Submitted by Julia Kraushaar on the 2017 winter session program in France sponsored by the Department of Art…
In Paris and Barcelona, the two classes I was enrolled in were Drawing as Study and Photography. Being in the Health Science field, I knew that these classes were going to be quite different to what I am used to. I would have to use the right hemisphere of my brain: the side that controls the left side of the body, including creativity and the arts. Anyway, I was prepared to go outside of my comfort zone and explore my artistic side. My peers in my classes were mainly art and fashion majors and I have to admit I was intimidated. It was the first day of class and our professor explained to us that we would be making a book with all of our artwork from the course and we would have to pick a theme for this book. Unsure what my theme was going to be, I decided I would just take photographs and then think about my theme afterwards.
When I started photographing, I found myself taking typical scenic pictures that you could easily find on Google: the Eiffel Tower, the Jardin de Luxembourg, etc. I was bored with my own photos until one day it came to me. I would focus more on photographing people. If there were people sitting in a cafe, I would shyly try to snap a shot of them drinking coffee or if two people were having a conversation, I would remain posterior to them and take my photograph. My artwork started improving, but there was still something missing. I knew what I had to do. I had to approach people on the streets; people who did not speak the same language as me; people I had never met before. A lot of times going outside your comfort zone is not easy, but it is well worth it. I spotted this woman in a bright yellow coat and I knew I had to take her photo. I worked up the courage to go up to her and her boyfriend at the Palais Royal and say “Parlez vous anglais?” (do you speak English), and they both replied with a “Yes, we do.” I proceeded by asking them a few questions and if I could take their photograph. They were playful and happily agreed. As it turns out, this ended up being my strongest photo because of the way it completely captures the personality of my subjects. After this moment, I wasn’t afraid to approach other people I wanted to include in my book. After putting together all of my pictures, the theme just jumped out at me. It would be “the way color has drawn me to my subjects and allowed me to talk to people I never would have spoken to before.” Not only have I learned more about some people living in Paris, but I have also learned more about myself and what I am capable of creating.
