Lizard post, slightly dated

From last semester, at Prospect Park Zoo.

Images from California for Thesis

Holga Elephants:

Museum with one image from Prospect Park

(this is the image from Prospect Park)





And just like I threatened, more butterflies!

More Thesis

Current Statement:
When I began this project, I admit that I was more driven by the subject matter than an underlying idea. My eventual goal is to become a wildlife photographer (or something to that effect), and I thought a series on wild animals (even at a zoo), would be a solid first step in that direction. I've researched the animals that I was especially interested in (mostly the mammals), and stayed for hours at those exhibits, just like a one would have to do if they were shooting animals in a natural habitat.

As I've continued going to the different zoos week after week, I'm starting to realize that this is nothing like wildlife photography. These animals have a completely different relationship with humans than wild animals do. Some avoid the glass walls, well aware that there are thousands of spectators, most of which look for a few seconds and then move on. Other animals are hams, and love the sounds of an awed crowd as they get closer to them.

I grew up in California with zoos like the San Diego Zoo (and so on), and I don't think I ever considered that zoos can be sad. I'm not even sure what the saddest part is; that we need to capture these animals in order to educate people, the way some behavior is changed in such a setting, or that people look for two seconds and move on (as though they really are a freak show).

I want to build a connection that is genuine and sympathetic. I want the viewer to look at these animals and empathize with them.

Senior Thesis, perhaps

Beginning images for thesis, taken at Prospect park.











Holga at Disneyland, summer 2008. Thank you Columbia, and Jungle Cruise Hippo (not Bessie, unfortunately).