Best Of The Best

This semester, my biggest growth as a photographer was learning to take on more advanced and creative projects with confidence. I started to think more about how to plan and execute a full photoshoot from start to finish. One new thing I learned this semester was how to create wood transfers, which was something I had never done before and found really interesting. My favorite thing to photograph is still nature and scenery because I enjoy being outside and capturing the colors and shapes I see. That hasn’t really changed from Photo I or II—I still enjoy the same kinds of subjects. My photos have improved because I’ve learned to use better lighting, framing, and editing techniques. Using Photoshop helped me enhance my images and fix little details to make them look more polished. The project that challenged me the most was the self-portrait project, because I’m not used to being in front of the camera, and it was hard to come up with creative ideas that felt personal. I had to really think about how to express myself without words, which was new for me. During one shoot, I couldn’t get the lighting to look how I imagined, and I had to move to a new spot and try again. From that, I learned that not everything will go as planned, and it’s important to be flexible. The self-portrait project also helped me think more about how to show personality through colors, poses, and settings. One skill I got better at this semester was focusing on composition and using natural light more effectively. When I did the panorama project, I had to carefully line up each photo and keep the camera steady to make sure they blended together. I took a creative risk by using black-and-white editing in some of my projects, even though I usually like color more. For food photography, I used editing tools to brighten up the image and make the colors stand out, which helped make the food look more appealing. The photo I’m most proud of this semester is one of my panorama shots because the colors and the way everything lined up turned out just right. Feedback from classmates helped me see my work from a new perspective and gave me good ideas on how to improve. My ideas about what makes a strong photo haven’t really changed, but I’ve learned to pay more attention to detail. I feel more confident now using camera settings manually and editing my photos with a clear goal in mind. Going forward, one goal I have is to keep trying new techniques and tools to become more skilled and creative in my photography.