Seventeen-year-old Mark Otto first started experimenting with color when he was living abroad in Hungary, away from his family and friends. “I realized the city felt a little too dark and it made me a little sad,” he says. "I started to use Instagram to showcase the few colorful things I could find.” After he returned to Ohio this year, he continued to use photography—and minimalism—as a way to express himself. “Minimalism kind of showcases the color as the subject instead of the background,” he explains. “I'd have to say that colors are probably the best thing to happen to our universe.” From Polaroids of his friends to a back-to-school pencil set, his Instagram feed also uniquely, and unabashedly, explores what it's like to be in high school. “I believe that our generation is using the Internet to make connections and showcase our art,” he says. “Young adults totally own the Internet world.” For more vibrant moments from Mark's high school experience, follow @markotto.
Photo by @markotto.