Final Exam

Part 1: What I've Done

"More Than A Face" f/2.8, shutter speed: 1/5sec.
For "More Than A Face" it was part of my reflection project. I thought this was a strong photograph, because it gave the viewer different angles of my face to visualize, not knowing which face was me and which ones were reflections of me. I have a three connecting mirror in my bathroom and when you open the mirrors facing towards each other they reflect. The closer the mirrors are placed together the more reflections of the model (or ME) appears. This photo was fun to take, I did not have any problems with lighting, I felt no limits to explore on this photo and wanted to reveal my face in a different light by making the photo black and white. Looking down, having a settle face, and with my hair coming down the side brings emotion to the photo which is what I wanted to express the most.



"Art" f/13; shutter speed: 1/200 sec.
In my photo, "Art" I gave it its title because when people look at graffiti they look at it as something bad, or as the dictionary states "Graffiti -a rude decoration inscribed on rocks or walls". Yet, in my eyes not all graffiti is a terrible thing. To me its a way of expression and making a master piece, just not on paper. The details that the anonymous artist did is eye-catching. It makes you want to look, explore and wonder what is the graffiti of and what's it meaning. The artist didn't spray the brick wall in 5 seconds, the person obviously put their time and effort in wanting to reveal to the world their "artwork". I did the same when it came to taking this picture, time and effort to get the shot right. Going through more than 40 takes of the same picture I felt this photo suited the best and the black and white really made it become "urban decay" then it would be if it was in color.



"Dog Eye View" f/6; shutter speed: 1/160 sec.
In this picture is my best friend's dog, Skipper. For starters let me make clear that Skipper is a dog with a ball of energy, super hyper, and can never stay still, so to get a picture of him motionless is priceless. I really like this photograph for perspective, because it's a completely different view at looking at the world on four legs. I like Skipper's shadow that was also created, it makes it look like he's a bigger dog then what he really is; about two feet long to be exact. I felt it was best to make this picture in black and white so it wouldn't take again from the shadow that was made.



"Back Tucks 1 <3 Beat!" f/4.5; shutter speed: 1/160 sec.
"The heartbeat continues from O.H.I.O....Northeast Ohio, we're N.E.O!!", is what my cheerleading team would say in response to this picture. In this picture is my friends Lyiah and Jasmine doing back tucks on the trampoline. This photo was for a different choice project, but looking back this picture would have been perfect for motion blur. I can't count how many times I had them do back tuck to get the photo right on point. Challenges in this photo was timing, but after the right amount of takes I was pleased with my result. I felt that this picture was something different, unique and strong, but also strong to my heart making it personal. Attending high school and competitional cheer was not an option that could fit my family's pockets. I had to leave my 2nd family (my cheer team), but as it's written on the walls I will never leave, nor lose my "1 <3 Beat". R.I.P -Tuzzy (The Best Coach Ever!)

Part 2: What I Think

 

1. "In the preface to the second edition (1843) of The Essence of Christianity, Feuerbach observes about 'our era' that it 'prefers the image to the thing, the copy to the original, the representation to the reality, appearance to being'. For the images that have virtually unlimited authority in a modern society are mainly photographic images..."

Imagery affects faith, because faith is believing without seeing. When you’re given a visual perspective the viewer believes the image is present, because the source is there to see. For me I am a visual learner and I relate better when I see what is being taught to me through a skit, picture or video. In religion class imagery and photography have a great impact on my faith, because in the past when the parables and Bible was written people needed a visual to understand better what was happening back then. As photography grows over time it is also changes with effects. Photographer can make images look like something they're not with the use of a high quality camera and computer. For example, weight lost pictures or commercials. Images can tool with our beliefs making us think that we should look like the famous people on TV who "magically" lost 100lbs in weeks. Instead of looking at the image through the mirror, accepting ourselves as God created us and changes our eating habits or body shape in a health manner. Also, something unseen can be made more real by imagery with how society makes it. When tend to believe how things are suppose by what is presented to us through magazines, books and television.

5. "There is an aggression implicit in every use of the camera. This is as evident in the 1840's and 1850's, photography's glorious first two decades, as in all the succeeding decades, during which technology made possible an ever increasing spread of that mentality which looks at the world as a set of potential photographs."

Before I took Advance Digital Imaging I took photos of family, friends, parties, special event, and random pictures "just because". When I took the time to really focus what was being taking in the image it gave it a better meaning, a purpose. I realized objects and things that are around me every day in a different light and view, with the multiple projects that I was exposed to in this class. The question is asked "What is the danger of looking at the world as a set of potential photographs?", but I see it as the common quote says "take a picture and it'll last longer". Having a picture brings back memories and is everlasting when kept in good condition; I can't see much danger in it.  Maybe it brings a dangerous thought when we look at the world as a photograph, because photos are taking of moments that will never happen exactly the same way again. Once it has happens it's over, we move on and we look back at it with little appreciation.

Part 3: What I'll Do

1. Why do you take photographs?

     I take pictures because it’s a way of art and expression. They’re pictures of moments that will last in my memory forever. Some pictures are taking random and come out with a great image unintentionally, which makes it beautiful and gives it character. To know I can capture a moment with just a flash of a button makes taking pictures worth my wild.

   
2. How has your photography changed because of your work this semester?

      Throughout the semester my photography has changed with time and effort. I put more time into my work getting the picture just right, whether it’s a change of setting on the camera, an adjustment on the perspective, taking the same picture over and over again, help of Photoshop or simply being patient to capture the object at the right time.

3. What aspects of your photography do you want to/need to continue to develop?

        I need a wider range of location. Challenges that I feel I had throughout the semester was a limited space of where the pictures were taken. While some of my classmates got to travel the world and take great photos I stayed put in a small area with things and place that are around us all every day, which made it tough to show the different kinds of pictures I could take.

  
4. How will you continue to remain active as a photographer? What tendencies do you need to avoid to remain active? What positive habits do you need to cultivate?

I won’t stop taking pictures. I took pictures before the class and I will continue after. I find it fun to do blogs of my artwork and hope to continue and make it a new routine to do in my life. I need to set time to take pictures, so that my photos and the things I learned won’t go to waste. Positive habits would include being open minded to just take pictures whenever, wherever and of whatever; go with the flow and see what positive results I can receive from my photos.

5. In your photographs this semester, give examples of instances that your photography has reached the level of art. Attempt to explain what caused these works to be successful. How can you continue to create such works.

Throughout this semester I have not just taking pictures, but I have expressed my talents and abilities to take good photos of quality. I feed off of other photographers in my class, getting positive input and showing diversity in my art. I brought people to be active in my photos, making them apart of my work. I’ve also brought emotional appeals in my pictures whether it’s the change of lighting or an expression on someone’s face. When one class can do all these things, it’s the definition of success.