M.C. Mendonca MSJHS DP Per. 4

Part 1 (75 points)

What is your favorite photo from this Lens slideshow? Provide three reasons that it is your favorite.
My favorite photo is the 7th photo in the slideshow. It is a photo of an acrobat at a light show. It is my favorite because I like the vibrant colors, the silhouette of the acrobat against the vibrant balloons, and the fact that he's in motion. The blurred neon bowling pin gives the photo movement. The photo is very interesting and caught my eye immediately.
Which photo is the best from the slideshow? Provide three reasons.
I believe the best photo is the 6th photo in the slideshow. It is a photo of a car crossing a dried-up lake. I believe it is the best because it follows the rule of thirds (the car is not centered), it has good lighting, and it provides depth of the sprawling desert landscape.
What is your best work this semester? Include the blog link. Give three reasons why this is your best work. If you had more time, how would you do to improve the project.
My best work this semester came from the album cover project. It is my best work because the photo is extremely similar to the original, I used my colors well, and I edited it well (given the time provided). If I had more time, I would've found a better location off-campus to photograph my subject (we had to make do with a small window ledge instead of a bench), and I would've spent more time editing the album title. In my photo, the title of the album is too close to Haroon's face and it stands out too much, looking very obviously edited (on the original cover, the title is etched into the wall, although we obviously couldn't do that). I believe with more time, the title could have looked much more authentic.
You chose three rules of composition. What are your three rules?
My three rules (which I share with the rest of my photography group) are: simplicity, depth, and aspect ratio.
Select one of your own photos that illustrates your ability to apply at least two of the three rules. Insert the photo into the post and label the picture. Clearly include the two rules of composition that you are using.

First Photo Assignment, My First Rule

This photo illustrates good use of aspect ratio and simplicity.
I have three rules of composition. I have explained one already. What is my first rule?
Your first rule is to get closer.
What are the benefits of working in groups? Provide a list with five benefits.
Benefits of working in groups include: -getting more work done in less time
-putting less stress on the individual member as work is divided
-gathering helpful insight and advice from trusted peers
-bettering communication skills
-receiving support and encouragement from interpersonal bonds
What are the difficulties of working in groups? List five difficulties.
Difficulties of working in groups include:
-arguing over whose opinion is right/best
-facing indecision when we cannot decide whose opinion is right/best
-trusting others to do their share, at the risk of them not completing their work
-misunderstandings about responsibilities/assignments
-personality clashes
What is your favorite work product produced by another person in this class? Provide the link to their work.
My favorite work is Kaitlyn Shih's first photo in her Masters of Photography project. She reconstructed Karsh's photo of Jim Henson down to a T.

A little history (25)

10. You studied a master photographer and reproduced his or her work. Who was the photographer? What did the photographer contribute to the field of photography? List one significant contribution. (5)
My group studied master photographer Yousuf Karsh. He influenced the practice of portrait-taking greatly through his series of celebrity portraits. He paved the way for other artists interested in his field of photography.

11. What is Dorothea Lange's most popular photo? (Does the photo have a name?) Where was the photo taken? When? What agency employed Dorothea when she took the photo?
Lange's most popular photo is called "Migrant Mother". It was taken in Nipomo, California in February or March of 1936. At this time, Lange was working for the Resettlement Administration.

12. Who was the creator/founder of Life Magazine? When did the (photojournalism) magazine begin publishing?
LIFE magazine was founded by John Ames Mitchell. It began publishing as a photo-journalism magazine in 1936.

13. Robert Capa was a founding member of what organization? What year did the organization start?
Robert Capa founded Magnum Photos. It started in 1947.

14. Robert Capa took the photo known as "Falling Soldier." When and where did he take the photo?
Capa's photo, "The Falling Soldier", was taken on September 5, 1936, at Cerro Muraino.

Yousuf Karsh was born in Mardin, Ottoman Empire (present-day Turkey). He was born December 23, 1908 and died July 13, 2002. He began studying photography in 1928. He photographed famous people.

We chose Karsh because we were fascinated by his photography of famous people that rose to fame during the 20th century. We were inspired by his drive and his career success in his lifetime. While working on this project, we came to appreciate his skill in posing his subjects and his use of lighting.

I edited these photos by completely reducing the vibrancy and saturation to make them black and white. I also increased the contrast, and made the blacks and whites darker.

Model: Kaitlyn Shih
Before