The photographs from the color journal are located in Gallery 10. I am still working on the scanned pages from the journal, but hopefully they will be ready soon! Take a look at Gallery 09. These images are a portion of my current project temporarily titled “Reflections.” Please leave comments as I am still formulating my idea, and constructive criticism and critique are welcomed and appreciated.
New Post coming soon…. “Giving merit when deserved”.
Thanks and continue to visit often!
I will soon be scanning a few pages from my journal project “Color Interpretation and Perception.” And also keep your eyes open for a new gallery that will include some of my favorite photographs from that body of work.
Thanks for reading!
I will post a new gallery of the Great Reno Balloon Races of 2009 sometime this week. When it is up let me know what you think! Thanks for stopping by!
There are many different elements of photography, or art in general, that can be used to create a more successful image. The more of these elements you use in a single image, the more appealing your photographic work will be.
Listed below are some “Keys to Composition” that I have recently been introduced to during a photography lecture at the University of Nevada, Reno given by Peter Goin. Although some of these keys initially seemed obvious, others I had to consider for a bit longer. The photographic keys to composition include:
Do I really use all of these elements? After reviewing my own projects, I found that I could definitely add more of these keys to my portfolio. So, in addition to the Color Theory project I am almost finished with, I have set out to photograph a variety of subjects using these keys. As I do this I will post them for you to see my progress. Happy Photographing!
As a photographer who began their journey in analog printing, I have always been drawn to black and white photography. Something about the deep shadows, bright highlights, measures of contrast, and almost romantic emotion the photographs portray always captivate me.
As I stated in my previous blog I had to think of a new project for my final photography course. Even though I am still keeping that a secret (for now) I will let you in on my current journal project.
I have decided to explore color. I have always wanted to challenge myself and experiment while I have the chance (and a professional’s guidance). Now as you can see from the galleries on my blog, I have worked with color photography before, however I want to dedicate an entire project to the world of color. I will be searching for items in the natural and man-made worlds to examine the color choices of people in their homes, work, etc., and then contrast that with the natural colors of our environment. This whole project will be done in a journal format, with text, photographs, and illustrations. Once completed, I will scan pages of the journal so you can take a look at what I have discovered.
While researching the theories of color, I have found two great books that I recommend for anyone interested on the topic. First, Contemporary Color Theory & Use by Steven Bleicher explores a variety of diverse aspects of color. He discusses color perception, color theory, color psychology, color harmonies, digital color, color and the fine arts, and color and design. Although it is similar to a textbook format, he discusses a variety of different characteristics that I am including in my project, and it is also interesting!
The next book is called Colors: Architecture in Detail written by James McCown, with photographs by Paul Warchol. This book has some fantastic architectural photography, while at the same time examining the choices people make when designing a room, restaurant, home, or office building. The main colors with examples in this book are white, black, red, blue, yellow, brown, gray, green, and even polychrome. After flipping through this book, I began to notice the architecture around me, and how the design elements discussed in this book seem to be exactly the same. It is a great read for someone interested in architecture and/or photography.
So wish me luck on my color journey! I can’t wait to get started! :)
Ah… the start of another fall semester! This means that I must write my proposal for my Problems in Photography course. What will my project be? I found myself sitting at the computer staring at a blank Word document. I couldn’t come up with anything! This is pretty unusual for me because a new idea for another photography project is usually always on my mind. However, I was just… stuck.
I needed inspiration… and I found it! I want to share with you what helped me, so that if you ever find yourself out of ideas, my tips might help you find your way.
The first thing I did was head straight to the library. I spent almost 3 hours sitting on the floor of the art/photography section going through book after book. I looked at everything; self- help photography manuals, artist portfolios, color theory, and the psychology of the media and the image. I looked at many different types of photography, especially subjects that I have never really experimented with.
One book that I found extremely helpful was Lee Frost’s “50 Photo Projects: Ideas to Kick- Start your Photography.” He touched on some of the simplest elements of photography such as color, photo montage, repetition, and even differential focus. But this book was very influential. It seemed to give me the basic information I needed to create a new project out of the fundamental elements of photography.
Another great tip that I want to share that helped me get out of my rut was to keep an idea journal. In this journal I have included inspirational quotes, magazine or other publication photographs, and any ideas for new projects that come to my head. I have been able to refer back to this when I need a little push, and I plan to continue adding information to it as my ideas continue to flow.
Hopefully these things will get your photography out of a rut if you ever find yourself at a creative stand- still. So, what is the new project that arose out of my research? You will just have to wait and see. :)
I’m very sorry for not posting anything the last two weeks. I was out of town for one and then had my first week of school (last fall semester at UNR!!!) so I have been super busy. I promise from here on out I will be posting information about every other day or so. Thanks for the support!
For this blog, I would like to take the time to discuss one of my favorite photographers, Lee Friedlander. His work and accomplishments in the photographic world has inspired me in a multitude of ways. I think he is a photographer that you should make yourself familiar with. His work and even his biography is a great reference that may help you expand your own personal career in photography.
Lee Friedlander’s work has ventured into many fields of photography, including documentary, portraiture, self- portraiture, landscape, the nude, and photojournalism. He prefers to work in a series format that covers a variety of themes. Some of these themes include street images, flowers, trees, gardens, landscapes, nudes, social environments, portraits of musicians, his family, and people on the street, as well as self- portraits. Through his work, Friedlander has demonstrated to the public his ability of seeing and appreciating the relationship between both his subject with the environment. He gives personality to landscapes and street images, and brings out the true character in his human subjects. Throughout his life, Friedlander has received numerous awards, published more than fifteen books, and has had more than seventy individual exhibitions. Friedlander is a genuine example of a photographer that has successfully completed many different photographic endeavors, and has accomplished many goals to enhance the medium of photography.
Lee Friedlander
New York
1963
© Lee Friedlander
A great aspect of photography, or any art form for that matter, is that you can create a multitude of projects on a variety of themes or topics. Another tool that I use when I am considering a new project is The Seven Layers of Meaning. This, like The 10 Points of Critical Analysis, is something that I learned from one of my photography professors, Peter Goin.
Scientific
Vernacular
Simulacra
Documentary
Abstract
Conceptual
Transcendent
If you take a look at my work in the galleries I have provided, you can see that I like to focus on the abstract category. I have always been intrigued by the simplicity of shape and form. I enjoy creating an image where an everyday object is transformed into something almost entirely different through the collaboration of my own creativity and my camera.
When creating your own photographic work, or looking at photographs, consider the Seven Layers of Meaning. It may help you develop your niche, or your own style that others can find in your work alone.
After my last post, I was trying to consider what I should write about. So I think the best way to understand my last post on the 10 Points of Critical Analysis is to look at work and practice. I have comprised a list below that includes some of my favorite photographers and bodies of work that I think are a great example for you to use to practice your analysis.
Great photographer’s will consider the 10 Points of Critical Analysis when photographing, and you will be able to see many or almost all of the 10 points in their work. After reading Alex Concilus’s Blog I found a quote that I think applies to my post. “These days, anybody who can afford a nice camera can shoot a really nice picture. It just doesn’t take very much to do. Especially with the focus of these new cameras being on user ability and ease of use. Somebody with absolutely no background in photography can take shots that look almost as good as if done by a professional. There are however ways to distinguish yourself from the rest.” I do agree with this comment, however, you will be able to pick out the photographer’s who are truly knowledgeable about photography when you take into consideration the 10 Points of Critical Analysis.
So here is my list of some of my favorite photographers and their specific bodies of work. Try looking at them and see how many of the points from my previous post you can find.
“Recycled Realities” – John Willis and Tom Young
“The Architecture of Authority”- Richard Ross
“The Little Screens”- Lee Friedlander
“Summer Nights”- Robert Adams
Barbara Kruger- (I am not sure of the title of the work- It might be “Remote Control”- Anyway it is her collage images with text in black/white/ reds)
“The Fish Tank Sonata” – Arthur Tress
