CAS 110

This is my self portrait. While I started the self portrait as more of a collage sort of thing I soon realized that is not what I wanted to portray as me so the meat of my self portrait is the writing that is incorporated within the collage which you really can't see but that is what my self portrait truly is.

FiNaL pRoJeCt

WE HAVE FINALLY MADE IT :)

This is it ladies and gentlemen we have finally made it to our final project and now is the time where we should probably sit down and talk about what this project means to me and what I was trying to portray with these images. 

So lets start. With these images I was trying to portray representations. A representation portrayed with a Polaroid and then that representation represented through the digital image featured on the blog. And then within the digital image I wanted to portray an emotion. An emotion that somehow cohesively relates to the feelings the one being pictured feels regarding the image in the Polaroid. 

With some of the images an emotion or meaning was sometimes hard to portray but for the most part I think I got there. 

 I am truly happy with the way the images came out and wish I had more time to continue with the series and possibly explore more with the Polaroids. 

I like the way these images capture something and in a way the digital images capture an instantaneous moment that is also a play off of the instantaneous features of a Polaroid. 

Instant moments of an instant image with a little emotion thrown in there :)

bLogG sI6

PROMPTSSSSS


What is a consistent theme/visual element in your project? What would be the opposite of this? How can you implement that into your project?


A consistent theme is objects or events that relate to the person and/or human being presented within the photograph. And aside from that common theme all my pictures have a somewhat close-up feel because that is how I like to shoot. I guess the opposite of this would be taking a step back and not including anything in the frame but the simplicity of the human being and maybe taking a shot from a lot farther away than the original pictures. I could work this into my project by simply not including all close-up shots after awhile and with no variety there could be a sense of boredom throughout the piece if I don't mix things up a bit.


Type 20 worse or phrases that relate to your project.


Happy, sad, hate, emotion, anger, holding-on, reaching, despising, not wanting, longing, cherishing, casual, timeless, heart wrenching, letting go while at the same time holding on, "I can't do this anymore", goodbye, caring, not caring, stop, "What the heck", pain, hurt. 


Think of one of your most memorable dreams. How could you add elements from this dream to your project? 


One of my most absolute memorable dreams would be the dream in which my brother is taken hostage and I can see him and feel his pain and hear his cries but we are separated by a giant wall of glass and there is no way for me to get through, I have to watch my brother suffer and there is no way I can help him until finally I wake up and somehow ground myself back in reality. I could definitely do something in terms of possibly making my brother a memory or remembering a time we were together with my Polaroid and then capturing an image digitally that represents an emotion of hope or want and longing. Trying to hold on to this picture if it is the last thing I do. 


Divide your project into three components. Rearrange and reassemble them in your mind. 


1. The Polaroids
The Polaroids are a major element to this shoot. They add another level of depth and layer to the overall photograph. The Polaroids are meant to capture some sort of action or object that will later be represented in the digital representation.
2. The Digital Representation
The Digital Representation is extremely important in the sense that this is the second layer to the representation of the piece. My piece has a lot of influence from a representation of a representation and I wanted that to somehow come across and make a bold statement so I chose to make a representation of a representation and portray it in almost two different ways while at the same time cohesively making one photograph. 
3. Emotion
The last component to this project is the raw emotion that is intended to come across in the photographs. There is a wide range of photographs and some are more playful than others but the way in which the Polaroid is represented in the digital reconstruction is meant to portray a lot more than just a cool landscape or placement for a picture. It is meant to finally get to that last layer the layer this project has been missing and add the element of emotion to really tie the representations to one another. 


Remove something from your project. How does it change?


I think removing anything from my project will leave my pictures flat and dull. You asked me to imagine removing one element from my photographs and as you can see above there are really only three strong elements within the photographs so without every single one of those being executed to perfection there really isn't much of a Final Project. Without all of these elements you would  simply have a picture of someone skateboarding or a picture of feet. The elements are the depth and without you have got nothing :) 


How would you convert your project into a narrative? How would you remove any narrative from your project?


I think my project already provides a narrative through the emotions captured and the events along with the representation of the events within the final images. There is so much you can draw from these images and I honestly think the narrative is up to your interpretation but I have always thought that if you are attempting to portray a narrative it is up to the interpretation of the viewer. I think removing a narrative would be hard and almost a bit dry. I believe in story and what a photograph can tell you. I think my removing elements throughout my project I could possibly be left without a narrative and be left with less of a project and more of a picture.


At the deepest core, describe why you like this project. Dig deep!


I think at my deepest core I am truly addicted to this project for what it represents. There are good and bad memories things and moments in all of our lives and we all have to suffer through the tragedy of losing something we cherish or going through an Organic Chemistry class that we absolutely despise but we are humans and humans to me have always been much stronger than we give ourselves credit for. I truthfully believe that everyday is a new day and no matter what has happened in the past or what may happen in the future you have today and you shouldn't hold back or let life win because you are who you are for a reason and believe it or not you will still be you after tragedy strikes. Don't forget who you are and remember that we are strong and we have so much that others species don't so don't just sit around and mope because you have a Chem test tomorrow rejoice in the fact that you know what Chem is and can understand the equations (for the most part). I'm obsessed with this project because humans constantly surprise me and whether its fun or not we hold on and persevere time and time again. 


Contract your project. What would it boil down to if squeezed and contracted to its simplest form?


The simplest form I could possibly get to with this project is representation. This project is all about a representation of a representation and some other representation of that thrown in as well. It is a representation of an object or action that is represented within a photograph that depicts an emotion in regards to the representation within the digital photograph. I think showing different elements and different sides to every object or action or even feeling adds a sort of depth to anything. A depth that just wasn't present before. 


What would happen if you demolished your project and reconstructed it physically or  conceptually?


Person I truly enjoy the concept behind my piece and I think it has a lot to offer in regards to what it is trying to portray so if I were to demolish this project I would want to bring it back to life conceptually. I would want to maybe add different scenes and I would really want to portray my emotions better in regards to the digital photographs that involve the Polaroids. I had a tough time with that portion of the product so being able to portray those better would definitely be something worth demolishing to reconstruct. 


Look at one of your images. Redesign it entirely. 


There is an image of a clock or ummm necklace with a watch face. I would love to redesign it and have a different time piece all together. I'd love for it to portray something in terms of time and what the past, present, and future have in store for us. To be honest I'm not really sure how I would do this and believe it or not the majority of my images I don't plan. I have a rough idea and start shooting because that is when my juices start flowing and ideas come rapidly shooting out of my lens. So redoing this picture would be fun while playing on the emotion of this girls memory in regards to the necklace was an interesting shoot and turned out to be a great picture I would still love to reshoot and have it play off of time and what that represents. 

AsSiGnMeNt FoU4

iMaGe On1

The emphasis on this image is meant to be the legs and even more so than the legs the background was meant to put emphasis on the mannequin in the background. I wanted to also up the contrast within the image in order to even more so put emphasis on the focal points of the images. 

The concept behind this image was high fashion. I wanted to really explore the concept of high fashion with a kind of harsh background to juxtapose the prettiness of the legs and the beauty of shoes within the image. 

For this image I was actually on an elevated surface in order to get the vantage point of the image. I wanted to get an almost obscure angle for the photo to add yet another layer of depth to the image. She is actually sitting on a bench and I asked her to play around with her props and just go from there.

Fulfilling a prompt was the motivation behind this image. The prompt being high fashion I did what I would want to see in a high fashion shoot. I like harsh backgrounds against a beautiful piece of clothing or a beautiful accessory. I like that two completely different ideas and portrayals can come together and make a seriously beautiful image that could sell in magazines.

I don't think I was really trying to portray anything with this image because well to be honest I was just trying to capture a high fashion photograph and wasn't really worried about anything else in regards to the image. But I am sure I would be able to find plenty of photographers portraying high fashion images just like my own. 

CRITIQUEEEEE

This image was interpreted as an almost dark image with the mannequin being featured without a head in the background. I hadn't really considered this image to be a dark image but I did like that take on the image because portraying a darkness within a high fashion photography shoot just adds more elements that juxtapose with the beauty of the object/elements being featured in the image.

I think the idea behind the image is working well along with the background juxtaposing the elements of the photograph. Something I wish I would have worked on a bit more in regards to the image and its elements would definitely be the contrast I know upping the contrast is a reoccurring statement in this part of the critique but this image more than other image needs the contrast considering it is high fashion and needs to be dramatic. 

As a jumping off point I would continue the shoot and continue taking a high fashion shoot concentrating on certain elements to the model and certain elements of the model while at the same time portraying a background that juxtaposes the beauty of the element being featured.

iMaGe Tw2

This image was meant to portray a keyboard and the emphasis of the image being on the lights behind the keyboard keys. I wanted the keyboard to also portray a sense of blur within the keyboard but at the same time I wanted the light to be sharp and crisp.

This image is definitely about technology and portraying it in a new light. I wanted the blur to juxtapose the sharp contrast of the lights within the image. I wanted to portray the fact that technology is everywhere I look it has started to become a blur but at the same time I wanted the sharp contrast of the lights because lets face it technology is the future it is sharp and edgy and isn't going anywhere anytime soon it is here to stay and it is making a statement. 

For this image I was on the ground trying to get an angle that almost portrays the laptop coming at you. I cocked my camera to the side a little when taking the image. I took it fast and with almost no care about the focus of the image in order to achieve the blur. 

I took this image because once again I was fulfilling a prompt and one of the prompts for this project was technology and I thought with my own laptop and camera I could create a play on technology while at the same time portraying a beautiful image.

I think this image just goes to show how obsessed our world has become with technology. A lot of times I find myself watching tv while perusing through websites on the laptop and not even realizing what I am perusing. My laptop and my technology has become another appendage that I am just so used to it that often times I forget it's is there and it becomes a blur. Regardless of the blur the sharp contrast of the Apple light will always be there. I can recognize that light anywhere. 

CRITIQUEEEE

This image wasn't really interpreted the way I had hope. Others saw this image as an interesting view and vantage point of a laptop that they hadn't really seen before. 

I don't think the concept behind the image is working. I would have loved for my image to portray more of a play on technology and the obsession it represents these days. I do think the photo is aesthetically pleasing and makes for a gorgeous picture.

 I would love to use this image as a jumping off point for a series portraying a play on technology and what it represents and means to us as a culture these days. Technology has become an obsession for my generation and I would love to juxtapose that idea with the idea of what our lives would be like without technology constantly attached to our hand. 

iMaGe ThRe3

This image was meant to appear as though it was an amateur shot with very little focus taken on the go. A casual snapshot while shopping at the Grocery Store with really no other emphasis than motion presented with the blur. 

This image is all about the fast pace of our lives these day. Even at the Grocery Store women these days have their game face on and enter that store with a mission. This really was represented with the blur and the intense facials of the victim pictured. Our lives have become so fast paced that we forget to enjoy the little things even if that means forgetting to enjoy that casual Sunday afternoon when you had some time for yourself to just peruse the Grocery Store. 

For this image I didn't brainstorm or sketch anything out. I knew my prompt and ran with it. I knew I needed a snapshot of something that truly isn't anything special. Shopping at the Grocery Store is an everyday thing for most families these days so I just started snapping pictures throughout the Grocery Store and loved the way this image turned out with the background and emotion featured within the photograph. 

For this image I wanted to capture an everyday image like a snapshot. I wanted the image to come across as something with no planning whatsoever. It was a spur of the moment picture much like a snapshot is supposed to be. 

I think this image puts a whole new spin on the Grocery Store snapshot. Not only does it put a whole new spin on Grocery Stores but it puts a spin on Grocery Stores in general. I have never really seen an image taken within a Grocery Store and I love how this image came out because I think it to be a beautiful picture from a seemingly meaningless snapshot. 

CRITIQUEEEEE

This image was interpreted just as I thought it would be. It was interpreted as a snapshot with an extreme sense of motion. 

I think the entire image is working I know I am supposed to be finding something working and something not working but I honestly love everything about this image. I love all of the background elements within the image, I love the contrast I was able to achieve within the picture, and I am extremely happy with the feeling and emotion represented within the image. 

I would love to use this image as a jumping off point for a series of snapshots taken within places that we tend to forget how to enjoy. Places we see more as a chore rather than something that could potentially be fun, I love the Grocery Store and my mom used to too but recently life has gotten in the way and I wouldn't be surprised if many are suffering from the same thing. 

ImAgE fOu4

My final image is all about high contrast. I wanted the emphasis of the poles to play off of the emphasis on the shoes. I wanted them to complement each other while at the same time both portraying a strong sense individually.

The idea and concept behind this image is high fashion. I already included a fashion photograph within this project but I really enjoy the way these came out. I wanted to once again juxtapose the beautiful elements of the shoe with the harsh scenery in the background almost emphasizing the shoes even more.

For this method I had no idea what I was going to do. I told my model that I needed to take a high fashion shoot centered around her shoes so we just started playing around in a tough looking area to juxtapose the pretty element with the harsh elements in the background.

This image was fulfilling the prompt of high fashion and I really appreciate photographers and pictures that can take a pair of shoes and represent them in a picture that truly make’s you gasp.

I think this image really portrays the ability to take a simple pair of shoes with the perfect background and make them into something absolutely breathtaking is extremely hard to accomplish. Being able to take the simple and make it into something truly beautiful is something we can all take away from this picture. Everyday doesn’t have to mean average.

CRITIQUEEEEE

This image was interpreted wonderfully. They appreciated the high contrast and drama of the image making it much more of a high fashion piece. The harsh background definitely added to the intensity of the photo making it a much stronger photo.

I think the background and harsh elements in the background are working really well allowing the image to really portray this sense of high fashion. For this image I think I definitely should have adjusted the contrast just a tad bit more, actually lowering it this time and maybe playing around with contrast. The image almost looks a little fake or construed the way I have it at the moment so a little less is always more.

I think as a jumping of point I could definitely continue with the theme of high fashion. I think possibly having an entire high fashion shoot centered around the dangling feet of various models with various footwear would not only be interesting but extremely fun to shoot, dangling feet remind me of my childhood so even some nostalgia would be involved.

FiNaL pRoJeCt

wHaT tO dO....................

Ok so for this final project I am using one of my final images in my last project as kind of a jumping off point.

i FOR SURE want to do something with Polaroids. I recently got film back in my Polaroid and am addicted to taking pictures with it so I need to incorporate this in my final project.

Recently I have also become obsessed with portraits so why not incorporate both and cohesively combine the two :)

Here are some ideas...Sarah and I were brainstorming and talking and I think we came up with some really good stuff. My original idea was lacking a layer crucial to the depth of the project so through some extreme creative thinking we have remastered it.

Five different people. One being myself. A Polaroid of an action that they themselves use to describe themselves. It is almost a representation of their being through an action that I will then capture in a Polaroid.

Then we will stage a series of portraits with a common background. I am thinking my porch...because it has a very old and rustic feel to it that could be extremely interesting with the subject matter of the pictures.

In the portrait there will be the Polaroid and the actual person positioned to portray a sense of emotion with the use of the Polaroid. For the portrait I don't necessarily need the face in the photo. I like exploring emotion in portraits without the use of the face.

~ That probably sounded really confusing...so here is an example: The Polaroid is a picture of a boy doing a trick on the skateboard. Then the portrait is the boy's feet on the skateboard with the Polaroid positioned in the picture (whether he is holding it or it is laying there) to portray a sense of emotion...so maybe he is standing on the skateboard almost throwing the Polaroid away as if to erase the memory portraying that this is an image or representation of himself he doesn't want. Or maybe he is holding the Polaroid tight and close to his heart...portraying that this is something he truly loves and wants to portray as a representation of himself ~

Let me know what you think...and if you have any ideas at all. I know this is long so sorry haha :) But please anything helps because me and my creative juices are currently at war and I have losing this battle!

MeRci!!!!!

fInAl ImAgEs

iMaGe On1

For this image I wanted the emphasis and complete focal attention on the tennis shoes. I didn't want anything fancy in the background I simply wanted shoes and for that to take over the photograph. I wanted the photo to portray the dirtiness of the tennis shoes to portray a sense of being worn while at the same time having the laces in the background portray the quirky side to me with their placement.

I think my picture is about a sense of identity. I wanted to portray that you don't need a picture of your face or even your body in order for you to portray your personality and characteristics that make you who you are.

For this image I chose an item that describes me to a T, threw them down on my black futon so nothing would interfere with the objects and got on all fours to achieve a sort of ground level shot. I didn't really brainstorm I just wanted to portray me in a new way.

My goal for this image is very much the concept behind the piece. While some may take away from this image the fact that I use my possessions to describe who I am when in reality my shoes as silly as it sounds has become apart of who I am. This is me. 

I think this image can say a lot and even though it's just a pair of shoes there is so much more to it than that. There is a personality behind these images and they describe who I am a little dirty a little quirky and I think we can all take away from this image that it is ok. You don't have to be something you aren't just because they are cleaner. Embrace who you are and love that about you whatever it is. 

CRITIQUEEEE

This image was interpreted as a second personality almost through the worn looking front of the shoe and how that is important considering it is the foreground of the image and extremely in focus. The laces add to that affect because of the interesting placement translating to an almost quirky shoe. 

I think the image is working in every aspect I wanted it to. It presents me in a new light while at the same time staying true to who I am. I think the lighting is great and the background puts even more emphasis on the shoes which was my goal. I think something I could have done different with this image is the contrast I would've loved to increase that just a bit to add a bit more drama and an almost intense to the quality of the image. 

As a jumping off point I would love to do a series of objects or actions that I would use to describe myself that aren't necessarily me, not necessarily my human being. I think it could be interesting and quite interesting.

iMaGe Tw2

For this image I wanted a few layers captured within one photo. I wanted the emphasis to be on the hand the Polaroid and then lastly the Boxed Water behind the Polaroid. I think the background once again worked perfectly. There is already so much going on in the image I think a background would have just taken away from what the image is already saying.  

The concept behind this image is really nothing too deep or interesting. I was looking to explore with Polaroids before developing an idea for my final project. Aside from Polaroids I wanted to explore with representations on the image and how that can change what the image is and what it even means. 

For this image much like the shoes I didn't really brainstorm or think about it before starting the shoot. Went into my fridge found the most interesting thing I could and remembered I had just purchased a Boxed Water which personally I find fascinating. I threw that down on my futon and went to work letting the shoot take me where it did without really a sense of direction other than the elements I wanted to be included in the image. 

The goal behind this image was basically a representation. A representation of an image without really seeing the actual tangible object. While the Boxed Water is in the background your focal point really shoots to the Polaroid. 

I'm not really sure how specifically this relates to anyone's work but I am sure it does because I am sure many many many past photographers have experimented with Polaroids and representations but I guess what I am trying to say with this image is that there is more to an image than just one representation of it even it is taken from the same angle in the same location. There are two sides to every story and often times there is even more than that. 

CRITIQUEEEE

This image was interpreted as a pleasing image to look at. It is extremely interesting and there are many layers to the picture. People seemed to like that and appreciated the different depths explored within the photograph. 

I think the lighting and the actual framing of the objects works extremely well. There is a real emphasis on the three objects rather than any background noise interrupting it. I think what isn't working is the thought process behind it. I do truly think this portrays a representation but I would like to say something more with a representation and this is honestly just an interesting picture of Boxed Water haha :) 

I actually am using this image as a jumping off point for my final project. I want to use Polaroids and the representations they portray but with emotion and with objects of even actions that truly mean something to another human being not just me. There is some brainstorming to do but it should turn out good...I hope.

iMaGe ThRe3

I wanted this image to portray once again the personality of my shoes. I wanted nothing to interfere with my shoes and the entire emphasis to be on the representations of the shoes. 

This photo was once again was all about representations and how I can represent myself with an object and represent the object in another way. 

For this picture I put the Polaroid and the magazine clipping on the scanner in the photo room and went from there. i didn't pick a specific placement I kind of just threw the images on the scanner and captured that spontaneous type of feel. 

My motivations for this image were honestly just fulfilling a prompt for this project. The prompt was the use of the scanner and I wanted to play with the theme of my shoes and personality in my shoes within the image as an attempt to portray me. 

I think this image really does portray the prompt of the scanner in a new way. I wanted to utilize the scanner while at the same time portraying an image that doesn't even look like it is from a scanner. I wanted the neutral background and the scanner was the perfect place for that. I also like how I am playing with representations and how the scanner even portrays a representation within the other representations as well.

CRITIQUEEEE

People interpreted this image as a play on my personality. The background is a bit dirty with shoes all funky and disheveled in the background adds to the feeling and emotion of the picture. These shoes have really started to take on a personality of their own and I think that also comes across in the image.

I think the background of the image works really well. The dirtiness and plain white background adds to the emphasis on the images in the center of the scanner. I think the contrast really isn't working in the image. I obviously like there being the drama and intensity and I think this image almost falls flat without that extra element. 

I would love to use this image as a jumping off point for pictures and images displayed on a scanner. I think it would be extremely interesting and kind of a struggle to portray aesthetically pleasing images. 

iMaGe FoU4

This is my first picture in color as a final image. I wanted the colors to pop within the image while at the same time I didn't want the colors taking over the image because the structure was something I really wanted to put an emphasis. 

I wanted this image to portray an image of constructed objects. I wanted one of my pictures to be in color but like I stated earlier I didn't want the colors to take away from the whole construction of the image. I don't think there is really a meaning behind this image other than a play on construction while at the same time portraying something I have never done as in color. 

For this image I actually constructed all of the items in the fridge to resemble something along the lines of the image to the right. I wasn't really liking how the images were coming out when I was featuring the entire fridge so I focused more so on a single construction within the entire fridge. 

The point of this image was to fulfill a prompt. The prompt was a constructed image and I feel like I sufficiently mastered that portion of the image. While taking this picture I was really taken aback by the colors of the berries and wanted to portray an image FINALLY with color. 

I think I could definitely use this as a jumping off point for constructed images made out of food. I think keeping the background and atmosphere within the fridge would be a must and I think I would attempt to keep this series in color. 

CRITIQUEEEEE

This image was interpreted as a constructed image which is exactly what it was. I think my images are much stronger in black and white and this is my first image in color so I don't think I really knew what I was doing :) There weren't too many interpretations of the image other than the fact it was a constructed image. 

This image is a little hard for me to critique considering doing color is very new for me. I do think the vibrancy of the colors are a perfect balance with the constructed. One not taking away from the other. I don't think the composition is working for the image the way that it could be. I am a huge fan of composition and I'm just not pleased with the way it came out. 

This image is not one of my favorites as you can tell. But I am definitely going to use this image as a jumping off point for a series in color. Other than that there really wouldn't be much to my images because I would want to explore the possibilities of color. 

wOrKs In PrOgReSsSsSsSsSsSsSs