Rules of Photography Part 2

Self Portraits and Self Portraits 1

1. Alter Your Perspective

Most portraits are taken with the camera at (or around) the eye level of the subject. While this is good common sense – completely changing the angle that you shoot from can give your portrait a real WOW factor. Get up high and shoot down on your subject or get as close to the ground as you can and shoot up. Either way you’ll be seeing your subject from an angle that is bound to create interest.

2. Play with Eye Contact

It is amazing how much the direction of your subject’s eyes can impact an image. Most portraits have the subject looking down the lens – something that can create a real sense of connection between a subject and those viewing the image. But there are a couple of other things to try:

A. Looking off camera – have your subject focus their attention on something unseen and outside the field of view of your camera. This can create a feeling of candidness and also create a little intrigue and interest as the viewer of the shot wonders what they are looking at. This intrigue is particularly drawn about when the subject is showing some kind of emotion (ie ‘what’s making them laugh?’ or ‘what is making them look surprised?’). Just be aware that when you have a subject looking out of frame that you can also draw the eye of the viewer of the shot to the edge of the image also – taking them away from the point of interest in your shot – the subject.B. Looking within the frame – alternatively you could have your subject looking at something (or someone) within the frame. A child looking at a ball, a woman looking at her new baby, a man looking hungrily at a big plate of pasta…. When you give your subject something to look at that is inside the frame you create a second point of interest and a relationship between it and your primary subject. It also helps create ‘story’ within the image

B. Looking within the frame – alternatively you could have your subject looking at something (or someone) within the frame. A child looking at a ball, a woman looking at her new baby, a man looking hungrily at a big plate of pasta…. When you give your subject something to look at that is inside the frame you create a second point of interest and a relationship between it and your primary subject. It also helps create ‘story’ within the image.

 11. Frame Your Subject

Framing gives an image depth and draws the eye to a point of interest in the image. Framing is a technique where by you draw attention to one element of an image by framing it with another element of the image. You could do it by placing your subject in a window or doorway, have them look through a small gap or even use their hands around their face. See more examples of framing in photography here.

I picked this picture because I loved the colors and the way the skirt flowed and looked with the garden beneath the girl. I think this picture beautifully captured her body.

I picked this picture because I like the point of view this picture was captured at and the background that not only brings out the body but looks pleasing to the eye.

I picked this portrait because I liked that the boy was clearly the main subject and he had the smoke coming off his back adding diversity to the picture. I also like that his focus is not to the camera but at an angle still capturing all his facial features.

I really really enjoyed this picture because of how different it is.  The boy is hidden in a pile of feathers but still easily viewed as the main subject. I love that the photograph is upside down and that there is so much yet so little going on in the picture.

I picked this  picture because I absolutely love the way this little girl looks and the grass that covers up part of her body and draws lines to her face. I also like that she isn't looking at the camera.

I picked this photo because I liked the simplicity of the portrait but also the background is really pretty and adds character. The picture also follows the rule of thirds which always makes a picture look good.

For our portrait project I'm going too shoot pictures of my friend, Madi, in my backyard using nature as the background. When capturing images I'm going to experiment with angles and different shapes to try and capture new and unique images. I also may try to experiment with props and work with finding the perfect lighting and distance from the subject. I'm also going to include rule of thirds, framing, and simplicity.

Aperture, Shutter Speed and ISO

Aperture
1. The part of the body that we can closely relate aperture is the eyes.
2. The smaller the Aperture the larger f-stop, the larger the Aperture the smaller the f-stop.
3. The Depth of Field is how sharp the background looks.

f2.8

f16

Shutter Speed

1. a.At the beginning while the sun was still up and the courtyard had reasonable good light you can use a slow shutter speed. 

b. At night when there is no sun and it has gotten dark you can use a long shutter speed to capture images.
2. Shutter Priority is when you manually set the camera's shutter speed and the camera picks the shutter speed depending on the amount of light in the lens. The camera will increase the lens aperture if there is too much light and vice versa if there isn't enough light.
Aperture Priority is when you manually set the lens aperture and the camera sets the shutter speed to show the image giving you full control over the depth of field.
Manual mode gives you full control of setting the aperture and the shutter speed.
ISO
1. The advantages of shooting with a higher ISO at a basketball game is it can quickly freeze and capture motion.
2. The author said to use a low iso when there is plenty of light unless the camera is mounted.
3. The author said to use a high iso when there is not enough light or you want to capture motion.

A Husband's Journey through Photography

1. As I looked through the photos I felt sadness and grief for the man who lost his wife.
2. I think this comment made was completely accurate for photos taken because they held very sentimental memories of his wife's journey.
3. I think I could take these photos if I was in this situation but I don't know if I'd want too.
4. I would talk about my amazement on the strength he had to take these pictures and that they perfectly told a beautiful yet sad story about his loss.

Abandoned Theme Parks

1. I would like to visit Takakanonuma Greenland in Hobara, Japan and capture images of the park. I picked this one because it still had a lot of its amusement park equipment left that has rusted over time. This park looks very rustic and tattered. Not only did they look cool but they had a variety of different rides that could be captured at a variety of different angles.

3. Caverns

Underground Railroad

Traintracks

Nighttime traffic on highways

Abandoned buildings

Castle

Africa

This article was about a man who went to Africa and captured images of safari animals in their habitat. He not only wanted to captrue safari animals but capture then in their natural state. I really love all the pictures he took because they were so simple yet beautifuly captured. I especially like that he changed all his photos to black and white because it really draws more attention to the main subject, the animals.

I really liked this picture because the photographer captured a really nice balance between both zebras and the background helps the main subjects really stand out. This photograph is balanced because both zebras are right next to each other, looking in the same diraction, and they split the picture right down the center.

I absolutely love this picture because it is so simple but has so much to it. I love how the elephant is clearly the main subject of the photograph and is big in the center. This photograph is simple because the main subject is clearly noticable and stands out. I especially like the small details of the body of water, the ground, and the sky that really bring the picture together.

Nick Brandt:
5. Brandt uses a Pentax 6711 with only 2 films this is important because with what he is working with you have to physically move your body to get cloer to the animal rather then having a zoom.
6. Brandt takes these photos to capture animals in their state of being.
7. He wants to capture images of these animals beofre they become instinct becasue he believes that every human and non human have an equal right to live.
8. “I'm not interested in creating work that is simply documentary or filled with action and drama, which has been the norm in the photography of animals in the wild. What I am interested in is showing the animals simply in the state of Being. In the state of Being before they are no longer are. Before, in the wild at least, they cease to exist. This world is under terrible threat, all of it caused by us. To me, every creature, human or nonhuman, has an equal right to live, and this feeling, this belief that every animal and I are equal, affects me every time I frame an animal in my camera. The photos are my elegy to these beautiful creatures, to this wrenchingly beautiful world that is steadily, tragically vanishing before our eyes.“ - Nick Brandt

Funny Captions

Bill and his friends prance in the street as they celebrated his birthday. He was born in 1943 in New York City. 

Martha and Stacy laugh and joke around as they take pictures at their friends 70th birthday party. They have known each other for years and love to party.

Bob and the bulldog are having a serious staring competition. Sleepy the bulldog has been bobs bulldog for 10 years and they are best friends.

Academic Shoot Reflection and Critique

1. Challenges I encountered wile trying to get the photos following the rules was getting the right angle to capture the photo from.
2. I found myself thinking about the rule of thirds the most. Whenever I captured an image I usually made sure the subject was on one of the rule of thirds line.
3. If we did this assignment again I would make sure to focus on some of the other rules more then I did this past time and try and find new and unique angels to capture.
4. I would still expriment with different angels like I did last time.
5. I think rule of thirds is always the easiest to capture.
6. I think lines or framing is the hardest to capture.
7. I'm still not totally clear on the rule framing and I could go back to the website where we learned what these rules are to double check.

http://kendallmf.blogspot.com/2014/10/academic-shoot.html

Kendall is really great at capturing images that follow all the simple compostion rules. My absolute favorite image she took would be the lines pcture because the captured the idea perfectly and so unique.

One thing I think she could do is experiment a little bit more with angles.

Great Black and White Photographers Part 3

1. The thing that caught my eye with my photographer is that he captures unique images of models, experimenting with different angles and looks; and I love photographs of models.

I see distinct and structured face shapes. Their perfectly powdered faces and long thin body lines. Fancy jewelry and exotic makeup. All different shades of skin and hair.
I smell of elegant perfume and fried hair. The smell of makeup wafts in the air. The musty air of the fashion studio. 
I taste bland flavors and simplicity. Hints of strong bitter flavors of makeup.I hear the clicks from the photographer capturing the photograph. The swift movement of the model modeling. The sound of clothes and accessories being put on and off.
I feel soft smooth skin. The different textures of the fabric being used for their clothing. The hardness of the floor where the models stand.

I see nothing, pitch black. My face covered in black makeup that looks like ash.  When I open my eyes I see the photographer with his black camera snapping away.
I smell the black tar like makeup and the must of the studio. I'm engulfed in elegant perfume from CoCo Chanel.
I taste my dry mouth in dire need of water. The bitter taste of lipstick around my lips.
I hear the clicks of the camera snapping away and the voices of the makeup artists in the background. Irving Penn directing my movement.
I feel the cold hard ground below my feet. The gentle touch of my hand positioning my body.  

3. I'd like to show information of my photographer through a powerpoint.

Photo Mural Project

1. A theme that we could do at the school is life in the classrooms.
2. I think we should open the project up to camera use too rather then just Iphones.
3. I think the mural should go in F hall, cafeteria, library, or outside the school.

Academic Photoshoot

Balance
1. I think I followed the rule very well because the picture has the same amount of objects on each side if split down the middle.
2. The subject of this photo is the two students sitting next to each other.
3. I think that the subject is clear to people looking at the photo.

Lines
1. I thin I followed this rule very well because the bookshelf is the line that leads to the main subject, the girl.
2. The main subject is the girl because she stands out the most in this photo.
3. I think the main subject of the photo is clear to the people looking at it.

Simplicity
1. I think I followed this rule okay because the background is not plain but it is blurred.
2. The main subject of this photo is the girl reading the book.
3. I think the main subject is clear to the people looking at the photo.

Rule of Thirds
1. I think I followed this rule very well because the main subject is on the left line of the invisible grid.
2. The main subject of this photo the girl looking through the microscope.
3. I think the main subject of this picture is clear to the people looking at it.

Framing
1. I don't think I  followed this rule very well because the frame isn't very clear or define.
2. The main subject of this picture is the girl drawing.
3. I think the main subject of this photo is clear to the people viewing it.
4. I think I could of gotten a different angle on this photo or just completely re-do it to follow the rule better.