For my STEP Signature Project, I participated in a week-long trip through Oregon learning and practicing photography. We explored several different locations throughout the state, and learned several key photography skills. We learned how to adjust the three parts of the exposure triangle, how to shoot in different lighting scenarios, and how to edit images using Lightroom and Photoshop.
The main thing I really reflected on throughout this trip was immensity. There were so many moments on this trip that reminded me of just how small we are compared to the rest of the universe. These experiences reminded me to be grateful for the planet we live on and its beauty. During this trip I also thought a lot about how thankful I am for my parents and all that they have sacrificed in order for me to be able to take part in experiences like this one. As immigrants, they left behind everything they ever knew and continue to work extremely hard to this day just to ensure that I have access to all of the opportunities they never did. This trip made me resolve to do good and be successful so that I can try and repay even a small fraction of what they have done for me.
In particular, shooting along the Pacific Coast and our night time astrophotography shoot were two experiences when I truly realized how infinitesimal we all are. Standing along the ocean, feeling the salty breeze and staring out into the never-ending vastness; or staring up and seeing an infinite number of stars dot the sky – these moments were truly breathtaking and forced me to be more introspective. It helped reinforce my belief that we should all be living life in a way that makes us happy and fulfilled, rather than always concerning ourselves with how others may view us or how our achievements compare to those of others. I think this is such an important lesson that is so hard for many people to learn, and I am so glad I had this experience to remind me of that as it was something I had begun to forget.
Being able to disconnect from the world for a week and spend so much time in nature was also much needed for me. It was so liberating to be able to get away from the constant stress and excitement of always being connected, and to really spend some time taking in the silence and peace of being alone in nature. As we hiked and drove our way through the state, I found so much time to sit with my thoughts and contemplate life, in a way that I never get to amidst the normal hustle and bustle of life. I came out of the trip with a newfound appreciation for silence and now try to find more quiet, reflective moments whenever I can in my life.
One conversation I had with a peer about the dichotomy of being a child of immigrants was really illuminating and made me feel so seen and understood. We both sincerely appreciate the opportunities we have to participate in experiences like this one and overall have a much better quality of life than our parents; but at times we also feel immense guilt about enjoying all of these things while our parents have never even had the chance, regardless of the fact that all the sacrifices they have made have been in order for us to have a better life.
All of the lessons I have learned and further reflected upon throughout this trip will be extremely valuable for me going forward. Whenever I feel myself getting caught up in the rat race of life, I will be able to take a step back and remind myself of how small my place in the world is and that happiness is infinitely more important than conforming to others’ ideas of success. Looking back at all the beautiful sites I got to witness will remind me to be grateful for all that I have been able to experience, and to appreciate all that my parents have sacrificed for me. The photography skills I have learned will also continue to be helpful, whether I continue to pursue it as just a hobby or try to turn it into a source of income.
Images of Heceta Head Lighthouse and Tumalo Falls