Photo Essay: The Psalm of Daniel

Daniel Garcia's story started from one assignment with my old newspaper and turn into a one and half year project. This is probably the first really photo story I have ever completed. I don't want to talk to much about the images. Any thoughts or comments would be appreciated.

Background:

Daniel Garcia was born with cerebro-costo-mandibular syndrome, a disease so rare that he is one of only 70 known cases in the world. The condition left him with no jaw, a malformed tongue and palate and only two normal ribs, the rest floating, unattached to his backbone. For Daniel, this has meant not being able to eat or talk normally as well as being partially deaf his entire life. His breathing is supported by a trach tube place in his throat. It allows air to flow to his lungs and sound to echo out of his voice box. Due to these serious effects of his disease, doctors said Daniel would not live to see age three. Today, after a number of surgeries to shape his jaw and aide his breathing, Daniel looks to the futire and the next steps in beginning a normal life.

Tennis and other thoughts

As the end to another semester comes to a close, I want to reflect on my personal ideals that have driven me into photography and that have influenced me to go back to school to complete my BA. These day my life is split between being a part-time student and a full-time photojournalist.

One of the reason I decided to return to school after a 3 year break was to learn about the world and how it works. In the past, I felt that the most important way to learn about photojournalism was to attend a school with a photo program. Unfortunately, school did not teach me everything I needed to know to be a photographer. All I really learned was basic camera operations and compositional techniques.

These skills are not really worth the tuition of a four-year school. What I was not taught was how to find a subject that would motivate me to want to point my camera in that direction. So that is why I decided to attend a liberal arts school and to study American Studies and History.

Howard Chapnick said in his book "Truth Needs No Ally," that the idea is the "life blood of the photojournalist." After two and half years of being a staff photographer I have realized that this statement is the best piece of advice that I have ever heard on how to succeed in photojournalism. This applies to more then being financially successful as a photojournalist, it also unlocks the secret of sustaining the passion that is needed to stay with this profession.

Without passion low pay combined with the difficulty of advancing in this business would eventually turn most people off. My classes at the University of Mary Washington have awaken me to the effects of government policy on the life of the individuals that live within it borders. The knowledge I have gained is starting to point me to a different focus in my photographic life.

I have written this statement in my cover letters for jobs many times. "My career goals is to work as a photojournalist who concentrates on domestic and international social issues ." The difference now is that I mean it. If for some reason due to my lacking photographic skills or the market, I can't be a photojournalist anymore I will most likely quit.

I cannot see myself working in fashion or wedding photography as many of my peers at my level have turn too. I would prefer to work for a non-profit trying to effect change as a lawyer or social worker. My point is that if my photographic work cannot be in the world of social documentary photojournalism, then I will most likely leave it.

Why Photography?

Yesterday, I was assigned to photograph a llamas visit at a senior citizens home. I had pretty high expectations for myself, to produce a decent photograph. Yet, I ended up feeling disappointed in my take from this assignment. When I walked into the room, the first thing I saw was twenty or so seniors in wheel chairs or beds watching two llamas. I had a hard time moving in the room because of the positions of the wheel chairs and beds and I did want to block the view of the llamas from any of the seniors.

As my old photojournalism teacher John H. White would say, I made a blunt; a photograph that was just good enough to prove that I made it to my assignment. Often times, I have to remind myself when I out on community assignments why shooting features on kids, animals, or seniors is important.

As photojournalist in communities were most of us don't know our neighbors names we are the glue that helps keep the community together. We serve to help keep people connected to each other. I guess that why I'm so hard on myself. Every picture that I make, I want people to be able to relate to the my subjects on a very personal level.

I hope that an image can stop someone for just an instant, to imagine what the life of another person in their community is like. For me, the ability of the photograph to evoke understanding is one of the most beautiful things bout this craft.

Upside Down View

When I was a child, I remember spending my whole day consumed by games of tag with friends at the playground. Back then, I could never figure out why time went so fast when I was having so much fun.

Austin Out of Focus

A few weeks ago I traveled to Texas to finish a longterm project that I have been working on. I spent most of my days in San Antonio and my nights in Austin. I consumed a lot Lone Star and made way too many out of focus pictures. I did the best I could under the circumstances. Over that week, I met a lot of very cool people, ate barbeque at the County Line, and feel in love with breakfast from Kerby Lane. I even got my very on button snap shirt from wal-mart. I love Texas.