As a graduating senior, I’m attempting to disassociate
myself from all things collegiate while I define a nonstudent
life.
Acting nonchalant about finals, losing my BruinCard, and
throwing away my art history readers to spend time reading W-4
forms are a few of the grown-up activities I’ve been
partaking of during pre-graduation.
I feel that I have satisfied the curiosity that can only be
satiated in a classroom, as well as that confusing college search
to find a niche for myself.
And that niche was defined not by lectures or office hours but
by endless days spent at the Daily Bruin.
I came to UCLA with an interest in photojournalism, but I was
soon humbled by the concept of a daily paper produced solely by
students.
My first published image was a picture of a men’s soccer
game, and I was overwhelmed with the concept of my work becoming
accessible to thousands of people.
Beyond the exposure and satisfaction of producing something
tangible, photographers have the opportunity to experience
contemporary events through the lens of a camera.
The Iraq War, the recall of Gov. Gray Davis, John Kerry’s
campaign, immigrant protests and countless sports triumphs are some
of them.
The Bruin allowed me to hone my technical and artistic
photographic abilities, but it also allowed me to become
politically educated.
As I now saunter through campus halfheartedly, I am bored by my
once-novel trek up Bruin Walk.
But I’ll take the passion I developed at the Bruin to an
adult job on the other side of the country.
As a photo editor for Time Warner I hope to continue that
political education while working within media.
For now, perhaps I’ll buy another BruinCard for a keepsake
and study for Phy Sci 5 as a farewell tribute to UCLA ““ and
the student newspaper.
Been was a senior staff photographer.