Connected; 8x10
Pose; 5x7
Yummy; 4x6
Eight
Wednesday, January 20, 2016
Friday, January 15, 2016
Tuesday, January 5, 2016
Welcome Back
Top 3 Photos of 2015
This photo looked absolutely compelling and alluring. The red-orange dunes and cream-colored ground contrast intensely against the deep indigo night sky. Photos of the stars and of galaxies have also taken my interest, and this starry photo, put together with the desolate orange desert, just adds to the beauty of the night sky. It's amazing how the dunes and the trees can come out so clear and bright despite the fact that it's obvious that it's beginning to get dark.
This photo of a rare total eclipse in Norway is intense and eye-catching, and probably wasn't even edited to be in black and white. The photo looks almost like a black hole, a black spot surrounded by a halo of light. This event also holds a personal experience of mine in which I was able to view the total eclipse, having been visiting Europe at the time of the eclipse.
This photo holds both breath-taking beauty and emotion. In the event of the Paris terrorist shootings, parisians gathered at a cafe where one of the shootings took place. Flowers and candles were set in front of the cafe to mourn and honor the lives that were lost in the shootings. This photo is both beautiful as the flowers and candles contrast against the dark mass of the crowd, but also holds importance of one of the biggest tragedies that took place in 2015.
Best Song of 2015
I chose "Hello" by Adele as my top song of 2015. Not only are the lyrics emotional and easy to sing (except for those long notes), but they hold a deep and intense meaning to them as well. The song itself is beautifully sung, and the music video was just as beautifully constructed to perfectly fit the song. Adele has been one of my favorite artists for a long time, and she continues to be a favorite still.
Best Movie of 2015
Anyone who knows me knows that this was going to be my choice. When I first heard about the movie, I could not shut up about it, had reservations to go see it at the Alamo 3 months before the movie was actually out (I assure you though, there are people who probably got tickets the day after the trailer was released). Star Wars has been a memorable series in my family especially in my dad and I. It was amazing to see the compelling story of Star Wars brought back to life, and even better with returning and new characters. Though I won't spoil anything about the movie's plot line, it has definitely been among one of my favorite Star Wars movies.
Most Important Stories of 2015
I could not pick just one for this topic, and instead I chose three. The most memorable news stories of 2015 have been the legalization of gay marriage, the Syrian refugee crisis, and the Paris terrorist attacks. These three events are not just memorable in 2015, but will continue to be memorable later on in the future for having made history. This three events were possibly among the most emotional events of 2015 - some concerning love and others loss.
Most Important Person of 2015
The most important person of 2015 does not have to be someone who has done good, but they must be a person who led to great change. That is why I have chosen Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi, the leader of ISIS, as the most important person of 2015. He has inspired many to follow his organization's example, and as a result, he has caused great loss, sorrow, and mourning in the world. He has caused violence to erupt among peaceful citizens, such as in the Paris Terrorist attacks, the war in Syria, and many other bombings in middle eastern towns. Not only that, but his influence has even caused violence to erupt in the US, as the case in the San Bernardino shootings. Because of this, he is the most important person of 2015, because the organization he leads and the people he has inspired to do harm have wounded the world, and that cannot be forgotten.
My Holiday
Most memorable event of Winter Break: I got a new mountain bike for Christmas and over the holidays, me and my family drove to Canyon of the Eagles, a national park by Marble Falls. My dad and I biked nearly all day around the bike and when it was getting dark, we went out to an open field with my mom and my brother and got to go stargazing. It's been a while since I saw so many stars.
My resolution for 2016: I'm going to try to take this year slow and not get too stressed out like I did last semester. I also want to try to save more money, so I'm going to save at least 5 dollars every week.
What I'm looking forward to in 2016:The end of the school year.
Well, okay, not just that. There are a lot of things coming up in my life this year, and depending on which choice I make, my life could turn out very different. It's unnerving and exciting at the same time.
Friday, December 18, 2015
Final Exam Review
1. Captions
Triathlon racer, Marcus Anthony, age 28, collapses in exhaustion at the finish line of the Cycling, Swimming, and Running New York City Marathon on Saturday in New York City, NY. He cycled 36 miles, swam 18, and then ran 9 miles against some of the top triathlon runners in the world, and he persevered through his obstacles for one goal - to win the prize of a lifetime supply of chocolate for his daughter.
At 12 in the afternoon, her grandpa Sam, drunk per usual, was messing with the pies again at the Cohart HS Bake Sale. At that moment, Ashley contemplated to herself, that maybe her parents had the right idea to send him to a nursery home.
Tonight, on December 31st, somewhere in the deserts of Saudi Arabia, Agent Lancelot, tied and blindfolded, is being led towards a mysterious black vehicle. He knew that he shouldn't have drunken the champagne at the formal party he attended last night in Italy, where his brother was the top gun Mafia leader.
2. Rules of Photography
1. Rule of thirds - The subject is not centered in the photo and is instead off to the side or to a corner of the photo. This rule can be used to show the subject's path in front of them and can create movement.
2. Balancing Elements - Elements in the photo create balance. This can be done with colors, lighting, or placement in the photo.
3. Leading Lines - Elements in the photo cause lines that pull or lead the viewer across the photo or to the subject in the photo.
4. Symmetry and Patterns (repetition) - The photo is symmetrical or has patterns that make the photo interesting or intriguing to look at.
5. Viewpoint - Taking a photo from different angles (bird's eye view, ground level, ext.)
6. Background - The background of the photo is the main focus
7. Create depth - The focus on the subject is sharpened and the background is blurred to give the subject a feeling of depth or closeness
8. Framing - The subject in the photo is framed by an object or element in the photo.
9. Cropping - The photo is edited to cut out unnecessary parts of the photo and to cut down the size
10. Mergers and avoiding them - Merger is when the subject in the photo directly interacts with the background. This can include combing similar colors on the subject with the background or having the subject stand close or aligned with something that it appears to be coming out from the subject. To avoid merger, the subject should be placed somewhere where they are not a lot of distractions in the background of the photo.
3. Aperture, Shutter Speed, and ISO
Aperture - The size of the lens is changed to control the amount of light is let in, much like the pupil in the iris of an eye. The aperture takes in a certain amount of light to modify the Depth of Field in the photo by blurring out the background and bringing only the subject into focus. Aperture numbers come as ""f/1.4'" or "f/8". The smaller the aperture umber, the higher the aperture.
Shutter Speed - The amount of time the camera lens is open to allow light into the camera. Shutter speed is also known as "exposure time". Shutter speed numbers come as "1/250" or "1/6000". The higher the shutter speed number, the shorter the amount of time light will be let in, and the photo will "freeze" a moment in time.
ISO - The camera's sensitivity to light is changed to make the photo appear brighter or darker. ISO numbers comes as "25" or "1600". The higher the ISO number, the more sensitive it is to light, and the lower the ISO number, the less sensitive it is to light. Using a high ISO can capture a low-light environment, like a game at night, however, the photo will come out more grainy. A low ISO should be used when there is available light, though it can be used in lower light if the camera is on a sturdy surface. A high ISO should be used when there is too little light or to capture a speed shot.
4. Photo Manipulation Ethics
Altering a photo can be controversial in the world of photography and media. What may seem as a light joke or a simple edit can offend or upset someone because of the content that was changed (or left) in the photo. Photo editing that includes adding or taking something away from a photo can be considered unethical because it disrupts the reality of the photo. One difference can completely change the story that is being told through the photo.
5. Portraits
Portraits are photographs in which a person is the subject in the photo.
Environmental Portrait - An environmental portrait is of the subject in their natural environment, usually interacting with something in that environment. Examples would include like a photograph of a farmer in a field or a ballet dancer on stage.
Self Portrait - A self portrait is one that the photographer takes of themselves. Usually self portraits include a series of photos in order to tell the photographer's story or to convey what they are feeling.
Casual - The last type of portraits, casual portraits, are generally a photograph of a person who is not the photographer and who is not in their natural environment. There are two kind of casual portraits - Informal and Formal (the names speak for themselves but I'll explain anyway). Informal portraits are informal. The subject is not dressed up and is not acting formal (they may be laughing or smiling or doing something), and the lighting is not typically planned. Formal portraits are the opposite, in which the subject may be (most likely) dressed up and is acting formal (kind of like they're posing for a photo shoot, which they probably are, so they're generally looking at the camera), and the lighting is planned for dramatic effect or to make the photo "cleaner".
6. Photographic Terms
Exposure - Exposure is the amount of light that reaches the camera's film (or electronic sensor). Exposure consists of three things working together: Aperture, Shutter Speed, and ISO, all which can alter the light that is reaching the camera.
Depth of Field - Depth of Field is the range of distance that appears sharp. In Depth of Field, the photo can transition from sharp to blurred or gradually become blurred. A photo can transition quickly from sharp to blurred if the subject is close to the camera and takes up most of the frame, in which there is little background. The Depth of Field is mostly affected by Aperture and the viewing
Focal Length - Focal Length does not describe the measurement of the camera's lens but the lens itself. It describes the angle of view, how much of the screen will be captured, and the magnification, how large individual elements will be. Basically, focal length is zooming in or out to control how much of the photo is capture and if certain elements are enlarged in the photo.
7. Magazine Covers
Early Magazine Covers
4. Photo Manipulation Ethics
Altering a photo can be controversial in the world of photography and media. What may seem as a light joke or a simple edit can offend or upset someone because of the content that was changed (or left) in the photo. Photo editing that includes adding or taking something away from a photo can be considered unethical because it disrupts the reality of the photo. One difference can completely change the story that is being told through the photo.
5. Portraits
Portraits are photographs in which a person is the subject in the photo.
Environmental Portrait - An environmental portrait is of the subject in their natural environment, usually interacting with something in that environment. Examples would include like a photograph of a farmer in a field or a ballet dancer on stage.
Self Portrait - A self portrait is one that the photographer takes of themselves. Usually self portraits include a series of photos in order to tell the photographer's story or to convey what they are feeling.
Casual - The last type of portraits, casual portraits, are generally a photograph of a person who is not the photographer and who is not in their natural environment. There are two kind of casual portraits - Informal and Formal (the names speak for themselves but I'll explain anyway). Informal portraits are informal. The subject is not dressed up and is not acting formal (they may be laughing or smiling or doing something), and the lighting is not typically planned. Formal portraits are the opposite, in which the subject may be (most likely) dressed up and is acting formal (kind of like they're posing for a photo shoot, which they probably are, so they're generally looking at the camera), and the lighting is planned for dramatic effect or to make the photo "cleaner".
6. Photographic Terms
Exposure - Exposure is the amount of light that reaches the camera's film (or electronic sensor). Exposure consists of three things working together: Aperture, Shutter Speed, and ISO, all which can alter the light that is reaching the camera.
Depth of Field - Depth of Field is the range of distance that appears sharp. In Depth of Field, the photo can transition from sharp to blurred or gradually become blurred. A photo can transition quickly from sharp to blurred if the subject is close to the camera and takes up most of the frame, in which there is little background. The Depth of Field is mostly affected by Aperture and the viewing
Focal Length - Focal Length does not describe the measurement of the camera's lens but the lens itself. It describes the angle of view, how much of the screen will be captured, and the magnification, how large individual elements will be. Basically, focal length is zooming in or out to control how much of the photo is capture and if certain elements are enlarged in the photo.
7. Magazine Covers
Early Magazine Covers
Early
magazine covers often feature little to no illustration on the front. Most
covers provide only a title and publication information. As magazines evolved,
small and simple illustrations were featured on the cover, but did not reveal
any information about the content and only served for decorative purposes. Some
magazines featured departments within the magazine (Literature, Art, Music,
Poetry, Humor, ect.) rather than previewing the actual content.
The Poster Cover
Poster covers have complex and detailed illustrations, designed by illustrators. Many poster covers did not relate to the magazine or the content within the magazine and instead portrayed a season or mood, as beautiful illustrations were the main attraction and cover lines were not and only used to a minimum.
Poster covers have complex and detailed illustrations, designed by illustrators. Many poster covers did not relate to the magazine or the content within the magazine and instead portrayed a season or mood, as beautiful illustrations were the main attraction and cover lines were not and only used to a minimum.
Pictures Married to Type
These covers find the perfect balance between images and type on the cover. Usually, they include a photo that appeals to the audience or gets a message across, along with a primary and secondary set of cover lines in a contrasting color to support the photo. The creative placement of the cover lines on the cover would help to support the image.
These covers find the perfect balance between images and type on the cover. Usually, they include a photo that appeals to the audience or gets a message across, along with a primary and secondary set of cover lines in a contrasting color to support the photo. The creative placement of the cover lines on the cover would help to support the image.
In the Forest of Words
The type of magazine covers commonly used in the 21st century in which cover lines became as important, even more important, than the image on the magazine cover. Modern magazine covers focus more on the covers lines, which advertise the content within the magazine, than the image, although there are still magazines who use cover lines to a minimum or have a balance between the cover lines and the photo. Cover lines overlap over the imagery - often models - and obscure certain parts of the image to get a message or mood across to the audience.
The type of magazine covers commonly used in the 21st century in which cover lines became as important, even more important, than the image on the magazine cover. Modern magazine covers focus more on the covers lines, which advertise the content within the magazine, than the image, although there are still magazines who use cover lines to a minimum or have a balance between the cover lines and the photo. Cover lines overlap over the imagery - often models - and obscure certain parts of the image to get a message or mood across to the audience.
Wednesday, December 9, 2015
Thursday, December 3, 2015
Fashion Photography
Fashion
Evolution
In the video, the model's lips and eyebrows were darkened, her eyes were lined with mascara and eyeliner, and her skin was made smoother with the use of makeup and acne and other marks were concealed, all before the editing began. When they started editing her image, her eyes and lips were enlarged and her face was shifted upwards so that she had a longer neck. Her face wasn't changed so much that she looked almost too unreal, but it was changed enough to look too perfect.
Body Evolution - Model Before and After
In the video, her face was changed (her features were sharpened and her eyes were enlarged), her shoulders were shaped to be "feminine" (moved downwards to appear less broader, smaller), her arms , bust, waist, thighs, and calves were edited to be thinner. The model's legs, arms, and neck were lengthened, and her complexion was made to appear lighter and smoother. Basically, she was made into a Barbie doll, which is kind of creepy.
Crazy Photoshop Skills
In the video, the model's butt, calves, arms, and shoulders were shaped to be smaller and more shapely, and her bust was shaped and made larger. Her butt and legs were made smaller and thinner, which looks kind of weird overall, and her rolls were eliminated which also made no sense. They continued to make her body as thin and small as possible that at one point, her head looked way too big for her body until they made that smaller too. Her cellulite was eliminated so that her butt, thighs, and legs were smoothed out. They lengthened her hair and made it looked a little darker, though that's the fakest hair I've ever seen. They smoothed out her curves, again, getting rid of lumps and rolls, and finally, they lightened her skin complexion. Despite being a plus-size model before, she was made smaller and thinner, which came out looking really freaky when you think about what she looked like in the original image.
Q&A
1. Photoshop editing models is definitely not ethically acceptable. Using photoshop editing on models is to fit society's distorted perception of beauty, despite how wrong and disturbing it is. It's fine to smooth out the skin and sharpen the facial features, but the line is crossed when the body is changed to become thinner and curvier. Editing a model's body, male or female, to fit today's beauty standards, only hurts the people viewing the photo who also pick up on that distorted perception of beauty.
2. It's always ethically wrong to distort and edit any body type, but I think the worst would be making a plus-size model who's a size 18 look like a size 1. There's a HUGE difference, and you couldn't tell that they're the same person if not for the face.
3. Changes to the face are acceptable, considering that makeup has been around since the Ancient Egyptians to enhance and sharpen facial features, and most of the time, the face is not edited so much anyway after makeup is applied. Anything below the face becomes less and less acceptable.
4. Fashion photography has a lot more editing involved than photojournalism, and while photojournalism aims to communicate a theme, mood, or story to the viewer, fashion photography solely focuses on being appealing to the eye.
5. Photojournalism photography hits closer to home - that is, it's more realistic. Photojournalism photography is edited usually to brighten the image, make it appear more drastic, and sometimes to cover up parts of the image that may be deemed unethical. Fashion photography is far from reality, and usually the models are completely distorted or edited to fit the beauty standards in magazines and modeling. This difference makes photojournalism more ethical than fashion photography because photojournalism is not very far from the truth, whereas fashion photography is.
6. Besides having to fill in an hour and 20 minute class, these videos show us how distorted and twisted today's beauty standards are and how far they are from reality. Today, a lot of teenagers are hurt by these standards and try to fit to them, sometimes going as far to purposely starve themselves to become skinnier.
7. The editing and photoshop in female model's is given more attention to in society and social media than the editing and photoshop in male model's, which is pretty weird. People would be enraged if a female model were changed completely from her original image, but probably wouldn't care so much if it were a guy instead. Maybe because society also makes us think that women should be attended to and protected and told that they're beautiful no matter what, but men have to take it and deal with their own body issues. Both genders have body issues and should both be given attention.
Evolution
In the video, the model's lips and eyebrows were darkened, her eyes were lined with mascara and eyeliner, and her skin was made smoother with the use of makeup and acne and other marks were concealed, all before the editing began. When they started editing her image, her eyes and lips were enlarged and her face was shifted upwards so that she had a longer neck. Her face wasn't changed so much that she looked almost too unreal, but it was changed enough to look too perfect.
Body Evolution - Model Before and After
In the video, her face was changed (her features were sharpened and her eyes were enlarged), her shoulders were shaped to be "feminine" (moved downwards to appear less broader, smaller), her arms , bust, waist, thighs, and calves were edited to be thinner. The model's legs, arms, and neck were lengthened, and her complexion was made to appear lighter and smoother. Basically, she was made into a Barbie doll, which is kind of creepy.
Crazy Photoshop Skills
In the video, the model's butt, calves, arms, and shoulders were shaped to be smaller and more shapely, and her bust was shaped and made larger. Her butt and legs were made smaller and thinner, which looks kind of weird overall, and her rolls were eliminated which also made no sense. They continued to make her body as thin and small as possible that at one point, her head looked way too big for her body until they made that smaller too. Her cellulite was eliminated so that her butt, thighs, and legs were smoothed out. They lengthened her hair and made it looked a little darker, though that's the fakest hair I've ever seen. They smoothed out her curves, again, getting rid of lumps and rolls, and finally, they lightened her skin complexion. Despite being a plus-size model before, she was made smaller and thinner, which came out looking really freaky when you think about what she looked like in the original image.
Q&A
1. Photoshop editing models is definitely not ethically acceptable. Using photoshop editing on models is to fit society's distorted perception of beauty, despite how wrong and disturbing it is. It's fine to smooth out the skin and sharpen the facial features, but the line is crossed when the body is changed to become thinner and curvier. Editing a model's body, male or female, to fit today's beauty standards, only hurts the people viewing the photo who also pick up on that distorted perception of beauty.
2. It's always ethically wrong to distort and edit any body type, but I think the worst would be making a plus-size model who's a size 18 look like a size 1. There's a HUGE difference, and you couldn't tell that they're the same person if not for the face.
3. Changes to the face are acceptable, considering that makeup has been around since the Ancient Egyptians to enhance and sharpen facial features, and most of the time, the face is not edited so much anyway after makeup is applied. Anything below the face becomes less and less acceptable.
4. Fashion photography has a lot more editing involved than photojournalism, and while photojournalism aims to communicate a theme, mood, or story to the viewer, fashion photography solely focuses on being appealing to the eye.
5. Photojournalism photography hits closer to home - that is, it's more realistic. Photojournalism photography is edited usually to brighten the image, make it appear more drastic, and sometimes to cover up parts of the image that may be deemed unethical. Fashion photography is far from reality, and usually the models are completely distorted or edited to fit the beauty standards in magazines and modeling. This difference makes photojournalism more ethical than fashion photography because photojournalism is not very far from the truth, whereas fashion photography is.
6. Besides having to fill in an hour and 20 minute class, these videos show us how distorted and twisted today's beauty standards are and how far they are from reality. Today, a lot of teenagers are hurt by these standards and try to fit to them, sometimes going as far to purposely starve themselves to become skinnier.
7. The editing and photoshop in female model's is given more attention to in society and social media than the editing and photoshop in male model's, which is pretty weird. People would be enraged if a female model were changed completely from her original image, but probably wouldn't care so much if it were a guy instead. Maybe because society also makes us think that women should be attended to and protected and told that they're beautiful no matter what, but men have to take it and deal with their own body issues. Both genders have body issues and should both be given attention.
Tuesday, December 1, 2015
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)