I guess I can't put these off any longer...
Chapter 1
This chapter explains the history of picture taking and the reasons behind it. The earliest traces of pictures are the cave paintings from forty thousand years ago. The book explains that the reason why people photograph is the "impulse to preserve-- to document and therefore commemorate specific people an events of importance." The chapter goes into describing the process that a picture is taken and how the art of photography has evolved since 1839, when Louis-Jacques-Mande Daguerre invented the first practical photographic process. Before completing this course you couldn't pay me to use photo-manipulation aside from color correction and straightening. The chapter also explains the different types of photo manipulation done before photoshop. The chapter also talks about the early advent of straight photography and previsualization. It was interesting learning about the f/64 group.
Chapter 2
This chapter focused on the difficult task of conveying the right message with your photography. "The principal job of the photographer is looking, which defines all photographic processes. Good photographs are made by learning to see... imagemaking is 10 percent what we encounter and 90 percent how we respond." This chapter explains the different steps that photographers go through to become a master imagemaker. I found this kind of subjective since there are so many different types of photographers. So who's to judge what's a good photo from a bad? The design principles are unity, variety, emphasis, scale, and proportion. We also learned about the golden mean in this chapter which was a new concept to me. I had already known about the rule of thirds but the golden mean was a different and interesting concept. To be a good judge of composition you must understand the importance of lines, shape, space, texture, pattern, and symbolism.
Chapter 3
According to chapter 3, "the role of the camera has been to make an 'acceptable' and recognizable depiction of the visible world based on established visual conventions." Garry Winorand observed, "A photograph can only look like how the camera saw what was photographed. Or, how the camera saw the piece of time and space is responsible for how the photograph looks. "This chapter explains the inner workings of the camera and what needs to happen to capture an image. It also defines words like 'camera' and 'lens' and explained the meaning of image resolution and pixels. The chapter also added helpful tips on picking the correct camera for you and the correct camera file formats. I found the explanation on jpegs, tiffs, and raw to be helpful. Beofre this course I didn't know which one was suitable for what event. Shutter speed and aperture explanations were also provided.
Chapter 4
Chapter 4 is called exposure and filters. So as you can guess, it was about the effects of different exposures and filters have on the photograph. The technical prerequisite to the process of transforming ideas into photographs are acceptable shadow and highlight detail. Even though technology and computer software offer numerous post-processing correction tools, "it is preferable to make original exposures as accurately as possible to avoid compromising image quality." Different techniques to getting the correct exposure such as light meters, histograms, gray cards, are manual exposure helpers. Whereas the electronic viewfinder and the camera monitor are built into the camera and can easily be fooled by lighting conditions. This chapter discusses the different exposures needed for different lighting situations, 'brilliant sunlight' 'average daylight' 'diffused light' and 'dim light'. Fill flash and electronic flash were explained and what types of situations to use each in.
Chapter 5
"Seeing with Light" "Every photograph is about light. Light is a plastic medium that is the key ingredient shared by every photograph and determines the look of every photograph you make" This chapter further explains the need to match the time of day with the types of light metering. Atmospheric conditions like fog and mist, snow, rain, dust, heat and fire, beach and desert were talked about. Artificial lights were explained and the importance of the placing of light, front light, side light, high side light, low side light, top light, back light, and under light. Lighting accessories include, barn doors, diffusers, gels, reflector cards, snoots, seamless paper backdrops, and studio strobes.
Chapter 6
"Observation: Eyes Wide Open" this chapter explains the necessities in being able to have an eye for photography. The difference between artistic and scientific methods is that "art offers and intuitive approach to explain reality, while science insists on an exact, objective, rational set of repeatable methods and measurements. Since science says there is only one right answer; art says there are many correct answers" I like this quote because it really conveys what makes art special, not everyone has to agree on it in order for it to be right. There's no right or wrong in art. This is the chapter where we worked on th 'image maker as flaneur' which I took a sort of decisive moment approach to.
Chapter 7
Time, Space, Imagination, and the Camera is about the search of time, perception of time, controlling the camera's time, exploring shutter speeds. It summarizes how to make intentional blur and how to stay away from nuisance blur. It also teaches how to make those cool long exposure effects which I always tried to do with no success. This chapter also talks about a lot of in camera techniques that I had no clue was possible without software. This is the chapter where we were assigned the seven deadly sins project. This chapter was very helpful for cool effects like the photographic collage, making images look 3D, and photomontages.
Chapter 8
Digital Studio:Where the virtual meets the material world explains just what goes into a photograph that is downloaded to a computer. It talks about how many different pixels are needed for print, web, display, camera file, and life. Chapter 8 also talks about the needed resolutions for each task, I'm not going to lie, this was a dull chapter. It basically talked about different ways to view and manipulate an image on photoshop and how to make them print worthy. It also weighed the pros and cons about coated vs uncoated paper and the difference between printers and ink.
Chapter 9
This chapter was called presentation and preservation... it was also dry but it had a lot of good information. It explained the different types of presentation such as archival and the materials you need for it. Archival is the best way to preserve your print however it's very expensive. The pros and cons of dry vs wet mounting, the mat board was explained, floating a print was explained. Also, different types of frames, portfolios, books, and online presentations were discussed. This was also another chapter on printing techniques and materials. I feel like this book repeats itself a lot. One cool thing was a list of competitions to send your work to once it's all ready.
Chapter 10
Seeing with a camera, "one of the fundamental tasks of any image maker is to define what the exact subject of the picture is going to be. The capacity to compose succinctly is what gives clarity and cohesion to a maker's experience." This chapter looks at how "Sunday snap shooters" always take pictures at eye level where as imagemakers explore the visual possibilities of the scene and attempt to find a way to present the subject in accordance with a desired outcome. There are countless angles that make one picture different from the next, imagemakers learn how to explore these options. Selective focus, contrast, complementary colors, dominant colors, harmonic colors, isolated colors were all explained.
Chapter 11
Solutions: Thinking and Writing about images "visual thinking involves an imaginative and resourceful interaction between an imagemaker and a subject.. a problem is a situation for consideration. It is a question for open discussion and should not be ignored or treated as a cause of anxiety. Defining the true nature of a problem paves the way for understanding, which can lead to a successful resolution of the problem." This chapter talks about planning for images, which I don't necessarily agree with. It seems almost forced, although I like to take staged photographs sometimes, if it doesn't feel like it's there, I try not to force it.
Chapter 12
Photographer on assignment is a chapter of relevance to me because I've started getting jobs where I have to think about the customer and what they want, not just what I like. My favorite type of photography is portraiture, this chapter gave good advice on how to capture a good portrait. Such as studying other successful portraits. This book has proved to be helpful when I have questions about proper adjustments and decisions about my photography. This chapter focused on the different type of photography jobs out there and how to cover each. There wasn't a lot of information in this chapter, mostly just different assignments.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Neverland Syndrome
So this project have evolved quite a lot over the past few weeks. Originally I wanted to emulate Annie Leibovitz, after realizing I don't have the models or money required to stage such things I kept thinking. I nanny-ed over the summer for these two little boys, Zachary and Brady. We had a great time and I always found them to be interesting and loved to observe them. So then I thought, I could do "A Day in the Life" final project and follow these little guys around. But then I thought well they're always getting into trouble, how can I capture them doing that? So I came up with the idea to have a sort of documentary style piece of mischievous little super heroes. Then I really thought about super heroes and how by dressing up like them they were emulating who they want to be when they grow up. So that got me thinking about growing up and how I really don't want to (haha). Alas, my final project idea, a surrealist style of neverland syndrome, the "i don't want to grow up" syndrome. When you're a kid you think you're invincible, your imagination is wild and that's what I kind of wanted to create. The shadow is a borrowed symbol from Peter Pan which represents his childhood. I hope you were able to follow me through this explanation of this seemingly unrealistic project. If by doing this project I evoke a memory from your childhood, of being an invincible little super hero, then I think I did my job.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Artist Lecture: December 1, 2010
I attended the artist lecture for Carol Aronson – Shore today. About 20 people showed up to the lecture which was given by Kimberly Alexander. I was surprised to find out that the actual artist wasn't giving the lecture even though she was there. Kimberly Alexander is the curator of the Strawberry Banke Museum, which is a preserved 10 acre village. After learning that Aronson-Shore's exhibit wascomprised of all paintings of Strawberry Banke I reasoned that if the artist herself wasn't going to be giving the talk, the museums' curator was the next big thing.
Aronson-Shore's work filled the bottom level of the Art Museum in the PCAC. All of her work had beautiful bursts of color that were pleasing to the eye. One thing Alexander pointed out in the lecture was that the careful viewer was rewarded with detail. I found this statement particularly interesting because at first glance I found the pictures to be a bit static and unrealistic. However, upon closer examination I found much more detail than I had originally. It was clear that Alexander is a huge fan of Aronson-Shore's work, she did a good job of pointing out the detail and simple beauty in each piece.
From my early memories of visiting Strawberry Banke as a child I remember going through the entrance and it was like you completely left the present world behind. I felt I had gone back in time to the 19th century. Each and every building told a story and had so much character. Of course the vibrant colors and landscape was very beautiful, but I found more pleasure in the stories and characters of all the old homes and buildings. My own critique of Aronson-Shore's work is that although she captured the beauty of Strawberry Banke, her pictures don't convey the stories behind the buildings.
Aronson-Shore's work filled the bottom level of the Art Museum in the PCAC. All of her work had beautiful bursts of color that were pleasing to the eye. One thing Alexander pointed out in the lecture was that the careful viewer was rewarded with detail. I found this statement particularly interesting because at first glance I found the pictures to be a bit static and unrealistic. However, upon closer examination I found much more detail than I had originally. It was clear that Alexander is a huge fan of Aronson-Shore's work, she did a good job of pointing out the detail and simple beauty in each piece.
From my early memories of visiting Strawberry Banke as a child I remember going through the entrance and it was like you completely left the present world behind. I felt I had gone back in time to the 19th century. Each and every building told a story and had so much character. Of course the vibrant colors and landscape was very beautiful, but I found more pleasure in the stories and characters of all the old homes and buildings. My own critique of Aronson-Shore's work is that although she captured the beauty of Strawberry Banke, her pictures don't convey the stories behind the buildings.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Friday, November 19, 2010
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Social Narrative
Vacant
By Kristen Phelps
Statement of Purpose
Littered across the U.S. is evidence of life, which has come and gone. People build and use their homes, garages, businesses, and barns and give them back to the earth. Thus, the epidemic of vacant, abandoned, neglected structures, which covers New Hampshire.
For me this project has been a long time in the making and still not nearly finished. Over the years I’ve taken a liking to old, abandoned buildings, rusted trucks, and falling fences. I think what attracts me is the story in which they hold. Unlike new cars, buildings etc. they have lived through many years of good times and bad times, their weathered appearances are proof.
As I’ve become familiar with disregarding “No Trespassing” and “Private Property” signs I’ve been able to find the real beauty in these old places. The reflections and sharpness of broken glass, the curvature of warped floors, the texture in rusted metal, the moss growing in gorgeous green patterns all over the weathered wood have become things I look forward to capturing with my camera.
Although most of the places I visit are beyond repair they still deserve a second look. For decades, even centuries for some, they served their uses well and should be appreciated for that.
My hope is to continue this project. Research more abandoned and vacant places and visit them. This is somewhat of an on-going process. This body of work is my witness to the old, vacant, abandoned, neglected and beautiful things scattered around New Hampshire.
Enjoy.
By Kristen Phelps
Statement of Purpose
Littered across the U.S. is evidence of life, which has come and gone. People build and use their homes, garages, businesses, and barns and give them back to the earth. Thus, the epidemic of vacant, abandoned, neglected structures, which covers New Hampshire.
For me this project has been a long time in the making and still not nearly finished. Over the years I’ve taken a liking to old, abandoned buildings, rusted trucks, and falling fences. I think what attracts me is the story in which they hold. Unlike new cars, buildings etc. they have lived through many years of good times and bad times, their weathered appearances are proof.
As I’ve become familiar with disregarding “No Trespassing” and “Private Property” signs I’ve been able to find the real beauty in these old places. The reflections and sharpness of broken glass, the curvature of warped floors, the texture in rusted metal, the moss growing in gorgeous green patterns all over the weathered wood have become things I look forward to capturing with my camera.
Although most of the places I visit are beyond repair they still deserve a second look. For decades, even centuries for some, they served their uses well and should be appreciated for that.
My hope is to continue this project. Research more abandoned and vacant places and visit them. This is somewhat of an on-going process. This body of work is my witness to the old, vacant, abandoned, neglected and beautiful things scattered around New Hampshire.
Enjoy.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Contact sheets for Social Landscape
This project I tossed some ideas around, I wanted to take pictures of prisons, but after little research learned that was impossible unless you're the TV show "Lock Up". So I stuck with what I love to shoot, abandoned places.
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Monday, November 8, 2010
Inspiration
Since I missed the class this was assigned in I'm not sure if we're supposed to say who inspires us or what inspires us.
As far as what inspires me... I'd say a little bit of everything. I find the most inspiration when I'm walking around, people watching, or driving around. Since I began taking photography a couple years ago my eye is always searching for interesting compositions or pleasing things, I am always thinking about my next photo. So everything around me inspires me, the people I see, the places I go and the things I come across. Knowing this, I spend a lot of time researching different places and cultures and have cultivated a thirst to travel and photograph foreign people, places and things. When I look at a picture many questions come to mind, I always want to know more. I think that is why many documentary photographers really catch my attention. Right now I really enjoy Mary Calvert's documentary style work.
I am inspired and greatly admire the work of Elliott Erwitt, Sally Mann and Annie Leibovitz.
As far as what inspires me... I'd say a little bit of everything. I find the most inspiration when I'm walking around, people watching, or driving around. Since I began taking photography a couple years ago my eye is always searching for interesting compositions or pleasing things, I am always thinking about my next photo. So everything around me inspires me, the people I see, the places I go and the things I come across. Knowing this, I spend a lot of time researching different places and cultures and have cultivated a thirst to travel and photograph foreign people, places and things. When I look at a picture many questions come to mind, I always want to know more. I think that is why many documentary photographers really catch my attention. Right now I really enjoy Mary Calvert's documentary style work.
I am inspired and greatly admire the work of Elliott Erwitt, Sally Mann and Annie Leibovitz.
Why Photograph?
Why do people photograph?
I can only guess why people photograph-- to capture. People are always trying to make everlasting memories, and photos do that. They have the power to capture moods, emotions and feelings. Most people photograph their family and important moments in their lives. One qualm I have with photography is that if I'm always photographing other people and documenting their lives, who will document mine? I guess the answer is within my pictures. All the pictures I take hold a little piece of me, capture a sense of me. When I photograph, I capture; and that's why I photograph. I love the sense of being able to hold onto a moment once it's past. I love the feeling of looking through old photographs and reliving old memories and good times.
What do I want to photograph-- everything.
I can only guess why people photograph-- to capture. People are always trying to make everlasting memories, and photos do that. They have the power to capture moods, emotions and feelings. Most people photograph their family and important moments in their lives. One qualm I have with photography is that if I'm always photographing other people and documenting their lives, who will document mine? I guess the answer is within my pictures. All the pictures I take hold a little piece of me, capture a sense of me. When I photograph, I capture; and that's why I photograph. I love the sense of being able to hold onto a moment once it's past. I love the feeling of looking through old photographs and reliving old memories and good times.
What do I want to photograph-- everything.
My Creative Process
This is a catch up for when I missed class a couple weeks ago. My photographic process is based on everything I see. I've always considered myself a very visual person, I try to find beauty in wherever I look. I'm one of those photographers who always has their camera with them. Whenever I see something I find beautiful or interesting I take a picture. My photographic process is very simple, look around and photography all things I find beautiful, simple, or interesting.
Weekend Photographs
Catch up- Social Landscape Definition and Progress
Alright so I know we've had a class explaining what we think "social landscape narrative" means, but I interpreted it as it means something different to everyone. I still don't have a solid grasp on the concept and I'm not sure if it's because I'm dumb or because it's just a really broad subject (hopefully the latter is the case).
When Julee told us to come up with our own definition of it I kind of guess it was anything affected that told a story. Kind of like documentary photography, street photography or photography which you see an underlying meaning. Basically I gathered that it's not formal portraits or anything staged.
For my project I'm waiting to hear back from a jail in Manchester on their policies on photographing. But, with the time constraints I don't think that seems plausible. My back up plan is to expand on what I love, old buildings, anything abandoned or neglected. I think this would be cool if I did a variation of close up, abstract images and also zoomed out images.
When Julee told us to come up with our own definition of it I kind of guess it was anything affected that told a story. Kind of like documentary photography, street photography or photography which you see an underlying meaning. Basically I gathered that it's not formal portraits or anything staged.
For my project I'm waiting to hear back from a jail in Manchester on their policies on photographing. But, with the time constraints I don't think that seems plausible. My back up plan is to expand on what I love, old buildings, anything abandoned or neglected. I think this would be cool if I did a variation of close up, abstract images and also zoomed out images.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Memory of 9/11
Sitting in Mrs. Mathews 6th grade social studies class, Sr. Janet, the principal came bursting through the door and turned the TV on before going to the the next classroom. My classmates and myself were happy, our mindset was that anything is better than social studies. We soon realized we were wrong, and the room grew still. I remember not even knowing what the world Trade Centers were or where they were. On the TV stood a smoking building, and about five minutes after watching a second plane flew into the other tower, destroying hope of it being an accident.
Two buildings that I had never even known about had been attacked by terrorists and now I was watching Americans jump from 60+ stories. I was scared; scared because I had never experienced such vulnerability. Looking to my teachers, parents even the president, for the first time I wasn't comforted in knowing that everything would be okay.
Two buildings that I had never even known about had been attacked by terrorists and now I was watching Americans jump from 60+ stories. I was scared; scared because I had never experienced such vulnerability. Looking to my teachers, parents even the president, for the first time I wasn't comforted in knowing that everything would be okay.
Monday, October 18, 2010
7 Deadly Sins
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| Lust |
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| Sloth |
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| Greed |
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| Wrath |
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| Gluttony |
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| Gluttony part II |
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| Pride |
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| Pride II |
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| Envy This project was not my favorite. I went into worrying my pictures would look too staged and although I tried to not let that happen, I think it might have. It was hard to convey the emotions with limited scenes. My favorite even though it's the most subtle is lust, greed, envy, and pride. The hardest was wrath because both of my models had a hard time showing anger. |
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