Some children grow up knowing exactly what they want to do— learn how to master the delicate spins of ballet, spray down a massive fire in an impressive uniform, or scratch away at a chalk board in front of a room of squirming students. But others are not so sure, and their talent must come to them.
Barron Roth, a freshman majoring in computer engineering here at BU, found his talent when his mom placed his first camera in his hands. It was just eighth grade, and a Nikon D40 was not necessarily the birthday present he had been anticipating. Nonetheless, Barron’s interest grew as he realized the beauty which could come from that lens.
“I try to capture the things that people overlook,” the Peruvian explained to me – leaning back in his chair.
But Barron’s photography doesn’t stop at the casual elderly couple on the park bench, the squirrel munching its way around the Boston Commons, or the fleeting smiles of fellow classmates. Since his first photograph—one of a skateboard wheel which still proudly adorns the wall of his room—Barron has exceeded any of his expectations. He has been hired for senior portraits and by aspiring models, musicians, bands, and rappers, all wishing to be the object of his 50 millimeter lens (a size which Barron endorses, gushing that it literally “will change your life.”).
His camera is a part of his lifestyle now, found on him at almost all times, his finger creeping to the shutter release button in between classes or as he strolls up and down Newbury Street with his rowdy floor mates. In fact, the myriad of potential photographic urban moments played around in the back of Barron’s mind as he made his college decision. He knew that, in contrast to his summery Miami home, Boston’s bustling city contained seasonal scenes, with trees whose leaves would actually know the feeling of pavement. So, thank you Boston, for being a little farther away from the equator (when will I ever say that again?).
When asked his feelings on Instagram, the engineer was an avid fan, exclaiming that “it’s like Twitter for pictures, but pictures give so many more words than just a Tweet.”
Similarly, Barron advocates for Photoshop, admitting that at first he despised the photography tool, not fully understanding how to use it himself. Now, with more experience under his tiny belt, he admits that he uses Photoshop in his work almost all of the time, explaining that “half of making a photograph is the editing.”
However, Barron has yet to reveal his favorite editing technique, one which he believes may have been the breaking ground to his success.
When Barron is not capturing a moment, he is making one. He is a Dean’s Host, a member of the photography club, and in the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers. You may spot him at the occasional frat party, but don’t ask him to take your picture! If you really want to show support, like his “Barron Roth Photography” page on Facebook, follow BarronRothPhotography on Instagram, or ask him personally for photos. Although Barron’s talent may not have been a calling from his childhood, it has most certainly risen to become his voice here on BU’s lucky campus.