Nick Armstrong, Saturday Evening Post inspo, portrait, NoHo, Nov 15, by Josh DuBose (1/4, f3.5 ISO 320)
Boots, watch strap, Leathermen, money, torn flag, Spanish ballot, first aid kit, flat-lay still life, Nov 4, 2018, NoHo, CA. by Josh DuBose (1/10, f14, ISO 200)
Voodoo, Austin, Texas, Film Festival and Day of the Dead, October 2018, photos by Josh DuBose, (1/60, f16, ISO 320)
Grand Central Market, couple kissing, a journey, corner of 4th/Hill Streets, downtown L.A., Dec. 1, 2018, photo by Josh DuBose (1/30. f11, ISO 200)
Dave Holmes @Forman’s bar, formal portrait, Toluca Lake, CA., Nov 17, 2018 by Josh DuBose (1/8, f3.5 ISO 620)
Reflection: It’s been an interesting process moving through the photographs I’ve taken and filed for this course, as well as choosing these five for the final portfolio. My development as a photographer is difficult for me, personally, to measure, with the exception of at least understanding the different modes and a few technical capabilities of my camera. I do think that as this course unfolded, my eye became more discerning. Unnecessary elements in the frame began to standout to me, at least a little quicker than they did at the beginning of the class. I think another measure of my development is that throughout the assignments, I’ve posted some of my work on Instagram. After the portraits assignment, I received several requests from people asking if I would snap some shots of them.
I’d also suggest that part of my development is recognizing what type of photography I really enjoy, which is portraiture, especially posed, environmental and candid. I’ve really been drawn to Annie Leibovitz for formal portraits and Steve McCurry for environmental and candid work. What’s so satisfying is capturing a personality, mood, expression or emotion in a photograph. It’s a certain kind of thrill, I think.
Beyond the challenging technical aspects of the camera and this course, I think my biggest learning curve was being prepared and having a plan, even in the face not knowing exactly what that meant. About midway through, after one lecture, Leonie mentioned carrying your camera everywhere and adjusting the settings for every environment. I’ve not stopped doing that since that lecture. It’s been a huge help, because then if I see something I want to shoot, I can jump in right away and making smaller adjustments as needed.
A lack of preparation or the failure to really think through what my intentions were bit me hard in the process of this course. It was immediately evident in the work.
My goal is to continue developing as a photographer, being able to use my shots in other work, be it journalism or otherwise. I have my capstone process this summer and I will for sure include photography as an aspect of my proposal.