Project 3: Ocean

Project Proposal: Monterey to Me

Having been given the challenge to look for what has not been done before, photographically that is, in Monterey,CA and the surrounding towns, I have had a brain wave. I have documented Monterey in many ways over the years. One of the ways that I have not however, is through that of the people and shops that make the area one of my absolute favorite places.

My goal is to take a series of portraits, specifically four. The people whom these portraits will consist are owners of restaurants and small businesses that for sometime now have made Monterey that more meaningful to me. I have a fairly well developed idea of what direction I want to take the photos. I know that for all four individuals I envision, one close up, straight on, head shot that is evenly lit. Then again for each person, a wider shot showing their environment. The contrast between the close up showing the detail of the personality and the wider “environment” shot where their personalities flourish strikes me as interesting.

I would be in remiss if I went through this project and did not include the most dominating feature of Monterey— The Ocean. Along with the portraits, I intend to punctuate each with a landscape shot. Not only is the ocean an integral part of this project, but to help emphasize how the individuals and the ocean coincide to make Monterey what it is for me.

This project presents new challenges for me as I have never truly engaged in “off site portraits” and seeing as my location is 2+ hours away I also have a time constraint. While I am confident that the people I plan to photograph will consent to their portrait being taken, there may be other outlining factors that prevent them from being available. These are my major concerns. That being noted,  I think I will be able to pull it off.