Photography à la Rachele

Photoshop and Ethics

2010-04-23T04:30:00.001-07:00

The main points of the article surround around the idea that in magazines, and nearly every form of advertising or modeling, Photoshop is being used beyond an appropriate limit. In fact, it is making many people question it’s, once helpful, existence. One of the points that falls under this is that Photoshop is beginning to toy too much into fixing ourselves. Not only does it look bad when there is bad Photoshopping but a person’s image and identity is destroyed. It is no longer a picture of them, but something created from a screen and perfected as to where they are practically non-human. In reality, this is shooting many “real girls” self-esteem but also stripping women and men of their human qualities and self. Another is that, in magazines especially, our dependence for Photoshop is becoming unhealthy. We have arrived at the point where showing a picture of a “real” girl is unheard of and readers may even point out her flaws if she is seen. This, as the article states, really devalues women and men and makes us point out flaws in others and ourselves that, in reality, are fantastic qualities that differentiate us. While I totally agree with these points and the overall idea of the article, I still do think that Photoshop has some great, redeeming qualities. When used lightly, Photoshop is incredibly helpful at upping the quality of photos. Tricks like the blur tool, lightness and darkness tool, and red eye tools for example can bring a picture that has rookie photographer mistakes and make it high-quality, if not close to it. In fact, even fun with Photoshop is alright and really does make for great memories and photos. However, as said before, I think that Photoshop should be used lightly and there is a definite limit to its use. When it begins to make spotless skin, different colored eyes, and perfect figures it is going overboard. When magazines or advertisements do this it really does dive into ethics, and whether or not quality features, like a person’s figure, will be able to stand the test of time in photography.

POV, Macro/Minutiae, and Motion reflection

2010-04-22T17:47:00.000-07:00

1. What is your interpretation of the purpose of each of these three assignments?
a. I think that the purpose of point of view is so that we can see things in a different light than we normally would. We can experience something that’s either out of our comfort zone or perhaps a zone we never knew existed, overall helping us to broaden our minds. I like macro/minutiae because I think that it helps us to focus on the smaller details we would normally miss. Instead of focusing on the general picture it helps us to really zoom in see the finer details and, sometime, the more important details of a piece. Lastly, I think that motion is important because, obviously, everything is in motion. It really helps us to grasp real life as it is and be able to capture life as it is living.

2. What do you think the most important thing was you learned from each assignment?
a. Point of view really helped me to be able to broaden my mind and think outside of the box. I had to put myself in another person’s shoes and sometimes another object’s shoes to find a creative shot. I think the most important thing I learned from the macro/minutiae project is to be able to pick out the finer details that matter, and also find the beauty in them. It’s very easy to pass by little things, especially if they go unseen as part of something bigger, and being able to see these things really broadened my mind, just as with the point of view project. Lastly, one thing I learned from the motion project was

3. Why do you suppose these three projects were assigned in this particular order?
a. I’m not entirely sure why the projects were assigned like this, but I kind of think of these in the order of the most important aspects first. Since I learned point of view first, I was able to apply it to the rest of the projects and, after learning to look for the finer details in macro/minutiae, by the time I got to motion my photos were a lot better. In this order, I’m able to take pictures but first determine what point of view I want, if I want to focus on the finer details, and perhaps if I want to show it in motion or not to express what I think.

4. How do you feel you did on each project? Be specific about areas in which you think you did well and not as well.
a. I think that I did well in the point of view project since that is where I worked hardest and, after I had a good idea, was the most proud of. However, I think the project I didn’t do so good on was the motion pictures. While I think I grasped the idea I felt like I wasn’t able to do a lot with it. In the end I liked my picture, however I’m not entirely sure if it was really my best and if I used all the opportunities I could have to express it.

5. What was one thing you wish you would have done that you didn’t, and why didn’t it happen? (you may comment on any of the three projects or all three)

a. One of the things that I wish I did was try and focus on a particular object while having the rest blurred for the motion project. When I would take a picture, most of them would turn out blurry with the background in focus. While it still looked cool, I think that it would have been much more effective if I made my subject clear and the background blurry for some photos mainly because I would want the eye to go straight to the subject.

6. Which was your favorite of the three projects and why?
a. I think that my favorite of the three projects was the point of view project. After some of the pictures I began to run out of ideas and I really had to search to think of some more. When I had a good idea, however, it was really exciting to apply it and then be able to capture my idea on the camera. Not only this, but there was a definite sense of accomplishment when I was able to fully express my emotion and the point of view I wanted and others were able to pick up on it.

7. Has one or more of these topics had an impact on your photography? How?
a. I actually think that the point of view project has had an impact on my photography. After a while I really had to think outside of the box for this project and they ended up being some of the photos that I liked the most. So, I think that I gained these skills and it has been helping me to really portray an object differently and now with a little more emotion attatched.

"God is in the details"

2010-03-14T17:01:00.000-07:00

I've heard this saying quite a bit, I think it was even once stitched onto a pillow my grandma had. That being said, its obviously been something to live by in my family. I think that when most people hear it though, they assume "details" are friendship, family, random acts of kindness, etc. Of course, they are, but I interpret it as God is in the things that are barely recognizable. Like, for example, I always associate God with snow and wind for some strange reason. It's always easier for me to see God in nature and, in small simple bits of percipitation or wind gusts, I can see seasons, weather, Earth, and life. Unfortunately, for others, alot of these things go unnoticed if not continually complained about. To see God in the details invovles really opening your mind, not only to others, but to surroundings most often taken for granted. So, discovering or preserving these details could be kind of difficult since they are so unnotcied. I suppose a way to really capture them via photography would be to keep your mind open. I think its important to take pictures of things that are really out there, but sometimes the objects we notice daily is enough, if not more.

Quote Reflection

2010-03-02T18:14:00.000-08:00

"Photography is about finding out what can happen in the frame. When you put four edges around some facts, you change those facts." -- Gary Winogrand.

I thought that this quote was very interesting because I never would have defined a picture by its frame. Now that I think about it, however, a frame-less picture would be what we see every day. True meaning in a photograph has to come from squeezing in a thought and idea into four corners. The options, visually, are boundless, but to be able to capture it in a defined space makes things difficult. I think that this is what the quote is trying to say: that while we are surrounded by visually pleasing things we are challenged to capture it. An object, while it has its own story, is defined by its surroundings as well. To include or to exclude these could drastically change how it is portrayed; so, when taking a picture, it truly becomes an experiment, considering moving a slight angle could change the meaning of the photo.

Lighting Assignment Reaction

2010-03-01T03:58:00.000-08:00

Before this assignment I really did not know too much about lighting, besides the obvious fact that it helps a picture. Overall, however, through many failed and successful test runs, I think that I was able to capture a photo that met the lighting requirements. The one that I thought was the best, and was critiqued on, was my silhouette picture of a toy dinosaur. Originally when I thought of taking the picture I figured a dinosaur would just be a fun break from a cliché inanimate object. Interestingly enough, when I was taking pictures from all different angles, I realized how the dinosaur dropped its status as an object and became more life-like. Then, in an attempt to make the dinosaur as real as possible, I took pictures up close and where the lighting made it the main focus. By the end, I had one set picture that looked like a real dinosaur, but also was a good silhouette. I figured these were the most noticeable aspects and thought someone would bring them up in critiques, either to praise or to bash them. Yet, one of the main opinions throughout the class was my choice of background; an Easter pink, it was agreed the background turned the dinosaur from “terrifying to fun”. To tell you the truth, I had never even thought of the background. I knew I had wanted it plain, focusing on the dinosaur, but I did not even think about the color. Another aspect that was brought up which I did not even take into account was the 3 point-rule. Originally I had taken the picture of the dinosaur a little off center simply because it looked good, switching up from the centered and straight-on. It was not only interesting to find that it matched up, but also that so many people noticed. Lastly, there were many positive comments on my silhouette in general; I was, in summary, flattered. I feel like I deserved it because, well, I did take the picture, but also because there were many other positive aspects hidden inside. For me, I would have said that the silhouette was the easiest, sticking a light bulb behind my object and just having fun with it. I did not necessarily take into account the 3 point rule or background, but stuck to making a clear silhouette with an “almost real” dinosaur. I appreciate the credit, glad my work constructing a good silhouette paid off, but also glad others picked up on the less noticeable, adding to my positive thoughts about the picture.

Blog Question: Technical or Emotive?

2010-02-15T20:03:00.000-08:00

When I frist look at a photo, the factor that will really reach me will be what it's trying to portray. I think a photo can have fantastic technical aspects, but if the subject isn't anything striking then there is no point to it. When I think of some of my favorit photos, many convey some sort of message or really reach to me on an emotional level. I feel like that is the point of photography, for the audience to reach that emotional level. However, technical skills will definatly improve a photo. Although I think the emotional quality makes the photo, the techincal quality will furter its impact on an audience. The technical and emotional aspects definitly support eachother, considering the mechanics will improve the picture, further defining that subject which draws emotion. Overall, a "great" photo will have fantastic emotive quality, powered by its amount of technical quality.

Andy Goldsworthy Questions:

2010-01-31T15:18:00.000-08:00

1. What might be the appeal of working with all natural/alternative materials in your artwork? What would some advantages/disadvantages be?

Working with all natural materials can be engaging considering the pieces being used already have a story. Despite the tedious work that goes into its creation, as shown by Andy Goldsworthy, each piece, no matter how simply put together, has a deeper meaning. Natural elements and other alternative elements have, obviously, been around for a long time, gaining scratches and bumps that help to individualize it. Working with these materials, a person gains the “lives” that they have already carried but also creates a new “life” with that overall piece. It’s a way to reflect on those pieces and view them in different perspectives. However, despite the positives the end result brings, working with these materials seemed extremely difficult and may be interpreted much differently than expected.

2. What is the point of working on art that will disappear with the elements (wash away with the rain or tides, melt in warm weather, etc.)?

At first I really didn’t understand the point of working on art that will eventually be destroyed. Then, I realized, despite our advances in “saving art”, that all art will eventually be destroyed. I suppose if I were to create any art I would want to have it disappear with the elements. I would rather have it transformed by nature or sent off and recycled then have it showcased for "x" amount of years to be eventually in warehouses or landfills. Also, Goldsworthy’s work was never necessarily destroyed, simply shifted and transformed. His art, technically speaking, will always be there despite its new state.

3. What is your interpretation of Andy Goldsworthy's work - do you like it? What do you think he is trying to say or accomplish with this?

I think I connect with Andy Goldsworthy’s work to an extent and appreciate what he is trying to say through it. I like it because it’s art in its simplest from; his art is raw and natural, unconcerned with keeping with the times. Especially now, when nature is often disregarded, I think it’s refreshing to find someone who tries to resurrect its beauty and help others to interpret it as well. I think what he is trying to say through his art can be interpreted many different ways but is overall trying to understand nature and harness its beauty through art. Some don’t realize a rock or log’s beauty and I think Goldsworthy wants to find that and help explain it to others through his work.