During this photoshoot, we were assigned an artist to imitate and take "parody" pictures of, aka imitate the style of photography our artist specialized in. My artist was Nadar, a 19th century photographer who specialized in photos of nature, portraits and aerial photography from a hot air balloon that he flew around Paris in. Unfortunately I do not have access to a hot air balloon, or a way to take aerial photos. However I could take pictures of nature and portraits, so that's exactly what I did. I edited these pictures in black and white so that they could be similar to Nadar's photos, which were all black and white. These descisions helped me incorporate my voice into this assignment.

In this photoshoot, we took pictures of objects inside, outside (sunny) and outside (night), changing the ISO settings on our camera to alter how the picture turned out. I took pictures in the darkroom in the classroom- that was required for a different assignment as well. Then I took pictures outside in the sun and at night on my own time. I used the rules of composition as best as I could and it helped me to better my pictures as a whole in nearly every single one. I used the blacklight and the orange light in the dark room as my subject matter, as well as using flowers from the classroom. My strengths in this photoshoot was definitely my voice and creativity in creating the scenes that I took pictures. In this assignment I would have changed nothing, I had fun taking these pictures and I learned how to use my camera more effectively.

In this photoshoot, we took pictures of everyday objects and people moving and we used our cameras to add blur and freeze motion effects, as well as using a panning technique to capture images. I went to forest park and I went to potter's bridge park as well, I figured there would be lots of animals and other things in nature to capture. I set up my scene by finding an animal to take pictures of, preparing, and then waiting for them to move. I used the rules of composition to better my images. I used the elements and principles of design to make my images work. My subject matter was chosen almost from the start, I picked animals as my subjects because cars weren't allowed. I incorporated my voice through the animals that I took pictures of. This assignment helped me learn new things about my camera and how it works.

Artist Statement

        So far in this class, I have learned various techniques and guidelines for taking good images. We have learned the rules and composition to taking images (rule of thirds, don't center), and learned to operate our cameras (f-stop, etc) in different shapes and forms.
        Using composition in photography is one of the biggest parts of the art form overall; if you have no composition or guidelines, you have no taste, no stability. The rule of composition I use most is the rule of thirds.
        My favorite assignment we did is the first assignment. I felt we had the most freedom in that assignment overall and that was really fun to work with. I definitely have a theme, I always photograph nature in and out of focus it seems.
        The most successful project this year was the 2nd photoshop tutorial, it led me to be able to edit my images however I wanted to. I've struggled with my camera settings a lot this semester but I'm definitely improving on my skills. I want to learn how to take star-lapses and time-lapses.

I took pictures of objects in focus and out of focus in relation to the background. I went to downtown Noblesville and forest park, and a few pictures were taken in my neighborhood. I set up my scene by moving myself as well as my angle in relation to the object and background to create a depth of field. I used the rules of composition to make my pictures look more professional. I used the elements and principles of design in this photo shoot. I incorporated my voice through the objects I photographed. This helped me realize what depth of field was.

Rules of Composition Reflection

       In the rules of composition photoshoot we took pictures of anything we wanted, however, we had to pertain to certain rules of composition in taking the images. I went around my neighborhood and Forest Park to take pictures so that I could take pictures of any objects. I let nature do it's thing and just let it be in setting up most of the picture, except for when i put the flower in the hand of the angel of hope. I used the rules of composition to help me in my photoshoot- to make my pictures better. otherwise, my pictures would have been very dull and unoriginal. I especially used near and far. I used these rules to help me encorporate my voice heavily. My strengths were my originality and willingness to put my voice into the assignment. I wouldn't change anything about this assignment.

Where do you see photography in the next 10, 50, 100 years?  

 I see photography expanding even more than it has today and becoming important to our culture. Although photography has been a huge part of our culture I can only see people using it more. 

Think of how far photography has come since its inception in 1836 with the invention of Cyanotypes and Pinhole cameras to today's digital images and social media.  How will this affect artist voice?

 This would allow everyone to show their voice easier in pictures, however this results in photography being harder to use as an artistic medium. 

Photography is readily available to the masses, therefore photographer's rely heavily on conceptual development/ artist voice to elevate their work to "fine art."  How do you think photographers of the future will continue to push the envelop and stay fresh 10, 50, 100 years in the future?

People always find ways to make themselves stand out. I don't see this being any different with photography.