Family Dynamics

Artist Statement:

This photo is of my mom and step dad looking at The White Mountains in New Hampshire. Though it looks posed, it is not. This is completely candid. I used my phone to take this photo. I chose to take it because it was a pure moment, and I think something about it makes it peaceful. I used the elements and principles of line, because the fence and the tree/trees and all lines; shape, because there are different shapes of clouds, fences, trees, mountains, and silhouettes; value, because there is quite a range of value; texture, because the clouds and trees both have texture; and emphasis, because I think since I used watercolor paint to recolor the clouds, it makes them pop more.

This photo shows the composition rules/techniques of rule of thirds, because the tree and part of the silhouettes are in the required spots; informal balance, because the photo seems balanced although it isn't; silhouette lighting, because there are silouettes of the tree and my mom and stepdad in the sun; leading lines, because I think the tree is a leading line; grouping, because the clouds are all grouped together; and framing, because the trees frame my mom and stepdad. Originally, I didn't plan of painting the clouds in, but once I realized that the clouds weren't completely white, I decided to make them because It would create a larger range of value.

This photo was taken on a trip to the White Mountains, and I love it there. We were hiking and I had a lot of fun going on new and different trails with my family. It relates to my life because it is of my family, and they mean a lot to me. If I could change something about this photo, it would be to add a filter to make the blacks actually black.