Element/Principle Assignment 1

Assignment 2 Composition

Worm's Eye View

I think I captured the principle of design, worm's eye view, decently in each picture. Some of them were not the greatest angle and so it's not exactly obvious that is the principle I employed. My camera work is okay, my best is displayed in the picture of the frog ornament, my worst in the pictures of the paper lantern and the windowsill, which were grainy and underexposed. My editing helped a lot with improving the visual of the pictures, but still has plenty of room for improvement.

Understanding Histograms

1. What is a histogram?

A histogram is a graph that showcases the light, dark, and gray tones in a photograph, which helps decide if an image is overexpose, underexposed, or just right.

2. What happens to the visual when a histogram is skewed to the left? Right?

Skewing a histogram to the left will give a picture darker tones, and can help fix a photo that is overexposed. Skewing a histogram to the right will add lighter tones to the image, remedying an image that is underexposed. 

3. In most cases, what does a "good" histogram look like?

a. Describe your answer in words.

A "good" histogram will most likely have tones that are evenly spread out, so that the lights, darks, and grays balance each other out. 

b. Provide a visual.

4. Why is a histogram a good tool for photographers?

The histogram can help you better understand your photograph, thus helping you achieve the effect you want your image to create.

Assignment 2 Homework

E&P Homework

Photo Composition

Emphasis

Emphasis occurs when one or more elements in a photograph are displayed more prominently, or placed in such a position as too attract attention. 

This picture displays the concept of emphasis by having the jewel-toned, brightly colored flower take center of the photograph, while the background is black and white. The emphasis in the photograph is used to better exemplify the bright colors of the flower and show its importance in the picture. 

Horizontal Lines

Horizontal lines are any lines that run to the east or west. 

This picture shows horizontal lines in the places where the beach and ocean touch, along with the meeting place of the ocean and sky. As horizontal lines represent calmness and tranquility, the photograph neatly incorporates those ideas with the scenery consisting of an empty beach and a calm and gentle ocean. 

Repetition/Pattern

Repetition or pattern is the repeated consistency of an element throughout a photograph. 

This picture is a great example of repetition because of its consistent use of the exact same candy delicacy throughout the image. 

Bird's Eye View 

'Bird's Eye View' is an aerial view of an object or objects that looks straight down as if the from the point of view, or eye, of a bird. 

The picture featured above incorporates bird's eye view in the way the photograph is composed. The viewer of the image has the perspective of looking straight down the mast of the small boat featured in the photo. The use of bird's eye view in this photograph allows one to properly see the full extent of the objects the photographer intended to be seen in the image. This includes the entirety of the fishing boat, a large portion of the mast and various ropes attached to the boat, along with the small sunken airplane and the slightly murky, disturbed waters surrounding the boat. 

Vertical Lines

Vertical lines are any lines that run from north to south. They are often used as a visual representation for grandness or spirituality. 

This picture consists of a forest area composed of very similar leafy trees, whose trunks stretch from the soil to the sky, showing many vertical lines in the image. The use of vertical lines helps show the grandness of the forest to the viewer.

Texture

Texture is shown in a picture through the visual representation of the appearance and feel of the pictured surface. 

This picture of strands of rope is a great example of texture because it allows the viewer to see the rough, grainy texture of the knotted rope. 

Symmetrical Balance

Symmetrical balance occurs in a photograph when one side of the image balances or mirrors the other half. The sides are separated by a vertical line. 

This picture shows symmetrical balance in the way the photograph has been composed. The left and right halves of the image are very similar and, while not identical, they balance each other out with the same floor, wall, and ceiling on either side of the picture.

Unity

Unity is shown in a photograph when the elements of the photograph work together to create a coordinated and complete image.

This picture is a great example of unity because the elements used in the piece, for example, color, pattern, and texture, are used throughout the image. All of the giraffes in the image have a brown and white color scheme, the same texture in their hair, and very similar patterns on their fur which all bring the piece together.

Rule of Thirds

The rule of thirds is a compositional rule that says the entire picture should be divided into nine identical sections, with compositional elements placed along the section's borders.

This picture demonstrates the rule of thirds because when it is divided into the nine equal parts, one can see the compositional elements spread out according to the rule. The first and second vertical thirds of the image show the sky and glimpses of the sea along with the grassy rocks that make up the ground. The last third of the image is the lighthouse that is the main subject of the photograph.

Diagonal Lines

Diagonal lines are lines that run in a slanted, or diagonal, direction. They represent movement or direction in a piece of art.

This picture shows the concept of diagonal lines throughout the image with the repeated use of slanted lines to emphasize the movement of the car that features in the photograph.

Variety

Variety is shown in an image by the use of different elements and principles of designs which makes the image more interesting.

Variety is prevalent in this image because even though the subject is a large collection of seashells, each shell is uniquely different adding variety and assortment to the photo. 

Simplicity

Simplicity is the singling out of an object from its environment.

Simplicity is found in the above picture with its selection of taking a photograph of a plain white bird against a stark bright blue background, which makes the bird stand out even more. 

Asymmetrical Balance

Asymmetrical balance occurs when different items in an image balance each other. 

This picture shows asymmetrical balance because the figurines on the chess board are different but they balance each other out anyways. Although the front left of the photograph has the single queen and the back right corner features four glass pawns, their reflective positioning and difference in number and size work to balance out the image.

Movement/Rhythm

Movement and rhythm in a photograph assist in showing action and the path the viewer's eyes should take through the work.

This image is a good example of movement and rhythm in a photograph because the continual spiraling of the staircases pictured in the image guide the viewer's eyes through the picture and emphasize the movement of the stairs.

Leading Lines

Leading lines are lines that lead the eye to other points of interest in the picture.

This image's leading lines are shown with the deep straight furrows cutting lines through the pale pink fields leading to the far back center of the picture which features a large windmill standing against a cloudy blue sky.

Proportion/Scale

Proportion or scale in an image is the relative size of one item in relation to a different item.

This image demonstrates proportion and scale by placing the Eiffel Tower, the tallest structure in Paris, France, next to a much smaller in comparison building. The use of proportion and scale in this photograph helps intensify the magnitude in size of the Eiffel Tower and the relative tininess of the building next to it.

Horizon Line

Horizon lines in a photograph are used to emphasize the sky or ground depending on the positioning of the horizontal line where the ground meets the sky.

This picture expertly shows the horizon line by showing the clear division between the mountainous bank of yellow clouds in the sky and the mellow golden waters of the sea, or the 'ground'.

Framing

Framing is used in an image to direct the viewer's attention to the important points of the work by using preexisting elements or items in the scenery.

This image displays framing by turning the viewer's attention to the main focus of the scene; the little boy about to hit the ball in his game of croquet, which is accomplished with the creative idea of viewing the image through one of the wickets is placed in the forefront of the picture.

Worm's Eye View

Worm's eye view is a way of taking a photograph that makes the view look up from down low.

This picture achieves the concept of worm's eye view by taking the picture from the very floor of the forest with the view pointing straight up and peeking through gaps in between a group of soaring leafy trees. 

Curved Lines

Curved lines are lines that represent comfort, safety, and relaxation by moving in a smooth, continuous direction.

The curved lines in this photo are found in the sweeping round curves of the railroad track cutting a path through the forest. The smooth gradual curve of the lines help to bring a sensation of comfort and relaxation to the peaceful fall scene. 

Edward Steichen Day 3

Edward Steichen's Photograph Influences

One of Edward Steichen's biggest influences was his photography idol, Alfred Stieglitz, who was one of the biggest photographer stars of that time period. A major influence prevalent in many of Steichen's works was his time as a lithography designer. This influence is shown in the design of many of his paintings and photographs. 

Edward Steichen Day 2

Edward Steichen's Life Influences

When Edward Steichen was very young, he moved from his home country of Luxembourg to America, where his family eventually settled down in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. At 15 years old Edward began an apprenticeship at a lithographic company, which specializes in printing, where Edward worked as a designer. This was the beginning of Edward's interest and eventual passion for the arts. After five years working at the lithographic company, Edward took up the pursuit of painting, becoming quite well-known. However, this wasn't Edward's only artistic passion, he had acquired a camera during his time at the lithographic company and took lessons from another photographer. His beginnings may have been humble and not so dramatic as other famed artists, but Edward's life influences lead to him becoming a revered photographer and painter.

 http://www.leegallery.com/edward-steichen/edward-steichen-biography

Edward Steichen Day 1

Gloria Swanson by Edward Steichen

This photograph by Edward Steichen features famous American actress Gloria Swanson as the subject of the photo. The photo is in stark black and white with little, if any, shades of gray. This creates contrast between the paleness of her face and the darkness of her hair and the veil covering the whole picture. Her smoky eyes are large and round, staring straight into the lens of the camera. Her face is long and ovular, her nose straight and her eyes decorated with dark makeup under her thin eyebrows. Her lips are also dark, giving the whole photograph a distinct aura of glamour. Her hair is the darkest shade of black in the whole image, cut in a fashionably short bob and drawn back from her face neatly, leaving her face open and unobscured. The most compelling part of the image is the object in the immediate front of the image, taking up the entire space. It is a veil of a sheer black material covered in an intricate flowery design that accentuates her face. The top of the veil consists of large dark flowers and leaves that cover her hair, thinning down into a sparse area of delicate branches and tiny flowering blossoms that decorate her eyes and nose. After the last miniature flower, there is a blank grayish expanse of fabric that leaves her mouth untouched by the flowery images. Immediately underneath her lips are more flowers and leaves curling around the edges of the picture, reaching up to the very perimeter of her face. 

Personal Reflection

Personal Reflection:

1. Why is this photo good (compositional standpoint)?

The subject of the photo (the marshmallow) is displayed in the center of the image, while the coals are in the foreground and the log is in the background.

2. Why do you value this photograph (sentimental standpoint)?

I took it when I was camping with my dad and little sister this summer and it reminds me of summer and good times with my family.

3. How do the other images selected relate to your theme?

They're pictures of my favorite foods, because I like food and it goes with the theme of the marshmallow.

4. Describe the compositional strategies used (Elements and Principles of Design).

I used the elements of line and color, by using the color scheme red-orange-yellow and by using lines to connect the different images on the cover. I used the principle of movement/rhythm by using lines to make the viewer's eyes move from one image to the next.

Sketchbook Cover

S'mores