Tuesday, December 10, 2013

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

Thursday, December 5, 2013

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.