__________________________________________________________
INFO: Jared Talaga.20.East Lansing, MI
__________________________________________________________
The Photo Coterie: The photos you sent us are from a body of work called “Some Stuff I Saw” why did you choose to shoot them as diptychs?
Jared Talaga: The work was inspired by a quote from the author Dick Hebdige. I am currently still working on these photos and struggling, haha. I shot these particular 5 around 6 months ago and finally this November I found the motivation and inspiration to continue working. The only photos out of these 5 that I feel works is the Diptych of the bananas. By shooting them as the Diptychs I felt the viewer might be able to create some sort of connection or feeling. These photos for me are extremely personal in the way the objects bring me to emotional state or specific event. Since moving to East Lansing for school, I am away from many friends and family I have spent a majority of my life with, these photos help me remember these people.
TPC: You mentioned working on a series based around the emotions that one deals with after a spinal injury, could you tell us more about that?
JT: Around 2 and a half years ago I was in a skiing accident and sustained a spinal cord injury. Needless to say, it has made these last few years extremely difficult dealing with the effects. I am starting to finally feel comfortable facing the emotional effects following a spinal cord injury. For the last 2 years countless hours of physical therapy has helped me regain a majority of my independence in a wheelchair. Initially when I was hurt I was paralyzed from around the chest down, I have now regained a large percentage of muscle function. I am at the point where it is inspiring to look back at the progress I have made. I hope to create a body of work showing the negative and positive emotional side of the last few years.
TPC: What are your studies like at Michigan State University as a Geography major?
JT: Prior to starting at Michigan State University, I switched my major to Urban and Regional Planning after being inspired by a professor at a community college that I had attended. My classes thus far have been challenging but at the same time introducing me to new ideas and concepts. It is actually provided hidden sources of inspiration for my photographs. It is refreshing to find inspiration outside of the photographic medium.
TPC: Did you ever consider studying Photography in college?
JT: Since senior year of high school, a photography degree has always been on my mind. I applied to a number of art schools in high school but never made the commitment to attend. With internet at its capacity today I was able to teach myself the technical side of photography through countless different sites and hours reading. Since I cant decide if I want to make to make photography my career I chose to take up Urban Planning. The thing I sometimes miss is the critiques and deadlines that can make you shoot through slumps. I feel if it is your dream to pursue photography as a profession school can create those connections that are needed. If I end up falling into photography as a profession it will be because I am shooting photographs I am proud of. I dont want to be stuck shooting photographs I dont enjoy just because its my only career option.
TPC: Is there anything going on in your life right now that you want to talk about?
JT: I just recently purchased a portable studio flash that I am really excited to start shooting with. It has enough power to work in certain situations with daylight, I have never used a flash that is powerful enough to work in these situations. It will be interesting to see the results as long as the effects it can produce at night.
