How I Started Photography

Photography didn't just click into my head. Ever since I was young I loved taking photographs. I was the picture taker for the family events. As I grew up and started high school, I had to do 40 hours of community service and decided to do my hours at LAMP Community Center. This center brought youth together to help with suggestions and volunteering around the community. Then they started mentioning a photography program they offer for youths to try out the dark room. As soon as they mentioned it i signed up, and sure enough every Thursday night 6-9 PM I was in the dark room at Gallery 44 (Spadina & Queen). I learned how to mix the chemicals to properly develop my photos, the right amount of light to add to the photograph so it doesn't turn black, how to boarder the photographs, and by the end of it I was teaching people. At the end of it they set up a gallery to sell our photographs and sell 2 photos, I sold both. Then the next year came and I decided to do it again, even though I got over my 40 hours of community service I was motivated by this program. So I did it again and mostly this time helped the teachers and developed a few nice photographs for the gallery. I did sell both of them again and it was a lot of fun helping people around the darkroom. Word got to the gallery and put me in a list of 40 people and I won  with another guy the David Maltby Award which game me $100 of photography supplies (Chemicals, Paper) and 4, 4 hour sessions. I took a lot of advantage of that and created great photographs. Word got across that I won that and then I was asked to help with Project Zine which got me taking photographs of downtown Toronto and the city.

The next year in grade 12 photography class was an option so I took it, and helped most of the class. I got a 93% in the class with was 1% lower then the highest grade in the class,which I helped the through the class. At the end of it all I applied for a few photography schools and didn't get accepted, but I think I just didn't give enough variety. I ended up getting into Advertising and am really enjoying it! I defiantly will keep up with photography and attempt to get back into it eventually but right now it is a hobby.

Creativity in Photography

It feels as if a lot of the creativity has gone away with the new digital photography era. Now you pick up the camera and look at the screen, snap a photograph, look at it and if you don't like it, delete it. Photography isn't just point and shoot with film you can't see the photograph until you've you develop it. I feel as if this creates you to think before you take the photograph. You need to see the item or person in your mind before you even look at your camera. Don't get me wrong it is possible to point and shoot and come out with amazing images with film, but I believe that since you can't see the photograph it can be a form of Creativity. Not seeing the photograph may cause you to start thinking of what you can do with the image afterward. Creativity can honestly is anything you think of, also known as, unique. The cool thing about the film era is you do everything by hand, by timing and experience. The process may be a lot slower but I can definitely say the things you come up with are mind blowing and knowing you created this yourself could make it feel as an accomplishment. If you've never tried film photography or done any darkroom work, I highly suggest trying it out!

Jason's First Post

Hello I'm Jason Botelho and am currently in my second year at Sheridan College for Advertising. I really enjoy the program and would like to work in the next year with what I'm learning. I will be trying to pursue a sales career or media, but still very unsure. I enjoy to play video games, watch television and watch movies in my spare time. I own an Xbox 360 and normally play Fifa 13 or CoD Black Ops 2. I enjoy playing these games because it's interactive with friends and family online. During the summer I do a lot of biking around my area and try to use it instead of wasting money on gas, which is ridiculously expensive for no reason. I travel from my area which is Etobicoke to Downtown Toronto and back for fun and exercise. I currently am employed part time with The Beer Store and do everything you see at the beer store including cash, loading, and empties. I really enjoy working there because you get some exercise while working with people who have the same personality as me and the costumers we get are always fun. Another big interest of mine is photography, not just digital but film. I develop my own work and really enjoy the cool effects of the darkroom. This is my first blog so I'll try my best to keep up and keep it interesting!