Capture.

I went to see the UNH Concert Choir as my 2nd artist lecture. The choir performed in the art museum and really impressed me. I am not schooled in voice or any type of choir- but I can appreciate talent when I see it. They filled the museum with their voices and really captured the stage. It was not what I would consider "traditional" choir singing- but then again- I don't have much background in this subject. I wouldn't consider it traditional because it was sung with many different types of languages- so I didn't understand anything they were singing. However- I feel like on the flip side- it added to their performance because it made me focus on the raw singing instead of the words.

Though most of the choir was what I would consider flawless- some of the performers could probably work on their stage presence in the future- but I can understand it would be extremely difficult to get so many people on the same page in terms of their stage presence- and honestly I don't think I could ever do what they did- so I commend their efforts!

Chapter 1: Why We Make Pictures: A Concise History of Visual Ideas

This chapter is a great opening to the textbook. It discusses how people started capturing images almost from the beginning of time. And it quickly brings up a great point, “They all make photographs because works cannot always provide a satisfactory way to describe and express our relationship to the world.” This chapter also describes the history of different types of photography. One of the many types of photography listed in this chapter is New Media- and that is what I believe our class will revolve around- but I feel like photographers need to keep the others steps in the Evolution of Photography in the back of their minds.

Chapter 2: Visual Foundations

This chapter is all about the visual component of photography and how one goes about communicating their message through that design. Through reading this chapter- one step in the visual component in photography-really stood out: Composition. I have taken some black and white photo classes before- and I feel like I am constantly working to create a better composition. I need to work on subtractive composition, which means learning what to subtract from the picture- things that are not necessary to my main subject/composition. The golden mean is a big subject of this chapter aka the rule of thirds. The GOLDEN MEAN PROJECT we did as an assignment really helped me understand this chapter more.

Chapter 3: Image Capture: Cameras, Lenses, and Scanners

This chapter focuses on the hardware component of photography. The Camera serves are the key component of the photographic vision. I feel like different cameras can create different messages- because not every camera can do the same functions. I started off in this class with a Luminx point and shoot camera. Though it was a great camera and it could do a lot of different things I choose to upgrade to a Cannon Rebel DSLR. I am very happy that I upgraded because I feel like it has helped me grow as a photographer because I have learned how different functions can change an image- and message. Experimenting with aperture and light balance will continue to help me grow as a photograph throughout this course and beyond.

Chapter 4: Exposure and Filters

This chapter is absolutely correct- proper exposure technique is the technical prerequisite to the process of transforming ideas into photographs. And though it is easier said than done- camera light meters, and digital imaging software offers aid in that department. Though I knew what a camera light meter was before reading this chapter- I did not know how it worked. Understanding that it reads all the light reflecting back from the scene shown in the viewfinder to generate a “mean exposure from all reflectances within the entire scene.” I feel like understanding how my camera functions, is only going to benefit my work in the future.

Chapter 5: Seeing with Light

“Light’s multidimensionalism can reveal any subject’s many diverse realities, which are as fleeting as light itself.” The definition of photography is capturing light- so in the end- every photograph is about light. Using different lightings can help convey a message- and help the audience feel what the photographer is trying to convey. Just the differences of the time of day/types of light can really change what a photograph says. Before sunrise, morning, midday, afternoon, twilight/evening, and night are all different times of day that create different types of light- though I have worked with daylight the most- I really want to focus on twilight and night photos in the future- because it is something I have not done too much.

Chapter 6: Observation: Eyes Wide Open

Though I consider myself very literate in terms of words- this chapter focuses on the art of learning the language of images---to be visually literate. Our critiques that we have after each project really helps me grow as a visual literate person- one very meaningful component to reviewing our own work and the work of others. And when I look at a scene- this chapter suggests I determine what exactly interests me—and to visualize how and where my content and background are going to appear in the final image. Visualizing is something that has helped me greatly throughout this course so I can correct actions and behaviors to create a better image in the end.

Chapter 7: Time, Space, Imagination, and the Camera

A camera can stop time and add to the aspect of physical dimension within a framed area of visual space—giving photography some properties other visual media may not have. Though a camera can capture a period in time and attempt to “freeze” the scene- forever. On the other hand- a camera can mimic a human eye with its lens- not just freezing a point in time- but showing a particular moment from a specific vantage point.

Chapter 8: Digital Studio: Where the Virtual Meets the Material World

Though digital photography has a long and complicated history based off of film photography- digital imaging makes picture making and viewing instantaneous-but it also makes the distribution simpler and quicker. It captures the subject as a series of “pixels.” Though this chapter touches on many different subjects that would be tough to convey in only a paragraph- the section on pixels and image size was very helpful in terms of our digital photo class- It helps me understand how resolution and pixel dimensions relate. Though this chapter really helps me understand the connection- it also helps work within Photoshop to create the final image. Though I work better from experience- this chapter will be a great resource in the future.

Chapter 9: Presentation and Preservation

A very large component in digital photography that I have learned so much about this semester is the use of digital retouching an repair. Though I enjoy shooting the images I want to convey more than the retouching aspect- I have learned retouching the image is half the battle. When I am taking a photo- one can not always tell if there is anything slightly off. Correcting and visual defects before the final print can be critical- because those defects can take away from the overall feel of the final print. Though this chapter has a lot of information- it will be a great reference to look back upon on storing and the distribution of materials.

Chapter 10: Seeing with a Camera

This chapter builds upon what many of the other chapters have tried to relate to the reader- “one of the fundamental tasks of any image-maker is to define what the exact subject of the picture is going to be.” Angles of view are a very helpful subject in this chapter- because just slightly tilting the camera can convey a new-more dynamic image as a final print. I wanted to base a project around a “worm’s eye view” because shooting from a low vantage point- can create a subject from a different angle- that as adult humans- we are not used to.

Chapter 11: Solutions: Thinking and Writing about Images

“Visual thinking involves an imaginative and resourceful interaction between an image-maker and a subject.” Coming up with ideas for projects as the semester goes on- becomes more difficult. Something this chapter suggests that would probably be of great help for me in future projects- is using a notebook and a journal to take notes on ideas and subjects that inspire me. And though I didn’t quite keep a running journal- I would quote often take notes on scrap pieces of paper- so maybe if I collect those scrapes- I can create a journal. Though generating an idea is only one of the first steps—approaching the subject and tying it all together, reviewing, and a final evaluation are also critical steps in the creative process.

Chapter 12: Photographer on Assignment

This chapter focuses on portrait research. This may include: self-portraits, portraits of other people, environmental portraits, etc. Throughout this semester I feel like I did a lot of portraits- just non-traditional ones. First, with- the scan-o-gram and then with the 7 deadly sins. And portraying oneself for the camera has been a staple of photography since the beginning. With the scan-o-gram project- I used my hands and props to convey my own self-portraits. Also portraiture can be the capturing of social identities- and be used to convey questions—portraits are always changing- the subjects that is- just not the way about it- I look forwards to working with portraiture in the future.