Me, Myself and Eye

ONLINE PRESENTATION

Me, Myself and Eye Home   //  Leslie Elsasser - Introduction   //  Selina Roman - Mind Currents   //  Michael Ball   //  TC Bryant   //  Larry Busby   //  David Canaday   //  Michael Congdon   //  Brandie Dziegiel   //  Loretta Fields   //  Jeaniel Image   //  Douglas Eric Jordan   //  Valerie Larson   //  John Leduc   //  Jason Lind   //  Mikko Maki   //  Alex Martinez   //  Matias   //  Noemys McConnell   //  Megan O’Connell   //  Robert Ortega   //  Adaina Plaza   //  Pat Randall   //  Heather Rivera   //  RaeAnne Swanson   //  Michael Webb

 

ROBERT ORTEGA - US MARINES

Untitled 

I have done photography before, but never used photography as an art medium. I photographed for work and enjoy taking pictures when I can. However, the workshop centered around self-portraiture. I did not want to make portraits with myself as a subject. Rather I found other ways to fulfill the projects. I took pictures that referenced me and that fit into my everyday life instead of a literal, or out of the way, or contrived self-portrait. 

The gym is part of my normal activities. I took this image from my garage gym. Here, the hand prints are a type of self-portrait. They are an indication of my presence and the picture of my unique self without having to be in front of the camera. I was asked about the American flag in the background. It was not staged for the picture. It is not a prop. It is a part of my life and is represented or displayed in several locations. 

I learned a lot through this workshop. I personally do not enjoy taking photos of myself, but I learned and now appreciate the challenges that self-portraiture can present, especially before the digital age. I made a couple of different photos in the gym one day. The pictures that I was physically present in took quite a bit of effort to get the right action, framing, lighting, exposure, etc. for the shot. I had to go back and forth to view the picture, adjust, and retake the photo. What I thought would be snapping a few pictures during my workout added over an hour just to get the right image. I was reminded of several things I had learned before and the workshop gave me the opportunity to exercise those skills and principles. The Breaking Barriers workshop was an opportunity to recall from the past and still discover new things. 

ROBERT ORTEGA
US MARINES

 

 

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For more information:
Email Leslie Elsasser at lelsasse@usf.edu
or Ashley Jablonski at danyele@usf.edu

Breaking Barriers 2020 is supported by the James A. Haley Veterans’ Hospital, Love IV Lawrence, Hillsborough Arts Council, and the Florida Department of State.