Value photography project pt 1

- Consider our focus on the Element of Value:  How did your practice capturing black and white photographs through our various daily practice routine afford you a deeper understanding of the power of light in art?

Through our daily practice, I feel that I was able to more fully appreciate value and light mostly by experimenting with the lighting environments. I feel that I was able to utilize a white or black background to more fully draw attention to the object. Also, I learned how to use focusing to blur and focus the light in my image. Also, after much experimentation, I was able to more fully utilize direct sunlight and reflected light to increase interesting facets of my photos. 

-  Recall specific moments where you found or saw something that inspired your work in this project.

My photo that I took of the Santa for the drawing unit compelled me to more fully explore this object. In addition, after seeing the interesting texture of the mallet, I made sure to highlight this in my representation of the image. 

-  How much did you expand your ability to observe “value” in your work?

I feel that through utilizing greyscale and contrast, I was able to make my photos more interesting. I experimented with different backgrounds as well as subject matters to play with tees to ideas and more fully develop my understanding. 

- Consider the habit “engage and persist”:  What did you learn technically (both in shooting and editing your photographs) through your engagement in the process of experimentation, analysis, and persistence?

Through this project, I learned that many photos, even if set up meticulously, will not always work. Because of this, I realized that I must take many photos, and edit as much of them as I can, then, with fresh eyes, come back and choose my favorites. 

- What, specifically,  did you “learn” through the process of this project?

In addition to developing my habits of mind, I learned to take more compelling photos using greyscale, contrast, rule of thirds, fibonacci, etc. I learned when to utilize these tools and learned when and when not to use them to more fully complete my photos. 

-Consider our work with composition during this unit.  Were you able to recall the earlier experiences you had experimenting with composition and apply that to your work on this project?  Do you feel like you have a better understanding of how to manipulate and utilize the aspects of composition in your art?

Yes. Using things I learned from the paper cut out project I was able to improve my photos. From that project, I learned compositional styles, for example center of interest, rhythm and repetition. I feel that now that I have new additional tools at my disposal, the interesting qualities of my photos can increase. 

-To what degree do you agree or disagree with the class feedback you received in choosing your “best” image?  What new insights about your imagery did the class discussion about your work provide for you?

I really agreed with the class's feedback for my photos. Many people thought the Santa was very interesting and unexpected. This was good feedback for me because I have come to know the Santa object very well. A set of fresh eyes was useful feedback for me because it showed me how we can become inclined towards photos we have worked on for a long time. The comments I got on the other two photos were helpful, but only reinforced ideas which I already had.