Firebaugh

            My family and I moved to Firebaugh when I was twelve. My father was attending Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary located in the bay area to further his education in theology, when he got a job preaching in Firebaugh. For one school year, my family commuted every weekend to the central valley. Although I was only twelve I was able to recognize the beauty of the central valley, especially when it was compared week after week to the bay area I left behind. I saw where all my fruits and vegetables were being grown. I saw the aquafers that held the water that fed the plants I ate. I was able to see the cotton growing that made the clothes I wear. I recognized that the people in the bay area never see this. They are not aware of who is supporting their lifestyles, and I am living amongst those people now. I am now deeply attached to a community of people whose lives are dependent on the earth itself, and the help of others around them.

            I was born in Fresno, and I’ve lived in northern California as well as the bay area, about 15 minutes from San Francisco. I know I was young when I lived in these areas, however being homeschooled I believe I was well educated on the areas I was living. I believe I have a different perspective on this town than anyone else. I am someone who was not born here, so I see things others do not and I know what is unique and not found in other places. Yet, I have also lived in Firebaugh long enough to feel as though I am a part of the community and long enough to know context about a lot of things.

            I believe there is a story in this town that needs to be told and I believe I am a qualified author. I would like to tell stories about history in buildings and the San Joaquin River, about fear of change, about the Mexican culture, about agriculture, and about the people that make this town what it is.

            I would like to make prints, and to create a book with captions under the photos, giving some insight on the town. My goal is to tell a story, and show the beauty and pain that comes with a small suburb in the central valley. I hope my town will be proud to see this book, and I hope others who live in small towns can relate to it as well.

Maldonado Park was built during the time I lived here. Before, there was only one other park on one side of town. This park is located near government housing ("g-camp"), and a well housed apartment complex. Every Saturday and Sunday you will see young men playing basketball, kids of all ages using the skatepark, families having birthday parties, and little ones using the playground. There is a water park that used to be packed with kids in the summer, however due to the drought, it is only turned on a few days out of the year now. 

Edgar's family work for N.F. Davis. Davis is a well-known and highly respected businessman and farmer in our community. Edgar has twin siblings who recently had their Quinceanera, and Davis offered to help them with some finances for the celebration. 

There are many Churches in Firebaugh. Full-Gospel is one that stands out in our community because they have a rehab program for men, many who are recently out of prison. I work at Subway and these men often come in as it is within walking distance of the Church. They are some of my favorite customers. They are very polite and well mannered. One man says "God bless" as his goodbye. 

My Eye

May 19th, 2018, at the end of this Spring semester, I will be graduating from Fresno State University. I (hopefully) be going on to the credential program, however I will be finished with regular art and photography classes. Therefore I decided to do a project this semester that would in a way bring my "eye" full-circle.
I began doing photography at college level in 2011. When I first started at Fresno City College I was told to take photos of light and shadow, symmetry, pattern, closure, similarity, contrast, space, repetition, perspective, and much more. All of these being gestalt and other design principles. When I first began photography I did not know what I was doing. However, I'd say in 8 years' time I should have a bit of an idea now. So my goal is to go through some of these principles again, in hopes of being able to see that my "photographer's eye" has grown. I believe having focused on one type of fine art photography in my particular style for so long, that it would be good for me to return to the basics and to remember all of the little parts that create one big amazing photo.
After taking other art classes and learning how to apply these principles in other artistic mediums such as drawing, painting, and sculpture, I believe it makes more sense to me now. I would like to prove to myself that I can take photos of almost anything and make it catch YOUR eye as a viewer. I would also like to try to stay on campus for this project, as I would like to have some photos of my campus in my repertoire. Some artists that I take inspiration from are Minor White, Harry Callahan, and Imogen Cunningham.

This is 35mm film that I will be hand-printing on glossy paper. This first project is on RC, however I will switch to Fiber-based in the next parts.

Here is Part One of this project, along with the contact print. I apologize that these are not the best quality, as they are taken with my cell phone and unedited.

"University Student Union" 

I went in here for orientation when I first started at FSU, and I haven't been back. 

"Industrial Technology Building" 

I absolutely love the light and the windows in this building. As I printed this photo I thought I had taken it vertically. Yet my classmate corrected me! But let's see how it looks vertically. Do you think it works this way as well?