Landscape: Activity 5 Blog

Create a landscape utilizing foreground subject matter to create a sense of depth. Discuss how the resulting image is likely to be read by the viewer.

Photo by Abi Adams

This picture is a good example of utilizing the foreground subject in order to create a sense of depth. The tree in the front is the subject, and is much closer than the trees in the background. This creates depth in the picture because the subject makes the background trees look much further away.

Landscape: Activity 4 Blog

Create two photographs in a location with tall buildings or trees using both formats. Create a closed and open landscape at one location. Discuss the different ways we read the resulting images.

Photo taken by Abi Adams

Both of these photos were taken by a river in Sedona. The top photograph is an example of a closed landscape. The camera was positioned on its side in order to show the length of the tree trunk. If it was taken with an open landscape technique, then the viewer would only see a small portion of the tree. The bottom photograph is an example of an open landscape. The camera was positioned straight so that the whole side length of the river could be seen. If it was taken with a closed landscape technique, then the viewer would not be able to see the whole length of the river.

Photo taken by Abi Adams

Landscape: Activity 3: Blog

Compare and contrast a landscape photograph with a landscape painting. Discuss the expressive possibilities of each medium using your examples to illustrate your argument. Choose your examples carefully as representative of the medium.

Image found on http://hdw.eweb4.com/out/793871.html

Image by Bob Ross

Both of these landscape art pieces take place in Alaska. The top one is a photograph, while the other one is a painting. Both show a tall, white mountain behind, with a body of water and forestry in front of it. The painting is more dramatic, and has large, fluffy clouds behind the mountain in order to make it stand out. The painting is also able to use leading lines (the river leads your eyes to the mountain) while the photographer may not have found a chance to use leading lines. The photographer mainly focused on rule of thirds. The main subject in the photo is the girl in a canoe, which is located in the lower right point.

Landscape: Activity 2: Blog

Find two landscape photographs that question social values or act as a metaphor for personal issues that the photographer is trying to express. Discuss whether the communication is clear or ambiguous and how this communication is conveyed.

image found on http://photoblog.executivepasta.com/2012_11_01_archive.html 

This first image shows a packed city, presumably New York. It shows crowded streets, tall buildings, and bright lights. There is no nature seen, just noise and pollution. The photographer is trying to show that we have lost our natural sides

This second building shows melting glaciers and white mountains, presumably in Antarctica. It shows that most of the ice has melted, and there is little land left. The photographer is trying to get the viewers to think about the effects of global warming and greenhouse gases. It shows that we are abusing the earth, and that we should put a stop to pollution. 

Photo by Jessica Castelan

Landscape: Activity 1: Blog

View the image by Walker Evans on this page and describe what you can actually see (objective analysis) and what you think the image is about (subjective analysis).
Discuss how effective Walker Evans has been in using a landscape image to communicate a point of view. Can this photograph be considered as Art? Give two reasons to support your answer.

Photo by Walker Evans

In the photo, you can see a graveyard with a large cross, with the city behind it. In the city you can see buildings and many factories. I think the image is trying to convey that factories kill. The factories are harming the environment, which in turn will harm us, causing us to die. Walker Evans is very effective at using a landscape image to communicate a point of view, because it makes viewers really think about what the image is about. He also chose a good viewpoint of the picture, because if it were to be taken at a different angle it may not have been as effective. This photo is a piece of Art, as is all photography.

Time: Activity 5 Blog

Create four images that contain a mixture of solid (sharp) and fluid (blur) forms. Using the camera that you have been check out, create these four images as creatively and artistically as you can!

These pictures are a good example of a mixture of solid (sharp) and fluid (blur) forms. The main subject, the woman, is sharp and in focus, while the umbrella is blurred. To do so, a slow shutter speed is needed, and one object must stay still while the other moves. The moving object will then turn out blurry while the other object is clear.

Time: Activity 4 Blog

Find a photograph where the photographer has used a slow shutter speed and describe the subject matter including the background. Discuss any technical difficulties the photographer may have encountered and how these mat have been overcome. Discuss what happened to the depth of field and why. Discuss whether the image gives you the feeling of movement, stating the reasons for your conclusions.

This picture is a good example of a slow shutter speed. The photographer used the panning technique in order to make the car clear while the background is blurry. This also makes the picture seem like it has a shallow depth of field, because the camera is moving with the car, so the background becomes blurry and unclear. The photographer may have had difficulties with keeping pace with the car, or even other cars getting in the way. The only way to overcome these difficulties is practice and patience. The image gives you a feeling of movement because everything but the car is blurring, showing that the car is moving.

Image Found on http://www.digital-photography-tips.net/shutter-speed-creative.html

Time: Activity 3 Blog

Take four images of a running or jumping figure using fast shutter speeds (faster than 1/250 second). Vary the direction of travel in relation to the camera and attempt to fill the frame with the figure. Examine the image for any movement blur and discuss the focusing technique used.
These pictures are good examples of a fast shutter speed. As you can see, everything is in focus, and the subject is frozen in place . The focusing technique that I used was a large depth of field. This allows everything in the picture to be in focus so that the moving subject can be easily seen.

Take four images of the same moving subject using shutter speeds between 1/15 and 1/125 second. Pan the camera to follow the movement. The primary subject should again fill the frame. Discuss the visual effect of each image.

The technique of panning in a picture allows the moving subject to be in focus while the background is blurry and out of focus. The moving subject in the picture stands out, and gives you a sense of movement. As you can see in the pictures, the dog is clear while the background is blurry.

Time: Activity 2 Blog

Find an example of a photograph where the photographer has used a very fast shutter speed and describe the subject matter including the background. Discuss any technical difficulties the photographer may have encountered and how he or she may have overcome them.
Discuss what happened to the depth of field and why.
Discuss weather the image gives you the feeling of movement, stating the reasons for your conclusion.

This picture is a good example of a very fast shutter speed. It shows multiple shots of a droplet falling into a cup of coffee. The photographer also used a shallow depth of field, allowing the subject to be in focus while the background is unfocused. The only problem with the picture is the borders. It cuts the handle of the cup in half, and there does not seem like enough space above the cup. This causes the picture to seem cramped and does not please the viewers eyes. If they had taken a step back, the picture would have wider borders and would be easier to look at. The use of multiple frames in the picture helps create a sense of movement, because the viewer sees the process of the droplet and how it moves.

Image found on http://www.digital-photography-tips.net/shutter-speed-creative.html

Time: Activity 1 Blog

Look at a Henri Cartier-Bresson photograph and discuss why you think that capturing the decisive moment has added to the picture’s quality.


Photo by Henri Cartier-Bresson

This image by Henri Cartier-Bresson shows a boy trying to tackle a boy with crutches, while a group of boys in the background cheer. Capturing the picture at this exact moment helped add to the pictures quality. The look of terror on the crippled boys face, and the mocking laugh of the boys in the background, makes the image more dramatic and intense. It makes the viewers wonder what exactly happened in the moment before to make the boys act like this. Another part of the image that adds to its quality is the boy holding the other boy back. It makes the viewers wonder whether the boy holding back the other boy is the crippled boys friend. If the photographer had taken the picture a moment later, the boy may have not been holding back the other boy anymore, and the effect would have been lost.

Light: Activity 4 Blog

Find two examples of photographs, which make use of maximum depth of field, and two examples, which have very shallow depth of field.
Describe how the photographer’s selective use of aperture affects the subject in each of the photographs you have chosen.

Found on http://www.wikihow.com/Shoot-at-Hyperfocal-Distance-for-Maximum-Depth-of-Field

These two pictures are good examples of a maximum depth of field. They are both landscapes with everything in focus. Notice how the rocks in the second picture are not focused on, and you can still clearly see the mountains in the background.

 The photographers of these pictures used a small aperture in order to get a maximum depth of field in the picture. The smaller the aperture, the more clear the picture is.
Found on http://www.jaybeestock.com/Australia.htm





Photo by Aaron Cohen

These two pictures are good examples of a very shallow depth of field. The first picture is of a young girl giving the camera the thumbs up. Notice how her hand is in focus while her face is blurry and unfocused. The second picture is of a purple flower. Notice how the flower in the front is in focus, while the stem and the flower in the background is blurry and unfocused.

The photographers of these two photos used a large aperture in order to get a very shallow depth of field. The larger the aperture, the more selective the focus is.

Photo by Diane Miller

Light: Activity 3 Blog

Find two images that have been shot into the light or included the light source. Explain how the photographer may have gone about taking a light meter reading for these photographs.

 

Picture found on http://video.ultimatephotoguide.com/shooting-with-backlight/

This is an example of an image that includes the light source. The main source of light is coming from the sun, which is located behind the subject.

This is an example of a picture shot into the light. The main light source is coming from the windows, and the subject is placed in the direction of the light source. This allows the subject to become illuminated. 

Photo by Trevor Dayley

Light: Activity 2 Blog

Find an example of a photograph where the subject has been lit by a single light source and an example where more than one light has been used.
Describe in each the quality and position of the brightest or main light and the effect this has on the subject. In the second example describe the quality and effect the additional light has.

 Photo by Simon Bray

This picture is an example of a subject that has been lit by a single light source. The light source is the sun that is behind the subject, causing the subject to look lit up and bright.

This picture is an example of a subject that has been lit by multiple light sources. One light is to the right of the camera, allowing the subjects face to be lit up. The second camera is to the left of the subject, allowing her back to be lit up. This makes all parts of the subject to be bright, instead of one side in the dark.

Photo by Joshua Craig

Light: Activity 1 Blog

Look through assorted photographic websites and find some examples of subjects lit by hard light and examples of subjects lit by soft light. Describe the effect the light has on the subject’ texture, form and detail, and the overall mood of the picture.

These two pictures are examples of hard light. Hard light allows the subject to have more texture and creates an almost grainy look. Hard light also allows the pictures to have more dramatic shadows, and creates a dark and dramatic look to the picture. It creates a mood of mystery.

                 

   









Photo by Jim Harmer    

Photo by Matthew Hanlon

This picture is an example of soft light. Soft light allows the subject to have a smoother look. It is a lot lighter and brighter than hard light, and does not show texture. Soft light is usually used in portraits, because it makes our skin look smooth and clear. It also creates a mood of happiness.

Photo by Jim Harmer

Frame & Composition: Activity 4 Blog

Collect one image where the photographer has placed the main subject off center and retained a sense of balance and one image where the photographer has placed the main subject off center and created a sense of imbalance.
Discuss the possible intentions of the photographer in creating each image.


This picture is a good example of a subject that is off center, but still has a sense of balance. The viewers eyes are drawn towards the white dog in the lower left corner. The dog really stands out against the dark, foggy, gray background. This causes it to not be off balance. There is nothing in the background that steals your attention from the dog.

This picture of a lovely elderly couple is an example of a subject that is off center, and does not show a sense of balance. The landscape in the background is confusing and distracts the viewers eyes.








These two pictures are examples of subject that is off center, but still shows a sense of balance. Both the avocado and the dog chew are located on the top left of the picture, surrounded by a solid-color background. This background allows the viewers to only focus on the main subject.

These two pictures are examples of a subject that is off balance, and does not contain a sense of balance. Both the cat and the bottle are located on the lower left of the picture, with a cluttered background. All of the additional object in the background makes it hard to focus on the subject.

Frame & Composition: Activity 3 Blo

Find two examples of Photographs that follow the Rule of Thirds and two examples that do not. Comment briefly on why and how you think the composition works.

DOES:

Both of these pictures are good examples of rule of thirds. 

The puppy's head, to the right, is located on the upper right of the picture. The flower, to the left, is located on the lower right of the picture.

DOES NOT:

These two pictures are bad examples of rule of thirds. The main subject of the pictures, the boat and the tree, are located in the center of the page


(Found on http://thephotographerstoolkit.wordpress.com)



(By Andrew Goodall)

Frame & Composition: Activity 2 Blog

Q. What does John Szarkowski mean when he says that photographers are quoting ‘out of context’ when they make photographic pictures?

A. John Szarkowski means that photographers take pictures that make viewers look at art differently. They don't do plain, simple artwork that was usual during their time. Instead, they use different, 'out of context' techniques that put a whole new perspective on art.

Q. The frame often ‘dissects familiar forms’. At the end of the last century photography was having a major impact on Art. Impressionist artists such as Degas were influenced by what they saw. Look at these examples of Degas work, which clearly shows the influence of Photography, and explain why the public might have been shocked to see such paintings.

A. Photography was a whole new type of art during Degas time. It was a lot different from typical painting artwork, because it actually captured moments in time. Photographers would also use different techniques than other artists. They try to move the viewers eyes around the picture, and don't always center their main subject.

IMPORTANT: Find another example of a painting that you feel was influenced by photography and include it in you're posting!

This painting was greatly influenced by photography because the painter made the subject look off guard as if he took a picture at the right moment.

(By Caravaggio)

Frame & Composition: Activity 1 Blog

Find two examples of how photographers seek simple backgrounds to remove unwanted detail and to help keep the emphasis or ‘focal point’ on the subject.



(Found from http://photoinf.com)

The picture of the seagull to the right shows a simple background because it is mainly a solid color, causing the viewers eyes to focus on the seagull.



(Found from http://photoinf.com)

This picture shows a simple background because it is a solid, dark color. The boy drawing the house is made up of brighter colors, which stand out from the darkness behind.