Tuesday, June 9, 2015

Final Exam

4. My transformative photo is this photo I took while I was in the hospital. It was part of my final project titled Injury.


I believe this photo really changed my view on photography because of its limitations. At the time the photo was taken, I had recently broken my ankle, and couldn't move it. As a result, I couldn't get up out of the bed to take my pictures. In addition, the subject that I was photographing was myself. The combination of these two factors forced me to adapt as a photographer. I had to find a way to capture the same feelings and emotions in a photo while having minimal control over the lighting, setting, and angle of the photo. In the end, i rearranged a few objects so my leg could clearly be seen, had my parents turn on a few lights, and waited until they were surrounding my bed until I took the shot.

5. The difference between shape (my blog post for shape) and form (my blog post for form) is that shape uses two-dimensional symbols that portray width and length in a picture. On the other hand, depth uses three-dimensional shapes that represent width, length, and depth in a photo.

6. The difference between pattern (my blog post for pattern) and repetition (my blog post for repetition) is that pattern is when an object is repeated multiple times within a photo. However, repetition goes a step further to use repeating patterns to create a sense of movement and make the photo seem active.

7. Movement (my blog post for movement) is what path the audience's eye take through the photo. A photographer can use shapes, lines, color, and light to direct and navigate a viewer's attention through a photo.


Take this photo for example. Right away, the audience's eye is drawn to the intensity of the light reflecting off the blue trash bins. Then the audience follows the arc shape of the six trash bins as the intensity and color fades out. After visually exploring the trash bins, the viewer begins to explore other aspects of the photo. They begin looking at the trees from left to right, and then the fence, and the the ground.

8. Of the last three projects, my best work is my Final Project (Injury). This work is my best work and it changed me as a photographer because I had to adapt to the given circumstances. In several cases I had to work my way around lighting, angle, and location problems. In addition I also had to find a way of photographing myself that would still convey the same mood and tell the same story to my audience. I learned to take advantage of good situations and recognize what kind of photo would be good in what situation. I saw the world through my camera and its opportunities.



Wednesday, June 3, 2015

Final Project: Injury











Final Project Shot List

Photo of the allergy and ID bands from the hospital

Photo of leg while laying down in bed, camera perspective looking down the leg towards the injury

Photo of doctor's checkup, camera perspective looking down on leg towards injury

Photo of doctors checkup waiting room perspective looking down on leg

Photo of crutches leaning against wall

Friday, May 29, 2015

Student Weebly Website Reviews

Rudy Estrada's Weebly

Best photo:
(enlarged image)

Although simple, this photo does a good job of using the lighting to convey a mysterious mood in the picture.



Anita Yen's Weebly

Best Photo:
(enlarged image)

This picture is very pleasing to the eye and does a good job of using a plain colored background to draw the readers attention to the vegetables.



Melissa Cai's Weebly

Best Photo:
(enlarged image)

This photo uses light to direct the viewers attention towards the light, utilizing movement.

Serena's Swimming Meet











Monday, May 25, 2015

Spring Expo Requirements

Photos of a Swimming Event

Photo Creds: Telegraph.co.uk
swimming racing photo
Photo Creds: NBC
swimming pre-race




My shoot: Swimmer Serena
Where: Concord Community Pool
When:  May 16
How to light: Use the natural light from the sun. If it's not available then use camera flash
Who: Serena

Friday, May 8, 2015

First Commercial Shoot

Inspiration: Carlos Serrao's Nike Photoshoot

Photo Credits: Serena

Photo Credits: Jamie 

Photo Credits: Jason


Photo Credits: Ethan


Photo Credits: Me

Thursday, April 30, 2015

Monday Photoshoot (Fiat inspired)

Original photo


Edited photo

Contrast:75
Whites: 60
Blacks: -35
Saturation: -65









Tuesday, April 21, 2015

Photo Story MC Week: The Performers

Throughout the past few months many students practiced for the multicultural week assembly, which they performed for on Friday April 17th. 

Multicultural Hip Hop performers take a brief rest during practice.

MC TaeKwonDo performers converse nervously and pace back and forth before assembly A.


MC Wushu and other performing groups practice getting used to the spacing in the gym. 


MC Taiko performers talk with one another before assembly A.


Hip hop performers talk with each other and a friend in between performances.


Hip Hop performers pose after their performance



Thursday, April 16, 2015

MC Week


ticket envelope for MC Week

Wednesday, April 15, 2015

MSJMC Week Story

I love Mission San Jose's multicultural week for several reasons. One is that it always does a good job of bringing together everyone. During multicultural week, everyone hangs around the horseshoe. Because so many people are involved in clubs, they often sell food there. As a result, their friends stay with them to keep them company. In addition people have to option to buy the fold sold by clubs, giving the underclassmen a chance to have food other than school lunches for a week. It's amazing to see so many of Mission's students gathered in one area, socializing and enjoying music as well as each other's company.

Thursday, April 2, 2015

Shutter Speed and Everything After

NY Times photo
Partner: Aashna Shah

1. Fast, because although the trucks on the right side appear to be moving, their outlines appear to be distinct.

2. Aashna: Depth; Chris: Leading Lines

3. Lines, the highway lines as well as the metal barrier provide leading lines that show the audience the depth of the photo.

4. Movement, our eyes first notice the truck that has fallen down, then follow the highway lines and barrier divider back down, and then switch to the two upright trucks on the right.

Shutter speed: 1/1500



Friday, March 27, 2015

Class Field Trip: Unity

Unity is the feeling of harmony between all parts of the work of art, which creates a sense of completeness.







NY Times Lens Photo of the Day

Photo: http://lens.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/03/27/documenting-the-blues-in-the-mississippi-delta/?module=BlogPost-Title&version=Blog%20Main&contentCollection=Multimedia&action=Click&pgtype=Blogs&region=Body#slideshow/100000003595848/100000003595864

Documenting the Blues in the Mississippi Delta: Abandoned Juke

This photo shows unity because the vines and abandoned building show signs of decay. Both contribute to the run-down feel of the photograph. The house is also pleasantly placed on the side, next to the run down sign and shed in the background. This shows unity.

Thursday, March 26, 2015

Class Field Trip: Drunk Driving Exhibit (Variety)

Variety is the use of several elements of design to hold the viewer’s attention and to guide the viewer’s eye through and around the work of art. 






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Wednesday, March 25, 2015

Class Field Trip: Rhythm in Structure

 Rhythm is created when one or more elements of design are used repeatedly to create a feeling of organized movement. Rhythm creates a mood like music or dancing. To keep rhythm exciting and active, variety is essential.







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Monday, March 23, 2015

Gordon Parks: Movie Notes Pt. 3

1) What is your definition of successful?
My definition of successful is leading a happy life, doing something you love. 
2) What have you given up to become successful?
Time, money, perseverance
3) What did Parks give up to become successful?
He gave up family time and personal relationships
4) Who was Genevieve Young's father?
Her father founded the United Nations and VK Wellington Kok.
5) How much was Parks advanced to write his first book (and eventual best-selling autobiography)?
 He offered Parks $10,000 to write his first book.
6) How much money did Elijah Muhammad offer Parks to do a story on The Nation of Islam?
A million dollars.
7) Why did Parks refuse the money?
Parks didn't want Muhammad to influence him.
8) What was significant about the movie The Learning Tree?
It was the first movie produced and directed by a black man.
9) What was significant about the character Shaft?
He was a black superhero.
10) What was Gordon Parks' choice of weapons?
His weapon was his camera.
11) What reason did Genevieve Young give for the divorce? 
She could not handle the unpredictable and fast paced lifestyle of being married to Gordon.
12) In 1984, Parks directed Solomon Northrup's Odyssey. What recent feature film told the same story?
12 Years A Slave told the same story.
13) Who was Gordon Parks, jr?
He was Gordon Parks' son who followed in the footsteps of his father, joining the photography and film industry. He was killed in a plane crash.
14) What is your favorite Gordon Parks photo?
My favorite photo is American Gothic.
15) What will you remember about Gordon Parks in ten years?
I will remember that he was a talented photographer who blazed a trail for other African American photographers and filmmakers.

Friday, March 20, 2015

Class Field Trip:Proportion

 Proportion is the feeling of unity created when all parts (sizes, amounts, or number) relate well with each other. When drawing the human figure, proportion can refer to the size of the head compared to the rest of the body. 




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Wednesday, March 18, 2015

Class Field Trip: Repetition

Repetition works with pattern to make the work of art seem active. The repetition of elements of design creates unity within the work of art. 







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