Portraits

For the portraits, we used the set.a.light software to simulate what we envisioned to capture, including the postures of our subject as well as the frame of the picture. With this clear vision, we were better assisted in taking the pictures, as identified through the final product we took (the last three photos).

Architecture Photos

For these photos, we took architectural photos and then transformed them into black and white. This was because black and white photos emphasize the light and shade of each photo, which allowed us to import these photos to Adobe Photoshop to therefore, adjust the lighting of each photo. Above are the final products in which I have adjusted the light and shades.

Contact Sheet

Green Selection

The green selection is where I selected photos from my contact sheet that I favored. They may not all align with my vision, which aims to capture lines and shapes, but they are structured in the way I prefer. This means that they have favorable composition, lighting, and other factors that are unrelated to the alignment of my vision.

Yellow Selection

The yellow selection is where I selected photos from my previous green selection that aligned with my vision. Unlike the previous selection, this selection was not just about the subject, but about how I can present my vision, which is to capture lines and shapes. However, these photos were taken at different times and places, thereby making the set “messy” because of the varying color schemes. Although they all adhere to my vision, they do not look compelling together and should be separated (my next selection!!)

Red Selection

The red selection is where I reinforced my standards, only choosing photos that I believed could portray my vision to the maximum. Also, considering this could be in my presentation, I looked for photos that belonged to similar sets. From my previous yellow selection, these two photos were selected because they had similar presentations of shape and color, in which the symmetrical compositions duplicate shapes. I like these two photographs since although they have “duplicate” the subject differently, they do it in distinct approaches, and both construct compelling shapes.

Nico Goodden

5 Characteristics:

1. Minimalistic

2. Color

3. Space

4. Lines and Shapes

5. Urban

Nico Goodden is an Urban Photographer who focuses on architectural photography and other urban subjects. The eight photos above are some of my favorite photos taken by him. Notably, the set “London Minimal Architecture” is a series of photos (6 of my 8 photographs are chosen from this set) that have minimal composition, consisting of only the architecture and the turquoise sky. This square composition in a slight zoom-in framing creates space, especially with the abnormal yet unique color of the sky. This has also enabled the creation of lines and shapes (constructed through the buildings themselves as well as the framing and composition) which reinforces the minimalistic intent of the photo, provoking the essence of such architectures. Additionally, the other two do not belong in this set, and although they do not necessarily follow the minimalistic premise, they align with Goodden’s photographic style in other ways. The two photographs, one with the red telephone boxes and the other consisting of an individual and their reflection, all have constructed lines and shapes through different shapes. The two photographs are also unique in their own way, one emphasizing color usage while the other illustrating different reflections.

Why did you choose this image in particular?

This photo belongs to Nico Goodden’s “London Minimal Architecture” set, where all the photographs taken are of urban architectures and minimalistic compositions. I have chosen this image in particular because I find the use of lines and shapes in the photo particularly compelling. Firstly, the building takes up one-half of the frame, creating an almost symmetrical balance between the clear green sky and the building. Additionally, the building itself has constructed a clear color difference through the illumination of light and shading, which creates shapes that add to the dynamics of the photo. In my opinion, I enjoy this style because although it is minimalistic in composition, it does not fail to bring tone to the overall image through the use of unique lines and shapes created through natural elements such as light and shadows.

The style of Nico Goodden’s photographs and the characteristics portrayed have inspired me. For this set, I want my vision to continue with my last set, which aims to illustrate the essence of modern builds through minimalistic compositions. In my new set, I would like to focus more on old buildings. Although they also will have minimal compositions, I would like to focus more on capturing lines and shapes (maybe explore a frame within a frame if the opportunity arises).

Contact Sheet

Green Selection

The green selection is where I selected photos from all the photographs I took that I liked. Although they did not have to align with my vision, which aims to provoke the feeling of stillness that is constructed through capturing the essence of structures, these photos are structured the way I would prefer them. Specifically, they have favorable composition, and lighting, and do not have any other errors such as blurriness (from errors in focusing) or over-exposure.

Yellow Selection

The yellow Selection is where I used photos from my previous selection to pick ones that aligned with my vision. This selection was not just about the subject, but about how I can present my vision, which is to evoke stillness through capturing the details of structures or through minimalistic compositions. However, these photos were taken at different times, places, or even cities, thereby making the set “messy” because of the varying color schemes. Although they all adhere to my vision, they do not look compelling together, and thereby, should be separated (my next selection!!)

Red Selection

The red selection is where I reinforced my standards, only choosing photos that I believed could portray my vision to the maximum. Also, considering this could be in my presentation, I looked for photos that belonged to similar sets. From my previous yellow selection, these two photos because they had similar color schemes of dark/grey colors. I like these two photographs because they both construct a still atmosphere that is implied through the zoom-in shot frame and the details, capturing the essence of structures.

Sebastian Weiss

Sebastian Weiss is a German Photographer that mainly works with abstract creations in monolithic architectural spaces. His experiences have vastly influenced his style in photography. Specifically, he studied at the Technical University in Dresden during the 1990s. He majored in civil engineering, allowing him to build close connections to different architectures. During his time, this deep contact inspired him to capture the creative viewpoints of a building; therefore, as much as he had a deep passion for the construction of structures, he shifted his focus to more of the building’s essence. I have chosen this photographer to focus on in-depth in as his photographs align closely with my vision, which strives to provoke stillness through the techniques of minimalistic compositions and minimal subjects, capturing the essence of architecture.

Five Characteristics:

-Modern

-Minimalistic

-Essence

-Shapes/patterns

-Symmetry

Above are the five characteristics that commonly appear in the works of Sebastian Weiss. His photographs have minimalistic subjects, consisting of only the modern structure and the clear blue sky. To achieve this type of composition, he zooms in on the scenery, thereby capturing only a particular section of the building rather than the whole building. His works, however, are not always of simple-pattern architectures, but can also include complex ones, demonstrating the shapes created through the almost symmetrical view.

One photo I find particularly compelling is:

I have chosen this photo as I am drawn to the shapes created by the structure. The building itself is irregularly shaped; it is a modern building where rectangle-shaped concrete elements construct a pattern of geometric forms and lines. The protruded concrete creates shadows that form a sharp color contrast between the dark shadows and the light concrete wall. This use of shapes, one of the Formal Elements, is especially important in this photograph. It not only creates a color contrast but the rectangular figures create an irregular pattern, emphasizing the texture and form of such a building. Personally, I enjoy this style. Its austere appearance reinforces the form and structure, emphasizing the essence of the structure. Ultimately, this style is structured in a in which I will aim to adapt to my own photography set. The photos above inspire me as it effectively incorporate the concept of structures in modern architecture. In my photos, I also hope to showcase the essence of structures through the use of minimal composition and a variety of shapes, which are aligned with Sebastian Weiss’ photography.

1. What is your biggest take away from 6th grade science? My biggest takeaway is probably that I now have an interest in science because coming to 6th grade, science was my least favorite thing to learn
2. What would you like to work on for next year in science? I’m not really sure because science isn’t really what I’m best at so i don’t really know a lot about it.

During the project, Our Stories Makes History, we made and wrote things that we were going through while being stuck at home during COVID 19 times. We not just learned about the world right now but also learned how to find a reliable source and how to tell if one source is reliable or not reliable to use. On the PowerPoint, I put in multiple small projects including the picture collage, the timeline, the 6-word memoirs, three journal entries and more. I put each small project in chronicle order(from the time I first got here in Macau to all the way now) so then it would make the ppt look easier to understand because sometimes I look at a PowerPoint and even though the text was perfectly clear, it was in a very messy order which made me confused so I don’t want the same thing to happen on my PowerPoint. This primary source may be useful to others because having one more journal entry about our own experiences during COVID 19 means learning a bit more about what happened during this period of time and the feelings and things they did during this time. The thing that I’m most proud of is the 6 Word Memoirs​ because even though it only has six words to it, I used a lot of my time and effort to make it the way I liked it and also until I was satisfied with my own work. One challenge for me was writing the daily journals because even though you can basically write nothing you want that was related with your day, I still found it very frustrating since somedays I just didn’t feel like writing but I was basically made to write something that I didn’t want to do. That kind of causes that days journal entries to be low quality since I didn’t really try my best.