Suburban Expansion

Whether it’s in the most subtle of ways or in drastic ways, the landscape is ever changing in today’s world. Human expansion is constantly taking place as we continue to take over and move across the surface of our planet.

This project takes a glimpse through time to show not only how humans are developing the land for themselves to live on, but also shows us how the technology to view our landscape changes through time as well.

Hometown of Kearney, MO: Once was empty grassy fields now turned into suburban neighborhoods

For this project, Google Earth was utilized to find areas of importance to the artist’s life. Google Earth’s ability to look back in time, by allowing the user to view archived imagery from up to several years back, became the perfect tool to use. The archived images not only show how the landscape looked and changed throughout the course of time, but also allow the viewers to see a difference in each individual image showing the progression of the quality of the captured images.

Liberty, MO

Liberty, MO neighborhood expansion

Weatherby Lake, MO

Weatherby Lake, MO neighborhood development

Photojournalism: Video Assignment

Photojournalism: News Photography Assignment

Thousands of people, young and old, gathered in front of Union Station and the Liberty Memorial in Kansas City, Mo., for the 11th annual Celebration at the Station on the evening of May 26, 2013.

The Kansas City Symphony, led by conductor Michael Stern (center stage) performs Tchaikovsky’s “1812, Overture solennelle” on stage under a star-spangled canopy in front of Union Station.

The front side of Union Station is adorned in patriotic stars and stripes as members of the color guards take the stage.

Color guards from all five branches of the military took the stage during the recognition of all those that have served their country. Active and retired members of the Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marines, and Navy were asked to stand and be recognized.

Spectators are silhouetted against the wall of the Liberty Memorial as they watch the fireworks burst behind the tower.

 

 

Photojournalism: Portrait Assignment

Shawn Kelly, 23, of Warrensburg Mo., has been spinning fire for six years. Kelly performs with a couple different fire performing troupes and loves entertaining people wherever he goes.

In the photo, Shawn holds fire poi, weighted wicks suspended on chains that are swung all around in patterns and dance.

In the photo, Shawn spins his fire poi in a tight circle while bringing them closer to his face in a daring, but popular spinning technique.

In the photo, Shawn stretched both arms out as he swings the fire poi around the late evening sky.

In the photo, Shawn launches his fire spinning staff, a well balanced bar with ignited fuel-soaked wicks attached at each end, high into the air which causes the flames to look like a small explosion in the sky.

In the photo, Shawn spins his fire staff in front of himself which causes the ignited ends to appear to circle around his body.

Photojournalism: Photo Illustration Assignment

Photojournalism: Sports Assignment

Participants throw handfuls of color powder into the air during the celebration at the end of the race located at Arrowhead Stadium on Friday, June 1.
The Color Run, also known as the Happiest 5k on the Planet, is a unique paint race that celebrates healthiness, happiness, individuality, and giving back to the community. The Color Run also donates a portion of the participant’s fees to a local charity. The Kansas City Color Run’s charity was the Ronald McDonald House.

The runners start the race promptly at 8 a.m. on Saturday June 1, 2013 at Arrowhead Stadium. The Color Run is a 5K running event where runners start out dressed in white and end the race plastered in as much color as possible.

Julia Bates, a setter on the UCM volleyball team, is excited to be a participant in The Color Run.

A young girl closes her eyes in anticipation as she runs through a burst of orange color. Participants of all types and ages are encouraged to join The Color Run, from avid runners to the occasional mall walkers.

Color runners excitedly throw fistfuls of color into the air during color throws that take place every ten minutes at the color celebration after party.

Photojournalism: Feature Photography Assignment

In the early evening hours on Friday, May 30, the streets of downtown Lee’s Summit begin to fill with people for the annual Downtown Days…Streets Alive! festival.

This fun and interesting sign gives the festival’s guests an idea of what kinds of
food can be found at the festival.

Parents and children ride the classic family-friendly merry-go-round together in the carnival area.

Liberty Isabel rides the merry-go-round as her mother, Valarie, keeps hold of her. Both are from Raytown. Valarie said she enjoys taking her daughter to the festival and has been coming to Downtown Days for many years before her daughter was born.

Guests try their luck at winning a variety of plush toys at the balloon popping
booth, one of the many games found on the midway.

By late evening, the streets of downtown Lee’s Summit are filled with thousands of
guests illuminated by the glow of the festival lights.

 

 

 

 

 

Photojournalism: Event Photography

Over two hundred people gathered on the lawn of the Kearney Amphitheater for the 6th annual Kearney Blue Festival on Saturday May 25th.Those in attendance were treated to the unique styles and sounds of featured artists The Rev. Jimmie Bratcher, Katy Guillen, The Josh Vowell Band, and Samantha Fish.

Jimmie Bratcher takes a break from singing and goes into a funky blues guitar solo during his performance in Kearney Missouri. The Rev. Jimmie Bratcher (band’s name) is a blues rock artist wh is also a preacher.

Katy Guillen foucuses on her fingerwork during a tricky guitar riff during her performance at Blues Fest. Katy got into the blues genre in her teen years. Katy now performs with The Katy Guillen Trio which features Katy Guillen on lead guitar and lead vocals, Claire Adams on bass guitar and backup vocals, and Stephanie Williams on the drums.

Justin Shelton of The Josh Vowell Band plays a mean but soulful harmonica to the audience while children dance around near the stage.

Josh Vowell of The Josh Vowell Band, a Topeka Kansas native, plays lead guitar while interacting with the audience. The Josh Vowell Band is a four peice blues soul band from northeast Kansas. They play the blues while bringing their own unique style and sound to their fans.

Justin Shelton, also from Topeka Kansas, plays the blues harmonica in The Josh Vowell Band. On stage Shelton stands near a metallic briefcase that is filled with different harmonicas that each have their own unique sound.

Photojournalism: Caption Assignment

UCM seniors and roommates Liana Sharp (left), a commercial photography major, and Carrie Hall (right), a psychology major, take a break from their daily responsibilities to enjoy the beautiful weather at Lions Lake on Thursday evening. Liana and Carrie embrace their inner child as they blow bubbles while watching the sunset over the lake.

© Andrew Mather Photography

© Andrew Mather Photography

© Andrew Mather Photography

 

 

Photojournalism: My World

Andrew Mather, a media photographer, has been behind a camera since his junior year of high school.
He has since moved from using film cameras to using high end digital cameras. Andrew focuses on
photographing sports and concerts, as well as event coverage and scenic work. With an arsenal of
analog (film) and digital cameras, and an assortment of different lenses at his disposal, Andrew Mather
captures the world around him through his own unique vision.