The Ark

My Scholarship entry - The Hills of Paradise

Laos | Sunday, November 23, 2014 | 5 photos

I have worked as a freelance writer for many years, and at times I am permitted to illustrate my own stories with original photographs. I have a decent camera, and I love taking pictures, but I have no formal training. For a long time, I took this as a point of pride: I felt my natural skills and sharp aesthetic were sufficient, and I wanted to "learn by doing." I couldn't imagine sitting in a classroom and discussing the rule of thirds. But I have taken this DIY approach as far as I can, and I want to learn from an exceptional photographer. I am especially interested in working in the rainforest; I currently live and work in Costa Rica, a nation famous for its tropical environment, but I am curious how an expert takes on the unique layers and colors of such a dense biome. To take these skills back to Costa Rica would be invaluable to me and to my newspaper's readers.