Bonnie Cash is a senior sociology student who attends Chapman University. Originally from New Orleans, Cash grew up finding her passion in photojournalism in middle school and went on to work for her high school's newspaper for four consecutive years, two of which she held the position of photo editor. Today, she works as photo editor on Chapman University's newspaper, The Panther. Cash gives insight into life as an experienced photographer to highlight the importance of photography and to help beginner photographers hesitant to go into the photo industry.
Gabriella Anderson: What is the importance of photography?
Bonnie Cash: [Photography] serves as a tool that can inform, capture history and has the ability to change how people see the world by challenging their assumptions...We cannot forget the gravity, power and emotion that events and history can induce.
As a sociology major, I’m always attempting to understand and challenge my assumptions about people and the world around me, and photography is a visual tool that can help. Stories are important, but a still image can capture an event in a single moment, and that’s something I always try and do.
Gabriella Anderson: What inspires you to take pictures?
Bonnie Cash: For me, my love of capturing emotion and having people feel like their voices are heard is one of my biggest inspirations. When I can capture a moment in time that beautifully captures an event, person or moment, it inspires me to continue doing what I’m doing.
I also have personal goals, like going to photojournalism graduate school and working for a major publication like The Washington Post, that inspire me to keep photographing and building my portfolio. However, day to day, my love of capturing moments and people inspires me to get out of bed, grab my camera and get out in the field.
Gabriella Anderson: What equipment and camera do you use? Do you think the camera matters when taking photos?
Bonnie Cash: I have two cameras: Nikon d3000 and (recently) I got a Pentax K-5! My uncle passed that camera down to me, which I really appreciate! I also have 4 lenses: an 18-55, 35 mm fixed lens, and a 55-200 for my Nikon and a 18-135 on my Pentax.
I think anyone, despite what camera they have, can take beautiful images. What matters most is your photographic eye and how you see the world. You can teach someone how to use a camera, but you can’t teach someone how to see the world in the way successful photographers see the world.
Gabriella Anderson: What challenges do you face as a photographer and how do you overcome them?
Bonnie Cash: One of my biggest challenges is a personal fear...that I won’t capture the essence of whatever I’m photographing in a single image. I’m confident in my skills, however, I can never know how an event will turn out (crowd size, lighting, etc). To overcome this, when I get to the event, I just trust my gut and let my intuition lead the way. I get as close as I possibly can, without being intrusive to the event.
You can always get closer than you think you can, and that’s something I’ve taught myself throughout college...So now, when I get nervous about an event, I just learn to trust myself and think, “Ok, you’ve done this before, you can do it again. Let’s do this.”
Gabriella Anderson: Do you have any tips for beginners who are starting photography?
Bonnie Cash: Be confident, take criticism, and trust your intuition! Even if you think [your work's] good now, which it totally could be, be confident that your work can always get better. Take criticisms from people who have been in the industry, and learn to incorporate them into your work...Always, and I mean always, trust your intuition! Your institution will lead you to take the best photos. If you like a photo, but someone else doesn’t, that’s okay! Trust your gut, but still be open to criticism.
