#20

1. Describe some common aesthetic aspects of “news”-related photographs.
1. These photos are often very clear with little artistic value. They serve the purpose of showing a scene or person in context to the story. You often see the subject in their natural environment. You usually see the subject performing an action in the photo.
2. Describe some common aesthetic aspects of “snapshots”.
1. Snapshots often are blurred or have an accidental appearance to them. They show a great deal of motion and look quickly composed. Snapshots usually focus in on a single element in the frame and not a large landscape or scene.
3. Describe some common aesthetic aspects of advertisement photographs. Fashion photography? Product photography?
1. These types of photos are usually much more artistic and clear. Colors are bright and saturated to attract people's eyes. Backgrounds are usually very boring or absent to help push more focus on the subject. These photos are usually very crisp as well because of the high quality cameras used to take them. These photos also try to capture the whole subject, and not cut off portions.
4. Describe some common aesthetic aspects of film or movie stills. 
1. Film or movie stills usually feel very in the moment. There may be some blur to show motion as it was a part ripped right out of a movie. Movie stills that have grown more famous usually have a great deal of meaning and foreshadowing in them. Shadows are used a lot to express emotions. Movie stills are also either very bright and well lit, or very dark and creepy, there seems to be no middle ground.
5. Describe some common aesthetic aspects of yearbook photos and/or senior pictures.
1. These are the most cookie cutter photos of them all. Each photo is set up with the student in the center from mid-chest up with a darker colored background that has a fabric texture to it. Most people smile the same way and have their heads turned just a little in the same direction. Colors are bright and the images are clear with strong but diffuse lighting that shows little shadows.

Assignment 4(0): Recreate Popular Media

My recreation:
The original image above depicts a half naked women holding a phone like it's some sort of lust-filled status symbol. The ad is about the phone's photo quality, however the tagline "Picture Perfect" I'm sure could be talking about other things. The photo is flawless and the scene is typical of fashion and modern technology photography. So, after finally becoming sick of seeing ads that turn phones into more than they really are, I decided to put mine in the trash. This image is a recreation and a commentary on ad culture. It is a recreation because it still presents the phone in a moody/intriguing manor. However, it is also a commentary because a cell phone is nothing more than future trash. We outgrow phones so fast, and no matter how much beauty was in the original handset we bought, that little brick will soon end up sitting atop orange peels and old sticky notes.

Assignment 3

Composition: Framing and lighting played the biggest roles in this image. The brick walls surrounded the image's peripheral while the lighting kept the focus on the end of the stairwell, giving that eerie trapped feeling.
Concept: My image is about feeling trapped and scared. It may be due to horror movie conditioning, but dark dirty stairwells and dim lighting seem to evoke that emotion within people. Also, the fact that the image is looking down better works with the evil feeling. If the image was taken from the bottom of the stairwell looking up, it would have a more heavenly ascending feeling.
Method: This image was taken with a fast shutter speed to better accentuate the shadows and dark tones while keeping the bright whites visible. Photoshop was then used to achieve the absolute blacks that frame the stairwell. This process was helpful in learning how to better show emotion within an image.
Motivations: My goal for this image was to create a well known scary space that can bring out fear, nervousness, and other emotions like those.
Context: I believe this image looks at emotional places in real life in a new way. You can find dilapidated houses and damaged walls in many places, but to take a normal looking scene and instill emotion upon it, I don't see that too often.

Interpretation: Others saw this image as very emotional and creepy. They paid a lot of attention to the subtle and bright lighting, while also keeping in mind the importance of the shadows to the composition
Evaluation: The clarity and lighting is working very well in the image. It is exposed to give the viewer a line of sight in the photo while creating a mood. What might not be working is the composition. If the brick walls or outside framing were more clear of object, or if I had zoomed in, this composition could possibly be improved.
Extension: I would jump off from this image and create a project about normal places that evoke strong emotions, such as bathroom medicine cabinet mirrors, forests, the shed in the back yard, etc.

Composition: Balance and lighting were two powerful elements of this photo. Not allowing the tree-like figure to dominate the photo, I added the "sun" leaf to help add some balance and lead the viewer's eye through the photo. Lighting in this photo was supplied entirely by the sun. It created detailed grass shadows/texture.
Concept: This image is about art in nature that will only last a short time. It also depicts nature within nature by showing a tree made from dead twigs and leaves that also create a sun.
Method: I tried many different compositions with the items in this photo. This photo I believe best framed the tree and sun while leaving ample space to show the detailed grass texture. Bright sunlight also let me use a very fast shutter speed.
Motivations: My goal for this image was to create nature within nature, and also a piece that would soon be gone and only remembered in photographs.
Context: This photo seems very different from other land art pictures that I've seen. Instead of creating an interesting shape or line in nature, my composition creates a whole different scene within the scene, while keeping very minimalistic.

Interpretation: People interpreted this image in a few different ways. Some saw it as a nature scene within nature, with a tree and some leaves, not paying attention to the "sun." Others saw this scene as its own separate element; the tree and the sun was real and the grass background was actually a sky.
Evaluation: The clarity and lighting is working very well in this image. There is so much strong texture throughout the frame. The subjects of the photo also stand out very well. I would like to improve the composition a bit however and take the photo in either full portrait or landscape mode to help spread out the subjects.
Extension: I could jump off from this image by creating a set about nature scenes within nature. It would be a lot of constructed scenes but there are so many options. 

Composition: This image utilizes emphasis. With many dark values, the bright white water drips are the only part that draw people's eyes.
Concept: This image is about the detail in nature. Instead of looking at the big picture, the tree, looking at something much small, the water drops, can help you see so much more beauty. The brightness of the drops force focus onto them instead of the dark tree.
Method: This image was taken using a fast shutter speed. The sun was hitting the water drops and making them brighter than the surrounding branches. Photoshop was then used to accentuate the water drops and dark tree areas.
Motivation: My goal for this image was to focus on something that normally goes unseen. In nature there are so many details that we may often blur them together, so pointing out one part can be very insightful.
Context: Images like this that I normally see are very bright whimsical images with lots of sun and detail. This image does the complete opposite. It is dark and has a shallow depth of field

Interpretation: Others saw this image as very dreary and emotional They paid a lot of attention to the small bright drops of water in comparison to the rest of the photo.
Evaluation: The large difference in contrast is working well in this image. The water droplets become very obvious while the tree and leaves blur into the background. I would like to improve the lighting a bit however, possibly go in with the dodge tool and lighten up some branches or leaves just to give the photo a little more detail and points of interest.
Extension: I would like to further explore trees after this photo. I feel like there are so many options because of the diversity found in trees: birds nests, dying leaves, bee hives, animals, wood texture, etc.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/malevolentteddybear/2205260225/in/faves-ekblad/
Composition: Framing and perspective played the most important role in this image recreation.The lines on the ceiling and abstract lines created by the shadows brought even greater focus to the door.
Concept: This image is about emotions and feelings one can have in a situation like this. A job interview, first day of class, detention, a dark shadowy hallway and door seems to summarize them all.
Method. This image was taken using a fast shutter speed that left many shadows in the frame. Photoshop was then used to boost the contrast of the image and also make the shadows and highlights more dramatic.
Motivation: My goal for this image was to recreate a scene from the movie Trainspotting. But, I also wanted to do a new take on that film still. I wanted this image to be emotionally powerful, not gross like the film still.
Context: This image has powerful social meaning behind it. The vague number on the door could mean many different things. It could be a classroom, office, or many other professional settings. The dark door in this image makes it seem almost evil and mysterious, leading the viewer to assume the walk to this door is not a pleasant experience. All in all, the social meaning of this image is one of stress and fear involved in school/work.

Interpretation: The class saw this image in the same way I did, creepy and easily relateable. They saw it like a first day of class/job interview/detention/etc scenario.
Evaluation: The range of value is working well in the image. Shadows played an important role in this image's interpretation. The composition is also very well thought out. What I would improve is just a few highlights, such as the numbers on the door.
Extension: I would like to jump off from this image and take photos of doors. Each photo would be the same composition as this one but it would show the variety, detail, and differing emotion felt by each doorway.

Composition: Contrast was an important element of this image. The soft sky and textured trees were accentuated by very dark and very light tones.
Concept: This image is about how the beauty of nature can be effected by man made structures. I am not leaning one was or another though. I believe the building/tower in this picture can add something, while also taking something away. The building and tower are very hard and geometric structures, while all the parts of nature in this image are free flowing and random.
Method: Many versions of this image were taken using different framing and shutter speeds. This image was achieved using bracketing and and HDR converter. I then tweaked the levels in photoshop and dodged and burned the sky so add more depth and detail in the trees.
Motivation: My goal for this image was to play with integrating man made structures into a natural landscape. I wanted to show two different types of places at once.
Context: This image has strong cultural meaning. In other countries, buildings and towns are made to integrate with nature. That is not often seen in America. However sometimes if you capture a good angle, you can achieve an image that lets nature and structure coexist.

Interpretation: Others saw this image as an interesting scene and not much more. The sky was talked about heavily and the range of value in it. The composition was also mentioned, mainly how the trees at the bottom and the buildings could be looked at from different perspectives.
Evaluation: The range of values and clarity of this image are working well. The composition, the focus on the sky, is also a good element to this photo. What I would like to improve is somehow adding meaning into this photo. Either through a new perspective or lighting, I feel like I could evoke some emotion or societal meaning in this picture.
Extension: Jumping off from this image, I would create a set about man-made structure meeting nature. When buildings or sidewalks or any other structure comes close or imposes on nature, there is immediate environmental meaning.

#19

Can you think of anything that:

1) should not be photographed? Why?
2) cannot be photographed? Why?
3) you do not want to photograph? Why?

1) Things that should not be photographed because they are either moments that are too personal to be shared, or things that can harm someone's reputation in a medium that is easily manipulated.

• people experiencing extreme sadness or other negative emotions
• funerals
• material used for blackmail
• things meant to be kept secret

2) Things that cannot be photographed because it is the law or we currently lack the ability to see/reach these things we hope to one day photograph.

• court hearings
• rare artwork/documents
• the iphone factory in china
• places we cannot yet go
• organisms and animals we have not yet seen

3) Things I do not want to photograph because they are personal things that I do not need to be involved in, or stuff that is just unpleasant.

• people experience tough times
• funerals
• gruesome scenes
• playboy models

Place Photographer Research

Alexander Apostol
http://alexanderapostol.com/index.php

He was born in Venezuela, in 1969. He lives and works between Madrid and Caracas. Apostol's photos most often are of architectural forms, in the literal or abstract sense. His pictures normally are of dilapidated buildings central in the frame with no people present. The photos appear to be taken from eye-level and they feel very simple and candid. He only has a few sets of photos that are not in this style.

This particular photo is the one I have chosen to look into further. It is a negative of a photo of a government building and a tree covering most of it. I am not completely sure how this image was taken or edited. This image makes this place feel dark, mysterious and hidden. The tree covering most of the building makes me wonder what is going on inside there that would make the photographer want to block it from our view. Possibly the photograph knows something that we can only infer. The small remnant of color in the photo also is an interesting choice that, unlike black and white would, makes this photo more abstract. I believe this image is successful in its concept and portrayal. The unique editing of the photo turned it from what I believe would be a bright sunny photograph into one depicting a powerful dark side.

#18

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

I agree with this quote, but I also wish that I could disagree with it. I feel like there is some example where photography could represent the future. The only trouble is I am unable to think of an example of where it possibly could. This is something that I will keep in mind and hopefully find an answer too. Otherwise, this quote is very true. Especially when it comes to family photography, we look at it and see a time and place in the past. However, other types of photos, such as one of a tree, are not so time specific but can still suggest a period in the past.

#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

I greatly disagree with this quote. Photography can be one of the most real forms of art. When painters recreate scenes, every emotion of theirs can effect the piece. The brush strokes are not objective to what is in front of their eyes. Photography however is capable of capturing a moment as it is, when it happens. In candid photography for example, there is no recreation. The camera is simply capturing the pixels of a split second in real life. There can be illusion in photography, but the emotions and scenes don't have to be any less real.

#16

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

I like to think of this quote in two different ways. The first is that what the photographer cannot actually see in their photo. Either because of shadows, the frame ending, a hidden hallway, etc, there are many things that are lost in a photo that are capable of creating a great deal of mystery. We may ask what is behind that corner or what is making that shadow. If everything was visible and obvious in the photo, I can't honestly say that it would hold my interest.
The second meaning is that the photographer may not see what others see. Each person may interpret a photo in a different way that can completely differ from the photographer's original concept. It is very important that photos be ambiguous so that more people may relate to them.

#15____In-Camera Collage:

The place from my past would be me sitting at my kitchen table at 8 years old, drawing anything and everything. The place from the present would be me in my dorm rooming editing photos on my laptop. The way I would capture this change is by overlaying two photographs. The first would be a child drawing, the photo taken behind the child, only seeing their back and the table with art supplies on it. The second would be me on my laptop, taken from behind me, only seeing my desk and a little bit of my laptop. When I overlay these two photos, I will then tweak the opacity so it looks as though the smaller grew up to be me, and my room/tools transformed to the present.

#14____Unknown vs. Familiar Space:

Familiar and faraway places involve very different photographs. Personally, when I am taking photos of familiar things, I like to get up close and personal, or take strange angles and really manipulate the photo. When I take photos of faraway and unfamiliar places, I like to capture the entire grandeur of the scene. I focus on entire area, trying to capture as much as I can for later memory. I can imagine photographing untouched jungles and mount ranges. My photos would try to take in as much of the place as possible, every plant, what the ground looked like, some of the sky, everything.

#13____Human-Made Space:

Land art in nature: I would find a weeping willow tree and braid all of it's vines, or the ones I could reach. Eventually the wind or other elements would undo the braids, but for some time the tree with have a lot of interesting weaving patterns covering it.

Land art in urban area: I would drop pieces of gum and let them get to that point where they turn all black and mushed into the sidewalk. I would do this over the period of a month until I create a trail out of the gum pieces that would remain only until rain or street cleaners washed it away.

#12____Memory of a Photograph:

The photo I remember most is from when me, my cousin and my grandpa all went to this pirate themed park. We all sat on a big wooden treasure chest at the front entrance before going in when the picture was taken. I was 10, my cousin was 7, and I don't know how old my grandpa was. When I think about this photo I smile. I know it was a fun day and I like seeing my grandpa. I have not been back to the pirate park so I am not sure how it has since changed. A reenactment of this photo would be very different from the original. My grandpa would be gone, and my cousin and I would most likely look mortified to be there.

#11____Memory of a Place:

I am at Goebberts Pumpkin Farm near my home. I am about 6-7 years old. My family and I went there for pumpkin carving, corn mazes, and lots of other stuff. One part I remember well is the wooden pumpkins with holes to put your head through so you look like a 'pumpkin person.' My mom was filming a few feet in front of me when I ran around the back, got up on the stepping stool, and poked my head through. My dad wasn't anywhere to be found but my mom was smiling. Lots of people were waiting in line for this thing. The ground is brown and muddy, and there is orange themed things everywhere. A photo of this place now would be much different. The wooden pumpkin has since been taken down and the whole pumpkin farm has been reorganized. A photo would show a great deal of change over the last 13-14 years.

Assignment 3(0): Recreate Memory

The Day My Shoes Got Tied
I remember the day when I first learned to tie my shoes.
I was alone in the house for a little bit because my mom went outside to talk to the neighbor. She had just finished giving me a tying lesson that did not end successfully. When she went outside, I grabbed my shoe and ran into the family room and sat down on the sofa. I was determined to tie that stupid lace. I was wearing my favorite striped shirt, possibly giving me the confidence to keep going. Having already thrown off my socks, I slipped on one shoe and tied its laces furiously, possibly figuring out every way to not do it. I don't remember how long it took me to finally get it, but I know that I made a decent indent in the carpet under that one spot.

All that I have to say about my reenactment is that I am very proud how accurate I could make it. My striped shirt, an absence of socks, and the flurry of knot tying motion is a picture that I have held in my head for a long time, and now it's real again.

Assignment 2: Written statements

Composition: Lighting played a very important role in this photo. My head on perspective coupled with high contrast directional lighting gave this photo a creepy. It also helped keep a great amount of detail in the photo, such as the eyes.
Concept/Aboutness/Idea: My image is about the different sides of a person. Even though you would have to know my subject to understand it fully, displaying him in heavy light with dark shadows, while using a playful background, invokes contrast in both tone and emotion.
Method: While moving a lamp around, I came across this placement and direction of lighting. I used a fast shutter speed because it was so bright, but that fast shutter speed also kept some very dark darks.
Motivations: My goal for this image was to find a lighting angle not often seen. By keeping detail in the eyes, hair, and some facial shadows, it was a unique lighting situation.
Context: This piece has a social meaning that I believe plays with the idea of a person's changing roles. In college we must be a lot of people at once, and some of those personalities may hold a dark side.

Interpretation: Some things seen in this photo were kids playing underneath a sheet like a fort, a pedophile, or an omen of scary things about to happen.
Evaluation: The amount of detail and shadow forms were voted the best aspects of the image. The facial shadows created many different shapes and interesting lines that formed to the individual. The group said that the board above the person may have been distracting because it adds a sliver of light in a strange location.
Extension: Normal people made to look creepy could be possible set. Lighting and shadow could make anyone look evil, especially with facial shadows.

Composition: Contrast and the composition of my subject were the most important factors that I believe made this photo successful.
Concept/Aboutness/Idea: Much like my first photo, this photo is about a person's hidden or inner personality. Only a sliver of my subject is visible, and we are then left to assume what the rest of him must look like. However, seeing a small portion of him can still tell us quite a bit.
Method: Using natural lighting, my subject sat near a window, and with a fast shutter speed that led to such a dark side of the face, I was able to capture a single well lit sliver of his face as well. I higher aperture was also used to show some detail in the background.
Motivations: My goal for this image was to play with how little of a person I could show while still revealing something about them.
Context: There is a lot of social meaning behind this photo. In its own way, it portrays only a small portion of a person that we must now analyze and judge without any more information. The subject is shown in a light that most don't often see.

Interpretation: This image was described as mysterious. The lack of expression was representative to the subject in the photo.
Evaluation: The window was seen as distracting from the little light hitting the subject. If they window light was removed or lessened, it would put more focus on the person's face and add to the mysterious feel.
Extension: Some possible sets to jump off into would be body part silhouettes, or hitting a person's body with a sliver of light, but in different areas. This could explore revealing a person with as little detail as possible.

 Composition: My perspective in this image is one of the most important factors. Being able to see my face and the computer screen is important to my concept. And my camera's somewhat upward angle also helps this image to look more in-the-moment.
Concept/Aboutness/Idea: This is a pretty straightforward image. It is simply about the exhaustion of college. My facial expression and the lighting tone give this photo a neutral and somewhat tired feel.
Method: This self-portrait was taken at an upward angle with a fast shutter speed. The scene was well lit by a window so many details were able to be kept.
Motivations: My goal for this image was to create a realistic scene of a college student. I wanted a photo with a simple meaning that is obvious upon presentation.
Context: I believe this photo is unique because even thought it is a self portrait, the emotion felt in the photo is real. Its social meaning is one of college life that is very relateable.

Interpretation: The group saw the wall as being a very important part of this photo as well. It was discussed that the wall had book-like elements. The words on the laptop also were seen  as connecting to the wall decals, making it a very dynamic photo.
Evaluation: The birds worked well to add more interest to the photo background. It was also discussed that there may be some unnecessary clutter in the room. However, the clutter may also add to the feel of the stressed college dorm student.
Extension: I could jump off from this image with a set about stress and exhaustion. I could also try to capture people before bed when facial expressions and environments are very connected most of the time.

 Composition: The emphasis of this photo is what makes it successful. With a blurred background and many neutral-toned linear shapes, the face of my subject stands out as the only part of the image that demands attention.
Concept/Aboutness/Idea: This image also has a very simple concept. It depicts an awkward college student caught in one of life's more private moments. For anyone in college, the dorm-like bathroom is representative of a loss of privacy.
Method: This was was taken using a low aperture and flash. The flash was used directly on my subjects face, giving harsh shadows and some overexposed whites.
Motivations: My goal for this photo was to capture a private moment. My subject's facial expression and obviousness of the scene allowed this goal to be achieved.
Context: This image also holds strong social meaning. It represents a loss of privacy in a way that is all too well known. This photo is unique from many others however because of its in-the-moment feel, along with a subject that has put on a near perfect facial expression.

Interpretation: Others saw this image as a person not caught in the act of showering, but someone that just heard a noise and was peeking out of the shower to see what was going on. This interpretation removes the photographer from the theme.
Evaluation: The group said that the lighting and DOF was very nice in this photo. A change that I would make is possibly see how changing the levels/contrasts effects the mood.
Extension: There could be a series of catching people in the act images, or surprise during private moments.