"Marshmellow Sky"

Seismic Activity
2008

This project required me to take pictures of the same location at different times of the day and see how the scene changed. This picture was taken of downtown Newark, NJ in the morning about 9 a.m. I think that you can tell the time it was taken by the color of the sky. I chose this photo because I liked how the clouds cut off the top left corner of the photo and the building cuts off the bottom right of the photo, it gives the picture a more interesting view then if the clouds weren't there. The picture seems empty as if people have not gotten to the building to start their day yet, but will soon be bustling with people.

"Dewey Skate Park"
NJ/NYC
2008

In the afternoon in rainy Hoboken, the skate park that is normally filled with rebelling teens, is looking dreary this morning. I like that the picture is taken through the fence and has the fog in the background because it makes the park look mysterious and encourages you to look in and think about what normally is happening at that time when the weather is nice.

"Hard Hats Required"
Signs
2008

When I was walking around the city, I saw this gate that lead to an alley that looked like it was from a movie. It is not welcoming by the darkness, but the open gate is calling you in to find out what is back there. This is another picture that is mysterious and makes the viewer create their own ideas and stories about what is actually going on behind the fence.

"Just Another Foggy Monday"
NJ/NYC
2008

For this project, we had to take pictures of New Jersey juxtaposed with the NYC skyline. I wanted to create a strong contrast between the "Garden State" and the "Empire State." By taking pictures of nature against the harsh background of the industrial city, it shows the calm of Jersey and the coldness of the NY.

"Ex-Tree of Life"
Self Motivated
2008

This tree represents nature and how after every spring it dies, but always comes back to life. Many people find nature inspiring because you have to take care of something and encourage growth and if it dies, you know it will always come back to you in a few months. I took this picture on the side because I think if it was viewed from vertically it would look threatening and I don't see nature as harsh, but as a a symbol of better things to come.

"Prohibited"
Signs
2008

This authoritative sign seems like any other law that you must abide to, but the rust and graffiti take away from its prestige. It seems as if this order has been neglected and is holding on to any chance of control and dignity. I think that the graffiti is a crucial part to the desperation of this sign and tells you about the location of the photo. I like that it tells makes you focus on the left, but the viewer is distracted by the street and the graffiti.

"Read Between the Lines"
Details
2008

The framing of the sun on the girl makes this picture worth looking at. The lines on the wall show the rigidness of the person focusing on her studying. The accessories on the wall look like pictures of what she is really thinking about. I love the color in this photo because it creates contrast and interest in all areas of the frame. It makes you wonder what she is studying for and if her thoughts are really on studying or her dreams that she has posted on the wall behind her.

"Heavenly"
Handy
2008

The light in this picture gives the glow of an angel on this otherwise ordinary girl The short, white jacket she is wearing represents where her angel wings would be and the beading makes her glow. Her hand is over her heart, showing that she wants to give her heart, but is very cautious of the person who will hold it next. The picture looks mysterious by the light and it makes you think about where she is and if she is actually an angel or whether it is just a facade.

"Abduction"
Movement
2008

This photo was taken simply by making the volunteer jump up and down until you catch the perfect shot. It was a fun shoot and the result ended up exactly how I wanted. It looks like she is been picked up by an imaginary source of strength and she gives in without hesitation. This photo looks almost ghostly and you don't quite know what is the force that moves her.

"Ethereal Light"
Planes, Trains, and Automobiles
2008

This photo is, just as the title suggests, beyond the earth. This image looks eerie as if this bright light is blinding everyone and they are losing sight of where they are going. The car is heading into an unknown abyss and does not seem to be scared. This fits in well with my theme of out of body experiences and gives a creepy feeling to the viewer. It questions if there is life after you follow the bright white light into the tunnel and you won't know what happens next until you experience it.

"Duel-State Inspection"
NJ/NYC
2008

This picture was actually the last picture I took the day that I photographed NYC for our final project. I tried it , just to see if it worked, and it came out really interesting. The skyline in the back looks so small next to the large "New Jersey" name, which could show the huge amount of pride New Jersey residents have in their state. I like that it is the opposite of what you would think, that NJ is bigger in this picture. Its a very different view of NYC, which is normally shown as the larger, grander city. This picture makes you challenge your views as NYC being the better city verses the great Garden State.

"Escalator to Heaven"
Seismic Activity
2008

For the seismic activity project, we had to take picture of 'rotation', which we could interpret however we wanted to. I chose to take pictures of an incredibly steep escalator in a subway station in Boston, Ma. I think this captures the idea of rotation because all day the machine just rotates metal that turns into stairs that ushers people to and from places they don't want to take the stairs to. In the subway station, thousands of people ride this every year, all with a different destination. I think this captures the idea of rotation and makes the viewer wonder what they will reach when they ride this escalator.

"Morning Plane to Georgia"
Planes, Trains, and Automobiles
2008

The airport has always been a place I have looked at in amazement every time I pass it. The grace with of such a heavy machine is an amazing accomplishment. The location of the plane between the cars captures the modern technology of out time while the tree and sunrise reminds us of the beauty of the natural world. The comparison of beauty vs the coldness of technology is something that interests me in many of my photos.

"Gateway"

Monumental
2008

This picture was taken from the floor of my kitchen where i propped open the refrigerator door with a jar of pickles, turned out the light, and let the light radiate from the fridge. This is one of my favorites because you do not know what this picture is taken of, but the light makes the sharp lines creates a ridged source of light that makes the photo work. I think this photo fits in very well with my other works.

"The Sun Sets on Every Day Dream"

Seismic Activity
2008

Watching the sun rise and set is a beautiful moment of everyday. The profiles the sun creates of the building makes modern architecture look like a miniature version of a city in comparison to the orange and yellow rays of the sun. The color in this photo can be found in my other shots and it brings out the elegance of nature even in a city like Newark.

"Teleportation"
Self- Portrait
2008

This photo was used for my self portrait. I had two prints for this, the other was of the same angle, but I was wearing my work uniform. This shot was taken against my roommate's poster. The comparison of the two shots shows my responsibilities of work and school, while this image shows where I would rather be. Again, the color in this picture is represented in other works. By not seeing my face, it makes it seem mysterious into knowing who I truly am and why I chose not to show my face.

"Another Bar, A Different Day"

NJ/NYC
2008

This picture was taken from the New Jersey waterside looking into New York City. I think the bars show the restrictive nature of people against the city that people go to in hopes of reaching their dreams. The angle the photo was taken at makes the photo interesting. Once more, the intrigue of nature is compared to the busy city.

"Closing Time"

Seismic Activity
2008

At the end of the day, it seems as if there is always so much left to do and you just have to wait until the next day when the same routine starts all over again. In this picture, compared to the first shot in my portfolio, you can tell that time has passed and night is drawing near. It makes you wonder where the people in the office went and where the building is located. The deadness of the tree is compared to the cold concrete of the busy business world. This photo fits my theme because it is mysteriously and leaves the viewer with questions about the photo.