The theme of my final project is the neighborhood of St George located in Staten Island’s northern shore. The story I wanted to depict was the modernization of a neighborhood that has been around since 1886. I want to capture the contrast of modern and old architecture in the area. Some examples in this area that support my subject matter are Curtis High School and The Empire Outlets. The Empire Outlets is a modern-day attempt to modernize Staten Island. It is active with tourism and has many outlets stores for shopping and food. While Curtis High school which was founded in 1904 represents the neo-Gothic side of St George. The neighborhood also includes the Richmond County Bank Ballpark. I personally want to do this area because I grew up near here and attended High school.
The techniques I would like to explore in this final project will be composition, Aperture, Depth of field, and exposure. I would like to experiment with composition and exposure the most because these were my favorite techniques / lessons for the semester. I will take my photos during sunny, active, rainy, and foggy days. I think these times will help with my final projects theme. active and sunny days will have a greater chance for tourist activity in the area. I think rainy and foggy days can really help depict the general weather and mood of living in the area.

For my final project I want to do a portrait of my neighborhood Corona Queens. I’ve grown up in Corona my whole life and I am very proud of where I came from and all the local businesses that I interact with every day. One of the businesses that I would like to photograph is my local tattoo shop that I live one block away from. I’ve gotten all my first piercings and my first tattoo there at that shop, so it holds a special place in my life. I mainly want to photograph the tattoo artist Luis who did my first ever tattoo when I was 19, I would like to take pictures of him and him tattooing someone. Another local business that I’ve gone to is the world famous “Lemon Ice Kings” ice cream shop, every tourist comes here to get ice cream so if I could capture the motion of people getting and eating ice cream, those would be great pictures. Another local business that I have been going to for years my favorite Colombian empanada spot “Empanadas Café”, I love eating empanadas from there its so delicious. I’ve been going there since I was kid, it is a women-based business so I would love to photograph them. A new local business that appeared in Corona is this new Mexican taco truck that is my favorite spot to get tacos de birria, so delicious! The owner has always been to cool to me and nice every time I order food from his truck so I think photographing him and his truck would make cool shots. I want to take pictures from my roof to get some birds eye shots and capture Corona from above and show what’s around me. There is this building called “Terrance on the Park” that is a venue that hosts parties and it lights up at nights, I would like to photograph that building to show how it looks at night. The theme of my project would be the people of Corona showing its diversity and culture that I grew up around showing that Corona is forever. 

My project is not just about capturing portraits; it’s a visual exploration of the connections and routines that shape my life. Each of the 10 people I have chosen holds a unique place in my heart, and by photographing them in my workplace at different times of the day, I am not only freezing moments in time but also revealing the subtleties of their personalities and the roles they play in my daily life.

Photography, as a medium, has the extraordinary ability to convey emotion and atmosphere. Shooting during the afternoon, with its warm, soft light, can emphasize the familiarity and comfort that these individuals bring to my routine. As the day transitions into night, the changing light can be used symbolically to represent the evolving nature of my relationships, as darkness falls and the workday winds down.

My reference to the compositional principles, as introduced by photographer Suzanne Stein, is a clever choice. The rule of thirds, for instance, helps create a balanced and aesthetically pleasing composition, guiding the viewer’s eye to the subjects. The “frame within a frame” technique adds depth and context, effectively capturing not just the person but the setting in which I connect with them. “Fill the frame” focuses solely on the subject, intensifying the viewer’s connection to the person. Lastly, the “dominant eye” technique can bring out the soulful essence of the people I am photographing, emphasizing their character and presence.

As I capture these individuals in their workplace, I am also documenting the intersection of my personal and professional lives. This blend adds a unique layer to my project, revealing the spaces where my bonds with these people unfold. It’s a testament to the richness of my daily life and the significance of these individuals in my journey.

In conclusion, my project is not just a series of portraits but a deep exploration of the connections and routines that shape my world. Through photography and the application of compositional techniques, I am telling a powerful narrative about the impactful faces in my life and the spaces where these bonds are nurtured, bridging the personal and professional aspects of my daily existence.