morning light
object


backlit

Assignment #2 first photos

monochromatic
diffuse lighting
desaturated

Portrait Photographer

I am taking a moment to show a photograph taken by Sam Taylor-Wood. She is a British photographer who takes intense emotional portrait photographs. This particular photograph I think is interesting and important enough to talk about not because it is anymore important than any others in this particular series, but that like the other photographs in the series it is playful and dramatic. It encapsulates many of the things that we look for in a photograph and fine art in general and does it well. Not only is it composed well and the lighting is right and fits a one third two thirds balance, but the subject matter is important. It is very dramatic in it's energy. I like to think about the relationship with the woman and the chair and the shadow. The delicate balance and falling motion. Every last element of the photograph is purposeful and meant to convey a story or message.

Question #7

#7 Pay close attention to the types and number of photographic portraits you see in one day. Where did you see them? How do you think that the content of the portrait changes based on the context in which you see the image (news, facebook, magazine, advertisement, television, youtube, etc)? In other words, what is the difference between the portraits you see on facebook vs. those on the news? What is the difference between the “viewpoint” of the photographer in each situation? What is the difference between their “intents”?

response: In response to this, there is no way that I could possibly number all the photographic portraits that I see in one day. They are everywhere I go and see. Portraits are in every part of everyday life. I think that what is different though between things like facebook and the news is that on facebook the portrayal of the portrait is the way an individual wants you to see him or herself. On the other hand the news tries at least to show an unbiased view.

Question #6

#6 In your opinion, when is it beneficial, ethical, or appropriate to digitally alter photographic portraits? When do you think it is inappropriate or ethically wrong?

response: I think in most instances digital alterations in photographic portraits are acceptable. I think that the only time it is wrong is when the person photographed is defamed somehow through the alteration. I do think that best photographs though are the ones without modification that still capture our hearts.

Question #5

#5 Give your thoughts on one or both of the following quotes.
“Photography records the gamut of feelings written on the human face, the beauty of the earth and skies that man has inherited, and the wealth and confusion man has created. It is a major force in explaining man to man.” ~Edward Steichen



“I just think it's important to be direct and honest with people about why you're photographing them and what you're doing. After all, you are taking some of their soul.” ~Mary Ellen Mark




response: I think that photography is one of the best ways for explaining man to man. In a documentary fashion no meaning is lost. There is in a sense a better translation than words could offer. Photography gives us the ability to capture the moment that otherwise would be lost in time.
part 2. Whether before or after the photo is taken its purpose should be explained. However I totally disagree that a photograph in some way could capture ones soul, but rather a person leaves a fingerprint that can not be erased.

Assignment #2

Student- East Lansing, Mi
This is a portrait recreation for assignment #2 in my Color Photography class. It is a recreation of photographer Mark Menjivar. He did a series called "You are what you Eat". He went around the country taking photos of what was inside different peoples fridges. I work at a shoe store and I find it particularly interesting what shoes people wear and what kind of people shoes people buy and how this might describe them. I think it is fasinating how the things that we obtain in the consumer society that we live in can describe a lot about us. You can view Mark Menjivar series at http://markmenjivar.com/.
I hope to be able to continue these shoe photographs and make a series.

Assignment #1 best 3

This first photograph was the second taken of the three. It is my favorite because it was more of less the most experimental of the three. I was trying to make the photograph seem as if it was taken with a disposable camera at a party or a night scene. I also wanted to try and make the photograph similar to the Ray Ban "Never Hide" campaign. I used a second light along with the flash to make a pattern of reflection in the sunglasses. I think that the photograph is more or less successful, either way it is my favorite of the three.


This photo of light was the last of the three photographed. I really like the photo because of how dark I was able to make the background. I took a series of photos in this way and I liked this one the best because I feel like it is very balanced.

This last photo was the first of the three photos taken. It was a found scene on the MSU campus. I thought it was an interesting scene to photography simply because of the contrast of color of the cones compared to the rest of the scenery. It was a good opportunity for me to edit in photo shop and learn some good basics for later.

These three photos represent my favorite out of the twelve photos taken for the first assignment in Color Photography at MSU

Question #4

“Photography deals exquisitely with appearances, but nothing is what it appears to be.” ~Duane Michals. Do you agree or disagree with this quote? Why?

Photography can be literal or it can be made up. It doesn't have to be either, but what is important is that the creator can make the photo to be whatever he wants it to be. The creator has the ability to make the appearances nothing what they appear to be.

Question #3

“If I could tell the story in words, I wouldn't need to lug around a camera.” ~Lewis Hine

 Do you agree or disagree with this quote? Why? Describe situations when photographic images reveal “the story” (as compared to words). Describe situations when words reveal “the story” (as compared to images)

I think that using a camera to describe things is a great way to convey a message. As they say a picture is worth a thousand words. It can mean so much but have so little. However pictures can mean different things to different people. Using words to tell the story can share the message exactly the way it is meant to be shared. I think that words and pictures are important by themselves but also to be used together.

Color Photo Assignment #0

For assignment #0 I was instructed to recreate a photograph by Laszlo Moholy-Nagy. After doing research it was interesting to find out that this artist was a man who believed in Art as a discipline of pure visual interest. He was a part of the constructivism movement, which rejected the art for art-sake ideals and replaced them with the notion that art has more purposeful and social uses. Study with Pins and Ribbons has a very non-representational feels in its forms which created interest simply through their color, fourm, and light. My recreation of Study with Pins and Ribbons, I title Study with Clips and String. It is created in response to an interest of form, color, and light, rather than subject matter.

Blog Prompt Question #1: Imagine a world without photographs. Describe what this world would be like.
Response: A world without photographs would be a world with fuzzy memories. It would be a place where a visual recollection would less important. I think that a world without photographs isn't too hard to imagine. Considering that in human history photographs are relatively new. I think if technology continued without photography though life would be harder to remember and easier to forget. Whether that is good or bad I am not to say.

Blog Prompt Question #2: What does the word "photograph" mean to you?
Response: The word "photograph" to me means a way to remember the world of the past. To capture the moment for an eternity.

Disclaimer!

Dear Reader, This blog is dedicated to all things Nathan. For the next few months many posts will be dedicated to my color photo class. Do not be surprised if many other things appear on this blog, including things from my life and other photography related stuff.