My name is Aidan Bach and for as long as I can remember I’ve wanted to tell stories and document events.

Whether it was through photographs, movies or drawing I felt that telling a story visually with a piece of media was the easiest way for me to communicate what I saw in front of me, in a truthful manner. I don’t like to tell people what my art is about, rather I want them to interpret it on their own.

The photos I took in this semester's studio photography class were all taken with the goal of lateral progression in my photographic voice through translating my candid photography style into a more controlled environment, both within the subjects and setting. I juggled with several different concepts during this process, ending up with photos that thematically reflected both current and past feelings. All united with the force of sentimentality.

The best way im able to create my best photos is shooting something of interest to me. Whether my subject is inanimate or not, some of my best photos are the ones that i thought were a fluke. When you look at my photos I want the viewer to know that creating photos can be process but the outcome is rewarding.

Learning studio photography this semester has resulted in some of my best work this year. Being able to manipulate lighting, angles, and poses was completely new to me, but once I learned how to do it I was able to take a lot of pictures that I am proud of. I picked these two photos out of the many I took this semester because I thought they best represented the techniques that I used most during the class.

This semester, I was able to illustrate my creative thought proceses through the use of lighting, angles, and composition. Some photographs feature items that caught my attention, while others represent my view of the world around me. Granted this creative freedom, I manipulated angles and lighting, and even incorporated objects to convey a story.

In my recent work, studio lighting transforms the mundane into the extraordinary. Office scenes become the battleground for justice, where Batman and Robin navigate the shadows. Watch faces tick ominously, marking the relentless passage of time.

I capture Batman at an office desk, the glow of a computer screen casting sharp contrasts, highlighting the duality of his life. Robin stands by, bathed in the soft hues of RGB lighting, embodying youthful optimism amidst the darkness.

Watches are central in my compositions, their ticking a reminder of urgency and duty. They sit on wrists, lie on desks, and dangle from pockets, each second symbolizing a step in the fight against crime and the grind of daily responsibilities.

My images blend the sterile environment of the office with the dramatic tension of Gotham’s streets. The interplay of light and shadow creates a visual dialogue, inviting viewers to ponder the balance between everyday life and heroic endeavors.

Through careful lighting, composition, and the symbolism of everyday objects, I aim to evoke a sense of intrigue and reflection. Each scene is a narrative, where the ordinary meets the extraordinary, and time itself becomes a character in the story of justice.

I wanted to give off a dreamy sense in my photos. I believe both my photos emit a warm, soft feeling thanks to the lighting of each image— the portrait conveys calmness, while the still life of the lamb displays a feeling of nostalgia. In general, I love portraiture, so I was glad to be able to take portraits in a more controlled setting with more resources.

My work centers around the idea of sentimentality and what we make meaning of to pass down. As I leave what is known - exiting high school, the apartment i've lived in all my life - I get to pick what I bring with me. 

Music and peonies are two things that remind me of my mom, who has been the best guide through life I could have asked for. It is also said that peonies symbolize honor, and I hope I can honor my mom and the impact she has had on me through these images. I will continue to carry the music we play and peonies we pick as I take the next steps in my art and life.

For as long as I can remember, I have enjoyed artistic creation: from using a crayon on my bedroom walls to my current camera in a variety of spaces, I love searching for beauty in the everyday.  

In my final semester with Salt, I aimed to hone my photography and specific creative skills in the studio, in conjunction with my broader goals. These two pieces are part of this exploration: working with different lighting setups, backgrounds, and colors with both portrait and still life photography.

In my work, I strive to capture the essence of my subjects by understanding them deeply. Each photo is a reflection of my unique perspective and connection with the individual being photographed. My goal is to portray them in their authentic form so that people might perceive them as I do through close observation and genuine interaction. My photography is more than just images, but a storytelling journey, highlighting the beauty and complexity of human experience.

HEIDI PEREZ

Three things that is interesting about me about photography is that I really enjoy taking pictures of my family and taking pictures of nature and also taking pictures of the sunset when I go to the beach

This year I got the chance to play with light in the studio a lot. Working with light is something that took me a some time to get the hang of, but once I got the hang of it I think I was able to create some really good photographs. I’m really proud of the new work I created this year and hope to continue to expand my expertise in photography.