Jangela S is the photographer behind "PinxitLuc." Although she has her degrees in political science, Jangela has been studying Art History since high school and minored in 19th and 20th century Art History during her undergraduate studies. Jangela has studied photography as well as television and film production/editing.
Her basic philosophy is simple, photos along with her passion for writing allows for a unique ability to describe the mind’s sky to others. Both have the ability to translate history and personal experience in a way that encourages others to assume ownership of the world, shed light on the most troubling problems, end struggles or inspire dreams. Jangela still clings to the notion that we each have a fundamental stake in the world around us. She prefers to shoot nature and culture (people) - both have been shaped by the forces of history and both have the potential to influence and shape the future.
If you don’t want to be confined as a second hand observer - touch life. We each have the power to instigate the initiatives that can create actions, which may have enormous potential. Even through words, even through an image. A small change in initial conditions can lead to significant changes in the future. And, a lot of this can be perpetuated through the image and pen. Everyone is fundamentally human, and the more we are able to see that, the more we will cling to awareness, embrace hope, inspire dreams, and act as one.
Jangela firmly believes that travel and photography allows the viewer or the one who experiences the moment to see things differently, although she cannot predict how - in the most extreme cases there is a provocation of change, which makes her think of a quote that hangs on her wall. “Change has considerable psychological impact on the human mind. To the fearful it is threatening because it means that things may get worse. To the hopeful it is encouraging because things may get better. To the confident it is inspiring because the challenge exists to make things better. Obviously, then, one’s character and frame of mind determine how readily he brings about change and how he reacts to change that is imposed on him.”
Jangela has been taking pictures for most of her life. Although, she didn’t fully understand the dynamics of the medium until she started modeling in high school and was exposed to true technique. She often says that although she was the subject, that was the time when she really began to learn about the art, the skill, the practice and what she refers to as “the light.” She started shooting on her fathers Mamiya Sekor 1000 DTL. When she studied photography in college, she used this very same camera – and continued for nearly a decade. She converted to digital in 2006, but unfortunately for her – has yet to graduate to the realm of digital SLR. So she refers to herself as the “everyman’s photographer”. She uses a camera that is in the price range that just about anyone can afford (Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H9) – but still get some SLR type flexibility. With changes in pricing and technology, she is still hoping to move up to a DSLR this year – she yearns for that extra inch of clarity. As far as her style, she says she is motivated by light, contrast and wherever she can find it – nature, portraits, landscapes. It isn’t what she does for a living but it’s a realm of her minds sky, another way she can relate her world to others. Jangela often says that she can’t imagine a world without photographs because they allow us to touch life and motivate others to do the same.
A quote from Jangela:
"When you really start using a camera and it becomes another appendage, you notice things more. The world looks different and begins to take on a new appearance. How the letter "i" is missing from an old shop sign, how the word "antique" is written with antique font on a banner hanging from an old mill, near a barn house - advertising the wares being sold. How the rich, draping blossoms of a newly sprung tree contrast against a worn 17th century colonial home at sunset - as your car goes speeding by. You notice these things because your mind wonders how the image would be translated by your camera (the framing). Or, if you were to take the photo and edit it, perhaps that 17th century colonial with the blossoming tree, and you decided to make the entire photo high contrast black and white, except those purple flowers - left in color against the black and white background. What impact does that have on the viewer?"
For anyone interested in photography - Jangela recommends taking a class to learn some of the basic elements. If you are unable to take a class, she recommend actually looking at photographs and looking at how light is used, contrast, and composition. Read your camera manual and become familiar with some of it's basic and more advanced features - and purchase a book about photographic techniques. Above all, practice.
Some of jangela's Favorite's:
Nature/Culture
• National Geographic Photography
• Nature's Best Magazine
• Florian Schulz
• Ansel Adams
• Chris Rainer
• Franz Lanting
• Richard du Toit
• Marc Adamus
Journalism
• Shiho Fukada
• Jahi Chikwendiu
• Deanne Fitzmaurice
• Ami Vitale
Best in Journalism
• Picture of the Year International
• Best of Photojournalism
• Boston Globe Photos
• Best of Vanity Fair
• Reuters
• New York Times - In Pictures
• Best of Washington Post
Fashion/Art Photographers
• Steven Klein
• Bruce Weber
• Helmut Newton
Steven Meisel
Ellen Von Unwerth
• Peter Lindbergh or HERE
• Guy Bourdin
Surrealists
• Man Ray
• Scott Mutter
• Angus McBean
• Jerry Uelsmann
Gear Review
• Camera Labs
• PDN Gear Guide
