Self Portraits and Portraits Review

Step 1:

Tip #1: Bring Something to Focus On

The problem that I saw when I looked through my viewfinder was that I didn't have anything to focus on aside from the items in the far distance. This of course would make for a perfectly blurry photo of me, which isn't at all what I wanted.

One easy solution to this problem is to bring something to stand in your place. Height doesn't matter so much as distance, but try to match it to yourself as best as you can for accuracy. If you have an extra tripod or light stand, these make perfect substitutes that will stand upright exactly where you need them. I was out in my yard so I grabbed a shovel from my shed, stuck it in the ground, focused and then moved the shovel. Rudimentary, but it worked perfectly.

Coming up with ideas:

Time to talk about technique. I think where most people get stuck on self portraits is the coming up with ideas (I know I struggle here). What really got me going was thinking about what I own and how I could use it in a photo. Now I am not just talking about props, but I am talking about features also. One of my prominent features is my bald head. So could I work that to my advantage?Just thinking about my hobbies and past times, inspired all sorts of photo themes. In fact when I sat down and listed items, I quickly had more self portrait ideas than I could shoot in a single month (shooting a theme a day).

Step 2:
Enviromental Portraits: 

 I like this portrait because I think the idea of doing her portrait in her dance studio while posing in a stretch or move is an ingenious idea. I picked it because i liked the setup and composure of the photo.

I liked this portrait because the guy sitting in his house completely captures his environment and having his guitar shows comfort. I picks it because he used a good idea and captured his environment well.

Step 3:

Casual Portraits: 

 I like this photo because the woman looks so happy and i picked it because it is a good representation of a casual photo.

I like this photo because because the girl looks so casual and enjoying whatever she's doing. I picked this photo because i captures the girl in a casual setting.

Step 4: 

Formal portraits: 

 I like this photo because the couple looks so happy. I picked this photo because it is a good representation of a formal setting and portrait.

I like this photo because the man is representing his country and his job. i picked this photo because the man looks strict, formal and serious about the photo.

Step 5: 

Self Portraits: 

 I like this photo because i think the snow or rain in the background of the photo looks really cool. I picked this photo because it caught my eye as soon as i saw it.

I like this photo because its creative and comical. I picked this photo because it made me laugh when i saw it and i thought it was a really good idea.

For my portrait i will shoot my classmate Mia Serrano. I will more than likely shoot my photo outside in the courtyard. I will pose her in a position comfortable looking yet attractive and cool at the same time. Also i will change the aperture and shutter speed to the needed for the  lighting outside.

Rules of Photography Part 2

The Three Pillars of Exposure: Aperture, ISO, Shutter Speed

Aperture:
1. The eyes are the part of the body that we should closely relate aperture.
2. The smaller the Aperture the larger the f-number, the higher the Aperture the smaller the f-number.
3. Aperture impacts the Depth of Field by the smaller the aperture brings the background into focus and the larger the aperture blurs out the background
F2.8:

 

F16:

Shutter Speed:
1. a.) For the dunking booth i would use fast shutter speed because there's fast moving balls and when the person drops it'll all happen rather fast
b.) For the food eating contest I would use medium shutter speed because the people eating the food are in a contest and will more than likely be moving fast feeding themselves.
c.) For the rock climbing wall i would use fast shutter speed because people are climbing the wall and more than likely will be moving rather fast so the fast shutter speed would be the best option.
d.) For someone working at a booth i would use slow shutter speed since the people don't have fast moving action going on so slow shutter speed would be more idealistic.
e.) For the DJ/MC working in the middle of the circle i would use slow shutter speed since they're standing there choosing music, it would be easier and more reasonable to use the slow shutter speed.
f.) For the Diamonds performance i would use fast shutter speed because the the girls will be moving fast and dancing with quick motion so the fast shutter speed is whats best.

a.) At the dunking booth in a dark setting i would use slow shutter speed since it will help capture the motion happening as a person falls or a ball is thrown.
b.) At a food eating contest i would use a medium shutter speed since the setting is dark and the people might not be moving fast enough for a slow or fast shutter speed so medium would be a good balance and capture a well enough picture in the dark.
c.) At the rock climbing wall i would use a medium shutter speed since the people would be moving slower because its dark, so the medium shutter speed would be more ideal for a darker slower moving environment.
d.) For someone working at a booth i would use slow shutter speed since the person really isn't making a fast moving motion so the use of fast shutter speed isn't needed.
e.) For the DJ/MC working at the middle of the circle i would use fast shutter speed, because it dark so the lighting is slightly changed and the visibility is limited so using the fast shutter speed will make it easier to capture or freeze the DJ.
f.) At the Diamonds performance i would use slow shutter speed, because when its dark out the slower speed will help freeze the motion better and the girls will be moving and dancing rather fast.

2.) One way to set shutter speed is to have the camera set in auto mode, because the camera will automatically set the the shutter speed. Another way is to set the camera to shutter priority, because with that you set the shutter speed and the camera will automatically set the aperture.

ISO:
1. The advantages to shooting with a higher ISO at night are the it will allow more light to come into the photo since you'll need more light because its dark.
2. The author suggested to use low ISO when there is plenty of light or when it may be dim and you use a tripod.
3. The author suggested to use high ISO when there is not enough light for the picture, so like shooting inside with no flash or super fast scenes.

• F4 - looks best at 1/125th of a second shutter speed. At F4 the background is very blurry.
• F5.5 - looks best at 1/60th of a second shutter speed. At F5.5 the background is still blurry but not as bad as the other aperture.
• F8 - looks best at 1/60th of a second shutter speed. At F8 the background is blurry.
• F11 - looks best at 1/60th of a second shutter speed. At F11 the background is still blurry but not too blurry.
• F16 - looks best at 1/30th of a second shutter speed. At F16 the background is coming into better focus than the other apertures.
• F22 - looks best at 1/15th of a second shutter speed. At F22 the background is in focus and looks well.

At slower shutter speed, the subject is way more blurry than faster shutter speed. The photographer could use a tripod to help combat the problem.

The slowest shutter speed a photographer could use while holding the camera before needing a tripod is at 1/60th of a second.

On the shutter speed test I made a 92%. And on the depth of field test I made a 50%. Yes i understand aperture, shutter speed, and ISO better now.

Great Black and White Photography Part 3

1. Something that caught my eye while looking at my photographer's pictures were his well use of nature and capturing a scenic moment while only using the bland yet powerful use of black and white.
2. 1st photo: I see flowing, rushing waters. I also see my reflection staring back at me through quick moving water.
I smell natural water. And a touch of pine from the trees around me.
I hear loud rushes of water. And the faint sound of my friend yelling towards me.
I taste crisp air. With the nasty water in my mouth managing to make its way at my face.
I feel droplets of water hitting my arm and face. And rushing water under my feet moving quickly just trying to nock me down.
2nd photo: I see the trees and lake pondering near me. The mountains leaning and the reflection of everything up in the lake.
I smell pine needles. With fresh water and dirt wafting lightly.
I hear birds chirping. The scurry of squirrels and the faint sound of the water trickling.
I taste cold breezy air. And the wind brings nasty dirt to my lips.
I feel the wind flowing in my hair. Soft subtle rain falling on my head and the dirt flowing away.
3. I would like to create a poster to show the world my great photographer. I would like to put many information about the photographer and show the many pictures of his fascinating work.

Caption Writing

1. Curits Reagan steals a kiss from Lois Lane on Friday in Time Square in New York City. Reagan snatched a kiss joyfully from Lane after the announcement that the allies had defeated the Nazis, ending World War II.

2. Bryan Wilson drops head first on September 11 from the World Trade Towers in New York City. The terrorists were taking their attacks on the towers so the Wilson decided to jump and sacrifice his life than be crushed.

3. Martin Port stands on a box in early April in a prisoner room in U.S. Port was captured by an unknown source and he was hooded with electrical wires taped to him, and he was waiting for what was going to happen next.

4. Robert Fitzgerald and David Lancey stands on their pedestals in June. They were at the Olympic stadium in Mexico City because they attended the summer olympic games and the men proudly except their award.

5. Marilyn Monroe walks in public on May 4th at New York City's subway station. She was heading to  shop when the air quickly blew upward on her.

Mural Photos

Mural Project Preview

1.) A theme i could use here at school to make a mural would be The walks of Akins, and it would be pictures of the students shoes. I feel like it represents Akins because it shows how theres so much variety in the personalities and our lives are similar as well. I would include pictures of the many type of shoes here at Akins.
2.) This theme is worth devoting time and effort because even though its not something to seriously think about but shoes are really important in the Akins students lives and we all put effort and money into our shoes so why not display them. Other students would care because they spend money on their shoes to look good and they would want to show the school their shoes.
3.) The advantages to using a phone camera to do this project are that its easier to take pictures on a phone because its more simple and portable. The disadvantages of using a phone camera is that it more than likely won't have as good a quality than a regular camera.
4.) The advantages to using a SLR camera is that you'll get better quality pictures and the disadvantages is that its more difficult and inconvenient to use.
5.) We should use SLR cameras for this project, because some people don't have good phones and cameras and that would be unfair. So even if it may be inconvenient to use SLR cameras, the quality will be much better.

Africa Project

1.) I thought the photos in this powerpoint were really cool and beautiful. The way the animals were captured amazed me.

2.)

3.) This is my favorite photo because i love giraffes' and also i like the way the sun is shinning through the clouds and the different giraffes spread throughout make the photo well balanced and more appealing.

4.) The rule of photography most present in this photo is balance because the giraffes are very well placed throughout the whole picture and they even and balance out the photo in a perfect way.

5.)  A. The photographer, Nick Brandt uses a Pentax 6711 camera.

B. His reason for taking the photos is to create a trilogy of books to capture the diminishing natural beauty of East Africa.

C. His hope by taking these photos is to show the true personality of the animals and capture their natural state.

D. Brandt says "The photos are my elegy to these beautiful creatures, to this wrenchingly beautiful world that is steadily, tragically vanishing before our eyes".

Academic Shoot Reflection

1.) The challenges i encountered while trying to take these photos were getting the kids to not look at the camera every time i took a picture. Also students would ask me to take random photos of them that didn't apply to rules i was trying to follow for the photos and it was frustrating.

2.) The technical aspects of photography that i found myself think the most about was framing because i was constantly trying to make sure i had all in the photo that i needed and captured everything in the scene.

3.) Now that i know some basic rules of photography I would have thought of all the rules needed and try to find that specifically going on in academic and then capture the scene rather just think of what i need and take any photos of things i thought would like nice.

4.) The things I would do the same would be capturing the photos as well as i could by thinking of the best angle and what would apply best to the rules.

5.) I think the next time i go out the easiest rule to achieve will be simplicity because theres so many things around the school that are simple and its not much technical work to take a simple photo.

6.) I think the hardest rule to capture will be the rule of thirds because its difficult to find a well scene and off center the subject.

7.) The rule I'm not totally clear on is the rule of thirds and I can try to do more research on the rule and practice taking more pictures using the rule of thirds.

Academics Shoot

Framing:

1.) I believe i followed the rule well because the guy in the middle is perfectly centered in between the other two students clearly showing framing.

2.) The subject of the photo is the guy in the white shirt, centered in between the two students.

3.) I think its clear to people looking at my photo what the subject because the guy is centered so well in the students that its easy to tell he's the main focus.

4.) I believe i followed the rule well, but i could have focused the camera more on the guy so its a more clear picture on the main guy.

Lines:

1.) I followed the rule to the extent it needed to be followed because there are clear lines of the girls standing in rows.

2.) The subject of this photo is the girls standing in separate lines.

3.) I think its clear to the people looking at the photo what the subject is because the only thing in the photo is the girls and the rule is lines so all you have to look at is the girls and the lines they create.

4.) For this photo i could have centered the photo on one row of the girls so there isn't space and you can really focus your eyes on the lines created.

Simplicity:

1.) I followed the rule well because there is simplicity in the girl and the blank wall behind her.

2.) The subject of this photo is the girl sitting against a blank wall.

3.) I believe its clear to people looking at my photo what the subject us because the only object that draws the eye is the girl sitting and she's the subject.

4.) I could have taken the photo from a different angle so the stool next her wasn't in the picture and you would just see the girl.

Rule of 3rd:

1.) I followed the rule enough for it to count, because the girl in the left corner of the photo is the subject but the picture goes out from there so you look at her drawing as well.

2.) The subject of the photo is the girl in the left corner, and she's the subject because she's the student doing the work but because this is the rule of thirds she is off center.

3.) I think this photo might be difficult for people to figure out what the subject is because they may believe the subject is the drawing but really its the girl.

4.) I could have pulled the camera to the left a bit more and you would see the girl better and focus your eyes more on her than the artwork.

Balance:

1.) I followed the rule not as well as i could but it counts because all the students in the class balance out the picture and everything in it.

2.) The subject of this photo is the students in the picture, theres no direct student as the subject but rather the class as a whole.

3.) I think it might be a little difficult for people looking because they may think theres a specific subject but really its just the class and all the students in the class.

4.) I could have angled the photo to where the students are placed more throughout the classroom.

Merging:

1.) I followed the rule well, because there is merging in the students in the front row, and the guy in a gray shirt is merging with the guy in the red shirt closest to the camera.

2.) The subject of the photo is the students in the room and how they all sort of combine into a jumble of shirts and bodies.

3.) I think its difficult for people to know what the subject is because the picture could be focusing on anything but its suppose to be focusing on the merging of the students.

4.) I could have moved my body a bit more and tried to make the students look like almost a blob and that would have created the depiction of merging much more.

Academics Photo Shoot Preview

The Story

This photo visually tells a story because the people standing around the pole holding hands make you think of reasons why they're doing what they are and you create a story in your mind. I believe the story of this photo is the people of this school gathered for maybe a 9-11 remembrance or a remembrance for anything really and they're giving their sorrows to someone or something.

Action and Emotion

The action in this photo is the water lab that the two girls are working on. The emotion in this photo is the reaction of the girls to the lab and their faces give a very good show to how the girls feel about whats going on which is surprised.

Filling the Frame

 The frame is filled with the smoke and light and the guys. The guys take up most of the picture, but the welding looks really interesting and it draws your eyes to what the guys are doing.

1.) I picked this photo because I thought the combination of the two substances looked really interesting and cool.
2.) The rule of photography that is present in this photo is balance, because the two side beakers balance out the insertion into the third and middle beaker.

Step 7 Questions: 
1.) I think i could take photos like these in elective classes, like art, dance, theatre or even a science classroom.
2.) I would like to photos in the sapphires dance class.
3.) i will use framing, lines, simplicity, balance, rule of thirds, and for a bad one, merging.

Elements of Art and Principles of Design

Elements of Art

Line: Lines are marks made by a pointed tool: brush, pencil, pen, etc. Lines can vary in width, direction, curvature, length, or color. 

  

The element of lines is present because the poles shows obvious lines and vertical presence. 

                 The element of art, lines, is present in this image because there are clear lines created by the bridge and handles or railing provided.

Shape: Shapes are formed wherever the ends of a continuous line meet. Geometric shapes such as circles, triangles or squares have perfect, uniform measurements and don't often appear in nature. Organic shapes are associated with things from the natural world, like plants and animals. 

The element of shape is present in this painting because there is obvious shape in the man and woman's clothes. Theres also shape in the "ground" they are standing on.

The element of shape is present in this photo because the blocks make clear shape which is square.

Color: Color wheels show the primary colors, secondary colors, and the tertiary (intermediate) colors. They also show the relationships between complementary colors across from each other, such as blue and orange; and analogous (similar or related) colors next to each other such as yellow, green, and blue. Black and white may be thought of as colors but, in fact, they are not. White light is the presence of all color; black is the absence of reflected light and therefore the absence of color. 

The element of color is present in this painting because of the bright yellows, reds, and oranges. They all give and emphasis to the man in the center.

The element of color is very present in this photo because of the rainbow type light being shown on the hands.

Value (Tone): Value, or tone, refers to dark and light; the value scale refers to black and white with all gradations of gray in between.  Value contrasts help us to see and understand a two-dimensional work of art. 

The element of value or tone is present in this painting because the shading from dark to light all around the ball and all inside the reflection prove well value or tone.

The element of value or tone is present in this photo because there is clear dark and light value shown on the flower inside of the petals.

Form: Form describes objects that are three-dimensional, having length, width, and height. 

I believe this painting is the element of form, because each head is there-dimensional and has at least a length and width to them.

This photo presents the element of form, because the box or square has clear length, width, and height and is taken from an angle where you can clearly see its three-dimensional.

Texture: Texture can be rough, bumpy, slick, scratchy, smooth, silky, soft, prickly--the list is endless.  Texture refers to the surface quality, both simulated and actual, of artwork. 

This painting presents texture, because the artist made the background look like rock, and the rock look has a  lot of texture. 

The element of texture is present in this photo, because the little stems or leave like things create texture on the  green plant. 

Space: Space refers to distances or areas around, between, or within components of a piece. Space can be positive (white or light) or  negative (black or dark), open or closed,shallow or deep, and two-dimensional or three-dimensional. 

The element of space is present in this painting because there is obvious space between each tree and you can see the clear distance and area around the trees.

The element of space is present in this photo because as you look through the glasses and at the bottom of the glasses you can see the small spaces between them.

Principles of Design

Balance: Balance is the comfortable or pleasing arrangement of things in art.  There are three different types of balance: symmetrical, asymmetrical, and radial. The human figure is symmetrically balanced; the same on the left and right side. The tree is asymmetrically balanced; its branches are not distributed equally on each side, but their total weight is balanced left and right. The sun is an example of radial balance; all its rays are equal in length from the center. 

The principle of balance is present in this painting, because there is well balance in how the men are placed in the room. Each man or group of man balances out the other groups.

This photo presents the principle of balance, because there is clear symmetrical balance in the butterfly's wings, and how its evenly placed on the flowers.

Contrast: Contrast is created by using elements that conflict with one another. Often, contrast is created using complementary colors or extremely light and dark values. Contrast creates interest in a piece and often draws the eye to certain areas. It is used to make a painting look interesting. 

This painting shows the principle of contrast in how the colors in her dress and hair are complementary to the colors behind her in the background. The two tone colors creates much contrast in the painting.

The principle of contrast is present in this photo, because there is obvious color contrast in the orange fish to the other silver fish.

Emphasis: Emphasis in the focal area of an artwork gives it importance.  An artist may stress some elements of the design over others. The eye of the viewer will focus on the area of emphasis or center of interest first, then take in the rest of the composition.

The principle of emphasis is present in this painting, because the man is all black and the artist added bright flashy colors to the flower to give emphasis to them.

The principle of emphasis is present in this photo in how the bench in the background is gray or brown, so because its gray it puts clear emphasis on the orange man who is the focal point of the photo.

 
Movement: Movement in an artwork means the artist is taking viewers on a trip through the work by means of lines, edges, shapes, and colors often leading to the focal area.  Movement is a visual flow through the composition. It can be the suggestion of motion in a design as you move from object to object by way of placement and position.  Directional movement can be created with a value pattern. It is with the placement of dark and light areas that you can move your attention through the format. 

This painting is the principle of movement, because the waves are pushing your view to the boats, and the waves show a very clear visual flow to them.

This photo is the principle of movement, because the pencils make your eyes flow with them as they create a design or pattern.

Pattern: Patterns are made in art when the same shapes or elements are repeated again and again.  Pattern uses the elements of art in planned or random repetitions to enhance surfaces of paintings or sculptures. 

The principle of pattern is present in this painting because the repetitive use of the soup cans create a clear pattern.

The principle of pattern is present in this photo, because the lines or stripes on the zebra create a pattern throughout the photo.

Rhythm: Rhythm is the repetition of shapes, lines, and forms.  Rhythm is a movement in which some elements recurs regularly.  Like a dance, it will have a flow of objects that will seem to be like the beat of music. 

The principle of rhythm is present in this painting, because the artist used the repetition of lines and form when she painted the flower. The movement of the flower petals are in sync.

The principle of rhythm is present is this photo because there is clear use of receptive lines to create a flow in the photo.

Unity: Unity means that all elements in an artwork are in harmony.  Unity brings together a composition with similar units.  For example, if your composition was using wavy lines and organic shapes you would stay with those types of lines and not put in even one geometric shape. 

The principle of unity is present in this painting because all the colors and geometric shapes are used throughout the whole painting and it creates a unity.

The principle of unity is present in this photo because the repetition of leaves and similar shapes of leaves create a unity throughout the photo.