Artist Statement

As an only child growing up in the small town of Westbrookville, I discovered photography when I was a child and had to ask permission to use the camera of my parents and to the surprise of my parents, the pictures always turned out well. They thought that because of my age, people didn’t much expect much the pictures to turn out very well and to their surprise, they always liked those pictures that were taken by me. They felt that because their friends were so relaxed so they didn’t worry about posing properly, it was just done impromptu and my Mother when the pictures turned out well would make a copy and send to those people. So many times as soon as people see a camera, they were acting up posing in an unnatural way. But I was able to work almost as an invisible photographer.

My photo “Day is Done” is from the 2005 district wide camporee through boy scouts is a photograph of a very brief closing ceremony from the end of the day when the flag needed to be retired. I see respect for the flag, pride in our country, and the scouts natural curiosity of the flag being brought down, set on a very relaxed water front and I also appreciate the natural colors that are from nature.

Since I am very involved in Boy Scouts, the motto being "once an eagle, always an eagle". Scouting offers me many opportunities for photographing, because it has so many varied activities like camping, swimming, hiking, meetings, relaxation, camaraderie and laughter. It gives me the opportunity to develop those ideals into my photography and I do. I usually take pictures of people, but most time I usually like taking action shots. Like one time, I took a picture of my best friend paddling a kayak and what I saw that it came out in the picture was the water splashing and coming out active looking in the picture. I created that picture because I wanted people to have a glimpse into his personality and his skills in kayaking; it’s one of his favorite things to do.

Exhibitions of my work:

Orange County Community College:

The Definitive Pixel and Student February 2011

Spring Art Show April 2011-04-10

Port Jervis High School:

For Teacher Appreciation week, I created a group picture

Of teachers from separate photos which was used to create a topping

For a cake to acknowledge our teachers.

Assisted the Art Director for School Theatre every year I attended. All the art work was Painted, drawn, etc. From the Art Club.

Port Jervis Middle School:

Art Appreciation week.

James Harrington

Artist Statement

Viscom Practicum

4/10/11