The Pachenga field trip was an interesting venture. It started out a little slow as they ttok us to a place where all the cloning and preservation of native plants takes place. This spot was full of small cuttings that are waiting to be transplanted into their natural inviornment. While at the first spot I was interested in one particular method that was described called scarification. This is where seeds get scared through seasonal changes, and passing through animals digestive systems. This was intrigueing considering the seedlings pass through animals bodies that have aten previous meals with seeds in them. Furthermore, the guest speaker talked about plants that are grown from seed are generally better than plants that are taken from clone. The reason is because plants from clone are more likely to get infected by bugs or diseaeses because their using the same maybe four plants to make the clones.
Finally we moved on to a hidden place in the hills next to the Casino. This place was a preservation site where we got a chance to take some visually pleasing photos. At the preservation site that was called a main courtyard there was sacred rocks, huts, and tepees built. This type of scenery made for some great pictures. I particularly enjoyed that we got a chance to enter some of the huts and tepees to see what it was like. We also got some insight from our guides that filled us in on the ceremonies that take place at these sacred sights.

The trip to Rincon was a memorable one. Our class got a chance to experience what life is like on the reservation. The Rincon Band of Luiseno Indian group has been a friendly and informative group that has welcomed our university with open arms. We got a chance to photograph some landscapes on the reservation and they were breathtaking. I particularly like that they gave us the freedom to photograph what ever we wanted.
After the photo session the RBOI had a presentation prepared for us that was also interesting. During the presentation they explained to us that they were directly effected by the San Diego wild fires of 2007. They presented a power point presentation that displayed some of the horrific results of mother nature. One particular structure which was lost was a church that had been built in the 1880's. Many of the Indian community attended this church and it was sort of a religious icon for the Indian community. She described the church's bell being brought to the church by the missionaries. Many people lost valuable items in the San Diego wild fires, but whats most important is that they are all matterial possessions and can be replaced. As far as the fires on the reservation, the fire cheif said no one was injured.

These are a few images that I felt were strong. I particularly like the macro shots.
In one of the plant macros it was amazing the way the light was hitting the leaves. It is hard to get the light situation right when taking macro shots, but I think I caught the natural sun light at the right time. I think thesecond most important thing is how the photo is cropped. I guess Ive had some practice with my camera in the garden.
Also in the photo that I took of the rock with the background blured was interesting because it is an unorthadoxed apraoch. I learned this technique last semester when I did a series on graffiti art. I learned to destort the background by keeping the camera focoused on a object that takes a while to figure out what it is.

War Photograper

James Nachtwey was an interesting photographer to look into. He seemed like he had a great passion for the types of political issues his photography deals with. He chose to be a photographer so that he could visualize truth through images. I feel that anyone who is a photographer has to be very interested if not obsessed with their subject or subjects. He takes pride in his subjects in the fact that he captures a state of emotion with posses and expressions. It seems like he wants to change political struggle through told story of photographs. He exploites reality at a poverty level. He wants his testimony to be honest and uncencored. One particular image that was interesting was the man in Kosivo that was burned in his own home. It reminded me of a chalk outline that is seen in old detective movies. He captured evidence that the man suffered at this place of rest. I could just feel his pain. It was Sad.:(. Also I liked that he documented international health issues such as A.I.D.S., H.I.V., and T.B.. He makes viewers aware of problems that we don't normaly see or hide from, which is the best trait in a photographer.