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.

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.

Portraits - In Class Assignment #10

PROJECT #7 - Photo Collage

Internalizing
(Originals for Photo Collage can be Found Below)

CAMERA SETTINGS

WB: Cloudy

APERTURE: F5

SHUTTER SPEED: 1/30

ISO: 2800

My idea for this was about inner demons fighting to overtake us. It was not the original concept for this project, however the rain and my insane workweek prevented my original idea from reaching fruition. I set my son up at our dining room table. There was three sources of light: 1) natural lighting from behind, 2) Halogen bulb radiating from the left. 3) Incandescent light from the right in the next room. It was around 5p during the thunderstorm we had. The final lighting was dark and moody. I found an amazing backdrop image from Pinterest to set the scene.



In Photoshop: I had to flip the image orientation of one of the portraits and then create a clipping mask. I then inserted the image to make the dueling Joe’s face each other. I then erased (as well as I could) the background of both images so I could insert the “backdrop” image. I then set the whole image to Black and White, and color balanced the image so it was slightly purple in hue.



Compositional Elements – The backdrop helps to set the symmetry that I wanted for this image. I wanted it to feel like a Rorschach image.

FINAL THOUGHTS

I am quite happy with the scene of the image and how I blended all the elements together. However, the weakest part is the imperfections made by the background deleting. I would love to make a smoother transition between the images. This assignment was refreshing and challenging. It really tested my knowledge of Photoshop. I had to take many pictures of Joey so that I had the distance, clarity and focus correct for both “sides” of him. What I wish I had done differently was the pose. I should have had him leaning against a wall with one hand against it. I think it would have been easier to fuse the images.

Photo Essay Response - In Class Assignment #9

Mountains Offer No Solace in this Dying Soviet Mining Town

Daro Sulakauri captured the miners (and their families) that reside in Caucasus. The images are dark, and desolate with pops of color. They show a lifestyle that we are not exposed to here, in the United States. The opening picture seems that of a post-apocalyptic movie, not of a 2017 real world town. The images are raw, and organic which is mostly impart to their candid, unposed nature. The photo essay starts with a look into the miners starting their day of grueling labor. The darkness that surrounds them as they take a tiny mine cart down into the mines. Above them are roots, and metal rafters, as if they are being engulfed by their work. The mine for "black gold", which is another world for the mineral Manganese. This is their livelihood and what keeps their families fed, even if it is not enough. The faces of the workers are weathered, and tough. Their eyes are piercing and focused. We are then taken into the living situations of this mining town. Tenement looking homes and apartment buildings are tightly packed together; it plucks the heart strings, and it makes you appreciate the luxuries, and beauties that surround us here. Their homes are damaged, torn apart, by shockwaves from underground detonation. Can you imagine your room being torn apart, due to the work that kept you in that room? Families in America spread themselves out amongst their family rooms, dens, and various other rooms. Whereas, the family shown in Caucasus are huddled together, morosely, around  a stove in their main room. Laundry hangs drying from the ceiling. Shoes are drying, it seems, beneath the stove.  But then, in the next image, the lighting changes... We are in a bright beautiful bountiful landscape. We are viewing children playing on a platform, and there is a levity to the image. We see the cable cars illuminated, with foliage around them. Even the dim image of people packed in a rail car has light pooling from the background window. Sulakauri then pulls at our heartstrings again, showing the city covered in snow, and the post-apocalyptic feel reemerges. This last image brings the whole photo essay full circle.

This was the only photo essay that truly pulled me in, and by images alone, compelled me to read the story. As I read through the story, read the captions, and viewed the images it made me think about the levels of poverty in the U.S, and how different life must be in the Soviet Union. The face of the one little girl breaking the fourth wall in the family portrait is sobering. There is such anger and strength in her eyes. Almost as if she does not want this stranger seeing the underbelly of their daily lives. 

Question and Answer Section

1. How did the photographer approach this story visually?
   
   The photographer brought you slowly in to the workers lives, and then built up to the city, and families. The images start dark and gritty and have levity in the middle, and then draw back to the raw grit of the city at the end. 
   
2. What is successful about this photo essay?
   
   I find the entire photo essay compelling. The images were simple, and deep at the same time.
   
3.  Why did you choose this out of all of the others?
   
   As I said above, there was no other photo essay that drew me in, by images alone. I almost picked a photo essay about HIV/AIDS drug users, and street workers in Tijuana. But, those were... almost lifeless in comparison to these.
   
4. What elements of photography enhance your understanding or feeling for the story?
   
   The colors were always muted, but the edges sharp, this enhanced the mood that was trying to be portrayed. His proximity to the subjects is intimate, even though they seem part of their dilapidated surroundings, there is still a glitter in their eyes. 
   
5. Make comments about the intro/outro shots.
   
   I felt that the intro and outro shots brought the whole photo essay into full circle. It starts as it ends... dark, unsure, and organic. We start with an old woman riding the rail car up from the city. We end the photo essay with a wide landscape shot of the rail car (I assume to be) descending back into the dark city. 
   
6.  Think about the order in which these images are presented to you, is this order effective? Why or why not? What could be changed? Would it change the meaning or story?
   
   I think the order was very effective in conveying the story of the desolate mining town. As said above the images start with the railcars and workers, and then we go into their family lives, to the areas of the city, and ends with the railcar. There was one image of a young girl in the railcar, and I feel that her image could be removed and that it would not hinder the meaning of the story. 

Photo Scavenger Hunt - In Class Assignment #8

1. SQUIRREL

2. BIRD

3. SUNY ORANGE LOGO

4. FOOD

5. WATER

6. BOOK

7. FLAG

8. THE NUMBER EIGHT

9. TRIANGLE

10. STAIR

11. STAINED GLASS

12. PORTRAIT

13. JUMP

14. BLUR

15. THE COLOR PINK

16. BRICK

17. BENCH

18. FOLIAGE

19. FRIEND

20. GROUP

20. GROUP

PROJECT #6 - Light - Aerial Peace, Battlefield, Steeling Metaphysics

Aerial Peace

I had been seeing a lot of birds this past week, and thought they were so peaceful just sitting there. Our house is situated where sunsets are directly in front of our home. I was attempting to get a lens flare, when this bird just landed on the power line in front of me. Instant MUSE.

CAMERA SETTINGS

WB: Sunny

Aperture: F10

Shutter Speed: 1/125 

ISO: 100

It is sunset after an intensely hot day – I find the mood to be peaceful, and airy. The sun is setting to the right of the picture, technically right below the bottom right.


In Photoshop – I had to crop the image, and bring it beyond the left border of the image. I did this so I could patch tool the wire into the upper left hand corner, so it did a firm diagonal to the lower right corner. I then adjusted the color balance and vibrance.

Compositional Elements – I believe leading lines, and the rule of thirds are the two elements I was attempting to achieve.

Battlefield

I was intrigued with the picture shown in class of the headlights (from our back patio) illuminating the feet and crow bar of an unnamed assailant. I was inspired to set up my husband in pseudo-warrior fashion.

CAMERA SETTINGS

WB: Sunny

Aperture: F16

Shutter Speed: 1/2000

ISO: 25600

This was taken 20minutes after sunset and we are in the dusk period of the evening. There is a flood lamp on behind the head of my subject. I find this to be an intense mood, almost like a coiled spring.

In Photoshop – I reduced the noise, and despeckled the image. I then used a magnetic lasso to isolate the background, which allowed for me to color balance the sky of the image.

Compositional Elements – I am kind of at a loss for compositional elements – I find there is a balance, and a definite mood to it – almost narrative.

Steeling Metaphysics

There was no inspiration for this picture, it was a lucky capture while exploring Storm King Museum.

CAMERA SETTINGS

WB: AUTO

Aperture: F22

Shutter Speed: 1/80

ISO: 100

The sun is directly overhead in this image, and I find the mood to be uplifting, and freeing.


In Photoshop – I just adjusted the vibrancy of the image. I am epically proud of it.

Compositional Elements – multiple leading lines from the sculpture.

FINAL THOUGHTS

I believe all three of these images have strengths. The glare of the light on the ax, the angle of the wire, and the lens flare on the sculpture. I am very proud of the colors, and clarity of the images. The weak aspects are minor, but I wish I was able to achieve the ax picture more quickly, and while the sun was setting behind my husband. With the bird, I wish during editing I was able to obtain a less “sherbet ” looking sunset. Even after I adjusted it in class, it’s still a little cartoony…. But beautiful. I wish with the sculpture photo that I was able to clear up the steel, and make it more legible, to give it a more organic feel.

Ethics - In Class Assignment #7

• After reading the article Altered Image, Vanished Trust: Photojournalism in the Age of Digital Manipulation, answer the following questions. Your response should be at least 200-300 words.
  
• QUESTION: Where do you think digital artists should draw the line when it comes to digital manipulation?
  
  ANSWER: I think that Asia Hamilton said it best in the Vanished Trust article, "I think photo altering is ok if the photography is art or editorial related,” Hamilton said. “However, photojournalism should not be altered because it is a documentation of facts. The news can only be trusted if it is completely factual.” I agree wholeheartedly with her point of view. The line must first be drawn based on the way the image is being used. If this is for art or editorial purposes, than an imaged can be digititally manipulated. However, I find a large problem with the fashion industry altering the images of already malnourished looking models. This misrepresentation of image is influencing other designers, not to mention the way we (as people) think we should look. Our culture is overly obsessed with image and looking good.
  
• QUESTION: Should there be a code of ethics for photographers and other digital artists?
  
  ANSWER: I feel that for professional photographers and digital artists employed by large corporations and media outlets should have a code of ethics, or guidelines for their work. I believe that this would minimize the "fake" images that are being shown to the public. 
  
• QUESTION: Where do you as a photographer/artist personally draw the line?
  
  ANSWER:  I want the pictures I take to be as honest as they can be. If I edit an image using Photoshop it is due to my inexperience with my camera, and to attempt on making the picture appear the way my eyes viewed it. However, if I am taking a picture and am turning it into a piece of art I will add flecks of light, glitter, transparent pngs, swirls.. Something that takes a picture and takes it up a notch. However, I would never try to say that this image was "real life" or #SOOC or #NoFilters. I would present it as an illustration. 

• Respond to these question for one of the photographs we looked at today in class (vietnam, fire escape, vulture) and answer the following questions: Your response should be at least 200-300 words.
  
• QUESTION: If you were an editor...Would you publish this? Why or Why not?
  
  ANSWER: The images we saw today were all tactfully done, even though they were of intense situations. They showed the mood of each situation, showed the emotion of all involved and truly made me (the viewer) think. As an editor, I would completely publish these images. I feel that images that I see on the nightly news, or in online newspaper articles are far more grotesque and are inappropriate. Our culture is so obsessed with shock value, and I hate that the news outlets are becoming more cinematic with their photos and less journalistic. 
  
• QUESTION: Do you think any good came of these images or were they just insensitive and used sell papers or acquire fame?
  
  ANSWER: These images did influence change. The fire escape photo brought to light how unsafe those structures were, and they were rebuilt and made stronger. The Vietnam image brought the war into the homes of the families of the soldiers serving overseas, and to those who were having doubts about how awful the war was. The vulture image allowed people to step beyond their first world problems, and think about donating, volunteering, or advocating for people in third world countries. 

PROJECT #5 - Composition - Serenity

Serenity
Composition Project

I spent the weekend working (and camping) at the New York Capital District Renaissance Festival. The festival was held on a farm, and thus the camping situation was on those grounds. I was surrounded with awesome sunrises and sunsets, animals, and rustic barns. In front of where I slept was Rosie, their longhaired steer.  I found her and her enclosure to be so beautiful. Plus, in the morning the sky behind her was amazing.

CAMERA SETTINGS

WB: Shade

Aperture: f18

Shutter Speed: 1/80

ISO: 160

This picture was taken at 5:45am and the sun had just risen behind me. The mood is light, and just serene. 

In Photoshop: 

The original image was very dark, so the first thing I did was to increase the exposure by +1.5 and the gamma correction by +1.0.  I then adjusted the curves of the image to a loose “s” type curve.  I balanced the colors so that the clouds stood out. I had to use some clone stamping, and patch tools to take care of some glaring highlights, and odd The last thing I did was isolate Rosie, and made her slightly brighter and more vibrant. I did this so that she stood out from the brown dirt and barn that was above and below her.

Compositional Elements: 

Since this is a composition project, I tried to use a few compositional elements. I made sure to use the rule of thirds, while positioning Rosie. I think the barn adds a fair amount of texture, as does the depth in the clouds. And even though you can’t see her eyes, I am using the compositional element of dominant eye. She was completely posing for my camera.

Final Thoughts

I believe that the strongest part of this image is Miss Rosie. I truly feel that she is the undeniable focus of this image.  The weakest part I think might be my cropping. I kept going back and forth about the feeding trough to the left of Rosie. I left it in because I felt it set the scene appropriately. I found this assignment to be my most successful yet. I shot a few of these in Manual, and a few in Aperture mode.  I found the images that were taken with Aperture “A” mode to be more visually appealing.  However, the others were still considerably better than images I had taken prior to this class.  Something I learned about during this assignment was about moving subjects. I had to be very patient with Rosie, and had to come back a few times in order to achieve a group of images that I thought would work for this project.