Photography 1

Reflection

My work has shown that it had improved digitally when I started learning more about how to use the tools in photoshop and learned how compositional rules can make a photograph better. At first, I had NO idea what I was doing when it came to using photoshop; I literally needed Mr. A to hold my hand throughout the whole way or I probably would have had not so good photographs. Then when I started working outside of school on projects, I would take more time to really understand what was going on with each individual tool. My work in film hasn't improved much, but once I understand how to work the camera I'm using, everything was better.

For example, with overlays, Cloning and Overlays, I honestly just threw my friend, Molly, on to that street and cloned a little bit of that image and called it good. Then, when I tried cloning the photo of Will, I wanted to really look like my hand never existed; which was hard because of the shadows and the flannel shirt he had on, but I took the time to really make it worth it. In the end, I was very proud of it. Another example is in our Intro to Film, I had no idea what I was doing and had NO idea how each photograph would come out. Now, since I've warmed up to the camera and understand how photos will process, I make sure to look for good enough lighting and basic compositional rules such as leading lines, framing, and closeup/close distance rules.

The most challenging parts of this whole photography class for me were, learning how to use the tools in photoshop as I mentioned above, and rolling film and making contact sheets. I seriously still cannot role my own film, so thankful for Lucy to take the time and do that, and making contact sheets always seems to go wrong for me. I don't know why because I try really hard to fit everything on the paper, but something always messes up and I get frustrated. I am most proud of one project digitally, Selected Color Portraits, because of how well I chose to select what was going to be color and what wasn't. I enjoy the pictures and the colors of each, specifically the eye one. I am also proud of one of the photos I will soon have uploaded as my print for Reflections & Shadows in film photography. I enjoy the detail that you can see just on the film strip, so once printed I think it is going to be really cool.

My work in this class illustrates my strengths and weaknesses in this class as I am definitely stronger with digital photography than with film photography. I enjoy digital photography more not just because it is easier, but because I enjoy the aftermath with all the editing and filters; it's fun. My weaknesses definitely are making contact sheets and rolling film with film photography. There's something about it I just seem to not get and it's so annoying, but I still try hard to do my best.