Thursday, December 12, 2013

Assignment 2

I used unity for my element of design. When I was photographing, I found things that went well together and had similar elements within. When I edited my photos I  brightened and added saturation to the majority of them. Some of my photos had a blue tint so I was able to fix that in camera raw as well. Since my principle of design was unity, I tried to make the photos balanced and harmonious. I think I was successful in editing my photos but if I were to fix anything in my project I would retake some of them. This is because a couple of the pictures turned out blurry on the computer and I wish they were more clear.

Friday, December 6, 2013

histogram


1.     What is a histogram? A histogram is a tool that shows the tonal range of a specific photo.

2.     What happens to the visual when a histogram is skewed to the left? Right?  When skewed to the left, the photo has a lot of grey tones and may be underexposed. If it is skewed to the right, then the photo contains a lot of white tones and is probably overexposed.

3.     In most cases, what does a “good” histogram look like? In general a "good" histogram would be a fairly balanced shot with a spread of black, white, and grey tones. Well exposed shots usually peak in the middle and taper off towards the left and right edges. 


4.     Why is a histogram a good tool for photographers? It can help them to adjust their exposure while taking a photo and when editing the photo  fix their exposure and make a photo clearer.

Thursday, October 31, 2013

Photo Compositon

Leading lines: Are lines within an image that leads the eye to another point in the image, or occasionally, out of the image 
 
This image portrayed leading lines because the railings on the bridge lead the eyes into the forest or trees.
 
Emphasis: (center of interest) is an area that first attracts attention in a composition. This area is more important when compared to the other objects or elements in a composition.  This can be by contrast of values, more colors, and placement in the format.

This photo represents emphasis because the flower stands out as the focal point of the photo. This is because the red color of the flower is contrasted against the grey colors in the rest of the photo. 
Horizontal lines: Horizontal lines in an image conveys a message of ‘stability’ or even ‘rest’

This photo portrays hotizontal lines because the rows of flowers create horizontal lines across the photo. This photo also appears very peaceful, a trait of hotizontal lines in photography. 
 
RepetitionRepeating visual elements such as line, color, shape, texture,or value 

This photo shows repetition because there are repeated elements throughtout the photo, similar colors, shapes, and lines.
 
Bird's eye view: A bird's-eye view is an image gained when the position of the observer is significantly higher than that of the subject

This image portrays the concept of bird's eye view because it is a photo taken from above looking down 

Variety:to use variety is to combine different elements (differences in shape, color, line, texture...) into one composition

This photo shows variety because there are differences in the shape, color and, texture of all the seashells

Unity: unity occurs when all of the elements of a piece combine to make a balanced, harmonious, complete whole.

This photo shows unity because there are similar shapes, colors  and lines throughout which make the photo balanced and harmonious.

Rule of thirds: The rule of thirds is a "rule of thumb" or guideline which applies to the process of composing visual images such as designs, films, paintings, and photographs. The guideline proposes that an image should be imagined as divided into nine equal parts by two equally-spaced horizontal lines and two equally-spaced vertical lines.

This photo uses the rule of thirds because the flower is positioned in the bottom right part of the photo.

Simplicity: Focus on subject of photo without any background clutter.

This photo portrays simplicity because the focus of the photo is on the seashell with nothing else in the background background .

Symmetrical Balance: Symmetrical balance is seen in perfectly centered compositions or those with mirror images.

This image shows symmetrical balance because the water acts as a mirror, reflecting the image across the photo.
 
 
Vertical lines: Solid vertical lines are attention-getters and can be used to create tension, to act as direct guides and paths, and to act as dividers and natural frames.

This photo shows vertical lines because of the sticks in the water. They create tension and grants the attention of the viewer
 
Texture: texture is used to enhance detail, drama, or information.

This photo shows texture by getting a very close view of rope/string . It shows the detail on the surface of the object. 

Diagonal Lines: Sweep across any area of the image and go in any direction and causes that ‘dynamic’ feeling associated with these lines. 

This photo shows diagonal lines because the bridge forms a line that runs in a  slanted direction. 
Horizon line
Horizons are the most common horizontal line to be found in photographs and they often act as a dividing point in a photograph. They show where the ground meets the sky.

This photo portrays a horizon line which emphasizes the sky because the line is placed closer to the ground. (Not in center)

Curved Lines: Curved lines allow the eye to explore an image in a smooth, free-flowing manner.

This photo shows curved lines with the curved water and mountains. The lines give a feeling of comfort and safety to the photo

Proportion/Scale: The size of one object compared to another

This photo shows proportion because it shows the size of a person compared to the size of the boulder. This makes the rock look much bigger because you can see how much smaller the person is in comparison.

Rhythm/Movement: Rhythm in photography makes a path of movement for the viewer's eye.

This photo shows movement and rhythm because your eye is carried throughout the photo to the different dancers.

              Asymmetrical Balance: asymmetrical design is typically off-center or created with an odd or mismatched number of disparate elements. When the left and right sides of the design are unequal it is said to have asymmetrical balance.

This photo shows asymmetrical balance because if the photo was folded in half it would be close to identical with the exception of the bike on one side making it off centered. 
 
Framing: framing uses objects existing in the scenery to frame the focus of a photo.

This photo uses framing because the trees in the scenery are being uses the frame the girl (focus/subject). This directs the viewers attention to the main focus of the photo.


Worm's eye view:  A worm's-eye view is a view of an object from below, as though the observer were aworm; the opposite of a bird's-eye view.

This photo portrays worms eye view because it is from below looking up and the flowers.


Wednesday, October 16, 2013

Annie Leibovitz

Natalia Vodianova 

  This photo of Natalia Vodianova was taken by Annie Leibovitz for Vogue in December of 2003. The photo was used in an assignment given to Leibovitz by Disney parks  for their "Let the Memories Begin" campaign  She was asked to photograph various famous people and photograph them as iconic Disney characters. In this particurally photo, she photographed Natalia Vodianova as Alice from Alice in Wonderland. She creatively portrayed the scene from the movie where Alice drinks a potion which makes her much bigger. Leibovitz showed this by making her much larger in comparison to the rest of the room. The mood of the this photo could be described as confused or curious because of the model's facial expression and scale and proportion of her compared to the rest of the background and props. In the photo she is wearing a blue dress similar to the color dress Alice wore in Alice and Wonderland. However, the dress Natalia is wearing is much more modern and gives a more modern feel to the iconic Disney character.



Day 2: What influenced Annie Leibovitz in photography?


One of Annie Leibovitz's main influences to become a photographer came from The Francisco Art Institute. She attended college here in the hopes of becoming an art teacher. However, she says "I couldn't be an art teacher unless I became an artist first." Because of this, she took classes on painting. When the painting didn't work out, she took night classes on photography. She found that she really enjoyed photography and especially the social aspect of it. While she attended The Francisco Art Institute she was also influenced by Robert Frank and Cartier-Bresson. A lot of her photography studies were based on these two photographers. The  first two photographs she ever bought were taken by them as well.


"Life through Annie's Lens." GQ. British GQ, Nov. 2011. Web. 30 Oct. 2013.


Monday, September 16, 2013

Sketchbook Cover


1. This photo is good because it portrays the principle contrast, and includes several other elements of design.
2. This photo was taken when I was with my friends this summer and reminds me the fun I had with them.
3. My picture inspired my theme "vintage" because of the black and white colors and the aged feeling I got from looking at it.
4. The magazine writing that I included goes along with my vintage theme as it gives an antique look and character. 
5. In my design I used neutral colors along with the color yellow. In addition, I used the principal of design, contrast, the most by putting  black and white elements next to each other. Furthermore, I unified the design by using similar magazine letters and and similar shapes throughout.