Assignment #8- Portrait

ICCA- 11/13/13

This picture is vey intense. It makes me feel scared and sad. The children in this picture look like they are running away from something. Judging from the smoke in the background, they may be running away from a bomb. They could also be running away from the men with guns who are walking behind them. The men in the background look as if they are in the war because they have war attire on and they are carrying guns. I think this picture is from a war and it looks as if it is taken sometime during the day. The picture is an example of Depth of Space because the children in the front appear larger than the soldiers in the back. This picture is very sad. The fear and sadness in the children's face is unbelievable. They look so distressed. I don't know how the photographer was able to capture something so horrifying.

Assignment #7- Photographer Inspiration: Cole Thompson

http://www.colethompsonphotography.com/OldThings.htm

Walter Astrada- Hunger in Uganda- 11/4/13

Photo Credit: http://walterastrada.com/portfolio/news/hunger-in-uganda/

Hunger in Uganda:

Describing:

a. This photograph was taken in Uganda. It looks like it is on a farm in the middle of the country.
b. There is one person in this photo, probably the farmer. However, I think the subject of this photo is the dead crop. This picture is a landscape with the ground, mountains and trees in the background, and blue sky. This picture is in the country because no houses or buildings of any kind are shown. The crops look dead or like they didn't have a good growing season.
c. I like the blue colors in the sky and then the tans and browns in the foreground. The lines of the crop are pointing up into the sky, draw your eye up. There is also a sense of space in this picture because the crops in the front of the picture appear larger than the mountains. Also the man in the back looks like a giant compared to the mountains.

Analyzing:

a. I have learned from this photo that the farmer probably did not have a good growing season. The crops look dead. What draws my eye in is the crops that are pointing up. They lead my eye to the man in the picture. They tell me that because the growing season wasn't very successful, the people may not have enough food to eat.
b. The man in this picture is wearing some sort of dress protecting him from the heat most likely. He is also carrying a bag on his back to collect the crops. Although I can't definitely tell, I am guessing that the man is in his fifties. I can't see the man's face but I'm sure he is tired and frustrated from working in a field all day.
c. There is a man in the background pointing at something. There is nothing else in the background but some trees and a mountain. It looks like it is about mid-day. The overall mood is almost despair because the crops look like they're wilting and they don't look like they can be used for much. I'm sure the people also feel disappointed to see how the crops have turned out.

Interpreting:

a. The man in the picture is probably trying to pick as much of the crop as possible. Due to the horrible growing season, he probably isn't getting much. The photographer is trying to say that in other parts of the world people are starving and their food supply is not enough to feed everyone. I'm not sure why he chose this angle. He may have done so to make the crop look bigger and stand out more, to possibly put emphasis on the crop itself.
b. I don't think he tried to leave anything out, unless there was more people or other things around that he didn't want to include. It may have taken away from the photo and make it more cluttered. In leaving out extra things, we were able to see what he really wanted to capture, which was the person and the crop.

Evaluating:

a. I personally liked this photo. Again I love the colors, the blues and browns. I thought the photographer captured the picture at just the right moment, with the man pointing in the background. Overall, I thought it was an interesting photo. I think the importance of this photo was the dead, wilting crops in the front. I think the photographer was trying to show that in some countries, food isn't plentiful and they have to live with what they have.

Walter Astrada Undesired- 11/4/12

Photo Credit: http://walterastrada.com/portfolio/vaw-project/undesired-missing-women-in-india/

Undesired "Missing"-

Describing:

a. Judging by what the woman is wearing in this photo, this picture was most likely taken in India, near some sort of water source.
b.There is a young woman standing on a dock in this photo. She is drinking water out of some sort of lake or river. The picture was most likely taken during the day, perhaps in the early morning because there is fog in the background. I would say she is most likely somewhere in the country, seeing that there are no buildings around.
c. The colors in this photo are dark and dull. The lines of the dock and the line of squares in the water create a sense of space, drawing my eye back towards the woman. The texture of the water is smooth looking, and the dock has lines on it, making it look rough.

Analyzing:

a. From this photo, I have learned that this women is obviously thirsty. Maybe there is a shortage of water where she lives, and she can only drink out of the dirty water. What immediately catches my eye is the woman drinking water. Her dark clothes stick out against the dull gray background. She's not wearing any shoes, and I don't know if it's because she doesn't want to or if she doesn't have any shoes.
b. The woman in this photo is wearing black clothes with a black headdress and scarf. The woman looks young, possibly in her thirties. I can't really see her face, so I'm not quite sure what she is feeling.
c. The only thing I can see in the background is fog, so I am not sure of what is going on back there. It seems like it is early in the morning, judging by the fog. The overall mood is surprisingly peaceful. The picture is simple, with not a lot of commotion going on in the picture. The colors and element of the water create a calming feel and mood.

Interpreting:

a. From my previous analysis, I think that the women just wanted a drink of water because she was thirsty. I think the intent of the photographer was to capture this woman getting a drink to show that in some countries getting a drink isn't as simple as going to the faucet. I think he was trying to say that we should be more thankful for things and not take things for granted. I think the picture was taken at this time because obviously the fog and colors of this photo are what made it so interesting. I'm not sure why the photographer chose this angle. I think he wanted to capture the lines of the dock so that it drew our eyes back. Also I think he wanted to capture the water and fog, and the woman on the right to represent Rule of Thirds.
b. It is clear that the photographer's main focus was the woman. I think he wanted to leave out any buildings or extraneous detail because he wanted to capture the simplicity of this photo. I think leaving out extra objects and detail helped accomplish the goal of simplicity.

Evaluating:

The video was quite shocking and I couldn't believe that things like this are actually happening in our world. It made me upset because innocent girls and women were being harmed because of a culture's way of thinking.
a. I actually really liked this photo. I thought the subject was interesting and the picture was very peaceful. The significance of this photo was to realize the importance of water and how much it affects us. I have learned to be more thankful for what I have.

ICCA- 10/23/13

This picture is interesting. I'm not quite sure what I am looking at. It seems as if the men in this picture are aiming to shoot at something. The man with his gun pointed straight up looks like an actor who I don't know the name of. I think he starred in Babe the pig, or something. Anyways, this picture looks like it was taken outside during the day. The picture uses Rule of Thirds because the subjects aren't directly in the middle of the photo. What stands out to me is the woman laying her head on the fence. Is she okay and why is she there? What I don't like about this picture is the sky. I like when the sky in a picture has clouds and some depth to it. The sky in this picture is simply white and kind of boring. Overall, I am not a fan of this picture but I do like that it is an action picture.

Assignment #6- My Choice

ICCA- 10/21/13

This photo is very interesting and I like it a lot. First of all, I like the many colors in this photo. It kind of pops out at you. The people in this photo look like farmers of some sort tending to their plants. I'm assuming that they are wearing their farming hats, which are a bit odd-shaped. This picture was taken sometime during the day, most likely early in the morning, judging by the light. I think it was taken in a different country because of the architecture of the buildings in the background and the palm trees next to the building. It doesn't look like anything we would have around here. This picture uses depth of field because the people in the front appear larger than the buildings in the back. I also like how you can't see the people's faces. It adds mystery and wonder to the photo.

Critiquing Dalton Hunt

Landscape Photo: 
I really like this photo. It is a good landscape because it shows the overall view of the field. His subject matter was very interesting. I like how he included the plants that were closer to the camera in his overall landscape view. I feel like it added some depth to the picture. I also liked the many shades of greens and yellows. He also did a nice job editing the photo in photoshop. I liked how he made the photo darker around the edges. It made the picture look sharper and I felt like it made the colors more vibrant. This picture was definitely my favorite of the two. I did like his other landscape photos too. It is hard for me to choose which one is the best. I liked the one photo of the bridge but this picture is more of a nature landscape.
Nature Photo:
This picture was also very interesting. I liked how he captured the spider's web on the fence. I also like the red color of the fence against the green background. I felt like it was a good representation of a nature photo. I looked through his other pictures and I really liked his pictures of the different flowers. They were very pretty, but I liked how he chose the photo with a subject that was different from the normal subject matter. The photoshopped picture was definitely better again. The edit brought out the red in the fence making it more bold. The only thing I would change about the photo is maybe the angle so that the fence isn't so crooked. Also I think if the sky was blue instead of grayish white. Overall I liked his photos. I thought he did a good job with this assignment.

ICCA- 10/16/13

This picture is kind of creepy. I don't like how she is staring directly into the camera at me.  However, I do like the color contrast of the red hood and green background. The subject's eyes are very interesting. They are very pretty and bold and they look as if they are giving a warning of some sort. I'm not quite sure where this picture was taken, but it might have been outside. I also can't figure out what time of day it was taken either. I also like how the light is directly hitting her face and how it creates the shadow on the left side of her face.

Assignment #5- Nature/Landscape

retouched-

retouched-

ICCA- 10/14/13

Surprisingly, I like this photo. I like how the man is looking directly into the camera. It's almost as if he's watching you. I think it has good contrast between the dark colors and the light. It is also a good shadow picture. The many lines in the picture add a depth of field. The lines draw our eye back in a way. I like how the man's face has lines from the fence's shadow on him. It almost looks as if the man is in some type of prison. He is enclosed in some sort of fence, or he could possibly be looking in at someone who is enclosed in a fence. I can't tell exactly where the picture was taken, but it could have been taken in a prison. From the light on the man, the picture was most likely taken sometime during the day. I like how this picture is taken in black and white. I feel like it makes the picture more powerful. I think so far, this picture is my favorite ICCA picture. It's very interesting and it makes me think.

ICCA- 10/9/13

When I see this picture, my immediate reaction is confusion. I'm not quite sure what is going on. We can't really tell where this picture is taken, but it was taken most likely in the city. The people in the photo look as if they are jumping from a building. Where are the people coming from? Why would they be jumping from a building and how did the photographer capture this? I'm assuming there is something inside of the building that the people are trying to get away from, such as a fire. I can't really tell, but the people probably have scared looks on their faces. This picture is a good contrast of blacks, grays and whites. It also uses Rule of Thirds. The people, who are the subjects in this picture, are closer to the top of the picture.

Assignment #4- Panorama

ICCA- 10/7/13

This is a very powerful picture. My immediate reaction to this photo is sadness. It is a picture of a child who looks as if he is suffering from starvation. He is weak looking and may possibly be dying. This picture was most likely taken in a third world country where food is hard to come by. It was taken during the day, and by the lighting I assume in the late afternoon. The picture is also somewhat ironic because there is a vulture in the background. Vultures prey on the dead and it is kind of creepy that he is hanging around the child. The picture shows Rule of Thirds because the subject, the child, is in the bottom right. It also uses Depth of Field because there is a child close to the camera is obviously bigger than the vulture in the background.

Anthony Karen- Dropbox Photo #2 with Deven Samson

Describing:

a. This picture was most likely taken in the south of the United States during the winter.
b. There is a man saluting and another man shoveling snow in the background. There are trees in the background, possibly in a forest. They may be on a farm. There are tractors in the background.
c. It's a black and white photo. It conveys more of a feeling. The snow creates a sense of space.

Analyzing:

a. We learned that he is apart of the KKK from his badge. Our eyes are drawn to his arm and hand. The details in the background tell us that it is winter and cold outside. They are on a farm with the tractors in the back.
b. The person in the photo is wearing his KKK uniform with a KKK badge and hat. The other person in the back is shoveling snow in the back, possibly in snow gear. They appear to be middle aged, 40 years old. I don't think there is a relationship between the two people in the photo. The man looks determined and cold-hearted.
c. It's a plain background. The man in the background is shoveling snow. It seems like the time of day is in the afternoon sometime. There isn't much emotion, the whole photo seems kind of cold and unwelcoming. The background and snow reflects the subjects personality and how he's feeling.

Interpreting:

a. We're not quite sure what is happening in the photo, but the subject seems to be saluting something. The photographer's intent was to capture the essence of this man and his actions. It was taken to portray what the KKK's leaders, or members might look like and how they feel. It was taken at this time because he wanted to capture the subject's feeling and emotion. He used the Rule of Thirds to capture the man and his hand which are off center. He also used Depth of field. The subject closer to the camera appears to be larger than the man in the background.
b. We think he was trying to leave out the man in the back shoveling snow. He was trying to mainly focus on the subject. If the background was busier it may have taken away from the overall photo. The photographer may have left out the people or object that the subject was saluting.

Evaluating:

a. We liked the emotion that the photographer captured and the similarity between the cold snow and the cold emotion on the subject's face. It shows that from him standing alone it relates to how the KKK views many things. Not many people besides their group will stand behind them and voice their opinions about race. This picture doesn't change our opinions of the subject nor add to our knowledge of the KKK.

Sarah Englert critiquing Deven Samson

1st Photo-
I like the subject she chose, the tree and I thought it was a pretty good picture. I like how the light shines through the trees creating shadows on the trunk of the tree. I thought the tree was placed well in the photo and I like that it is a vertical picture. This picture fit into the lighting assignment because of the light shining through the tree which casts a shadow on the trunk. I really liked this photo and I only have one suggestion. I think if the sun would have been directly above the tree shining through the leaves it would have made a cool light effect, possibly creating more shadows. I like the original photo better than the photoshopped photo only because in the photoshopped picture you can tell what part of the photo was photoshopped.
2nd Photo-
I like this photo better than the first one because I like how the light shines through the trees almost making them silhouettes. Again I like how it is a vertical photo. I thought it was another good example of lighting and shadows because of the light shining through the trees casting a shadow of the trees on the ground. I don't really have any suggestions for this photo because I really liked it. I liked the original better just because I liked the leaves on the ground that she took away in the photoshopped one.

ICCA- 9/18/13

This photo is kind of scary, but i think it is very interesting to look at. It almost looks as if the person with the black headdress is holding the little boy hostage. This picture could possibly be of a person comforting the little boy. Because of the barb wire shown in the picture, they could possibly be in some type of prison or camp. This picture is most likely taken in a foreign country in the middle east because of the desert like scene. This picture uses the Rule of Thirds because the subject, the people, are off to the left. It also is a good example of depth of field or space because the barbed wire kind of tricks your eye with it's many twists and turns.

Assignment 3- Shadows and Light

ICCA- 9/16/13

From the people on top of the building and the helicopter, it seems like they are surrounding the building. Perhaps something is happening inside the building and they have to go inside, or maybe they are guarding the building for whatever reason. The helicopter could be a news crew capturing what is going on. It's hard to tell what is happening by just looking at this picture. I'm not sure I like this photo. It's a good representation of Rule of Thirds because there is no central image, but i don't like the colors of the picture. The pale blue sky and dull colors throughout are kind of boring. They aren't eye-catching at all.

ICCA- 9/11/13

Today's photo is showing the tragedy that occurred on 9/11. This picture is depressing and sad because of the destruction that is being shown in the picture. In a way it is also hopeful because of the cross, which clearly stands out in this picture. This picture uses the Rule of Thirds because the subject, the cross, is more towards the bottom of the picture. Depth of field is also used because the lines of the building lead our eyes up to the top of the picture.

Assignment 2- Space

ICCA- 9/9/13

This photograph is very interesting. I like the use of the Rule of Thirds. The subject, the person, is off to the left. This photograph is kind of dark and mysterious. It looks as if the person is standing on a pile of trash or is standing in a dump of some sort. It kind of represents our throw away society, and how much garbage we throw away. I also like the contrast of the colors, such as the dark surroundings and the bright color of the person's jacket.

Assignment 1- Framing and Form

I picked this photo because I liked how the sunset created a tree silhouette. I also thought it was a good example of the Rule of Thirds. This is because my subject, the tree, is off to the right.

I picked this photo because I like how the background is sort of blurred while the shoes are clear. This picture is a good example of the Rule of Thirds because like my first picture, my subject, the shoes, are off to the right.

Test Post

This is a test.