Assignment 2 Texture

Questions:

1. The Element/Principle of design is texture

2. I am really happy with how my pictures turned out.  I think that I captured the texture of each object to the best of my ability.  It was interesting to learn how to edit my pictures.  Using Photoshop and camera raw in Adobe Bridge helped make my photos even better. I tried to take different angles into account as well when shooting.  Overall I wanted to have cool pictures with a range of colors and textures.

3. One of my successes was capturing the textures of all of the objects.  Also, I used different angles to make the photos more interesting.  A recommendation I have for if I did the project again would be to do another principle of design.  That way, I could have more experience with a different aspect of photography.

Understanding Histograms

1. A histogram is a tool used in photography to show a graph of the tonal range in a picture.  If there are high peaks on the graph at any point, it means that there are more pixels of that tone.

2. When a histogram is skewed to the right, it means it has a mass of dark/black pixels, whereas if a histogram is skewed to the left, it has a mass of light/white pixels.

3. There is no such thing as a perfect histogram.  The histogram varies based on what you are shooting.  If you take a photo of something with a white background, the histogram would look completely different then if you took a photo with a black background.  There is nothing wrong with either of those photos, but a general histogram should have balanced tones.

Ex:

4. Histograms are good for photographers because they can show them the spectrum of pixels in their photos.  They can also show the photographer if their picture is underexposed/overexposed.  Histograms give them more details on their photos and give them the effects they want.

Assignment 2 Homework

Photographic Compostion Video

Elements & Principles of Photography

By Elena Caruso

E&P Homework

Photography as Art

Emphasis- A forceful quality or exaggeration

Ex:

This photo represents emphasis, because the red flower contrasts to the grey background.

Horizontal Lines- Lines running left to right

Ex:

 

This photo represents horizontal lines, because the bricks have strong lines going from left to right.

Repetition/Pattern-  The act or process of repeating or being repeated

Ex:

                                                                        

This photo represents repetition/pattern because the chairs are all aligned the same way, and they are all the same type.

Bird's Eye View- An elevated view of an object from above

Ex:           

This photo represents bird's eye view, because it is a view looking down on Toronto  

Vertical Lines- Lines running top to bottom

Ex:                                                                  

 

This photo represents vertical lines, because the bamboo is running north to south

Texture- The way an object feels or looks

Ex:                 

                 

This photo represents texture, because when you look at the rope you can sense that it is rough

Symmetrical Balance- Two sides that mirror each other and focus on the middle of the photo

Ex:

 

This photo represents symmetrical balance, because the trees are equivalent on both sides of the picture, and it points to the middle

Unity- All objects in the photo are almost the same, and they work together to create harmony

Ex:

This photo represents unity, because the kids are not all the same, but they look similar and are doing the same thing

Rule of Thirds- The photo is split into 9 equal parts, with 4 points of emphasis (works in every photo)

Ex:

 

This photo represents the rule of thirds, because the picture of the baby is split up into 9 parts, with the points of emphasis included

Diagonal Lines- Lines running across the page, corner to corner

Ex:

 

This photo represents diagonal lines, because the picture of the car makes your eye move from corner to corner

 

Variety- Many objects in one place that are the same, yet different (gives interest to the composition)

 

Ex:

 

 

This photo represents variety, because although the objects are all different colors, they are all skittles.

 

Simplicity- Making one object the main focus, and separating it from its surrounding giving it strong emphasis

 

Ex:

 

This photo represents simplicity, because the main focus of the picture is the kayak, and there is a simple background

 

Asymmetrical Balance- A photo with objects on both sides, but maintaining an informal balance

 

Ex:

This photo represents asymmetrical balance, because there are chess pieces on both sides of the picture, but the informal balance makes your eyes move around

 

Movement & Rhythm- The photo makes your eyes bounce around due to the action being shown through it

 

Ex:

 

This photo represents movement & rhythm, because the actions from the divers make your eyes bounce around

 

Leading Lines- Lines formed in the picture that lead to points of emphasis

 

Ex:

 

This photo represents leading lines, because all of the rows of flowers lead to the windmill, which is the strongest point of emphasis

 

Proportion/Scale- Comparing one objects size to another (10:1 is ideal)

 

Ex:

This photo represents proportion/scale, because the clothespin is much larger when being compared to the people

Horizon Line- Line where the ground meets the sky, set on a visual 3rd

Ex:

This photo represents horizon line, because you can see that the sky meets the ocean where the darkest shade of blue is

Framing- Using objects in a photo to enclose a space, in order to direct attention to a certain area

Ex:

 

This photo represents framing, because the hole in the tree is used as a frame for the red trees in the background

 

Worm's Eye- Looking up at something from an angle below (a drastic angle)

 

Ex:

 

 

This photo represents worm's eye, because it is a view of something below looking up at the flowers

 

Curved Lines- Lines that bend in a continuous pattern

 

Ex:



 

This photo represents curved lines, because the plants are all curved in the same direction and follow the same pattern

Influences on Paul Strand

 The photographer Paul Strand was influenced by different things from the era in which he lived.  One thing that influenced him was his social consciousness, which resulted in photographs involving art and politics.  Also, he was inspired by modernist photographers like Alfred Stieglitz, who gave him new ideas after viewing one of his galleries in New York.  In the 1950s, Paul moved to Europe, where he developed a new passion.  He was very inspired by the impoverished communities there, and took pictures of them to show to the world.  Then, he traveled to Africa to take pictures of the people thus promoting social change.



link to article: http://www.phillipscollection.org/research/american_art/bios/strand-bio.htm

Under the Dark Cloth by Paul Strand

 The title of this photo, by photographer Paul Strand, is Under the Dark Cloth. The first thing I notice when looking at it is all of the people gathered around the doorway.  Their expressions appear sad. and they seem as though they are feeling down.  Depression is the mood of this photo, due to the body language of the people and the setting.  A few of the men have their hands in their pockets or are slouched over. The setting looks to be taken place in the 1930s and possibly during the Great Depression.  It can be inferred that they are all poor, because of the clothes they wear, and the fact that they don't have shoes.  Around this time period it was common for people to have economic difficulties like finding jobs.  The house is below average living standards, which adds to the point.  Paul Strand was most likely portraying the hardships families had gone through during this era.  He could have been taking pictures like this to show us a visual of what is going on.  

Sketchbook Cover Reflection

Reflection Questions

1. This photo has good compositional standpoint because it uses the golden mean and has several elements of art included.

2. I value this photograph because I think it is the best photo I have ever taken.  I took it at Santa Monica Pier in California.  The picture is very unique and has a cool view of the location.

3. This photo inspired my theme because I wanted it to incorporate things that I like, as well as use the elements of art.  My theme is the beach, and California in general. 

4. One image I selected was a palm tree, which goes along with the theme of California.  Also, I included waves and sand, another part of the beach.

5. The elements of art I included were color and texture.  Color fits with this because I used an analogous color scheme (green, blue, yellow).  Texture was used too by using different materials on the cover (construction paper, glitter, tissue paper).  The principle of design I used was emphasis.  Emphasis was created by using large images.