PROJECT #10 - Photo Essay

What a crazy journey it was to complete this photo essay. The first idea was to document the homeless community in Middletown. I had worked out something with the Soup Kitchen, but when I got there, the people eating were totally not comfortable. My next idea was to match 20th century photographs of downtown Middletown to present day, and then we spoke about how someone else had done the same thing. So, of course, I had to go in another path. I had all the pictures of downtown Middletown that I really wanted to use, so I thought about the city being reborn, and taken back by nature. I remembered the poem by Emily Dickinson, and the idea sparked. I wanted these pictures to feel arrested in time. I used several different locations, but all are within the Middletown/Pine Bush area.

In Photoshop - I made minor adjustments to vibrance, contrast, and saturation to each image. I didn't want to edit them too much, as I felt it would take away from the impact I was going for.

Compositional Elements: I wanted a lot of texture, pattern, and depth, which I believe I achieved.

FINAL THOUGHTS

I believe the strongest part of my photo essay was the order of the image, I felt it did convey the poem, and it's meaning. I feel the weakest part of the photo essay would be some of the image depth of field. I would have also liked to show the grit and dirt on the buildings int he last photo. Overall I was uncomfortable taking this project on. The whole idea of creating a story with the images was overwhelming... but, inspiration was a real motivator, and then I really felt the "decisive moment" of each image. 

PROJECT #9 - Advertising Photography

Water FairyAdvertisement for
Rustic Phoenix Designs

CAMERA SETTINGS
WB: Sunny
APERTURE: f3.8
SHUTTER SPEED: 1/1000
ISO: 400

My husband and I run an Etsy business called Rustic Phoenix Designs. We've been slowly adding more inventory over the past year. These wings are a 4 month needle felting endeavor. I promised my friends daughter Rylee that she would be the "Fairy" model, so I knocked out two birds with one stone. We were at the Orange County Arboretum on Sunday at about 530pm. The sun was lower in the western aspect of the sky. There was some tree cover providing some indirect shade. I was going for an ethereal mood for this picture.

In Photoshop: I used the fill option to take away the wing attachments on the shirt. I also used a layer mask and collaged in some irradescent scales onto her back, and highlighted the scale makeup on her cheek with the same scales. I had done the makeup myself, but in this picture, it was obscured, so I found it simpler to just add the scales in myself. I then blurred the background and added vibrancy to the image. Finally, I placed our logo on the image

Compositional  Elements: I was going for depth in this, along with dominant eye. I was trying to really set a scene.

 FINAL THOUGHTS

 I believe the strongest part of this image is that it showcases the wings perfectly, while also being an eye catching image. I think the weakest part of the image is how the wings were fitting on her, which really has nothing to do with the image, as it does with how big the fitting was on her. As I reflect on this assignment it gave me perspective as to what to do (and not to) for future advertisement images I will be taking for our business.

Bracketing - In Class Assignment #13

-2.0

-1.0

0

+1.0

+2.0

Exposure Log

Bracketing: Exposure Value (EV)	Stops	Light	ISO	Aperture	Shutter Speed
+2	Overexposed  by two full stops	Four times the amount of light	5000	f4.5	1/125
+1	Overexposed by one full stop	Twice the amount of light	1600	f4.5	1/125
0	Properly Exposed	Normal according to your camera’s  light meter	800	f4.5	1/125
-1	Underexposed by one full stop	Half the amount of light	500	f4.5	1/125
-2	Underexposed by two full stops	One fourth the amount of light	200	f4.5	1/125

Last Ten - In Class Assignment #14

Between the Racks
v2.0

On the Grid
v2.0

 

 

 

Grounded Wings
v2.0

Unlucky Blue
v2.0

What Lies Within
v2.0

 

The Peaks
v2.0

A Window to Home
v2.0

 

Ascension
v2.0

Fluidity
v2.0

Symphonic Silence
v.2.0

PROJECT #8 - PORTRAIT

Meditation

CAMERA SETTINGS

WB:  Sunny

APERTURE: F6.3

SHUTTER SPEED: 1/2500

ISO: 2800

When approaching this assignment I wanted to take candid photos, of someone I didn't know. I am constantly using my son and husband as my muses, and I wanted to get my feet wet. I walked around Downtown Middletown yesterday afternoon and this afternoon looking for the "decisive moment". Yesterday, I met a guy who saw me (and my camera) coming from the moment I got out of my car (2 blocks away). His face was weathered, and he looked exhausted. The life experiences hung from each wrinkle of his face. When I was close enough to talk to him, he told me not to take his picture. That no one had taken his picture in 18 years. That his mother was the last person to take his picture, and she died shortly after. "I don't let anyone take my picture anymore, I do not want to ruin my last memory of her." So, I sat and we chatted for a while. But, the experience stuck with me through the night. 

The above photo, was taken at the senior citizen living facility right behind the Thrall Library. "Grandpa" (as I  am calling him) seemed to have meditated himself into sleep. He was shaded by a tree, and the buildings. It was around 11am today, and the sun was still in the Eastern part of the sky. There is a serene mood, just very peaceful.

In Photoshop: I isolated Grandpa with a magnetic lasso, and I decreased the saturation of him. I then worked with the levels to create depth. 

Compositional Elements: I feel there is depth in this image, with the blurred out foliage behind him. I also see a great amount of texture in his clothing and the weathering of his skin.

FINAL THOUGHTS

I believe the strongest part of this image is the depth of field. With using a smaller numbered aperture, I was able to really define my subject. I also believe the fact that it is a candid photo is a major strength. It is unposed and unaffected by human insecurity. I believe the part of the image I could improve was the angle of the photo. If he was awake, I probably would have dropped to a knee, so I could have gotten more of his face. I was afraid of waking him though. 

Advertisement Research - In Class Assignment #12

Photo credit: Willy Vanderperre

This photo taken by Willy Vanderperre is for the 2017 Dior Ad Campaign. I have a love/hate relationship with Dior's ad campaigns, particularly their fragrance commercials. They are always captivating images, however, I never quite feel they are showcasing the clothing (or fragrance) they are attempting to sell. I personally love the angle of this photo, it gives the model (who appears to be a famous rapper...so sayeth the article attached to this image) a confident, and regal appearance. I, also, agree with the monochromatic color choice. Colorizing the image would have most likely confused the product focus even more. What I disagree with is the placement of the brand name. This particular image is to show of this impressive jacket, and perhaps the sunglasses as well... The jacket is masked by the brand name. Maybe I would have had the letters running vertically to the right of the model. It would also work hand in hand with the pin stipe on the jacket. I also believe the sunglasses are a missed opportunity.... Reflection in them of the brand name.... Could have been cool. Perhaps overdone, but cool nonetheless. The last thing I do not agree with is the white washing of the background - there is the faint building showing, and they completely over exposed the area. There is so much black and white in this image, I feel the buildings should show, and add a grey element into the picture, allowing depth.... 

Annie Leibovitz Response - In Class Assignment #11

What is the most remarkable thing about Annie’s portraits? Why?

Annie Leibovitz’s portraits appear to be effortless. The images are raw and organic. They possess a unique quality and vision. Over and over again it was said in the movie that she becomes part of the background, and that the subjects forget she is even there. She takes the time, no matter how long it is, to achieve the “perfect” shot. The people she photographs are at ease with her presence and that allows for them to let their guard down. The documentary interviews these subjects, and each person seems to be talking about their friend Annie, not some photographer. They express how involved they were in the create process, and how Annie treated them with respect, and not just like pieces of work, or a deadline needed to be made. The parts of the documentary that show her onset, is also quite remarkable. She focuses on the whole room, and isn’t afraid to move things around, to give and take direction, and during the focus break the intensity with levity and light. These characteristics show her personality and professionalism. She says, “My work really lives inside the magazine,” and basically says the cover photo is more advertisement than a photograph. She enjoys the editorial photos. This is quite ironic, since in this era she is known primarily for her cover photos.