I changed majors a lot!
It’s no secret that my attention span is notoriously short.
I started college as a pre-med major, and I graduated with a degree in print journalism.
Along the way, I seriously considered a career in photojournalism.
My father has always been a photography buff, so I grew up with a love of the art and science of taking pictures.
As an undergraduate at New Mexico State, I nurtured my passion in two photojournalism classes with Sterling Trantham, then an MFA student teaching for the journalism department.
I loved Sterling’s classes, his passion for photography, and his obvious caring for his students.
In addition to learning a great deal, I always appreciated his encouragement. He enthusiastically advocated that I had what it took to make it as a shooter.
At crunch time, I did what I do: I relied upon the numbers. The overwhelming number of photographers in the world — and my success editing the student paper — pushed me toward a path of lesser resistance.
As this Project 365 reignites my photography passion; however, I am remembering so many things that Sterling taught us.
I met with Sterling this morning. His seemingly trademark pony tail is missing, but he retains his passion for photography and students. It was inspiring to learn of his new and past projects.
It was exactly the thing for a Saturday morning to heighten my already kindled fire for photography.
Thus, today’s photo is a mediocre shot of a excellent person, taken from my iPhone.
I'm a cognitive scientist and communication scholar who manages a psychophysiology lab at Texas Tech. I teach courses about the cognitive processing of media messages and research methods.
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Sadly, by the time I got to Sterling, the ponytail was long gone. He was just ponytailless Sterling then.
Do you have a link to his site?
Was your short attention span part of what led you to study attention?
Is that a RIBCAGE behind you?
Where are you, a crime lab?
Carmela – The site I found for Sterling seems a bit dated. Just Google his name. I think it is the third or fourth link.
Nikki – This is a victim of what William James said of everyone knowing what attention is. It simple means too many things. My interest is much more in the focusing of the mind than in the maintenance of that focus.
Rob – It is. A local coffee shop. That was a piece of artwork. I was ambiently aware of it, but I never really looked at it. If it’s still there the next time I go back, I will snap a shot for you. It’s at The Bean in La Mesilla, N.M.