Stills From a Restless Mind

My Photo scholarship 2011 entry "Passing Through Frisco"

USA | Thursday, August 25, 2011 | 5 photos

I am a filmmaker and writer who has dedicated his adult life thus far to reflecting the human experience through creative means. My connection to poetry is the perfect marriage to my photographic endeavors. Overall, I hope to raise awareness on certain issues, help those in need, and shine a light on areas that are normally accustomed to darkness. I think National Geographic would be the ideal avenue to explore such a mission. I can't think of a better way to see the world then to be immersed in a new culture.

I haven't had the opportunity to travel far outside of the States, so the majority of my travel photography is domestic. This particular series of photographs was taken on my first trip to Northern California. I stayed in San Fransisco with the goal, like most tourists, of capturing some images of The Golden Gate bridge. I achieved that, but also got to explore the city. I tried to showcase the city's architecture and how it relates to its citizens. Everything seemingly dwarfed by the bridge, this series sheds light on not only it's scale, but what life looks like on the other side of the bay. An intriguing juxtaposition of the hustle and bustle of downtown with the serenity that can be found around any corner, or by looking out from any fire escape. All of this I opted to showcase in black and white 35mm film stock with the intention of stripping away the allure of color. Structures at their purest, most textural forms - the people pictured encompassed by shadows, living beneath their own creations.

I thank you for this amazing opportunity to hone my photography skills, while also being able to discover a new culture in South Africa. When we step outside our norms we find a new perspective of the world and ourselves. I'm eager to do just that.