Photo Journalism: "The Daily Grind"

Assignment #4 Landscape

I chose this landscape because I think that it has a good overall composition, as well as balance of colors. The variety of colors, from the blue sky to green grass, brown rock and gray mountain, bring variety and a sense of diversity to the shot. It is interesting because the mountains in the background suggest winter or the cold, but the green grass suggests a warm summer or spring. The mountains reflecting in the water are a cool affect, and they give the photograph some symmetry. If I were to have taken this shot, I think I would have included more of the land on the left hand side. Overall however, I think it has great composition. The horizon as well as the rock follow the thirds rule perfectly. The focus is also crisp, giving detail to the grass in the foreground as well as the clouds and mountains behind.

The area looks like a very nice place for a hike, and if I could be there right now I would go exploring. I think it would be interesting to see what was behind the rock, or off to the left or right of the frame. I have never been here, although I think I would like to go to a place like this. Im not even sure where this is a picture of, although I would guess maybe the alps. If I was in this photo, I would be standing on top of the large rock in the water.

Writing Assignment 3: Movement

Steve Bloom, Siberian Tigers Fighting.
In this photo by Steve Bloom, two siberian tigers are captured mid-brawl. This shot really captures the motion of the two tigers in the air, snow being tossed about, fur and claws flying, and the tail of one tiger whipping across the frame. The photo also has an exceptionally clear focus, the hair is even captured blowing in different directions. The clear resolution provides a look into that instant in time, the tigers are frozen in that very active pose. This shot would definitely not be as interesting if there was no movement, in fact the movement is what makes the piece. The fact that the motion is frozen is what makes it pleasing to look at. The out of focus background helps to draw the eye to the tigers, which fill the frame fully but do not crowd it. The bright oranges of the tigers against the uniformly white surroundings also work to highlight the subjects.
For future movement shots that I may take, I hope to gain a better overall clarity. I have found it is very hard to achieve crisp, clear focus while capturing the motion of a subject. With more clarity, I think the shots could be much more effective in conveying what I want the viewer to understand.

Secondary Colors

Primary Colors

Assignment #2: Color

"Past Their Prime" by Graham Owen
In this photograph red is almost exclusively used. The picture is of changing maple leaves in the fall. This close up, macro shot shows in detail the splotchy, varrying patterns of the leaves. It also shows the many shades of red. The bright reds, browns, oranges, and pinks attract the eyes. The vivid colors are more the subject of the photo than the actual leaves. This particular shot would be very different with a different color scheme or in black and white. I think that the photo would loose some of its appealing composition in a different color as well as be far less interesting to look at.
The bright and attractive colors go along well with the crisp focus of the picture. They enhance the clarity and make the individual leaves seem to "pop" out. The color is very effective in drawing attention, as well as high-lighting the texture of the leaves and branches. The frame is full and busy in a sense. Also the frame is not overcrowded, like some things are being left out.

Hand Portrait

Veteran's Day Project

Depth of Field

Texture Project

Reflections

Critical Thinking Questions

1. Both of these images clearly show motion to the viewer. In one, many photos are used, in the other a very slow exposure shows the motion. Both works show a person or animal moving, an the photos show how the subjects use their legs to move. The images capture bodies in motion, and they are both in black and white.

2. These works show motion in different ways. The image by Muybriodge uses a series of shots to freeze the motion. This work shows motion in a similiar way as a flip book or motion-picture. The photograph taken by Ellot Elisofon shows motion in a different way. This photo was taken with a slow exposure. This way the subject is blurred and the viewer can tell the man is moving. The blur at the top of the stairs is more intense showing the man was moving faster that when he was at the bottom of the stairs.

3. The work done by Muybridge was a scientific study done to answer the question of how horses run. He used a series of cameras placed on a race track to show that all of a horse's feet leave the groung when it runs. The photograph by Elisofon is a more artistic work that imitates his painting "Nude Decsending a Staircase."

Extreme Angles Project

Shadow Project