Mario Padilla

Fresno State

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Edge of Town: Life Outside Avenal (Project statement)

For my final project, I wanted to capture the sights I saw everyday as I left town. Somehow the edge of town always seemed so sad, so broken, yet did not represent the way the town looked today. I did not want to capture the actual town itself because it can represent any small town in America or California for that matter. As mentioned before, I wanted to capture the views at the edge of town. This town is surrounded by a plethora of farmland and other unique sights. My goal was to capture how people or places can grow from the past. Additionally, my work represents a direct documentary of how life promotes advancements of human life. California's central valley will always be known for it's small farmlands, but there are much more to that life than people think. Sure, these images might give off a depressing vibe, but I assure you that my attempt was to capture the sights in a humble manner and not to cast aspersions on the land or people around here. We are a unique group of people. These pictures represent are ability to move on towards greater things. Thank you.

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Still

Julia Keil has a beautiful soul. While searching for pictures unrelated to my project, I found his photographer. Her work is... interesting. She describes her work as a form of meditation. She also describes how her photographs take her back to a time when things where simple. I don’t have much words to say since her work speaks for her self. Also, I am getting kicked out of the library because it is closing. 

Look for yourself here: https://www.lensculture.com/search/projects?q=meditation&modal=project-184599-still

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Wine Harvest

Judit Ruprech has done something that would be nice to do, in my opinion. She captures the harvest of grapes for wine. Though it a bit too adventures for my tastes, I do respect the approach. However, I believe Ruprech uses black and white to give a sense of timelessness, but it is not highly effective. Sure, they are heartwarming shots and somewhat dramatic, but they do not fully capture what it means to harvest grapes. The images present themselves in a glamorizing manner. I speak from experience. A large hand-harvested bunch of grapes takes a toll. It is no easy job. I’d wish Ruprech had captured more of the brutal labor that can be harvesting grapes. I understand that’s not what she might be going for, but that is how I interpret these images. Nevertheless, they are great shots.

Source: https://www.lensculture.com/search/projects?fallback=not-found&q=harvest&modal=project-16279-wine-harvest

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Rabbit’s Field

While doing research, I found this picture. Although the photographer Marcio Menasce tells a different story about a family, the region of Brazil, and generational events that happen on this land, I found inspiration in another way.

I like the dramatic look of the image, the way the shadows urge the viewer into a sense of gloom. I respect the approach Menasce takes in his work, even the ones not shown above. This is what I intend to capture, or rather, something like this for my next project. 

Source: https://www.lensculture.com/search/projects?fallback=not-found&q=farmland&modal=project-576909-rabbit-s-field

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Shadows of Planes

Poike Stomps has put together quite a unique, serious yet comical, collection all revolving around the shadows of planes. Although there is not much insight as to the meanings of these pictures, one can deduce that the photographer had patients to wait for the planes to fly overhead and cast their shadows. One cannot see how many missed shots were taken before he arrived as his collection. 

What I find most inspirational about his work is his dedication to something that requires patients. No one sees how many days or hours are spent waiting for a shot. The dedication is impressive. Not to mention the interaction between shadow and land. I do wish the photographer had a proper reason for his collection, nevertheless the shots are impressive and useful for inspiration.

Source: https://www.lensculture.com/search/projects?q=field&modal=project-283979-hit-me-shadow

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The Vanishing Culture of Agriculture

Since I have decided to base my upcoming project based on the agricultural industry that surrounds the area I call home, I decided to do more research. Here, Rob Amberg focuses on small farms and the family around those farms. Amberg addresses the historical links between land and community, as well as culture.

Although he does mention it in his description, Amberg’s work resembles traditional photography during the Great Depression. It is interesting to read about the demise of agricultural culture with the evolution of technology. I can see it, too. This culture might not completely disappear, but some areas are becoming affected. Amberg needs only to provide more work for this collection.

Source: https://www.lensculture.com/search/projects?fallback=not-found&q=agriculture&modal=project-2688-the-vanishing-culture-of-agricul

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Penumbra

Peter Eriksson has captures an interesting collection over 10 years. Eriksson tries to capture mood, time, and the essence of dreams with his collection. At first glance, one might get the impression of paranormal events or a slightly terrifying idea, however, that was not the message of Eriksson’s work. As mentioned earlier, Eriksson tries to capture dreams through veiled figures and double exposures. He also uses to land to represent the flow of time. 

I find his work beautiful. As we might be well aware of, dreams are not always the most pleasant. Nor are they always terrifying. Sometimes dreams make no sense. We struggle to understand the deeper meaning of some of our most profound dreams. I believe Eriksson captures the complexity of dreams and dreamy-state to some extent. I also believe one will never be truly accurate in replicating these states, nevertheless, Eriksson’s work is amazing.

View the rest of his work here: https://www.lensculture.com/explore/editors-pick?modal=project-6617-penumbra

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Photography Meets Graphic Design

Ruth Henderson has done something that I wish I would take the time to practice more; combining photography and graphic design. Though I consider myself fluent in both practices, I have yet to combine them to the level of Henderson. She demonstrates a playful manner in her work. Although some photographers might not agree with the manipulation of work, I welcome it. I do understand the need to keep elements separated, however in today’s modern times, I believe it is a major distinction to be able to create images like the ones shown.

Henderson has mainly collected work to present as a raw display of talent rather than having a reason to her work. Though, the work can speak for itself. It is meant to take the imagination on a voyage to the deepest parts of the mind. At worst, it’s just to get a quick reaction. Nevertheless, it is always great to appreciate artists who do this type of work.

Source: https://www.lensculture.com/search/projects?fallback=not-found&q=graduation&modal=project-161939-all-my-works-so-far

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Farmed

Paul Hart has been photographing landscapes in parts of the UK. FARMED explores land/environmental photography in a documenting fashion. Hart presents a collection of work that captures the raw land and its true rugged appearance. His work is relateable to those who reside in farmlands or plains across the world.

This has more or less inspired me to try something with the environment around me. The land around me resembles much of what Hart presents in his collection. As far as meaning goes, I think Hart pushes for the relationship between land and man. Or, rather the attempt to capture the relationship of raw land with farming.

To view the rest of this collection, visit: https://www.lensculture.com/search/projects?fallback=not-found&q=black%2Band%2Bwhite&modal=project-345990-farmed

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Left Behind

Isabella Stahl has created a collection of gorgeous photography that represent both an experience and a return to the past which Stahl claims to no longer be a part of. It is interesting to see her play with elements from both physical and non physical things such as light and shadows. Her work seems to have a soft side to it. At the same time, it seems to invoke a sense of loneliness. 

According to Stahl, this project was about capturing a life that may not exist anywhere. It also captures her desire to escape. As someone who tried to emphasize human and element interaction, I felt this was related to my project. I was definitely interested in seeing her work.

Source: https://www.lensculture.com/search/projects?fallback=not-found&q=behind&modal=project-134141-left-behind

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Artist Statement For Elements: Our Interations

What lead me to do this project was the desire to capture the interactions between man and the elements (earth, wind, water, fire). These elements constantly play a role in our lives, but are often overlooked. In traditional Zen philosophy, the elements are what makes all of our lives harmonious, and taking the time to acknowledge them leads to inner peace.

What I have presented here, I hope to remind people to take the time to notice your environment - the elements that are around you. The wind shuffles and blows our clothes, our hair, and often times our work. The water refreshes the earth we stand on. And fire - fire has no master. These elements unite us. We often times cannot control them. We live entwined with them. However, we often overlook and belittle their role in our lives. Stop for a moment and appreciate them. Thank you.

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Film Project I (Elements: Our Interactions)

My film project from Art 130.

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The Fragmented Family (Razo) & In Search of Liquid Skies (Richards)

Alyssa Razo has put together a beautiful collect of photographs that depict her family. However, she did not depict her family as perfect or traditional, but rather she documented her experiences/ life with her family. The result is a touching collecting that touches the viewers heart. I really enjoyed this collection. It touched me.

On the other side, we have photographer David Richards. I will be honest, I did not appreciate Richards’ work the way I appreciated Razo’s work, nevertheless, it was an impressive work. This collection contained a group of friends seeking to rock climb. As stated before, I could not get into the subject matter at hand. I felt that it could not compete with the sensitive matter related to Razo’s work. 

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Street Football Around The Globe

Since I recently took pictures from a local professional soccer (also known as futbol or football), I decided to search for a photographer who takes pictures of the world playing soccer. I found one that did just that.

Bert Spiertz has traveled the world documenting in search of other things, but one thing catches his eyes; people playing soccer. Spiertz states that this sport is played world wide though the environment might be different. Over the years his collection of soccer players has grown and presented it in a very interesting collection.

I find it remarkably beautiful how a simple sport could travel across borders and languages and enjoyed world wide. Spiertz is also subtly making the statement on The Beautiful Game; it unites us. 

For the rest of his collection visit: https://www.lensculture.com/search/projects?q=soccer&modal=project-22934-street-football-around-the-globe

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Photos from a local professional soccer game

USL team Fresno FC had their first ever home game last Saturday, March 17th, 2018. As an avid fan of soccer, I decided to attend and support the Foxes as they battled the Las Vegas lights. Although Fresno lost its home opener, Here were some of the sights from that home opener. 

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Art Hop: Photography by Eddie Zamora During one or my many stops at Art Hop, I came across some photographs by Eddie Zamora. I had seen some of Zamora's work prior, but never in collection form. The variety of work was fascinating. From beach fronts to close up images, Zamora demonstrates total mastery of the art form. My only hope was to see a project from Zamora at Art Hop. Everything was nice, but it felt unrelated. Nevertheless, amazing work.

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SANDRINE ARONS

Sandrine Arons has put together images in a collage form to represent the struggle of her national identity. As a child from a French mother and American father, she says she often feels out of place in each nation. Her work represents where she sees herself belonging.

I find this work very interesting as it deals with elements of both physical and mental attitudes. What I mean is, that she uses the compilation of images to form a new image that has a whole different perspective on the new composition. Images that formed the new image can bring different energies, but are put aside to create a sense of belonging.

For her other works, click here: https://www.lensculture.com/search/projects?q=student&modal=project-42472-student-entry-emerging-talent