Cultural Experience: the farmer's market on pearl street

The farmer's market on Pearl Street was a cultural experience because it showed me what the local community outside of the University of Denver was like. Having been to farmer's markets in Kentucky, i knew the set up and atmosphere well. It was interesting to see the different products local vendors made and sold and how they compared to those at home. The most interesting product to me was salsa. It was common for vendors to sell home-made salsa in their booth, which seemed to be one big difference from the vendors at farmer's markets that I had been to before. Salsa is not a common product in Kentucky. 

The farmer's market on Pearl Street was filled with friendly people and great food just as any farmer's market should be. It was an opportunity for me to learn about the community that surround the University of Denver. I got to learn the best way possible, through my stomach. I left the farmer's market with a better idea of the community I joined by moving to Denver and a full stomach. I think the best way to learn about a culture is through food and I did that job well. I have returned since and plan to go many times in the future. 

cultural event: my first hockey game.

My first hockey game was a cultural experience because as someone from kentucky where only football and college basketball matter, hockey is foreign. We think of it as a Canadian game and therefore don't care about it. I soon figured out in Denver that hockey is adored, especially at school. The first think I learned was the football attire would not be accepted. In the SouthEastern Conference sundresses are commonly worn to games. In a cold hockey arena this would not work. Jeans, T-shirt and a jacket was what I wore and same with everyone there. When the game started I learned how fast paced and violent the game was. It was a mixture of soccer and football.
I spent most of the game asking questions and the other part screaming for people to get hit or yelling at the goalie in hopes of distracting him. I had heard that Denver was good at hockey so I expected my first game to be a win, but unfortunately my first 2 home games against Boston College were losses. This was the only disappointing aspect of the sport I found. I am a competitive person even in a sport I know nothing about. Those who were familiar with DU hockey explained to me that we had just played the number 1 team in the nation and that a loss was expected. If it weren't for the insane atmosphere I don't think I would have returned to my second game where the Pioneers won.

cultural event: the camera obscura, the denver art museum, light and enlightenment

This is a day that I will never forget. The entire trip was one big learning experience. This is when I knew that I picked the right FSEM. The time spent on the train downtown made me realize that all of these crazy girls will become my best friends, and that professor who claims his brain is mush is probably the wisest person i have ever met. Walking to the museum I learned the most important lesson thus far in my photographic education; it is all light and enlightenment. On the streets of downtown Denver I learned more than I ever had before about soft and hard lighting.
Once inside the museum I was surrounded by things that amazed me. I should have known it was going to be an amazing place when the sink sang to me as a washed my hands. We started in the photography exhibit and I was blown away by everything that surrounded me. Every exhibit made me feel that same way. After a beautiful lunch on the university bill we headed to the camera obsucra, a gallery that I fell in love with. It appears to be an old house, but don't let the facade fool you. This place may not be a chic gallery but it has more history in it than anyone can imagine. Run by the old and lovable Hal who has witnessed photography become an art form in his lifetime, this is a place every photographer should visit. Every piece will blow you away.
This trip is easily the best memory of my first quarter of college. I was surrounded by great people and great art.

Sally Mann

The most beautiful thing i found about Sally Mann's photography is her process. She uses the glass plate process that I have always been anxious to try. The photography of her children i can also identify with. Although some of those photographs are staged, others are created out of spontaneous moments. They remind me of my childhood going to the lake with my siblings. Sally Mann's photography is important because she photographs what is around her and what is important to her. Like a writer can only write what they know, Sally Mann only photographs what she is experiencing. In her latest show, a show about death,  the inspiration was her husband who is dying slowly of a muscle disease. I admire her for tackling the struggles in her life with her camera.

Henri Cartier-Bresson

This is a photographer that I had not heard of until class. After the video I was amazed that he was unknown to me. His photography is not only well known and beautiful, but it is historically important. Henri Cartier-Bresson traveled the world taking photographs, but what really amazed me was that he photographed the last days and death of Mahatma Gandhi. Although both he and Annie Leibovitz both specialize in portraits, Henri Cartier-Bresson does not photograph the famous. He photographs the everyday and the impoverished. His photographs are more striking because you do not recognize the person in the picture but you can associate with whatever emotion the picture conveys.

annie leibovitz

annie leibovitz has always inspired me. She turned her hobby into a career and then made that career legendary. She has photographed the most famous people in the world. Her photographs helped to create one of today's most famous magazines, The Rolling Stone. leibovitz has never been afraid of controversy or what public opinion will be. The amazing part is that even thought people may despise her photographs for being sexual or inappropriate, no one can ever deny how beautiful they are. I also think that I admire leibovitz because she has mastered the type of photography that I struggle most with, portraits.