I
chose to photograph the English Building since it is not only my favorite
building on Campus, but it is also where I spend the majority of my time
during the week. With my exterior photograph, I tried to capture the trees
surrounding the building and the scholarly aura that it emits. I felt that
the view from the southeast comer (quad side) of the building captured this
best, since the building is obscured by trees and the brown brickwork and
veranda are visible.
My interior shot of the building was taken in the
Mary Kay Peer Lounge, where the swimming pool used to be located when the
building was still a women's dormitory. I feel that this is the central point
of the building, and the most modern and finished area with its glass skylight
and luminescent environment. I included the Daily lllini in the bottom fringe
of my picture to represent the atmosphere conducive to reading, whether for
school or pleasure.
During my brief five minute ethnography. I observed
a group of English undergrads discussing a project for one of their classes.
They sat in one of the circular formations of couches and talked with much
enthusiasm about their readings, and then left to go their own separate ways.
Had I not observed the lounge during a Friday afternoon, it would have been
a nexus of activity with people coming and going from the vending area in
the rear of the lounge, and many more readers busily absorbing knowledge
from their volumes.