Amazing sky on Saturday

On Saturday I was in Edinburgh visiting a friend (and helping my parents spend money at  a certain flat pack furniture store). On the way home in the car I decided to take pics on the move. I wanted to see how good my phone camera was with movement. 

At first I didn't like the reflection, then I realised its like a cheats way to layering/ montage. 

I like how this one looks like the earth is being sooked off to the bottom left of the photo.

I tried editing it to be in black and white. I like it- it just makes me think of how fast life goes before your eyes (cliche, i know)

Sky

This looks like sand at the seaside after the waves have been on it.

I edited this by making the shadows the darkest, and colour the lowest. I love the tealy result.

I like how this one seems to never end.

I especially like how the trees are spikey and break up the lines of the clouds. 

I made this one like this because the black balances with the grey sky. 

What I Be Project

"The “What I Be Project” is all about honesty. In today’s society, we are told to look or act a certain way. If we differ from these “standards,” we are often judged, ridiculed, and sometimes even killed over them. I started this project in hopes to open up the lines of communication, and to help everyone accept diversity with an open mind & heart.

Each person that takes part in the project is extremely courageous! They are putting their insecurities out in the open, and exposing a side of themselves that nobody has seen before. By stating “I am not my_____,” they are claiming that they do in fact struggle with these issues, but it does not define who they are as a person. It is not aimed for people to say “You’re not fat,” or “You don’t have love handles.” It is to spread awareness on what people go through due to society’s paved roads. These are serious issues that some of us can live with, but most battle on a day to day basis.

I encourage every viewer to look at each image and put yourself in the individuals shoes. By allowing yourself to feel what they feel, you might realize something you’ve never noticed before. If you don’t understand someone’s message, stay tuned. To eliminate any confusion, each participant will be writing a 500 word or less statement explaining how their insecurity has affected their life.

Some of the faces you may recognize, some you may not. Take the time to connect with each one. You may see yourself within one of the photos.

I would like to thank you for showing interest in my project, and for taking the time to read what it’s all about."

- Steve Rosenfield

I found this through a site I use a lot called Reddit. I initially thought of using it for my Extended Specialist techniques unit (I wanted to write on myself, then I saw this and it broadened my ideas), then I have thought of expanding it to my Location Photography unit. http://www.whatibeproject.com/images/

"I am not my infatuation"

"I am not my envy"

"I am not my anorexia"

"I am not my thoughts"

"I am not my anxiety"

"I am not my emotions"

I really like how a few simple words can have so much impact. There are so many subcategories that you will at least find ONE you relate to. 

Exhibitions and Artist Visits

So over the last few weeks we have been to look at a few artists works;

Anna King- Old Gala House
I studied Anna King for Visual Recording last year- I like her work. Seeing it in real life though was much better. Her biggest piece was beautiful. I love that she uses pencil over the paint. I wish I could get a picture of her recent work and put it up.

The Haining- Selkirk
I've been to The Haining before but it has changed a heck of a lot since then. The first room we went into had work by Liz Douglas, Sam Wade, and Katie Ward. Katie gave us a talk on her work. It was really interesting. I didn't take to her work instantly, I thought it was a bit dull. However, I looked at it a bit closer and I really liked the layering of different materials that she found in the house as it was being renovated. Her little home made books were amazing. She came in later in the week and gave a talk about uni and life after it.

Same Wade's work was brilliant! He works with Kenetics. My favourite piece was "Heartbeat Clock" (it also told the time). I took a video of it- its a tad shaky but you get the idea.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DDMRczyENiM&feature=youtu.be

We also saw Dave Watson's work of the house as it was being renovated. I think he is coming to talk to us in the college this week.

Here is a bunch of photos I took at The Haining-

Door Handle

Crack in the floor

Played with saturation

Played with colour, effect, exposure, and saturation. This flower was purple. 

Id edit out the reflection if I had photoshop.

After we had seen all the work in the house, we went into Selkirk and looked at two other artist's work in separate buildings. Their names escape me but one worked with photography and the other worked with paint.

Kirsty and I are planning on going to Edinburgh soon to see the "Witches & Wicked Bodies" exhibition. I'm looking forward to it and it should help with Narrative Image Making.

I've been thinking more about my units for the next year. I had an idea for photography with the whole inside outside theme. Almost like my Specialist Techniques unit last year, but more focused on my anxiety rather than the other.

Editing Photos

I was off on Thursday so I missed Niall's class. I was told they did some observational drawing and blogs in the afternoon. When I felt a bit better, I decided to edit the photos from the week before. First I took an original photo and applied every setting singularly. 

This is Colour and Exposure.

Lines one and two- Colour 

1. Low Temperature, High Tint    2.Original Temperature, High Tint    3. High Temperature, Hugh Tint    4. Low Temperature, Original Tint    6. High Temperature, Original Tint    7. Low Temperature, Low Tint    8. Original Temperature, Low Tint    9. High Temperature, Low Tint

Lines three and four- Exposure

1. Low Brightness, Original Shadows, Original highlights    2. Low Brightness, Medium Shadows, Original Highlights    3. Low Brightness, High Shadows, Original Highlights    4. Original Brightness, Original Shadows, Medium- Low Highlights    5. Original Brightness, Original Shadows, Original Highlights    6. Original Brightness, Medium Shadows, Original Highlights    7. High Brightness, Original Shadows, Low Highlights   8. High Brightness, Original Shadows, Medium- Low Highlights    9. High Brightness, Original Shadows, Original Highlights  

This was the 6 different effects. I know that on the macs and on websites I can get more, but I was just playing about with the ones on my computer

1. Black and White     2. Sepia Tone    3. Cyan Tone    4. Orange Filter    5. Yellow Filter    6. Red Filter

EDITING THE PICTURES FROM THE TASK

 1.Colour (C)= 2    Exposure (Ex)= 5    Effect (Ef)= 1
2. C= 6    Ex=1    Ef= 0 Saturation was played around with to make the green less bright.
 I will go into more detail in the sketchbook about what I prefer about one over the other. I will say that I do like the second over the first much better because it's still in colour and it shows off the rain drops better.

1. C= 7    Ex= 6    Ef= 6
2. C=1    Ex= 3    Ef=2 (cropped)
3. C= 9    Ex= 9    Ef=5 (cropped)
The third is by far my favourite as the background isn't a focus at all, and the wheel detail shows up better.

1. C= 9    Ex= 7   Ef= 0 (cropped)
2. C= 8    Ex= 9    Ef= 5
3. C= 9    Ex= 9   Ef= 6 (cropped and saturation high)
Again, the third one is my favourite. I wanted to get the blackest black (like Mapplethorpe) and this was the best result i could get. I really like the contrast.

1. C= 1    Ex= 7   Ef= 1
2. C= 2   Ex= 7   Ef= 3 (cropped)
3. C= 7   Ex= 4   Ef= 2 (cropped)
I prefer the second one to the other two, I think it is just because it looks more painterly (?). However, if I were to take one forward, it would be the first as it would be more appealing to a wider audience.

1. C= 3    Ex= 3  Ef= 5 (cropped)
2. C= 6   Ex= 7   Ef= 0 (cropped and saturated)
3. C= 9   Ex= 1   Ef= 6 (cropped)
I'm stuck between 2 and 3. I like the darkness of the third one but in my eyes it just all blends into one. Whereas the second has a bit of depth to it. It's got a pastel look to it compared to the original.

1. C= 9   Ex= 2   Ef= 6 (cropped)
2. C= 1   Ex= 5   Ef= 2 (cropped)
3. C= 4   Ex= 4    Ef= 0 (cropped)
I think I prefer the first one over the other two. I'd like to get the blacks blacker though. I like how the shadow in the third one stands out more so I'll maybe try to get that more in the first one.

1. C= 7   Ex= 1   Ef= 6 (cropped)
2. C= 5   Ex= 4   Ef= 1
3. C= 6   Ex= 5    Ef= 0 (cropped)
The first and third one were cropped because Niall said the original was too focused on the top half. So I took out a few chunks and I think it looks better. I like the third one for its softer look. I like black and white photos, but I'd love to be able to incorporate some colour.

This post has taken me a while to put together, I was still sick over the weekend so I've not been on my laptop as much. I enjoyed comparing and editing the photos. I'm really excited about this unit and I think it will spur me on even more to do Photography in further education.