Documentary Process


   The following images are from my first shoot for my photograph documentary. The subject of my documentary is Gerry Matthews and his Museum of Unnatural History in Walla Walla. I feel the story of what he has created is important because his little self-made museum is truly a passion project that one is not likely to see around here. Gerry has spent his retirement creating this body of work that boldly speaks his thoughts on the world around him, and he only asks that people see it.  

   The ability to go back to the museum for another session is going to be very beneficial to me because it allows me to evaluate what I was able to get the first time and make a list of things that I need to capture or work on technically. For example, one of the things on my list is to adjust my white balance because the lights in the building are very yellow and very strong. Visiting a second time will also help me build a better relationship with Gerry. He did not come across as very talkative when I first met him, so hopefully a second visit along with some more conversation will put us both more at ease. This project is also unique in that I feel the need to do someone else's work justice. I am not only responsible for how I represent myself, but I also am responsible for how I represent someone else. There is a bit of performance anxiety that comes with this (and having Gerry watch me take the photos). However, my dedication to this project will hopefully get me through the anxiety and complications that arise from doing my first big "collaborative" project with a stranger.








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