moments through 118 days a look at a semester’s study of photography
erin renee chapman spring 2011
table of contents moments from a frozen winter
1
moments through a slow meltdown
11
moments to remind us of the past
23
moments from an urban scale
41
moments of a warmer climate
51
1
moments from a frozen winterr
Early on in the year of 2011, the Midwest experienced a heavy ice storm. In some places, ice was up to 3 inches deep, impairing the functionality of several cities and many people’s daily lives. While “frozen in time” these photographs were taken mostly within walking distance of my home in Muncie, Indiana. The ice coating on all of the ordinary objects starts to bring out new reflections and colors of objects; almost a hidden dimension of interest. These photographs truly express the frozen reality that comes deep within the dead of winter; a raw, cold emotion.
Icicle on air conditioning unit | 1 Muncie Indiana Ice coating on red car side view mirror | 2 Muncie, Indiana
Mulch covering with snow | 3 Westfield, Indiana Snow covered swing | 4 Westfield, Indiana Wooden fence dusted in snow | 5 Westfield, Indiana
6 | Lawn Chair covered in snow Muncie, Indiana 7 | Ice and snow over lawn chair Muncie, Indiana 8 | Evergreen tree lightly dusted with snow Muncie, Indiana
9 | Icicles hanging from grill top Muncie, Indiana 10 | Two snowflakes caught in ice on grill Muncie, Indiana 11 | Icicles on grill Muncie, Indiana
11
moments through a slow meltdown meltdow
Over the course of January and February, the Midwest experienced weather hopeful of Spring. Ever so slowly, days started to appear warmer and the massive snow piles began to melt--only for the weather to trick us again. For a period of two months, the weather would play with our hopes of experiencing a mild Winter and an early Spring. During this time, the sun would create patterns across the snow forming strong contrast and intrigue. These photographs capture the essence of the cold, gray skies with peeks of sunshine and sparkle.
Train axle surrounded by snow | 12 Muncie, Indiana Stationary train on tracks | 13 Muncie, Indiana
Worn, metal merry-go-round | Muncie, Indiana Butler bike rack on snow | melted sidewalk Indianapolis, Indiana Bike path signage | Muncie, Indiana Experiencing a snow covered | playground Muncie, Indiana
14 15 16 17
18 | Bridge over the White River Muncie, Indiana
Old bridge structure | 19 Muncie, Indiana
20 | Telephone lines at sunset Muncie, Indiana 21 | Electrical box on old telephone pole Muncie, Indiana
22 | Abandoned rails from train track Muncie, Indiana 23 | Ice around evergreen shrub Muncie, Indiana 24 | Old broom propped up on tree near train yard Muncie, Indiana
23
moments to remind us of the past
Muncie, Indiana was once known as Middletown, U.S.A., and can still hold onto this title. During the early to middle part of the 20th century, Muncie was known for it’s industrial factories and it’s perception of being an average American city. These photographs exhibit how time has tested the city. The wear and tear of an average city has not been easy over the past few years since money flow has been low, but the stories and history have only become stronger. While most of Muncie’s factories have left, the city still stands proud of it’s middle class past.
Fallen Juniper berries on sidewalk | 25 Muncie, Indiana Water from drinking fountain in Minnetrista | 26 Muncie, Indiana
Abandoned Indiana Steel Factory | 27 Muncie, Indiana Broken orange glass on garage | 28 Indianapolis, Indiana Weathered home in need of a new coat of paint | 29 Muncie, Indiana
30 | Memories of summer at Tuhey Park Muncie, Indiana 31 | Old baseball Muncie, Indiana
32 | Tuhey Park abandoned pool Muncie, Indiana 33 | Old exhaust fan at Tuhey Park pool Muncie, Indiana
34 | Tuhey Park abandoned pool - HDR Muncie, Indiana 35 | Weathered wood pile Muncie, Indiana 36 | Crab-apple Tree in winter Muncie, Indiana 37 | Minnetrista art sculpture Muncie, Indiana 38 | Minnetrista at sunset Muncie, Indiana
41
moments from an urban scale
In many metropolitan cities, it is sometimes hard to remember to stop and take in all of the surroundings. While Indianapolis, Indiana is not the largest city in the United States, it does offer a hustle and bustle feel in comparison to many surrounding cities. Since large cities contain large scale architecture the perspective and vertical dimension changes when photographing in a metropolis. Some of my favorite photographs were from this portion of the semester because the stillness of the city caught in frame with the unique perspective was in contrast from the rest of the objects shot.
Barnes + Thornburg Building | 39 Indianapolis, Indiana Carson Pirie Scott Building | 40 Indianapolis, Indiana
41| View South on Monument Circle Indianapolis, Indiana
42 | Indiana State Capitol Building Indianapolis, Indiana
Monument Circle + Chase Tower | 43 Indianapolis, Indiana
Caution cone in snow | 44 Muncie, Indiana Caution cone - HDR | 45 Indianapolis, Indiana
51
moments of a warmer climate
For one week in March, an escape from Muncie came in Sebring, Florida. A variety of new and exciting objects to shot were at my finger tips. Lake Josephine, sunsets, flowers, and even a rodeo were able to be captured. The biggest change between Indiana and Florida at this time of year are the colors that are able to be captured. Not having a Winter where animals hibernate and trees lose their leaves impacts the lifestyle and colors found throughout the southern climate. Shooting at the rodeo was a new experience and fortunately had a gorgeous day to work with. The speed at which I had to shoot the action with was far beyond anything else I had to use.
Brother + Sister chasing cattle during rodeo | 46 Arcadia, Florida Young onlooker watching the women on horses | 47 Arcadia, Florida Girl in rodeo attire watching bulls | 48 Arcadia, Florida
Two cowboys discussing | 49 the round Arcadia, Florida Cowboys preparing to | 50 open the next gate Arcadia, Florida Bucking horse + cowboy | 51 Arcadia, Florida
Advertisement at the rodeo | Arcadia, Florida Cowboy riding bull breaking through the gate | Arcadia, Florida Jumping horse + cowboy | Arcadia, Florida Team of cowboys attempting to wrangle calf | Arcadia, Florida Small boy riding sheep, imitating cowboy | Arcadia, Florida
52 53 54 55 56
57 | High Jumping horse Arcadia, Florida 58 | Cowboy running away from angry bull after his ride Arcadia, Florida 59 | Cowboy trying to jump off one horse onto another Arcadia, Florida 60 | Bull at the All-Florida Championship Rodeo Arcadia, Florida
Palm Tree against a blue sky | 61 Sebring, Florida Live Oak Tree with Spanish Moss | 62 Sebring, Florida Tree with Spanish Moss next to | 63 Lake Josephine Sebring, Florida
64 | Tree Roots near Lake Josephine Sebring, Florida 65 | Fishing boat on Lake Josephine with lily pads Sebring, Florida 66-71 | Lake Josephine and dock at sunset Sebring, Florida