Photo Challenge #1

This week, I practiced applying several compositional techniques. I picked up my camera and looked through the lens to see the world in a different perspective. The pictures in this week's photo challenge represent the following techniques: Angles, Rule of Thirds, Rule of Odds, and Framing. My additional technique that I practiced this week was Leading Lines.

Rule of Thirds -I focused on finding an angle that would provide me with a contrasting background against the periwinkle blue of the flower. 

Edited in Photoshop -  I used preset filters to bring out the contrast and enhance the blue of the flower and the green of the foliage. 

Leading Lines -  I noticed the curves of the fern branches and I zoomed in so that the entire photo was focused on this line. That way, when you look at this picture your eyes follow the curve throughout the entire photo. 

Edited in Photoshop - I wanted to bring out the way the sunlight was shining on the leaves so I used the single adjustment features to adjust the hue, saturation, and brightness/contrast. I also applied one present adjustment to bring out the warm tone in the photo.

Rule of Odds - For this photo I focused on bringing out these artistic handmade flowers placed in a natural setting. 

Edited using Photoshop - I focused on using the selection tool to enhance and hue and saturation of these handmade flowers. I lightened the background using a filter to try and emphasize the contrast between the natural landscape and the bright, distinct color of the manmade flowers. 

Angles - I got down to my dog's eye level and shot this picture from his level. It really brought his personality to life and it looks like he is sniffing the air, thinking about what is happening in the neighborhood. 

Photoshop editing tools - Used the selection tool to bring out the contrast and hue in his fur and bring your attention to him. 

Framing Technique - For this photo I looked for a natural frame to provide visual interest. I found this low branch and took this picture of Arlo sitting under the tree. 

Edited in Photoshop - I explored the move tool with this photo. I wanted Arlo to be closer to the frame at the top of the picture so I could zoom in and crop the bottom part of the picture. I needed to create another layer to be able to move Arlo, the dog. When I did that I noticed some of the brown dirt got copied onto the Arlo's back so I used the magic eraser to remove that distraction. I also used generative fill to remove the original picture of Arlo on the base layer and other distracting elements in the background such as a car. I used the preset adjustment layer, Warm Contrast to enhance the visual interest in this photo.