Album Cover - "Please Please Me"

Based off the Beatles' album "Please Please Me"

Masters of Photography Project Reflection

1. How do you think your project represents your work as a student?
   The project represents my artistic side, obsessed with incorrect details and continuously feeling inadequate and unskilled. Like Thoreau's decision to live in the wilderness, this project forced me to confront a different kind of reality, one that is harsh yet tolerable. I feel the project does not represent me well, as I was forced to explore a field of photography which I don't feel comfortable in, the portraits of others. I find using others to display a range of emotions as difficult and manipulative, as taking the shot becomes more of a challenge of being socially relatable and quick to the shot, than really understanding the aspects of photography and how to plan an image.
   
   In addition, it is incredibly difficult to replicate the work of others appreciably; I would prefer much more to find our own ways to display our view of the world than through making mock photographs of previous greats.
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2. How has your understanding of photography changed during this school year?
   My understanding of photography has been confused; it seems that all throughout the course we are told and taught to find our own way to display the world through photographs, yet most projects so far have limited the range of our expression by forcing us to either do something highly specific (portrait shots), or reflecting on a limited set of photographs that entirely may not interest us, or where we may find no deep meaning in.
   
   Photography as an art of expression seems to be reduced upon, while photography as an method of following others seems to be encouraged. I don't believe that all photographs should be equally appreciated; it's like telling a disinterested person that Picasso's work is great despite their dislike of it. Sure, by the majority, his work may be appreciated, but that doesn't invalidate the opinions of the few.
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3. What are some of the benefits of working in a group?
   Working in a group helps us reach a consensus, and gives us a resource when we don't have anywhere else to turn to. The different ways each person thinks about a certain idea or an aspect of photography can help the group create photos that accurately represents themselves. In addition, they help clarify certain logical approaches, especially when the rules get ambiguous, or the decision is left to us.
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4. What are some of the disadvantages of working in a group?
   Despite the benefit of increased ability to represent oneself, by sharing thoughts and opinions, it also forces one to think according to the majority, especially in an art project where each person is forced to do what the group picks. It is easy for the more vocal, strong-willed people to get what they want, compared to less-vocal people who want to avoid trouble. In addition, the biases of the teacher towards certain styles or photographers can make it difficult to stand up to the majority that support his interest, in this case portrait/human subject photography.
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5. Now that you have had more time to reflect, is there anything that you would have done differently with your recent project?
   Not have chosen an artist whose work revolved around people. I firstly do not have the experience to get others to feel the emotions I want to show, and secondly do not enjoy this kind of social manipulation, despite the fact that it can be argued that it isn't. Asking others to do something for me is something i abhor, as in most cases they will say yes, not because they want to participate, but because they feel guilty if they don't (or miss a potential favor).
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6. Is there anything else that you want to include?
   No, I believe my opinion is well-expressed in the past five paragraphs.

Second Portrait Assignment

Portrait partner: Anish Bhanot

Original:                                                  Edited:

 

I used the panoramic function on my camera to take this picture, which accounts for the distortion and initial oversaturation (I cannot adjust the shoot settings while in pano mode)

Photo Crop Assignment - Three Composition Rules

Before:

After:

Composition Rules:
PhotographyMad - Top 10 Photography Rules
-Rule of Thirds
-Depth

Digital Camera World - 10 Rules of Composition
-Background

Portrait Assignment

Edits:
1) Brought down contrast to cut down on light glare and bring out detail from bridge
2) Toned up vibrance and saturation a bit, to make up for the color loss.

Self Portrait Assignment

Used my camera's wifi setting to take this picture. May have upped the colors too much, since my computer monitor appears to have less vivid color settings compared to the desktops.

Depth of Field Assignment

Took this photo while zoomed in, to emphasize the depth and make 

sure the background elements are out of focus.