Artis 329: Creative Photography
Project 1: Locational Identity
For our first project, we worked with 35 mm film cameras to regain familiarity with ISO, shutter speed, and aperture - as well as the darkroom process.
We were tasked to pick a place and then answer the question, "what gives a location its identity?" Then we were instructed to make 6 prints featuring the essence of a place. For this assignment, I chose to pick a hidden greenhouse that not many students know about. It was the middle of winter, and I found refuge in a lush tropical oasis. I was sweating in my winter coat, in the places I was shivering in cold just minutes ago. I even found a pineapple growing in the middle of Iowa! My classmates were really excited to see the pineapple, and the way it unexpectedly grows from the bottom! My locational identity project has two elements to it: human-made structures and nature. However, it's not necessarily to pit these two against each other - but instead to look at the ways they meet and work together like a symbiotic relationship.
I was really pleased by how these photos turned out. I had a strong start for this class! :)
Project 2: People Stories
 Double exposure & self portraitHolga, 120 mm film |  Two friends at a club event35 mm film |  Two coworkers35 mm film |
|---|---|---|
 3 students sorting clothes35 mm film |  Man playing chess aloneHolga, 35 mm film |  Man shopping35 mm film |
 Person after check out35 mm film |
This project asked us to use people's relationships and interactions to construct a meaningful story. Our options for film cameras expanded to include medium format cameras like the Holga and Yashica Twin Lens Reflex cameras. The latter cameras require different ways of handling compared to a regular 35 mm single lens reflex camera. With those new ones, I became a beginner again. I was excited to learn more ways I can improve my photography knowledge!
My photos explore the relational distance between people. It asks the audience, "at what point do strangers become friends? "
My photos taken from the TLR camera didn't end up on this project because they were too blurry. With the Holga camera, it allows a user to take two shots on the same picture. This is known as double exposure - and I tried it out as you can on the top left photo! That photo features me, and it is the beginning of this project. The relationship I have with myself is close, I feel comfortable in the space that I take up. Then the photos portray people moving farther and farther apart. Even though they can be friends, coworkers, students, and it eventually ventures off to those who are alone in crowded spaces. During the class critique, we shared our feelings about how much harder it is to go up to somebody outside of campus and have a conversation unless the situation calls for it. Knowing that other people felt the same way helped me feel closer to my classmates. It made me more willing to take the initiative to talk to others in public.
Polaroid Workshop
Later on, my professor gave us the ability to borrow the Polaroid camera during Spring Break. I borrowed one. I didn't go anywhere new for break - but that didn't mean I still couldn't have fun! ;) I went around town with my friends and family and took touristy photos for some staycation fun! The pictures on the right and below this description feature my favorites from the pile :)
Artis 329 had a Polaroid workshop next. We collaborated with a classmate and took photos around the building. The picture on the left showed the photos my classmate and I took.
Project 3: Six Word Theme
One day during class, our professor asked us to write a story - it could be fictional or a memory. Then we would shorten the story into a 6 word theme. We had ultimate freedom to use any software, camera, or story-telling format (zine, posterboard, or video).
I decided to write about my older sister and mom. When I was a little kid I watched how they took long to get ready and I judged them for putting a lot of effort into the way they looked. It seemed like a source of stress for them, and I didn't understand why they cared and felt obliged to do it for others. Eventually, I grew up too. I couldn't wear PJs to Walmart anymore after I turned 7. As I grew older, I was often told by others how I should dress, look, and "tame" my wavy hair. Eventually, I started doing the same behaviors that I judged my sister and mom for. I realized how I contributed to the unnecessary noise of what a person "should" do, even if I was an innocent kid. It's so easy to judge others until you're going through a similar experience - thus, the title of this project is "Judgement gets Dispelled after Mutual Understandings."
I wanted this project to explore the reasons why judgment happens and how it dissolves. With the help of a tripod, Canon T6i, mirrors and Procreate - I was able to complete my first-ever digital project.
I made storyboards on Procreate to define the reasons why judgment occurs. I also brainstormed how I could visually explain this concept in a way that made sense to others using what I've learned through my spiritual faith. I've never used Procreate for photography before and I had no idea how the result would turn out. But every change allowed something better to happen for my project :)
I wanted to create something I've never done before that would challenge my visual skills. Since all of my previous projects were black and white, I wanted to leave a long-lasting impression by making my next project an explosion of color.
The project came out way better than expected! I was originally going to make this a zine and that's why the first page looks like a book cover. However, I later changed my mind and liked how it looked as regular prints.
Also, you may notice that the first photo contains the title of the project and it says "Mars Mejia." That's because Mars is my preferred name since my pronouns are she/they, and it's the name I use on social media and in my classes. I understand that may cause confusion because my website is under "Sara Mejia." I don't mind the usage of either name because Sara feels more like my middle name, and Mars is still relatively new to me - and I'm unsure yet if I will be keeping it for the rest of my life.
Since this project is really big, I won't be able to explain my process here. Visit my Photography Instagram if you would like to see more details, behind the scenes, and the final forms of these prints by clicking the button down below!
A sneak peek of the type of content to expect:
Final Project
For our final project, we had no restrictions - anything was on the table.
At this point of the semester, I was feeling really burnt out. It was the final hour of the academic year. For the last two weeks of school, I wasn't motivated to do anything that didn't sound like fun. I needed to create something that excited my soul. My original idea was kinda gloomy, so I decided to change my project halfway through the deadline - and it was completely worth it. I was inspired by the Studio Ghibli film, The Secret Life of Arrietty.
It's about a tiny human named Arrietty, that lives with her tiny family, in a hidden part of a suburban house. She faces a lot of challenges in her day to day life, as she is quite vulnerable and at the mercy of a huge world.
When I watched this movie as a kid, I was so in awe of how beautiful the world was from her perspective. I remember wishing I could be tiny too. I fulfilled my inner child's dream with this final project.
But here's my story behind the assignment...
Title: Day Trip
Once upon a time there was a tiny human who left her house to scavenge for some food. She looks far and wide, and eventually finds a bush full of blueberries. She eats a berry and then in a few moments her surroundings start looking a little funny. Nature has changed color, and so has she! She has regained a newfound sense of confidence and is not concerned with hiding anymore. This tiny human is only interested and curious in taking in the world around her. When dusk falls, she finds a house to retire in for the night.
I used a tripod, Canon t7i, and the Procreate app for this project. I shot the backgrounds at a botanical garden. Then the next day, I shot photographs of myself at a playground with multiple levels of height in order to achieve the different angles. Since the pictures were shot in different days and times, the lighting was sometimes really off and hard to adjust to match each other. Instead of fighting it, I embraced it by emphasizing the separation of myself and the background by using contrasting colored filters. I found that it adds to the peculiarity of the story. That's why I added the detail of the psychedelic berries to explain why the visuals changed.
In a way this story actually is sort of bibliographical -- not the psychedelic drug part though haha. This project relates to my life because I grew up in a small town. It's the type of town that everyone wishes to leave but not many do. I never knew anyone personally who left our hometown for college. I felt like the world was just way too big, and I wasn't sure if I was capable of surviving by myself. The idea of coming to Iowa State University seemed so impossible and incredibly terrifying, but I applied anyway. I felt vulnerable moving out on my own at 18. But once I did it, I realized that the world isn't so scary after all - and even though Ames is bigger, it's also a small town too! Now I'm eager to explore more places and see new things!
Final Thoughts
This photography class had lots of new faces. In Artis 329, we often shared lectures with the Artis 429 and Artis 529 courses. Altogether, this mega class contained the most experienced photographers I've ever met. My classmates had different ages than I did, came from different parts of Iowa or the United States, and many were also international students. When we were sharing our work, I was incredibly blown away by what they were able to convey with a camera. It opened up the world for me - no matter where they originally came from. The level of talent was astounding from the first day. I was inspired to push past my limits and raise the standards of my art because of the prime example they set. I wanted to proudly stand with them and meet them at their level. Being surrounded by amazing creatives allowed me to improve at an exponential rate. I'm forever grateful to have been in the presence of so many encouraging, gifted creatives.
