Journal 4 - Lighting and Portraits

This journal assignment was challenging and fun. I took it from a slightly different perspective, using colored paper to gather different effects.

The first column of shots are taken with no flash, with just colored paper held up to reflect the color. The color is not very strong, however when enlarged, hints of the color can be seen.
The second column was used in a similar manner, only with the flash turned on and being softened by a white piece of paper used as a filter.
The third column is done with the colored paper as the filter.
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This shot was taken with no filter on the light, the light placed on chest at head level.
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This shot was also taken with the light at head level, with a purple piece of paper over the light as a filter.
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This shot was taken with the light behind her at head level with me looking up from the floor.
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The light was at head level, with the pink paper as a filter over the light.

In Class Shoot - Lighting

We played with lighting in class. There are some great ways to get different results depending on the type of lighting and the angle of lighting.

Side Lighting - Edited with Magnetic Lasso and Edited Levels on Background
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Side Lighting with Black Background - Curves Edited
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Backlit - Edited Levels

Exercise 4 - Selection Tools

Magnetic Lasso Tool
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Magic Wand Tool
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Journal 3 - From the Hip......

I loved this assignment. It was really fun to go out and just "point and shoot" without looking. Many of my shots were pretty crappy, but I was able to get seven really decent shots to post. The ice that formed around the trees was beautiful.

Chest Level - Angled Up
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Ground Shot - Straight Up
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Ground Shot - Straight Across
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Chest Level - Angled Down
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Ground Level - Straight Across
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Above Head - Angled Down
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Chest Level - Angled Up

Exercise 3 - Curves - NOT JUST FOR WOMEN!!!

Adjusting curves can take the image and correct it to be the way you want it to be, or you can change the image to be a much harsher looking image. Below is the original image, along with playing with curves.

Original Image

Curves Editing

Bathroom Ceiling

My bathroom is getting a mini makeover due to some major leakage of pipes. There are holes in my ceiling, the floors are covered in dust and grime, and it is generally not the clean feeling place it should be. However, I was able to take several really cool looking photos that I have edited slightly for effect.

Journal 2 - Portrait of an Object

I had a much easier time with this assignment. I chose an object that is important to me. The conch shell belonged to my uncle. He used it as the fog horn on his sailboat and it spent many years at my grandmothers house after his death. When my grandmother finally passed away, it was one of the few items I wanted. It reminds me of my uncle, it reminds me of my grandmother, and I am one of the few people who are able to blow it and get a good sound out of it. I did struggle a bit with the lighting but in the end I am pleased with how they turned out.

Exercise 1 & 2 - Adjusting Images in Photoshop

In PhotoShop, we learned how to resize a photo. This did not seem to affect how the photograph looks in this blog, however, when clicking on the image, it is much smaller when it is opened in the other window.

Original Image

Resized Image

We also learned a bit about using levels, color balance, and hue and saturation. This really can change how the photo looks. If the photo is too dark or too light, it can be changed with the levels. If the colors are not quite right, they can be changed with the color balance. If the image would appear better in black and white, or the brightness of the colors is too dull, that can be changed with the hue and saturation.

Levels Adjustment

Color Balance

Hue & Saturation

Journal 1 - 10 x 10

Assignment: Find an interesting location that is roughly your arm's length by arm's length (about 3x3). Think about the lighting, the shapes, lines, colors, values, and textures within, or that can be seen from that location. Without leaving that location, take 10 images considering how the lighting and the elements of art (line, shape, color/value, texture & space) help create or establish unified compositions. Consider balance, movement, and emphasis when unifying composition.

This assignment was very challenging for me. Every time I took out my camera took take pictures, I felt like what I was looking at wasn't very exciting and wasn't going to meet the requirements for the assignment. Eventually, I decided I need to just choose a spot to stand and do the assignment. The result is a look at my bathroom.

This is the 10 foot square location I chose to take my images of.

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The next three shots are some that I took to help round out the shoot. I know that some of the shots above didn't really work, but some of them really did. I didn't want to completely redo this journal as I really feel it shows where I started and where I am finishing up.

White Balance and ISO

With all the photos I have taken in my life, I have never learned how to use the settings in my camera. There are many things that I know help take a better photo. The digital photography course I am taking this spring is going to be extremely helpful for me. The first class we were taught about using white balance and ISO. Below are some sample photos I took of beginning to understand how to use the different settings and features of my phone.

This photo was taken in my living room with tungsten lighting.
The white balance was taken off of auto, and set to CHECK SETTING.
This photo is much warmer than the actual living room setting. It makes the shot seem very inviting.

This photo was taken in my living room with tungsten lighting.
The white balance was taken off of auto, and set to CHECK SETTING.
This photo is much cooler than the actual living room setting. It makes the shot feel almost snobby.

This photo was taken in my living room with the overhead light on with the ISO set toof 50.
With the ISO set so low, the amount of light that was allowed in was very little, making the shot very dark.

This photo was taken in my living room with the overhead light on with the ISO set to 400.
With the ISO set so high, the photo comes out a tad bright, but a much nicer photograph than with the ISO set low.

White balance can change the whole feel of the shot, it can make it warmer or cooler, it can add life and take it away. Changing up the white balance can be helpful in taking the shot exactly how it is wanted to be taken. The ISO allows pictures to be taken in darker lighting without the use of a flash. A flash can make or break a photo and sometimes it is just to harsh.

I have a feeling I am going to enjoy this class a lot. Especially since we will be doing journal entry assignments that the instructor wants us to post online in a blog format. Not only will this be great for displaying assignments, but also in keeping me using my blog!

Climbing

I have recently gotten back into climbing and have found that between my weight loss, and the previous experiences, I am able to do quite a bit I didn't think I would be able to do before!
When working on bouldering, there are different routes to complete, each marked with its difficulty. When I used to climb, I was never able to complete a single V0, which other than a VFun, is the easiest level in bouldering. I have been very proud of myself for completing not only a V0, but also a V1, and working on a V2. While I am not always able to complete every one I attempt, each day I climb I am able to get just a little bit further, and complete a new move.
Climbing is my winter choice for keeping my weight down until the weather warms up and the roads dry up and I can start biking again.

Taco Mac and Cheese

Homemade macaroni and cheese is one of my favorite comfort foods, but I am always looking for ways to make it a bit different. I have come up with several so far and each is just as comforting, just as tasty, and just as easy to make.

Mac and Cheese


1lb Macaroni (or pasta shape of choice)
Salt
Pepper
2TBS Butter
1 Clove Garlic - minced
2TBS Flour
2 Cups Milk
3 Cups Shredded Cheese

Boil water and salt, add pasta and cook till done, drain and set aside.

Melt butter in bottom of saucepan,add garlic and saute, then add flour and whisking till smooth, 1-2 minutes.
Whisk in milk and salt and pepper.
Slowly add cheese, whisking occasionally. Do not let mixture burn.

Toss with pasta and serve.

Variations
~ Add to the mixture, one box of defrosted frozen chopped broccoli, and 1-2 cups diced ham
~ Add to the cheese mixture, one box of frozen squash, 1-2 cups diced chicken
~ Add browned, ground, taco seasoned beef (add a can of diced tomato's to the beef and taco seasoning and simmer till reduced before adding to the mac and cheese)

Mac and cheese also happens to be one of Jeremy's favorites, so coming up with new ways to make it keeps it from getting to be an old meal.

Urging of Friends

With the urging of friends, I am again going to attempt at keeping this blog updated. I am hoping that with the help of my digital photography class, which is going to be requiring me to keep a journal/blog of my photography assignment, will help me keep this going. Along with photographs, hopefully there will be some great dishes as well. Not all will be my own personal recipe, but dishes I have made from recipes found online or in cookbooks.
There have been many changes in my life as well. I am living in Burlington and have been for several months now. I am in a cute, small, two room studio on Pearl Street, 2 blocks from Church Street. Living with me is my boyfriend, Jeremy, whom I have been with for the last five months. He makes me happy and enjoys life as much as I do. I am no longer working at Capitol Grounds in Montpelier, my commute is about 15 minutes as opposed to the 60 minutes it was before; I am working at Hannaford in the deli department. I am taking classes again, working towards my
bachelors so that I can move forward with life.