Assignment 1 composite

Composition Assignment 2 composite

• Emphasis
• I think my camera work and photographs could have been a bit better, but my photographs captured my element of design very well. My editing was very vibrant and reinforced my element/principle of emphasis, and my composite creation/design ended up perfect.
• You should take time experimenting with editing and take a lot of pictures so that you have a lot of options. Also, make sure your composite is well set up.

Histogram Questions

1.What is a histogram?

    A histogram is a tool on many cameras that helps the user get a quick summary of the tonal range present in any given image.

2.What happens to the visual when a histogram is skewed to the left? Right?

    When skewed to the left the image has more dark pixels and it gets darker When skewed to the right it gets lighter. 

 

3. In most cases, what does a “good” histogram look like? 

      There is no such this as a "good" histogram because it depends on the eye of the beholder, but    generally it is one where most of it is skewed in the middle.

   

4.Why is a histogram a good tool for photographers?

   A histogram is a good tool for photographers because it is an easy way to check if you have an over or under exposed picture on your camera before you upload it. And it helps you get the exposure that you want.

Contact Sheet for Assignment 2

Photo Composition Video

Photo Composition

Emphasis:

Definition: (center of interest) is an area that first attracts attention in a composition. This area is more important when compared to the other objects or elements in a composition.  This can be by contrast of values, more colors, and placement in the format.

• The photo achieves the principle of design because the background emphasizes the leaf.

Horizontal Lines:

Definition: Lines running across the photo from East to West that convey a message of ‘stability’ or even ‘rest’. Horizons, fallen trees, oceans, sleeping people – all of these subjects have something about them that speaks either of permanency and timelessness or rest.

•   The stairs run East to West and convey a message of rest.

Repetition/Pattern:

Definition: Repeating visual elements such as line, color, shape, texture, value or image tends to unify the total effect of a work of art as well as create rhythm. Repetition can take the form of an exact duplication (pattern), a near duplication, or duplication with variety

• The pennies are being repeated.



Bird's Eye View:

Definition: Looking down upon a subject 

• It's looking down on the girl which gives an unusual perspective

Vertical Lines:

Definition: have the ability to convey a variety of different moods in a photograph ranging from power and strength (think of skyscrapers) to growth (think of trees).

• Conveys growth with the trees and power/strength with the barn siding. Also elongates the picture.

Texture:

Definition:  helps to emphasize the features and details in a photograph. By capturing "texture" of objects being photographed, you can create form.

• It emphasizes the roughness of the wall.

Symmetrical (formal) Balance:

Definition: a feeling of visual equality in shape, form, value, color, etc. that is symmetrical or evenly balanced. Objects, values, colors, textures, shapes, forms, etc., can be used in creating a balance in a composition.

• The picture shows Symmetrical balance because the two objects are almost identical and create a sense of symmetry.

Unity:

 Definition of Unity: occurs when all of the elements of a piece combine to make a balanced, harmonious, complete whole. Unity is another of those hard-to-describe art terms but, when it's present, your eye and brain are pleased to see it.

• This shows unity because its color scheme is relaxing and monochromatic which gives a sense of harmony, and the picture feels whole.

Rule of Thirds:

Definition: In the rule of thirds, photos are divided into thirds with two imaginary lines vertically and two lines horizontally making three columns, three rows, and nine sections in the images. Important compositional elements and leading lines are placed on or near the imaginary lines and where the lines intersect.

• Main parts of the bee are placed on the points of emphasis and the bee itself is located along one of the lines.

Diagonal Lines:

Definition: Draw the eye of an image’s viewer through the photograph. They create points of interest as they intersect with other lines and often give images depth by suggesting perspective. 

• The Diagonal lines lead you to the people and show depth.

Variety:

 Definition: The use of diversity and change by artists who wish to increase the visual interest of their work. An artwork which makes use of many different hues, values, lines, textures, and shapes would reflect the artist's desire for variety. Unity is the principle which is its variety's opposite; but when there is too little variety, the result is monotony.

• This shows variety because of the variety of fruits.

Simplicity:

Definition: keeping the items in your photo relatively simple.

• The item is very simple and similar in color.

Asymmetrical (informal) Balance:

Definition: a feeling of visual equality in shape, form, value, color, etc.  that is asymmetrical and un-evenly balanced.  Objects, values, colors, textures, shapes, forms, etc., can be used in creating a balance in a composition.

•  This picture shows asymmetrical balance because the two lights aren't identical but they show balance

Movement/Rhythm:

Definition of Rhythm: 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.

Definition of Movement: is the path the viewer’s eye takes through the artwork, often to a focal area. It can be directed along lines, edges, shapes and color. Movement is closely tied to rhythm.

•  This demonstrates movement/rhythm because the birds direct your eye to move up or down the birds and the birds occur regularly.

Leading Lines:

Definition: lines within an image that leads the eye to another point in the image, or occasionally, out of the image.

• The road leads your eye to the top of the image.

Proportion/Size:

 Definition: refers to the relative size and scale of the various elements in a design. The issue is the relationship between objects, or parts, of a whole.

•  this shows proportion because of the scale of the rock to the city. The rock is obviously smaller in real life but the picture makes it seem like it might be big.

Horizon Line:

Definition: often act as a dividing point in a photograph – in effect an anchor that the rest of the image is formed around. 

• There is a low horizon line that sets the stage for the rest of the photograph and gives it an open feel.

Worm's Eye View:

Definition: Opposite of birds eye view. It is taking a picture from beneath the object of interest, looking up.

• The picture is taken looking up at the trees from the ground.

Curved Lines:

Definition: Curved lines may add beauty and grace to an image. They are also used as a popular design technique for leading the eye into the frame. In contrast to straight or patterned lines, meandering curved lines allow the eye to explore an image in a smooth, free-flowing manner.

• The curved lines in the stairs move your eye smoothly through the photo

Framing:

Definition: a technique used to focus the viewer's attention upon the subject.

• The window frames the trees.

  

Art Wolfe Part 3: Other Inspirations

Other Inspirations

    

      Art Wolfe has a craving for adventure in his life. He loves hiking and going to places that most people wouldn't go every day. A lot of his inspirations come from the places he goes and the wildlife that he sees there. He likes to go back to those places to get a different type of picture in the same place or location. His example for this was Mt. Rainier, which he has visited 85 times. Also, going places encourages him to visit other places like it, much like a lot of hikers and climbers like to do, except they do it without a camera. He also mentions how he majored in painting AND art history, and how that has influenced him greatly. When he's traveling and looking for landscapes he draws from that knowledge to find something that is meaningful to his audience. 

Art Wolfe Part 2: Influences

Influences

http://www.apertureacademy.com/guest-photographer-art-wolfe.php

     
   Art Wolfe's style of photography was mainly influenced by his love for hiking and climbing, his background in painting, his parents who also worked in photography, and his appreciation for wildlife and cultures. His style is mainly pictures of landscapes, wildlife, nature and different cultures; however, he says he has never stayed in one genre. He liked to hike, so he started taking pictures on his hikes to show people, and eventually he applied what he was learning as a painting major to his photography on is hikes, and he started getting noticed. He says he as always comfortable with getting close to animals and has a strong knowledge of natural history, and he brings all of that to his photography. In addition, his parents were artists, and they did photography, so he was familiar with cameras. That had a strong bearing on his career as well. 

Art Wolfe Part : Analysis

Analysis

     Art Wolfe says that this picture is different from most of his other works of art, but really it is an evolution of his interests. The picture is of a boy covered in clay that is cracking, and it blends in with the background. This picture is part of his Human Canvas Project. Although the pictures might be viewed as erotic because of nudity, he sees them as theatrical. Art Wolfe has traveled to many different cultures over the past 30 years, and he says that these human forms are inescapably sensual in nature, and that nudity is common in many places. This picture, along with the rest of the Human Canvas Project, shows a progression from the work he's done in tribal communities. In those tribal communities, spots, lines, and textures are part of their decorations they use for celebrations. If you look at this picture and the rest of the pictures in the project, you can see that Wolfe depicts this decoration very well in the lines and geometry in the photos. He also works closely with animals. You can see that he made this man looks sort of camouflage which shows how his work with wildlife influenced this shot. He said that in these pictures, he tried to abstract the human form through the use of line, patters, textures, and different angles, and I think he has done that beautifully.

http://www.humancanvasproject.com/about

Personal Reflection

Personal Reflection:
Why is this photo good (compositional standpoint)?
This photo is good because it really goes with my theme, and it really captures the statue in a unique way.

Why do you value this photograph (sentimental standpoint)?
It is from the first photography workshop i ever took

How did this photo inspire your theme? What is your theme?
This photo inspired my theme by making me think of statues, and some of the best statues and architecture are from historical times in Europe and the U.S. My theme is historical art and architecture.

How do the other images you selected relate to your theme?
All of the pictures on my cover are pictures of old art and architecture from different cultures around the world. Mostly from Europe or the U.S.

Describe the compositional strategies used (Elements & Principles of Design).
I used space well in the spacing and organization of the pictures in the collage. My neutral color scheme was consistent, and all of the pictures follow my theme which shows repetition. It is also very balanced and has a good sense of unity.

My Sketchbook