Period 1 - Semester Final

Final Exam, Digital Photo

January 21, 2015

Periods 1 and 2

Create a blog post titled Period 1 - Semester Final. When finished, send the finished post by email with the same subject.

1. What is your favorite photo from this Lens slideshow? Provide three reasons that it is your favorite. Out of the nine photos, my favorite picture is the seventh one with the acrobat from the NightFest Light Show at 2014. The vibrant neon lights in the pitch-black background really pops out and keep the main subjects in focus. The combination is put together in perfect balance in color. I personally like how it demonstrates the depth of field with the blurry blue light on the right-side corner . Most importantly, it is my favorite because the picture gives a sense of motion and movement of the acrobat in the photograph with the neon bowling pin stopped in midair.
2. Which photo is the best? Provide three reasons. In my opinion, the best photo from this Lens slideshow is the second photo out of the nine. The picture strongly captures the mood of the Syrian Kurdish family while crossing the border. Again, this picture also demonstrate the depth of field with the blurry policeman on the left side of the picture and the out-of-focus people in the background. The asymmetrical composition is balanced with the arm on the right, which somewhat could pass as a leading line to the main subject.
3. What is your best work this semester? Include the blog link. Give three reasons why this is your best work. If you had more time, how would you do to improve the project. I believe my best work for this semester is the first photo I submitted for ATPI Photography Contest with the following link :http://sharonhsuphotography.blogspot.com/2014/10/atpi-contest-photos.html Personally, I think this is my best work because it took more than just simple photography skills to get the picture. I needed good personal relationship with my friend's Golden Retriever first. Our interactions have to be good enough that she wouldn't get angry at me when I am close to her while she is enjoying her meal. At the same time, I really liked how the composition turned out in the photo. The bone Ursie was holding serves as a leading line to her face. The photograph's color tones is warm, which gives of a mood calmness and coziness with warm satisfaction.
4. You chose three rules of composition. What are your three rules? My three rules of composition includes: framing, symmetry, and depth of field. Framing is a composition rule in which the main subject is isolated from other parts of the photo by surrounding the main subject with a closed frame. Symmetry is a composition rule in which the photograph is balanced out by the property of being the same or corresponding on both sides of a central dividing line. In photography, depth of field is the distance in front of and behind the subject which appears to be in focus. A camera can only focus its lens at a single point, but there will be an area that stretches in front of and behind this focus point that still appears sharp.
   
5. Select one of your own photos that illustrates your ability to apply at least two of the three rules. Insert the photo into the post and label the picture. Clearly include the two rules of composition that you are using.

Chocolate Covered Vanilla Ice Cream

This photograph I took clearly shows the two rules of compositions I've mentioned earlier. The icecream picture ,taken with my Canon T3i Rebel Camera, shows the depth of field and symmetry. 

6. I have three rules of composition. I have explained one already. What is my first rule?
The first rule in our class is to have personally connections with the subject.
7. What are the benefits of working in groups? Provide a list with five benefits.
   a. Able to provide constructive criticism
   b. Peer editing
   c. Break complex projects into step by step
   d. Receive social support from each other.
   e. Refine understanding through discussion and explanations
8. What are the difficulties of working in groups? List five difficulties.
   a. Unequal participation, some group members may do more work than others
   b. Conflict of opinions or ideas
   c. More workload with more people
   d. Misunderstanding people's intentions
   e. Going off topic
9. What is your favorite project produced by another person in this class? Provide the link to their work.
My favorite project produced by others in the class is Jessica Kam's Inspired by the Masters project:
http://jessicasdigitalphotos1.blogspot.com/2014/12/blog-post_17.html

A little history

10. You studied a master photographer and reproduced his or her work. Who was the photographer? What did the photographer contribute to the field of photographer? List one significant contribution. Our master photographer was Eugene W. Smith. He contributed to the field of photographers by working side by side with the Army and documenting the World War. All his photographs have became important records for one of the major events in American History.

11. What is Dorothea Lange's most popular photo? (Does the photo have a name?) Where was the photo taken? When? What agency employed Dorothea when she took the photo?
Dorothea Lange's most popular photo is the "Migrant Mother." Yes, the photo does have a name. It was a photograph of  Florence Owens Thompson and her children in February or March of 1936 in Nipomo.

 12. When did Life Magazine begin publishing? The Life Magazine ran weekly since the year of 1883 and was re-bought on Nov. 23, 1936.

13. When was Elvis born? Elvis Presley was born on Jan 08, 1935.

14. Robert Capa was a founding member of what organization? When did it start?  Capa co-founded Magnum Photos in Paris with David "Chim" Seymour, Henri Cartier-Bresson, George Rodger and William Vandivert. The organization started in 1947.

Abbey Road Album Cover

Masters of Photography Project Reflection

1. How do you think your project represents your work as a student?

Art is freedom of expression. My project is my way to express my inner voice through photography.

 2. How has your understanding of photography changed during this school year?

My definition of being a good photographer changed during this school year. I used to think it only requires patience and camera skills to be a photographer. However, this class proved me wrong. I learned that communication skills and camera edits are just as important.

3. What are some of the benefits of working in a group?
When we work in a group, the models tend to be more natural and interactive. Everyone contributes creative ideas and ways to approach the assignments.


4. What are some of the disadvantages of working in a group?

The disadvantage of working in groups shows when our members cannot compromise. One might want to do it one way, yet another might want to do another.

5. Now that you have had more time to reflect, is there anything that you would have done differently with your recent project?

I want to take more pictures from more unique perspectives, experience with new models, and try to Photoshop the pictures.

6. Is there anything else that you want to include?
We went through multiple failed attempts to come up with the final products for the Eugene Smith projects. It took more than just camera skills and online edits to create our work.