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Obscurity of DC

          For this project, outsiders were kept in mind. The mission was to capture photos that depicted an unfamiliar scene compared to the image that pops into the minds of those who have not yet visited the nation’s capital. With this concept in mind, a vivid memory of my grandma resurfaces. I remember telling her about what the city is like: the people, landscape, and environment. Her reaction consisted of a pleasant gasp followed by these words, “Oh really?!” With this project, I wanted to reproduce that same reaction for others who do not know all of what the city has within the district lines. I also wanted to invoke some emotion as viewers consider the contrasts explored.

          I love capturing photos of nature in which often times they are taken out of impulse. It is extremely difficult to ignore such beauty. In these cases, it is necessary as I become indecisive about whether or not to take the photo. Unfortunately, this is due to my conscious of how others will view me. However, I have been acting on those impulses quite frequently, especially for this specific assignment. Thanks to my business courses and Spanish 213, this is something to be integrated into my character as I have been carefully constructing the blueprint to the person I want to become. Overall, the love for nature is definitely related to my mother’s and grandma’s appreciation and admiration for flowers.

          I communicate this mission by conveying contrasts in the composition of the images. For instance, human-made materials such as concrete and authentic life are two different elements yet are both present in DC. Unlike what some would think, DC is a large area in which there are both buildings, monuments, and business people and plants, flowers, trees and trails. So, the photos show both of these to convey this point.

          Constructing the titles and narratives called for thinking creatively throughout the project. Although I am familiar with this concept, it occurred as a small challenge to defeat. I have also learned how I can approve the appearance of my photos through increasing my knowledge on the features of my Iphone 7 Plus. I learned how to use composition, depth of field, and focus to my advantage. My appreciation for familiar sights have expanded as well. Some personal behaviors have changed, too. More often, I walk with my head up so I am able to soak in all the beauty  nature and the environment offers. Toggle screen reader support

Withstanding Humanity (NE) 

Here, a light pole plotted directly in bush is a great depiction for how human efforts interrupt the existence of nature. We see it all around: streets, homes, traffic lights, street signs. The environment is inhabited by both forms of life however it is clear that one dominates from complexity of the mind.

Pink Overcast (NE)

Another campus photo. The name of this image can be explained by the weather where the color of the tree is used instead. It’s prominence represents how it is the one “clouding over” the building.

Winter blossoms (NE)

These cherry blossoms bloomed in white this year, 2018. The frame is filled with them as the human-made material is in the background.

The POV (NE)

This is a fresh perspective for me as I have never gotten under a tree to capture what’s sprouting out from its arms. The colors were a focus to be included.

Ocean Wide (NE)

The deep depth of field is presented in this photo as I tried to include as many elements as possible while keeping a simple composition. With the angle in mind, a leading line was created to guide the views eye through the depth of field.

Slim Scandal (NE) - A sign framed in Green

In the background, the construction cones can be taken as a sign that gentrification maybe in progress. Not just ordinary gentrification though, the home of plants, leaves, and other things green will be uprooted from the ground in which they have become so familiar with. On the other hand, the foreground tells another story. Nature is taking over, here. And even though it is tangled within the bars of the fence, it prevails, engulfing all within its path.

Poise & Ivy Prevails (NE)

From dark depths, life grows beyond confinements. This photo is a product of giving in to an impulse experienced while walking from the metro to campus. At first, the flowers had been passed but on second thought, I swirled around and decided to go for it.

N.W.A. Nature With Attitude (NE) 

My interpretation of what nature feels like: I do what I want. Take a look at where the vines run. One is twisted and curled around a bar. In the case of the flower, although it is shadowed by processed material, it is still vibrant.

Broccoli on a dinner plate (NW)

Repetition is used here with the dash of contrast.

No Share, No Care (NW)

Since this rack is full, nobody is sharing. Now, it is safe to say that obviously nobody cares.

Gold Mine (NW)

The interpretation of this image is surrounded by a paradox. What about the people sleeping on the streets? Homeless even search through these...

Sea of Bliss (SE)

An aim for alternative angles to vary point of view was the objective for this one, especially since this graffiti artwork has been photographed so many times before. I also wanted to somehow capture the authenticity of life so a slice of the sky was included.

Heart of Gold (SE)

The contrasts and colors of the flowery tree and the manufactured trucks were intentional. The connection between the shape and truck artwork was not. Nonetheless, the image is a great depiction of: nature is a source of life in which is intertwined with the destiny of humans.

Although this project was intended to extend to all four quadrants of The District, I was only able to travel to three of them. 

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Book Report Summary

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Basilica of the National Shrine

From the inside out.

Photo credit to my classmate for the next two photos! 

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Overcoming Familiarity

In the book titled “David Hume Kennerly On the iPhone” Kennerly describes how one can overcome the “fatal photographer familiarity” problem. He encourages us to pretend we are Martians in order to see ordinary things in a new way. We should use our imaginations to create a world that is interesting and worth sharing with others (139). This is true even if the things simply seem to be just some telephone wires hanging in front of a few trees. One way Kennerly is able to overcome this issue is through challenging himself to take photos everyday. Every environmental aspect he may be used to seeing now absorbs his attention which reinforces his idea that there are thousands and thousands of extraordinary images to be captured within our daily routine (139). When you are ready to take a shot at this useful insight, be ready to discover things you didn't know were even around. Be ready to use “extraterrestrial eyes” to experience how “the familiarity can suddenly [not] appear [to be] so mundane” (140).

Tips (as part of the summary):

Shooting with various apps can enhance an ordinary scenario however it is vital to keep in mind that a good photo will always be a good photo with or without enhancements. You can’t use a filter as you would try to cover smelly body odor with pleasant perfume (140).

Get down on the same level as your subject especially for insects and children (144).

Dicey weather creates opportunities for great shots. Foggy days, for example, change the mood and affects lighting as well (147).

Use the foreground but remember, “for every rule there is an exception” (149).

Use humor and juxtaposition or incongruity for good shots. Interesting images often are made of these (151).

Be open to influences! Check out others’ photographs and paintings to gain inspiration and capture your own version (154).

Favorite Secret Tips:

8) “Let your feelings guide your photography” (200).

13) “Photograph insects - don’t step on them” (200).

35) “Study photos taken by photographers you admire” (200).

38) “Make a photo bucket list” (201).

39) Be a chameleon yet bold enough to take pictures (201).

41) Go to the zoo to take pictures of animals- don’t yell at them (201).

47) If you are driving past something that catches your eye and you deem it interesting, go ahead and bust that U.

50) “Shoot more and read less about how to take good pictures. (Burn this book after reading)” (201).

Although I did not take this photo after completing this assignment, I couldn't help but think back to this moment when I decided to start taking pictures of things I would normally see (about a few times every week).

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StillLife

As background was a considered factor, this solid color helps to attract attention to the Styrofoam ball with protruding nails. Not every end of each nail is shown, however the main subject still appears to fill the frame. Telephoto lens was used to capture this image.

Artificial lighting had to be utilized for these two photos. Strategically placing a desk lamp nearby, shadows were the main focus for this shot, though. For an overall crisp, smoother photo the background should have been wrinkle free. This change would create less distractions. 

For this shot, composition was a priority. Time was taken to consider the positioning of each rock especially for the one to the right with standing support and the rock to the left creating an arch. Although there are several rocks here, there is one I wanted to be the main focus: the middle rock with dried seaweed attached to it. By placing it in the middle and then strategically placing the other rocks around it, this effect was able to be made. 

After a shot or two, the decision to switch the background was made. The colors contrast the silver of the ring and the black and white of the ground. Telephoto lens was used to capture this photo as well. 

Carefully considering the best vantage point, shadows created by artificial lighting were avoided. Capturing the moment was a concept used and depicted in the one stream of syrup-chocolate mixture and the syrup tear forming, preparing to drop. 

Apparent in this last photo, reflective material is a prominent element. The experiment with artificial lighting from the desk lamp is continued here. Cropping was used to capture this section of an original photo. 

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Snapshot Portraits

Although it was the color that attracted the pursuit for this photo, most of it cannot be seen. Reflecting on this piece of information, the composition of this image could have been improved by taking a step back and re-positioning the camera to at least fit her purse in the frame. Another intriguing element that could have been included is the pattern of the bike racks to her left. Portrait mode was used for this photo.

This next photo taken of my mentor was adored until I discovered a different vantage point should have been chosen! If you haven’t noticed already, there is a giant tree in the background lining up with the middle of her head. It is important to keep things like this in mind to avoid such distractions. Portrait mode was not used for this photo.

To capture this photo, some difficulties were experienced as the movement of the train caused my camera to keep readjusting its focus, and my feet their placement. With the combination of the challenge to this assignment (only take one shot) and sudden movements, these were the results I received. The effect created the main subject to become part of the the middle ground while the pole took her place in the foreground. Although its an overall blurry photo, a deeper depth of field is still evident as the three main elements indicate varied distances from my camera. 

For this woman photographed in Walmart’s produce section, color was the main attention grabber. To better incorporate this concept and for the sake of increasing the amount of satisfaction among eyes though, wide-angled lens probably should have been used. Asking her to walk a few steps over where stock was replenished would have also improved this photo making it appear fuller. 

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Composition & Color Closeup - For this assignment, these three photos of thirty-six, pose as examples of the topics to be discussed. Here is what I would like to share with you all about my discoveries and insights: Not only is it important to consider where you stand in relation to your subject, it’s highly advised to also consider the elements in the scene, how you want the photo to be portrayed, how to guide the viewers eye and/or possibly how to add emphasis on the subject. The composition of a photo then, is what some consider a key factor to what makes a good or even great photo. Keeping vantage points in mind along with the surroundings including color, the images above were able to be captured. Especially apparent with the first two photos, I took advantage of how just a fraction of an angle can affect the subject in a photo. The contrast of colors between the rose and the backdrop provides an anticipated emphasis, too. With a single tap of the subject on my camera screen, some emphasis was added through an inconsiderable amount of focus but still enough to notice. 

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Fundamentals of Photography: Lenses & Focal Lenses Episode 3 Summary

In episode three of Fundamentals of Photography Course, there are four types of camera lenses discussed. Joel Sartore, the main feature of the video series, discusses standard, macro, telephoto, and wide angles lenses. A standard lens is usually thirty-five to fifty millimeters. Photographs taken with these lenses are comparable to the human eye and are often used for portraits. In addition, it will have a short focal length. A macro lens will allow the user to capture an extremely detailed image of the subject. Contrary to the standard lens, macro lens will have a long focal length. A useful tip: Use a tripod or mono-pod to help maintain a steady hand for capturing shots or face frustration with blurry photos. Next, the main points about the telephoto lens will be revealed. This type of lens is mainly used to get closer to the subject because of its high level of magnification. With this ability in mind, the background and middle ground are blurred which gives an immense emphasis on the subject. This lens is usually used for capturing wildlife photos. Lastly, wide angle lens captures photos with almost a fish-eye perspective, but they turn out to be... not so curvy. This lens is perfect for photos in which one wants to include more background space. Put this lens to great use when including more area in the photo is desired. It is great to use when in cramped spaces, for interior interests, or even magnificent outdoor wonders. This type of lens has a short focal length. Other important terms given in this episode are as follows: zoom lenses- have more than one lenses allowing the user to explore different proximities of distance, prime lenses- these are fixed which restricts zooming effects and causes the user to get creative, rectilinear lens- does not bend or distort pictures, aperture- refers to the amount of light allowed through the lens depending on the size of the of hole, minimum focus distance- refers to the shortest distance in which a certain lens can focus.