Of which Photo are you the most proud? Why? Please explain and be specific. What did you learn from doing this project?

I was most proud of the picture above, with my dog Tenney laying down while the camera is on the ground because the print came out amazingly clear and the angles and focus points on the piece are perfect. One of the main reasons I love this peace is because of the focus points, the grass that is right up next to camera is blurry while as the Tenney and the flowers are clear and then the background is blurry as well. The way that the camera was focused highlights the dog and leads you into seeing all the texture within her fur. There is also some staining on the picture down at the bottom. I'm not sure how that happened but it adds a cool effect on the image, as it is subtle but adds movement to the grass. The placement of the dog is also well done as she is centered but the way her body is her head is more to a side weighting down the image and giving a touch of the rule of thirds.

How has taking this class changed the way you think about Photography? This could include your own photography, how you appreciate that of others, and/or how you might look differently at photography in the world around you (online, in books/mags, galleries, wherever…)

Originally I hated Photography with a passion, I was ignorant and thought that it was easy and anyone could do it. Now I completely disagree with my past self, even though I still think it is fairly easy for myself, I never realized how much thought and techniques were put into taking a quality photo. When we hit the dark room was when it really hit me that it is more than a click to make these images. Learning how to use a film camera, make negatives and then creating prints was so cool and so much harder than previously expected. This class has made me appreciate photography as I do other art forms, as well as create a new positive passion for me. It also made me question how photographers have the patience and timing to gather all there amazing, like in the national geographic.

What recommendations would you make for ways that the class could be improved (please don’t worry about hurting my feelings- artists learn from, and expect, constructive criticism.

I did really love this class, it was very peaceful and limited pressure, I think you did a great job explaining everything and helping us succeed. For criticism its hard to say, you could possibly add more structure, an example would be more assignments. I felt like I did more than required for the class and others could have easily too. For the second quarter when we were in the darkroom after students have gotten comfortable with making prints you could start teaching them new tools. Like when I was in the darkroom and saw some kids spraying developer on their paper (which I ended up doing myself later), could be something you teach. You could create some extra credit assignments for kids who finished early. However, overall I think you taught the class well by keeping the stress levels down and helping us out frequently

Photo critique:

Frank Hovart. Shoe and Eiffel Tower, 1974

1. I would like you to first describe the image in detail (as if you were describing it to someone who cannot see)

A profile view of some woman feet wearing shiny black heels with gray highlights, wearing black tights is standing close to the camera. The camera is level with the ground and the whole image is in focus. Between the heel of the first shoe, there is a man in a tuxedo standing small and off to the distance. By the toe of the other heel is the Eiffel Tower. The first shoe's toe is next to a build and statue off in the distance. The background/sky is almost exactly the same shade of white-gray as the ground, both are plain and lack detail. There are no solid white spots in the image it is all a shade of gray.

2. I would like you to analyze the image (what compositional techniques did the artist use to contribute to the success of the image?).

There is the use of framing and close distance in this piece. You can find the natural framing between the heel where the heel and gound frame the man in the distance. You could also argue that the two feet/legs frame the Eiffel Tower, however, it isn't as clear as it is with the man. Close distance is seen with the woman's feet which are very close to the camera, making them large and the focus point of the image. Because of the shoes being close you see the camera has a sharp focus on the shoes and the detail within. you can also see a low horizon line that is only slightly taller than where the shoes touch the ground.

3. Next, interpret the image. What is the photographer trying to do or say in this photo.

I can interpret this image in two ways; one, Paris is a place of fashion and culture so the shoes represent the style of the place, while as, the tower shows where they are, making the message of there culture in the fashion world as France is well known for. It could also interrupt this image in a way representing a relationship of some sort between the man and female in the picture. there is a man in the background "falling in love" with this girl he sees walking around. The Eiffel tower in the background makes you think this because Paris is the "city of love". With that is mind you will to believe the man is in love with this woman in heels.

4. Last, I want you to evaluate the image. Do you think it is successful? Why?

Yes and no, I think it has a lot of composition rules that could classify it as a strong image, but I also don't like the format of how its all laid out, that maybe they used to many rules of composition. That could also be a personal opinion which cant truly determine the success of the image, but since they are some many techniques executed in the piece I'm lead to think rationally about this and say that it is successful. If the photographer wanted to improve if they could possibly try and capture the image with a different background color if they make the ground or sky a darker shade than they wouldn't blend together as much and make it so the person doesn't look like they are standing in front of a poster.