day 1s and welcomes

welcome.

i heard that word so much today and didn't realize how much it could mean to me and how truly welcomed i could feel. i started a new job as the photo intern at the News & Observer in Raleigh, one of the largest papers in North Carolina. its a super opportunity and i feel really honored to be there. its almost like a real job... today was day 1 and if its any indication of the norm, i think i'm really going to enjoy and be challenged by my time on McDowell street this summer.

and as this is a new blog, i felt i should extend the welcome to readers. i needed a new blog... or i felt like i did since all my friends who are having experiences abroad this summer are blogging them. so the purpose of my blog shall also be to chronicle my experiences not only in the field for the N&O but also as i travel to Thailand, mid-june through mid-july.

as for the title... naming things is so hard! dogs, cars (never have understood naming inanimate objects though), babies... names are hard to pick. so i recently brainstormed some title ideas during a meeting during which i was supposed to pay attention, but lost focus and chose not to. i decided on one word: closer.

"closer" speaks to several different things:

1) legendary war photography robert capa once said, "if your pictures aren't good enough, you're not close enough." i try to take this to heart when shooting any assignment or personal work and try to push the envelope. for one who is naturally reserved, this is a difficult task, but the results are always better if i do. so "closer" is about moving physically closer to the subject, but also emotionally and intuitively... taking time to understand the issue, to build rapport, to establish trust and create a relationship.

2) "closer" refers to depth, proximity. to know the heart of something, of someone, you have to get closer. to find the gems, you must dig, you must get closer, close to the mother lode, to what you've been looking for all your life. if i distance myself, i'll miss out.

so hopefully "closer" will become a definition of my life, of my way of living and interacting, not just because of this blog, but because i must constantly foster curiosity, tenacity, and passion.

first day pics coming soon...

on a quick ps... i'm currently listening to the greatest playlist of this year... songs all given to me via mix cds for my birthday last week. so good. my friends have great taste in music. here you can see...

also included is my latest feel-good song, benny & the jets. how can you not sing along?