The Man Behind Bucknell’s Lens!
1) How did you first get involved with photography in life and at Bucknell?
I had always been interested in photography and a lot of my close friends in high school had nice cameras and were involved with photography. Freshman year I came to school with a little point and shoot camera and I used it a lot. Second semester one of my new friends who had a brought a nice camera to Bucknell let me borrow it all of second semester and that is when I really started to become really involved in photography at Bucknell. The summer after Freshman year I bought my own nice camera and a year later I am still at it.
2) Do you feel that the camera lens has given you a different take on the Bucknell culture?
I certainly see a lot more of the events and activities going on around Bucknell through the camera lens because that is usually what I am usually supposed to be taking pictures of for the Newspaper, Yearbook, and ACE, but I can’t really say it has given me a different take on the Bucknell culture. As a junior and a generally observant person, I feel like I understand the culture of Bucknell and the camera lens has not made too much of a difference. One thing the camera lens has done is that it has helped me really appreciate the beauty of Bucknell.
3) What is it like to be the man behind the lens?
Being the man behind the lens means different things at different times. For one, I really like being in pictures myself so sometimes it is not that great because I am not in a lot of pictures. Most of the time though, it is very rewarding. I love capturing moments for people even when they complain that I always take bad pictures of them because eventually they will look at the picture again and remember good memories from when it was taken. Sometimes I feel distanced from the events or people that I am taking pictures of because, although I am there, I am not really part of it. Overall it is a very rewarding experience being the man behind the lens.
4) Please provide us with your favorite picture. What makes this photo so special to you?
Wow, this is probably the hardest question you could ever ask a photographer…haha. The picture I chose is a panoramic I made in Asbury Park, NJ. This is where I mom grew up and my Grandma lives. I have been coming to the beach here pretty much my whole life. It is also where I met Bruce Springsteen who is my favorite musician. The picture itself is just really cool and captures the essence of the beach city.
5) Subjects or landscape?
As much as I love to take pictures of people and capturing the emotions on people faces, I prefer landscapes. I really enjoy the beauty of nature and peaceful things.
6) We are all dying to know, who is your muse?
To be honest, I really don’t have a muse. I haven’t really been inspired by anyone specific but I in general I have been inspired by colorful landscapes in photography and paintings. At the moment my favorite photographer is Jack Fusco (http://www.jackfusco.com/). Taking pictures at night and of the stars has been something I have gotten into recently. But really, I don’t really have a muse. I just take pictures of things I think look cool or beautiful and I guess I have my own style.
7) Looking into the lens of the future, where do you see yourself? Will photography be your main goal or just a hobby?
At the moment photography seems more like a serious hobby for me in the future. If things don’t go as planned (and I don’t really have anything planned yet), photography is the backup plan. Honestly, I just can’t wait to make some money so I can buy more photography equipment!
8) How has photography made you the person you are today?
Well, photography has certainly made me more visible on campus and I am more informed about things going on at Bucknell. It has also made me really appreciate my eyes. It is amazing how we see the world everyday and trying to replicate that in a camera has made me realize that eyes are amazing things that are not replaceable. It is great to see things in pictures, but seeing the real thing is just so amazing. I guess you can say that photography helps me enjoy everything I experience so much more even when I don’t have my camera. This is one of my favorite quotes that pretty much sums it up:
“The camera is an instrument that teaches people how to see without a camera.”
– Dorothea Lange
I feel that I would be a similar person without the camera, I just wouldn’t enjoy the experiences of life as much.
Feel free to check out his Flickr page, which has most of his favorite pictures that he
has taken over the last few years!