Unit 13 Activity 6

Connect with someone new and create three environmental portraits.
At least one image should demonstrate how you have directed them towards a relaxed expression and body posture. Discuss the process of direction.

This activity requires me to communicate with my subject to position them in there natural environment. The first image is of Gaby in a relaxed stage. I told her before I took the picture to take a breath and relax while she edits her image from her studio shoot. I also told her to pose as she usually sits in front of the computer everyday, relaxed and focused on her work in her natural environment. In the second image I told Gaby to do the exact same thing while I got a different angle of her editing her picture. She is still in her natural environment and relaxed. Portrait images don't always have to be different subjects they can be the same subject with different techniques used and that's why in the second image I went for more of a dynamic angle look. For the third image I asked Maddy K. what she does often almost daily and she told me she reads and or reviews notes. Therefore, I took a picture of her reviewing her notes for a natural environment look. I told her to pretend I wasn't there with a camera and to focus on her reading and lean against the wall for a more relaxed, comfortable, and natural look.

Unit 13 Activity 4

Photograph the same subject varying both the depth of field and focal length of the lens. Discuss the visual effects of each image.

In the first image you can see an example of shallow depth of field. The main subject is close up and clearly in focus eliminating any possible distracting backgrounds. Thus, the viewers eye looks directly at the main subject without really noticing the background. The second image is an example of great depth of field. In this image the viewer can still notice the main subject but instead of just the main subject being in focus all of the image is in focus showing more of the subjects in the background.

Unit 13 Activity 5

Find one portrait image that has included significant or informative detail. Describe the importance of the additional information and how it is likely to be read by the viewer.

Picture taken by Gary Sisson

This portrait has lots of detail, as you can see. Such as, the sweat coming off the boxers body, and the people in the background looking at the match, plus the light on top adding some shadowing to the boxers body, and the ref. in the background with the corner of the boxing ring showing. This photographer took a picture of these two boxers in there "true environment" instead of just doing the picture in a regular studio. Because of all this extra detail the viewer can almost feel like they are in the match themselves with seeing the expression on each of the boxers face, how hard they are each working to win there match, how much strength and effort they have to put in just to be a boxer, the feeling of the crowed watching with suspense. All these details lead to an very interesting photograph that tells a story and leads the viewer wanting to know more like, who these boxers are, who won the match, and where this fight is taking place. 

Unit 13 Activity 3

Collect four portrait images with two to five subjects. In at least one image the subject should have been placed in the foreground. Comment on the arrangement of the subjects in relation to the camera and the effectiveness of the design. 

In this family photograph the photographer took the picture at a different angle then the usual straight on. He/She was standing almost all the way over the subjects. This brings interest to the image and it has the viewer feel like he/she is standing over this happy family.

The photographer in this family photograph used a staggering technique. This helps the viewer eyes leap from person to person. The photographer also put the baby in focus while the parents are more blurred, thus bringing more focus to the baby while still keeping the parents in the picture.

The photographer in this family photograph did a little bit of the same technique in the image above. The child is in focus while the parents are more blurred keeping more interest on the child. This photographer also used shallow depth of field as the child is closer and the parents are a couple more feet away from the photographer, this also helps keep more interest and focus on the child but still has the viewers eyes jump around to look at other subjects (the parents). This image is also the foreground image. It is foreground because the parents are in the picture but they are blurred out( they are in the foreground of the image). 

The photographer took this image straight on, we know this because the eyes are looking straight on in the picture and there is no obvious distinctions of any use of dynamic angle. In this image the photographer "sandwiched" the child because of the parents being on either side of her. The placement of the father then child then mother really close together helps the viewers eyes go from person to person easily and naturally.

Unit 13 Activity 2

Find four portraits that demonstrate the different ways a photographer has framed the image to alter the design and content. Discuss the vantage point, depth of field and subject placement in all of the images.

The subjects are placed either directly in the middle or in the rule of thirds for portrait photography. Both are strong and make the subject the focus point. The rule of thirds is the most popular and strong technique used in portrait photography, as seen in three of the four images, the subject is put in a position so they follow of rule of thirds. In most portrait photography images the subjects are put in shallow depth of field. This is because it makes the image and subject seem more intense and insures the viewer will focus on the subject (like all the girls in the images above). For the vantage point most photographers take the image straight on because it creates an dramatic effect. Like in the first three images the photographers took the picture of the subject straight on. While in the last image the photographer took the picture while he was probably kneeling down. This makes the image less dramatic and more softened.

Unit 13 Activity 1

Look through assorted media, magazines, internet and collect four portrait photographs. The environment should be a key feature in two of the four images.Describe the subject’s character in each of the images. What can you see within each image that leads you to these conclusions about the subjects’ character.

http://portrait-photographer.blogspot.com/2010/04/adding-props-to-senior-portraits.html

In this image you can clearly see the background is of sports items and clothing. This brings the reader to believe the girl in image is an athlete. As most people know athletes are typically hard working, motivated, and dedicated. Therefore (because of the background in the portrait) the viewer can assume this girl is hard working, athletic, and dedicated.

http://www.pictage.com/planning-guides/fun-props-for-fabulous-engagement-and-wedding-photos/

The two portraits above are images of a newly wedded couple. Although the backgrounds are a little different they both have something to do with being by the sea. The first image out of the two, is of a dock on the sea. The second image is of a couple standing on a dock with a boat and sea in the background. The sea is known for being a calm, romantic, and happy place to go to which is the perfect background to bring the feeling of happiness and romance to the image. With the background of the sea the viewer can come to he conclusion that two couples are happy and very much in love.

http://pinterest.com/pin/245164773436028676/

In this portrait the background is of christmas lights and a christmas tree. This brings the viewer to assume its around the holiday season, more specifically christmas time. Christmas time is known for  the happy smiley children that get to open lots of presents. Therefore the viewer can assume this child is having the time of her life with it being christmas time. 

Unit 6 Activity 4

This image can be found at: http://www.layersofmeaning.org/images/2006/3qtr/maggietaylor.jpg

This image can be found at: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrbjycwot2UxIz7G4gAz-EwXAFYXc9ggoAwHC2_yidnr_uV0pAgaarEl2Ygc94CtRhUBIDiSxY4szvYB599wPxN77bbeZdW3ITZ9w9dQyzwJc10NumOO-n14gKhlkJ_9YoTQPJGltx7A-A/s1600/Thomas+Barbey.jpg

These images captured by Maggie Taylor (top) and Thomas Barbey (bottom) are both a fine art background. These photo montages were taken for a different reason then that of a politic photo montage, but they still use the same techniques. Some of the techniques that are used in both of the images is seeing through the lies, contrast, and exaggeration of scale.In the first image above I believe Maggie Taylor is trying to convey the message of seeing is believing. And in the second image, of the women crying while you can see in her eye two people in love, is showing the message of she is heart broken by the two lovers she is looking at. If there was to be another photographer in the Maggie Taylor collection I would picture something surreal but with different subjects and/or backgrounds. Like, instead of being in the water, the background could be in the sky and and instead of a fish there could be a bird in the image. As for Thomas Barbey I imagine a black and white image of maybe a man heart broken by two lovers and a close up of his face.

Unit 6 Activity 3

Activity 3

• As editors exercise their ever-increasing power over information control, what limits would you impose on them as to the extent to which they can manipulate the photographic image? 
• Devise a series of guidelines that will control the release of images that have been constructed for media use so that the public is aware as to the extent of the manipulation. 

Here are some restrictions I would establish to limit the amount of manipulation of photographs:

No editing body types 

- Like no slimming a model or object to make them appear skinnier in any area of the body, or smoothing out wrinkles or curves

No merging pictures for a commercial use

Can only use foundation to cover up what doesnt want to be seen in the photograph.

Using another persons work and making small changes should not be allowed unless permission by the original artist is given

Example:



You can find this image at: http://americanpatriottoday.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/media_manipulation.jpg

Unit 6 Activity 2

"The New Napoleons- Truman and Churchill" 

This photomontage was made during the cold war, where the public shows there hate towards Truman and Churchill. The reason these two men were hated so much was becuase they were known for being responsible for the cold war. They are considered to be responsible for the cold war through manipulation and selfishness of wanting power and money. That is why they where being referenced to Napoleon, because Napoleon was a selfish power hungry man that brought up lots of controversy during his time.

I personally think this is a effective expression of the message with Truman and Churchill that the public is trying to display and project. At first look you can tell the image is about two men that are power hungry and when you look closely you can see in the hat, a money sign showing that these two men also crave money. Thus, it is easy to comprehend the title "The New Napoleons- Truman and Churchill."  

The technique of photomontage that was used in the picture above was recognizing the familiar. The viewer id meant to recognize familiar images (Truman and Churchill) advertising campaigns that the photomontage is based on. The viewer is drawn to the differences from the original and the new meaning supplied by the changed information. 

This image was found at the following website and you can also find many more examples of politic photomontages: http://dl.lib.brown.edu/Views_and_Reviews/item_views/artist_itemlevel_P-Z.php?id=158&view_type=artist_index

Another political photomontage is seen above in which it shows how powerful women are to the nation. This montage effectively shows how women can be powerful and "rule the world." Some techniques that were used in this specific photomontage is contrast and exaggeration of scale. Contrast is used to gain our attention and individual components of the photomontage may be in sharp contrast (although it may be hard to see because the image is small but the landscape is in sharp focus while the girl is slightly out of focus) to each other. Also, Exaggeration of scale is altering the scale of components of the photomontage the artist can exaggerate a point. Like the women in this image is way bigger then the buildings, showing an over powering look to the photomontage.

You can find the image from above at the following website:http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&sugexp=les%3B&gs_rn=3&gs_ri=psy-ab&gs_mss=contemporary+photom&qe=Y29udGVtcG9yYXJ5IHBob3RvbW9uYXRnZXM&qesig=8Rrup_SDQ-r2z_V_K57w4Q&pkc=AFgZ2tm7be-3uY3Mok-M9__MVohY2muUQfc3aJpaRITznHQGaY1PqPn4AgB8KBggSQZ6q8Uwg_M4UoL7RUDzgKgAX9zebd_oAA&pq=contemporary&cp=26&gs_id=32&xhr=t&q=contemporary+photomontage+artists&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_cp.r_qf.&bvm=bv.42452523,d.cGE&biw=1133&bih=873&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=isch&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi&ei=LBEdUanHG6PiiALAnoGYBA#imgrc=x7O1Fh8JzCughM%3A%3BsCMOYjUVxWZPMM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252F24.media.tumblr.com%252Ftumblr_m5xabjEev01qimhjco1_500.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.tumblr.com%252Ftagged%252Ffalckenhaus%3B500%3B379

Unit 6 Activity 1

Briefly discuss why you think painters of the Victorian period might have criticized these early photomontages and why the pictures were popular with the general public.

This technique of piecing together separate images to create one picture is again very popular with both artists and the media.

What two reasons can you think of for this revival of an old technique?

I believe that painters of the Victorian period might have criticized early photomontages due to the fact that photomontages are far from reality. Painters could manipulate there paintings but photographers could not, tell photomontage. The photomontage are many pictures taken of different areas and are manipulated into one photograph to where it looks real. With the general public, using photomontages, the public had the ability to escape to a dream world and admire the wonders of the different montages, it was something new to the public that appealed to their eyes.
A couple of reasons I believe the old technique has "come back" to be very popular is because of technology now-a-days and the general public/ media. With the different computer programs, like photoshop, photomontages are much more easy to create and takes so much less time. Also, the public has always viewed photomontages as a very unique technique that appeals to the human senses. Thus, as the public "demands" for photomontages, and more are brought out making to technique once again very popular.

Self Image Activity 1

1. Age/generation - is can dictate levels of independence afforded to the individual. 
2. Gender - Our sex affects the way we are treated by some individuals. 
3. Race - Prejudice and perceived racial superiority can affect hopes and aspirations. 
4. Religion - Moral codes and ideologies that serve to guide, unite and divide. 
5. Class or caste - A classification that an individual may never escape from. 
6. Personality - Extrovert and introvert are classifications of personality. 
7. Intelligence - educational establishments, based on IQ, often segregate us. 
8. Political persuasion - Left wing or right wing. Each carries its own ideology. 

Above is a list of categories that serves to define and divide us. Out of the list of categories I have made a personal list below that belongs to me and that I have conflict with. included in this list are symbols that are associated with each.

1.Age/ generation- The age or generation I personally come from is the age of technology where most have come to rely on it. My generation is viewed as more of a selfish and unappreciative  generation which divides me from other generations of past and future.   

2. Gender- I am a female and with todays views, others treat me different (or any female different) then how they treat men. With todays generation most guys do not hold the door for you or say ladies first but there is still a view of respect for women. Also, women have more say in the world vesus in the past where women couldn't even vote. My gender does divide me from that of male but today's gender doesn't divide people as much as it used to.

3.Race - I am white and in todays society race is not looked at the same. People are more accepting of the different races and many people today are a mix of different races where as "back in the day" race was a huge deal and race was the main factor of how society was divided. Therefore race does not divide me from others.

4.Religion- Religion in my opinion does not divide us as much as others would think. I personally am not very religious but I still have good morals and I don't break the rules. I am considered a "goody - good" but yet everyday I see people whom are "religious" and are far from being a goody- good. Also, with our generation we are more accepting of others including their religious views.  And now-a-days many groups of friends consist of people with different views or religion.

5.Class or caste- As always there are different classes that define or divide people. We all know of the lower, middle and upper class. In my opinion people are still divided by what you can afford. For example, I am part of the middle class where I will most likely go to a decent college and graduate but with the more upper class most will go to really nice colleges like Stanford and the lower class people will most likely go to an instate college and or even a community college. 

6.Personality- Personality divides us and define us. My personality is more of a friendly, out going, talkative, and positive  personalty. These characteristics are similar to my group of friends which divides me from other groups that are maybe even a little more out going or less.

 

7.Intelligence- Intelligence divides groups as seen everywhere. I am a little above average when it comes to intelligence and I take honors classes which leads me to hang out with a different group of people then those whom take regular classes. 

  

Below are the links where I got my images to represent each category that I discussed: 

http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/define-middle-class/page/2
http://sexualityandgenderinindia.blogspot.com/2011/05/blog-post_3395.html
http://images.google.com/imgres?q=theater+masks&start=128&num=10&hl=en&tbo=d&biw=1001&bih=895&tbm=isch&tbnid=elH--qnL5tjKuM:&imgrefurl=http://www.123rf.com/photo_7059792_classic-comedy-tragedy-theater-masks-against-red-curtain-fabric.html&docid=30sqvZ8CcRoa7M&imgurl=http://us.123rf.com/400wm/400/400/jgroup/jgroup1005/jgroup100501926/7059792-classic-comedy-tragedy-theater-masks-against-red-curtain-fabric.jpg&w=400&h=284&ei=d5rtUOvCL8H7igKAhIDQAQ&zoom=1&iact=rc&dur=625&sig=103677282607104250715&page=5&tbnh=144&tbnw=189&ndsp=34&ved=1t:429,r:29,s:100,i:91&tx=120&ty=79
http://500questions.wordpress.com/2011/05/03/11-doesn’t-the-existence-of-many-religions-discredit-them-all/
http://www.policymic.com/articles/16655/presidential-polls-2012-on-two-key-issues-young-people-are-torn-between-liberal-and-conservative-views
http://www.inovizion.com/iq-vs-eq/
http://500px.com/photo/17394593

Self image Activity 2

Physical Characteristics:

Male and Female Face:
Colored eyes like blue and green eyes
Clear skin
Symmetrical features
Full lips
Straight and whitened teeth
Plucked eyebrows
No facial hair
Smooth volumized hair

"Attractive"

This picture from : http://beautybooty411.com/tag/estee-lauder/page/2/ is the perfect example of how we as a nation view others to be attractive. Her eyes are a very pretty blue and the use of dark makeup makes them "pop out" even more. Also, her skin tone is smooth and clear. Her eyebrows are plucked and symmetrical and her teeth are white. Many of her features are on the list on what is considered attractive.
"Unattractive"

In this photograph, the woman's frizzy hair, un-smooth face tone and eyes that don't "pop" are considered "unattractive." But in the picture to the right, or the after-shot, it shows a more attractive manner of the same woman, with her eyes popping, her hair smooth, and her skin has a good even tone. With today's views, small differences in the appearance of a person can affect weather they are viewed as attractive or not.

1. Do you believe that media images or public opinion are responsible for the characteristics of beauty becoming universal stereotypes?

2. Do you believe people admiring media images of glamorous models can do any harm?

I do believe that media images or public opinion are responsible for the characteristics of beauty becoming universal stereotypes. I also believe people admiring media images of glamorous models can do harm. I agree with this because everyone admires the aspects of media. Everyone looks up to the media to almost tell them what to wear, how to do their hair, how to do their makeup, etc. With this, people of our society do as the media "tells them" which brings us to the point of beauty characteristics becoming universal stereotypes. As I stated before, people admiring media images of glamorous models can do harm. For example, when it comes to weight models are typically 10 - 20 pounds under the healthy weight. Because of this people admiring those models want to be 10-20 pounds under their heathy weight creating an unhealthy and overly skinny society. Also, many people admire the models and become depressed that they are not as skinny or beautiful as the models. So, they start to eat as a source of depression to find comfort creating an overweight and unhealthy society. In either of these situations the media creates an unhealthy society world wide.

Self image Activity 3

,

Age/Generation

My generation is considered the definition of technology. People of my generation are always using technology and depend on it so much. I try my best to put some space in-between my phone and I,  live more in the moment, and focus on my family.

Gender

In todays society men and women are viewed as more equal. A women has the same rights as a man and a women does not have to be the stereotypical house wife. Similar to myself, a woman can have a job, be independent, and strive for whatever she wants to do.

Race 

In society people are accepting of others more freely including the race of a peson. In todays generation schools as well as different groups of friends are filled with people from a variety of ethnicity backgrounds. I see this with many groups of friends at my own school.
 

Intelligence

Typically people group together by intelligence, as far as friends go. I like I hang out with people whom are at the same level as me or even a little more intelligent. I do this because they push me to do my homework and get good grades in school.

Personality

Not just in todays generation but in all generations there are so many personalities mixed together in our society. My personality is more out going, fun, and happy. I make it a point to surround myself with people that have the same type of personality. It makes life so much more fun!

Links to pictures: 

http://barkonline.blogspot.com/2012/03/cell-phone-use-in-class.html

http://www.natcom.org/CommCurrentsArticle.aspx?id=2647

http://www.istockphoto.com/stock-photo-10298612-merging-theater-masks.php