SELF PORTRAIT
For this project, I wanted to reflect on how my personality is very closely in tune with my zodiac sign, the cancer. I experimented with digital editing by playing with color, and shape. I also attempted to implement typography by overlaying a phrase over my photo. I wanted to have an astrology/space theme in my pieces to tie back to the zodiac idea. The font I chose represents this style, as well as the circular shape, because basic geometric shapes are often found within the minimalism of space. In the second picture, I connected the blue from the first picture by using blue string. I created the shape of the cancer constellation in correlation with my pose in the picture to represent the parallels between my zodiac sign and my actual personality. I enjoyed this assignment and had the chance to explore deeper into the realm of photography.
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QUILT COLLAGE / MONOCHROMATIC COLLAGES
The collage to the left is the first collage we made. We chose four pictures that were cohesive and cut them into a pre-made pattern, then rearranged them into a more abstract fashion. This was one of my first times experimenting with collage and I was satisfied with my results. I am attracted by the minimalism I captured and the cropping of the pictures. There was also a strong sense of shape and pattern in the pictures which I really enjoyed. I would pay more attention to the pattern of the quilt altogether the next time I create a piece like this! The three collages above are a monochromatic series, each based on one color. I tried harder to inject my style into these pieces and feel that it worked out very well. I notice I made a limited use of pattern in each of the pieces (blue pixels, pink grid, vertical stripes) as well as capturing a very graphic, minimal feel. I treated the focal points of my pink and white pieces similarly with the negative spaces separating the picture. I don't feel as if one piece overpowers the other, but that they all share strong traits and balance each other out. I am very excited about these pieces.
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VISUALIZING MUSIC
In this assignment, we addressed our relationship to music through visual art. With these photos, I wanted to reflect genre of music I listen to by visually representing the styles through editing. I was interested in shooting portraits because I like how facial expression can represent emotion and how the facial landscape can be edited and manipulated. For this picture, I focused on a genre of pop called PC Music. These songs feature very synthetic sounds and are very digitally oriented, almost parody-ing the concept of bubblegum pop. Because of this, I wanted to make my model's skin very shiny and glossy, almost like plastic.
BOOKMARK
This assignment preceded our bookmaking project so that we could experiment and figure out which route we wanted to take for our books. I wanted to focus on the architecture and design of cars, so I played with geometric shapes, lines, and metallic and vibrant colors. The focal point of my piece was one of the pictures I took for my book. The car handle had a very graphic feel to it, from the shape of the handle and the oval behind it, to the silver color which created somewhat of a gradient. I liked how it took a very familiar object, and stripped it away of what usually makes it familiar in order to focus on the aesthetic feel of it. I cut out arrow-like shapes as well as a circle because I wanted to use geometric shapes. I added lines to create interest and create a setting or direction for the piece. I found inspiration in a holographic cellophane-like tissue paper, so to showcase this element, I left the design of the bookmark minimal. To emphasize the metallic color I added confetti, but instead of tediously gluing down each piece, I left them loose under the tissue paper. This made the bookmark much more interactive and three dimensional which I really enjoyed. The outcome of this bookmark made me excited to start my book!
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MIXED MEDIA / STILL LIFE
In this assignment, we were expected to execute a photo that is visually interesting as a still life with the addition of string. I was inspired by the white string to act as milk, and enjoyed the playful, geometric, familiarity of the milk carton shape. Using the black velvet backdrop, I had to hang the carton with pins and was also challenged as I tried to imitate the fluidity of milk by pinning the string. I chose to make the photo black and white so that the purity of the milk color would stand out, and so the blue color of the carton wouldn't distract the viewer. I tried to achieve a sense of minimalism and create interest through the arrangement of the string as well. It was fun to play around with the idea of a simple milk carton and milk, and utilize the versatility of string in such a manner. While the concept behind this piece is quite literal, it is still successful in relaying my idea to the audience. I was very pleased with the outcome of this assignment because it was close to my aesthetic as an artist. I also feel that it met the guidelines of the assignment, but was also very different from the Zeke Berman photos we drew inspiration from, which was very satisfying.
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STREET PHOTOGRAPHY
This photo is my first attempt at street photography. My friend Nalani and I sometimes escape to the roof of her house and the view is very surreal and extraordinary, so I wanted to capture it in a photo. I was shooting around late afternoon, almost evening, which gave me very strong silhouettes with the setting sun. I emphasized the vibrancy of the sky by increasing the saturation and preserved the minimal light glowing on the edge of my friend's shadow. The sunset is brought to attention by the strong contrast between the light and the shadows. The large amount of shadows achieves a sense of intimacy that I feel is special to the photo. This notion of ambition, and the freedom and ability to take on the world is also communicated in this photo. As teenagers, we are in a transitional stage between childhood and adulthood which, at times, can be overwhelming. To feel as if the world is in your hands and to gain the confidence to succeed is a necessary experience for us as teenagers, and in general. This photo gives us that experience.