2/5/2018 1 Comment Photo 3 ~ Animals I chose to capture animals this week. From the beginning, this particular photoshoot seemed doomed: I'd planned to photograph outdoors, yet the weather had other ideas. Being in the midst of home renovations, finding a clean background was once again a chore. To top everything off, I was working with an unfamiliar camera. I was also, however, determined to make the situation work. My most successful shots can be seen below. Aperture: f 1.4 ISO: 400 Shutter Speed: 1/200 Following this assignment, I've come to several conclusions:
1) Animals are harder to photograph than people. Capturing my dog's personality was more difficult than capturing my family's. For one, she can only do so much to begin with -- gaze, jump, lay, sit, and play with her toy. Photo options were limited from the start. Additionally, getting her to actually do those things -- at the proper times, in the proper places -- was an entirely different story. She didn't take kindly to sitting still, and kept trying to run towards me as I was focusing/snapping a shot. In the end, the toy photos were our most successful endeavor. Her bone was a win-win situation: it momentarily distracted her, and it added a nice pop of color for me. 2) Fancier cameras can actually be easier to learn with. Since I forgot to check out a point-and-shoot over the weekend, I ended up using my dad's professional camera. It clearly depicts -- unlike our class cameras -- aperture's effect on depth of field. I was able to better understand that relationship when I could actually see the differences between shots. For the same reason, I also found experimenting with various f-stops more enjoyable. Changing the aperture felt more like a creative choice this time around, rather than just a technical necessity.
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1/31/2018 0 Comments Photoshop 2 ~ Car RetouchDuring this assignment, I dove deeper into Photoshop's realm, tasked with using more advanced features to retouch and enhance several photographs. For the first picture, I was given an instructional outline that specified which aspects needed editing. Additionally, a brief demo showed me how, precisely, to manipulate each of those factors. In total, I used the following: 1) The levels tool, to brighten the car / heighten contrast 2) The clone stamp, to remove some of the glare spots on the car's hood 3) The selection/inverse tools to isolate the car 4) The paintbrush to color the background 5) The levels tool again, to tint the windshield 6) The text tool, to add citations For the second picture, I was given free reign. This photo was already sitting on my desktop, leftover from the PopArt tutorial, so I elected to see what I could accomplish with it. While I didn't have any particular vision in mind when I began the editing process, I tried to apply the same skills acquired during the car retouch.
In total, I used the following: 1) The levels tool, to make a slight brightness/contrast adjustment 2) The selection/inverse tools to isolate the people 3) The paintbrush to color the background 4) The clone stamp, to remove skin blemishes and face redness 5) The text tool, to add citations Looking back, I have mixed feelings regarding this assignment. My detail-oriented side proved itself both a blessing and a curse: the selection tool, for example, posed a significant challenge. I couldn't quite get the hang of it -- thus, I had to go back and "clean up" the edges of the car/people with a tiny paintbrush. The final result appears quite precise, but it took half an eternity to end up there. The sequences of keys needed to use certain features ( "option" to target the clone stamp, "command D" to release ) were also rather difficult to remember. I feel shakily confident with them now, though I'll likely need a refresher by the next assignment. On a more positive note, I was glad to see how Photoshop's tools can be useful. PopArt was entertaining, but I didn't foresee myself re-using that technique in the future -- this was different. These tools seem to have a wealth of potential, and I look forward to applying them in upcoming photographs. My personal favorite was the mini navigation window -- simple, efficient, and neat! 1/29/2018 2 Comments Photo 2 ~ PeopleHad my neighbors looked out the window at around 9:00 on Sunday morning, they would have been treated to quite the view: me, clad in fuzzy pajamas, lying flat on my back in the cold wet grass, with a camera pointed skywards. That's correct -- this weekend, I became that crazy photographer. The one who crams themselves into tiny spaces and assumes awkward positions for the sake of a perfect shot. My family members posed as my subjects: I attempted to capture their unique dispositions and dynamics, while also paying attention to stylistic and technical details. Specifically, I hoped to gain practice with manually adjusting the exposure triangle while in the midst of an excruciatingly sunny backyard. Space, as well, was a compositional aspect that I paid careful consideration: I wanted my family to fill the frame as much as possible. While I loved many of my photos this week, the one below is my personal favorite. I believe that both focus factors -- proper exposure triangle and proper space -- are on apt display here. Most of all, I love that it showcases the easy, natural bond between my siblings. While the shot itself was posed, their relationship appears candid. Aperture: f 3.5 ISO: 80 Shutter Speed: 1/100 The pictures featured in the slideshow below were all close seconds, in my mind. Overall, I absolutely loved shooting this assignment. There were a few initial bumps in the road -- trying to find proper positioning in the sunlight, as well as an area where the rest of my neighborhood wouldn't intrude on the background, was a bit difficult.
For the first time, though, I truly had fun taking photographs. With previous assignments, I grew so frustrated with attempting to make the camera settings work that I didn't enjoy the experience. This time, while I did allot focus to those technicalities, I concentrated more on making my subjects come to life. That, they sure did. Sometimes, I've learned, a good photograph comes only when you stop trying to achieve "perfection." 1/25/2018 0 Comments Photo 2 InspirationFor my second photoshoot, I plan to focus on capturing people. Throughout my first two assignments (Composition/Motion) -- as well as the years spent observing my dad -- people were my favorite subjects. I love that the photos below manage to fit so many features into a single frame: personality and intimacy; emotions and relationships; as well as the technical qualities that create a "good picture." This weekend -- with help from my large, blended family -- I hope to capture a blend of naturally posed and candid shots . . . to take pictures that both look beautiful and tell a story.
1/24/2018 0 Comments Photoshop 1 ~ PopArtMy first foray into the world of Photoshop was spent "creating an Andy Warhol-like effect." Armed with a variety of doctoring tools, I transformed two ordinary photos into brightly colored quartets. For the first picture -- taken of myself -- I followed precise step-by-step instructions. For the second -- of myself and my sister -- I was given the opportunity to experiment with different color/saturation schemes. The final products, along with their original counterparts, can be seen below. Overall, I enjoyed this assignment. It was quick, simple, and easier than expected: I no longer feel like a deer in headlights when opening the Photoshop app. Knowing what a handful of icons are used for feels like an accomplishment, even if I do still posses only a rudimentary understanding . Moving forward, I'll be able to activate certain features (e.g., rulers); edit thresholds; and resize a canvas without a tutorial.
I do, however, need more practice with saving files properly. Not once, but twice, I overwrote my original image and unintentionally replaced it with the Photoshopped B&W version. 1/22/2018 1 Comment Photo 1 ~ MotionFor my first assignment, I attempted to capture motion. In doing this, I aimed to experiment with proper shutter speed adjustment, different types of blur, and manipulation of the subject's movement. What I believe is my best shot from this week can be seen below. I like the way in which both the background and my sister's legs are blurred, clearly depicting the motion of her running past. Additionally, my sister's bright blue coat adds a nice pop of color to the otherwise symmetric, monotonous winter background. The overall effect reminds me a bit of this book cover, minus the unnatural coloring. Aperture: f 5.6 ISO: 80 Shutter Speed: 1/20 In general, this assignment was quite frustrating. Capturing a clear, sharp subject against a blurred background was much harder than I'd anticipated. I often panned too fast or too slow, resulting in excessive blur and awkward framing. An extremely precise balance, I learned, needs to be struck when using this technique.
Suspended motion, as well, was difficult. I tended to underestimate the proper shutter speed, so certain features - particularly my sister's hair - still appeared softened. On a more positive note, my subject was a trooper. While many of my photos had technical issues, I do like their content. I love that some shots depict one aspect of my sister's personality (focused and driven), while others showcase her goofy and silly side. 1/18/2018 0 Comments Photo 1 InspirationFor my first assignment, I've chosen to focus on motion in photography. The 3 inspiration shots below display the 3 different types of motion that I'd like to capture: 1) Suspended Motion 2) "Visual Flow" w/ Suspended Motion 3) Motion-blurred Background Through this initial photoshoot, I hope to improve several skills: first of all, use of the technical aspects involved with capturing each type of motion; and secondly, the ability to showcase somebody's personality as well as their movement. That glimpse into a person's character is, to me, one of the most incredible parts of photography; this week, I plan to use my younger siblings as subjects in attempt to achieve such an effect.
12/19/2017 0 Comments Composition 1 &2For this first assignment, we had to cover "the basics." Cameras were placed in our hands for the first time, and we were shown how to physically snap a photo, adjust the mode and display, and browse our gallery. We were then directed to an article covering the fundamental aspects of photo composition (rule of thirds, balance, etc.). Following this research, our instructor set us free to roam, accompanied by our cameras. The task? Capture an example of each composition factor. Finally, we created a personal blog to bring all of those examples together - and that, my friends, is how we ended up here. My favorite shots from this assignment can be seen below. Over the past two weeks, I've come to realize that photography is both an art form and a science. There is, of course, so much space for creativity: you can take a picture of anyone, anywhere, at any time. I recruited everything from siblings to sticks of chalk as my subjects. On the other hand, a certain amount of experimentation and methodology is called for: angles, colors, lighting, and positioning must be toyed with in order to produce a quality image. This is often a greater feat than it may seem. For one shot, in order to achieve proper perspective, I ended up flat on the floor, pressed between the couch and the wall, with the camera outstretched above my head. I also underestimated the amount of time this process takes; much of a photo-shoot is spent running back and forth between light sources and the camera, making sure that glares and shadows have been chased away.
These two elements - the imagination and the inspection - combine to tell a story in seconds. Based on the photographer's choices, that story can change in the blink of a lens. From this assignment, I've learned that my favorite stories to tell are those that involve people. Taking pictures of objects and scenery was rather boring. 12/19/2017 0 Comments This is MeHi there! My name is Megan, and I'm currently a senior in high school.
Having grown up with a professional photographer as a father, I'm no stranger to cameras. I spent many years standing to the side, watching as my dad carefully guided people, objects, and equipment in order to snap the perfect shot. For a long time, I was content to be a bystander. However, after observing a wedding photography session this summer, curiosity sparked. I didn't want to be the person simply smiling for the lens: I also wanted to be the person behind it. Watching bridesmaids pose, arms overflowing with flowers; seeing pictures of the bride and groom at the altar, laughing and crying alike . . . these things made me realize that photography doesn't capture still-life's: it captures moments. It takes living, breathing, fleeting memories and gives them permanence. It snatches snippets of the world and brings out their beauty and their significance. A camera, I realized, isn't just a camera: it is a powerful tool . . . one that I want to use wisely. With that motivation in mind, I signed up for my school's Digital Photography course. Aside from photography, my interests are wide and varied. Horror movies are my Achilles heel, and I have a perpetual case of the travel bug. More often than not, you'll find me curled up by the fireplace with either a book or a pencil in hand. My house is constantly loud, filled to the brim with siblings, pets, music, and family game nights. Without a doubt, my most prominent passion is French, both the culture and the language. French Disney songs are superior, and I'm constantly singing them, whether under my breath in the school halls or at the top of my lungs in my kitchen. Down the road, I hope to become a French elementary teacher. :) |
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