Homework 6

Tuesday, March 22, 2016

I believe that "writing what you know" ultimately leads to terrible stories because your mind is only limited to that much information, what you know. Therefore, without the influence of outside factors or other sources, the story is not necessarily represented to its full capacity. With that being said, it also creates an element of bias within the story line just solely writing from a basis of opinion rather than fact. There is also two sides to every story. Now, if you only wrote what you knew, that would skew the full representation of the story since it is entirely opinionated.

Within my field of study, I am pursuing a bachelor's degree in communication with a concentration in public relations and a double minor in journalism and photography. That is a heavily intensive writing based major focused on the elements of stories everywhere. It differs between journalism and public relations in the sense of who the story is about, what the story is for, where the story is going, and why it is happening. Although the two fields seem incredibly similar, the entire field of communication is unique for it's purposes and the messages that are being displayed through the use of stories and written communication. I believe that stories can be made better by collaboration with other people, especially within the field of public relations. This field of study relies heavily on the input and ideas of not just an individual but a group of people in order to have the most successful product. I believe that by collaborating with other people an individual is able to grasp and create more ideas than if they were simply creating on their own. It doesn't hurt to have some added inspiration! Don't be afraid to reach out for other ideas/thoughts!

Currently, I am enrolled in my second semester of film photography. This is entirely non-digital and truly created and put together by the use of my thoughts and hands. I truly, absolutely love this form of a creative outlet. It is incredibly important to me because although it is a lengthy and timely process, it is beyond rewarding. I love the different factors that film has to offer in comparison to digital. Yes, the click of a button things are done and printed. But, with film, until you have worked with it, you do not have an appreciation for the art and the time that the art takes. Also, you do not have an appreciation of the history of evolution of photography. By working from a first hand experience, locking myself in a pitch black darkroom to roll a roll of film onto a metal holder and toss it into a canister without light, to perform chemical developing in the light and in the dark, is truly, just awesome. I absolutely recommend film photography for anyone who is looking for a challenge or to step a bit outside of their comfort zone. I think that's why I truly like it the most. It's so different and unique in comparison to digital and I appreciate my prints that much more.

I believe that computers are incredibly distracting. They truly are. I feel like in some regard all of the technology inhibits the physical creation of art. There is a process that goes through the human body and mind when art is physically created, whether it is through drawing, film, painting, dance, etc, you name it. It's a tangible item much outside what is easily stored on a flash drive. For that, I am appreciate of the authenticity of art outside of the digital realm. Just simply walking through the art and design building this morning and admiring the massive hand drawn portraits and wall sized paintings on display, I am just in awe. There is something different and more memorable about looking at physical art that is displayed in person rather than online.

Honestly, I truly try my hardest not to procrastinate. I believe that I am really, really well skilled within my time management here at college. If anything, I typically procrastinate assignments that I know I will be able to achieve within a short period of time and put the highest priority items ranked based on importance first. With that being said, I am a major that works on short deadlines and quick turn arounds. Being within the communications field you instantly become adapted to working under pressure and on a time basis, so, with that being said, I am adjusted to that quick turn around with a high quality product or my best foot forward effort. As far as the photography minor goes, you absolutely can not procrastinate working with film, you immediately have to become used to leaving yourself "extra" time just incase something gets ruined or does not turn out the way you anticipated.