Portrait Assignment

For this specific write up, I am going to focus on one image to critique, the photo with my younger sister Kathryn, with a fan as a prop. This picture is an example of a posed shot. The way she is posed in unnatural and different. For the Depth of field, it is shallow to allow the clouds and background to be blurry. The focus is placed upon the subject, being the model in the shot. I set the shutter speed and aperture so that this image could turn out the way that I wished. Personally, I enjoy the depth of field and focus that this image has. there were a few minor complications in achieving the correct aperture to capture this exact shot. However, after some adjustments, I was able to complete what I wished, which as this photograph.

The exposure of this shot is rather original. With the sun as a light source, my sister and I decided to try something new with the prop that we brought from home. I thought, well, maybe if we place the fan right on the sun, the light will come through with an interesting effect. The exposure of the picture focused directly on how much light was let into the camera, from the tiny holes in the fans handle. The shutter speed and aperture has to correspond with each other in able for me to get the correct amount of exposure necessary. From this project, I learned further that depth of field and exposure depend on each other.

Again, the lighting in this shot, in my opinion, is more unique. Like stated before, I had Kathryn place the fan she had in her hand directly in the way of my camera and the sun. In doing this, tiny amounts of light was able to scape through the prop, and the light went into my camera. With this done, the light was able to spread throughout the shot, giving the surrounding area a yellow tint. This is also an example of outdoor lighting. I had to really work with my environment to capture this shot. Being that the light source is behind the subject, backlighting was also used here. Backlighting also, at times, poses as an issue with sun rays, however, I purchased a sun hood in the past to place upon the end of my camera, so I was able to avoid these problems.

Lines play a large role in the composition of a photograph. However, lines in this particular image are limited. The only lines that I personally am able to see are the lines in the fan. These lines were abundant running horizontally out towards the face of the subject. When I see these lines, they draw my eye out towards the subject, whom is almost a silhouette, in the right-hand side of the shot. It is interesting, because the sun has created an illumination of the lines, with the colors of yellow and orange. I believe that this really adds to the photo.

Color in this picture is also abundant. They consist of shades of blue, yellow and orange. Mostly having to do with the sky, this color combination gives me a sense of a natural environment. The colors are not extremely vibrant, but soft and complimenting which  I enjoy very much. I also prefer how the whiteness of the models dress has been turned to a pale, but dark blue, because of the reflecting blue of the sky, and lighting of the sun. It truly was amazing to see the colors come to life in a totally different way, just because of the fact that the sun was low, and covered in this particular way.

Last, the composition of the shot. Unlike most of my photos, this image does not follow the basic rule of thirds. The subject is places in the center of the photo, which, for me at least, is very different. How the light from the sun begins in the handle of the fan, then spreads throughout the picture is a more artistic method. Simple, but effective.  Again, I really enjoyed playing with the light from the sun for this photo shoot. I hope to continue experimenting with tactics such as this, in order to expand my skills as an artist, and photographer.

Panorama Assignment

For this introduction to my two part panoramic assignment, I am going to focus on the 180-degree image to be able to use specifics about the composition, depth of field, ect. The depth of field of this shot is rather deep. The viewer is able to see all of the detail in the back and foreground. The focus is constant throughout the frames because while I was in the process of capturing the photographs, I was able to turn off all of the automatic aspects on me camera, and make everything manual. The focus on the lens was also done manually. There is no place in the picture that is out of focus (not including the background in a very select few areas). There were no complications that I had in giving this picture the depth of field and focus that I requited to make this collaborative panoramic work correctly.

The exposure of this shot was also done manually, to ensure that all of the pictures would fit when they came together over Photoshop. To be able to be combined into one shot, they all required the same exposure. In able to do this, I had to set my aperture and shutter speeds constant. This objective was easily obtained while in manual mode. There is no area of the shot that is over or under exposed. Again, this is a simple task to complete when done without the assistance of auto mode.

For these series of pictures, I was outside. I used the sun as my natural lighting. Because of this side lighting, some shadows are visible from the trees and surroundings. Just off of judging this picture alone, one may infer that the sun is on the right side of the picture, because there is a shadow on the left side of the tree that the model is leaning on. Also, a small hint of shadow can be detected on the models left side of her face.  I love the lighting in this photo. I would not have done anything different than I did. I love it!

Lines are abundant in this collaboration of shots. The lines are visible as elements of composition in the white lines of the fence. When I personally look upon this shot, my eyes go directly along the lines of the fence from the right all the way to the opposite side, on the life, to where there are trees and a girl leaning against a single tree. The fence is composed of three planks of wood, therefore giving the picture many lines that will assist the viewer to the subject of the shot.

As for the color of this picture, all of the colors are extremely natural. The colors are primarily green, blue, and white. I believe that when views look at this panoramic, they will get a clean feeling, as I do, when they look at it. Although the colors are extremely natural, they are also bold, and make an interesting statement. They play a major role in giving the onlooker a specific feeling. I especially love the splash of color that the bright green shoes of the model gives to her outfit, kind of fun!

As for composition, the rule of thirds plays a major role in the way this picture looks.  The subject of this collaboration of pictures in the model placed up against a tree. Again, the lines bring the viewers eyes all the way across the photo, to the subject and the trees surrounding her. For example, if you were to cut the photograph into three pieces vertically, the point of the photo would be placed in the upper and lower, very left of the shot. It also fits into the Golden rule! Of course! The basic elements and rules are all met, I believe.