Venice, Italy

On this trip to Europe one of the first photographs I took after getting to Europe was the last one of the three (the train). To me this photograph sort of says it all, spray painted on the train car 'cruel' and 'AIDS.' It shows how the world is and is going if people enough people don't act on the many problems that our world faces today, one of which AIDS. After taking this picture it sort of got me thinking the rest of my trip in Europe about how someone can help to change that. After this particular trip to Europe where I visited 5 countries, the day after I returned to the US, I turned right back around and went to China, which would only further enhance my views and experience with the suffering that millions, or even billions of people face today. 

Experience the World

In my life, I have been fortunate enough to go on some absolutely fantastic trips around the world. What I have gained from all my travels has shaped me into the person that I am today, and opened my eyes to a world I never would have known without these experiences. As an avid photographer, I have documented all my travels through imagery. Over my next several posts I would like to share with you, some of the moments I have captured through my photography and the experiences I have had in each place, which have been etched in my mind, and never to be forgotten. 

Do something your not used to

This also piqued my interest, as it was one of my first experiences in using Adobe Illustrator. This particular piece that I did really caught my eye, mainly due to it's simplicity and the fact that it is relatively different compared to most the pieces I was working on at that time in my life.  (Look at two previous posts- all were created around the same time) I like this idea though, this piece is a breath of fresh air from my darker pieces during that time, while it also helps show my diversity as an artist. 

Photoshop Evolution

Also from my Digital Foundations class, this was another project my professor had us do. We chose a picture that we took, found, etc, and over 3-5 different canvases morphed it into something else, making it take on an entirely new meaning from its original. I took the photograph that I used for this project while I was In Kenya in 2001. 

My 1st Animation

I was looking through some of my old stuff from the when I was in my Digital Foundations class at the University of Texas in Austin (I transferred to SMU in FALL 2008 after being at UT for two years) and I cam across one of the first animations I ever made, and wanted to share it with everyone. It's interesting to watch it now almost 2 years later and remember what was going on in my mind at that point. 

 

Swim with the Sharks

When I was In Hawaii last summer, we had the great opportunity to swim with the sharks (ha, well we were swimming in a barred metal cage with the sharks swimming around us). Needless to say, what I learned from this exhilarating experience was incredible. At first I was a little scared, but happily volunteered to be the first to get into the cage, following me was one of my brother's and best friend. Once we had floated out a ways from the boat what I observed underwater was amazing. The deep blue of the water in the ocean was unlike any color I've ever seen so vivid and rich. There must have been at least 15-30 sharks in our vicinity (that we could see) at any given time. The urge to reach through the bars and touch one of the sharks as they swam by was so strong, yet my common sense reasoned with me as sharks are so fast I probably would lose my arm within seconds. The ocean so vast and the grey color of the sharks contrasting with the vivid blue of the deep ocean was one of the most gorgeous experiences I have ever seen. I couldn't help but just float there in complete awe and utter amazement. 

1st Test Shoot-Photographer: Jamie Luca

Photographs by Jamie Luca

Recently I got a modeling contract with Page Parkes Management and these are some of the pictures from my 1st test shoot. The perception people have on models is rather farfetched (in most cases) so I wanted to express  my views and experiences with it. Modeling is not just about 'sitting there and looking pretty.' Although that is what it looks like and ultimately ends up being, there is far more that goes into than meets the eye, that people often forget to realize. Modeling, like acting is about being yourself and reacting to certain situations and environments utilizing them them to your benefit. You have to be able to express all kinds of emotions, translating them into each photograph, while also being aware of all your body parts and angles, and knowing which of those makes you look best translated through the lens. If something feels awkward it most likely looks good on the camera, you have to be light with your hands and fingers have to be in soft positions, because the placement of every body part matters in capturing an image. In addition to all this, models are often shooting spring/summer wear in the winter and winter wear in the summer to get ready for the upcoming season, so they are often coping with extreme weather conditions in consideration with what they might be wearing. Among all of this, your running around changing in and out of clothes, driving to different locations, changing make-up, etc. and if you don't do a good job you can get replaced in a second.  There is far more to it then meets the eye.