The Evolution of a Photographer Pt. 2

Posted on | February 19, 2010 | 8 Comments

The technical aspects of photography have always been challenging for me. My brain just does not tend to naturally understand mathematics and optics and proportions. I tend to work very intuitively. It was a big step for me to tackle all those classes at City College and when I came back to Santa Cruz after a year and a half I was a totally different photographer. I had a much better understanding of my materials and had finally found the camera of my dreams. I took advantage of my situation at my Nana’s (no rent) and used my financial aid money to buy a Hasselblad. Turns out that I work really well in a square format. I also bought a 4×5 camera. Having new tools to work with changed everything. I also started “proofing” my work with polaroid, which is how it is done in the commercial world (pre-digital). I was developing a method of shooting that worked for me.

Most of the work from City College is very technically based and does not hold much substance. There is one defining image however from this time period that was a true turning point; the image “Spoons.” It was the first time that I created an image that lived up to the vision in my head. I used my 4×5 with slide film and mixed lighting to create a mood and a look that in no way looked like what was really there. This image changed everything for me. It was like I met a dream I didn’t know that I had.

I transferred my remaining credits from CCSF and almost ten years after starting at Cabrillo I received my AA and was ready to pursue my Bachelors. Tom and I decided to move up to Seattle, as neither of us had ever really lived outside of the Bay Area. I planned to attend the University of Washington after I got residency. I took classes at Photographic Center Northwest and worked as an assistant to supplement my education and give me access to the facilities while I waited.

I was very productive during that year and pursued a lot of projects. I was becoming more and more interested in fine art and the conceptual approach to making work. The housewife theme was still being explored but I was beginning to realize that UW did not have a photo program that was based enough in fine art for me and there were no other school options there for me, the only “art” school being a crappy division of the Art Institute of schools which offered a very commercially driven system and had just gotten rid of using analog and gone totally digital. I had no interest in going to school for commercial photography. If I wanted to work in that field I would work my way up through the assisting route; you learn more skills “on the job” anyway.

I was at a loss and it seemed that the only option was to move back to California. This seemed crazy as we had just moved there only a year ago. I needed to know if art school in California was even an option, so I went ahead and applied to the SF Art Institute and California College of the Arts. I also applied to San Jose State as a back-up just in case. I was accepted into the photo dept at CCA, but the Art Institute denied me. I was heart broken. Ever since I was a young photo student at Cabrillo I had dreamed about going to the Art Institute. Ansel Adams started the department, Imogen Cunningham taught there and their list of alumni was good enough to drool over. The history was enticing. I had also visited and fallen in love with the school.

So here I was in Washington with an acceptance letter from CCA and I was bummed. I did some research on both of the schools and slowly realized that CCA was a better fit for me anyway. The professors that were currently teaching at CCA were just right for me, the biggest draw being Larry Sultan. The ones at SFAI did not appeal to me at all. As I was slowly coming to terms with this I got a second letter from SFAI saying that they were now accepting me into the general art department (not photography). I poo-pooed them and wrote in really big bold letters that I have accepted CCA’s offer thank you very much!

Now I was left with the harsh reality of paying for art school. I don’t come from money, nor did I have any of my own—I worked as a nanny for god’s sake and Tom [DJ Tom LG] worked at Easy Street Records—so I had to rely on scholarships and financial aid. I was so relieved when I finally got my financial aid package to see that I had received two scholarships that would help defray the costs and one of them was based on my portfolio. It felt good to be rewarded for my work. The cost of the school however was so high that I was still on the fence about committing. I had to finally just make the decision and agree to let the financial part be what it was and focus on my art. So, Tom and I moved back to California and tried to prepare for our next adventure, art school! Seems that there is nothing that could have prepared me (or us) for this experience. This was a level of commitment that I had never experienced before.

This is part 2 of a series written by Rosey Lakos. Be sure to check out The Evolution of a Photographer Part 1, Part 3 and Part 4. Look for more installations in the coming weeks. You can also see more of Rosey’s work at RoseyLakosPhotography.com.

Category: Art, Culture, Photography
Tags: DJ Tom LG > fine art > photography > Rosey Lakos

Comments

8 Responses to “The Evolution of a Photographer Pt. 2”

Tom LG
February 19th, 2010 @ 1:37 PM

Lovely and well thought out. Even though I lived it with you it was nice to read about it from the outside in.
Robin
February 20th, 2010 @ 10:21 AM

I thought it was lovely to read as well. It’s very insightful to read of one’s journey and yours is inspiring.
Jennine
February 20th, 2010 @ 10:14 PM

I love reading your pieces. I didn’t live them quite as close as Tom did obviously, but like he said–so nice to read again from your perspective. And to learn the struggles we all go throught and overcome as well : )
xoxo,
j
Serina
February 21st, 2010 @ 4:31 PM

Rosey,
Thank you for sharing your story, it’s good to get a little caught up on your life. It’s been years since we had that ‘intermediate photography class’ together at Cabrillo (it changed my life =). What an evolution it has been! I love seeing your beautiful work, it’s very inspiring. I’m dabbling in the arts at the moment… Be well!
Serina
Beth Purcell
February 21st, 2010 @ 7:02 PM

Hey pink…
I am as impressed with your writing as I am with your photos. Beautiful work.
opal Palmer Adisa
February 22nd, 2010 @ 9:11 AM

great job, effective integration
alice Tullar
February 27th, 2010 @ 2:06 AM

ooohh rosey!!! you are too wonderful- too absolutely inspirational! lets shoot!!!!
David Casterson
April 21st, 2010 @ 2:37 PM

Your writing style in this section makes for an interesting narrative. It is easy to imagine being you during this part of your journey and grappling with which path to take.

House of Cat

music/art/culture

The Evolution of a Photographer Pt. 2

Comments

Categories

Recently Written

House of Cat RSS Feed

Let's Get Social

Links