Assignment 2 Questions

The element of design that I used for Assignment 2 is curved line. I think that my camera work could have been better. If I used a better camera where I could white balance, the photos would be more well done. I like the way that I edited my photos, however. The warm colors that I used in my editing throughout all of my photos makes them more unified. My composition is well put together and the way I placed the curved lines throughout keeps your eyes returning back into the center. My editing was a success, and so was my element of design. I would recommend to myself if I were to do it again to take more time preparing before I take the shot.

Assignment 1 Composition

My Assignment 2 edit

Histograms

1. What is a histogram?
         A histogram is a photographers tool located on the camera that helps to show what the range of tones is in any given photograph.
2. What happens to the visual when a histogram is skewed to the left?
         This would cause the picture to be mostly dark deep tones and colors and would result in a dark image.
3. What happens to the visual when a histogram is skewed to the right?
        This would result in an image that is mostly light tones and would cause the photo to be very white and seem washed out.
4. In most cases, what does a good histogram look like?
        The beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but generally a photo is more successful when it has a balanced histogram starting in the middle.
                                          This is an example of a good balanced histogram. The photo is not too dark or too light so it has good balance.
                                   



                                                                                
4. Why is a histogram a good tool for a photographer?
             It balances the shot and makes the photo more pleasing to the eye. It helps to see whether a photo is either over exposed or under exposed.             

Contact Sheet for Assignment 2

Photographic Composition

E&P Homework

Elements & Principles of Design

ELEMENTS AND PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN

Variety:

This picture shows variety, which is differences in the elements and principles of design in a composition. This image shows this because while they are all seeds, they are different shapes sizes and colors. 

Emphasis:

This photo encompasses a focal point, which is a piece or place that is given dominant attention and attracts the eye first. The heart is on one of the rule of third lines, and is a different color that the rest of the image. The background of the photo is fuzzy but the front area where the heart is is clear. 

Horizontal Line:

The photo above shows horizontal lines. These lines run east to west, and show calmness and rest. The wood is stacked and the photo is taken so the that the creases in between the wood run perfectly from east to west. 

Repetition:

In this photo you can see the repetition of cows going through the composition. Repetition is the repeated consistency of an item or element throughout a piece. This photo, of many identical cows, shows the same basic shape and form many times over again.

Bird's eye view:

This photo shows a bird's eye view, which is the view from above looking down. This photo shows this design in order to portray the airplane and earth in a new way. You can tell that it is from above looking down simply by looking at it. 

Unity:

This photo shows unity, which is the blending of all of the elements to create a harmonious piece and composition. The mixture of the similar colors, textures, repetition, form and contrast make this a unified photo.  

Texture:

This composition shows texture, which means that it gives the appearance of how the surface would feel if you were to touch it. In the photo you can see great detail in the piece of fur, and you can tell how soft it would feel if you touched it. 

Horizon Line:

Horizon line is a big focus in this beautiful photo. The horizon line emphasizes the sky as a horizontal line that crosses the full picture. The light blue of the sky and the dark blue of the ocean are separated by the deep oranges of the horizon. 

Proportion/Scale:

This photo emphasizes the proportion of the people to the Leaning Tower of Piza. Proportion is the size of something compared to something else. The people look as if they are the same size as the Tower, but we know that in reality they are not. It is just shot in this way to play with what the eye sees.

Vertical Lines:

Vertical lines are the main element in this photo. Vertical lines are lines that run from north to south, and make the photo seem grander, or more spiritual. The various tall trees are the main vertical lines in this composition. 

Rule of Thirds:

This photo implements the rule of thirds, which is the rule where the whole image is devided into three equal vertical sections and three equal horizontal sections. The elements of the photo are then placed on the lines dividing the sections. This photo would not be as interesting if the focal point was placed in the center of the composition. Since it is on the right horizontal line, it automatically makes the image more interesting. 

Asymmetrical Balance (Informal Balance):

This photo shows informal balance, which means that it uses different objects to balance out the composition. Although the tree is the focal point, the mountains on the left side of the picture keep it correctly balanced. 

Framing:

Framing is used very well in this photo. Framing is when something directs your view to what the photographer wants the focal point to be using elements in the scene. The round sculpture directs you eye to the clouds directly in the center of the sphere. Your eye exits the circle as the last thing it looks at. 

Symmetrical Balance(Formal balance):

This photo shows symmetrical balance, or formal balance. This means that if you put a line down the middle of the photo, one side would mirror or balance the other. This photo is a good example of this. There are some differences, such as the people walking on the grass, but they are still balancing each other. 

Worm's Eye View:

Worm's eye view is used to capture this photo. The worm's eye view is taken from the ground looking up. Since it is underneath the flowers, it is not a view that would normally be shot from, and therefore makes the picture more interesting. 

Curved Lines:

This photo has multiple curved lines. The curved lines are smooth and continuous, but not straight. These lines make a photo more familiar or comforting. In this photo, the curved lines in the side of the guitar, and the hole in the center make the composition feel relaxed.

Simplicity:

The singling out of the feather from the dark surrounding makes the photo very simple. Although it is simple, it still has a lot of artistic composition. 

Leading Lines:

This photo shows leading lines, which are lines that bring the eye to another point, normally the focal point, in the image. The spaces in between the plots of flowers create lines leading up to the windmill. These pointing lines make the windmill the focal point of the shot. 

Diagonal Lines:

This photo leads you up the mountain, and has clear direction. This is brought to the picture because of the diagonal lines. The diagonal lines are the lines that run on a slant. The diagonal line in this photo is the side of the mountain.

Movement/Rhythm:

This photo shows movement, which is showing action and creates a path for the viewers eye to take throughout the composition. The eye slides back and forth across the image looking at the jumping people. The move your eye moves around, the more interesting it is to look at, and the movement creates this.  

Other Life Aspirations of Cartier-Bresson

Henri-Cartier Bresson took many of his pictures on a whim, when he saw something he thought was worth taking a picture of.

This is, of course, as opposed to a planned shoot. His pictures have many graceful, dancer-like qualities to them. Some of these qualities include: tension, balance and surprise. His photos are also often described as surprising abstractions. He describes himself as a photojournalist, but he is so much more. He got a lot of his influence from studying painting with Andre Lhote. His photos solve visual problems the eye didn't even know it was having.

Henri always seems to have a camera around his neck, ready to take a picture of anything that catches his eye.

Cartier-Bresson Infuences

Henri Cartier-Bresson was one of the first photographers to create books out of his work, and he brought his work all around the world. He started taking photos of events like the Spanish Civil War, and truly expanded from there. He took photos of national events such as that civil war, but was influenced by the streets and other things right under his nose. He even photographed famous people such as Mahatma Gandhi, and Marilyn Monroe. He kept all of his photos in these books and journals, best known as photojournalism. He was in France when he published his first book, The Decisive Movement. He did many great things with his photography, and was so influenced by his time in India that he went on the write about it in one of Life Magazine's most famous and well done articles. 

www.biography.com/people/Henri-Cartier-Bresson-9240139 

Henri-Cartier-Bresson

This photo by Henri-Cartier-Bresson shows three small boys playing "cowboys" in the street.

The movement of the game is really strong in this photo, because the boys' arms and legs are bent, and their guns are ready to fire. There is also movement because the three boys are shaped in a triagle, and this makes your eyes move around the whole composition. Even though the picture is in black and white, you can still see difference and contrast in what would be the colors of the boys clothing. The very large pole in the background is only one third of the way into the photo. If it were in the center, it would become the focal point of the shot. The one boy on the right side of the picture is the true focal point. Their difference in age with the boys, and also the people in the background, which are not influencing the shot, add more interest to the photo. The photographer would have had to have a fast shutter speed to capture the movement of the boys and keep the picture perfectly clear. This photo keeps your interest for a long time because of the different elements, and opposingly, it's simplicity. This shot lets your mind create what happened before and after the picture was taken.

Sketchbook Cover

Personal Reflection

1. This photo is a good photo because it has a clear focal point, and also uses the rule of thirds. It also has many other elements and principles of art such as movement, line and texture.
2. I value this photo because I think it is the best photo I have ever taken. The day I took it was a very fun day and it brings back good memories.
3. My photo inspired my theme through the lines, shapes, item and colors. The river flowing through the collage is a continuation of the river in the photo. My theme is outdoor and natural colors and textures.
4. The river I water-colored relates to the theme because it it continues the elements of art displayed in the photo. The ink drips show the texture of the plants in the photo.
5. The curved lines move your eyes through the photo so that you see the full composition.
    The analogous colors and cool colors and are all natural colors found in the photo, creating harmony throughout the piece.