andrew-ars281-fall-2024

[andrew-ars281-fall-2024]

Project Title: Struggle

With my project I wanted to highlight the struggles of dealing with mental health issues. I aimed to highlight the cyclical nature of the struggle from the moment we wake up to the end of the day. The first picture displays moments after waking, with the intentional mess that the individual cannot bring themselves to organize. The second and third picture represents the inner thoughts, of loneliness, struggle, and fragility that one feels. The mask in the fourth and fifth picture represents how we are able to cover our issues and try to appear functional in front of others, yet when we get back to just being on our own the mask comes off and we are left again with our raw emotions. Through this project I hope that we can all gain a better understanding of depression and mental health issues in supporting loved ones who may encounter these issues.

Image 1: ISO 200, f/3.5, 1/8 sec

Image 2: ISO 800, f/5.3, 1/100 sec

Image 3: ISO 200, f/4, 3 sec

Image 4: ISO 200, f/3.5, 1/25 sec

Image 5: ISO 400, f/3.5, 1/8 sec

Image 6: ISO 200, f/3.5, 1/8 sec

[andrew-ars281-fall-2024]

Writing Prompt: Empty Classroom

The image with the classroom and empty chairs brings a unique sense of isolation and abandonment. The lack of students or people in an environment where there should be plenty is the primary contributor to this. On top of that, the tilted chair and sense of messiness makes it feel like the place has been abandoned for some time. At the same time, the bright light makes it feel as if the area should have people around, yet despite that, it has been abandoned. Even the small details included in the picture: such as the water bottle and the open door seems to suggest that the area seemed to have recently been occupied, but for some unknown has been completely abandoned. I think this also sparks an intrigue into the picture, drawing the observer in at wondering how or why that area has been abandoned. Overall I believe the photographer did a great job of paying attention to details in composing a image that strikes at our emotions.

[andrew-ars281-fall-2024]

Project Title: Struggle

I would like to observe the struggles in the daily life of a person suffering from mental health issues such as depression. I want to focus on a multifaceted approach, revealing the internal struggle one faces alone and the mask that one puts on despite the struggle in front of others. I plan to use shadow in representing the internal struggles and light in representing how an individual may act when they are in the spotlight in front of other people. I hope that my project will allow others to better understand the struggles that those facing mental health issues may face through a easily understandable visual representation. I hope to have 6-8 photos, of which 3-4 photos are in an isolated environment focusing primarily on shadows and another 3-4 photos are in a social environment focused on light. I plan on using my camera and photoshop.

References: https://www.christianhopkinsphotography.com/personal https://www.edwardhonaker.com/booktwo

[andrew-ars281-fall-2024]

Inspiration: Pairs

My influence project was based on the wildlife photographer Paul Nicklen's work, especially on his series named "Antarctica." In photographing both the nature and landscape of Antarctica, I noticed a common theme of pairs and symmetry. I felt like this brought a sense of delight to his photos, while the few images that lacked pairing and symmetry brought a sense of loneliness. In conducting my influence project, I hoped to utilize pairing and symmetry to capture the sense of companionship.

Photo 1: f/3.5, 1/100 sec, ISO 800

Photo 2: f/4, 1/80 sec, ISO 100

Photo 3: f/4.4, 1/250 sec, ISO 3200

Photo 4: f/5.6, 1/500 sec, ISO 800

Photo 5: f/4, 1/13 sec, ISO 400

Photo 6: f/4.4, 1/80 sec, ISO 400

[andrew-ars281-fall-2024]

My work was inspired by my love of birds, and I thought I would try to harness my personal emotions in creating a symbolic story by relating bird photography to my experience in college.

The first three images are of birds on their own, representing how I felt entering college on my own. The brightness, especially in the first two pictures feels like a new beginning. The third picture of the duck dabbling feels silly and goofy, a bit like the struggles and challenges we may initially encounter during the transition to college.

The next three pictures are of birds in a group, symbolizing the friends and connections I have made over the last few years. The sixth picture is where the sunset is visible, symbolizing that the day, or college, is ending. This is where I'm at right now, as I am graduating at the end of the semester. The flock of birds, representing the friends I have made during college are having its last flight of the day.

The final picture is symbolic of college having ended. With the sun almost fully set, the image carries a sense of loneliness, the bird no longer in a larger flock.

Yet at the same time, the sun will rise again, and the cycle will repeat again, and likewise I am excited what the next morning (or future after college) will bring.

Image 1: ISO 400, F-Stop f/4, Exposure Time 1/800 sec Image 2: ISO 200, F-Stop f/9, Exposure Time 1/100 sec Image 3: ISO 400, F-Stop f/9, Exposure Time 1/320 sec Image 4: ISO 800, F-Stop f/4, Exposure Time 1/125 sec Image 5: ISO 400, F-Stop f/4.4, Exposure Time 1/400 sec Image 6: ISO 200, F-Stop f/9, Exposure Time 1/500 sec Image 7: ISO 200, F-Stop f/10, Exposure Time 1/500 sec

[andrew-ars281-fall-2024]

ISO 400, f/4, 5 sec

ISO 200, f/5.6, 6 sec

ISO 100, f/4, 10 sec

ISO 800, f/4, 8 sec

ISO 400, f/9, 5/2 sec

ISO 100, f/8, 10 sec

ISO 100, f/8, 10 sec

ISO 400, f/4, 5 sec

[andrew-ars281-fall-2024]

ISO Images

f/10, 1/100 sec, ISO 100

f/10, 1/400 sec, ISO 400

f/10, 1/50 sec, ISO 100

f/10, 1/800 sec, ISO 800

[andrew-ars281-fall-2024]

Week 3 Photos

High Depth of View: f/9, 1/50 sec, ISO 800

Low Depth of View: f/4, 1/200 sec, ISO 800

High Shutter Speed: f/10, 1/160 sec, ISO 100

Low Shutter Speed: f/4.4, 4/5 sec, ISO 100

[andrew-ars281-fall-2024]

ISO 3200, Exposure Time: 1/1600 sec, F-Stop f/4

ISO 100, Exposure Time: 1/20 sec, F-Stop f/4

ISO 400, Exposure Time: 30 sec, F-Stop f/8

ISO 800, Exposure Time: 15 sec, F-Stop f/8

ISO 200, Exposure Time: 13 sec, F-Stop f/8

ISO 200, Exposure Time: 8/5 sec, F-Stop f/3.5

[andrew-ars281-fall-2024]

I chose Rachel Bigsby since I love the idea of wildlife photography, especially of birds. Her work stands out to me, highlighting the beauty of wildlife. The first image I linked shows two loons which I took as looking at each other in a loving exchange. I think the photo was well done, especially editing the fade of the image from the head of the loons.

The second image depicts a tern, which I think are really cool birds. I like the contrast between the colors and the symmetry of the photograph. I could only imagine how difficult it must have been to obtain these shots when photographing birds constantly moving around.