Thanksgiving

Baraka

When I first heard that this movie would be silent I was baffled; thinking to myself "how are we supposed to know what this movie is about if there aren't any words?" After watching about the first five minutes I started to understand. I also started to become enthralled by the scenes being played before me. I especially enjoyed viewing the tribal chant and the traffic scenes that were played with an accompanying beat. One scene that I wasn't particularly fond of was the baby chick factory. I tried not watching so I am not completely sure of what exactly happened there.

After watching the majority of the film, missing about the last ten minutes, I feel that it was a documentary of the different cultures of the world. Showcasing the life different people lead and how different cultures lead out their lives. Certain scenes were powerful, like the chanting scene, which left goosebumps on my skin. Others were disturbing, while others scenes were simply nice to take in for the beauty they offered.

I enjoyed seeing the lives of many different cultures and I am happy that the director decided to include such a vast array of cultures. I noticed during the film that the rule of thirds and space was used frequently. However, after awhile I stopped trying to look for photography principles as I became more and more enthraled with the what I was watching. Overall, I enjoyed the movie immensely and wished I would have gotten to see the ending; however, I couldn't stay the extra time after class.

Crepe Sale & Club Officer Meeting

Notes p. 114-125

Environmental Portrait

An environmental portrait tells a person's story with the use of the surroundings in a photo.
Picture taken from here



Self-Portrait

In a self-portrait you become you own subject. This is a chance for a person to reveal as much or as little of themselves as they choose. It can relate to your life, or who you are as a person. You also choose the setting. In its essence it is about yourself.
Picture taken from here



Lighting for Formal Portraits

Outdoor Lighting
When working outdoors direct sunlight can be harsh; therefore, not making it the most suitable source of lighting in pictures. Shooting in open shade, such as shadows from builings or trees can help filter the light and make the subject more comfortable.
Photo taken from here

Shadow Photography

One Shot

We were given an assignment to upload a photo from our camera's without looking through all of them on our computers first. I took this shot while I was walking down one of the many paths at our school. The leaf caught my eye and I liked how the color contrasted against the gray-green walk way.

Notes on Photography Video

Photos have become fundamental to how we view ourselves and also an era.

• They can force people to take action
• They can also save lives.

The Brownie

• Very popular and sold a quarter of a million cameras in its first year in the market.
• was a popular camera choice for 80 yearas
• Good for the working class citizens who could afford to purchase these cameras.
• changed the nature of portraiture
• became more casual and captured a people's lives outside of a studio.

Postcards

• People were able to transfer their photos onto postcards free of charge
• Newspapers later on were able to use the pictures off of the postcards to present a visual to go along with the news.
• National Geographic used pictures in the magazine to go from a dying label to extremely popular
• They pioneered the use of printing color photos.

Edward Curtis

• made a documentary of Native Americans
• picutures were used to glamourize the Native Americans
• not showing them in their natural state
• carried a bag of props with him to dress up the people if they did not have the appearance he was aiming for.

Basic photography became to easy and it eventually blurred the line of amateur and professional; to the point were people would not consider photography an art.

• Steiglitz wanted photos to  be recognized as an art
• he started to manipulate photos in the darkroom to look like paintings

Lewis Hine

• educated the public about social issue in the U.S (child labor) through his photography.
• There is a power in photos  that when viewed can hit a person straight in the heart, making them want to take action against whatever injustice they are bearing witness to.

Paul Strand

• 1915 showed his photos to Stieglitz who then said Strand had created a new type of modern photography, named straight photography.
• took very abstract pictures.

Straight Photography

• take pictures of things the way they are and not manipulate them in the darkroom.
• There is an emphasis on selection and framing of the photo and everything is in sharp focus.

 Camera became an important weapon of war.

• Government used it as propaganda
• Censorship, where only photos were shown that would raise the public's morale for the war.

Daily News

• First newspaper to sell itself based on their photos.