Andrea LaRayne Etzel Photography

Last Final...

2011-06-02T06:35:00.001-07:00

Today in about an hour, I will be taking my last final... my final final. Well, at least for my undergrad career. The plan is to continue on to Graduate school in a few years. A lot of big changes in the next week, besides graduating I will be making yet another 18 HOUR drive back to Kansas. Though this maybe the last time for a while.

I will also be starting my new position as the Marketing & Public Relations manager for the Kansas Children's Discovery Center, their grand opening was yesterday. Very exciting.

I can't believe it has been three years already. In that time I have learned so much and have met many wonderful people. I am truly going to miss Savannah.

150th Anniversary

2011-04-15T07:37:00.000-07:00

Everyone who knows me, will tell you I love history. Well, lately I have become a little obsessed with the Civil War. There are a couple of parts one is this April marks the 150th anniversary, and also there is the movie The Conspirator. The movie comes out today, it starts with the Lincoln assassination, which happen on this day in 1865.

I went and saw the movie on Monday, it was very good. Brought up some questions, and makes you think and feel for the characters. They (Robert Redford) pretty much all of the movie was shot in Savannah or the surrounding areas. One of those places was the Owens Thomas House where I work, it looked beautiful.

Creek Bed - New Listing on Esty

2011-02-24T13:21:00.000-08:00

Hope everyone is well, I just wanted to make a quick note that I have listed a new item on Etsy.com.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/68785447/creekbed-archival-photograph

Creek Bed
2010

Artfuly yours,

Andrea

New Etsy Item Listed

2011-02-22T18:57:00.001-08:00

I have added a new photograph to my etsy account: www.etsy.com/people/alephotography

Title: Burlingame Newspaper
Date: 2006

Rural America Series, Burlingame, Ks was once a busy trail town, one of the last few stops where wagon trains could stop, before continuing on the long journey across the Kansas Plains.

Always looking for new places to document, if you are aware of any old rural towns please let me know!

Thanks,

Andrea

In the Next 6 Months

2010-11-26T07:55:00.000-08:00

Well, I am down to my last 6 months of college. June 4th, I will be walking across the stage to receive my Bachelors of Fine Arts in Photography. (applause) Thank you. It really has been a long time coming; in fact I won't mention how long it has been since I did this last. Still nonetheless, I am extremely excited.

Wait, I am getting ahead of myself. I still have so much to do before June. Like, getting through Winter Quarter and Spring Quarter. Also, I need to think about what I plan to do after graduation. It has become the million-dollar question. Any time I tell someone I am a Senior, it never fails their first question is "What are you going to do when you graduate?" to which I always say "Get a job". But I can't wait until June to start looking; I have begun the search already. Is it to early to start applying though?

Having worked in the HR field for 6 years, I know that usually when a company is posting a job opening, they are looking for someone right now, not 6 months from now. I guess the answer I have come up with, is still send my information, because at least they are hiring, and they can keep my information. Who knows, maybe they would hold a position.

I have currently been working in the same gallery for over a year, and have a total of about 2+ years experience in the gallery world. I have also been working with a museum since March. My background is photography, but love and appreciate all art (even the stuff I don't get).

If you are hiring, or know anybody who is, I would happily send my information.

andrea@alephotography.com

Artfuly yours,

Andrea

Once Step Closer

2010-11-22T08:59:00.000-08:00

Well, I am one step closer to graduation. Finished my Fall Quarter, only five more classes left. It really is going by very quickly. I also filled out my application to graduate. Now it is time to start thinking about what I am going to do come June.

Just thinking...

Andrea

Fall Has Finally Arrived....

2010-10-23T10:33:00.000-07:00

I took this image on the way up to Charleston, and well, this is really has close to an Autumn we get here in the South.

Have registered for my classes next quarter: Advance Studio Lighting and Picture Story. Both should be good portfolio builders.

Have a beautiful autumn day,

Andrea

Charleston 145 Years After, 1865 - 2010

2010-10-01T09:14:00.000-07:00

For my Photo Seminar class, I have given myself the project of conducting a photo survey of Charleston, SC 1865-Present day. Taking images originally taken in the 1860's during and right after the civil war. Most of the photographs have been attributed to Mathew Brady. Now I am going back and rephotographing the same location and matching up the two images.

Here is an example of what I am doing:

The end product will be a book of these images, along with a history. If this is successful, I hope to continue on with this project focusing on the Civil War era. We are only 5 years way from the 150th Anniversary.

Will continue to post the outcome. Crossing my fingers.

Hoping everyone has a wonderful 1st of October.

Artfully yours,

Andrea

Second Week Into My Senior Year

2010-09-24T08:32:00.000-07:00

Well since this is my last year at SCAD, I really want to make the most of it and really push myself as an artist.

So far I think I am on my way. First, with my studio lighting class I have learned that artificial light is not my enemy and when done right can be quite beautiful and it has now opened my creative mind to so many new ideas. I have also now found myself study magazines and t.v. not because of the content but the lighting.

Also, for my other photo project this quarter, instead continuing on my usual documentary of rural America. I am going outside the comfort zone, working in medium format film at night to create surreal portraits. I know there will be a headache in relearning to work with film, but the outcome will be so much more gratifying. At least, that is what I will continue to tell myself.

Tata for now.

Artfully yours,

Andrea

School Has Started Back

2010-09-16T07:06:00.000-07:00

Well, I have just completed my first week back at school. I am completing my Senior year at Savannah College of Art and Design, of course in the Photography department.

The two classes that I am taking this quarter are, Studio Lighting and Photo Seminar 2. Studio Lighting is exactly what it states, we are working in the studio's with different lighting set ups for portraits, still life's, and etc. So far I am really enjoying this classes, more than I thought I would, typically I shot only outdoors and only using available light. I think this class is going to turn out to be a real asset.

Photo Seminar 2, is more of a free-for-all, I have to choose one photographic concept and then stick with it for the whole quarter. I have chosen to work with the idea of surreal night photography. I was inspired by a touring photo exhibition, TWILIGHT VISIONS: SURREALISM, PHOTOGRAPHY, AND PARIS. It is now showing at the Jepson Center here in Savannah.

This is a beautiful exhibit, and one of the largest installations that I have seen. A must see if you can.

www.telfair.com

Have a wonderful art filled day.

Artfully yours,

Andrea

www.alephotography.com

Expanding My Photo Library

2010-05-14T11:33:00.000-07:00

Currently I am trying to expand my photography knowledge and library. Right now I am ready a biography on Dorothea Lange called, Dorothea Lange: A Life Beyond Limits, by Linda Gordon. So far it is an outstanding book, a lot of information but it is not dull. If it can hold my attention, it can hold anybody's. Also, it is packed full of both images that Lange took, from her most famous to ones that were new to me. Include are also personal images of Lange and her family.

This is a great book, if you love Lange, photography, history, or just to read, be sure to check it out.

If there any books that anyone feels I should be reading or are a must, let me know.

Georgia State Fair 2010

2010-04-30T18:00:00.000-07:00

Well I made it to Macon, GA for the Georgia State Fair. Wasn't exactly what I was hoping, a lot different from the state fair's that I am use to. It was fun none the less and I took a lot of images. Here are a few that I have ready. Macon is a really beautiful town, I will have to go back soon to photograph it specifically and give myself plenty of time to explore.

Heading to Macon, GA

2010-04-29T10:30:00.000-07:00

Today I am heading to Macon, GA, for the Georgia State Fair. The fair starts today at 4pm and goes on until May 9th. For more information check out their website, www.georgiastatefair.org. I will have photographs posted soon.

Time Gone By, a Story of Rural America

2010-04-28T21:10:00.000-07:00

As seen in my post, I am most interested in Rural America. So I am putting together a body of work that I believe truly represents these areas.

More Additions

2010-04-24T21:13:00.000-07:00

I have been working on my photographs from both Kansas and Georgia. Kansas involves a lot of rural, country and prairie. While Georgia is a little more diverse including the Atlantic Ocean.

Newest Photographs

2010-04-23T11:24:00.001-07:00

Feeling more nostalgic these days, I think that can be seen in my current work.

New MacBook

2010-04-23T11:22:00.001-07:00

Very happy to have gotten my new MacBook. Having a lot of fun already.

Enjoyed Autumn, looing forward to winter

2009-12-06T15:49:00.000-08:00

Now that the season's are shifting into winter.

It seem to take a while but autumn finally made it to Savannah.

These are some of my favorite images of fall.

Assignment: Remember the Fallen, July 2009

2009-07-12T21:08:00.000-07:00

Assignment: Remember the Fallen, July 2009
Fort Leavenworth National Cemetery, Leavenworth, KS

On July 4TH, 2009, I spent the afternoon honoring those who have served our country and are now resting in Ft. Leavenworth National Cemetery.

The cemetery is located in Leavenworth, KS in the North Eastern part of the state, close to the border between Kansas and Missouri. Fort Leavenworth, the oldest active Army post west of the Mississippi River, has served the needs of our nation since 1827.

Fort Leavenworth played a key roll in the country's westward expansion and served as a forward destination for tens of thousands of Soldiers, surveyors, emigrants, Native Americans, preachers and settlers who passed through.

Fort Leavenworth National Cemetery is one of the first 12 national cemeteries established by Abraham Lincoln on July 17, 1862. Veterans since the War of 1812 have been laid to rest in the cemetery. One veteran of the War of 1812 is the cemetery's most famous occupant, Col. Henry Leavenworth, who gave his name to the fort, the town, the county and the cemetery.

Others buried in the cemetery include 8 Medal of Honor recipients, seven Confederate prisoners of war, two Soldiers killed in Operation Desert Storm, and Soldiers killed in the War on Terror. Although there is no longer space for new burial sites, burials frequently take place for those who already have family members interred in the cemetery. As of 2008, there are 23,058 buried here.

Fort Leavenworth National Cemetery
395 Biddle Boulevard
Fort Leavenworth, KS 66027

Visitation Hours:
Open daily from dawn to dusk.

Follow me at Twitter & Facebook

2009-07-11T12:29:00.001-07:00

Follow me at Twitter and Facebook.

Desoto Gallery Exhibition

2009-04-17T08:12:00.001-07:00

SCAD Photogroup, will be having a group exhibition at Desoto Gallery on April 24th. It will be a wonderful event put on by the photography club of SCAD. One of my pieces will be part of the exhibit, "Red Leaves".

Silver and Ink Exhibition

2009-04-17T08:04:00.001-07:00

Every year the Savannah College of Art and Designs Photography Department, puts on the Silver and Ink Exhibition. The exhibition showcases the best work from students, faculty, and alumni. Out of 800 entries, 300 were chosen to be in the exhibit. I am happy to announce that my photograph title "Sand and Water" was selected to be shown.

The reception will be held at SCADs River Club on April 24th, 2009. It will start at 6pm, please come, show support to the department and see the amazing work done by the talent of SCAD.

Featured Student Photographer by Photoenter.com

2009-02-28T15:49:00.001-08:00

At the beginning of February I was contacted by Photoenter.com a London base photography company, that have a website for photographers from all over the world to promote their work. Every month they pick a photographer and student photographer to feature in their newsletter, which is sent out to a few hundred people. For the February newsletter I was the Featured Student Photographer. It was very exciting and a great to get my work out seen. Please if you have any questions let me know.

Picture of the Month - February

2009-02-01T13:10:00.000-08:00

This is my "Picture of the Month", taken at Fort Pulaksi. I was looking down one of the main halls. This fort was active during the Civil War. It is a beautiful structure, in very good condition. The property includes a moat, which is also home to American Alligators. Copyright Andrea LaRayne Etzel, 2009

Welcome to my Blog

2009-02-01T11:54:00.000-08:00

Welcome to my blog, now that I have it made here's opening I continue to update it.

A little bit about me, I am a photographer, currently a student at Savannah College of Art and Design, majoring in photography with a minor in Architectural History. I'm originally from Kansas, though I enjoy southern living, I do miss Kansas (go Jayhawks).

My reasoning behind having a blog (because well these days it seems everyone and their mother have a blog) is for developing my professional presence, getting my work seen, and networking. The goal is to showcase my photographs, keep a log of what I'm doing, and connect with others.