Monday, November 24, 2014

Architecture Intro

Tips: 1- Use weather to create more stimulating images.
         2- Use distortion  to play with perspective.
         3- Give the architecture context by using the surrounding space.
Site 1:

 PC: Nick Garrod
I chose this image because it creates a sense of infinity. It took me off guard because there is an actual center point that is surrounded by symmetry and this piqued my interest. As well, the perspective isn't immediately obvious(it took me, like, five actual minutes to figure out that this picture was taken from below the stairwell rather than above). 
The lighting suggests that there are windows throughout the structure, but there isn't enough light to see properly, so I think there are artificial lights every few flights or so. It's likely daytime/evening. The lighting is sort of weird in that the artificial light gives a greenish hue while the natural light from the windows is more blueish, which makes it difficult to decide what the main color of the stone is. I'd probably shoot this kind of light with a low ISO and long exposure in hopes that more natural light would make it into the image.
The photographer stood below the center of the stairwell looking up. They had to ensure that the camera was facing perfectly opposite the ground to prevent a perspective shift. The entire subject cannot fit within the frame. I think this is the ideal angle to take this picture.
Yes, there are rules of photography present. Architectural photography can abide by most rules of photography, however it is most common practice to bend the rules or break them for a more compelling image. A traditional rule of photography that can be used in architectural photography is framing. It would be okay to use the subject or structure in question as a "natural" frame. Your focus is drawn to the subject because of its position around the center of the image.
PC: Nina Papiorek
I chose this image because it's really confusing, but I still understood easily what the subject was. It's almost organized chaos, but every line is straight and within a pattern. The background seems flat and distorted while the foreground brings a sense of reality back.
The lighting is natural and seems to come from the open sky. Because of reflection patterns, this photo was probably taken during the daytime rather than a nighttime long exposure. There is ample lighting that is appropriate for this image. If I shot under these conditions, I'd take a longer exposure to capture the details of the buildings.
The photographer was standing directly below the main focus, probably only had to angle the camera directly upwards, the entire subject is not contained to the photo, and I think this is the ideal angle.
There is evidence of Symmetry and Patterns in the image.

Site 2:
PC: Wade Griffith
 I chose this photo because it is very busy, but only a few things catch your eye. The split in the street looks almost unreal because corner buildings aren't usually wedge shaped. The spire-like building in the back caught my attention and the clouds give an eerie mood.
The lighting is coming from the sun behind the clouds, it's probably early afternoon, the lighting is good.
The photographer was across the street from the main subject and to the left, they likely had to climb to the second story of whatever building they were in, the entire subject is in the photo, I think this is a good angle for the photo to have been taken.
There is evidence of Balancing Elements in the photo.

I chose this photo because it defies our perception of gravity and physics. I almost thought that there was a special lens being used until the perfectly normal tree showed that the building really was just weird. It's intriguing to see a gelatinous looking building.
The lighting is coming from above in the sky, it's likely mid morning, the photo is well lit.
The photographer was standing directly opposite the building probably across the street on ground level, they likely just had to stand there maybe with a tripod, the entire subject isn't completely in the photo, this angle is fine.
The structure of the building doesn't allow for traditional composition rules to be followed.


5 Locations:
  1. City Hall
  2. Capitol
  3. Gourdough's(donut place)
  4. 6th Street
  5. South Congress
Tilt Shift Camera:
Tilt shift cameras are used to control the perspective or selective focus in an image. 
Equipment:
  1. Tripod
  2. Speedlight
  3. Filters

Man vs. Nature

Raindrop


Tuesday, November 18, 2014

5 Websites- website 3

1.     Link the website you visited and make sure your blog is titled the same as the links above..http://lens.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/11/13/good-pictures-bad-timing/?module=BlogPost-Title&version=Blog%20Main&contentCollection=Multimedia&action=Click&pgtype=Blogs&region=Body&_r=0
2.     Briefly describe what you looked at on the website (2-3 sentences, make sure you write enough to really make it clear that you spent time looking at the website).
The website showed pictures by a man named Will Brown who was shot down by John Szarkowski when he showed his pictures to the curator. This deflated his confidence, so he spent his career photographing other people's art instead of making his own.
3.     What did you learn new?
I learned that it's important to acknowledge criticism when helpful, but the only opinion that truly matters when speaking of one's artwork is your own.
4.     If possible, post your favorite photo from the site.


5.     If you have a photo to post, please answer the following questions:
a.     Why did you pick this photo? I like this photo because it makes me feel like I'm getting an honest look into the character of the neighborhood.
b.     What rules of photography do you see in the photo? Symmetry and patterns.
c.     Who took the photo? Will Brown.

6.     If you did a tutorial on the website, post the item you created on your blog. Remember that blogger only takes certain types of photos, if you can convert it to a .jpeg that would be ideal.

7.     If you did a tutorial please answer the following questions:
a.     What did you learn new today?
b.     How can you use this in my class later?
c.     Did this expand your knowledge of an Adobe computer program? If so tell me the program’s name is.

8.     If you looked at a video, please do the following:
a.     Describe what you saw in the video.
b.     Try to figure out who made the video. If it was a photographer look them up on google and see if you can learn more about them.
c.     If there is a story about the video on the website, paraphrase it in 2-3 sentences.
d.     What did you learn new?

9.     If you were directed to a site that you cannot answer any of the questions above, please do the following:
a.     What did you see on the website, describe it in 2-3 sentences?
b.     What did you learn?
c.     How did the site relate to photography?

5 Websites- website 2

1.     Link the website you visited and make sure your blog is titled the same as the links above..http://petapixel.com/2014/11/15/tutorial-create-motion-time-lapse-milky-way-start-finish/
2.     Briefly describe what you looked at on the website (2-3 sentences, make sure you write enough to really make it clear that you spent time looking at the website).
This website was mostly describing a tutorial video on how to create a time lapse of the milky way. There was a brief description of the equipment used in the video. 
3.     What did you learn new?
I learned that astrophotography takes much more equipment and preparation than I'd thought. There are also very limited times to make good exposures of the galaxy.
4.     If possible, post your favorite photo from the site.

5.     If you have a photo to post, please answer the following questions:
a.     Why did you pick this photo?
b.     What rules of photography do you see in the photo?
c.     Who took the photo?

6.     If you did a tutorial on the website, post the item you created on your blog. Remember that blogger only takes certain types of photos, if you can convert it to a .jpeg that would be ideal.

7.     If you did a tutorial please answer the following questions:
a.     What did you learn new today?
b.     How can you use this in my class later?
c.     Did this expand your knowledge of an Adobe computer program? If so tell me the program’s name is.

8.     If you looked at a video, please do the following:
a.     Describe what you saw in the video. The video showed numerous galaxy time lapses and focused heavily on showing the equipment in use.
b.     Try to figure out who made the video. If it was a photographer look them up on google and see if you can learn more about them. Ian Norman- he is also an engineer.
c.     If there is a story about the video on the website, paraphrase it in 2-3 sentences. n/a
d.     What did you learn new? You can't shoot a decent long exposure of the galaxy if there is too much moonlight because the moonlight acts similarly to light pollution.

9.     If you were directed to a site that you cannot answer any of the questions above, please do the following:
a.     What did you see on the website, describe it in 2-3 sentences?
b.     What did you learn?
c.     How did the site relate to photography?

5 Websites- website 1


1.     Link the website you visited and make sure your blog is titled the same as the links above..http://petapixel.com/2014/11/18/heroes-villains-pop-culture-characters-go-super-flemish-viral-cosplay-portrait-series/
2.     Briefly describe what you looked at on the website (2-3 sentences, make sure you write enough to really make it clear that you spent time looking at the website).
This website showcased popular media icons like superheros, fairytale characters, and fictional work characters in 17th century portraiture. They were dressed as though they were from that time period and  posed to look contemplative.
3.     What did you learn new?
I learned that photography can be used to twist our perspective on an unoriginal idea- creating a new, fresh, and original idea from it.
4.     If possible, post your favorite photo from the site.
 
5.     If you have a photo to post, please answer the following questions:
a.     Why did you pick this photo? Superman is so sci-fi and extraordinary, so it's odd to see him integrated into human history as if he belonged here and he's normal.
b.     What rules of photography do you see in the photo? Background, the simple backdrop drives all of the focus to the subject of the picture.
c.     Who took the photo?
Sacha Goldberger
6.     If you did a tutorial on the website, post the item you created on your blog. Remember that blogger only takes certain types of photos, if you can convert it to a .jpeg that would be ideal.

7.     If you did a tutorial please answer the following questions:
a.     What did you learn new today?
b.     How can you use this in my class later?
c.     Did this expand your knowledge of an Adobe computer program? If so tell me the program’s name is.

8.     If you looked at a video, please do the following:
a.     Describe what you saw in the video.
b.     Try to figure out who made the video. If it was a photographer look them up on google and see if you can learn more about them.
c.     If there is a story about the video on the website, paraphrase it in 2-3 sentences.
d.     What did you learn new?

9.     If you were directed to a site that you cannot answer any of the questions above, please do the following:
a.     What did you see on the website, describe it in 2-3 sentences?
b.     What did you learn?
c.     How did the site relate to photography?

Thursday, November 13, 2014

Camera Etiquette

Casual Shoot-

  1.  Summary: Photographers have the responsibility to be considerate and courteous when shooting with or around other photographers. Your gear may take up considerable space or you may be in the way of an important shot, so you should be regularly looking up from your camera to assess what adjustment you should be making to help accommodate other photographers. Mistakes happen, so it's important to own up to them, apologize, try to fix them, and politely let others know when they are disrupting your photography because you should also be respected in a shared environment. Lastly, make friends and "alliances" with other photographers shooting in an area.
  2. Favorite tip: Make Friends With The People Around You
  • It is the best suggestion because it covers all of the other tips and provides a sort of protection from inconsiderate photographers. It allows multiple photographers at once to shoot in a respectful environment, opens channels of communication which makes it easier to ask someone to move or for their opinion and help, and it is easier to remind yourself to watch out for another photographer if you are more aware of their presence.
  • To an uncooperative photographer, I'd respectfully ask them to respect my space/boundaries as long as I am not interfering with theirs. If this doesn't work and I don't have any more right than them to shoot there, I'd have to just leave or adjust my approach to the shots.
  • I haven't experienced any problems with other photographers before.
 
Wedding Shoot-

  1. Summary: In wedding situations, the hired photographer has the right of way and it is not your special day but the couple's, so respect the professional's environment. If you are not the professional requested by the couple, be mindful of your flash and presence in photos. As the hired photographer, keep in mind that guests still want to capture their own memories, so it is wise to communicate with them and allow for shared time for certain shots that might be popular.
  2. a- A rude guest wouldn't receive much of my time because it could be better spent capturing the moments I was paid to capture, so I'd explain once that it'd be best to please accommodate the couple by respecting the shots they've paid for. b- If they're drunk I'd have to go directly to the bride(s) or groom(s) and remind them of my guidelines or what makes for a difficult shoot and they'd likely fix the person's behavior as soon as possible. If the person was sober, I'd have a short conversation with them about why they are at the wedding in the first place. If they are as important and close as the couple seems to think they are, they'll recognize their mistake and fix it. c- to prepare for the wedding, I'd meet with the couple beforehand to be sure of what kinds of photos they'd like and what kinds of things or behavior they wouldn't like in the shots and set up a game plan for avoiding confrontation with the guests and maybe ask that they tell their guests before the wedding what they expect of them to respect the photographer. d- If the problems persist, I'd have to find a good time to talk to the couple.
Annoying things-

  1. Summary: Arrogance is a huge no-no in photography. It is important to be mindful of the people around you and how your presence affects them. You shouldn't be overly confident in your photography as this turns people off from your work and likewise you shouldn't be overly negative when critiquing others because it's just unnecessary. 
  • The most annoying thing to me would be someone bashing my photography. Like, yeah, I am completely and fully aware that I could use a lot of work and practice, thanks for the epiphany anonymous user with self-confidence issues. Thanks to your stupid remark, I'm having doubts about something that I really care about and am in no way doing to please negative folks like you in the first place. Photographers should always be looking to create a supportive and helpful environment for other photographers because it's a unique community of artists that should be only respectful to one another.
  • In the stands at the Area D UIL marching contest earlier this school year, I'd have a perfect, unrepeatable shot lined up and when I looked at the screen to check it, the kid in front of me had stretched and his blurry head was the subject of the shot. I was rubbed the wrong way, but by the actual fifth time in twenty minutes that it'd happened I was furious. I'd been robbed of some good opportunities because this kid kept ignoring my friends and I when we'd ask him and his friends to politely move for a moment or to stretch the other way. Because of the uniformity policy our band lives by, I couldn't just move to another spot or stand somewhere.
  • If the job interferes with a current project or a project I'm being paid for, I'd have to charge at least something. I'd only work for free for immediate family like my parents and brother or if the pictures were my idea or suggestion to family or friends. I'm not against free work so long as the $0 price tag was my idea and my idea only.
Photo walk-

  1. Summary: A photowalk requires actual walking, so it's wise to streamline your camera to the basic essentials. A lightweight lens with a flexible focal length is a good idea because you'll want to bring only one lens with you, so it should be able to capture at least more than one or two types of shots. While the bare minimum of equipment is essential, always have extra options, backup parts and equipment, and alternative options locked up in your car just in case. 
  2. We should shoot downtown/SoCo/6th street or something like that. There are a lot of interesting buildings, people, stories going on all at once. There is no shortage of things to shoot and because it's super cold, we can just hop inside a building if our hands freeze. To have a good day walking and taking photos, I'd take my 18-55mm lens, tennis shoes and comfortable clothing, a monopod if I could find one, hand warmers because I really need my hands to do what they're supposed to if I want the images in my mind to translate to the camera properly, plastic cover in case it rains, basic UV filter, and an extra memory card. I'd prefer an urban walk because Austin and it's surrounding areas are very unique, but the wildlife starts to kind of blend together after a while. The shots will all start to look the same. Urban photos have more possibilities creatively for us. And, yes, people who are failing other classes should still be able to go on the photowalk.

Friday, November 7, 2014

Landscape Formal and Creative

ISO: 200 F/18 1/4sec. 11/6/14 4:54pm

ISO: 500 F/18 2sec. 11/6/14 5:51pm
                                         







                                             
                                           
 

 ISO: 400 F/10 1/40sec. 10/29/14 8:05an
 ISO: 140 F/5.6 1/125sec. 11/2/14 6:25pm





Monday, November 3, 2014

Landscapes



Favorite Tip: CONSIDER THE SKY
 Ex:

Favorite Tip: USE BOTH WIDE AND TELEPHOTO LENSES IN FORESTS
Place I'd Like To Photograph: Irish Hills and Castles
Ex: 


Favorite 3 Photos:
From: Texas
Types of Photography: HDR, fine art, travel
This image:5-exposure HDR,14-24mm lens

From: Fukuoka, Japan
Types of Photography: Nature
This image: Focal Length 24.2mm
Shutter Speed 1/320s 
Aperture f/8
ISO 100

Event #2 2nd 6 Weeks



Trunk or Treat 2014 
(I think some coloring got lost in the conversion to JPEG, some of these didn't come out like they did in Lightroom :/ )