Old made new

I was just feeling creative today and wanted to work on creating more fine art shots. This is a super crop of an older image of mine. What do you think?

Why I love photoshop

Before

After

Need I say more?

Rexburg Folk

Here are some shots I took of Brandon's gparents and also a 3 generation picture. It was so dang bright that day I had to touch up a ton. I'm still not completely satisfied with the second shot, but it'll come.

Haircut

This would've been a better image if we had more time to shoot but we were getting eaten alive. Anyways, I cut my hair shorter than I ever have before and thought we'd take a picture. That's all.

Don't get your knickers in a twist

Travis has complained that I haven't posted any new shots. Here are a few recent images to prove I'm still shooting. I've found that, surprisingly, I really like shooting kids. A lot. Enjoy!

I call this one, "Get that camera out of my face and feed me!" The only time she smiled was when my sister would give her a pretzel. This is my down syndrome niece by the way. Oh, it's cross processed too(I'm sure you could tell.)

This one's my favorite recent shot.

Munchkinland

Pleasantville

In this movie, a town was transformed from blah to bold. Every time someone would break out of the grind, they would start to change from black and white to color. Some seemed to change much faster than others. I thought it was interesting how the kids to first "behave badly", or change to color, became the well mannered ones toward the end, while the rest of the town became destructive and prejudiced. I also thought it was interesting to see what unique things individuals had to do before changing to color. I wasn't a big fan the first time I watched this movie, but this time around I enjoyed the message.

Cross Processing Fun

I shot these for the CP assignment. It was my first time doing this. I tried forever to think of a good idea and was finally inspired. I decided that since the process tends to make the images look aged I would try to make my niece look like me in the late 80's. This wasn't hard considering she looks just like me and could easily be passed off as my child. Everything from her hairstyle to her beat up flip flops is accurate. I even threw in my old doll, horsey, and pound puppies sweatshirt(all of which are hers now) for authenticity. This was a fun project, and I would love to cross process again.

Comments on Hero

This film changed color schemes a number of times. It went from red, to blue, to white, and so on. Each time the main character, Nameless, had a flashback of the same time sequence, the facts would vary quite a bit. Each time the characters clothing and their surroundings would be a different hue. Their mood seemed to match the hue of that moment. For example, the first hue was red, and the first version of the story was wrought with jealousy, murder, hatred, and unfaithfulness. The next version, being a light blue, was based on love, honor, and sacrifice. One fight sequence that occurred 3 years prior in the palace was filled with green. One scene I particularly enjoyed was in the red version. It was when Moon was avenging her master against Flying Snow in an yellow/orange leafy forest. At the conclusion of their battle, when Moon was slain, everything turned red as if to mimic the bloodshed and hatred. The areas outside the calligraphy school were muted and neutral colors. When the characters ventured out of the school they stood out very much.

Things I've Learned To Better My Images

I was asked to display 3-5 of my images that are either my favorites or that changed me. I'm going to take a little different route. The images displayed are all ones that I am proud of, but not necessarily my favorites. With each image I was able to take something new that I learned and create something I'm proud of.

1. This is actually one of my favorite images. This was for one of my first assignments in Photo 1, back when I had no clue how to use a camera. We were supposed to learn how to use filters in the darkroom to help our prints. I remember when I used a #5 filter on this picture, and Gerald simply remarked, "That's a cool image." I was like, "Oh mylanta! One of the photo gods has spoken to me, and he said my picture was cool! My life is complete." I really enjoy the textures, tones, simplicity, and focus of this image.

2. This image was from my first shoot in the studio. I was super nervous the night before because I'd never set up any of the equipment by myself. But low and behold, I'm not an idiot and was able to make some pretty decent portraits. Portrait photography is something I'm extremely interested in pursuing so finally being able to produce images that I wouldn't be embarrassed to give to a potential client was very rewarding. This may sound silly to some, but I feel very grateful to be able to learn about photographic lighting.

3. This is the Lehi Roller Mills, obviously. I was asked to take a picture at twilight with two light sources with the same exposure. I sat outside for about 30 minutes to take this. I waited and waited for the exposures to match thinking they never would, and that I was doing the assignment wrong. Then all of a sudden the exposures matched. I was in shock. The image turned out exactly how I wanted it to, which is not congruent with my track record. I'm glad I learned this trick in making a run down building look interesting and alive.

4. In this instance, I learned how to add textures to an image using Photoshop. I liked this image already, but I think the texture adds some grittiness to it. I'm glad that I learned how to add textures to my images because I think it can really enhance what you, as an artist, are trying to portray.

Comments on Amelie

I enjoyed the film we watched (except for the nudie parts...) The colors were interesting in the film. I noticed that anything that had to do with Amelie was red. Her apartment was full of red and she always had red on her clothes. There was also a lot of green, although I couldn't place a pattern for that. Those colors were very saturated, perhaps for emphasis. I liked the muted tones. It made the movie hard to place time wise, sort of making it timeless. I thought it was interesting how they mentioned Princess Di's death, which was fairly recent, and then showed a black and white rickety video of Amelie's supposed death from exhaustion. These things also make the film hard to place time wise. It had a nostalgic feel to it. I had to stifle myself during the viewing because the movie made me a little giddy towards the end, and I tend to jump around and get overexcited watching movies. How embarrassing.

10. Steve McCurry. Afghan Girl.

What a beautiful image this is. The red and blue-green complimentary colors make this image stand out so much. The curvature of the girl's hood keeps the focus on her face. Her eyes keep you sucked in to the frame. This image will always be one of my favorite's because it holds so much emotion.

9. Ansel Adams. The Tetons-Snake River.

You can't talk about fine art photography without mentioning Ansel Adams. His tones are so perfect and compositions simply breathtaking. He had so much skill in taking a scene in front of him and making it look ethereal. The contrast makes this image really pop. The line of the river almost lead you out of the composition, but you come back because it's just too beautiful.

8. Gertrude Kasebier

I'm not sure exactly what this image is titled. The contrasting lines of her diagonal body and the horizontals of the background make this interesting. I love the way that Kasebier is able to portray women. The tones aren't sharp, but I think that softens the picture. Like she's trying to show the softness and grace of women.

7. Frank Eugene. Adam and Eve.

This is definitely one of my favorite images. The very sight of it takes my breath away every time. It has a romantic look to it that makes it very emotional for me. I don't really think of this as a nude. It's so pure and reminds of a Renaissance painting. It inspires me that Eugene altered the original film by scratching the emulsion to create this look. We really have so much artistic freedom as photographers.

6. Eugene Smith. The Walk to Paradise Garden.

This photograph has always touched me. It's amazing that Smith was able to capture such an innocent moment considering the rest of his work. I love how the trees frame the subjects.

5. Herb Ritts. Nelson Mandela.

I've always enjoyed closeup portraits. Especially those who get in close enough to show every detail. The tones are so beautiful and I'm glad Herb showed the details of Mandela's face. It helps me to remember that wrinkles and scars don't hinder a person's beauty. Flawlessness doesn't mean beautiful. If you didn't know that this was Nelson Mandela you would still respect the man with the worn and knowledgeable face. The composition is nice, and I'm glad the hand is blurred. It puts focus on his face and makes you wonder what he's thinking.

4. Richard Avedon. Red Owens, oil field worker, Velma, Oklahoma, June 12, 1980.

This image is from Avedon's In the American West portfolio. I had a girl in one of my classes once who absolutely abhorred Avedon. She said that he made all of his subjects look the same, the way he wanted, and not how they really were. I say, what's wrong with that. Aren't we all trying to create a memorable piece of work. Does this mean that it's the photographic law to portray your subjects exactly how they are. No. There are so many of our own judgements that go into capturing a moment. How can anyone capture their subjects exactly the way they are? And who says OUR view of them is correct anyway. This image and many more of his really make ordinary subjects striking and beautiful. The tones are great and allow you to see every detail.

3. Steve McCurry. Rajasthan, India, 1983.

I actually came across this image looking for another one and instantly fell for it. The colors in this image really make this fine art. There is a clear focal point and the monotone surroundings really bring it out. The red truly keeps your eyes in the frame. I love when I see an image and immediately become absorbed by the question, "What's going on here?" I also wonder how in the world this guy came across such an incredible sight. I encourage anyone who enjoys this photograph to look up McCurry's website. All his work is just incredible and in the moment.

2. Sebastiao Salgado. Refugees in the Korem Camp. Ethiopia, 1984.

I love the asymmetry of this image. I'm pretty sure the photographer didn't set the subjects up, (though I could be wrong) and I'm very impressed with the composition he was able to pull off. Being able to do that is one of my goals. The piece is very emotional because of the subjects' clothing, expressions, body language. I think the desolate background really helps too.

1.Eugene Atget. Coin De La Rue Valette Et Pantheon.

The tones in this image are vivid and beautiful. I enjoy the perspective. The lines of the buildings lead you into the light. They also keep your eyes in the frame. Almost all of Atget's work has an atmospheric look to it that I admire. It also has a romantic look to it that makes you want to be there. I'll admit that I put Atget's work first on my list because he is my favorite photographer.

The second image is for your viewing pleasure. It is entitled Rue Des Ursins. Enjoy.

Assignment for Color Photography: What Is Fine Art Photography?

I was asked to define Fine Art Photography by giving ten examples. I believe that a photograph becomes fine art when basic elements of design can be found in the image, and also when the image really speaks to you and you just can't look away. The following examples are not necessarily my 10 favorite photos. I thought they may work well for what I'm attempting to explain.