A Visual Diary

My name is Ashley McGarry. I'm a junior Visual Communications major, minoring in graphic design at the University of South Carolina. This blog serves as a visual diary for the Advanced Photo-visual Communications class I will be taking this semester as a way to catalog my inspiration and record my progress.

© Ashley McGarry
All images are my own work, unless otherwise stated.

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  1. It’s been a week or two since I posted anything at all, let alone any original work, but I’ve been working hard on my final project for this class. It took me a long time to find a topic for our final multimedia project that really interested me and motivated me, but once I did, it really turned the whole project around. I am incorporating audio, video, and photos of a local coffee shop that opened a few months ago here in Columbia into my story. I still need to visit Drip Coffee one more time to fulfill the project requirements, but I already feel like I have too much material for my 2 min. story. I guess there are worse problems to have. My goal is to have it all done and turned in by Tuesday, so keep checking back for updates! 

    #Advanced Photovisual Communication  #j537  #finals week  #final project  #photography  #drip  #columbia  #coffee  #coffee shop 
    6 months ago
  2. Days With My Father by Phillip Toledano This photo essay was one of the first things I found upon making my personal tumblr account two years ago yesterday actually. It’s beautiful and heartbreaking and can conveniently be purchased on Amazon for fans in need of a physical copy.  Kelly mentioned it in class recently in reference to the subject of photographing family members and also wound up posting about it on her blog. In her post she wrote:  “ I feel like when a photograph can extract any sort of strong emotion from a viewer, then the photographer has succeeded in taking a great picture.“  I have to agree with her, that while it is often frowned upon to rely on family as subjects, when it is done successfully it produces incredibly raw, emotional photographs. The proximity either has a way of clouding our creativity or grants us, as photographers, the ability to show a side few others would ever get access to. I have always appreciated the way Toledano captured the story of his aging father.  For some strange reason when I stumbled upon Timothy Archibald’s photo series “Echolilia,” “Days with my Father” came to mind. It may have had something to do with our recent class discussion of family as photo subjects, but I think it had more to do with the way in which the family members were portrayed. The ultimate goal of photography, and photojournalism more specifically, is often referred to as the gift of uncommon vision. Both of the photo essays I have posted tonight definitely accomplish this goal. By photographing family members, Toledano and Archibald captured an unquestionably raw and beautiful view of both the young and the old grappling to cope in a world that leaves them feeling lost. As much as I love both of these stories and appreciate the way they are illustrated, I can’t help feeling a little uneasy.  Photojournalism often crosses a very thin and blurry line between illustrating a topic well enough to place any viewer in the moment and verging on exploiting a subject and their situation for the sake of the story. It is a line that is hard to define and something that both of these stories made me think about. Yes, the way the story told is gripping. Still I can’t help questioning if in photographing subjects so close to them, the photographers unintentionally crossed this line. Maybe the subjects of the photographs themselves weren’t exploited, but was their relationship to the photographer?  Just something to think about over the next week.  Days With My Father by Phillip Toledano This photo essay was one of the first things I found upon making my personal tumblr account two years ago yesterday actually. It’s beautiful and heartbreaking and can conveniently be purchased on Amazon for fans in need of a physical copy.  Kelly mentioned it in class recently in reference to the subject of photographing family members and also wound up posting about it on her blog. In her post she wrote:  “ I feel like when a photograph can extract any sort of strong emotion from a viewer, then the photographer has succeeded in taking a great picture.“  I have to agree with her, that while it is often frowned upon to rely on family as subjects, when it is done successfully it produces incredibly raw, emotional photographs. The proximity either has a way of clouding our creativity or grants us, as photographers, the ability to show a side few others would ever get access to. I have always appreciated the way Toledano captured the story of his aging father.  For some strange reason when I stumbled upon Timothy Archibald’s photo series “Echolilia,” “Days with my Father” came to mind. It may have had something to do with our recent class discussion of family as photo subjects, but I think it had more to do with the way in which the family members were portrayed. The ultimate goal of photography, and photojournalism more specifically, is often referred to as the gift of uncommon vision. Both of the photo essays I have posted tonight definitely accomplish this goal. By photographing family members, Toledano and Archibald captured an unquestionably raw and beautiful view of both the young and the old grappling to cope in a world that leaves them feeling lost. As much as I love both of these stories and appreciate the way they are illustrated, I can’t help feeling a little uneasy.  Photojournalism often crosses a very thin and blurry line between illustrating a topic well enough to place any viewer in the moment and verging on exploiting a subject and their situation for the sake of the story. It is a line that is hard to define and something that both of these stories made me think about. Yes, the way the story told is gripping. Still I can’t help questioning if in photographing subjects so close to them, the photographers unintentionally crossed this line. Maybe the subjects of the photographs themselves weren’t exploited, but was their relationship to the photographer?  Just something to think about over the next week. 
    High Resolution

    Days With My Father by Phillip Toledano

    This photo essay was one of the first things I found upon making my personal tumblr account two years ago yesterday actually. It’s beautiful and heartbreaking and can conveniently be purchased on Amazon for fans in need of a physical copy. 

    Kelly mentioned it in class recently in reference to the subject of photographing family members and also wound up posting about it on her blog. In her post she wrote: 

    “ I feel like when a photograph can extract any sort of strong emotion from a viewer, then the photographer has succeeded in taking a great picture.“ 

    I have to agree with her, that while it is often frowned upon to rely on family as subjects, when it is done successfully it produces incredibly raw, emotional photographs. The proximity either has a way of clouding our creativity or grants us, as photographers, the ability to show a side few others would ever get access to. I have always appreciated the way Toledano captured the story of his aging father. 

    For some strange reason when I stumbled upon Timothy Archibald’s photo series “Echolilia,” “Days with my Father” came to mind. It may have had something to do with our recent class discussion of family as photo subjects, but I think it had more to do with the way in which the family members were portrayed.

    The ultimate goal of photography, and photojournalism more specifically, is often referred to as the gift of uncommon vision. Both of the photo essays I have posted tonight definitely accomplish this goal. By photographing family members, Toledano and Archibald captured an unquestionably raw and beautiful view of both the young and the old grappling to cope in a world that leaves them feeling lost. As much as I love both of these stories and appreciate the way they are illustrated, I can’t help feeling a little uneasy. 

    Photojournalism often crosses a very thin and blurry line between illustrating a topic well enough to place any viewer in the moment and verging on exploiting a subject and their situation for the sake of the story. It is a line that is hard to define and something that both of these stories made me think about. Yes, the way the story told is gripping. Still I can’t help questioning if in photographing subjects so close to them, the photographers unintentionally crossed this line. Maybe the subjects of the photographs themselves weren’t exploited, but was their relationship to the photographer? 

    Just something to think about over the next week. 

    #family  #photography  #photojournalism  #photography ethics 
    6 months ago  /  3 notes
  3. Coffee shop mornings at Drip in Five Points. Coffee shop mornings at Drip in Five Points.
    High Resolution

    Coffee shop mornings at Drip in Five Points.

    #pinhole photography  #photography  #coffee  #coffee shop  #columbia  #5 pts  #Drip 
    6 months ago  /  1 note

  4. Adventures in Pinhole Photography (D.I.Y.)

    Our next assignment in my Journalism 537 class is a topic of choice. We can do pretty much anything we want as long as it’s something we plan to integrate into our portfolio. I decided I wanted to try out pinhole photography, especially when I read that you can buy or build a body cap that converts a DSLR into a pinhole camera. After looking around, I found a few tutorials and different places to buy pinhole body caps. They usually cost about $50, but I could easily build one for less than $5. On a college budget, the choice seemed obvious. I used this tutorial and am pretty pleased with the results. Over the next week and a half I’ll be working out any kinks. The plan is to wind up taking a series of pinhole photos and using some type of stitching software to make panoramic 180 degree views illustrating campus.

    Gotta love a good DIY (do-it-yourself) project.  

    #j537  #Advanced Photovisual Communication  #school assignment  #pinhole photography  #photography  #DIY 
    6 months ago
  5. I’ve spent a lot of time this semester posting my own personal work, but for this week’s post, I wanted to concentrate on a technique I want to use in the future. I know my classmate Dustin posted a similar concept a few weeks ago when he talked about Singapore-based photographer Qi Wei and his photo series of exploded views of flowers. While this photo isn’t by a professional photographer (it was a submission to a blog called Things Organized Neatly) I like the idea. Taking a photo from an aerial perspective with even spacing, like pictured above, allows the viewer to focus on each individual element of the photo while also taking in the visual as a whole. This may not be the most photographically innovative idea, but I think it could be used to create a really cool infographic.  I’ve spent a lot of time this semester posting my own personal work, but for this week’s post, I wanted to concentrate on a technique I want to use in the future. I know my classmate Dustin posted a similar concept a few weeks ago when he talked about Singapore-based photographer Qi Wei and his photo series of exploded views of flowers. While this photo isn’t by a professional photographer (it was a submission to a blog called Things Organized Neatly) I like the idea. Taking a photo from an aerial perspective with even spacing, like pictured above, allows the viewer to focus on each individual element of the photo while also taking in the visual as a whole. This may not be the most photographically innovative idea, but I think it could be used to create a really cool infographic. 
    High Resolution

    I’ve spent a lot of time this semester posting my own personal work, but for this week’s post, I wanted to concentrate on a technique I want to use in the future. I know my classmate Dustin posted a similar concept a few weeks ago when he talked about Singapore-based photographer Qi Wei and his photo series of exploded views of flowers. While this photo isn’t by a professional photographer (it was a submission to a blog called Things Organized Neatly) I like the idea. Taking a photo from an aerial perspective with even spacing, like pictured above, allows the viewer to focus on each individual element of the photo while also taking in the visual as a whole. This may not be the most photographically innovative idea, but I think it could be used to create a really cool infographic. 

    #things organized neatly  #qi wei  #photography  #exploded view  #new ideas 
    7 months ago  /  2 notes
  6. This weekend I took photos of my friend Hillary knitting and spinning yarn for my Advanced Photovisual Communications class. We had to take environmental portraits of people that in some way personified the “new South.” Hillary is passionate about knitting, but it wasn’t until I started working on this assignment that I realized just how much she knew about knitting. She often deconstructs old, thrifted sweaters or spins her own yarn. Although I’m not using this photo for the project, its a beautiful photograph of her.  I guess I’ll find out tomorrow how my photos compare with the rest of the class.  This weekend I took photos of my friend Hillary knitting and spinning yarn for my Advanced Photovisual Communications class. We had to take environmental portraits of people that in some way personified the “new South.” Hillary is passionate about knitting, but it wasn’t until I started working on this assignment that I realized just how much she knew about knitting. She often deconstructs old, thrifted sweaters or spins her own yarn. Although I’m not using this photo for the project, its a beautiful photograph of her.  I guess I’ll find out tomorrow how my photos compare with the rest of the class. 
    High Resolution

    This weekend I took photos of my friend Hillary knitting and spinning yarn for my Advanced Photovisual Communications class. We had to take environmental portraits of people that in some way personified the “new South.” Hillary is passionate about knitting, but it wasn’t until I started working on this assignment that I realized just how much she knew about knitting. She often deconstructs old, thrifted sweaters or spins her own yarn. Although I’m not using this photo for the project, its a beautiful photograph of her. 

    I guess I’ll find out tomorrow how my photos compare with the rest of the class. 

    #portrait photography  #photography  #environmental portraits  #hillary hudson  #knitting  #spinning  #diy yarn 
    7 months ago  /  13 notes

  7. High Resolution
    #nivens apple farm  #apple picking  #photography  #claire o'boyle 
    7 months ago  /  6 notes
  8. Adventures in Flash Photography This photo, of my roommate Lisa, is from a lighting test we were asked to do in class, as a way to familiarize ourselves with flash and using strobes to light our photos. Everyone has taken snapshot using pop-up flash, but using strobes well is a little more complicated than that. I wish that I’d had more time to practice with the strobe for this assignment, but the week these photos were due coincided with a billion other tests, papers, projects, and portfolios.  I have a few friends who use lighting equipment on a regular basis (whereas I usually stick to natural lighting for my photography), and I have always admired the benefits of artificial lighting. I’m really glad flash and artificial lighting are something we are using more in my J537 class, but it is definitely something I need more practice with before I feel entirely comfortable with the results. Debating renting equipment out from the school over the weekend to practice some more. I realize this photo isn’t spectacular, but it is fairly representative of my first attempts at bounce flash and my roommates excitement to have me photograph her when she has other things to do.  Adventures in Flash Photography This photo, of my roommate Lisa, is from a lighting test we were asked to do in class, as a way to familiarize ourselves with flash and using strobes to light our photos. Everyone has taken snapshot using pop-up flash, but using strobes well is a little more complicated than that. I wish that I’d had more time to practice with the strobe for this assignment, but the week these photos were due coincided with a billion other tests, papers, projects, and portfolios.  I have a few friends who use lighting equipment on a regular basis (whereas I usually stick to natural lighting for my photography), and I have always admired the benefits of artificial lighting. I’m really glad flash and artificial lighting are something we are using more in my J537 class, but it is definitely something I need more practice with before I feel entirely comfortable with the results. Debating renting equipment out from the school over the weekend to practice some more. I realize this photo isn’t spectacular, but it is fairly representative of my first attempts at bounce flash and my roommates excitement to have me photograph her when she has other things to do. 
    High Resolution

    Adventures in Flash Photography

    This photo, of my roommate Lisa, is from a lighting test we were asked to do in class, as a way to familiarize ourselves with flash and using strobes to light our photos. Everyone has taken snapshot using pop-up flash, but using strobes well is a little more complicated than that. I wish that I’d had more time to practice with the strobe for this assignment, but the week these photos were due coincided with a billion other tests, papers, projects, and portfolios. 

    I have a few friends who use lighting equipment on a regular basis (whereas I usually stick to natural lighting for my photography), and I have always admired the benefits of artificial lighting. I’m really glad flash and artificial lighting are something we are using more in my J537 class, but it is definitely something I need more practice with before I feel entirely comfortable with the results. Debating renting equipment out from the school over the weekend to practice some more.

    I realize this photo isn’t spectacular, but it is fairly representative of my first attempts at bounce flash and my roommates excitement to have me photograph her when she has other things to do. 

    #Lisa Hamilton  #artificial lighting  #bounce flash  #class assignment  #flash  #photography 
    8 months ago

  9. High Resolution
    #University of South Carolina  #USC  #HPU  #High Point University  #Mens soccer  #sports photography  #photography  #photography workshop  #NPPA 
    8 months ago
  10. Adventures in Sports Photography Sunday afternoon, I attended a sports photography workshop with USC’s NPPA chapter. Initially I was very intimidated because I’ve never really shot photography like this before. The men’s soccer team was hosting a tournament, and we photographed their match against High Point University.  I was hoping to shoot enough strong images to use for my sports photography assignment, but it definitely took a while to get used to the pace of everything. I wound up filling up my 4GB memory card because I didn’t want to miss anything. Looking back over the photographs, I could actually see the images improve as the game progressed. I’d really like to go back and shoot another soccer match for this assignment now that I have a better grasp on sports photography. They players’ expressions really make these photographs, but I’d also like to improve my composition in the next round of sports photos. Adventures in Sports Photography Sunday afternoon, I attended a sports photography workshop with USC’s NPPA chapter. Initially I was very intimidated because I’ve never really shot photography like this before. The men’s soccer team was hosting a tournament, and we photographed their match against High Point University.  I was hoping to shoot enough strong images to use for my sports photography assignment, but it definitely took a while to get used to the pace of everything. I wound up filling up my 4GB memory card because I didn’t want to miss anything. Looking back over the photographs, I could actually see the images improve as the game progressed. I’d really like to go back and shoot another soccer match for this assignment now that I have a better grasp on sports photography. They players’ expressions really make these photographs, but I’d also like to improve my composition in the next round of sports photos.
    High Resolution

    Adventures in Sports Photography

    Sunday afternoon, I attended a sports photography workshop with USC’s NPPA chapter. Initially I was very intimidated because I’ve never really shot photography like this before. The men’s soccer team was hosting a tournament, and we photographed their match against High Point University. 

    I was hoping to shoot enough strong images to use for my sports photography assignment, but it definitely took a while to get used to the pace of everything. I wound up filling up my 4GB memory card because I didn’t want to miss anything. Looking back over the photographs, I could actually see the images improve as the game progressed. I’d really like to go back and shoot another soccer match for this assignment now that I have a better grasp on sports photography. They players’ expressions really make these photographs, but I’d also like to improve my composition in the next round of sports photos.

    #USC  #University of South Carolina  #HPU  #High Point University  #Mens soccer  #photography  #sports photography  #NPPA  #photography workshop 
    8 months ago