Ranching Between Ice and Sky

My Scholarship entry - A 'place' I have visited - Ranching Between Ice and Sky

Chile | Friday, July 5, 2013 | 5 photos

I am an emerging photographer with a passion for the art of documentary story telling. I am on the cusp of serious amateur photography, needing that final push to enter photojournalism as a profession. I want and need guidance. I can imagine nothing more valuable than experiencing and participating in a real assignment while being mentored by a professional at the top of his field.

I've spent the past three years living in Chile learning about local ranching practices. In 2014 I will start a graduate program in International Development and Agriculture to give me the academic grounding behind issues of social, developmental, and environmental concerns I've seen around the globe. While photography is the "language" I want to cultivate to share with the world current social justice concerns, returning to academia is about deepening my understanding of the issues themselves thereby strengthening my effectiveness in documenting stories.

However, in order to tell these stories well, I know that I must seek excellence in my photographic craft. I approach this opportunity with a true desire and hunger to learn, engage fully, and open my mind to new ways of seeing and viewing the world.