Capturing Memories
by Gwen Hoyt
I met Emily in geometry class of sophomore year. We started getting to know each other and found that we were taking the same photography class as well as the same drawing and painting. Everyday we’d get to know each other more and more and began doodling. We would draw portraits together and little animal sketches all over our math notes. Many times our math teacher would yell at us for not paying attention in class but drawing together was the highlight of that math class. When we found out we were in the same photography class we would practice taking photos of each other and practiced for projects to come. Emily and I started to become such close friends that we hung out together everyday, which is when I started to get introduced to the people Emily hung out with. This is where I met Skye.
Skye was also into art but didn’t take any art classes with me until senior year. All three of us would hang with each other everyday and bond over our love for the arts. Us three would venture out into the unknown and take some cool photos which started to become a new trend for hanging out. We took photos at the graffiti skate park, Livermore falls, some abandoned buildings, and searched the outdoors for nice fields or graveyards. Some people may argue that being on your phone while hanging out with friends defeats the purpose of even hanging out at all but taking photos was the foundation of our friendship.
Not only did these photographs document our memories we made together, but it also allowed us to still let our creative juices flow. We’d all take turns getting the right composition and interest in our photos and with these different photographs everyone would pick their favorite and post them to Instagram. Instagram is interesting because you’re able to see what everyone else takes pictures of and how they edited them. Even if Emily, Skye, and I had similar photographs the process of creating the overall theme was so different and personal. My photos would turn out more cool toned and dark while Emily’s filters included overlays and reflected a vintage vibe, and Skye’s theme incorporated more black, whites and greys. Each of us had a distinct style in our photographs which shows how all photography is different whether it's because of the subject matter or the edits.
On one adventure Emily, Skye, and I took, we headed to the graveyard in my town. We were going on a mission to take photos since the lighting was perfect just around four. We observed the location and scoped out where we’d take the photos. I had the best phone so we would each trade taking the photo and with different pairs. Since we were all aware of composition and lighting from our art classes, we were able to take some pretty nice photos. Some photos were the typical group photo, like the photo I had with Skye, while others were candid, like the photo Skye had with me climbing on a gravestone, and Emily’s was more modeled, sitting on the fountain. All these photos were taken in the same environment but through the editing apps and processes we used, our individuality shined through.
Emily, Skye, and I continued to take photographs and continued to bonded over art up until senior year which is when we had taken Advanced Art together, where we talked more about art. At the end of senior year when we had to choose colleges, Emily and Skye chose MassArt in Boston while I picked Plymouth State University. Although they’re two hours away and in a completely new environment compared to me, we still share photographs we take and ask for opinions on how to create an interesting style within the photo. Photography is a hobby that doesn't necessarily need to be formal. Emily, Skye, and I took photos with our phones in a casual and fun way. Many photographers focus on events like weddings to take pictures at while others take candid photos of strangers. Some photographers enjoy using new cameras while others use old Polaroids or in this case, we used our phones. These pics allowed us to share a little hobby while we were hanging out and also recorded our memories in our own styles. Especially now that we all live in different areas, when we look at these pics we’ll think back to the times where we first began talking and how we started our friendship.