West Givens

Compared to most kids nowadays, I was a late bloomer when it came to getting a smartphone. Looking back it, I’m glad my parents didn’t get me a smartphone when I was really young (I’m only 17 now, but you get the point) because I was a dumb kid, a really dumb kid, and an outlet to share that stupidity to the world would have done me much more bad than good.

When I finally got that outlet to share my stupidity, I started my photography career at the age of 14. It began with me taking pictures of anything and everything that I deemed interesting or out-of-the-ordinary. I quickly developed a style of photography that I so elegantly called “pictures from a perspective that you usually don’t see.” I thought I was the master of photography as I got on the ground and took pictures of leaves, grass, clovers, and even a Coke bottle next to a wall. (And yes, I have the pictures to prove each of those things.) Once, I took a picture of a bench at my local park and called it “Ant’s Perspective.” I subsequently entered that picture into a Scholastic Art competition through my school and won an honorable mention. A lot of people poked fun at me and said, “All you did was get on the ground and take a picture of a bench!” Although they were mostly right, I was the only person at my school to win any award in that competition, and that encouraged me to continue my photography.

After some time, I felt the need to upgrade from my smartphone to an actual camera. So, I did. Now, I was able to finally get serious about my photography. Through taking many, many photographs, I’ve expounded on my “pictures from a perspective that you usually don’t see” style. Perspective is still something that is very important to me. Aiming for uniqueness with each of my photographs, I want my work to compel people to think differently. I don’t want people to be able to just skim over my pictures. I use my photography as a medium to share my personal experiences with the world.

In the end, I want my pictures to be great. But really, what photographer doesn’t?