surrealism pt.2/2 (re-do)

For this image, I wanted to create the illusion of a dancing figure in the air. I used a string to hang it from the ceiling, a blank wall, and a few reading lamps to create the shadow. The shadow was really important for me to have because I feel that it added the level of dimensionality that would add to the image's "surrealism". I then edited the string out of both the figure itself and its shadow. I then amped up the contrast to accentuate the figure and its shadow, played with curves, and lowered saturation. Overall, I actually am quite pleased with how this turned out. Editing the string out was harder than I thought, because there was a slight gradient of light on the wall. The final image is interesting in my opinion.

this was the original

This is another contender,  similar in essence to
the one I liked best

I created this one too see if the photo was better with only one string taken out

Dutch Portrait

Sketchbook 15 - Childlike

To me, these eyes appear on a smiling face, and the bright eyes to me represent innocent joy, hence the childlike idea

Assignment #24: Photographing the Abstract

Assignment #23 - Graduation Program

sketchbook - Considered attentively

Sketchbook - The Figure: Simply

Assignment #22

I wanted to use images of Diana and also lyrics from her songs, because she is truly a talented song writer and composer. There are white borders on the pictures so they fit the 14x11 mold. 

Assignment #21-Surrealism

My aim with this assignment was to create the image of rocks floating as balloons. My idea was actually inspired when Ms. Kuntz was naming ideas and she said something similar. Originally I just wanted to have the rocks against a background, but I decided to add some white clouds from paper. With this idea I wanted to create the odd imagery of real rocks against a fake background. I tied them up and hung them from a beam of my house (I wanted the best lighting, so I used the best outdoor lighting I could find). I then flipped the photo and made minor edits.

Assignment #20 - Aaron Siskind

All shot with kit lens (18-55). 1/80 shutter speed,  f-stop: 4.2, ISO: 125

My photos were inspired by Aaron Siskind's work because I observed the monochromatic and patterned nature of his photos. I found that, when looking at his work, it was symmetrical yet unsymmetrical. I got the idea of shooting the progress of a paper being burned from his work. I figured I could capture the very stark contrast of a flame on a white paper and the pattern as it grows larger. I converted the photo to black and white, increased brightness and contrast, and changed with curves. 

Assignment #21: Surrealism

"What is the difference between real and surreal?  What does it mean when, in conversation, someone says, "That's so SURREAL!"?  Take a look at the images below from two Surreal artists.  Where did their visions come from?  Where do these images take the viewer?  Why?"

Surreal is different from real in that it breaks the boundaries of "real". Something that would be real could be seen in everyday life, where as surrealism represents something other-worldly or impossible. In the images of the surreal photos, they each contain an element of impossibility or oddity because they are obviously not just snapshots of a naturally occurring occasion. However, the images contain objects or images of real things, such as rocks, people, or ropes. In each photo, these objects are arranged in a way to present an interesting and awe-inspiring image that takes the viewer to the realm of impossibility and thus, surrealism. I enjoy Man Ray's work because his images are intriguing and captivating, and stand out in the surreal photography world because he wasn't around to use photoshop. 

lightroom tutorials

COLOR CORRECT

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after

SPOT REMOVAL

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after

RADIAL FILTER

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after

ADJUSTMENT BRUSH

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after

 TONE CURVE

before 

after

Exploration of Self final images

To me, this project reflected on the nuances of my character, versus who a character that I consider to be the opposite of my own persona. The top image, a truly self-reflected image, took me a while to come up with. I decided to appear bare, completely in all respects to the camera. However, I felt that wasn't enough and that I obviously couldn't be naked. I used the open book as a way of covering but also to symbolize how I am. An open book really describes me, and the comfort with being bare on camera speaks true to that. I consider myself to be soft but open and assertive. Being bare and exposed with the open book to me makes sense for who I am.
The bottom image reflects the opposite of how I am as a person. Sharp, refined, abrasive. At times I could be like this, but not much. Hair pinned back represented a very constrictive appearance. (When I wear my hair up, it is at comfort). The outfit and also make up is sharp, and contrasting. A more fierce and fronting stance is also indicative of a different character.

Self Exploration Contact Sheet

Exploration of Self - Brainstorm (assignment #19)

Self-Portrait (normal self):
1.  Young, soft, but forceful
2.  Intelligent and creative, using poetry book (annotated)
3.  Flowers and comfortable clothing, normal posture to convey natural appearance
4.  Hair in natural, fluffy style, some effort but not much
5. Writing in notebook (glasses) flowers and stuff bursting from book

1960's flight attendant:
1. Bright, bubbly, smiling life attendant who must be polite / proper above anything else
2. Manicured, perfect nails, soft in nature and appearance - holding drink?
3. Red lips, soft, perfect white teeth
4. Full dress, no fold, forcing perfect posture
5. Side shot, showing rigid pole forcing posture, with smiling portrait

Enclosed Space (sketchbook)

Wrapped (assignment 17)

Christo and Jeanne-Claude bring something as simple as wrapping to a new level of art. From the smallest object, to the coast line of Australia. The work completed by the married couple have been hailed across different countries and cultures. Their work may seem simple, but they appear to be impactful by the amount of awe they inspire. I felt changed from studying their work because I had never considered visual art to extend to the level that they reached. It's not sculpture exactly, but it's more then a two-dimensional piece. It is this defiance of definition that intrigued me, end even more considering I could use that concept and make a photograph. It, to me, is art within art. I wanted to create a piece that wouldn't have some super deep meaning, but rather an interesting photograph to look at. I began by going over ideas, then choosing the focus of fruit. At first, I wanted to leave most of the fruit unwrapped, and have one contrasting wrapped fruit. However, after I wrapped the first one, I liked the way it looked and decided to do the rest. With the final images, I concluded that art doesn't always have to have a super deep meaning (although some of the best work does) but rather just have an awe-inspiring intriguing appearance.

Night Photos

Close up to Abstraction (sketchbook)

Ideas for wrapping assignment

As we talked about, I think I will play on the idea of contrasting items. So one wrapped amongst many that or not, or possibly a single object only half wrapped. I was inspired by your (Ms.Kunt'z) idea of the shelf of glasses. I can see that image quite clearly in my head. I think I will do a series of images along that line. My first idea is for a fruit bowl (or plate, depending on what photographs the best) and wrapping one, probably a distictively shaped fruit like a banana or pear. Also, one the idea of fruit, maybe fruit completely wrapped then cut in half, or one half wrapped and cut. If I start with fruit, I would most likely continue the series with fruit or food.
I was also thinking about accessories, like bracelets or glasses, and carrying out the same idea concepts.

walkabout

sketchbook-through space

Assignment #15

David Hockney is an English artist known for his work with photography and painting. He was born in 1937 during a wartime in England, yet lived well and received a good education. He went to numerous art schools during his education including the Bradford School of Art. He was born with synesthesia, causing him to see synthetic colors as a response to musical stimuli, and his influenced his work.
For this assignment we were asked to observe and analyze his style of photography where he pieces many pictures of a section of an image from different perspectives to create the whole image. He would often use a Polaroid and piece the pictures together physically, but for this assignment we did it digitally on Photoshop

my take on Hockney's style

Double Exposure

Extreme Light Source (sketchbook)

I took this at Seacliff beach over the weekend, during a sunset. The sun is the largest light source we have, and I liked the idea of capturing it as it sank.

Assignment #12 : Magazine Cover

My cover, featuring me. This is an insight to my dream of achieving social change

One of the time magazine covers featuring a clear, close-up head shot and minimal writing in white and red