1. News related--When I think of news related photos, I think of tragedies. This is usually in the national newspapers, not the local ones. They are in the newspaper to tell the audience about a certain topic, whether that is Peyton Manning throwing a game winning pass, Julia Roberts in a still photo of her upcoming movie, or of a soldier fighting in Iraq. They are about events going on in the world.
2. Snapshots-- They are usually candid. I think of movement, so maybe blurred photos from people moving without a fast enough shutter speed.
3. Ads-- All of them focus on a product or several for a specific company. For fashion-- usually a celebrity is wearing the clothes in a photo shoot that involves other props. Sometimes they are really bizarre photos of models wearing the clothes while moving, interacting with others, or posing. They are very sharp photos. Product photography usually involves an action of using the product that will apply to the audience
4. Film/movie stills --These usually involve a whole scene and other characters. They are rehearsed movements. There are a lot of factors that go into these photos--makeup, clothing, props, extras...
5. Yearbook photos-- yearbook photos involve a plain backdrop in order to focus on the subject. It is just the head/face and some of the shoulders. Senior portraits can be different. Mine involved outdoor and indoor photos. The indoor was a set, and the photographer would direct me where to sit and how to position myself. So, they are very posed, and usually all smiling.
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Thursday, October 28, 2010
2nd part of statement -- Place
1. Old Town: For most of the class this was their favorite photo. They liked the changes I made to the sky. The lighting really worked, and the way each building was a different shade worked really well. The angle worked well too. To go further, people suggested to make it look more like an old photo to go off of the old town theme and make it look like a photo from when the building were first made. I guess I could do this with a light vignette.
2. Back street: This was the other favorite. I feel like it printed a lot darker than it was on the computer, but people liked the way it was dark and went to light. Plus, they liked the emphasis on the lamp posts and the back street. People commented that it was like a scary street that you want to pass quickly before you get to the bright side of town. One person said they did not care for the telephone pole that was in the photo. I'm not sure how I could take it out unless I chose a different angle. I suppose I could also try to crop it out.
3. garage: Everyone was happy that I made this one a diptych format; it was very affective. Maybe try a different angle. Other comments where that it had good repetition, great lighting, and had a good sense of loneliness to it. There was a suggestion to crop the left side in a little until the first pillar. As far as pushing it further, maybe just trying different angles.
4. private drive: Some people liked that I changed the foreground to be darker and lightened the background. It is the opposite of what is usually seen. However, some other people liked the fact that you could see the car the house door in the background, and when it was lightened, that became a little difficult. To push this one further, people suggested that I make a collection of warning signs, which is definitely a good idea.
2. Back street: This was the other favorite. I feel like it printed a lot darker than it was on the computer, but people liked the way it was dark and went to light. Plus, they liked the emphasis on the lamp posts and the back street. People commented that it was like a scary street that you want to pass quickly before you get to the bright side of town. One person said they did not care for the telephone pole that was in the photo. I'm not sure how I could take it out unless I chose a different angle. I suppose I could also try to crop it out.
3. garage: Everyone was happy that I made this one a diptych format; it was very affective. Maybe try a different angle. Other comments where that it had good repetition, great lighting, and had a good sense of loneliness to it. There was a suggestion to crop the left side in a little until the first pillar. As far as pushing it further, maybe just trying different angles.
4. private drive: Some people liked that I changed the foreground to be darker and lightened the background. It is the opposite of what is usually seen. However, some other people liked the fact that you could see the car the house door in the background, and when it was lightened, that became a little difficult. To push this one further, people suggested that I make a collection of warning signs, which is definitely a good idea.
Written Statement--Place
1. Old Town: I think the composition of this photo turned out really well. I was a little worried how the angle would look, but once it was printed, I think it looks as if someone were taking the photo as they drove by. It was also a beautiful sunny day when I took this photo, so the natural lighting worked well. While I was walking around Old Town, I loved all the old buildings, which give the area its "antique/vintage" feel. So, I really wanted to capture this essence in the photo. It was also my first time in this area, so I had a great time exploring and seeing all it had to offer. The buildings were definitely my favorite part. This photo could represent historic issues. If it were compared to other parts of Lansing, one could see how much the city has grown and changed since Old Town was first built.
2. Backstreet: I was up really early one morning, and the back street behind my apartment had a certain feeling to it in the morning light that I wanted to capture in a photo. Plus, the fall trees that lined the street looked gorgeous (even though you can't tell in the black and white photo). I took several shots of the street and some included cars that went through the intersection, which I ended up liking. Once I turned it black and white, the light poles and stop light became the main focus with their blindingly bright white. I think they had a great contrast with the darkness of the trees and the street. Not to sound morbid, but I suppose this picture could represent death in a way. In that everyone says you head towards the bright light. Since the photo goes from darkness towards bright white, this might work.
3. Garage: When we had the prompt of a change in time, for some reason I thought a car garage would be a really neat representation of this. So, I decided to go early in the morning when there would be no cars and in the middle of the day when it is most popular. It was hard to get the angle the same, however I like the angle I got. I didn't want it to be a straight-on shot, but I do wish I had experimented with the angles just to see what would have looked better. Maybe this photo could represent something psychological, such as being really lonely/depressed compared to having a busy life.
4. Private drive: This photo was also taken in Old Town, and my intention was to have a play on the sign "private drive" by using a large aperture to make the background out of focus. I made some changes in Photoshop to emphasize the out of focus background. This might represent political issues because of warnings for people to stay away from our country or for our country to stay out of other countries. (that's a little far fetched...)
2. Backstreet: I was up really early one morning, and the back street behind my apartment had a certain feeling to it in the morning light that I wanted to capture in a photo. Plus, the fall trees that lined the street looked gorgeous (even though you can't tell in the black and white photo). I took several shots of the street and some included cars that went through the intersection, which I ended up liking. Once I turned it black and white, the light poles and stop light became the main focus with their blindingly bright white. I think they had a great contrast with the darkness of the trees and the street. Not to sound morbid, but I suppose this picture could represent death in a way. In that everyone says you head towards the bright light. Since the photo goes from darkness towards bright white, this might work.
3. Garage: When we had the prompt of a change in time, for some reason I thought a car garage would be a really neat representation of this. So, I decided to go early in the morning when there would be no cars and in the middle of the day when it is most popular. It was hard to get the angle the same, however I like the angle I got. I didn't want it to be a straight-on shot, but I do wish I had experimented with the angles just to see what would have looked better. Maybe this photo could represent something psychological, such as being really lonely/depressed compared to having a busy life.
4. Private drive: This photo was also taken in Old Town, and my intention was to have a play on the sign "private drive" by using a large aperture to make the background out of focus. I made some changes in Photoshop to emphasize the out of focus background. This might represent political issues because of warnings for people to stay away from our country or for our country to stay out of other countries. (that's a little far fetched...)
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Can you think of anything that...
1. Should not be photographed? Why?
I honestly can't think of anything that should not be photographed. Everything bad I think of (such as torture/violence, war, etc.) I would not want to see but the world should see it because everyone deserves to see and know about what is going on in other parts of the world. Actually, the only thing I can think of that should not be photographed are rituals or secret practices of certain groups. I've heard about these from movies and books, and photography should not violate people's rights to hold things private such as religious rituals. These would have to be things that people can only read about.
Everything else, like foreign scenes, and new discoveries all should be photographed for the present generation and for the future generations that will learn about it in history books.
2. Cannot be photographed? Why?
I think anything can be photographed, it just depends on how the audience interprets it. There would definitely be some topics that would be difficult to photograph, such as how the mind works/the thought process, but it's not impossible. I also think that feelings and beliefs would be hard to photograph but, again, would not be impossible.
3. You do not want to photograph? Why?
Things I would not want to photograph would mostly entail violence and war. I hate reading about these subjects in the news. I like to think that the world is a good and happy place, and reading all the bad things that are happening is depressing. Now, that may seem really naive of me, but "ignorance is bliss." Then, there would also be nothing that involves my fears such as sharks or snakes/creepy bugs. Most other topics I think would be interesting to figure out, as the photographer, a spin on the subject that will introduce the audience to a new way of looking at a subject.
I honestly can't think of anything that should not be photographed. Everything bad I think of (such as torture/violence, war, etc.) I would not want to see but the world should see it because everyone deserves to see and know about what is going on in other parts of the world. Actually, the only thing I can think of that should not be photographed are rituals or secret practices of certain groups. I've heard about these from movies and books, and photography should not violate people's rights to hold things private such as religious rituals. These would have to be things that people can only read about.
Everything else, like foreign scenes, and new discoveries all should be photographed for the present generation and for the future generations that will learn about it in history books.
2. Cannot be photographed? Why?
I think anything can be photographed, it just depends on how the audience interprets it. There would definitely be some topics that would be difficult to photograph, such as how the mind works/the thought process, but it's not impossible. I also think that feelings and beliefs would be hard to photograph but, again, would not be impossible.
3. You do not want to photograph? Why?
Things I would not want to photograph would mostly entail violence and war. I hate reading about these subjects in the news. I like to think that the world is a good and happy place, and reading all the bad things that are happening is depressing. Now, that may seem really naive of me, but "ignorance is bliss." Then, there would also be nothing that involves my fears such as sharks or snakes/creepy bugs. Most other topics I think would be interesting to figure out, as the photographer, a spin on the subject that will introduce the audience to a new way of looking at a subject.
Monday, October 18, 2010
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Landscape Photographer — Naoya Hatakeyama
Hatakeyama was born in Japan. That was about the extent of the information I could find about his life. Although I did read that his theme is usually the relationship between people and nature. One article said that his photos are a metaphor for the relationship between humans, nature and the city.
The first photo is from a collection entitled "Slow Glass." He created a box, put his camera in it and then put a piece of glass infront of the lens. Then he took photos on rainy days so the water would stick on the glass and obscure the view of the scene. This was very interesting. I have never seen an experiment like this.
The second photo, really struck me as interesting because of the color and the kind of mystery of whether you are looking at the photo upside down or right side up. The series is titled "Water + River Shadow." To me it looks as if he took the photo under water. However, if I turn the photo upside down, it could just show the reflection of the scenery in the water. Whatever the case, it is a very intriguing photo with the ripples in the water, the color in the sides, and the above scenery/buildings that are blurred by the water.
The first photo is from a collection entitled "Slow Glass." He created a box, put his camera in it and then put a piece of glass infront of the lens. Then he took photos on rainy days so the water would stick on the glass and obscure the view of the scene. This was very interesting. I have never seen an experiment like this.
The second photo, really struck me as interesting because of the color and the kind of mystery of whether you are looking at the photo upside down or right side up. The series is titled "Water + River Shadow." To me it looks as if he took the photo under water. However, if I turn the photo upside down, it could just show the reflection of the scenery in the water. Whatever the case, it is a very intriguing photo with the ripples in the water, the color in the sides, and the above scenery/buildings that are blurred by the water.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Photography can only... (#18)
“Photography can only represent the present. Once photographed, the subject becomes part of the past.” Berenice Abbott
I'm a little confused by the first sentence of this quote when he goes on to say that photography then becomes part of the past. I do believe the send part, because once a photo is taken, it does become a part of history. The photographer will most likely keep the photo and look back on it several years later. I think that the subject becomes part of the past in a photograph as well. That is what makes family memories and other memories memorable.
I don't think that the first sentence is correct though. Photography doesn't just represent the present, but it can represent both the past and photographers can also show their representation of the the future will be like.
I'm a little confused by the first sentence of this quote when he goes on to say that photography then becomes part of the past. I do believe the send part, because once a photo is taken, it does become a part of history. The photographer will most likely keep the photo and look back on it several years later. I think that the subject becomes part of the past in a photograph as well. That is what makes family memories and other memories memorable.
I don't think that the first sentence is correct though. Photography doesn't just represent the present, but it can represent both the past and photographers can also show their representation of the the future will be like.
Landscape photography is the supreme... (#17)
“Landscape photography is the supreme test of the photographer—and often the supreme disappointment.” ~Ansel Adams
Portraiture is probably what most people would think is the hardest type of photography, however, landscape photography can be hard too. With portraiture, the photographer can tell the subject what to do/how to be positioned, and sometimes the subject will do stuff on their own that will produce a great photograph. However, which landscapes, that can't really happen. all the photographer has is what's in front of them. So, it is up to the photographer to come up with creative ways of photographing the landscape that will be interesting to others and will say something to them. I'm not sure if Ansel Adams is saying that it is the "supreme disappointment" to the photographer is their photos don't turn out, or if it is a disappointment to viewers. I could see it being upsetting to the photographer because it is normal to be upset when your own stuff doesn't turn out. I suppose if you were a really well known photographer and your stuff didn't turn out well, others would be disappointed.
Portraiture is probably what most people would think is the hardest type of photography, however, landscape photography can be hard too. With portraiture, the photographer can tell the subject what to do/how to be positioned, and sometimes the subject will do stuff on their own that will produce a great photograph. However, which landscapes, that can't really happen. all the photographer has is what's in front of them. So, it is up to the photographer to come up with creative ways of photographing the landscape that will be interesting to others and will say something to them. I'm not sure if Ansel Adams is saying that it is the "supreme disappointment" to the photographer is their photos don't turn out, or if it is a disappointment to viewers. I could see it being upsetting to the photographer because it is normal to be upset when your own stuff doesn't turn out. I suppose if you were a really well known photographer and your stuff didn't turn out well, others would be disappointed.
I think photography should be provacative... (#16)
“I think photographs should be provocative and not tell you what you already know. It takes no great powers or magic to reproduce somebody's face in a photograph. The magic is in seeing people in new ways.” Duane Michals
I could not have said it better. I really do believe photography is about seeing something else than just what is on the surface. This is especially important in portraits. There should be meaning in a portrait; the audience should see some type of emotion or feeling in the photo. This can also go for landscapes; it should mean something to the audience and make them think about what the photo isn't saying right away.
The last sentence, "The magic is in seeing people in new ways." This is definitely what makes a photo great; when it says something different than any other photograph. Not only will the photo say something about the subject, but it says something about the photographer too, because it takes creativity, and sometimes a lot of thought, to take a great photograph.
I could not have said it better. I really do believe photography is about seeing something else than just what is on the surface. This is especially important in portraits. There should be meaning in a portrait; the audience should see some type of emotion or feeling in the photo. This can also go for landscapes; it should mean something to the audience and make them think about what the photo isn't saying right away.
The last sentence, "The magic is in seeing people in new ways." This is definitely what makes a photo great; when it says something different than any other photograph. Not only will the photo say something about the subject, but it says something about the photographer too, because it takes creativity, and sometimes a lot of thought, to take a great photograph.
Monday, October 11, 2010
Recreate
I went home this weekend, and I was flipping through some family albums when I came across the photo of the day my brother came home from the hospital. I was almost 4 and I got to hold him for the first time. Its a pretty popular photo in our family, and since my brother and I are pretty close, I thought I would recreate this photo. Then, I scanned the old photo in and placed one on top of the other to show the change in the years of the photo.
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Interpretation (from 1st assignment)
Image 1: berries
The class really liked that you could just see on branch with berries, then the rest of the tree and the background is blurred out. They suggested that I try to increase the contrast between the berries and the leaves in order to make the berries really pop.
Image 2: spoons
I received a lot of positive feedback on this photo. The lighting worked really well i, and it created a great reflection of me taking the photo in the spoons. Someone noted that with my reflection, this photograph really showed the meaning of photography and the different parts of photography. The only part to change might be the contrast again between the lighting on the silverware and the background.
Image 3: capitol
This was probably the weakest photo in my collection. Most people thought the framing could be different, maybe taking out the clock tower and the power line. Again, changing the contrast in the photo might improve the photo.
Image 4: dog
The class liked this photo as well. The expression on the dog's face was very expressive and really made the photo. I'm not sure the shadows worked well in this photo. Plus, this photo probably needed a little more contrast to it like the others.
The class really liked that you could just see on branch with berries, then the rest of the tree and the background is blurred out. They suggested that I try to increase the contrast between the berries and the leaves in order to make the berries really pop.
Image 2: spoons
I received a lot of positive feedback on this photo. The lighting worked really well i, and it created a great reflection of me taking the photo in the spoons. Someone noted that with my reflection, this photograph really showed the meaning of photography and the different parts of photography. The only part to change might be the contrast again between the lighting on the silverware and the background.
Image 3: capitol
This was probably the weakest photo in my collection. Most people thought the framing could be different, maybe taking out the clock tower and the power line. Again, changing the contrast in the photo might improve the photo.
Image 4: dog
The class liked this photo as well. The expression on the dog's face was very expressive and really made the photo. I'm not sure the shadows worked well in this photo. Plus, this photo probably needed a little more contrast to it like the others.
Human-Made space (#13)
I'm not sure I completely understand the meaning of "topographics," however if I have to think of a project, I would build a mountain out of garbage and compost. I'm not sure if that is a correct example of topographics, but it is my interpretation of the way human's interact with nature and land. There is so much litter and trash that people don't seem to care about. I actually believe that Apple Mountain is man made mountain. I'm not sure if it is made out of trash (doubt it), but it would be interesting to make a mountain out of trash and then make it into an entertainment for the same people who made the trash.
In-Camera Collage (#15)
The two items I would choose to collage would be my room at home in Midland, and my room in my East Lansing apartment. I think these places would really symbolize how much I've grown in the past 4 years and it would show a big step in my future. I'm not entirely sure how to do a double exposure, but once I had taken a picture of each room, I would place my room from home under my apartment room to show which place I am currently in.
Unknown vs. Familiar (#14)
I usually think that when comparing photographs, it is most affective when they are right next to each other. So, I would put a photo of the "unknown" next to a photo of the "familiar." Also to show the difference between the two, there could be a color overlay on each photograph, although I'm not sure how that would look. I'd have to experiment. Or, the lighting and exposure could be drastically different between the two to show a difference.
When I think of places that have been touched very little by humans, I immediately think of outer space in which we photograph by satellite. I think satellite photos would be very interesting to try. Plus, satellite photos are usually more affective when the audience has never seen or been to the place before.
When I think of places that have been touched very little by humans, I immediately think of outer space in which we photograph by satellite. I think satellite photos would be very interesting to try. Plus, satellite photos are usually more affective when the audience has never seen or been to the place before.
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Statements for Portrait assignment
Image 1: painting recreation
The composition was pretty easy to set up for this photograph because I was trying to make it look the same as the actual painting. The only difference with mine is that I'm facing the opposite way, and that was simply because my light source was on the other side. The painting has a simple, one-color background, with the main focus sitting on the subject.
I was following the prompt "portrait painting" and this was the first thing that popped in my mind. when I was researching the painting, there wasn't a lot known about the girl in the painting. So, it was sort of a mystery. However, from the clothes she is wearing, I would guess that she isn't someone from high class. What is interesting, though, is that she is wearing a pearl earring, which makes the viewer contemplate who she might be to have something that is probably very expensive. But, it is probably her gaze that is most powerful in this painting, and I'm still not sure the emotion that comes across to the viewer.
I only used natural lighting coming in from a window for this photograph.
Besides it being based on a painting, I think a lot of photographers go this route in having a simple backdrop so that the focus is on the subject. I really think about pictures from middle school/high school, but a lot of professionals do these photographs as well.
I think that this photo could represent status of women, especially during the time the painting was created, which I think was the late 1600s.
Image 2: Books
I played around with the composition of this photo for a while. I took a lot of photos of my friend, then, I would crop it to see what I liked best. I think this was my favorite because it was different, and for some reason it just appealed to me, only seeing half of her. I also just wanted a simple lighting, so there is just light from a window shining on her. And I think the contrast of the bare wall with the books and the girl, worked out really well.
I think my image could be taken many ways. I guess my first thought was of school. I'm taking a lot of classes, and so much of my life is consumed by studying and doing homework. So, this is the stress and everything else weighing down on people. I had found an image by Koto Bolofo that was a similar photo of Venus Williams wearing a bizarre hat and looking up at it. I think it was really affective having her look up because it created movement to the photograph. I loved the photo that Bolofo did, so I did a few things similar. Again, I had the subject looking up, and I had a simple background. I switched the cropping and the prop that was used.
I think this photo could represent the affect of society and education. We learn things based on our environment, and based on the things we see and read. Then, we form our opinions and ideas based on what we see and read.
Image 3: Self portrait 1
When we had researched portrait photography, my photographer was Sam Taylor-Wood. She did a composition of Crying Men, in which I really liked one of them with Daniel Craig. He was sitting in a chair and the background was out of focus. I decided to try it, but the result wasn't quite the same. I believe that my elbow is actually in focus, the rest of me is a little blurry. However, I decided I liked the result because it had a sort of soft and subtle appearance. Plus, it was only when you enlarged the photo, or got up close that you could see the imperfection, which I also liked. I experimented a lot with natural lighting for this project, so again, there is only natural lighting.
This image was supposed to be an experiment with a self portrait. So, it I wanted just a gentle picture of me. I'm pretty easy going and not a very outgoing person, so I think this photo got that across.
As I was experimenting, I was just trying different positions. There is a sofa chair in my apartment, so i decided to try that as a different position. That's really how I thought of this photo, plus I was trying to mimic Sam Taylor-Wood's photo.
I think this photo could be looked at from a psychological stand point, because when I look back at this photograph, I almost look sad in the eyes. So, maybe the subject is hiding something and she doesn't want anyone to know (even though it's me :) ).
Image 4: Self Portait 2
This was my favorite self-portrait because I feel like it really does capture one of my characteristics. Again, I used a simple black background because I like the high contrast photos. It puts more of an emphasis on the subject. And again, I used natural lighting.
Its not that I don't like people taking pictures of me, but that I don't like being in the spotlight. I had being put on the spot, and what makes it worse is that I'm a redhead, so I blush, which gives me away when I don't know an answer or I am embarrassed. I'm not a person who loves attention, I'm the exact opposite. So, I stuck out my hand to shield my face, but you can still see my eyes.
I think this could relate to photographers who show emotion or action without showing a subject's face. I know there are photographers who do this, but I can't think of any off the top of my head.
I think this photo has a political aspect to it. When there are certain conflicts going on in the world, and the US just turns their head and doesn't get involved, and that could be the same for any country.
The composition was pretty easy to set up for this photograph because I was trying to make it look the same as the actual painting. The only difference with mine is that I'm facing the opposite way, and that was simply because my light source was on the other side. The painting has a simple, one-color background, with the main focus sitting on the subject.
I was following the prompt "portrait painting" and this was the first thing that popped in my mind. when I was researching the painting, there wasn't a lot known about the girl in the painting. So, it was sort of a mystery. However, from the clothes she is wearing, I would guess that she isn't someone from high class. What is interesting, though, is that she is wearing a pearl earring, which makes the viewer contemplate who she might be to have something that is probably very expensive. But, it is probably her gaze that is most powerful in this painting, and I'm still not sure the emotion that comes across to the viewer.
I only used natural lighting coming in from a window for this photograph.
Besides it being based on a painting, I think a lot of photographers go this route in having a simple backdrop so that the focus is on the subject. I really think about pictures from middle school/high school, but a lot of professionals do these photographs as well.
I think that this photo could represent status of women, especially during the time the painting was created, which I think was the late 1600s.
Image 2: Books
I played around with the composition of this photo for a while. I took a lot of photos of my friend, then, I would crop it to see what I liked best. I think this was my favorite because it was different, and for some reason it just appealed to me, only seeing half of her. I also just wanted a simple lighting, so there is just light from a window shining on her. And I think the contrast of the bare wall with the books and the girl, worked out really well.
I think my image could be taken many ways. I guess my first thought was of school. I'm taking a lot of classes, and so much of my life is consumed by studying and doing homework. So, this is the stress and everything else weighing down on people. I had found an image by Koto Bolofo that was a similar photo of Venus Williams wearing a bizarre hat and looking up at it. I think it was really affective having her look up because it created movement to the photograph. I loved the photo that Bolofo did, so I did a few things similar. Again, I had the subject looking up, and I had a simple background. I switched the cropping and the prop that was used.
I think this photo could represent the affect of society and education. We learn things based on our environment, and based on the things we see and read. Then, we form our opinions and ideas based on what we see and read.
Image 3: Self portrait 1
When we had researched portrait photography, my photographer was Sam Taylor-Wood. She did a composition of Crying Men, in which I really liked one of them with Daniel Craig. He was sitting in a chair and the background was out of focus. I decided to try it, but the result wasn't quite the same. I believe that my elbow is actually in focus, the rest of me is a little blurry. However, I decided I liked the result because it had a sort of soft and subtle appearance. Plus, it was only when you enlarged the photo, or got up close that you could see the imperfection, which I also liked. I experimented a lot with natural lighting for this project, so again, there is only natural lighting.
This image was supposed to be an experiment with a self portrait. So, it I wanted just a gentle picture of me. I'm pretty easy going and not a very outgoing person, so I think this photo got that across.
As I was experimenting, I was just trying different positions. There is a sofa chair in my apartment, so i decided to try that as a different position. That's really how I thought of this photo, plus I was trying to mimic Sam Taylor-Wood's photo.
I think this photo could be looked at from a psychological stand point, because when I look back at this photograph, I almost look sad in the eyes. So, maybe the subject is hiding something and she doesn't want anyone to know (even though it's me :) ).
Image 4: Self Portait 2
This was my favorite self-portrait because I feel like it really does capture one of my characteristics. Again, I used a simple black background because I like the high contrast photos. It puts more of an emphasis on the subject. And again, I used natural lighting.
Its not that I don't like people taking pictures of me, but that I don't like being in the spotlight. I had being put on the spot, and what makes it worse is that I'm a redhead, so I blush, which gives me away when I don't know an answer or I am embarrassed. I'm not a person who loves attention, I'm the exact opposite. So, I stuck out my hand to shield my face, but you can still see my eyes.
I think this could relate to photographers who show emotion or action without showing a subject's face. I know there are photographers who do this, but I can't think of any off the top of my head.
I think this photo has a political aspect to it. When there are certain conflicts going on in the world, and the US just turns their head and doesn't get involved, and that could be the same for any country.
Part II: Interpretation
Interpretation: The other people in my group thought this was a great interpretation of the actual painting "A Girl with a Pearl Earring." The key to this portrait is the gaze/the look in the eye, which others found hard to capture. However, they thought that I captured it perfectly.
Evaluation: Again, my group thought that the facial expression I captured was great and really worked for the recreation. Things that I needed to work on or change would be the lighting. The lighting on the face was good, but it would have been nice to see the hair (I changed the photo above after my critique.) Also, if the pearl earring were more pronounced, it would have had more of an impact/focus.
Extension: We could see this image extending into a series of recreations of famous portrait paintings, or paintings by the same artist.
Print Suggestions: It seems a little too dark, so try to lighten it up more.
Interpretation: People could see this photo being used as a book cover. There was even a suggestion that I submit it for a competition at the library for a poster (which I think I might do). And other people thought of exam week when they saw this photo; in that we have a lot of stress and pressure that is weighing down on use during that week.
Evaluation: Everyone loved the cropping that was used for the final piece and the lighting is subtle but works really well with the piece.
Extension: Having a series of movement based around this photo would be interesting. For example, showing the subject falling over with the books sliding off her head, frame by frame.
Print Suggestions: No one could think of anything to change with this image.
Interpretation: Since this is a self-portrait, it shows my personality: soft and kind.
Evaluation: The slight smile on my face gave a calmness to the expression and the feel of the photo which worked well. Also, it is slightly out of focus, which works well with the feel of the photo, along with the diffuse lighting reiterates the same feeling. My group suggested to try a different angle, to make the composition a little more interesting.
Extension: Maybe this could follow the prompt of shooting the same subject at different angles and maybe with different lighting.
Print Suggestions: None.
Interpretation: It really shows my personality, of not wanting to be in the spotlight or wanting their photograph taken.
Evaluation: My group suggested playing around with the cropping. They thought that the hand should be more off center. Plus, it would be more interesting to have more detail and better lighting on the hand.
Extension: This was a hard one to think of extensions for. Maybe having a series of photos that gives off the personality of the subject, but never really shows her face.
Print suggestions: Again, just play around with the cropping
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Memory of a Photograph (#12)
I think I remember my going away party when I was moving from Texas to Michigan. The photo is in my front yard, with the moving truck in the background, and my best friends, brother, and neighbors are all in it. And my one of my friends and I were really into finding toads/frogs when I was younger, so we are each holding a toad :) Anyway, this photo really brings a smile to my face because it has all the people that I loved the most from my old home in one photograph. Even, though I have lost touch with most of the people in the photo, it was a great moment and really expressed all the fun and happy moments I had living there.
I'm not really sure that this photo would be reenacted, but I guess if it were, all of us would be older, and it probably wouldn't show as much fun energy as the other photo since most of us had lost touch. I don't think I really look that much different except that I'm a lot taller.
I'm not really sure that this photo would be reenacted, but I guess if it were, all of us would be older, and it probably wouldn't show as much fun energy as the other photo since most of us had lost touch. I don't think I really look that much different except that I'm a lot taller.
Memory of a Place (#11)
One of the first places that pops into my mind is my old house in Houston. We have plenty of pictures of it since I lived there for 9 years. Most are from Christmas; my brother and I opening our presents. Although, there are also really special photos of my brother coming home from the hospital for the first time. There were a lot of memories in that house.
I can still walk through the whole house in my mind as if I were still living in it. In the kitchen, I remember always sitting on the counter top of the island talking to my mom as she cooked. Then, when she made cookies, I would sit at the table and lick the beaters. I think the thing I remember most about my old house was that my parents were always remodeling. There was always a project my parents were working on. I don't think any of our walls were white. The living room was a grey/blue, the dining room was cream and forest green, my room was yellow and blue, and the dining room was cream. Now that I look back on it, it probably did look like a typical 90s house but with more color than most houses. I loved my room. It was a little small, but I had a walk in closet, a window that looked out from the front of our house. It was a pale yellow, and my mom made the blue curtains. Then, I had a fish tank in the corner sitting on my dresser. It was really cozy.
I can still walk through the whole house in my mind as if I were still living in it. In the kitchen, I remember always sitting on the counter top of the island talking to my mom as she cooked. Then, when she made cookies, I would sit at the table and lick the beaters. I think the thing I remember most about my old house was that my parents were always remodeling. There was always a project my parents were working on. I don't think any of our walls were white. The living room was a grey/blue, the dining room was cream and forest green, my room was yellow and blue, and the dining room was cream. Now that I look back on it, it probably did look like a typical 90s house but with more color than most houses. I loved my room. It was a little small, but I had a walk in closet, a window that looked out from the front of our house. It was a pale yellow, and my mom made the blue curtains. Then, I had a fish tank in the corner sitting on my dresser. It was really cozy.
Monday, October 4, 2010
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