Assignment 3-Part 2-Written Statement

Greenhouse-

Others interpreted this image as this subject, the greenhouse, being taken into the light. It looks as if it is about to disappear in the brightness. Some people said that it would look better if the image was darker in some places but others said that it looked just fine and the color was perfect. I personally think the photo works well with the lighting and is exactly what I wanted it to look like. The shadowing in the greenhouse makes a really great effect which works well. If I could I would want to try and make the plant in front a little lighter in color. It shows that it is the darkest thing in the image and I don’t really like it. For a larger project I was thinking about doing other subjects that look like they’re being blown out by light. It may be hard because there isn’t always bright lighting but I think it could be nice looking.

Garden-

This image was interpreted as a Japanese Zen garden. It seems very peaceful and relaxing with the water and the bridge going over it. Some thought it looked like a far away land that not many people have discovered because it seems so peaceful. What’s working in this image is the fact that the sky is very white and everything else has a darker color. It definitely shows great contrast and in a photo like this, it is needed. I don’t think much needs to be changed. If I had to do something, I might try to make some of the darkest areas a little lighter. For a larger project I could do something with other gardens. I could try to make a serene looking place and grow off each image. If each photo is extremely different it would make a really good collection of photographs.

Railroad Track-

This photo was everyone’s favorite. They loved how it had great contrast with the dark track and the white sky. They also loved how the track faded into the white sky. I think that is my favorite part too.  Having contrast can either make or break an image. I think this definitely makes it. The texture of the wooden track and rocks are great. The viewer can feel like they are right there seeing the track for themselves. This is my favorite photo and I don’t think I could change anything about it to make it better. An extension on this picture could be all about trains. I could find some abandoned trains and train stations and take pictures of those with good contrast and texture.

Bike-

Not much as said about this picture. They thought the lighting was not very good and could have better contrast between grays and lights. If I could I would try to make the contrast different. I don’t like how the sky isn’t white and the gray of the trees don’t stick out enough. I tried to work with it but it never turned out how I wanted. I do like how it does look like someone’s looking through something and spying on something else. Another project I could do going off of this would be something where I find places I can look through looking at specific things. I think that would be a very interesting project. It would be fun to try to find perspectives that are not seen by everyone.

Blog 20

1. Describe some common aesthetic aspects of “news”-related photographs.

2. Describe some common aesthetic aspects of “snapshots”.

3. Describe some common aesthetic aspects of advertisement photographs. Fashion photography? Product photography?

4. Describe some common aesthetic aspects of film or movie stills.

5. Describe some common aesthetic aspects of yearbook photos and/or senior pictures.

A. Usually news-related photographs are black and white. Since they are in black and white and not in color they have to be more exaggerated and show more emotion. I feel as is news-related photographs are much stronger when they are in black and white.  The expression of most of the people in the images have a certain look that make it able to know exactly what is going on. It’s not that the people knew what was going on, the photographer was just able to capture a great shot.

B. I feel like snapshots usually show something about the photographer. When taking a snapshot it shows personality. The photographer could be at a social gathering with all of their friends or a private event. They are taking pictures of another event going on. When-ever I think of a snapshot I think of fun and liveliness.

C. Advertisement images are always very sharp. In fashion or product imaging, they background always tell a story about the product making the product seem more appealing. Whenever I think of an advertisement I think professional, very crisp, and engaging. I want the photographer to photograph something or someplace that even if the product isn’t for me, I’d want it.

D. When looking t a movie still, the image could be anything. Usually if it is a specific movie still that is being put on a poster, it will be of something that draws the viewer in. The producers of the film want to show something that other people are going to want know more about. Movie stills can be confusing, exciting, or modelesque. If there’s a big actor/actress, usually a film still will be about them.

E. Yearbook and senior pictures are very posed. Sometimes there can be natural posing, but usually they are straight on or head turned slightly. My friends and I always joke about the signature senior pose, sitting down, one knee up, and elbow on the knee. That stereotype will always be around. Most senior pictures are hazy, meaning they put an effect of glowing on the person. Sometimes it looks okay, but other times it just looks blurry.

Assignment 4(0)- Recreate

The image I chose was from a National Geographic magazine. It was up close to the animals, making you feel like you were there.  It looked as if all  the animals were looking at a predator approaching and that was what I was hoping to capture.

My image was taken at the Potter Park Zoo at the Meerkat exhibit. My goal was to get the image of all the Meerkats looking at something approaching. In the actual photograph they were all on the ground in a desert like area. I think that them being on different levels in my image creates a more of an intense feeling as to wear this other creature is coming from and what each Meerkat is going to do.

Assignment 3-Part 1-Written Statment

Greenhouse:

With this photograph the lighting was so bright that I had to find a way to use it but still not get a bad affect from it. The Sun was in the right hand corner so framing the image around that was the tricky part. I wanted to have a contrast in the sky so there were lights and darks. I wanted to be able to emphasize the shadowing in the actual greenhouse. I think my image could definitely be about the growing of life. I took a picture of the outside representing the place of maturing and seeing the inside of this greenhouse from the light could show the life expanding and being opened to new “brighter things”.  My method of creating this image had to do with the type of lighting. This is in the morning light which is usually the brightest. I thought that having this bright light would show much contrast between each object. Experimenting with this bright light I can to concluding that the lighting can get darker when you move the camera more to the left side. Its not the difference of the Suns’ lighting, it would be the difference of how much light is being let into the camera and from what angle. I think this kind of photograph brings a new perspective with the whole sunlight coming out of one corner affect. There are probably many photographers that have this kind of lighting, but the fact that it is only coming out of one corner can make the meaning of a photo very different. If I saw this, I might think that the world was being taken over but a rush of light. I think this creates a type of mystery. This photo could also represent something outside of art and photography.  Certainly something that has to do with the Greenhouse effect. There could definitely be a relation between the plants outside of the greenhouse and the actual greenhouse itself.

Garden:

The framing of this image had to reveal a place in my mind. The sun which you can barley see in the background I wanted to be pronounced to show a happy serene place. The reflection on the water of everything around it adds contrast of the lighter sky to the darker objects in the image. This image could be in a storybook. It’s an image of a far away land that not many people have been to and not many people have seen. The bridge shows a path that the viewer has to figure out where it’s leading to. The tree over the bridge also makes good contrast with the light background and the fact that the viewer can see through parts makes it organic looking. The method of making this image basically had to go around the sun in the background. I wanted to try and get it in the image so I was basically racing against time.  I observed this place last year and thought it would be the perfect place to photograph my imagination. I wanted to photograph a whole scene and take up the whole frame. I think this image definitely does that. I feel like my image does bring a new perspective about local areas. Many people don’t know about this place and to be able to photograph it and show how beautiful it can be is a great thing. This image could be about preservation. It shows how fertile and full a garden can be. If it is not preserved right bur the people taking care of it, it would not look like this. It may look gloomy and dull.

Railroad Track:

For this image I really wanted to get emphasis the nails that hold this railroad track together. I wanted to get the contrast of the dark track and light sky. The perspective that I had being so low to the ground and looking to the distance creates a story for the viewer to think about. My idea for the image was to narrate the story of John Henry, a man who challenged to beat the new steam powered drill to save all the railroad workers jobs. He gave his life for others and by getting the texture and up-close shot of the nails, I think make this story come out. My entire life I’ve always had a liking to railroad tracks at sunset. I think the lighting and contrast looks amazing. For this image I wanted to capture these tracks in the sunset. I waited until the sun was in the right spot for me to get the image I wanted. I tried a few other pictures on the other side of the track so there was more white then black, but I thought this worked better. I feel like this image really brings out the perspective of working hard to accomplish something. Someone put these bolts in the ground and place the wood boards across the tracks and placed the track on the side. It shows a lot of details that may not be seen up-close by people. It lets the viewer appreciate the work that has been done.

Bike:

The framing of this image had to do with the fact that I was trying to make it look like I was finding an undiscovered place. I tried to put emphasis on the bike but the lighting was the best so I wasn’t able to brighten it as much as I wanted. The balance of lighting is not the best but I feel like the shadowing of the area around the bike creates the look I was going for. My image is about a garden. Maybe it is a secret garden that was just discovered by playing children. The peering through the fence is what creates this effect. This place is part of an enclosed garden that really you have to look for to find the inside. The lighting was chosen at sunset to show a late in the day playfulness. I experimented with taking pictures from between the bushes to show a discovering affect but I thought the fence showed more contrast. When looking at the image more I’ve realized that this type of image can closely be related to others with the keyhole affect. This meaning that photographers take pictures through keyholes seeing into other places such as this.

Assignment 3

Blog 19

Can you think of anything that:
 
Cannot be photographed? Why? 
and
you do not want to photograph? Why?

Something that I think that can definitely not be photographed is any form of the sun; setting or rising. Pictures can be taken of this subject that are pretty close and can be enhanced to have great color, but compared to the real thing, sometimes it doesn't even give it justice. I feel that the Sun setting is one thing you can't photograph. The colors are so beautiful and elegant that when captured on film, it looks okay, but the colors are never fully as luminous and breath-taking as it could be. 


One thing I would not want to photograph would be anything dead, especially animals. I don' t know why I would have to in the first place but if I did for reason I would be very grossed out. I love all animals and to have to see a lifeless corpse would be very upsetting. Some may think its art and it shows emotion in some ways. I do not think that and would not appreciate the art shown.

Photography About Place

http://www.eirikjohnson.com/images/animalholes/12a.jpg 

By: Eirik Johnson
Was born in Seattle in 1974. He currently living in Boston, Massachusetts. His work has been displayed in many top Museums around the United States.

When first looking at the photograph, some might just thinks its the botton of a tree and the hole is how the tree grew, or juat that the roots grew elevated above ground. Some also might think it's a home for an animal.. It's a homey, warming place just right for that certain animal. The intention of this photographer was to make a series of pictures portraying animal holes. There are many different types, large and small, all in different areas and settings. I definitely think this a great portrayal of different homes. It may be small to us but for whoever is living in it, it's probably a great place and perfect for them.

Blog 18

“Photography can only represent the present. Once photographed, the subject becomes part of the past.” Berenice Abbott

I do not agree with this. Photography can definitely represent much more than the present. Especially when taking photographs of specific clothing. An example of these types of photographs would be American Apparel. The clothing they sell and model looks like clothes of the future and past. When looking at the pictures you don’t know when they were taken. Some look like they are from the past, but not because they were only photographed in the past, but because they clothes fit another time era. If a style is not in, then whenever it was in is when the picture looks like it took place. Just because it was taken at a certain time doesn’t make it of that time.

Blog 17

“Photography, as we all know, is not real at all. It is an illusion of reality with which we create our own private world.” Arnold Newman

When taking a photograph, many times photographers “set up” a scene to get the lighting you want or the perfect background. Most photos become unrealistic. Women’s’ bodies are perfect in every way, the lighting does match what looks like to be the time of day with the color of sky, and actions are posed. I know that is what Photography is supposed be, but in reality not many photographs are real. Especially now with Photoshop, any photograph can be manipulated with colors, fake lighting and filters. Every photographer creates their photographs to fit their perception of reality. Sometimes it works, and other times it doesn’t

Blog 16

“I believe in the imagination. What I cannot see is infinitely more important than what I can see.” Duane Michals

Imagination is a special skill that many people do not have. Some people can have a big imagination. Some can have a small imagination. If someone asked you to imagine your dream world, what would it look like? Would it be a serene forest with rushing water, or a colorful moving picture where it was sunny all the time and your favorite singer/actor let you live in their house? Yes, some imaginative things are non-existent, but when someone imagines something they are thinking outside of the box. Some say it’s better to have a small imagination then to not have one at all. I think that is completely true. Believing in the imagination is believing in the surreal life. Yes it may never be apparent to everyone else but you see it, and usually its better then the real world. Having an imagination can allow people to become very wise and more successful. When a person can imagine something for the future for a company or business, the ideas that come about are extremely important. Everyone has a different imagination so only you can think of it.

Part 2: Critique of Assign 2

Guy in Kitchen:

My group interpreted this image basically as what it was, a guy making something in a kitchen.  They thought it was interesting how there was a design in the background that drew their eyes around the picture instead of looking just at the guy.  They thought that was the best thing that was working throughout the picture. What was not working was the fact that it was sort of blurry. The problem was I thought I printed the wrong picture which would explain that situation. What’s not working is the sliver of the fridge on the right side of the image. It is very distracting and should be cropped out. A jumping-off point from this image was thought about college guys in the morning. It looks like he’s making some sort of food which can be something not normal for guys to do. Another idea my group had was people doing mundane things. For example a person on their hands and knees searching for prey or something like that.

Football Guy:

Others interpreted this image as this guy being an Abercrombie model or an ad for Abercrombie, specifically the pictures on the sides of their shopping bags. What’s working in this photo is the way the picture is cropped. The guy is standing in the middle, but because the football is more to one side and he looks so intense, emotion is being given off.  Some things that are not working are the colors. It definitely needs to be more contrasted; it’s a little too dull. It should have more highlights. A jumping-off point from this picture could be other model poses for guys, or casual sports. It looks as if this picture was just taken by a photographer who just caught the shot while he was playing catch or something. If I were able to take pictures of women or men just playing around we thought it would be a really nice group of photographs.

Girl In Woods:

Some first impressions of this picture was that this girl was Fergie.  Her hair looks very similar and her nose I guess does too. Another thing they thought about was that it looks as I was spying on this girl. Because the leaves are blurred and I’m focused in on her, it gives this picture that affect.  What works well in this photo are the tones of black to white.  They liked how the black of her coat popped when they looked at the picture. Another thing that worked well was her facial expression. It’s not normal and it makes the viewer think about and question what it is she’s looking at. One thing they thought would make it better was is if it showed a little more detail in the background.  A jumping-off point for this picture was thinking about a series of shots looking through things and focusing in on one person. It could be candid, actually catching people off-guard.

Guy Dancing:

The interpretation of this image was a dancing guy. Basically the picture explains it. What gave it away was the motion of the legs. They did think the motion worked well with the image. The fact that the viewer can’t see his face gives the image a mystery about and very expressive pose. A couple things that don’t work well in this image is that the ceiling is way too big and the person seems to be just plopped right in the center of the photo. If he were moved to the side a little bit or had the camera move down, the composition might be a little better.  A jumping-off point for this image might be of silhouettes where you can’t see their faces with different backgrounds. The viewer would have to think about what the persons feeling were by looking at the background.

Blog 14

#14____Unknown vs. Familiar Space: When photography was invented, it became a way to document and reveal the specific aspects of both familiar and faraway places. Imagine a familiar place. Imagine a faraway place. How would you use photographs to convey the difference? Can you imagine any places that have been “touched” very little by humans? How might you photograph them?


To convey the differences between far away and familiar, I was thinking maybe making one blurry to show I don't really know what it is, would be a good idea. It would most likely be for the far away place. This shows I don' know what I 'm looking at and it would be an image that would pull viewers in to try to get a closer look. One place that might have been touched very little are coral reefs in certain parts of the ocean. Coral is very delicate and small interactions can ruin them. To show the very little touched areas. I might brighten the colors to show purity, that it hasn't been dulled down or "touched".

Blog 13

#13____Human-Made Space: In the past, photographers who were interested in how humans impacted the natural landscape grouped together to form the New Topographics. “"New Topographics" signaled the emergence of a new photographic approach to landscape: romanticization gave way to cooler appraisal, focused on the everyday built environment and more attuned to conceptual concerns of the broader art field.” http://www.lacma.org/art/ExhibTopo.aspx

In addition, at the same time in history artists created (and still do create) “land art” in which they use materials found in the landscape to make sculptures that remain in the landscape. Many of these works now only exist as video recordings and photographic documents.

Pay attention to the number of ways in which you encounter humans’ interaction with nature and the physical land. Write these down. Using these as inspiration, describe an idea for a piece of “land art” that you might create that would be documented by a photograph. Describe an idea for a piece of “land art” that you might make in a man-made landscape that would be documented by a photograph.

A piece of land art I might do would maybe have to do with sticks and being in the woods. If I could hang something from a tree by just using sticks or create something that is put on the ground. I don't know if I could do it, but making a sweet house out sticks would be really sweet thats hanging from a tree. The mystery would be how I did it. I know I would be interested if I saw a picture like that.

Blog 12

#12____Memory of a Photograph: Which photograph from your past do you remember most? Describe this photograph. Describe how it makes you feel when you remember/think about this photograph. How have you changed? How has the place in this photograph changed? What would a reenactment of this photograph look like? Would you act or look differently if you reenacted this scene today?

One photograph I remember most was a picture of me and a cat that lived around the block. I had just come home from school. I was in first grade. This cat lived around the block from me and absolutely loved me. I never knew why because I would pretend he was my baby and carry him around in a net, but I guess he enjoyed it. So this photograph I am holding the cat like a baby in my arms. He waited for me on the front steps every day waiting for me to come home. The reason why I remember it so much was because not too long after my mom ran him over. He was sleeping on our driveway and didn't here us coming. My mom didn't see him either. I always think back to that and question about how my life would have been different if he was still alive all these years. He was like no other cat I've ever met. If I were to reenact this picture I would probably use a baby doll to represent what I thought of the cat and find a porch that looked like mine because we were standing on my front porch.  I would definitely look different because of the fact that I had bangs and was super tiny.

Blog 11

#11____Memory of a Place: Try to imagine a place from your past. Do you have pictures of this place? Describe this place as you remember it. What might a photograph look like of this place if you were to go back and photograph it? What would it look like in the past? What would it look like to you today? Where are you standing in this place? What other items are in this place? What colors do you see? Are there other people or are you alone? Make a “written photograph” of this place using words/description.

A place I remember from my past is a resort I stayed at in Mexico. It was called The Moon Palace Resort. If I went back now, the main part of the resort would be the same, but they added many more buildings along the side, much bigger and more elegant. I was standing at the doors of the check-in building, looking in front of me at the beautiful scenery. There was a huge pool with teal blue colors. This pool was made up of small pockets of water connected by smaller streams that were under bridges that people were walking back and forth on. I see to my left, a giant straw hut with swings hanging all around. It was a swing bar being enjoyed by many couples. To my right, I see another giant straw hut with people lining up for food, any kind of food you could imagine. Behind all these people and the activities they were doing I see the deep blue ocean. Jet skiers and wind sailers blew past, while tall palm trees were blowing in the wind all around creating the tropical scene. It was a beautiful paradise that I never wanted to leave.

Assign 3-Recreate Memory

This is a memory of a time when my boyfriend and I were walking through the gardens up here at State last Spring.We both love looking at different types of flowers so I thought this was one of the greatest memories I have. It's a reenactment by two of my friends. The motion in the picture doesn't represent us, but the movement shows them separating, like they are leaving. It could be interpreted as us having to leave each other at the end of the school year. I think it would portray it very well.

Assignment 2

Guy Throwing a Football:

With this image I tried to get an up close on the subject. It was an overcast day so the lighting was not as bright as it could have been, but I think the balance between light and dark is acceptable. This image could be about a football player making a difficult decision is his life. It is interpreted from the fact that he is throwing a football to someone but doesn’t know which would be the best option. The fact that he looks determined and is concentrated on something supports this concept. The process I used to construct this image was basically making sure I could have a clear sharp subject in front and a blurred background. I experimented with changing the ISO number and trying to get a different angle with the sky for better lighting but the picture just looked awkward. My goal was to capture this subject looking determined and wanting something and I think I was able to do that. There isn’t one specific photographer that I was trying to relate to, I was trying to capture a picture as the same ones professional sports photographers take. I think I relayed the idea well. This could relate to a larger issue of acceptance. This boy is just an ordinary boy playing football. He aspires to be someone huge in the sports industry, just like many other children today.

Guy Dancing:

For this image there wasn’t any real framing being used. They guy was dancing around the room and I just had to follow him making sure I got him in the frame. I tried getting a lighter background so the subject in front was darker making a bigger contrast. When looking at this image someone may see a guy with his arms held straight and only his legs moving. This could be taken as a statement about some people who are stuck only being able to do certain things. The content of how the guy is darker can also pose another question about who is this guy and why can’t we see his face? The process to creating this image was first to light up the backdrop and then to make space for him to move around the room. I experimented moving around the room to get different angles, and found that the ones with the actual light in the background turned out the best. My goal was to capture an image where part of his body was moving and parts were standing still. I didn’t really have anyone in mind about making this picture. I know that it definitely didn’t turn out as well as it would have if someone else were taking it. I think it would have been better if the dancer were a little less blurred and more in focus.

Assignment 2

Girl in Woods:

The framing of this image was kind of tough to create. There were many dead plants around the trees which I think would have made the picture not so appealing. The lighting I think works well creating the lights of the leaves and the darks of the woods in the background. The image tells a story of a girl trying to find her way through the woods, or life if you take is that way. To create this image, I found a scene behind my apartment and placed her in the right spot where I could capture a well-crafted image. The Red Cedar is behind her. I tried to keep that out of the image because having it in might have made the picture go a completely different way. My goal was to recreate a movie still from the movie Twilight. Its not the exact same pose but the background I think is extremely alike.  This relates to the directors cut because of how she is in focus whereas the background is blurred and the tree gives off texture, definitely a scene that could appear in the movie.

Guy in the Kitchen:

For this image the perspective was to be up close and focused on the subject. Because the background was already really white, the contrast of the subjects’ shirt creates a well-balanced picture. The concept of this picture could be the depiction of a man working in the kitchen instead of the women. To create this image I turned on as many lights as I could to create a contrasted scene. I took out some food I had in the fridge to make it look as if he were cooking and putting together a plate of food. This is supposed to be a recreation of a painting of a chef plating food in his kitchen. I couldn’t get the entire scene, and the side which the guy is on is different in the painting. I liked the object in the background because it was it black and contrasted with his shirt. This is why I turned the other way. This relates to other photographers in which they try to create a painting or other picture for a photo-shoot. Recreations are a big thing now with them and can be interpreted in many ways. This picture can bring a new perspective on the way of women in the kitchen. This is showing that men also have the same ability to do what women can.

Blog 10- “All photographs are there to remind us of what we forget. In this - as in other ways - they are the opposite of paintings. Paintings record what the painter remembers. Because each one of us forgets different things, a photo more than a painting may change its meaning according to who is looking at it.” ~John Berger

 This is definitely true. When someone forgets about an event that had happened previously, a picture is one of the only ways they can see what they don't remember. In some cases people remember little parts of the event. When a picture is shown to them of something they don't remember. The meaning of the night might change. Some may then remember it as a good time, or possibly a bad time.

When thinking about a painting, the painter who is remembering what to paint turns the situation around. If they don't remember a certain part, then technically, they can say it never happened. The painting is telling the story and if it was never painted, no one ever would know they didn't remember.

Blog 9

“You don't take a photograph, you make it.” ~Ansel Adams



This is not entirely true, but in most respects it can be. Especially when taking recreation photgraphs or photographs of large groups of people. Each and every photographer has a vision. Whether is a certain object, or a person. Each picture they do they have to make the scene. Putting make-up on a person and clothing them a certain way is an example of "making" the photograph. A spontaneous, one shot photogrpah with no ques or props is what I consider to not be a forced photograph. When someone is told to make a certain face or look a certain way or do a certain motion, the photograph is made. The photograph is being taken, but the photograph was made to be excepted.

Blog 8

“My portraits are more about me than they are about the people I photograph.” ~Richard Avedon.

When you take a picture you're taking a picture of something you enjoy. Whether its a person doing something you enjoy or dressed in something you love to wear. A photographer won't direct someone to so something they think looks bad and doesn't like. They place them in away they enjoy seeing them in. For example in the television show Americas Next Top Model, each week a different photographer comes in and directs a different photo shoot for them to do. If you notice closely, the shoot is always very different and the photographer is always extremely excited to take the photos. When someone views a photo of a person its not all about the person. The viewer, or at least me, thinks about where the photographer was coming from and what they were trying to accomplish.

The colors and direction of the subject is dependent on the photographer and this is what Avedon is trying to dictate.