Photographic Elements- Single Point

{ February 22, 2010 @ 3:30 PM } · { Photographic Elements }
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Finally, I chose to showcase the photographic element of a single point with my photo of a light bulb.  The single point is a spot on the photo for the eye to study and be drawn to.  It is an undeniable place for one’s focus on the photo.  I have chosen to use the photo of the light bulb to show the great impact a single point can make on a subject that, in any other photo, would be lost.  One’s eye is drawn to the familiar circle shape of the bulb and it is almost impossible to look anywhere else.  The light bulb is an eye sucker and it works mainly because it is a single point.  The ceiling is a little darker around the bulb and the contrasting color is arranged in a sort of burst that provides another layer to the point.  The background is a repetition of lines that add interest and texture.  This single point pops with interest and the viewer quickly knows the subject and where to focus.

Photographic Elements- Diagonal Lines & Focus

{ February 22, 2010 @ 3:29 PM } · { Photographic Elements }
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My next photograph shows how a leading diagonal line and the right focus can direct the viewer see the subject quickly.  The man in the photograph is holding a very large icicle at a little bit of a diagonal.  This leads one’s eye right into the subject of the picture!  The leading line is blurred towards the camera, which creates a unique form to follow.  This focal depth created a blur all around the subject.  Since the subject is still in focus it pops out of the background and foreground to create a very easy picture to read.  When anyone looks at this picture his or her eye will automatically follow the icicle to the subject.  The photographic elements of diagonal lines and focus create a strong photo with a strong subject with a quick understanding of where one’s eye should be.

Using Design-Crane Tension

{ February 15, 2010 @ 3:20 PM } · { Using Design }
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The construction photo is one that sends dynamic tension to the viewer. At the construction site of the Winona States wellness center I caught a photo of two workers on the big crane lowering a piece of equipment.  The crane creates action in the photo with its diagonal lines.  The viewer may choose to view the crane all the way up and then back down to the machine. One may not recognize that the other person in this photo is watching all the action in the photo.  This person seems small in comparison to the crane and other buildings in the photo. The unusual placement of objects in this photo provides tension as the eye attempts to create its own balance.  Creating this dynamic in one’s photograph was not direct to me.  I felt that I had to really concentrate on what I was attempting to bring to this shot.  I feel the end result has more aesthetic value because of the dynamic tension.

Using Design-Light House

{ February 15, 2010 @ 3:19 PM } · { Using Design }
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The photograph of the dilapidated building that has the lettering, “ght house”, shows design elements of contrast, balance, and gestalt.  The contrast is noticed as white lettering against the dark wood, and the hard lines and corners of the windows and wood in contrast to the soft curvy lines of the lettering.  Confusion and tension are set up with the lettering.  Our minds may fill in the missing pieces and the words “light house” may be the subject.  Using the design element of gestalt one may recognize the word but be confused because this does not appear to be a lighthouse and the tiny light above the lettering is also indirect contrast to the type of light one would expect.   The photo is recognized as a familiar building shape and the texture of the boards compliment the old building.   This photo shows is that cropping in tighter on a shot is not only an option, but it might actually be better, improving the experience for the viewer by engaging them. Balance is found in this picture because the weight of each half of the picture appears to be equal. It is pleasing to look at because of this balance.  I think the balance helps the viewer with this photo because we are familiar with balanced images and it helps us complete the rest of the photo in a familiar way.

Using Design-Break

{ February 15, 2010 @ 3:18 PM } · { Using Design }
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“Warriors”, is a very strong display of design elements in rhythm, pattern, and visual weight.  The rhythm in this photo is created by the display of vertical poles.  The poles take the eye down their path and there is a feeling of a beat.  Rhythm is used in a photo to create music, tone, and movement.  I believe that is achieved in this photo.  The pattern is especially prominent on the top of the rails.  One is interrupted in viewing that pattern with the break in the top finial.  This break gives the photo interest and causes the viewer to look closer.   The pattern of vertical lines continues to the black gate poles. Having the gate extend beyond the photograph creates the illusion that the pattern could go on endlessly, also helping with the design of the photo.  Visual weight is a strong element in this picture.  The large letters on the bottom of my photo, and the relatively light and airy top portion of the photo, give this photo weight towards the bottom.  It is interesting that the letters can create a visual resting place for one’s eyes after the busy poles.  The lettering is interesting to me because of the closure it provides and the contrast of light and dark within the letters.  The lettering is easily recognized and this also gives the photo value.  The design elements of rhythm, pattern, and visual weight are strong in this photo but elements such as contrast, figure and ground, texture, perspective, depth, and balance could also be noticed. I am interested in bringing out elements of design in bold strong statements that give meaning to the photo and I believe this goal was achieved in this photo.

Filling the Frame

{ February 8, 2010 @ 8:19 PM } · { Framing }
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Iced Car

In the photo of the front of my car one icy morning, I was choosing to fill the frame with my shot.  When taking pictures of a car one will usually fit the entire car into the shot.  By filling the frame with only the front part of the car, one is forced to see the subject in a new way.  Filling the frame of a photo can add an aesthetic value to one’s photo and force the viewer to see the subject a new way.  This technique is often used when taking pictures of people to get facial features or ripples in the muscles that would be lost otherwise.  My goal was to not loose the beauty of the icy car by including too much.  I felt by filling the frame, the idea and subject were not lost in a bunch of background or even silvery car.  This photo of a car is not just a car, it tells of my first winter keeping a car going by myself on these icy, cold mornings.  It is even beautiful.

Dividing the Frame

{ February 8, 2010 @ 8:17 PM } · { Framing }
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Wind Whisper

The photo of the windmill from inside an old building is my photo showing a divided frame.  Instead of a frame within a frame, this technique was used to emphasize the importance of the windmill, my subject.  By dividing the frame vertically my goal was to exaggerate the height of the windmill.  By dividing the frame and having the contrasting color and texture on each side of the frame, gives the photo interest.  The opposing factors complete the photo and leave one viewing the subject.  The contrast between the dark building and the light outdoors also creates a mood of mystery.  It may bring the viewer into the photo where they could imagine being inside the dark building, looking out.  I choose to keep the picture cropped in this way to draw attention to the tall and thin structure.  I feel as though the divided frame is so much a contrast to the subject but yet so similar.  They are vertical, stately, and important.  The dark area is dark enough to push the eye to the lighter area but not so dark as to lose the interest created by the texture.  This frame also gives the photo depth.  This is a strong frame and a somewhat unconventional frame as it only has one side; however, I felt it helped the subject and was interesting to look at.

Frame within a Frame

{ February 8, 2010 @ 8:16 PM } · { Framing }
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Look Both Ways

The photograph of my friend in his car clearly shows a frame within a frame.  The frame of the actual photo and the frame of the car window give this photo a frame within a frame.  The car window creates a clear frame to contain one’s focus and lead the eye to the subject.  My goal was to give the photograph a very noticeable frame so one would know exactly where to look.   The shape of the car frame also gives interest to the photo. One is used to seeing rectangles or squares for frames, so I think this new shape gives the photo interest. This frame also shows a relationship between the subject and his car, which is emphasized by the use of framing.  Using framing to give the viewer a clear area of focus as well as adding interest and symbolism were goals of this photo.

Technically Creative- Shutter Speed

{ February 1, 2010 @ 12:39 AM } · { Technically Creative }
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Shutter speed is an aspect of the camera that lets one take fast action photos with a fast shutter speed and get clear pictures.  It also allows one to take an action shot with a slow shutter speed to blur the motion and create a different effect.  I chose to capture quick and forceful human body movements and a basketball game was the perfect place to show this aspect of photography.  The purpose of this photo is so one can see the action stopped in a split second of the game.  The ball and the hands of the player taking the shot are a little blurry to show movement of the body.  This photo was taken with a shutter speed of 1/500 of a second and an aperture of 10.5. These settings allowed for the camera to focus on a larger area and stop the subject in a blink of an eye. The arms are leading one’s eye to the motion of the ball in the photograph.  The repetition of the bleacher lines in the background also help the subject stand out.  One’s eye is focused on the action in this photo and shutter speed is always a factor in action shots.  Shutter speed can stop a moving instance in time.  These split second images catch moments even the human eye cannot.  That is why I am fascinated with the use of shutter speed and am excited to experiment more with it.

Technically Creative- Focal Length

{ February 1, 2010 @ 12:37 AM } · { Technically Creative }
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The photo I used to communicate a sense of focal length was taken with a telephoto lens. The telephoto lens takes photos how they are, with no distortion.  The rail gives the photo a sense of depth but I was surprised the plane between the subjects and the back wall seem to blend together.  The purpose of this photo was to create a sort of tunnel to the subjects.  I believe this effect creates a feeling and tone in the composition.  My purpose was to connect the viewer to the subjects.  One could get caught up in the moment of this photo wondering where the thought or view of the subject is. Pride, opportunity, and inspiration all could be themes of this photo depending of the interest of the viewer.  If I would have used a different lens or angel of view in the photo some of the mystery might have been lost.  The leading lines of the railing in the photograph are the most evident element; they bring the eye directly into the picture and lead them to the subject and the thought of this image.  Focal length is a concept and technique that will also help the photographer communicate their intent.

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