Blog 6: Second Interview Questions

The purpose of this set of questions is to justify my mentor as a professional in his field and also to find out any other background information that may have been left out in my first interview.

These are the questions I have prepared:

1. What have you done in your 20+ years that justifies you as a professional in your field. Be specific.
2. What do you believe makes a person eligible to be called a professional?
3. Have you worked for any companies as a photographer? If so how has it compared to running your own studio?
4. Did you ever have a mentor? Who?
5. What is your view on photography? What does it mean to you?
6. Do you view it as a science or an art? Justify either or.
7. How has photography differed from your beginning of it till now?
8. Which do you prefer digital or film?
9. Explain in your words from your experience over the years how photography has evolved.
10. Where do you see photography going in the future?
11. How do you feel about the link between photography and history? How would history be different?
12. How has each of the following had an impact on the world of photography from a professionals point of view:
-Polaroids
-Compact systems
-DSLR's
-Iphone
-Instagram

Blog 5a: Science Fair Problem Statement

 

1. Topic: Photography

2. One problem in my topic is the way the camera focuses. The photographer has complete control over a camera if they know how to operate all the settings and what doesn't come out as desired can be altered in photo shop. One problem photo shop cannot fix is an out of focus picture.

3. Another problem is occasional red eye in photos. This can very easily be altered in photo shop, but if there is a way to angle the camera so that the red eye camera can be eliminated completely it could help photographers in the editing process.

4. Film photos are out dated, especially compared to today's technology where most phones have better cameras built inside them them most camera are built. One problem with film is age. Over time, film photos will start to fade and eventually the picture will barley be visible. The overall problem would be the actual photos and getting them not fade.

5. Motion is probably the most difficult "subject" to photograph because you want to slow down your shutter speed to create a blur effect to your photo without blurring your entire photo. This seems like a good problem because if there is a better and more efficient way to take motion pictures it would be helpful to photographers.

Blog 4: Working EQ

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The Pentagon

1. Positive Statement: What positive thing happen as a result of what you have completed so far?

So far my mentor Jack Bohlka has introduced me to another helpful source, Jack Hancock. He is now a retired photographer who was a photojournalist at one point in his life. I don’t know everything there is to know about his photo career, but I plan on interviewing him in my next interview to find out more. Jack also pointed out some really helpful books that I can use for research, which have proved to be quite helpful. He has helped me so much with mentorship hours as well.


2. EQ Content: Pick a piece of research or your interview. How has it helped you improve your understanding of your topic?

My interview with Jack was extremely helpful because he gave me more sources and also talked about what it was like to work as a photographer. Having 20+ years of experience in the practice makes him very resourceful and his knowledge very credible. Also one of my internet resources helped quite a bit because it talked about how people who want to become wedding photographers should shadow professional photographers before venturing out on their own. This helped my understanding because I applied it to what I have been doing with Jack. I have been shadowing him and I will continue to until I am ready to venture out on my own.

  3. What has worked for you so far in the senior project?

So far my mentoring is working out great and the research I’ve been finding has been very useful towards my topic. Everything seems to be going smoothly for the time being.

4. What hasn't worked so far?

What hasn’t worked so far is that I haven’t been able to designate myself to a specific area of photography. I’m still unsure if I even have to narrow the topic of photography or if I have to be specific as to what area of photography I’m looking into. If I have to look further into a specific area, I’m not too sure what my area of focus will be. There are so many areas of photography to explore like nature photography or the business of photography or wedding photography. I could even research more about the use of Photoshop and photography. Right now, I’m still unsure if I have to be more specific or if I can just have my topic be photography.

5. Finding Value: Based on your experience so far...

-What possible question or questions come to mind regarding what you would like to study this year?

-What area of photography should I specify my research in so that I give my self enough information to do my 2-hour presentation?

-What is my EQ question going to focus on?

-Do I have to narrow the topic of photography or can I keep it broad like how it is? 

- What is your end goal this year with your senior project?

My end goal in senior project is to succeed in my 2-hour presentation. I want to graduate knowing I did well in my last year of high school.

-Who would you like to talk to you next? Why?

I would like to talk to Matt Bohlka, Jack’s son, because he is also a photographer who learned under his father. I would like to interview and get his perspective of photography. I would also like to interview Mr. Jack Hancock, a retired photojournalist, who I believe could offer me a very good source of insight to my topic.

Blog 3: Interview Preparation

Who do you plan to interview and why?

 

I plan on interviewing my summer mentor, Jack Bohlka, because he is trained professional in the field photography. Not only does he own his own studio, he also teaches a class right here at ipoly. Plus he has had years of experience. As much as I’ve worked with jack in the summer, I really don’t know any specifics of his photo background. But I plan on changing that in my interview with him. 

 

 

My basic interview questions are as follows:

- I’m interested in studying photography. What can you tell me about it?

- From your perspective, what could I study that would be significant to other people?

- Who else would you recommend I talk to?

- What kinds of places or activities do you recommend I do for the mentorship component?

- What books should I read in this field? Who else can I interview?

 

My additional questions to the required 5 questions are as follows:

-          How long have you been in the photography business?

-          Explain how you came to be a photographer.

-          When did you first realize your passion for photography?

-          Can you describe some of your early work as a photographer?

-          What are some of your achievements as a photographer?

-          Have you ever had to photograph someone famous? Who?

-          What was the worst thing that has happened to you while out on a shoot in your career?

-          What do you enjoy most about your profession?

-          Are there any books you recommend relating to photography that would offer a good source of research? What are they?

-          Are there any classes or other mentors you would recommend? Who?

During the interview other questions will arise. These questions are just to get a start on the topic.

Blog 2: Topic Chioce

What is your topic and why?

Photography is my topic this year because it has always been a personal obsession of mine. Wherever I go I always carry a camera with me to capture anything I find interesting or will remind me of the day. It really is a very personal connection when I pick up a photograph and look back at that moment. To me, it is exactly how the saying goes; a picture really is worth a thousand words.  It means everything to me.

 My family background plays a huge part in why something as simple as a picture is so sacred to me. It may sound ridiculous but I have a genuine fear of developing Alzheimer’s disease, a disease that depletes your memory starting with short term and moving its way into your long term memory until you can’t even remember a simple task like eating. My grandma has been living with Alzheimer’s disease for over ten years and she has reached a point where she won’t even respond to basic “hello” or “goodbyes”. My father is even showing some signs of the disease. I want to try and prolong my memories through pictures, hoping that they will be able to spark something in my mind to help me remember the times in my life. This is why my passion for photos and photography is so dear to my heart. I want to capture special moments in other people’s lives so that they can remember their good experiences in life.

 

 What do I hope to accomplish this year with this topic (connecting to the 4 ESLR's)?
 

iPoly Citizen:  I will be improving as an Ipoly citizen because I will be helping my fellow student body in the class room by helping them learn and understand my photography class that I’ve had experience with. I plan on accompanying Jack B. in taking the Ipoly student pictures, Senior Portraits, and being his assistant in our R.O.P program here on campus.

Effective Communicator: While volunteering in the R.O.P class on campus I will be answering any questions that students may have about Photoshop or the concepts taught in class like abstract photos and photojournalism.

Effective Learner: I plan on learning more in depth skills about photography in modern times. To me this means learning more about the digital side of photography such as Photoshop concepts and learning how to properly use the controls on the camera such as the shutter speeds and ISO settings.

Effective user of technology: By learning how to properly use the adjustments on the camera, I am effectively using technology at it’s finest. Not only will I be working with cameras, which is a must, I will also be learning to set up and test lighting, and again use Photoshop to do minor edits.