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There has been a steady increase in roadkill and animal collisions by motor vehicles every year. According to the Sustainable Energy Institute, an average of 190 million motor vehicles hit the road every day, while one million animals get hit by those vehicles. As I ventured out to find some roadkill in the early morning hours, I didn't have to go far before I approached a dead animal struck by a vehicle. In most cases, I found that food from fast food bags or other trash was near by from where the animal was hit at. So not only are humans contributing to the death toll of animal collisions by adding more roads and construction work in animal habitats, but we're lurking animals out of their habitats by throwing unwanted garbage on the ground. This garbage is acting as an attraction for animals to unknowingly risk their lives for food. Another contributing factor to roadkill is the excessive speeds motorist are driving at. I watched the back roads to see how many people would exceed the speed limit, because this is where I was finding the most roadkill at. In a speed zone of 35 miles per hour, 7/10 vehicles were speeding far over the speed limit within a 10 minute time frame. It is a sad and disgusting sight to continuously see, however until we as humans change our polluting and driving habits, it is an ongoing problem that is going to rise until we decide to make change with ourselves.
Its simple, go the speed limit!!
Don't Pollute!!
... then roadkill wouldn't big that big of an issue.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/shantaysmith
Originally, I thought the portrait assignment was going to be fairly simple. How hard could it be taking someone's photo. Then I realized it was a lot easier said than done. I found that while trying to take pictures of complete strangers, some were very willing and others frowned their faces and walked away. After people agreed to take the picture, I realized I wasn't getting the shot that I wanted. I don't find much interest in normal, average poses of my subjects looking directly into the camera. I feel a picture tells so much more when we don't realize we are being captured. It shows the true essence of ourselves.Among my favorite shots of the unfamiliar faces, is of an older man walking down the street. His body language is what caught my photography eye. His back was hunched over and his face looking down as if to convey his sadness. Then interesting enough, he was passing by a painting on the wall that brings you into a dimension of snowy days, yet its obviously summer outside due to the green grass in front of him. It's an interesting shot. After I took it, I then asked him if it was alright for me to take his picture. This way, I got the shot that I wanted, and didn't offend him if he did not want me to take his picture. I would simply delete it out of respect for that individual. I guess it comes down to that ethical question again, is it okay to just go around taking shots of people. That's why I made sure to make the gentlemen aware that I had taken it.
My favorite shot of my familiar faces, would have to be of my niece. She likes to sneak away and get into something she is not suppose to. Thats why I love this shot; it captured her mischievous look as someone was looking for her.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/shantaysmith
Originally, I wanted to expose the everyday, ordinary life of my 14 month old son. After giving the assignment more thought, I realized I wanted to start from the foundation. Life is a beautiful thing, and often we get caught up in the mechanics of life that we forget to recognize or appreciate the simpler forms of it. I wanted to capture the miracles of life. Whether it be a woman carrying her unborn child, a newborn, or even the innocence that a child conveys in their spirit that most adults lose sight of. Once I begun my assignment, I found it difficult finding women who were pregnant. Than once I had my subject, I found it difficult to portray the strong sense of appreciation for life that I originally felt. However, I than found a beautiful, engaging, life filled flower that made me feel everything I wanted this project to symbolize and represent. I than had my subject hold this exotic flower upon her belly. I than took both a black and white exposure and a color exposure to capture the essence of the flower. I than combined the portraits, to create a direct representation of a blooming life. The flower looks like it has bloomed and developed well, in which the mother holds her belly as if to symbolize the same is yet to happen of her unborn child. This child will bring as much joy and life as this flower has. I also found myself taking different angles and approaches to the assignment by photographing different cycles of life that embrace the concept of pure marvels to life. I captured countless shots of a newborn within his first hour of life. There is nothing rewarding as seeing a baby born into the world, and consciously, with his eyes open, viewing his new surroundings. I even captured the essence of a child. By the time a child is able to express what they want and take a sense of who they are, the essence of their spirit shines even brighter. So bright, that they often tire themselves out while still trying to be active. I capture a shot of a little girl who was so exited by this flower, and felt so honored to be apart of he flower, that she held on tight without letting the flower go, even until she fell asleep. Which captured the high spirits of a child, paused for a brief moment.Overall, I think I captured my intended shots. I just took a different approach by capturing different cycles of showing life's miracles.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/shantaysmith/
There has been a steady increase in roadkill and animal collisions by motor vehicles every year. According to the Sustainable Energy Institute, an average of 190 million motor vehicles hit the road every day, while one million animals get hit by those vehicles. As I ventured out to find some roadkill in the early morning hours, I didn't have to go far before I approached a dead animal struck by a vehicle. In most cases, I found that food from fast food bags or other trash was near by from where the animal was hit at. So not only are humans contributing to the death toll of animal collisions by adding more roads and construction work in animal habitats, but we're lurking animals out of their habitats by throwing unwanted garbage on the ground. This garbage is acting as an attraction for animals to unknowingly risk their lives for food. Another contributing factor to roadkill is the excessive speeds motorist are driving at. I watched the back roads to see how many people would exceed the speed limit, because this is where I was finding the most roadkill at. In a speed zone of 35 miles per hour, 7/10 vehicles were speeding far over the speed limit within a 10 minute time frame. It is a sad and disgusting sight to continuously see, however until we as humans change our polluting and driving habits, it is an ongoing problem that is going to rise until we decide to make change with ourselves.
Its simple, go the speed limit!!
Don't Pollute!!
... then roadkill wouldn't big that big of an issue.
