Contact sheet: Contact sheet

Yellow:

The yellow-rated photos are those that require some editing. The focus or exposure may need adjusting, and some of the photos may be cut off from the frame, making it difficult to crop the pictures.

Green:

The green-rated photos are above average and have good exposure and focus. However, during the editing process, it may be difficult to crop them so they match well with other photos.

Red:

The red-rated photos are the best ones, as they are easy to crop and blend well with other elements.

Caption： what’s in my pouch

Final:

Blurb: “What’s in My Pouch” is a captivating photograph that reveals a unique and personal glimpse into the identity. This stunning collage of makeup tools is an intimate reflection of their individuality and sense of self. From the careful arrangement of brushes to the playful arrangement of lipsticks and eyeliners, every detail has been chosen with purpose and intention. The photo skillfully captured the identity through the creative and visually striking piece, inviting the viewer to take a closer look and discover the beauty within. “What’s in My Pouch” is a beautiful representation of the diversity and complexity of identity and a powerful reminder that every individual has a story to tell.

1. What is Portraiture

Portrait photography is a genre of photography where the main focus is on capturing the likeness and personality of an individual or group of people. The photographer’s goal is to create a visual representation of the subject that conveys their unique qualities and character. Portrait photography involves using photographic techniques such as lighting, posing, and composition to capture the identity, personality, and essence of the subject. Different types of portrait photography exist, which depend on the subject and the style used.

2. Finding Focus

The use of animal-based raw materials in the production of makeup tools is a prevalent social issue. For instance, some makeup brushes and applicators are made from animal hair or fur. However, as more people adopt vegan lifestyles, there is a growing movement to discourage the use of such products and promote the use of organic and natural cosmetics. So While I’m taking this identity portraits picture I would take pictures of organic cosmetics.

Link to Mind Map: Mind Map

4.  Image Inspiration

Connect Identity Portraits

5. Statement of intent

The title of this project is Organic, My project promotes the use of organic makeup tools to replace animal-based materials. I will use collages to create a powerful visual message, encouraging ethical and sustainable choices.

Street photography strives to capture commonplace activities in public spaces, especially in metropolitan settings. Typically, candid photography is used, which produces more realistic and impactful pictures because the subject is unaware that they are being photographed. Its themes are typically practical and relevant, highlighting the distinctive facial expressions of “ordinary” people. In historical photographs and photojournalism, the element of surprise when the camera captures a crucial moment is also present.

For my project, my vision is to focus on taking street photography of how old Chinese buildings(architecture) can cooperate with the people who are living in Hutong, and I would like to focus on Chinese daily in Hutong.

In my photography of the Hutongs, I plan to use color-converging lines and framing techniques to capture the exciting patterns and shapes that convey the rich culture of Beijing. I aim to enhance the visual impact and convey a powerful message by including people in the photographs.

MindMap: Street Photography

Henry Callahan

1.Select an Artist

Link to Harry Callahan’s gallery: Harry Callahan

Five characteristics: 

Nature: Harry Callahan’s photographs are mostly landscape. In addition the elements consist the photograph are usually plants and trees, which emphasizes the idea that he mainly focuses on nature.

Lines: In Harry Callahan’s photography, he emphasizes the line by using thin objects such as trees, branches, etc. The lines are all facing different directions, and sometimes the string matches. These lines create order, and these lines are the dominant object in the photo.  

Colors: Harry Callahan’s photos are primarily filtered in black and white, which often have contrast. He noted as much for his color work as for his black and white work. Using this color contrast removes any distraction of color. It helps the viewer focus on other aspects of the photo, such as the subject, the textures, shapes and patterns, and the composition.

Tone: Harry Callahan’s photographs often have a dark tone; however, at the same time, the photographer also highlights the focal point using lights, which successfully creates the contrast between the object and the background.

Focus: In Harry Callahan’s photographs, he likes to highlight one dominant object in front of the camera; he usually uses focus to keep the audience’s attention on the main subject instead of the background.

I chose this photographer for my set 2, since the black-and-white color contrast style of the photograph is similar to the photographer Jakcie Ranken I selected for my first set. Moreover, the two photographer both takes one focal point, and the focused object is usually related to nature. Another reason why I chose this photographer is because her photos are related to my vision, of emphasizing the lines. He captures and present lines in our life.

2. Respond to an image

Photo analysis:<Weed against the sky>

“Weed against the sky” by Harry Callahan is a monochromatic photograph of a lone weed standing tall against a cloudy sky. The photograph features strong vertical and diagonal lines, with the weed’s stem drawing the viewer’s attention upwards and the clouds creating a sense of depth and movement. The black and white color palette creates a range of grays, adding depth and contrast to the image. The moody tone of the photograph is created by the gray background and monochromatic palette. The shallow depth of field creates a sense of isolation around the subject, highlighting its importance, and the strong use of negative space adds balance and interest to the composition.

3. Contact sheet: 

contact sheet; set 2

Yellow:  I chose yellow category, by filtering out all the photographs that doesn’t fit my vision, the photos that are out of focus, some photographs had other elements, so it was hard to identify the dominant object. In addition if the photo included backgrounds it was not attractive after I filtered black-and-white, so, the photos became the selection of yellow.

Green: For my Green selection, I chose the pictures that shows the focal point, the details clearly and show contrast in light and shadows, which makes the photograph much better after filtering it black-and-white. Moreover I also selected the photos that fits my vision of nature,

Red: For my Red selection,

4. Vision: 

After conducting thorough research on the subject matter, I have refined and expanded upon my original vision for the photography project. While my initial goal was to raise awareness about the detrimental effects of environmental pollution and promote action towards reducing it, I have now incorporated the idea of highlighting the beauty of simplicity and order in our daily lives. To achieve this, I plan to join the straight lines of each branch I capture in my photographs to showcase how the concept of lines is prevalent in our daily lives. By juxtaposing the natural beauty of the branches with the man-made concept of lines, I hope to emphasize the importance of finding balance and harmony between nature and technology. Through my photography, I aim to create a visual narrative that not only educates and raises awareness about environmental issues, but also inspires viewers to appreciate the simplicity and beauty of the world around them. I believe that by showcasing the intricacies of nature and the orderliness of our built environment, I can help instill a sense of responsibility towards preserving our planet for future generations.

Jackie Ranken

1. Select an Artist

Link to Jackie Ranken’s gallery: Jackie Ranken

Five characteristics: 

Black and White: The majority of the creation has a color contrast of black and white of her photo has color contrast. Using this color contrast removes any distractions from color. It helps the viewer focus on other aspects of the image, such as the subject, the textures, shapes and patterns, and the composition.

Nature: The majority of her photographs are landscapes. Also, the focus elements are primarily plants and trees, highlighting that she mainly focuses on nature.

Lines: In Jackie Ranken’s photograph, she emphasizes the line by using thin objects such as trees, branches, etc. The lines are all facing different directions, and sometimes the string matches. These lines create order, and these lines are the dominant object in the photo. 

Tone: Jackie Ranken’s photographs mostly have a dark tone; she uses color contrast of white and black to emphasize the focal point. However, she uses lights to highlight the focal point, colors the background dark, and uses light to highlight the focal point, successfully creating the contrast between the object and the background.

Focus:  In Jackie Ranke’s photographs; she likes to highlight one dominant object in front of the camera; he usually uses focus to keep the audience’s attention on the main subject instead of the background. 

I selected Jackie Ranken as my first set since she uses black-and-white color contrast throughout her photos. In addition, she uses nature as a dominant element, which relates to my vision of saving nature.

2. Respond to an Image:

Photo analysis: <SHEEP>

I selected this photo to analyze since it demonstrates Jackie Ranken’s signature characteristics. She utilizes the shadow of the trees and sheep to create a pattern. For example, in this particular photo, the tree and the shadow form a straight line, and the sheep form a dotted shape. The object and its shadow create an illusion that if the viewer doesn’t concentrate on the photo, they will never guess what the thing is. In addition, the photographer Jackie Ranken uses her other signature characteristic: taking nature photos in black and white filters and making aerial photo imagery. The tone of the picture adds more and conveys the audience naturally emotively. Jackie Ranken strips away the color from her image, and as a result, it automatically has a more timeless and nostalgic feeling and can transport you back in time to days long ago. Jackie Ranken’s abstract is always related to nature and landscape, primarily in black and white. I want to try to create a photo-taking landscape and wildlife, using visual techniques such as shadows and black-and-white filters.

3. Contact Sheet:

Link to contact sheet: contact sheet

Yellow: The photographs I selected for the Yellow categories are those that are out of focus of the picture frame and include unwanted objects. Moreover, the pictures didn’t have the effect I wanted or didn’t fit my vision. These photos are all categorized as yellow.
Green: Among the pictures I took, I selected the photo which had better quality and had iconic moments and compelling composition, light, color, and subjects. Also, I chose images that show the focal point, such as trees, branches, and leaves.
Red: I selected these pictures from the green set of photos, it was chosen because it best fits my vision, and the branches were well shown in the pictures. Moreover, these photos reflect the inspiration from My selected photographer, Jackie Ranken. It shows the best relationship between light, shadow, line, and element.

I selected these two photos for red. I was particularly drawn to these images since they captured exciting lines and objects, emphasizing the majesty of the tree and the branches. I also liked how the colors and tones I used in lighting and techniques complement each other perfectly, making this photograph successful. Moreover, I did well in capturing the landscape in the style of a portrait, and it drew attention. I didn’t ideally choose the photos for my triptych. I want to work on research on Harry Callahan.

Link to my mind map: MIND MAP

Title: Time Limit

The title of my triptych will be “Time Limit”, The message of my triptych I want to deliver to the audience is that time is limited, it is relatively shorter than what people think, and by linking this to the global issue of pollution, I want to tell the audience to be aware that the environment could be destroyed suddenly, so we have to protect it earlier. Also, I like the audience to first view my photo and catch the message of being aware that pollution is a severe problem, and they could protect it before it worsens. For inspiration, I will try to find a photographer who utilizes color contrast to show the time change and a person who loves and has an interest in taking nature photos. Furthermore, I will express this message in my images, which will be the abstract landscape and some objects (lines, shapes). In addition, my photos will have all different colors to show the slip along. In my opinion, we have to protect the environment before it is too late.

– line, texture, and shape are best represented in this photo

– shape, focus, and line are the best represented in this photo

– the texture is the best element represented in this photo

– shape, patterns, and lines are the best represented in this photo

– pattern and lines are most represented in this photo

– shape, focus. and tone are most represented in this photo

– shape and line are most represented in this photo

– shape and pattern are the elements most represented in this photo

– shape, pattern, and lines are the most represented element in this photo.

– line and shape are the most represented in this photo.

– line and shape are the most represented elements in this photo.

– line and texture are the elements most represented in this photo.

The ones that have line worked the best which is number 1. It was relatively easy to compare to others, since it was easy to find and see in our life, since every object in out life is constructed in lines, and shape. However, in my opinion number 3 didn’t work well, since the texture wasn’t well represented in this picture, if i had more time I would take a photo which well expresses the texture.

1.  ELEMENTS 

Formal element: It is the visual features that, when applied in composition, have the potential to transform simple subjects into great shots.

6 Elements: line, shape, pattern, texture, tone, focus:

Line: everything that stretches between two points

Shape: the two-dimensional appearance of objects

Pattern: a regularity within a scene

Texture: the visual depiction of variations in the color, shape, and depth of an object’s surface

Tone: the level of brightness in the photograph, from solid black to pure white

Focus: a combination of lens aperture and light.

Photography cannot show only one formal element at a time because if we look at the pictures above, even the author wanted to emphasize lines, but it still has focus and tone. One photograph has several formal elements combined.

2. Paul Strand 

The Photographer emphasized lines, shapes, and texture. If I was the photographer I would title this photo “question mark?”  because it is really hard to find the purpose and context of the photo, it seems meaningless. I think it is unusual from other photos because the author utilizes shadows to make patterns. Which is very unique and interesting. The Line of the shadow is straight, however, the line of the object is round. The patterns created by the shadow are square-shaped. The texture of the thing is smooth, and the tone is not that dark but not that bright. In my opinion, the photo doesn’t have a specific focus.

The definition of Abstract Photography is a type of image conceived or imagined outside of reality.

Some Examples of Abstract Photography:

All images by Albert Renger-Patzch

All images by Aaron Siskind

Pictorialism Photography Movement: The pictorialist movement was an active movement that thrived between 1885 and 1915, with centers in England, Frace, and the U.S. Pictorialism is an approach to photography that emphasizes the beauty of subject matter, tonality, and composition rather than the documentation of reality. The promoter used a range of darkroom techniques to produce the images that allowed them to express their creativity, utilizing it to tell stories, replicate mythological or biblical scenes, and produce dream-like landscapes.

Example of Pictorialism Photography:

Straight Photography Movement: Straight photography movement is the term that generally refers to photographs that are not manipulated, either in the taking of the image or by darkroom or digital processes, while depicting a scene or subject in sharp focus and detail. Straight photography emphasizes and engages with the camera’s technical capability to produce images that are sharp in focus and rich in detail. Straight Photography was popular with the photographers.

Example of Straight photography:

Aaron Siskind :

Aaron Siskind (December 4, 1903 – February 8, 1991) was an American photographer whose work focuses on the details of things, presented as flat surfaces to create a new image independent of the original subject. He was the first photographer to combine straight-line Photography with abstraction

Andreas Gursky

Andreas Gursky is a German photographer. Andreas Gursky is considered an abstract photographer since he utilizes digital technology, which has led to an even greater emphasis on the conceptual elements of his work. Gursky maximizes the visual weight of patterns, colors, lines, and repetitive groupings of forms.

Uta Barth abstract: Uta Barth is a German-American photographer. Her work has focused on the act of looking, inverting the traditional figure and ground relationship to concentrate instead on images at the periphery. She is considered an abstract photographer since her photographs explore the nature of vision and the difference between how a human sees reality and how a camera records it.