Week 16--Architecture

Probably shape and repetition are the two most important principles of design expressed in this photo. First and foremost, the shapes of the twin buildings take up most of the foreground compositionally. That, added to their staggered placement on either side of the photograph, demand the majority of the viewer's attention. Secondly, repetition is woven throughout the photograph in an attempt to unify the piece. Repetition exists primarily in the rectangular-shaped windows that are interspersed throughout the two buildings. 

Though the building is a static subject--it doesn't move at all, or lend any suggestion of movement to the photograph--the cables overhead help to add a sense of movement to the piece. The viewer's eye can trace the cables from the top right corner, dipping down slightly below the top left corner. Repetition and contrast likewise play important roles in creating an aesthetically pleasing photograph. While the repetition of the pillars and bricks on the building help to draw the composition together, the contrast of the green trees and blue sky create just enough variety so the subjects don't completely blend together. 

This is a picture of the same building as in the photograph above, however I took it at a different angle in order to emphasize the shadows and overall tonal value of the pillars. I really liked how the shadows and highlights imparted a three-dimension quality upon the subject; transforming it from a series of two-dimensional square and rectangular shapes. I purposefully took the picture so half of the building was cut off, creating a slightly unbalanced effect in the composition. 

Week 15--Macro Photography

I had taken this macro photo in the studio, using the light tent in order to diffuse the light. The combination of the light tent, as well as the strobe flashes enabled me to capture the highlights as well as the shadows of the metal keychain. Then in Photoshop, I increased the image contrast, the levels, and I decreased the vibrance in order to emphasize the texture of the key. 

Also utilizing the light tent and strobe flashes, I tried to experiment with the shutter speed in this photograph in order to achieve an interesting depth of field. In addition, I varied the focus on the image; making it so only one portion of the subject was in focus. Having the other portion of the subject blurry helped give the subject a three-dimensional quality. Again, in photoshop I increased the contrast, decreased the color value and saturation, and increased the levels. 

I liked the contrast inherent in this photograph; specifically the light key on the right side of the photograph, contrasted against the darker key on the left side of the photograph. Also, the composition of the photograph (having one key on each side of the photograph) helps the viewer's eye to travel through the lines of the subject. Furthermore, having the subjects placed so that one part appeared out of focus ( the topmost ring) helped to make the photograph visually pleasing to the viewer's eye. 

EOC Preparation Quizzes

Week 14--Night

Color is most definitely the most important concept presented in this photograph. And because of the darkness of the background, the brilliant neon color of the sign is emphasized so it pops out at the viewer. Because of the tilt of the camera, the picture seems to be split in two hemispheres; the top and bottom. The sign and additional neon lights help move the viewer's eye through the photograph. 

Tonal value is the key element in this photograph. Specifically, the tonal value of the church; the deep shadows, middle tones, and the whiter highlights all work together to make the church appear three-dimensional. When I had taken the photo initially, the aperture and shutter speed settings had been off. So in photoshop, I increased the contrast in order to make the photograph appear less blurry. 

I liked how the concept of line was represented in the composition of this photograph. There appear to be several different types of line; horizontal, diagonal, vertical, and a few radial lines as well. The horizontal and diagonal lines set the boundary for the composition; they mark the very edge of the building. The vertical lines are embodied in the row of hanging chile ristras, and last but not least the radial lines spread out just above the lamp. Overall, the lines create unity in the piece--drawing the different parts of the photograph together--and they help the viewer's eye move through the photograph. 

Week 13--Physical Activity

I liked how the blue tones in the photograph served to unify the image. For example, the blue metal of the swing sets, the light blue sky, and the blue roofs in the distance. Likewise, line is an important concept in the image, because the viewer's eye travels down the chain of the swing, and then angles downward. Instead of purposefully blurring the photograph in order to illustrate motion, I chose to follow the path of the swing so the girl appears to be frozen in midair. 

When I had initially taken the photo, there had been so much lens flare, overexposure, and motion blur that it had been difficult to make out the actual subject. So using Photoshop, I increased the contrast of the photograph so that the lens flare disappeared and the subject was clearly visible. Compositionally, I believe that shape is the most important concept in the photograph; the yellow circular handle, the girl's face, and her arms. 

Contrast really seems to make this photograph more interesting to the viewer, at least in regard to color. The yellow, white, and blue volleyball stands out sharply against the green foliage of the trees, as does the white net and the man's shirt. Likewise, the repetition square shapes made by the net serve to separate the photograph into halves, making it more aesthetically pleasing to the viewer. 

Week 12--Real Birds

I thought that pattern was the most important artistic principle employed in this photograph; the rippled pattern of the water, and the dotted pattern on the duck's breast. Contrast would be a close second, though. The stark difference between the water and the duck's beak definitely draws the viewer's eye directly to the beak. Likewise, the contrast of the duck's black and white feathers let the viewer's eye roam through the photograph, beginning at the duck's head and ending at its tail. 

I liked the unity of this photograph; it seems to be woven together because of the repeated orange, pink, white, red color of the flamingos. Repetition plays a large part in the unity of the piece, and not just color-wise; the repetition of the legs, necks, beaks, and feathers makes the photograph appear whole. At the same time, however, there is a contrast in the photograph; the one flamingo in the center fluffing its feathers up. In my opinion, both the unity and the contrast make the photograph aesthetically pleasing. 

Overall, I think that texture played a large role in this particular photograph. Two major examples of texture include the texture of the ground and the texture of the peacocks' tail. The ground serves as negative space in the photograph, but the texture of the rocks and dirt also contrast against the sleek feathers on the peacocks neck. Lastly, the colors of the peacocks feathers stood out beautifully against the background, and I chose to accentuate that contrast slightly by increasing the saturation in photoshop. 

Week 11--Concept of Light

I had taken this photo in Williams, Arizona. I didn't have a tripod, so the original photo was slightly shaky. On my camera, I had adjusted the aperture to let in as much light as possible, and I decreased the shutter speed in order to get the right exposure. Then in photoshop, I increased the levels in order to eliminate the light flare from the neon sign. Additionally, I cropped the photo so the neon sign was placed slightly to the left-hand side of the photograph. 

Christmas eve in Old Town plaza; again, no tripod so the original image was slightly shaky. Using the manual settings on my camera, I decreased the aperture and the shutter speed in order to correctly expose the girl. I didn't want to use a flash, because then the twinkle lights would appear faded and washed out. In photoshop, I shifted the color balance slightly toward cyan. Overall, the image appears unified because of the whitish yellow lights in the background.   

I tried taking a photo of a firework exploding on the 4th of July, and the end result was not at all what I expected. My camera had a specific option for fireworks, so I'm exactly sure what settings it incorporated. Probably line and color are the most obvious principles of this photo; the radial lines made by the explosion, and the different colors included within.