Unit 2 Activity 4

Unit 2 Activity 4: Symmetry and Asymmetry

Perfect Symmetry

This photo clearly represents symmetry. If you were to cut this photo in half, both parts would be a reflection of the other. Symmetry creates a type of balance that is aesthetically pleasing to the viewers eye.

by ~fragilereality on DeviantArt

This picture by ~fragilereality is an excellent example of asymmetry. The photo carries a heavier weight on the bottom right, as opposed to being exactly balanced liked the photo above.

My examples :)

Rule of thirds: The palm trees are in the right third of the photo and are the dominant factor in the image.

Asymmetry: There is an uneven weight in the image of the bag on the left and the stack of notebooks and folders on the right. 

Fill the frame: The cookies completely fill every part of the frame, leaving no negative space. By coming in extremely close, you can see details of the cookies that you wouldn't be able to see from far away.

Center of focus: By taking the picture in a reflective surface, I was able to center myself with the pool and trees in the background, but the main focal point is still me in the middle of the photo.

Unit 2 Activity 3

Unit 2 Activity 3: Rule of Thirds

Rule of Thirds Examples:

The rule of thirds in photography means that the main subject of an image is located in at least a third of the image. If you imagine a tic tac toe square in the picture, the points of intersection are where the subject should be. In both of the images above, the main subject is located in a third of the picture, thus fulfilling the rule of thirds. 

Not Rule of Thirds:

Notice that in these two pictures above, the main subjects are not in a third of the picture. Both subjects serve as more of a focal point of the picture rather than fulfilling the rule of thirds.

Where did these pictures come from? Check out these awesome photographers work!

Lizard

Ant

Girls Shoes

Dog on Beach

Unit 2 Activity 2

Unit 2 Activity 2: Passage Questions

‘To quote out of context is the essence of the photographer’s craft. His central problem is a simple one: what shall he include, what shall he reject? The line of decision between in and out is the picture’s edge. While the draughtsman starts with the middle of the sheet, the photographer starts with the frame. The photograph’s edge defines content. It isolates unexpected juxtapositions. By surrounding two facts, it creates a relationship. The edge of the photograph dissects familiar forms, and shows their unfamiliar fragment. It creates the shapes that surround objects. The photographer edits the meanings and the patterns of the world through an imaginary frame. This frame is the beginning of his picture’s geometry. It is to the photograph as the cushion is to the billiard table.’

~ John Szarkowski; The Photographer's Eye

The Steerage by Alfred Stieglitz

1. When Szarkowski talks about "quoting out of context," he means that his picture only tells part of the story. The picture that people see may not be a fair representation of the actual events. For example, there is a picture by Alfred Stieglitz called The Steerage in which a ship is bound for Europe. Some people believe that this is a picture of people boarding the Titanic, but people would never know the difference unless they read a description of the photo. 

1. Below is a painting by Degas from the end of the last century. People during this time period would have found his paintings completely shocking because of their "raw" material. He painted what he saw, and used various color patterns to create moods for his pieces. Another major shock factor was the fact that he so casually painted these portraits of people. During this time, it was common for portraits to be formal and have structure, but Degas didn't do that. 

The Tub by Edgar Degas; 1886

Unit 2 Activity 1

Activity 1: Frame and Composition

Photographer Nadin has captured the "Russian Winter" and has done this by making this young woman's face the center of attention. The entire frame is filled with the subject, as opposed to having any distracting details.

In this photo of a pug, found on shuttermike.com, this lovable face holds all audiences attention. The photographer has successfully used the fill-the-frame technique to make this pup the focal point of this picture. Even with the busy pattern of the cushion underneath the dog, it is still the main focus of the photo. 

Check out where these photos came from!

Picture Correct

Shutter Mike

Photo with my besties :D