How did studying photographic design help me become a better photographer?
Studying photographic design helped me become a better photographer because it helped me create a better understanding of the elements and principles. It also supplied me with examples to rely on and the more I experimented with them, the more I found myself using and appreciating them. I realized that the designs help me create better photographs if I take them into consideration and is conscious of their use.
How was I environmentally conscious in this project?
I was environmentally conscious in the project because I took my surroundings into consideration before taking photographs. I also used the environment as setting for my photographs therefore they played a big aspect in this project. They also had a big impact of the use of elements and principles because I was required to look for these features.
Did I have any challenges with technology while doing this project? How did I solve them?
I did have a few technological issues while doing this project. This mainly caused by my lack of experience with Tumblr. For instance, it took me a while to figure out how to customize and change my blog settings as well as editing and things such as that. Thankfully, most of my peers have used Tumblr before so having them around and giving tips was big help. Also, experimenting a bit with the site helped solve some issues and cleared my curiosity and confusion.
Composition
The focal point is the particularly bright spot towards the left of the photograph. That is also the first spot the eye notices when observing this photograph. The eye follows the blur of the lights from left to right. The circular objects do not define themselves as they lead the vision except for the fact that they are blurs of lights. Some of the principles and elements used are shape, which is defined with circles, colour, expressed by the variety of lights, and rhythm, formed by the repetition of the blurs.
Contrast
Between the lower area of the photograph and the upper area, there is a great contrast in shade and tone. In the middle of the photograph, the blurry lights contrast everything because of their difference of shades. Most of the contrast is between the lights and the background because the difference of tone. The background is composed of only one shade, differently toned while the focal point is a combination of different colours and tones, some stronger than others.
Communication
From the blur of the lights to the undefined background, an intriguing mood is created. The mood possesses the holiday spirit, joyful and content. It also makes the observer expect for snow and the reminiscence of Christmas. The photograph communicates the spontaneity of the city life contrasting to the tranquillity of the holiday season as it approaches.
Composition
At first glance, the vision lands on the odd outline on the sand which turns out to be a handprint. From there on, the line of vision travels around the photograph in no particular order since everywhere is so similar. The photograph’s focal point would be the fingers of the handprint because the palm is not clearly defined in the sand. However, the symmetry and balance creates a harmonic theme across the photograph.
Contrast
The contrast level is extremely low because the photograph expresses low value. However, there is enough contrast to outline certain shapes such as the handprint and small curves or waves within the sand. Flash would not have been used for it creates more contrast and the tones are alike if not almost identical. Only specks of wood picks or stones are contrasted more apart from the majority of the tone in the photograph.
Communication
Colours of the sand creates a lost feeling. The photograph expresses a mood that is soft and flowing. The lack of contrast creates that soft feeling whereas the visible grains of sand makes it flow. It also gives the viewer an overflow of thoughts about how vast something may be, like the beach, and how small the creators of it may be, like the grains of sand.
Composition
At first glance, the eye is directly lead to the focal point, the lock closest to the camera lens. It shows dominance and unity because the rest of the photograph is also composed with similar locks. The focal point is clearly defined from its surroundings. The eye is then lead upwards towards the rusted locks and follows the chains of locks down into the blurry background of the photograph. The photograph is constructed with the rule of thirds as the foreground becomes the focal point and the middle ground and background leads our eye around the photograph.
Contrast
On the focal point, the contrast is clearly shown between the rusted locks and the softly toned lock. Though, in other areas of the photograph, the contrast could be seen but is not apparent because the background is blurry. The eye is still able to be lead around the photograph by dominance of the contrast but the whole photograph itself loses emphasis because of the lack of contrast. The focal point has great contrast with its surroundings but is not very contrasted when coming to its own details.
Communication
Because of the lack of contrast, the photograph creates of soft atmosphere. It particularly portrays love and unity from the way the locks are shaped as hearts. The photograph communicates the belief of miracles by displaying the amount of locks on the chains and the people who put the locks there in hope for a long-lasting relationship.
Composition
Each flower in this photograph is somewhat identical. This allows them to be in harmony with each other because they are so similar. The flowers in the middle ground are more focused than the ones in the background however; they contain the same colours and structure. The similarity creates a harmonic balance throughout the photograph and makes everything fit together. The focal point is the flower on the left middle ground where clarity is shown most. The eye directly lands there and slowly moves towards the right middle ground where another perfect flower could be seen, then into the background where it is slightly blurred and finally into the foreground where only certain parts of a flower could be seen.
Contrast
There is some contrast within the photograph however since the background is composed of similar shades, the contrast isn’t very evident. Once again, the contrast is found more between the colours as it is between shades. The tone of the middle ground is the strongest whereas it is barely seen in the foreground. However the contrast defines the lines creating more clarity at the focal point than the background.
Communication
An atmosphere is created within this photograph. The mood established is quite intriguing and happy. It is not an upbeat happy but rather a serene happy. It creates a mood where the viewer wishes to glance over every aspect and detail in the photograph because it allows serenity to wash over them. It communicates the relaxation of when summer comes. It creates the image of lying under the sun in a field of flowers watching time pass. The photograph successfully captures the bright, relaxed mood of patience.
Composition
The photograph uses the element colour by emphasizing only the coloured areas of the original photograph. The eye directly lands on the closest colours which are blurred out and seemingly glowing then slowly observes onward towards the other colours which are more defined and clear. Colour is clearly shown in this photograph because only the tips of the pencil crayon are different coloured whereas the rest of the photograph is shaded gray. There is no exact focal point because the whole photograph relies on only the element colour and is made up of the same material, however, the upper area of the photograph is more focused than the lower area which is positioned closer to the photographer.
Contrast
There is little contrast in the photograph because the majority of it is shaded gray. However the contrast between the colours is obvious. The gray areas are structured with a softer tone whereas the coloured areas stand out more with brighter and stronger tone. The coloured areas hold your attention more than the grayed areas because they stand out more with more contrast and tone between each other.
Communication
The photograph conveys feelings through colours. As the observer looks over the photograph, the variety of colours causes them to feel a variety of feelings. It has a spontaneous burst of energy from the contrast between the coloured area and the grayed area. It also conveys the difference of our lives, one with colour and expressions and one which is dulled and routine.
