January 20

setting

The photo features a natural scene with a textured log covered in vibrant green leaves. Three small, colorful, stone-like creatures are positioned on the log, each displaying a different color—one is brown, while the others are shades of green and yellow. The lighting creates a soft, warm atmosphere, emphasizing the lush greenery and the unique appearance of the creatures. The overall composition evokes a sense of tranquility and connection to nature. The rough texture of the log contrasts with the smoothness of the stone, creating a dynamic visual pattern that makes the image more interesting.  The leaves develop a pattern of varying shapes and sizes, forming a natural frame around the frogs and enhancing the overall composition. The use of light helps to illuminate the stones, making them stand out against the darker background. This draws the viewer’s attention to the focal points of the image. Tanaka is known for creating whimsical miniature scenes often featuring small figures in everyday settings. The colorful stone in the image evokes a similar sense of playfulness and fantasy.

 

The photo features a charming miniature scene in a lush, green environment. Two small, colorful figures—one red and one purple—are positioned on a bed of vibrant moss and surrounded by various leaves and plants. The statistics appear cartoonish and playful, adding a whimsical touch to the natural setting. In the background, larger leafy plants and textures create depth and layers, while soft lighting enhances the colors and details. The overall composition evokes a sense of enchantment, inviting viewers to imagine a story or adventure in this miniature world. The rich greens of the foliage contrast beautifully with the bright colors of the figures, creating a visually appealing and harmonious scene. Like Tanaka, who creates intricate miniature scenes, this image features small figures amidst a detailed natural setting, emphasizing the charm of tiny worlds.

 

The bright yellow background adds a cheerful and inviting atmosphere, suggesting a playful or educational setting, such as a children’s library or reading corner. The composition is well-organized and colorful, emphasizing the joy of reading and exploration. Soft lighting enhances the warmth of the scene, making it visually appealing and engaging. The arrangement of the books at an angle within the frame adds depth to the image, making it more dynamic. It creates a sense of perspective, leading the viewer’s gaze into the character. The alignment of the books, with their spines facing outward, creates a rhythmic pattern. The titles are arranged to lead the viewer’s eye smoothly across the shelf, making it easy to engage with the photo. The bright colors and organized arrangement evoke a playful atmosphere similar to Tanaka’s whimsical dioramas, which often blend fantasy and reality through vibrant settings.

 

We can see from the photo the background of the image is bright red. The board on the bookshelf looks like a skate park facility. The piglet is playing skateboard on the board. The empty areas around the miniature figure and the shelf help draw attention to the figure itself. The figure might feel lost or cluttered without the surrounding space, but the negative space enhances its prominence. The angled shelf creates diagonal lines that add dynamism to the composition, guiding the viewer’s eye toward the figure and suggesting movement. Tanaka is renowned for creating whimsical dioramas using small figures and everyday objects. This image features a miniature figure on a shelf, reflecting his signature style of transforming ordinary scenes into imaginative narratives.

 

This image features two miniature figures in a playful scene constructed from various colorful building blocks. They are standing beneath a makeshift shelter made from a triangular piece, surrounded by a chaotic array of other colorful pieces scattered throughout the space. The vibrant colors of the building blocks create a lively and inviting atmosphere reminiscent of a child’s play area. The arrangement of the figures and the shelter draws the viewer’s eye, creating a focal point amidst the surrounding chaos. The mix of materials—smooth plastic blocks and fabric—adds visual interest and depth to the image. Like Tanaka, who frequently uses small figures in his dioramas, this image features two miniature characters as focal points within a larger scene. The playful arrangement of building blocks and the makeshift shelter evokes a sense of whimsy and creativity, similar to Tanaka’s ability to transform everyday objects into fantastical environments.

In all of the photos above, I used ISO to adjust lighting and used focus to change the focus point.

January 9

Exploring

   

  • symmetry and patterns.
  • vintage color palette.
  • dark corner.
  • movie similar to feeling.

   

  • rule of thirds.
  • negative space.
  • dark corner.
  • the dim color and the fact that the character is not in the middle creates a sense of loneliness.

   

  • leading lines.
  • contrast between high saturation color and black background.
  • whimsy.
  • symmetry and patterns.

   

  • framing.
  • negative space.
  • dark corner.
  • loneliness.

   

  • perspective.
  • depth of field.
  • The contrast between the character’s warm color and the background’s cold color made the character pop out.
  • dark corner.
  • by taking the photo from an angle, looking upward creates a sense of braveness.

   

  • balance.
  • the blue spotlight creates a sense of coldness.
  • the reflection of the character creates a dreamy feeling.

   

  • negative space.
  • dark corner.
  • the spotlight made the character pop out.
  • the negative space creates a sense of loneliness.

   

  • depth of field.
  • dark corner.
  • the blue light creates a sense of coldness.
  • reflection.
December 11

process

Originally I was going to take a photo of Carina, but she was sick that day so I had to find a temporary model. I chose Andrew Gong for my final set, so I had to change my theme but luckily I still can use the same technique chosen. I decided to still take black and white photos and emphasize the light and shade of the model. To better show the eye of the model, I decided to tie Andrew’s hair up, and I also put white face paint on Andrew’s face, the white line made a contrast to the photo, and helped to represent the inner self of Andrew. when setting up the light, I used the tree-light setup. First, I set up a key light at the front of the model’s right corner, and this helped to create a Rembrandt lighting, which shows the contrast between light and shadow. Next, I set up a background light at the left corner behind the model, which helps to give just enough light to separate the subject from the background. Finally, I set up a rim light at the back of the person which helped to light up the back of the subject’s hair.

December 11

final set

I chose this photo because it shows a great use of  close up photo. the high contrast of the light and shade made the photo feel very deep, it also make the photo look very strong. this photo also connected with my idea of taking black and white close up photos.

I chose this photo because it shows a great use of  close up photo. The movement of  person and the eye contact and facial expression he gave made the photo feel very  that it’s fall of  deep feeling, it also make the photo look like that there is a strong story behind the person.  this photo also connected with my idea of using the white line to show and represent the inner-self of the model (the softness of his inner self). this photo also connected with my idea of taking black and white close up photos.

I chose this photo because it shows a great use of  close up photo. The movement of  person and the eye contact and facial expression he gave made the photo feel very  that it’s fall of  deep feeling, it also make the photo look like that there is a strong story behind the person. the reflection of the light on to the model’s eye also made the whole photo and the model pop out. this photo also connected with my idea of using the white line to show and represent the inner-self of the model (the softness of his inner self). this photo also connected with my idea of taking black and white close up photos, and really focus on the model’s eye.

December 11

practice

For my practice shot, I focused on taking close-up photos and going up to my model. I also used the tree-light setup. First, I set up a key light at the front of the model’s right corner, and this helped to create a Rembrandt lighting, which shows the contrast between light and shadow. Next, I set up a background light at the left corner behind the model, which helps to give just enough light to separate the subject from the background. Finally, I set up a rim light at the back of the person which helped to light up the back of the subject’s hair. I also purposely took to photo with the reflection of the person’s eyes to make her eyes pop out. And tried using a combination of different colors of light.

November 27

Statement of intent

The message of my photo I want to show and tell the people from the LGBTQIA+ community that they are not alone, and there are people out there that are experiencing the same things as them. the LGBTQIA+ community nowadays doesn’t seem to have many rights and is not treated very well.  For inspiration, I will try to find a photographer who explores the LGBTQIA+ community people and a photographer who explores the use of zoom-in in his or her photo. using black and white, and showing people’s identities. In my own opinion, nowadays, the LGBTQIA+ community people really need support from others. A lot of them are dealing with self-esteem, self-harm, and many hard times in their life because of their self-identity. And it is important to raise awareness.

November 23

Select an artist

the photos all have great use of  light and shadow, and the contrast between black and white  , and the photographer’s choice a very close distance to their subject. This photo makes me feel like that there is a-lot of story behind the person from their facial expression. Zanele Muholi FRPS is a South African artist and visual activist working in photography, video, and installation.Through the use of high-contrast black and white tonal values, Muholi exaggerates her skin tone to emphasize her ‘blackness’. At the heart of Muholi’s work lies a deep commitment to representing the LGBTQIA+ community in South Africa, particularly black individuals who face unique challenges due to the intersection of race, gender, and sexuality. I choose this photographer, because since I want to take photo that are taken from a really close up perspective, and black and white, and shows people’s identity, Zanele Muholi has also been taking these kind of photo.

one of my favorite photo is the last one. the photo is from the set name ” faces and phases” from 2006. the subject of the  photo or the ‘percipient’ as Zanele Muholi’s word is the people from the LGBTQIA+ community. in the photo we can see a portrait of a black LGBTQIA+ member wearing a suit, and their eyes looking firm. and the photo is black and white. this is One of their most iconic series, Faces and Phases, comprises over 250 portraits of black LGBTQIA+ individuals from South Africa and beyond. Launched in 2006, this ongoing project seeks to document the lives and experiences of its subjects, creating an archive of stories that have often been excluded from mainstream history. Each portrait in the series is an intimate exploration of identity, showcasing the resilience and strength of the LGBTQIA+ community in the face of adversity. this portrait is a photo of Busi Sigasa, a poet and activist who passed away from AIDS-related complications in 2007. The photograph captures Sigasa’s quiet dignity and determination, immortalizing her spirit and serving as a testament to her contributions to the struggle for LGBTQIA+ rights in South Africa. In the photo, my eyes was first caught by the eyes of the subject because since the eyes is white And the person itself is black. So it made a contrast,And really let the eyes to pop out. The facial expression of the person is also very intense.Which might cause the audience to wonder about the story behind the person. In this photo there is a great use of the color of black and white and the light and shadow. The distance of the portrait that the photography has chosen is also very good. the back ground also showed a great use of pattern. this photo made me feel a little bit guilty, as if the person it asking me about my stance to the LGBTQIA+ community. I think the message that the photographer is trying to deliver is to really tell the people from the LGBTQIA+ community that they are not alone, and there are people out there that are experiencing the same things as them. And also to hold right for the LGBTQIA+ community.

November 17

photo

I chose this photo because it shows a great use of  close up photo. The movement of the smoke, and the person made the photo feel very deep, it also make the photo look like that there is a strong story behind the person. as the fascicle expression of the person is very Preoccupied and the movement of the smoke made the photo look mystery but still have a sense of hope in it, because of the light of the person’s eye. this photo also connected with my idea of showing nowadays people end up only showing the good or best side of themselves, which might let us forget the imperfect of everyone because the person in the photo clearly shows the “imperfect” mentally and physically. the photo also connected with my artist who also took close up photo.

I chose this photo because it shows a great use of  close up photo. the movement of the person and the way how he is staring at the camera, but the small doesn’t look fake made the photo look like that the person is not aware of the camera which made the photo feel very natural. the light and shadow in the photo also made more layer in the photo. this photo also connected with my idea of showing nowadays people end up only showing the good or best side of themselves, which might let us forget the imperfect of everyone because the person in the photo clearly shows the “imperfect”, but still have a very pleasant expression. the photo also connected with my artist who also took close up photo.

I chose this photo because it shows a great use of  close up photo. the wrinkle of the person’s face, and the kind and chill factual expression made the person and photo feel cordial. and the way that the photo is so zoomed in made the persons hat very detailed, which made the photo exquisite. this photo also connected with my idea of showing nowadays people end up only showing the good or best side of themselves, which might let us forget the imperfect of everyone because the person in the photo clearly shows the “imperfect”, but still have a very pleasant expression. the photo also connected with my artist who also took close up photo.

November 13

Select an artist

 

the photos all have great use of movement , hight saturation , and the photographer’s choice a very close distance to their subject. This photo makes me feel like that It is very creepy because of the people are all staring at the camera, but with out a deliberate gesturesIt. is also made me feel very guilty because the person if staring at the camera angrily.Bruce Gilden is one of the most iconic street photographers of our time. Known for his graphic and often confrontational close-ups made using flash, his images have a degree of intimacy and directness that have become a signature in his work.I choose this photographer, because since I want to take photo that are taken from a really close up perspective, and Bruce Gilden has also been taking these kind of photo.