Blog post 20

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

News related photographs are always very straigthforward.  The message is always very clear and tells a descriptive story.  They're always very strong contrast and colors to grab the viewers attention.  People are often in most news photographs as well.

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

A snap shot tends to be something that is less rehearsed or random.  It captures a moment in time.  It often is something that the photographer wanted to quickly shoot, or seemed interesting to them at that split second.  A snap shot also tends to be more abstract or open to interpretation since there wasn't any strong concept behind the photo in the first place.

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

Common apsects of advertising generally include very strong lighting to highlight the product you are selling.  Most of the time Advertising photography takes place in the studio with a white back drop and very strong controlled lighting.  The goal of the shoot is to  get the most vivid and interesting photos of your product that are going to help sell and promote it.  Some photographers feel it is a strong motif to try and balance promotional photography.  That is not over emphasize the product but balance it out with the model and the composition.

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

Film and movie stills are interesting because they are moments in non-reality.  They're enviornments are always perfectly lit to capture the mood of the movie in which the director intended on.  The photos are always very dramatic and loaded in terms of scenery.  The most interesting aspect is that they allow for photos that would never happen in real life in a very professional setting.  You are never going to see a super hero or teerex outside of a movie studio.

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

Yearbook photos and senior pictures always come off as very cheesy to me.  They never seem to really truly represent who a person is, but who they want to bee seen as, or by the things they do.  Senior portraits seem to focus on the things around the subject rather then the emotions of the person.  Yearbook photos always have a very fake done up smile and hair do.  People also always have their head slightly tilted which is very frustrating.  They're is also always a classic navy blue or laser back drop behind the kids as well.

Assignment 4 (0)

Cheesy Year book frat house recreation

Photo Assignment 3

Composition:  For this composition i really wanted to focus on geometric shape, and let strong lines really take over the frame of the photo.  The entire photo is composed of almost all perfect geometric shapes consisting of squares and a few circles.  Sharp hard edge geometric shapes are what cities are composed of so i wanted to find a location where this would be both striking and obvious.  I wanted a straight on shot that centered the subject being the electrical box.  I also wanted to make sure there were elements that lead you off the page such as the blacks(windows and ground strip) along with the silver wire protectors.  It was also really important to focus on the sharpness of the edges.  So to emphasize this I took an HDR to create an almost surreal contrast.

Aboutness & Method:  In creating this image I hoped to emphasize the harsh repetitive shapes created by the urban landscape.  The image displays an absurd amount of straight lines, and perfect shapes.  When taking this picture I thought of the quote "there are no straight lines in nature" and set out to capture the opposite end of the spectrum.

Context:  The image clearly deals with the overwhelming amount of geometic shape and line that you encounter in the urban landscape.  I was inspired by a quote from the movie "bomb it" about how straight lines only exist in the urban landscape and how ugly they are.

Interpretation:  Students in the class understood that the emphasis of the photograph was shape.

Evaluation:  Based on critique, I would like to do a re-shoot from a tripod at a slightly higher angle.

Extension:  Like I have been mentioning the city is overwhelmed with geometry and line.  Focusing on line and shape within the urban landscape is quite beautiful and interesting already, making it a great project to pursue.

Composition:  What originally drew me to this location for this photo was the contrast between the yellow and red doors.  The unique arrangement and juxtaposition of colors I thought made for a really interesting composition.  I decided to place myself on the landing between stair sets so I could try and evenly balance the doors within the frame.  I also wanted to leave part of the wall in to invite you into the photo.  I choose to crop out all of the staircase information to try and confuse the viewer a little more as well.  I also choose to play with the distortion tool a little as well to try and make for a more confusing perspective.

Aboutness & Motivation:  In creating this image I wanted to show a confusing perspective that offered strong contrast, with a focus on shape and line.  The image portrays a sense of confusion as to where you are viewing this space from and how you are seeing it in this manner.

Context:  I think this image definitely deals with psychology and hopefully causes the viewer to struggle a little with what they are viewing.

Interpretation:  Students in class interpreted the photo as having cool contrast and an interesting perspective but, weren't really confused or even noticed the distortion.

Evaluation:  Based on critique, I would like to go back and exaggerate the distortion a bit more so my photo can achieve what it is try.

Compositon:  For this photo I was underneath the graffiti bridge on farm lane, pointing straight up into this big nasty spider web.  I had to zoom in a little bit so i could pick up some of the spiders better.  This was also an interesting photo to shoot as well because it was a pitch black night, and the subject itself is a green light covered in spider gunk.  I really tried to get a close up view because i wanted the viewer to feel the texture of the spider webs.  I feel as if the texture is strong but due to the contrast doesn't achieve the nasty feeling so well.

Aboutness & Motivation:  In creating this image, I thought to myself what inflicts a strong emotion, and the first thing that came to my mind was spiders.  Spiders create fear, paranoia, and disgust.  I really tried to focus on the spiders and their webbing.

Context:  The image deals with emotion.  I'm hoping that image will elicit a negative emotion towards the picture.  I was inspired by my own paranoia and feelings towards spiders.

Evaluation: Based on critique, I believe the idea of negative emotion is conveyed as, i overheard some girls saying gross.

Extension:  Disgusting and vulgar is always fun, so why not pursue strong negative emotional responses in a series of photographs.  It would also be interesting to do a narrative showing your own personal fears.

 

Composition:  For this photo shape and light are the very strong visual elments that tend to dominate the composition.  The photo has very interesting water color, enchanting feeling to it.  I believe this was achieved due to the unique tungsten light, and heavy shadow cast by a outdoor pavillion.  The blur of the camera also helps to create the digital noise that is creating the very interesting textures.  I was also very drawn to the strong triangle shaped shadow created by the tree on the left.

Aboutness & Motivation:  In creating this image, I just happened to notice this bizarre light coming off the roof so i decided to shoot a couple of photos.  When I saw what i had captured i was very excited and shot several more.  The image portrays a very gloomy setting.  It is very hard to understand what you are seeing because it blends an urban structure into nature.

Context:  This image deals with light and shadow.  I am hoping to convey the juxtaposition of rural and urban scenery.

Interpretation:  Students in class interpreted the photo as something very beautiful and interesting to look at.

Evaluation:  Nobody had really anything to say negatively about the photo but I would of liked to personally print multiple copies to find the most interesting print.

Extension:   I am very interested in taking pictures that look like paintings.  I think it would be very cool to play with light and color and try to get things to appear more painter like.

Blog's 19,20,21

1) should not be photographed? Why?
2) cannot be photographed? Why?

and

3) you do not want to photograph? Why?

I really don't that there is anything that shouldn't be photographed.  You as a photographer have a right to capture anything and everything you want.  Of course there are restrictions as to what you can do with your photos after the fact.  However on site, and at that moment you are free to capture a naked person, death, misery, happiness, a clown, a person crying, animals reproducing, etc.  Basically something shouldn't be photographed because it is risque or one person finds it vulgar. Shoot everything.

There is nothing that cannot be photographed.  The only thing that comes to mind is if there is a once in a life time moment and the photographer wasn't quite prepared or got the shot that he intended.  Things that are rare or momentary must be approached with careful planning other wise they will not be captured.

As far as things go that I don't want to shoot, I really don't have a preference.  I have a bad gag-relfex so I wouldn't want to shoot anything with an overly intense odor.  Personally though, there isn't anything out there that offends or I find to be so ugly i wouldn't shoot.

  

Jeff Wolfram

The photographer that I choose to research was Jeff Wolfram.  He takes a lot of beautiful photographs of urban architecture and landscape.  The particular set that I looked at was called industry.  Every photo in this set is spectacular.  They all show how industry and mankind is overtaking the beauty of nature.  Jeff's brilliant saturated colors and careful attention to the sky are what really help make his message of beauty being overcome at the forefront of every image. Every photo in the set shows a unique division  of horizon and ground, and also compare man made form(right angles) to natural curves.  I think his images are so strong that they work just as well individually as they do as a set too.  


http://www.jeffwolfram.com/

Blog 18

“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 like this statement. When you are out in the world taking pictures, you are making careful decisions about what you want to see or hopefully see when you get home back to your computer. It may or may not be the best representation of reality or the subject, but it was the image that you chose to capture given the elements at that particular moment in time. This idea relates to "painting with light", just like when you are painting, you my not always have the skills, or mindset to capture exactly what is in front of you. So you carefully study it and make smart decisions that will help lead you to a solution that feels finished and have a unique and interesting visual quality.

 

Blog 17

“Landscape photography is the supreme test of the photographer—and often the supreme disappointment.” ~Ansel Adams

I would have to agree with Ansel Adams.  Landscape is generally the most interesting and challenging subject to capture.  Basically it ends up in every photograph as a secondary subject, or just a background.  When you set out to just capture a landscape you must consider how to fill up the frame with an interesting composition, without it feeling empty.  When you can incorporate light and texture you can really take some stunning shots.  However most pictures you take of landscapes generally seem to be boring photos unless the photographer is lucky, or really understands how to incorporate and utilize the elements in which a landscape has to offer.

Blog 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 think that there is definitely a time and a place for photographs to be provocative.  Generally photos that are more artistic or interesting to look tend to be more provocative or abstract.  Photography is essentially painting with light, and it is important to capture more than what is just seen straight on sometimes.  However there is also still a great need for photos that accurately represent a person, place, or event.  Basically all photography is relevent as long as the photographer is satisfied with what they are shooting.

Blog 15

#15____In-Camera Collage: Collage brings together two or more items that were previously separate. The resulting piece usually visually references the fact that they were once separate entities. Imagine an important place in your past. Imagine an important place in your present. Imagine who you were in both of these past and present places. Describe how you might use a slow shutter speed and/or double exposure to capture two moments in one image that tell a new narrative about these important places and how they relate to who you are and were.




At home, i was really in to hockey and video games, and to contrast, away at school i am into skateboarding and art.  I think a couple of interesting concepts would be to show a transition from playing ice hockey in full gear, to skateboarding in street clothes.  They are both very different sports and play into the same subject matter, making for an interesting photo.  Both hobbies are huge parts of my life, and helped play a role in who i am as a person, and where my passions lye. 

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?


If i was photographing something that was "faraway" i would try and choose a very interesting subject that would create much interest.  I would also try and use very bright and vibrant photos.  I would also try and show it in context with something that would reveal the locations strong distance.  If i was shooting a familiar place, i would try and use very warm colors, but soft and homy feeling.  Lots of close-ups and shallow depth-of-field shots to emphasize familiarity.  Places that have been touch very little by humans tend to exist way out in the wilderness.  I would choose to photograph these places with the best light possible, either in the morning or sunset, to show and emphasize the locations natural majestic beauty.

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.

My idea for "land art" would be a graffiti piece on a B.P. that is located in a very high traffic urban enviornment.  I feel like since the the oil spill isn't on the news anymore people have forgotten the great impact it has had on our an enviornment, and how much needs to be done. B.P. needs to be held accountable for their actions, and it kind of upsets me that people wern't more angry with the oil company.  So what i would propose to do, would be to cover a b.p. sign in very black paint, and have it running in to the parking lot, and out into the street.  Within the black oil slick, I would write "You ruined an ocean, what's one gas station".  I know the graffiti would quickly be removed which is why a photograph would be very important upon completion.

Blog 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? 


There is a photo of me when i was probably 2 or so of me sitting out on a blanket.  I have white- blonde hair, and am holding a garden hose.  The photo reminds me of how innocent you are as a child, and how much wonder and curiosity the world has to offer you at first.  How something as simple as a garden hose, or a noise could make a child giggle.  The place where this photo was taken is relatively the same, even though my family has moved out more than 15 years ago.  The reenactment would show me 20 years older so i believe the photograph would have a complete different feel and meaning.

Blog 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. 

The place I am imagining is my street in my hometown of Washington, Michigan.  It is a pretty wide street with white cement, with black tar oozing from the cracks.  In front of a drive way a black hockey net rests with holes in the mesh.  All around are kids ranging in ages 8-13.  Everyone is on rollerblades, wearing hockey gloves, holding a stick, and wearing no helmets.  The competition is intense but everyone is having a great time.  There is only one goalie even though there are two nets who is wearing only a goalie mask, catching glove, and blocker to shield himself.  It summer and there are bright vibrant colors of grass on the side, and a bright blue sky above.  Today the streets are empty, as all the kids have grown, and dispersed on their pathways in life. There are no more daily hockey games or even kids that fill the street.

Assignment 3 recreate

Assignment 2 Final Prints

Composition: My composition is pretty strong in this photo due specifically to the amount of the subject to show in the frame.  I carefully cropped the image so the subject would appear alone on the street.  This was important because at the actual street spot, everyone at the bus stop was ignoring and her just walking right by.  She also had this disgruntled look on her face, that i felt would be more meaningful with the lack of people for her to express it to.  The angle at which i took the photo at was due to the interesting shadow in which she was standing in and also to avoid the large group of people who were ignoring her to the right.

Concept/aboutness/idea:  In creating this image i wanted to stress the fact that there are so many people out there that go unheard.  It doesn't even matter what their message is, people are to ignorant and judgmental to give people the time of day.  I think the fact that she is also standing in the shadow also helps describe her role or position in society. 

Context:  I really think this image deals with social critique.  It shows how people are moving to fast to realize important messages or even other people.  I'm very fascinated with homeless people and how they choose to spend their free time, which is what led me to take a picture of this women.

Interpretation:  This image seemed to be pretty straight-forward to everyone, and they all seemed to interpret it the same way.  It was said that she was being ignored, or alone and had no one to convey her message to.

Evaluation: Based on critique the idea of being alone/ignored works very well.  However when printed I lost a lot of contrast, and was also told to darken the sky and whiten the sign, which kind of goes along with loss of contrast.

Extension: Like I mentioned earlier homless people and how they allocate their time is very fascinating, and i would love to attempt a series.

Composition: For this photograph i really was focused on the timing of the subject in the air.  I also made sure to be at a angle that provide sufficient space to capture the subject, but also allowed other elements to be in the frame as well.  I took a lower angle to the ground and aimed up, as to get the best view of the subject.  I also framed this photo very carefully by having the lines on the cement go to both of the bottom corners.  I think this adds an interesting element to the photo that helps lead you in and guide you to the subject.  I really wanted to incorporate the roof of the pavilion a more, but it just didn't seem to fit in the frame well.

Concept/aboutness/idea:  In creating this image i really wanted to show what me and my friends do for fun.  Photography is a big part of skateboarding that helps prove and capture amazing, beautiful moments that happen for just a split second.
Context:  This image has to do with speed and timing.  I believe i captured this imaged a very good moment, just before he catches the kick flip.  I was inspired by the everyday awesomeness of my friends, and the countless amounts of skateboarding related photographs I've seen.
Interpretation:  Students in class interpreted this photo as a kid skateboarding.  It is pretty straightforward and plain so not much of a surprise.
Evaluation:  Based on critique, the idea of a fast moment frozen in time was conveyed.  However I lost a lot of contrast when i printed so i think i need to darken my blacks next time.
Extension:  I love skateboarding and taking picture of my friends shredding, so i am going to continue to take photos as long as the weather allows.

Composition:  I included a very small amount of my body in the frame, and at an awkward angle, because i wanted to try and emphasize the unique form the body can take, and to emphasize my awkward personality.  I decided to shoot against a white door to eliminate a background.  The original inspiration by Robert Mapplethorpe also used a white background and i really liked the contrast created so i decided to do the same.  There is also a slight blur to this photo that wasn't intentional but i kind of like. I feel like it helps convey a message of shyness.
Aboutness/Movtivations/Method:  In creating this image i was hoping to try and make an interesting composition along with allowing a little bit of my personality to bleed through.  Everyone takes self-portraits and it is very difficult to give them character, or self-reflection especially when you are taking them yourself.
Context:  The image deals with personal identity and the human body as form.  I was inspired by Robert Mapplethorpe's self-portrait from the 70s.  I think the image does a good job of playing off of the original but is very different from it as well.
Evaluation:  Based on critique, I believe the message of awkwardness blended with a interesting composition was achieved.  I originally wasn't even going to print this photo but it was very well received by the class.
Extension:  I think it is really hard to capture a self-portrait that is very self-reflective, i think it would be interesting to capture who you are in different spaces.

Composition:  For this photo i was playing with light to try and create an interesting photo.  Contrast is very important in this photo due to it's unique location.  The bright overhead fluorescent lights helped create a strong contrast and a bunch of unique shadows and textures.  The picture didn't come out as nearly as clear as i hoped due to having to shoot in a higher ISO.  There are still some interesting things that are in-focus i just wish there was a more equal distribution of sharpness.  I tried to center the subject in the center of the frame because i wanted it to seem as if he was rising out of the rapids into the night.
Aboutness/Motivations/Method:  In creating this image I wanted to really create something that was quite shocking involving shadow.  I thought of peter pan's playful shadow and was going for something to that degree.  The image portrays a sense of being reborn or emergence.
Context:  The image deals mostly with light and shadow.  I was really trying to do something very bold and visually enjoyable, well at the same time challenging the viewer.
Interpretation:  The image was interpreted as playing with shadows and textures.  It was interesting to hear more about the range of texture then contrast during critique.  Of course everyone wished it was sharper too.
Evaluation:  Based on critique I believe i created something interesting playing with light and texture, but really need to have the photo in very crisp focus.
Extension:  Shadows are a very unique and interesting thing to shoot. I can have a blast taking photos of all sorts of interesting shadows created not only by people but objects as well.

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


I don't really agree with John Berger on his statement about "a photo more than a painting may change its meaning according to who is looking at it" I believe that a painting is more dynamic in meanings, because it allows for any type of a dreamed up subject matter to exist in an array of colors and contexts.  Where as a photo is a more straight-forward but still highly dynamic take on reality.  Paintings now only record what the painter remembers but dreams or feels.  Photographs remind us of what we forget but also can be very personal to the photographer.  A photograph is not always the best representation of reality because it to can be vastly manipulated and framed by the photographer.

Blog #9

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


Going along with the the previous blog, i believe that as a photographer, you are an artist the produces work every time you click the shutter.  Whether you spend hours setting up a studio, and making sure your camera has the perfect settings, or your just point and shooting with a cell phone you are creating an image.  There can be some much involved technically to make a photograph truly phenomenal.  Any one can just click a button but it takes a true artist to analyze and understand a setting to capture the type of image the envision.

Blog #8

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


This is a very interesting statement by Richard Avedon,  because even though you are capturing an image of another person, you, the photographer are affecting how its going to pan out in terms of mood, composition, expression, and so much more.  The photographer is considered an artist so no matter what the subject may be living or dead, it is the photographers to capture and present to the viewing public.  All photographs are initially for the photographers eyes so i believe he has complete ownership and part of themselves invested into their photos.