"Inspired Image"(first roll)

The subject of my creation is the corner of the school that houses the art rooms. The setting is in the FPAC lobby looking through the window out at the school. The photo was made using a 35mm film camera to take the initial image, then I went through the developing process of the film in the dark room using developer, stop, and fix solutions before rinsing and drying the roll of film. After it was dry, I cut and sleeved the film strips to keep the film together and prepare it for the contact print. Then to get the correct aperture and exposure, I made test strips and selected the one that I wanted, using the enlarger in the dark room. Then I put a full sheet of light sensitive photo paper underneath the sleeved film, turning on the light for the correct amount of time. After, I developed the enlarged image using all the chemicals and baths, ending by putting it in the dryer. I chose to enlarge this specific image because it was the image that captured the most interesting composition, with the angles and texture of the school. The specific elements and principles of design I used in this photo are line, value, texture, and contrast. The photo is composed very balanced since each side is balanced out by the other.

The composition rules and techniques that are used in this photo are formal balance since there isn't a significant amount of weight shifted to one side, sharp focus since the entire image is in focus, low horizon line since the horizon in this image is below the halfway point, and low key lighting since the image overall is pretty dark. My project evolved because initially I had printed out another photo, but decided against it in the end, going to this one instead. Also the photo was too exposed making it even darker than it is now, so I had to make a new one exposed for less time.

The meaning behind this artwork is to show the dullness of modern architecture in the education system, and the sorrow that students experience every time they embark on a school day. This photo relates to my life because I have to go through this "sorrow" 5 days a week for 12 whole years, also it is of the outside of the art room which is where I spend a lot of my time. I think my artwork could be stronger if I exposed the image for even less time so it wasn't as dark and maybe if I used the shadows to my advantage in the photo.