Photography Scholarship Application

My Photo scholarship 2011 entry

USA | Thursday, November 3, 2011 | 5 photos

When I was a child, I once heard a story about a nomadic tribe that believed if their photograph was taken it would capture their soul and lock it away forever. This idea seemed foolish to me at the time, my naïve self, taking the belief to be very literal. However, as I grew older I realized they were right. Photographs have the potential to capture one’s soul, be it subject or viewer. I recognized this for myself the first time, and every time since, I viewed Steve McCurry’s "Afghan Girl." The photograph not only captures the pure essence of a young woman amidst a treacherous war, but it captured something deep inside me that I was not aware of before. It moved me like no other image had moved me before. It captured her soul and in doing so it captured mine. The single photograph moved me so much that it, in essence, forged my life path. Photography can persuade, bring to light, and create emotion never before felt or experienced. Photographs are raw. They are with purist intentions. It is with these pure intentions I chose to become a photographer. Every photo I take has a reason and the ultimate goal of capturing one’s soul. The National Geographic Channel and World Nomad Travel Photography Scholarship would allow me the opportunity to continue with this goal and eventually reach my ultimate goal to photograph for National Geographic.