Period 4 Semester Final

1. My favorite picture from the Lens Photography Blog is number 7, which depicts an acrobat performing at a NightFest light show. This is my favorite picture because the colors of the performance contrast with each other as well as with the black background. This makes for a more intense aesthetic. Additionally, I like the depth that the angle of photography provides; one can see the front-most lights, and then the acrobat, and then some lights behind the performer. Furthermore, this is my favorite picture because it is light-hearted but still meaningful. This photograph is from a traditional month-long festival, which holds both entertainment and cultural value. 
2. The best photograph in the slideshow is number 9, which depicts a red deer seen through morning mist at Richmond Park, London. This is the best picture because it has hidden depths. At first, the viewer's eyes are drawn to just the silhouette of the deer through the mist. But with closer inspection, one sees the outline of the bird perched on its shoulder, as well as the shrubbery behind the deer. This adds to a more complex picture without overwhelming the viewer. This is also the best picture because of the photographer's choice to choose that time, location, and weather condition for his picture. A photo depicting a deer in broad daylight would have been more banal and less scintillating than a deer shrouded in mist. Another reason why this is the best picture is that it shows how nature and mankind can coexist, as this deer, an integral part of nature, was photographed in a manmade park. 
3. I believe that my best work from this semester is the album cover recreation assignment, seen here: http://azhaophotography.blogspot.com/2015/01/httpupload.html. I believe this is my best work as it pulls together everything I have learned so far this year. This picture utilized skills such as directing the photoshoot, taking the picture, and cropping and editing the picture to match the original album cover. I also think this is my best work because the editing that I completed was the most ambitious and complex that I have done so far. Additionally, I believe that this is my best work because I had the most fun doing it; I believe that there is a positive correlation between an artist's enjoyment of their work and the quality. Given more time, I would have liked to fix the small details in the picture. For example, when I was adding the backgrounds, some white spaces showed from where I had cut out the people from the original picture. If I had more time, I would have filled in the white spaces to make a more cohesive photograph. 
4. My three rules of photography are the rule of thirds, the rule of colors, and the rule of whimsicality. 
5. This picture demonstrates my rule of colors and my rule of whimsicality. In order to capture the first rule, I took this picture while the subject, Isaac Hong, was clad in a highlighter-yellow jacket. Then, on Camera Raw, I edited it to make the brightness even more obvious, to contrast with the shade in the background. In order to capture the second rule, I waited for a natural yet uncommon pose. Here, I believe Isaac is stretching his legs, though one can never be quite certain with Isaac. 

(Portrait of Isaac, #5)

    6. Mr. Farley's first rule of composition is to get closer. 

    7. There are many benefits to working in groups. The first is that a group environment allows for more creativity, as there is much more input than there would be from a single person. Another is that it is possible to delegate responsibilities, so that one person is not forced to do everything. Additionally, the completed project is much more multidimensional, as everyone in the group approached it from a different viewpoint. Furthermore, it is a good opportunity to make more social connections and make new friends, as shared experiences are a great step towards forming friendships. Finally, groupwork fosters a friendly atmosphere of mild competition, encouraging each member to try to do their best to outdo the others.

   8. Some drawbacks to working in groups are that it may be difficult to facilitate everyone's opinions into one cohesive, unified project. Additionally, disputes may be difficult to settle and may result in increased tensions between the group members. Also, the quality of groupwork depends on the pre-existing social cohesion of the group; friends may work better together than strangers, for example, but strangers may be more inclined to get focused instead of socializing. Another drawback is that groupwork, especially when members of the groups are close friends, may be hindered by social distractions between the members. Finally, it means that one's project is not made up of completely their work, but also the different opinions of others. This may detract from the individual's original purpose and viewpoint.

   9. My favorite work produced by someone else was the picture of the bell tower quad at night, photographed by Jason Yu. (http://jasonyuthegreat.blogspot.com/2014/12/inspire-by-master-oskar-barnack.html)

10. My group and I studied Julia Margaret Cameron, She pioneered the art of the 'fancy portrait', which is the art historical term for a portrait of a real or literary character.
11. Dorothea Lange's most popular photo is called Migrant Mother. It was taken in March 1936 in an agricultural worker's camp in Nipomo, California. She was working for the Resettlement Administration. 

12. Life magazine was founded by Henry Luce, and the first issue date was 1936.

13. Robert Capa and other photographers founded Magnum Photos in 1947.

14. Falling Soldier was taken on September 5, 1936, in Espejo, Spain.