Photographs That Show Contrast and Symmetry

Symmetrical Balance - Photo by David Helsham

Contrast in Scale - Photo by Michael Kenna

Color Contrast - Photo by Olivia Bee

Radial Balance - Photo by Rachel Hulin

Contrast in Texture - Photo by Zeb Andrews

Project 3 - Color and Grids

For Project 3 - Color and Grids we were supposed to use old and new photos to assemble graphic grids that used different colors. Before beginning the project, we learned about color schemes such as complementary colors and color harmonies. We also learned about how different colors can set the mood of a photo. For this assignment, were were required to make one monochrome grid with at least 9 cells. For this grid, we had to take at least 9 different photos of one subject. After taking the photos, we were required to make a preset and apply this to each photo. The second grid was one with complementary colors. For this, we took a photo and made the subject unrecognizable by cropping it. We then used this crop to make a very graphic and interesting pattern using grids. The third grid was one of our choice using different techniques we learned. Along with the grids, the assignment required one stand alone photo that used color to set the mood. Overall, this project was very enjoyable and allowed me to be very creative as a photographer.

The Finer Things in Life - This is a photo that I took of my friend Sydney in my living room. This is the stand alone photo that I took that used color to set a mood. I believe that the warm colors in this photo, along with the manipulation of the set, created a very inviting and cozy mood. It also created a sense of regality and sophistication. In order to create this photo, I dressed Sydney in all red as well as lit the fire and made the golds and reds in my living room more noticeable. To edit, I enhanced the warm colors as well as put a vignette around the photo to focus on the main subject.

Simplicity - The subject in this monochrome grid is my friend, Sydney. For these photos, I dressed my friend in very simple clothing and made her pose in front of a white wall I have in my house. This grid was focused on the simple beauties of my wonderful friend. I created a custom grid to make certain photos more prominent. I also created a preset using a custom black and white preset I made, along with a bluish tinted split tone. This gave the preset a more film like feel. Along with this, I added a little bit of grain. This is my favorite grid from this project.

Merry Christmas - This is my complementary colors grid. The photo I used is an abstract crop of a sunflower from the farmer's market. I then increased the contrast and darks and changed the colors of the petals into complementary colors. I thought this photo was really cool and it reminded me of a Christmas reef. 

Kiss Kiss - This is my grid of choice. I am a big fan of Andy Warhol and I was attempting to emulate something similar to his work. This is a photo of my friend's lips. I then cropped it into a square and changed the colors and tints of the photo. Afterward, I made a 6 x 6 grid and arranged them in an interesting pattern. I really like this photo and think it is very funky. 

Fire and Ice - The photo in this grid is one I cropped from a larger picture of a sunflower. I thought it would be cool to crop the original picture this way and then try to reconstruct the flower using grids and a kaleidoscope effect. Along with this, I edited the flowers to make them look fiery and icy because it was an interesting color complement. This was an extra grid I did from the ones assigned for the original project.

Intertwined - This is a kaleidoscope grid I made out of a picture of leaves and branches. First I enhanced the colors in the photo. I then made one kaleidoscope image by rotating the photo. Then, I put four copies of that kaleidoscope onto a 2 x 2 grid and it created this really cool pattern.

Color Creates Mood

Color Wheel with Tertiary Colors

Photo By Parker Fitzgerald 

To me, this photo gives off a warm, pleasant, and inviting mood. It does this by making the warm colors more prominent in the picture. The background of the photo is full of an array of oranges and yellows, giving the photo a very cozy and inviting feel. With the addition of the twinkly lights overhead, the photographer strategically enhanced this pleasant mood by constructing this specific set or going to an event where this set would be present. In addition to the main colors and the construction of his set, he also added a grain to the photo, as well as using the depth of field technique. These two additions makes the photo seem sort of old, and overall makes it appear not to be staged. Also, the depth of field, creating a blurred background, make the colors blend throughout the background, making the whole background full of the warm colors.

Project 2 - Framing and Composition

In Project 2 - Framing and Composition, we were required to use 8 different specific framing techniques that are popular amongst many photographers and artists. The first was The Rule of Thirds. The Rule of Thirds requires that you imagine a grid while taking the image. The grid is made up of 3 columns and 3 rows. A photo following the rule of thirds will place the main focus of the photo on any of the lines of the grid. The second technique was Frame Within a Frame. This framing style requires the photographer to make frames within the frame of the photo, such as windows, doors, open holes, or anything of the sort. The third technique was Filling the Frame, which is a framing technique that fills up the entire frame of the photo with the subject. The fourth technique was called Bug's Eye View. The Bug's Eye View photos are taken from below the subject, giving it a very powerful and large look. The next technique was Bird's Eye View. This type of photo is taken from above the subject, making it appear smaller, kind of like the view a bird would have flying in the sky. The sixth technique was a Close Up, which is focusing very closely on one aspect of the subject you are photographing. The next technique was Diagonal Lines, which requires some sort of slanted line in the photo. This could either be a legitimate diagonal line, or a manipulation of the camera by the photographer. Finally, the last technique was Leading Lines. This is typically a strait line or path that leads the viewers eye to the very end. After learning about all of these different framing techniques, we were required to take at least 150 photos total. We took these photos over two walking field trips, and I also took some on my own time. After taking the photos, and editing our favorites, we made a contact sheet with a minimum of 36 shots from the project. These 8 images are my 8 favorite and edited photos from the project.

Filling The Frame

Bird's Eye View

Frame Within a Frame

Bug's Eye View

Rule of Thirds

Leading Lines

Diagonal Lines

Close Up

Project 1 - 30 x 2

Final Five Photos

For Project 1, I was supposed to choose two subjects and take at least 30 pictures of each subject. While shooting I began to play around with my camera, and was tried to discover what things I liked and didn't like. I was required to use a variety of different angles, apertures, and scene modes. Afterward I played around with editing techniques in Lightroom, a photo editing program. The two subjects I chose were my friend, Sam Flecker, and an old desk full of nick-nacks in my living room.

A Hard Day's Work - This was my absolute favorite photo out of the final five that I chose. This picture was of Sam Flecker's hands. While in Lightroom, I cropped the photo so that his two thumbs would be the main focus. After cropping, I changed the image to black and white. Following that change, I played around with the exposure and contrast, making his hands appear grungy and dirty. I then made his fingerprints and the pores on his skin clearer. This clarity also added a grungier and dirtier effect. Finally, I used the duo tone setting in Lightroom to make the image a lighter grey. Overall, my editing was aiming at making the hands looked used and tired, hence the title "A Hard Day's Work."

Radiant Smile - This is a picture of my friend, Sam Flecker. I chose this photo because it embodied Sam's lively and wonderful personality. The photo seemed to radiate a happiness, which made it a joy to shoot and edit. Although this photo already seemed wonderful to me, I added a few, minor, changes. To begin, I cropped the photo, making it follow the rule of thirds as much as I could. Then, I clarified the edges of Sam's silhouette, making him appear to come forward in the photo. Afterwards, I made the background a tad blurrier, to enhance the depth of field in the photo. To top off the photo, I played around with the contrast and brightness to make the colors in the photo pop. Overall, I really enjoyed this photo.

The Key To My Thoughts - This photo was taken on an interesting desk in my living room, full of nick nacks and interesting items my family has accumulated over the years. I chose this photo because I felt it had a mysterious feel to it. I thought the journal was symbolic of my thoughts, that only I can see, and the key resting in the notebook embodied the access to those thoughts. In order to convey this idea, I thought the photo needed a warm and intriguing lighting. I first began by cropping the photo, making the top of the journal follow the rule of thirds on the horizon line. I then played with the contrast, brightness, highlights, and shadows, making sure that the details were visible and that the photo was somewhat dark. Finally I made the top left corner brighter using the gradient tool in Lightroom. This allowed me to make it appear as if there was a lamp, or light in the corner of the photo, and that the light was shining upon the journal.

The Crime Scene - While shooting this photo, I could not stop thinking that it resembled a crime scene under investigation. The book looks as if it was just being read, and in the photo, the letter opener resembles a magnifying glass. In order to make this photo seem more crime scene like, I cropped it to focus on the two components that were most important: the book and the letter opener. I then changed it to black and white. To make it a tad darker and spookier, I added a black vignette around the photo and made the pixels more grainy. The editing techniques I used in this photo had an important role in portraying the message I wanted to convey.

Looking Through My Lense - This is a picture of an old pair of binoculars on the desk in my living room.  While shooting, the lighting in the room was a tad dark, making my photos appear granier. This graniness made me think of old fashioned black and white film. To begin editing, I cropped the photo so that it would follow the rule of thirds, and focus on a more abstract view of the binoculars. Then, I changed the photo to black and white and played around with the contrast, highlights, darks, and shadows until I got to a setting I liked. Finally, I added a blue-grey duo tone over the entire picture, giving that old fashioned feel. 

My Summer

Over the summer I traveled to San Diego, California with the Lincoln Women's Varsity Basketball team. While in San Diego we visited La Jolla Beach and swam in it's calm, blue waters. One of the coolest experiences I had in La Jolla was climbing through the beach's coves and having many close encounters with the local seals.Apart from lounging in the hot sands, we played in a very intense club basketball tournament. At the tournament we were matched up with some of the best club basketball teams from around the country. With hard work and determination we finished with 2 wins and 3 losses, which was excellent for a high school team. Our week in San Diego helped us bond as a team, as well as improve our skills for the upcoming season.