Vintage Postcard

1. What is your favorite image and what does it represent?

My favorite image is the picture of the main building in the letter H. It represents all of Cal High because most classes take place in the main building.

2. What do you like about your postcard?

I like the overall layout and the way that the letters blend into the background image.

3. What could you have improved upon?

I could have made the background image look a bit more centered and symmetrical. 

4. Explain what a layer mask does?

A layer mask allows for control of the opacity of a certain part of an image. It allows us to regulate whether some parts of the image are visible or not.

Advertisement Team Questions

1. Our team did a great job of coming up with creative ideas well together.

2. Our final product uses symmetry, balance, and color as composition techniques.

3. I like the overall idea and look of the advertisement. It is very simple to understand and get the point of the advertisement. We could improve lighting next time.

4. As a team member, I was involved in most of the decisions because it was my idea to create an electronic ad.

Advertisement

Electronics Product Advertisement: 

1.What product did you use and why?

We used a variety of Apple products including several iPhones, an Apple Watch, an iMac, and Apple earbuds. These are trademark Apple products that most people know about.

2. What was your "big idea" and did you achieve your goal - how?

Our plan was to create an Apple advertisement showcasing Apple products in a simple format. I think we achieved our goal of making a easy to understand advertisement that catches consumers' eyes. 

3. What type of color scheme and lighting did you use?

We used a white and black color scheme with a hint of bright red. We used spotlights to catch the viewers' eyes and draw attention to the products.

Advertising Examples

Image 1

Image 2

Image 3

Image 4

Image 5

Image 6

Image 7

Image 8

Webquest Reflection

The Webquest project was a great opportunity to explore the rules of photography and learn simple techniques to help ensure that your photographs look excellent. As a general rule, utilizing these composition techniques will help you create photographs that will catch the viewer's attention and come across as interesting. The techniques allow for amateur photographs to take pictures that are sure to make you seem like a professional. I also learned how to draw the viewer's attention towards the main subject of the image without distracting them. Using different angles and perspectives also allows for the photographer to create some unique images.

Color Splash

Still Life Shots

1. What was your for your arrangement and background color?

I utilized numerous objects including the fan, flower pot, ice skate, mini skateboard, and grapes. I used the black background and varied the lighting. The object were arranged differently. 

2. How is the lighting in your image (direct, diffused, etc.)?

I varied the lighting throughout the shooting. Sometimes, I used just the large lamp, while other times I used the bright light bulbs. This gave each image a unique look. I used direct lighting for all of the shots.

3. What adjustments did you use?

I increased both brightness and contrast for all of the images. For the first picture, I turned it black-and-white and ensured that the picture looked real. For the second picture, contrast was used in order to make the depictions on the fan stand out.

4. How could you improve your composition?

If I could repeat the project, I would probably use more objects to make the pictures more interesting. I would use more colorful objects in order to be able to make the colors pop.

Surreal Shot

1.What is your image about?

My image includes an inflatable object lifting a bench press bar over his head. The picture was taken in the Cal High quad.

2. Was it easy/hard to find your resources? Why/why not?

It was pretty easy finding resources once I decided what my image would be about. I simply took the background photo and added two images that I found on the internet. I combined the floaty object picture with the bench press picture.

3. What photoshop techniques/adjustment layers did you use?

I primarily used my blending skills to make the images look like they were combined. I also added layer masks to ensure that the image flowed. I had to use the erase background tool to remove the original backgrounds of the images that I found on the Internet.

4. What could you improve upon?

If I were to do this assignment again, I think I would choose higher quality images off the Internet in order to avoid pixelation.

TED Talk

1. What is the most important aspect when creating his work?

The most important aspect is using the same perspective and lighting.

2. What do you find interesting about his work?

I find it interesting that he is able to utilize realistic images and combine them to create an image that looks out of this world.

Landscape in a Bottle

HDR Photography

Part 1:

HDR photography stands for high dynamic range. HDR photography produces a greater range of luminosity. It includes adapted images that appear better to the human eye. There are many efficient ways to create HDR photos. One way is through the use of a camera with an Auto Exposure Bracketing function. Another way would be to use an HDR photo-blending software that works to automatically enhance your photos.

Part 2:

This example of an HDR photo really stood out to me. It includes a vivid array of colors that really catch the eye of the viewer. I like the illumination and the escalator running through the globe. I feel like it would be a really cool experience going up this escalator. In general, this image is very unique. From the constellations on the walls to the details throughout the image.

Part 3:

 

Landscape Photo Using HDR Photoshop

Abstracted Images

Image 1

Image 1 with Poster Edges Filter

Image 2 

Image 2 with Plastic Wrap Filter

Image 3

Image 3 with Water Color Filter

Questions:

1. Which is your favorite shot and why?

My favorite shot is the third one because of the variety of colors in the image.

2. Which shot shows the best use of the elements of art?

The second shot shows the best use of the elements of art and seems visually proportional.

3. Which principles of design are used in your favorite image?

The third image shows balance, texture, color, and space.

4. Which image + filter is your favorite shot and why?

The third image with the water color filter is my favorite because of the deep contrast between black and white.

Exploring Landscapes

Part 1: 

1. Did you use the rule of thirds? What did you emphasize with it sky or land?

My favorite image is the third one. Yes, I used the rule of thirds while capturing the images on the camera. I tried to emphasize the land in the third image and focused on the large hill in the background. 

2. What Principles of design did you use and how? 

I used numerous principles of design in the third photo. I used balance, proportion, unity, and a sense of variety. 

3. What time of day was your image taken? Was it a good time to shoot or not? Why?

The image was taken in the afternoon around 2:00 pm. I think it was a good time to shoot because it offered plenty of light and illumination throughout the image. It provided a clear image.

4. How did you use the foreground/background relationship?

The background depicts an amazing view of the hills of the San Ramon Valley. The foreground offers a close up shot of the Cal High. The foreground and background contrast each other and give viewers a great view.

Part 2:

Part 3: 

Channel Mixer

Lab Color Method

Gradient Map

Desaturation 

1. Which method do you think produced the best result for you?

In my opinion, the gradient map produced the best black-and-white image.

2. Did you achieve a large value range for each image? If not, which methods worked the best?

I think I did achieve a pretty good value range. Each image looks distinct and unique in its own way. The channel mixer in particular looked very nice and had a good value range.

Magic Glow Photoshop Tutorial:

Landscape Blog Assignment

1. How was using the macro lens?

It was nice using the macro lens because it provides viewers with a unique perspective of objects that we usually only see far away shots of.

2. Which is your favorite shot and why?

My favorite shot is the third one. It shows a crazy view of moss which usually is known for being just a patch of green.

3. Which shot shows the best use of the rule of thirds?

The second shot shows the best use of the rule of thirds because the image takes up almost exactly a proportional size of the frame.

4. What principles of design are used in your favorite image?

My favorite image shows value, texture, and color.

The Art of the Cinemagraph

1. What was your team’s overall concept and did you succeed in crafting the cinemagraph the way you intended?

 My team intended to create a cinemagraph including motion with only the arm. We succeeded at creating a comedic cinemagraph and contained motion to only certain parts of the image. 

2. Were you more involved in the creative, photographic, or technical portion of the process, what did you do?

I was involved in the technical and photographic portions of the process. I recorded the video with the DSLR camera and also helped plan the action with the individuals in the cinemagraph. 

​ 3. What would you have done differently when creating your cinemagraph?

I probably would have avoided the bright lighting and looked for an easier background to shoot with. However, we were able to correct the brightness and make it look a little better.

4. What would have made this project easier to understand or create?

I think simpler directions would have made it easier. The video was a bit confusing and took patience to complete all the steps. With Ms. Bible's help, the procedure seemed much easier. 

5. How was the team dynamic - great, good, fair, poor, and did everyone share the work?

The team dynamic was great with everyone sharing the work and helping the project run smoothly.

Photoshop Exercise

Photographing Water

Station 1:

1. It was easy getting a good shot because the angle of the camera was set up perfectly.

2. I like shooting water with flash because it gives the picture a different perspective. 

Station 2:

1. It was not easy getting a good shot because the phone was angled straight ahead.

2. I did not like shooting without flash, it makes the image hard to see. 

Station 3:

1. It was easy getting this picture by angling our cell phones.

2. Shooting in burst mode is simple and an easy way to get good pictures.

Station 4:

1. It was easy taking pictures at a straight angle.
2. We adjusted the amount of food coloring that we put into the water.

Creating Artificial Motion

1. Does your image look real? Why or why not?

I feel that my image does look real because it goes well with the background. The blur adds to the effect and makes it seem like the car is actually driving thorough the woods.

6 Frame Narrative

The Great Fall

A student falls down the stairs at Cal High.

Taking Action Photographs

Manual Mode, 1/1250 Shutter, 3.5 f-stop, 800 ISO

 Manual Mode, 1/1250 Shutter, 3.5 f-stop, 800 ISO

Manual Mode, 1/1250 Shutter, 3.5 f-stop, 800 ISO

1. Which image is your favorite and why?

My favorite image is the third one because it shows a true mid action shot. It shows the jumprope in midair.

2. Was your subject in focus and your background blurry, if not, what do you think you could have done to get your subject in focus and your background blurry. 

Yes, for the most part, the subject was in focus and the background was blurry. We probably could have moved the camera a little to ensure the background was blurry. The movement could have been a little more too. 

3. What angle did you shoot from and was it the best angle, or could you have shot from a better angle, and if so, what?

We shot from a straight 180 degree angle from the subject. It looks pretty good, but we could have tried shooting from a 45 degree angle or 90 degree angle. 

Elements Scavenger Hunt

Line:

Shape:

Form:

Color:

Value:

Space:

Texture:

Using Rule of Thirds and Warm Colors:

Using Rule of Thirds and Cool Colors:

A selfie with a Flower:

Someone playing a sport:

Something iconic of Cal High:

A tree in black and white using the rule of thirds, showing texture and value: