Final Exam

1. For your Final Exam, you will create a blog post titled "Final Exam" (10)This has been completed.
2. You will send an email with the subject "Period 3 - Final Exam" (10)This has been completed.
3. Your email signature will have your blog and weebly site. If I cannot access those sites, I will not be able to grade the remaining part of your final exam. (10)This has been completed.
4. On Monday we reviewed the New York Times Lens blog article about Magnum photographers. Today you will choose your transformative photo. What single photo have you taken this school year that changed how you view photography? Why? (include the photo and an explanation) (20)
   
   This photo of the top structure of these office and apartment buildings has changed the way I view photography. I took this on a trip to Chicago where I found the structure of these buildings to be very interesting; I almost thought that they were futuristic parking lots. This is one of the first times that I truly realized and fully understood that photography was not just portraits of people or landscapes. The photographer has the ability to create whatever image they want to portray. With very simple editing, I was able to take this normal photo and give it a different effect as the buildings almost seem to be glowing. I had the ability to take this photo of in downtown Chicago and make it look like it belongs in a dystopian society. I finally saw the full creative liberties that being a photographer can get, and how there is a lot of potential to do so much more. This was also one of the first few times that I was able to get really excited about my photography and what I could do with it. I felt the need to want to share this photo with all of my family and friends, and even posted it on social media. This is helping me be more eager about my photography and make it easier to share it with the people I know through the internet.
5. What is the difference between shape and form? Include the links from your Elements of Art post that define Shape and Form (10) You might need to include two links or one from your blog.Form PhotoShape Photo
   The primary difference between shape and form is that shape is flat and two dimensional while form can be seen in all three dimensions. Shapes refer mostly to the outline of the intended focus. In my photo of the leaf, I show how shape is referring to the lopsided circle that the outer rim of the leaf creates. Form adds depth to the photo and brings chances for things like perspectives and shadows. In my photo of the pine cone, I have angled the camera to see how the larger part of the pine cone is closer, how round like a pointed cylinder it is, and how the viewer is able to look inside the pine cone to see more.
6. What is the difference between pattern and repetition? Include your links that define pattern and repetition. (10) You should include two separate links.Pattern PhotoRepetition Photo
   Pattern refers to a repeating symbol, figure, or design throughout the photo. It is the same design seen over and over. I have shown this with my photo as the brick pattern repeats from the bottom to the top of the photo. Repetition is the use of some type of pattern in a different way so the photos are more animated. In my photo, the pattern of the leaf is the same. However, the plant curves around like a rose and provides an interesting perspective to the green plant. There is repetition in the numerous leaves in an interesting design.
7. Include the link to your Weebly About page. This page should be complete. Also include a separate link to another photographer's About Page who inspired you. (10)About Me PagePhotographer Who Inspired Me
   
8. Include your last three project links. Also identify which of these projects was your best? Explain why you believe this is your best work. How did this project change you? How did you learn to see differently? (20)
   Final ProjectSpring Expo Photo StoryCommercial ShootI believe my best photography project was the "Final Project - Interior Design". This set features an amalgam of photos from dark light fixtures to fans in motion to decorations. I believe this is my best work because I worked to change the mood and focus every time I switches subjects. I believe with this project, I brought the objects I was showcasing into a new perspective than from what I normally see every day. I transformed the way I see the boring items in my household into interesting subjects with photos that are a pleasure to look at. I showcased a different point about the subjects I was trying to show - like the dark intensity of the modern, silver lights to the blurred motion of the fan suspended against the ceiling. This project changed me because it forced me to think of new ways to be creative in my photos. I started to gain the ability to see how to focus on the parts of the photo, instead of the objects as a whole; for example, I took a photo of the a Buddha statue and focused on just the body and the way the light was falling and casting shadows on the bronze material. This is helping me branch into a whole new style of photography that is different and innovative. 

Final Project - Interior Design

Student Website Reviews

Period 1:
http://anishbphotography.weebly.com/
Picture
This is the best photo where three iPhones are lying across with a white background. I really like the composition of the photos with the phones as the focus and the background as completely white. It really draws the eye of the viewer to the products in the photo.

Period 2:
http://aashnapshah.weebly.com/
Picture
This is the best photo where the candles lined diagonally. I really like how the photo is lined up so the viewer sees the first candle with sharp clarity. The rest of the candles nicely blur out in progression across the span of the photo.

Period 3:
http://gr8j8.weebly.com/
Picture
This is the best photo of the cherry blossoms are illuminated by light. This is the best photo as I like the way the light illuminates only a few of the cherry blossoms. I also like how the focus is on the side.

Period 4:
http://kaitlynshihphotography.weebly.com/
Picture
This is the best photo showing the sunlight filtering through a place that is mostly in the shadows. I really like the way how the photo is mostly in the dark and there is only an outline of light around the subject's face.

Final Project Idea & Information

Idea:

focus on the shapes in interior furniture and design

zoom in close so the shapes/lines are the most apparent part

maybe find unusual shapes in an uneven edge

Location:

living room, master bedroom, kitchen, bathroom

Inspiration:

http://www.juanwynsphotographer.com/interior-and-shapes/

http://www.johnpetersphotography.com/#mi=2&pt=1&pi=10000&s=0&p=1&a=0&at=0
http://stevejohnson.zenfolio.com/photostream

Shot List:

1. curvature on the light fixtures above bathroom mirror from the side

2. semicircle of the arm of the brown sofa

3. perspective on the lines of the bed sheet blurring into the pillows/wall

4. photo on the blinds from a diagonal angle

5. forks that line up inside the fork holder

Spring Expo Photo Story

Photo Story: view through the phone screen with a textured/specific photos

Inspirations:

instagram.com/samalive

adamphoto.com

instagram.com/fernandogguerra

Weebly: http://aartipandaphotos.weebly.com/photos.html

Photography Project Outline

Idea: photos of hand holding iphone of things near my house and in the school (inbetween gym, ewing, cafeteria)

1. pink roses in a bush

2. green shrubbery pattern that has detail

3. photo that looks through the tunnel

4. photo focused on the tanbark at the bottom which fades into the playground in the back

5. photo looking down the street

6. alternate: photo of the houses against the sky

Lighting: Natural, may shoot some in morning and some at sunset to get light filtering through holes

Hand Model: my mom

Examples:

http://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/iphone-photography-by-sam-alive-reveals-hidden-landscapes-designboom-07.jpg

http://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/iphone-photography-by-sam-alive-reveals-hidden-landscapes-designboom-03.jpg

First Commercial Shoot

Taken by: Mansi Chopra

mansichopra.bloogspot.com

Taken by: Aarti Panda

Taken by: Ethan Hu

ethanhu.blogspot.com

Taken by: Aarti Panda

Taken by: Priyanka Bajaj

priyankaabigailbajaj.blogspot.com

Inspiration - Blake Lively Chanel Ad

Best Photo

5 About Me/Info Pages

http://www.candidsbychristine.com/index2.php#/text_5/1/

http://www.rosaurasandoval.com/about-me/

http://loicphoto.com/about/

http://www.katienewburn.com/about

http://www.larissacleveland.com/about/

MSJMC Week Story

Every year during Multicultural Week, the school has an assembly to wrap up the end of the week.

During this one hour period, students get the chance to see songs and dances from a variety of cultures.

There are performances that vary from Tae Kwon Do to Bollywood. 

There is always an explosion of color and movement on the stage. 

In the beginning of the assembly period, students from half the classes line up to find their seats in the gym. 

Those that perform together will usually sit together, or meet outside.

On the sides of the gym, L2 students and performers can be seen working hard and ensuring the assembly runs smoothly.

If students look up, they can see the flags from numerous countries strung up above everyone's heads.

During the assembly, equipment is laying on the ground as students wait for their chance to perform. 

The colorful costumes of the performers can be seen after the assembly as they exit the gym and rest. 

Here, a Bhangra dancer twirls after her performance, showing off the colorful outfit.

Story with a Photo - 103 Floors Up

This is the Willis Tower (popularly known as Sears Tower) in the heart of Downtown Chicago. 

The building is 108 stories tall. 

I traveled in an super fast elevator to the 103rd floor where there is an amazing view of Chicago and almost the nearby states.
There are three observation decks that are made completely of glass. 

It was a little unnerving stepping on the glass floor and imagining falling to your death.

After a couple of seconds, I got used to it and sat on the glass floor. 

I even laid on the floor and took a selfie with the smaller skyscrapers underneath me.

My father refused to step on the glass. 

MSJMCW Story

Every year, the students of Mission San Jose High School participate in an event called Multicultural Week. It is an event where students explore a variety of cultures, primarily through food and clothing. The clubs and individual classes use it as a fundraiser to raise money for their events.

Planning starts weeks in advance as students in the leadership committee set up the structure for the week and all of the necessary rules to follow. There are limits on where food is from and how it can be served for the safety of the students. There is a layout for where each club is set up.

This year, it is my final year as a student participating in the event. I fondly remember the past years when I participated in helping set up the booths for clubs and buying food. It is nice to see so many of the students dressed up in  their traditional ethnic clothing as well. The past couple of days, I have enjoyed walking up and down the horseshoe and enjoying the food from the club.

It has been an enjoyable experience participating with so many others in my school, regardless of grade. The feeling of unity is nice. 

Principles of Design - Unity

Edits: increase exposure, decrease blacks significantly, increase the clarity significantly, increase highlights, slightly increase saturation 

This shows unity as it feels as though your eye is drawn to the center and everything is complementing this. 

Shutter Speed and Everything After

Partner: Judith Silverberg-Rajna

1. The shutter speed is very fast. The trucks on the right must be moving quickly as it drives down the highway. However, in the photo, it appears to be still as it was captured at an instant.
2. The rule of composition seen here is perspective. As the photo was taken in the center of the highway, the lines of the side of the highway are drawing your eye into the center. The second rule of composition is the use of diagonals. The lines of the sides of the freeway are diagonal to the rest of the photo and help draw your eyes to the focus. There are many diagonal lines in the photo that stand out against the relative emptiness of the background.
3. An element of art seen here is space. Only a third of the photo has subjects while the rest of the sky and roads provide a simple background. The focus is therefore on the trucks.
4. An element of design seen here is balance. The photo is very balanced with the vast sky and large highway, with almost strategically placed trucks that your eye is drawn to.


Tuesday's with Farley's Kids

Shutter Speed: 1/1400

Edits: slightly inc exposure, inc contrast, dec highlights, inc whites, inc sharpening

Principles of Design - Variety

Edits: inc temperature, slightly decrease the contrast, decrease the exposure, slightly increase shadows and blacks

Principles of Design - Rhythm

Edits: increase saturation, increase contrast significantly, decrease highlights, decrease shadows, slightly increase exposure

Movie Monday - Half Past August - Part 3 and 4

1. What is your definition of successful?
   My definition of successful means having the ability to set clear, specific goals and then work to accomplish them. I personally intend to become a diplomat in the future and deal with international relations. 
2. What have you given up to become successful?
   I have given up a lot of my free times to spend with friends or watch TV to accomplish my goals.
3. What did Parks give up to become successful?
   He gave up a stable, loving family. 
4. Who was Genevieve Young's father?
   He was Chauncy Hallcok Young. 
5. How much was Parks advanced to write his first book (and eventual best-selling autobiography)?
   He did $10K for the first seven pages. 
6. How much money did Elijah Muhammad offer Parks to do a story on the Nation of Islam?
   He offered half a million dollars. 
7. Why did Parks refuse the money?
   He felt that it was morally wrong to accept the money. 
8. What was significant about the movie The Learning Tree?
   It was placed in the library of Congress.
9. What was significant about the character Shaft?
   Shaft was an African-American super figure that people could look up to. He stood as a symbol against racism. 
10. What was Gordon Parks' choice of weapons?
    His choice of weapons was books. 
11. What reason  did Genevieve Young give up for the divorce?
    There was too much going on at the time and they spend too much time apart from each other to be considered a healthy marriage. 
12. In 1984, Parks directed Solomon Northrup's Odyssey. What recent feature film told the same story?
    The recent feature film was 12 Years a Slave that told the same story. 
13. Who was Gordon Parks jr?
    He was Gordon Park's son that died in a plane crash.
14. What  is your favorite Gordon Parks photo?
    It was Evening Wraps in New York. 
15. What will you remember about Gordon Parks in 10 years?
    I will remember how he turned down a lot of money, half a million dollars, to do what he believed was ethically correct.

Principles of Design - Proportion

Edits:

 increase exposure slightly, increase contrast slightly, decrease highlights all the way, increase shadows, increase whites, increase blacks significantly, increase clarity/sharpening

Principles of Design - Repetition

Edits:

increase clarity, increase saturation slightly, increase the blacks, slightly decrease the highlights, slightly decrease the photos

Principles of Design - Pattern

Edits: increase saturation, increase contrast, decrease exposure slightly, increase highlights, tint slightly red, inc blacks, increase shadows

Principles of Design - Movement

There is movement in the plants as they are pushed sideways by the wind.

Edits:

slightly decrease exposure, increase contrast, decrease highlights by a lot, decrease the shadows as much as possible,  slightly increase whites, slightly decrease blacks, increase the sharpening by a small amount