Connecting Essay 5

This is an image I had found online. it shows an urban, vandalised and damaged area. The dirty and broken windows create dark shapes that significantly contrast with the light building bricks. The windows also form rows which creates a pattern throughout the image. The black stairs and railings of the building are also contrasting and create vertical and diagonal lines. The black graffiti contrasts against the metal shutters so that the lines and shapes are visible. There is a lot of evidence apparent which suggests this is an urban area, for example the graffiti, the dirt on the buildings, the smashed windows, and the worn away and damaged shop signs. Despite this, the small market stall we can see in the bottom left corner shows that this is not an abandoned area. I like how the image has been taken as a landscape as the building fits nicely into this format. 

This is an image I had taken of a vandalised building. The dark graffiti contrasts against the white walls, so that we can see it clearly. I decided to edit the image to make it black and white in order for the graffiti to be more contrasting, but also because I thought that the lack of colour added to the urban feel of the image. A lot of lines are visible in the photograph in the form of windows, metal railings, and stairs. The outline of the top of the building is very clear due to the contrast between it and the plain white sky so that shape is shown. I really like the angle I had taken the image from as it allows depth to be shown and makes the urban building seem more intimidating. The different tones in the wall allow a rough texture to be shown, and the tones in the metal suggest that it is dirty, which works with the vandalism to create a urban or abandoned feel. Reflection is visible in the window on the left, as the lines where the light has passed through the staircase are reflected. 

Both of these images show vandalised buildings. The dirt and graffiti in both pictures help establish these locations as urban areas. The images are also both taken as landscapes. This format works well in both cases as the building fit well into the frame. Both pictures include metal staircases which I think adds to the image and reinforces the urban feel as these are commonly found in towns or urban buildings.

A difference between these two images is that one is in colour and the other is black and white. The image I had found uses colour to show the worn away buildings and signs, which reinforces the idea of this building being abandoned. On the other hand the black and white effect makes the image more contrasting in order to show to graffiti more clearly and establish this as an urban or abandoned area. The dull effect also adds to the negative feel of abandonment. Another difference these two images have is the angles they have been taken from. The top image has been taken from quite far back and is taken from the front. This works well as we are able to see 3 floors of this building. On the other hand, my photograph was taken from very close up, so in order to get the top of the building in I angled the camera so that it faced upwards. This result of this was that depth was shown which makes the building look more intimidating, which I quite like about the image. 

Connecting Essay 4

This is an image I had found online. It shows a black and white portrait of a girl. The black and white effect is very effective as it allows us to see the different tones and highlights in the girls face which creates form. It also allows us to see the contrasting tones in her hair in order to show a clear texture. Depth is shown in this image very well. The girl and the fence behind her are in focus so we know she is close to the camera and is leaning on the fence, however the buildings in the background are very out of focus so we know they are quite far away. The fence creates a pattern and individual shapes are created. The fence helps to create an urban feel. I like the way the girl is not central in the image, as this allows us to see some of her surroundings and notice the depth. The fact she is not looking directly at the camera makes the scene feel more natural as if she is waiting for someone, rather than posing for a photo which is something else I like about it.  

This is an image I had taken which shows a portrait of a girl. I like the angle this image was taken from as it allows space for the smoke to travel within the frame so that we are able to see the different shapes and forms in it. Also, this angle allows us to see a clear outline and shape of the face, as the pale skin contrasts with the dull background. The black and white effect allows us to see the different tones visible in the girls face in order to create form. The black and white effect also allows the smoke to be seen more clearly as it is more contrasting against the background. The background of the images shows depth, as the path gets thinner as it travels into the distance. This emphasises the length of it which also emphasises the fact the girl is alone and in a secluded area with no people in sight, and creates a sense of loneliness. The highlights and tones in the hair, jacket and ground help to establish texture. I like how the girls eyes cannot be seen as she is looking down. The eyes are usually the part of the face that is focused on first, so taking this away creates a sense of mystery for the viewer. 

An obvious similarity between these two images is that they are both portraits and are both edited black and white. Personally I think that the majority of portraits look best in black and white, as it allows the different tones in the face to be seen more clearly in order to show form, and the features of the face in a lot of detail. Black and white also allows highlights and shadows to be more contrasting so that texture can be created in the clothes or hair. Depth is shown clearly in both images, but in different ways. In the existing image that I had found, depth is shown because the girl and fence are in focus while the buildings in the background are very blurred. In my image, depth is shown by the path in the background getting thinner the further into the distance in gets. In both images, neither of the models are looking directly at the camera. This makes both scenes feel more natural, as if the girls are getting on with their daily activities rather than posing for a photo. An urban feel is created in both images. In the top image the buildings and fence help create this, however in my image the urban feel is created by the style of the model, the smoke and the urban looking surroundings. 

A difference between these two images would be the angle the image is taken from, and the composition. In the top image, the image is taken from the front of the girl, which allows us to see her facial features. She only takes up one side of the frame in order for us to see the depth of the surroundings. One the other hand, I took my image from the side of the model. I thought this was effective as the clear outline of her face could be seen. I made sure she wasn't directly central in the frame so that there was room for the smoke to travel but also so that the surroundings could be seen in order to help create that urban feel. One last difference between these to images, is that one is taken as a portrait and one a landscape. The landscape format allows us to see a lot of the surroundings in the image as well as the girl in the top image, however the portrait format works well for my image as the girls head and shoulder fits nicely into this frame, taking up a lot of frame space while still having a good amount of empty space to show the form and travel of the smoke. 

Connecting Essay 3

This is an image I had found online. It shows abstract and colourful form of light. The first thing I notice about this image is how the vivid blue and green colours significantly contrast against the plain black background. As well as this, the blue and green colours contrast against each other. I like how two colours of light have been used rather then just one as it makes the image more interesting as we can see how the colours intertwine with each other Elongated beams of light are created due to the long exposure technique used when taking this photo. There is quite a lot of empty space in the frame. In a lot of cases this would be a negative aspect of a photo, but because the lights are so bright and vivid, and because the background is completely black, I think the empty space works effectively. 

This is an image I had taken myself. It shows both the movement of a beam of light and a portrait of a girl. Firstly, the beam elongated line of light, which was achieved by decreasing my shutter speed, contrasts significantly against the girls dark jacket which allows the shape of it to be clearly seen. The fact the girl is wearing all black works well in this situation as it means we can see the light clearly, and bright colours on clothing would distract attention away from this. I used flash when taking this image as I knew that I wanted the girl to be seen, in order to fill more of the frame and make the image more interesting. I like the composition of this image, and the position of the light in it as it does not cover the girls face. Texture is shown in the girls jacket as the highlights and tones in it create form. Shadows in the girls face for example at the side of the nose show form in the face. I like the angle this photo has been taken from, as the high angle shot allows depth to be shown, and for the girls face to be shown closer up so that more detail can be seen. The background is plain and dark which again helps the beam of light stand out. You can also clearly see the source of light in this image and that the girl is holding it.

Both of these images include elongated beams of light in order to show movement, which has been achieved by long exposure. These lights create abstract and interesting lines and shapes that are appealing for the eye in both images. In both situations, the light is significantly contrasted against the background so that it can be clearly seen. 

One obvious difference between these two images is that in one of them you can see the source of light and the person controlling it, but in the other you cant. In the image I had found, only the light itself is visible, however I think this is effective as it creates a sense of mystery for the viewer and creates enigmas, while also keeping the content of the frame very minimalistic and appealing. In the photo I had taken, you can very clearly see the person who is holding the source of light. I did this on purpose in order to fill the frame and to make the image more interesting, including both a portrait and the movement of light. The light in both images is different colours. The top image uses two different colours of light, blue and green, however in my image the light is white and plain. Because I had decided to also show a portrait in my image, I think using coloured light may have distracted the eye away from the girl, and I feel that plain light fits the picture better as there is a lack of colour in it overall. The other image uses two vivid colours to make the image more interesting as there is nothing else visible in the frame, and the background is plain black. In the image I had found, the light takes up a relativity large amount of the frame, and is central. This allows the light to stand out even more. On the other hand in my image, the light only takes up about a quarter of the frame and is located in one corner, rather than in the middle. I think this works well as the light does not cover the models face, yet it is still very visible due to contrasting against the black jacket. Lastly, the two images have been taken in two very different places, one in a studio and one on location. The studio works well to create a completely black and plain background for the light to contrast against in the image I had found. This guarantees that there will be no extraneous features that could distract the eye away from the light, and makes the image very bold overall. I decided to shoot my image on location rather than in a studio, however I think that in this case it works well. There is nothing in the background that is distracting the eye away from the girl or the light, but the textured ground adds the the image. 

Connecting Essay 2

This image is one I had found online. It shows a fairground scene, but the main focus is the blurred ride that has been achieved by long exposure to show movement. This is very effective and shows movement very well as we can see the ride is not stationary. I like the way lines of coloured lights are created as the ride moves, and it attracts the eye as the bright lights are contrasting against the plain blue sky in the background. The fact that the background in plain works well in this image as nothing is distracting the eye away from the ride and the image isn't too much for your eye to focus on. I also like the way the sky fades into a pale pink colour as this adds to the image but also allows the metal railings around the ride to contrast against it so that clear shape and lines are shown. A variety of different colours are shown in this image such as bright reds, yellows and blues. The colour in the image helps create a positive yet busy atmosphere. The ride is not central in the frame which works well as we are able to see the pretty sky behind it, and also it makes sure that the image does not get overcomplicated. 

This picture is one that I had taken by decreasing the shutter speed on my camera and moving it slightly while taking the image. It shows the lights from cars in the dark. The vivid red, orange and yellow lights are able to stand out very well as they contrast significantly against the dark, night sky in the background. The individual beams of light form unusual and interesting shapes and lines, which is what I like about it. Depth is shown in the image as in the distance we can see the road and the cars get smaller. The buildings behind the lights are shown as a silhouette, as they contrasts against the dark blue sky so we can see the outline of the top of the buildings. This is more clear further into the distance as the sky gets lighter. I like how the lights fill up a large percent of the frame as this makes the image interesting and gives the eye more to look at. 

Both of these images use the same technique, which is long exposure, to show movement. They both show elongated beams or blurs of light which are shown due to the movement in the image. Both of these images focus on light and colour, and they show contrast in order for the lights to stand out in the image. The images both use the same main colours which are red, yellow and blue. 

An obvious difference between these two images is that the source of light is different in each one. In the image I had found the light is coming from a light at a funfair, but in my own image the light is coming mainly from car headlights. In the top image, the lights remain close together so that the structure of the ride is still visible. This is effective as it doesn't overcomplicate the image and allows the ride to still be recognisable. On the other hand in my image the lights are travelling in all different directions and are spread out so that the majority of the frame is filled. I think this makes the image more unique and abstract while also making it more interesting and gives more for the eye to look at. In the image of the ride, we can assume that the camera was held still and the ride was moving quite quickly which is why the ride shows movement but everything else in the frame is still. When taking my photo, I decided to slightly move the camera as I knew this would create interesting and appealing structures of light, which it did. One last difference between these images is that one is taken as a portrait, and one a landscape. The image I had found has been taken as a landscape which I think works well in this situation as the ride fits nicely into the frame and more of the surroundings are visible. My image was taken as a portrait, and because it consists of  a lot of vertical beams of light, the portrait frame allowed these to fit in well. 

Connecting essay 1

This is a photograph I had found online. It shows multiple image sequence made from 3 separate photos to show the process of blowing smoke. I like the way the background is plain black as this allows the pale smoke to contrast against it and show up clearly. The mans face also contrasts against the background. The way the image is edited black and white makes the tones clearer in the image and really make the smoke stand out. Highlights and shadows in the 3 images make form very clear in the face and the jacket, enhancing the texture of the jacket. Something I quite like about the image is that the camera position is exactly the same for each photo, so that it looks like the pictures were taken one after each other, rather than at 3 different times. The frame is filled very well so that there is not too much empty space yet there is room to show the smoke travelling.

This image is one I had taken and edited myself. to make this I took 3 different images in a row and placed them next to each other on Photoshop. Firstly I like position the 3 pictures were taken, as it allows space for the smoke in the frame so that we are able to see the different shapes apparent in it. Also, this angle allows us to see a clear outline and shape of the face. The background of the images shows depth, as the path gets thinner as it travels into the distance. This emphasises the length of it which also emphasises the fact the girl is alone and in a secluded area with no people in sight, and creates a sense of loneliness. The highlights in the hair show texture and the different tones in the skin show form. The different tones are visible due to the photo being in black and white, which also causes the image to be more contrasting.

Both of these pictures are similar in many ways. Ways in which they are obviously similar are that they both use the same multiple image sequence using 3 photographs, in order to show the process of blowing smoke. They are also similar in the way that they have both been edited black and white in order for the smoke to be more contrasting. Both images include full portraits of the person blowing the smoke rather than just the mouth or the smoke itself to make the photography more interesting. Ways in which these photographs are similar that are not so obvious include the highlights and shadows used to show tone in the face, hair, and jacket, and therefore show texture.

A difference between these two images is that the composition is different in each one. In the photo I had found, the photo is taken straight on so we see the front of the man, right in the middle of the frame. This is effective as the man is able to make eye contact with the camera and connect with the viewer. On the other hand in my image we see the girl from side on, and she is at the right side of the frame. This is effective for different reasons,for example it allows room in the frame for us to see the smoke travel. It also allows us to see the background. Backgrounds are another difference these two images have. The image I had found uses a plain black background which works quite effectively as the smoke is able to contrast against it so we can see it clearly. The picture I had taken was taken on location rather than in the studio, so we can see a path in the distance. This clearly shows depth and also establishes that the girl is on her own and creates a sense of loneliness in the image.