiles with lots of movement, but the subjects here are leaning against an old, graffitied wall. They look tired. One is looking off into the distance, thinking, while the other one seems to look straight at the viewers, as if daring us to do whatever it is he just performed. This photo is a little confrontational, because of the subjects; it shows reality, yet challenges our perception of circus performers.

I shot this photo with a Canon Rebel T3i, with a 15-35 mm lens. The ISO was set at 100, with an aperture of f5, and a shutter speed of 1/250 of a second. The focal length was 18 mm. The only editing I did in post was a tighter crop. I am very pleased with the way this turned out without editing it. I’m not a big fan of editing, I feel like editing makes it easy for people who aren’t very good at taking pictures to create a good image, and I also feel like it distorts the truth. I still edit, but sparingly.

About the Photographer:
My name is Morgan Louvier, and I’ve been taking pictures since I was young. My dad would take pictures of everything he saw, and that inspired me to take pictures of my own. When I got my first DSLR, I wanted to improve the quality of my photos, and taught myself the basics of manual shooting. I have fallen in love with photojournalism; my favorite subjects are people doing what they love. The more action, the more fun the scene is to shoot. I also love nature, and the outdoors, and want to show others the beauty and fun of getting outside. I have recently begun shooting rock climbers, and really enjoy being suspended up in the air while taking pictures. It’s just as much of an adventure as climbing the rocks. I’d love to travel taking pictures of mountaineers and climbers; being a climber myself, I have a huge respect for them.

To read more about the Northern Arizona University “Behind the Image: Guest Blogger” project on our blog, please read the introduction at http://youcansleepwhenyouredead.com/wordpress/3rd-annual-northern-arizona-university-behind-the-image-guest-blogger-project/Please take a minute to leave your insights and constructive comments in the Comment section below – the student would love to hear from you!