travels

My Scholarship entry - A 'place' I have visited

Czech Republic | Friday, July 5, 2013 | flickr photos

I came into photography via James Nachtwey and Walker Evans; they were a major influence in me wanting to make photographs. As I developed my skills I decided to begin a Ph.D. program in sustainability; I wanted to integrate the scientific and aesthetic. Photography has a unique ability to engage the public regarding sustainable futures; my goal is to make work that becomes a catalyst for these types of discussions. However, I don’t think all images carry equal power. I want to learn how to engage in image making that tells a nuanced and dynamic story. I also think that as a photographer I need to understand the dynamics of shooting a story from engaging with people to scouting locations. I want to develop these skills to better communicate and dialogue with the public in a collective vision of a sustainable future. Making work with Jason Edwards in such a critical place dealing with climate change like Greenland will also help me clarify the challenges we face. Taking these cultural, technological, and ecological challenges and filtering them through the photographic lens can shed new light on the issues and create further awareness around sustainability and climate change.