Choice Project
This piece is meant to display and hopefully evoke some feeling, but there isn't a specific way to interpret or feel it.
Research:
Making a photo cutout: https://www.techradar.com/how-to/photography-video-capture/cameras/how-to-make-a-perfect-photoshop-cut-out-1320805
Making a photo cutout: https://www.techradar.com/how-to/photography-video-capture/cameras/how-to-make-a-perfect-photoshop-cut-out-1320805
My experimentation with light for creative lighting also served as a research component for the execution of this project
Ideas: I'd like to make kind of like, a pile of stuff that is me or defines my beliefs, and put it into the shape of me.
Edit* I ended up going with something a little different and more abstract, aiming for something with more of a feeling than a direct message.
Edit* I ended up going with something a little different and more abstract, aiming for something with more of a feeling than a direct message.
Street Photography
This picture was snapped right as the woman had taken the cigarette out of her mouth. The position and lighting gave the picture a lot more gravity and a distinctly grimy feel.This picture was taken because the individual pictured was a very interesting character, even though I didn't even speak to him. It's immediately easy to make some presumptions about him, and I thought this exact frame was the one that best displayed his demeanor.In this picture, I chose to almost try to neutralize the movement by having the couple walking right while the bike rides left. The decisive moment was right as the man on the sidewalk gestured happily with his arm, and the guy on the bike looked off to the right. The two men contrast, as well, and this exact moment captured that really well.It's a bit strange of a concept, but these dumpsters almost had character. The vibrant spray paint on the nearest one was a spray pattern I saw in a few places around, so I was curious about "scare," so this is intriguing more personally for me. |
The composition was the driving force of this image. I have always liked those pictures from the 50's and 60's of those small town main streets that had new interstates built near them, and this was inspired by those pictures.I caught this photograph right as the man stepped off the sidewalk. I was walking perpendicular to his path, so I picked this specific moment because he's looking off to the side, and the perspective makes it so his destination isn't in the image. It gives the viewer the ability to wonder where he's going.The decisive moment for this image was based on position mostly. I closed the shutter when they almost mirrored each other across the middle of the road.This is a sign that was on the sidewalk at stone arch. I haven't seen a picture of this guy, and it takes a second for your brain to pick out the figure of a stick person. It's just a fun little image. |
The Decisive moment - Henri Cartier Bresson
- Journalism is dull, as is documenting.
- Don’t be labeled a surrealist
- Focus on visual pleasure
- Find joy in geometry
- The difference between a good picture and a mediocre picture is millimeters
- “Facts are not interesting”
- Take a photograph you can look at over and over again
- Take a photograph you can look at for a long time in one sitting
- Tiptoe always
- It’s like a biologist and a microscope
- Use questions to get a reaction
- Be quick
- It takes sensitivity, a finger and two legs
- Be yourself and forget yourself
- You need plenty of milk to make a little cheese
The decisive moment is the perfect time to press the shutter, right when you instinctively know everything is right in the correct spot in frame the way you want to paint the picture.
Inspired by Ansel Adams
REFLECTION
I've always loved Adams' work, and since I admire it so much I've seen my photography start to become styled more and more like the way he does his work. I looked at some photos of his, and some tutorials on how to think like Adams to help me recreate his style in this image.
ADAMS' PHOTOGRAPHY
https://shop.anseladams.com/Ansel_Adams_Originals_s/71.htm
SECONDARY RESOURCE
https://www.photocrowd.com/blog/197-how-shoot-ansel-adams/
IDEAS
I'll be up near the cities on Sunday, and I have a nature path near my house.
1.) a picturesque view of the bogs just outside of the cities
2.) pictures of interesting roots outside of my house
3.) the creek outside my house
4.) try some new perspectives outside on the walking trail by my house
I've always loved Adams' work, and since I admire it so much I've seen my photography start to become styled more and more like the way he does his work. I looked at some photos of his, and some tutorials on how to think like Adams to help me recreate his style in this image.
ADAMS' PHOTOGRAPHY
https://shop.anseladams.com/Ansel_Adams_Originals_s/71.htm
SECONDARY RESOURCE
https://www.photocrowd.com/blog/197-how-shoot-ansel-adams/
IDEAS
I'll be up near the cities on Sunday, and I have a nature path near my house.
1.) a picturesque view of the bogs just outside of the cities
2.) pictures of interesting roots outside of my house
3.) the creek outside my house
4.) try some new perspectives outside on the walking trail by my house
Street Photo Ideas
LESSONS
17.* I feel like I'm already decent at this, but I need to remember that following all of the rules and theories isn't necessarily going to make my work better. I need to get better at thinking outside the box.
15. My camera isn't top of the line, and sometimes I let that restrict me. I need to understand that my work isn't just the gear I use.
26. I don't do portrait stuff, I don't like having people in my pictures. This has its advantages and its downfalls, because when asked to make pictures of people I struggle because I have little interest in doing it. This lesson helps me understand how I should start looking at pictures of people.
38. Another great tip for taking pictures of people. I really appreciate tips regarding portraits and people, and "ask for permission" is something I need to do as a person. I'm glad to see it isn't necessarily bad to ask.
78. This is something I definitely need to work on. I never quite know the perfect vantage point, and this lesson helped me get some pointers on what to look for.
79.* This is a relief to hear, honestly. I know that not all of my pictures are going to be great, but hearing it from a pro really puts it into perspective just how important it is to expect dissapointment.
88. I work with this with my black and white, abstract realism. I think I'm going to try to take some really wacky pictures with enough realism to know they aren't edited, but are interesting.
95. This kind of reiterates 88. TAKE INTERESTING PICTURES. I need to work on this, because my pictures are pleasing to my own eye, but often not to the eyes of those around me.
62. This one was funny to me. Of course I don't want to take bad pictures, and this gives me the perfect question to ask before closing the shutter: "why?" "whats the point?" I believe this will help me take more meaningful "good" pictures.
59. I didn't realize the importance behind having physical copies of your work. I intend to print some of my stuff so that I have those hard copies to look at.
FINALS
17.
79.
REFLECTION
The biggest thing I learned was that despite all the advice anyone can give, I have to make photos myself and use my own techniques. I have a lot of ideas about how to take these pictures, and now I have information and inspiration.
LOCATION
17.* I feel like I'm already decent at this, but I need to remember that following all of the rules and theories isn't necessarily going to make my work better. I need to get better at thinking outside the box.
15. My camera isn't top of the line, and sometimes I let that restrict me. I need to understand that my work isn't just the gear I use.
26. I don't do portrait stuff, I don't like having people in my pictures. This has its advantages and its downfalls, because when asked to make pictures of people I struggle because I have little interest in doing it. This lesson helps me understand how I should start looking at pictures of people.
38. Another great tip for taking pictures of people. I really appreciate tips regarding portraits and people, and "ask for permission" is something I need to do as a person. I'm glad to see it isn't necessarily bad to ask.
78. This is something I definitely need to work on. I never quite know the perfect vantage point, and this lesson helped me get some pointers on what to look for.
79.* This is a relief to hear, honestly. I know that not all of my pictures are going to be great, but hearing it from a pro really puts it into perspective just how important it is to expect dissapointment.
88. I work with this with my black and white, abstract realism. I think I'm going to try to take some really wacky pictures with enough realism to know they aren't edited, but are interesting.
95. This kind of reiterates 88. TAKE INTERESTING PICTURES. I need to work on this, because my pictures are pleasing to my own eye, but often not to the eyes of those around me.
62. This one was funny to me. Of course I don't want to take bad pictures, and this gives me the perfect question to ask before closing the shutter: "why?" "whats the point?" I believe this will help me take more meaningful "good" pictures.
59. I didn't realize the importance behind having physical copies of your work. I intend to print some of my stuff so that I have those hard copies to look at.
FINALS
17.
79.
REFLECTION
The biggest thing I learned was that despite all the advice anyone can give, I have to make photos myself and use my own techniques. I have a lot of ideas about how to take these pictures, and now I have information and inspiration.
LOCATION
- Minneapolis
- Outer City
- Statues
- Stonearch
- Capital?
- St. Michael
- Buffalo
- I want to take some of the broken down stuff just outside of the cities
- Public Park
- Orpheum
- Grocery store
- Fieldstone (Thursday)
- Maple Grove
- Target Center
- U of M Twin Cities stuff
Question Nothing.
I chose to do this as a criticism of the political apathy and apathy towards consciousness and independence in America today. I have a lot of concern for how obedient our society has become to media and government, and chose to express it in this way.
First Photo Idea List
* 1.) Inception-style image with a landscape on top and bottom of the image
* 2.) Model USS Arizona floating in creek-(maybe iced down in the pond outside)-but scaled up like a real boat
* 3.) Suited man with a TV for a head playing political ads or displaying “obey”
4.) Slow shutter picture of creek - edited nicely
* 5.) Soccer ball and 8 ball for eyes
6.) Shoes with plants growing out of them
7.) Snowblower shooting snow out of the front and sucking it in from the spout
8.) Sleeping with “charge status” symbol
9.) laying on the floor with books around head
10.) Book with a phone screen inside instead of pages
FOUR MAIN IDEAS
1.) take two landscapes, flip them, blend the skies, add some falling debris and such,maybe water falling from top to bottom and bottom to top
2.) Take a picture of the frozen pond in my backyard, take a picture of my model USS Arizona, cut the Arizona out of the picture, put the Arizona in the pond, add some ice and snow on the Arizona, break the ice a little.
3.) Take a picture of me in my suit, take a picture of my blank monitor, cut the monitor out and put it in front of my face, add some wires and such, add text on the monitor or a picture of a political broadcast.
5.) Take a closeup of my face, take pictures of a soccer ball and eight ball, replace eyes with them.
FINAL
2.) Arizona in the pond
FINAL REVISED DUE TO WEATHER
3.) Suited Propaganda.