Thursday, December 20, 2012
Friday, November 16, 2012
Mapping Reflection
Currently, I am working on a Mapping Project, in which I took pictures of maps and am going to form them into different shapes. This project fits well with my past series as it includes the texture element, which I have implemented before. I am very excited about this series and the presentation of them as well regarding the forming them into different shapes. These shapes will hang with a gradient background behind them giving the sense of their own "map world." Presenting them in this way is definitely the biggest risk of the project, as it will be an original and unconventional way of displaying them. That being said, the presentation is also one of my favorite parts of the assignment because it is different and unlike anything I've done before (disregarding the flower assignment last year, which I attempted a similar presentation, but slightly different and on a smaller scale). I'm also excited about the photographs themselves as they do not read as pictures of maps, but instead take on their own individuality with texture and map qualities, yet act as a cohesive, uniform series. Though printing them has been a struggle, I am pleased with how they are turning out.
Monday, November 5, 2012
Self-Study
For my self-study project, I used mirror shards and different fabrics to portray the theme of texture. In order to incorporate myself in the assignment, I used the mirror pieces as a reflection surface, so I could be physically seen in the photographs. The most exciting part of this assignment was joining my love of textures with images of myself. I also enjoyed playing with the lighting and compositions of the fabrics to create more dynamic and compelling photos. For the presentation of my photographs, I plan to print them at four different sizes, with one considerably larger image at the top, and then have the smaller images follow below in a varied fashion.
Originally, I was going to break mirrors and take pictures of myself in the reflection of them, however many challenges arose from that plan. The mirror shards were sharp and would not stay together, leaving mirror pieces everywhere that would clearly not work for my project. From that first attempt, I took the mirror pieces out of the cracked mirror and ended up using those in my final project, rather that the whole mirror itself. From that incident, I learned to persevere even when my project seemed like it would not work out and also to test my ideas and run though my entire plan before I began shooting. Overall, a disastrous start to my project, but in the end, going through that experience paid off.
When I was in the planning stage of the assignment, I created a Self-Study Board on Pintrest and looked at multiple artists who incorporated textures and shadows into their photographs. In some of the images I looked at, the artists took black and white photographs to emphasize the contrast in the shadows and I found that style appealing to use in my photographs. During the critique, my peers gave me many valuable comments that I had never thought of before. One of the points I want to highlight which someone brought up was the cohesiveness of my work and use of repetition through using the same materials, but in different compositions. Another response that was constructive and beneficial for this and for future assignments was having my images at different scales provided a sort of trail when displayed on the wall.
The last photograph is the final installment of all my images. I chose to present them in a clutter fashion, which emphasizes the size variation and spaces between my photos, overall making my series more compelling.
Originally, I was going to break mirrors and take pictures of myself in the reflection of them, however many challenges arose from that plan. The mirror shards were sharp and would not stay together, leaving mirror pieces everywhere that would clearly not work for my project. From that first attempt, I took the mirror pieces out of the cracked mirror and ended up using those in my final project, rather that the whole mirror itself. From that incident, I learned to persevere even when my project seemed like it would not work out and also to test my ideas and run though my entire plan before I began shooting. Overall, a disastrous start to my project, but in the end, going through that experience paid off.
When I was in the planning stage of the assignment, I created a Self-Study Board on Pintrest and looked at multiple artists who incorporated textures and shadows into their photographs. In some of the images I looked at, the artists took black and white photographs to emphasize the contrast in the shadows and I found that style appealing to use in my photographs. During the critique, my peers gave me many valuable comments that I had never thought of before. One of the points I want to highlight which someone brought up was the cohesiveness of my work and use of repetition through using the same materials, but in different compositions. Another response that was constructive and beneficial for this and for future assignments was having my images at different scales provided a sort of trail when displayed on the wall.
The last photograph is the final installment of all my images. I chose to present them in a clutter fashion, which emphasizes the size variation and spaces between my photos, overall making my series more compelling.
Monday, October 22, 2012
Mapping Project Ideas
I'm still uncertain on what I want to do for my project, but here are some ideas I've come up with. For my first idea, I was inspired by the picture of license plates in the shape of the US. I really like the artist's use of license plates and I wouldn't necessarily put them in the shape of countries, but maybe having license plates form some other object could be compelling.
My second idea was inspired by the use of coins and currency. I like the different textures and shades of color in coins and one idea I had would be to get different coins from around the world and somehow connect them together with where they originate from. For example, I would have US currency with a shape or map of the US etc.
My third idea was involving compasses and different map symbols and assembling them together to have different colors and textures all in one.
Lastly, I thought about using stamps and postcards from different countries and taking pictures of them, while somehow bringing them together to create their own piece. When I thought about mapping, I envisioned connecting people together and building those links, so through postcards and stamps, I thought I could portray that vision.
My second idea was inspired by the use of coins and currency. I like the different textures and shades of color in coins and one idea I had would be to get different coins from around the world and somehow connect them together with where they originate from. For example, I would have US currency with a shape or map of the US etc.
My third idea was involving compasses and different map symbols and assembling them together to have different colors and textures all in one.
Lastly, I thought about using stamps and postcards from different countries and taking pictures of them, while somehow bringing them together to create their own piece. When I thought about mapping, I envisioned connecting people together and building those links, so through postcards and stamps, I thought I could portray that vision.
Sunday, September 30, 2012
Mirror Self-Study First Attempt
This past week I began working on a self-study project where I am using mirrors and taking pictures of people's reflections in them. Initially, I did not want to be in the photographs themselves, but I could not find a model to use so I experimented this weekend with me being in them. For the final product, I doubt I'll use the ones I shot this weekend, but I used the weekend to generate ideas for the final result. That being said, tomorrow I plan on using different people to play around with different compositions and lighting to create more dynamic photographs. The idea of using mirrors has always been fascinating to me, but the thought of breaking them seemed a. fun and b. a lot more interesting than a plain mirror. The symbolism behind shattering mirrors is to convey that the person is still visible, but broken into a million different pieces that altogether form one person.
These are two images that I found most compelling, however I want to reshoot them with another person and studio lighting. The most interesting aspect of these photos for me is the blurriness of the shattered mirror, but I also want to experiment with a shallow depth of field to create a more versatile series.
These are two images that I found most compelling, however I want to reshoot them with another person and studio lighting. The most interesting aspect of these photos for me is the blurriness of the shattered mirror, but I also want to experiment with a shallow depth of field to create a more versatile series.
Sunday, September 9, 2012
Daily Practice
1. This past week, I spent my time taking and editing photographs with the intention of zooming in on different object(s), so the original object(s) would not be evident.
2. I focused on using my camera so the viewer would not be able to tell what the picture was taken of and instead, they would focus on texture and composition of the photograph.
3. I started developing and playing around with this style last year as I discovered I had a passion for textures and how they interact together. I plan on exploring this style of photography in this project and in further projects.
4. Yes, I feel that I made a meaningful use of my time this week, although personally I think I work better with a goal oriented task as it forces me to come up with a final project or piece of work.
2. I focused on using my camera so the viewer would not be able to tell what the picture was taken of and instead, they would focus on texture and composition of the photograph.
3. I started developing and playing around with this style last year as I discovered I had a passion for textures and how they interact together. I plan on exploring this style of photography in this project and in further projects.
4. Yes, I feel that I made a meaningful use of my time this week, although personally I think I work better with a goal oriented task as it forces me to come up with a final project or piece of work.
Thursday, May 31, 2012
Final Art Reflection
1. Askew - Kill Your Darlings, Fibonacci
Chestnut Rose - book assignment (Texture)
2. The first work that I found most successful this year was in the Kill Your Darlings, Fibonacci assignment, and although it does not fit the Fibonacci criteria, I nonetheless find this photograph very engaging and thought-provoking. The lighting of this photograph and the contrast between the light and dark areas is what I believe makes this photograph so striking. Although this is one of my favorite photos, I think it could have been more successful if the angle of the picture was at eye-level to the fabric, instead of from above. The Kill Your Darlings, Fibonacci project is where I got the idea of focusing on different textures, and is what I pursed in the Texture project and also in the Defy Ms. Seal project. The second image I found successful was in the book-making assignment where I focused on texture. The title of this image is Chestnut Rose. I especially like the perspective of the flower and the hints of copper colors in it. Originally, this photo was zoomed out further, but the cropping intention really made this image more about the flower and texture of it, rather than of the larger cross the flower is part of.
3. My least successful work this year was the Stop Motion Animation assignment where I made a Stop Motion about Candyland. Initially, I had some good ideas of what I could do for this project, but I ran out of time in making the actual video so the execution of the video was very poor. If I were to do this assignment again I would first manage my time more efficiently, but also would take my pictures with more intention and focus on each one rather than the overall video itself.
4. The skills I consider to be of my greatest strength are probably my ability to focus in on details of a picture and play with different angles to make the image more intriguing. Also, last year we did an assignment involving lighting in the studio and with off camera flashes and I really liked that one and found it to be pretty successful, so hopefully next year I will get a chance to do something with lighting again.
5. Overall, I consider myself a hard-working student, but especially in photography because photography is a passion of mine and I enjoy taking pictures even if it's not for an assignment. I could have improved or worked harder in my Stop Motion Animation project because I felt like I wasn't that excited about doing my idea and that showed in the end product.
6. I am most excited about exploring texture further and also focusing on lighting and how that helps in making photographs even better.
7. Photography definitely makes me focus a lot on detail in each photograph, but also on a bigger end result and how that translates into a presentation. I'm even noticing now that, for example, say I was writing an english essay, I have to focus on the claims I'm making and supporting those with evidence, but I can't forget about what I'm trying to argue and my thesis for that paper.
3. My least successful work this year was the Stop Motion Animation assignment where I made a Stop Motion about Candyland. Initially, I had some good ideas of what I could do for this project, but I ran out of time in making the actual video so the execution of the video was very poor. If I were to do this assignment again I would first manage my time more efficiently, but also would take my pictures with more intention and focus on each one rather than the overall video itself.
4. The skills I consider to be of my greatest strength are probably my ability to focus in on details of a picture and play with different angles to make the image more intriguing. Also, last year we did an assignment involving lighting in the studio and with off camera flashes and I really liked that one and found it to be pretty successful, so hopefully next year I will get a chance to do something with lighting again.
5. Overall, I consider myself a hard-working student, but especially in photography because photography is a passion of mine and I enjoy taking pictures even if it's not for an assignment. I could have improved or worked harder in my Stop Motion Animation project because I felt like I wasn't that excited about doing my idea and that showed in the end product.
6. I am most excited about exploring texture further and also focusing on lighting and how that helps in making photographs even better.
7. Photography definitely makes me focus a lot on detail in each photograph, but also on a bigger end result and how that translates into a presentation. I'm even noticing now that, for example, say I was writing an english essay, I have to focus on the claims I'm making and supporting those with evidence, but I can't forget about what I'm trying to argue and my thesis for that paper.
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Defy Ms. Seal
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