What's your meaning of life?

Welcome to the second unit of the senior humanities class "Journalism." In this unit, called "photography." we explored the photographic side of journalism. We spent a lot of time looking at influential photographs. We discussed how these photos influenced the public and how we take photos today. One of my favorite assignments was when we picked one photograph from each decade of the 20th century. I really enjoyed looking through photographs of the past century. It was interesting to see the historical events captured in influential photographs. For this unit's field experience, we went to Columbia College to sit in on an introductory journalism class. We were able to learn more about journalism while getting to see what a college class looks like and feels like. We also participated in Chicago Ideas Week. For this action project, we had to interview someone about what they thought the meaning of life is. I had some trouble trying to figure out who I should interview, but the simplicity of asking the person I spend my time with made the most sense insightful.

Day Dreaming a Meaning

GA, "run", 2019

"We gaze in what seems to be important at that moment, what passes through your life is a choice of what you practice.” In response to my lingering questioning of life Gabori Partee had curiously sparked several more questions through our conversation as we sat on a stoop staring at the trees. I had asked Gabori what specifically seems to be holding meaning in a moment as I was curious as to what is it the dictates substance in his life. I saw the frustration in his speech as he ironically concludes by saying how It becomes increasingly too difficult to come up with life’s ultimate lesson because it depends on how that lesson reveals suitable to your life at that moment. The lesson that we might think applies to our life varies because of all the different challenges that we have currently and the ones that are upcoming in life. It then became clear to me that Gabori is one to hold true through thinking that living in the present is what sets a person's future. As I continued to question I had asked what is it that dictates one's “ultimate lesson” in which he responded by saying it's like a mental game of patience and acceptance. I then paused by taking in on what he said as I felt like it deeply resided in my life as well. As the sun began to set we headed towards the river where he then questioned, “ Would one want to look back on their life and think that they did not accomplish all the things that he or she had hoped or wish that things had turned out differently? This just means that you have not fulfilled all the tremendous things life brings.” As he took a moment to recollect his thoughts I proceeded to ask if he is one to hold regrets. Very confidently he remarked on regrets not being existent as it is what builds your life to construct on everlasting change and practice by the moments. He had then brought up how “patience is underrated as it is easier to overcome for a human than acceptance of one’s situation or state. Therefore, having a meaningful life establishes life’s greatest lesson.” It was evident Gabori had sensed in what a life with meaning looks like so I had questioned him on how a life without meaning looks like. He voiced that, ”such as death, fear, and aging, which are all elements to having a meaningful life. So many people walk around with a meaningless life. They seem half-asleep, even when they're busy doing things they think are important. This is because they're chasing the wrong things. The way you get meaning into your life is to devote yourself to loving others, devote yourself to your community around you, and devote yourself to creating something that gives you purpose and meaning." Gabori’s answer unclouded the conclusion of what it means to have meaning, it was clear to him that in order to find life looking in would never be the solution to that never-ending question of life as it is important to see yourself in others and your surroundings in order to see what grounds you. He frustratingly points out, “ If people could apply this approach to their own life, things would be better for all of us but some people are too devoted to themselves that they cannot find their purpose in life.” As the scene began to get dark our conversation took a turn of its own as we discussed how death plays a big part in it too. Gabori explains how preparation and acceptance illustrate the importance of dealing with the fact that we all are going to die at some point. “Everyone knows they’re going to die, but nobody believes it. If people accepted that they are going to die, people would do things much differently. Knowing that you could die at any time forces one to really appreciate life and the people in their life.” As it becomes obscure into a paradox of how one thinks life is meant he ended our conversation with, “Once you learn how to die, you learn how to live.” Taking in moments of silence I then felt as if I was ready to capture the image. I had taken my image with my DSLR camera so that I will be able to have the most control over the aperture, shutter speed, and the overall composition. As I noticed outside had gotten darker I immediately knew I needed to change my settings so that I will be able to capture him with as much light as I can manipulate. I set my settings to 800 on exposure so that I can overall brighten up the frame without using to much grain, the shutter speed had been set to 200 frames per second so I can capture a cleaner motion picture, and lastly the aperture was set to f 2.8 so that I can have as much light come in as well. Now that I was ready to capture my shot I had asked Gabori in the count of 3 to run pass me so that I can capture a moving image. Luckily on the first try, I was able to obtain the image we had both wanted. Overall I was more than happy as to how my image and my interview had gone and felt as if was a great way for me to combine something I love into my learning.