The top photograph is one that I took early last school year, and the second is a project I completed this past November. Both of these pictures depict a person as the main focal point/subject. These subjects tend to be centered for the most part in both projects. However, in the first photograph, the subject is much further away from the lens than in the second project where the pictures were taken at a much closer range. In both of these photos there is something framing the subject. In the first photo it is the branches of the trees that frame him as he stands on the log. In the second, its the actual wooden frame the pictures are in that frame the subject. In the first photograph, the amount of texture is much greater than in the second. The first photograph contains a lot more natural texture from the trees and leaves of the surrounding woods. In the second project, the amount of texture is greatest in the pictures with bricks present; but even the frame itself has little texture due to the smoothed out wood and finished paint. The second photo, however has much more content than the first. The second project reuses the same subject over and over in multiple different situations whereas in the first, it is a single picture with a single subject. The colors are also much lighter in the second project, partly because they are in color, and partly because there is a slight lack of shadows. In the first photograph, it has a much dimmer feeling and contains a lot more shadows provided from the overhang of the trees. Both of these photos have an appropriate amount of contrast. In the first, the majority of the contrast is located between the dark lines of the trees and the sheer paleness of the sky in the background. In the second, the black frame provides contrast with each photo as each one has such a lighter tone than the harsh black of the borders.
These two projects both have a somber and serious mood to them. In the first photo, he seems as though he is very alone and reserved by not showing his face to the camera. In the second project, she is not smiling in a single one of the photographs and the signs and words that are present give off a feeling of sadness or depression. My interpretation of the first photograph is that he is searching for his place, or how he is meant to fit into the world. But considering he is going on this journey alone, he could be searching for someone to help him find his place, just searching for a friend, someone to help. The second photo has a similar meaning. It is obvious that she is in an abusive relationship, but she is having a difficult time realizing that even though he claims to love her, this is not how love is supposed to feel. She, in her own way, is also feeling alone and is trying to find her way out of this relationship. Both of these subjects seem to be searching for something in order to improve their lives. Whatever that might be, exactly, is open for the interpretation of the viewer.
The second project definitely was more successful as far as getting across the original intended message. I think what got across the message best would be the way the her black eye was depicted in each of the photographs and also the words on the cardboard and her hands. The words were helpful in a sense that you could have just that little bit more inside information as to what thoughts were going through her mind, as well as his. The way that I built the frame also had an effect. It was meant to look like a window so that in a sense you were "looking into" their lives and were seeing what was really going on. It had a more direct message than the first photograph that could have been interpreted millions of different ways. I think my work has progressed creatively because I am able to incorporate many more ideas into one project in a way that doesn't look messy or jumbled. I think I have developed a mindset that allows me to imagine the message I want to send to the viewers, and then modify it into pictures that might not be exactly what I envisioned, but get across the same message. I hope to develop my portfolio more by improving my techniques and really pushing the limits as far as what I can photograph to advocate the message I want to send out.
Midterm Exam
The top photograph is one that I took early last school year, and the second is a project I completed this past November. Both of these pictures depict a person as the main focal point/subject. These subjects tend to be centered for the most part in both projects. However, in the first photograph, the subject is much further away from the lens than in the second project where the pictures were taken at a much closer range. In both of these photos there is something framing the subject. In the first photo it is the branches of the trees that frame him as he stands on the log. In the second, its the actual wooden frame the pictures are in that frame the subject. In the first photograph, the amount of texture is much greater than in the second. The first photograph contains a lot more natural texture from the trees and leaves of the surrounding woods. In the second project, the amount of texture is greatest in the pictures with bricks present; but even the frame itself has little texture due to the smoothed out wood and finished paint. The second photo, however has much more content than the first. The second project reuses the same subject over and over in multiple different situations whereas in the first, it is a single picture with a single subject. The colors are also much lighter in the second project, partly because they are in color, and partly because there is a slight lack of shadows. In the first photograph, it has a much dimmer feeling and contains a lot more shadows provided from the overhang of the trees. Both of these photos have an appropriate amount of contrast. In the first, the majority of the contrast is located between the dark lines of the trees and the sheer paleness of the sky in the background. In the second, the black frame provides contrast with each photo as each one has such a lighter tone than the harsh black of the borders.
These two projects both have a somber and serious mood to them. In the first photo, he seems as though he is very alone and reserved by not showing his face to the camera. In the second project, she is not smiling in a single one of the photographs and the signs and words that are present give off a feeling of sadness or depression. My interpretation of the first photograph is that he is searching for his place, or how he is meant to fit into the world. But considering he is going on this journey alone, he could be searching for someone to help him find his place, just searching for a friend, someone to help. The second photo has a similar meaning. It is obvious that she is in an abusive relationship, but she is having a difficult time realizing that even though he claims to love her, this is not how love is supposed to feel. She, in her own way, is also feeling alone and is trying to find her way out of this relationship. Both of these subjects seem to be searching for something in order to improve their lives. Whatever that might be, exactly, is open for the interpretation of the viewer.
The second project definitely was more successful as far as getting across the original intended message. I think what got across the message best would be the way the her black eye was depicted in each of the photographs and also the words on the cardboard and her hands. The words were helpful in a sense that you could have just that little bit more inside information as to what thoughts were going through her mind, as well as his. The way that I built the frame also had an effect. It was meant to look like a window so that in a sense you were "looking into" their lives and were seeing what was really going on. It had a more direct message than the first photograph that could have been interpreted millions of different ways. I think my work has progressed creatively because I am able to incorporate many more ideas into one project in a way that doesn't look messy or jumbled. I think I have developed a mindset that allows me to imagine the message I want to send to the viewers, and then modify it into pictures that might not be exactly what I envisioned, but get across the same message. I hope to develop my portfolio more by improving my techniques and really pushing the limits as far as what I can photograph to advocate the message I want to send out.