Composition assignment

Pattern/Repetition

Each of my photographs contain different objects with repeating patterns. Reading from left to right in the first row, the first image includes repetition of the lights on a string, the second includes groupings of red berries, the third repetition of tiles on a roof, the soccer goal contains repeating squares in the netting and the last one includes repeating layers. The second row contains repetition of stone tiles on a patio, the second repetition of Crayola pencils in a straight line, the third repetition of stars and stripes on the American flag, the fourth includes repetition of a paisley bronze pattern and lastly a repeating pattern of shapes in a particular oval design.  In each image that I edited, I brought out particular colors and shadings of my choice to emphasize the element/pattern. I chose photographs inside and outside with a variation of colors to bring about variety and uniqueness in my composition. In this assignment my favorite photographs were ones with texture and bright colors (the roof and the berries), therefore if I were to complete my assignment again, I would chose more photographs with those elements. 

Understanding Histograms

1. What is a histogram? 
It is a representation of the tonal range in the image provided in the form of a graph.

2. What happens to the visual when a histogram is skewed to the left? Right? 
An image with a lot of dark pixels will be skewed to the left, while one with lighter tones will be skewed to the right.

3. In most cases, what does a “good” histogram look like? 
a. There is no such thing as a perfect histogram. However, an image that is fairly balanced in tones will peak somewhere in the middle and tapper off to the edges, and that would be considered a good histogram.
 b.

4. Why is a histogram a good tool for photographers? 
Photographers who would like an evenly exposed photograph, one with a balance of tones will reference to a histogram to accomplish this. 

Composition

Assignment 2 Homework

E & P HOMEWORK

EMPHASIS

•  elements in a piece that are given dominance or attract attention

• the figurine is emphasized in this photograph by the color orange standing out from the background

HORIZONTAL LINES

• lines that run east & west; provides feeling of calmness, rest and tranquility

• the beach chairs are stacked in which the lines run east & west across the image

REPETITION

•  the repeated consistency of an element in a work
• there is a a repetition of bottle caps throughout the image

BIRD'S EYE VIEW

• view from above looking down
• this photo is looking down on the giraffe from above

 VERTICAL LINES

• lines that run north & south; provided grandness & spirituality
• the pencils are lined vertically at different heights across the photo

TEXTURE

    

• the appearance and feel of a surface
• in this photo it appears that you can feel the rippled texture of the sand on the beach

SYMMETRICAL BALANCE

   

• one side balances or mirrors the other (separated by a vertical line)
• in this photo both sides opposite of the road are identical

UNITY

•   all elements of a piece of work together to produce a balanced, harmonious, complete whole
• in this photo all hands are reached into a center that unifies the entire image

RULE OF THIRDS

• compositional rule of thumb where the whole image is divided into 9 equal parts; compositional elements should be placed along these lines or intersections
• the lighthouse in this photo is emphasized by its placement on points where the lines intersect 

DIAGONAL LINES

• lines that run in a slanted direction; creates movement & direction
• the lines in this photo are slanted or diagonal pointing upward

VARIETY

• differences in elements & principles of design that give interest to a composition
• this photo includes shells of all different size, color, texture and shape, therefore creating variety 

SIMPLICITY
 

• singling out an item(s) from their surroundings
• in this photo the boy in the inner tube is singled from the ocean (background)

ASYMMETRICAL BALANCE

• different objects balance each other out on the page (dynamic composition with diagonal movement)
• the amount of objects on either half of the photo balance one another out and the movement of the camels emphasizes a diagonal movement up the hill 

MOVEMENT/RHYTHM

• shows action & the path of the viewer's eye through the artwork
• in this photo the carpet or pattern emphasizes a movement up and down the stairs

LEADING LINES

 

• lines that lead the eye to other points in the image (or out of the image)
• the pillars and line of the pier lead your eye to the end of the pier or far out in the ocean

PROPORTION/SCALE

• the relative size of one object in relation to another
• the height of one sunflower is larger than the relative size of all the other sunflowers in the field

HORIZON LINE

• used to emphasize the sky or ground based on the placement of the horizontal line where ground meets sky
• in this photo the horizontal line is emphasizes the background and the sky

FRAMING

• directs viewer's attention to what is important using objects or elements existing in the scene
• in this photo the outline of the cave blocks our entire view of the background but directs us to view the background which is framed

WORM'S EYE VIEW

• view from below looking up
• in this photo the viewer is forced to look up from below at the sunflower

CURVED LINES

• lines that deviate from straightness in a smooth, continual fashion; creates comfort, safety, familiarity, and relaxation
• the curved lines of the road leads our eye around the windiness of the road in a continual fashion

Day 2: Influences

Alfred Stieglitz hoped to get recognition from the medium by using effects when taking photos to resemble painting. He focused on natural effects such as snow and steam to bring about similar qualities of the Impressionists. Early works of Stieglitz included illustrations of soft, transient natural process with the styles from the time of the American industry. Stieglitz was concerned by the rise of American power, yet it also captivated him. He hoped to lessen its seemingly cruelty by concealing it in nature of his works.  Stieglitz later works reflected back on a more modern America. His works included use of geometric subjects, higher contrast, and results of using sharp focus, which noted a more mechanized period.

http://www.theartstory.org/artist-stieglitz-alfred.htm

 

 

 

 

Alfred Stieglitz

THE STEERAGE

This photograph by Alfred Stieglitz was taken of a steamer heading from New York to Bremen, Germany. The scene portrays the variety of men, women, and children in the lower-class section of the boat. The people are of the working class gathering on two decks of the transatlantic steamer. The Steerage was taken during a period when many immigrants were coming to America. Since the photograph was taken as the steamer was headed to Europe from America, many critics viewed the photograph as immigrants who were turned away and were sent back to their country. Many passengers were turned away due to lack of meeting certain health or financial requirements. Another reason for passengers heading home would be that skilled artisans in woodworking,  cabinet making and marble laying were given a two-year temporary visa to the United States. The photograph is in a Sepia tone and therefore the viewers have to imagine the colors on the passengers clothing and the steamer. The passengers facial expressions contain no excitement but rather blank stares of boredom or disappointment. On the lower deck is where most of the women are standing with their children.
The upper deck is crowded containing mostly men all wearing hats. From the upper deck lead a gangway bridge which appears to be white and unused.

1. My photo is not simple and does not only include one object. It was pictured at one location, but includes so many different elements and principles through its beauty which makes it unique. There is not just one thing that your eye can look at, it makes your eyes wander across the whole image.

2. This photo was taken in Florida, my family vacation spot every summer. It reminds me of the memories my family has established by just simply watching the sunset. It is fascinating that wherever the sun sets in the world, it brings about a different image or beauty.

3. My theme for my sketchbook was somewhere along the lines of sun, sand, water or simply the beach. It reflects on the whole summer or vacation themes. It inspires my theme by bringing all my elements (sun, sand, water or the beach) in to one image of the sunset at the beach. It ties my whole theme together.

4. The other images included contain one of the elements of my theme, either sun, sand, water or simply the beach. The shell and "The Gold Life" might not seem directly related through any of these elements, but they remind me of the beach because I am either collecting seashells or putting on my favorite Australian Gold Sunscreen to appear "golden" or tan. All these images help emphasize the different elements that my selected image possesses.

5. This photo has value, color and texture as elements of designs. It has variety, movement, and contrast  as principles of designs. My original selected color scheme was going to be Blue Violet/ or Blue, but I am not so sure that my images all reflect one direct color scheme as I originally wanted.

Photo Sketchbook