Identity:Community

Artist's Statement:

For this project the assignment was to take a photo or a series of photos that we thought represented out community. I wanted to show the Aikido community that I am a part of. I currently am unable to practice, but I still feel a connect with aikido, and hope to be able to return to it soon. the Aikido community for me is very close knit, and we are constantly practicing with each other, so we know each other and each other's styles very well.

I wanted to show the 5 stages of the dojo, but it felt disrespectful to take a photo during the greetings and closings, so I only took one during the semiformal closing thank you, where announcements are made, and and we go around with names if there is a new member. I took photographs of Sensei teaching, the open practice, the informal closing, and the cleanup/social time, when the people who have hakamas stay out and fold them. 

I tried to manipulate the lighting to accord to these times, with formal instruction being a cooler lighting, practice having a warm light to convey the energy and movement going on, closing having slightly more shadow and cooler lighting, and social time being bright and calm.