Artist Statement

This year I was not sure what to expect coming into my first photography class. I imagined it as us, the students, going out and taking pictures of whatever we like, then turning them in to be evaluated by the teacher. I was not expecting to receive assigned photoshoots, do hands on activities, or collaborate with my peers. Mrs. Hahn changed my perspective of what photography really is. Some of my favorite photoshoots have included the scanner gram (seen above), noun photoshoot, and the Earth Day photoshoot. In all of these photoshoots we were required to incorporate our voice. It took a lot of help from my peers, friends, and family to accomplish the tasks given by Mrs. Hahn. We were given two weeks to finish a required photoshoot outside of class, with a mid way check point one week in. Then we would bring our photos into class on our memory cards to turn them in. Our class was extremely lucky to be provided with laptops with the necessary programs we needed to edit our pictures. Next, we would upload our pictures to Google Drive and then create a contact sheet on Photoshop. Usually by the next class Mrs. Hahn would select our 'top three images' for us to edit again on Photoshop. 

The elements and principals of design are required tools in any art class. In all of our photoshoots we were required to use the compositional strategies, including: rule of thirds, close and far, don't center, get close, avoid distractions, and leading lines. These would make our photos look more sophisticated and professional. Looking back over the year, rule of thirds and get close are definitely my most used rules, as seen in most of the images attached to this blogpost. 

This year, second semester specifically, we focused on incorporating and finding our voice in our photoshoots. Since I am moving onto AP Photography next year, it is important for me to find a common theme in my photoshoots. This year I kind of focused on taking pictures that look pretty, rather than my own voice. I am at the point in my life where I am still discovering who I am and who I want to be, so it is hard to pinpoint one specific trait to capture through my photography. However, one common theme I have found in some of my best photoshoots is that I like to find beauty in things that most people would not consider beautiful. For example, in the two pictures above these were both taken at an abandoned building in downtown Noblesville. Last year I would have walked right past both of these spots and not thought nothing of it. But now I find myself driving down the road or walking down the street, stopping to look at odd or quirky things, thinking, "this would make a great photo."

I have realized in mys lifetime that I am not an artistic person. I can't draw, paint, sing, or play an instrument. I have found myself frustrated in past art classes for not meeting the expectations. This year in photography, I have discovered many talents I did not know that I had and a place in the art world where I fit in. I have always been good with computer programs and figuring out technology on my own. I also learn very well from step-by-step instructions and by watching examples. Over the course of the year I have discovered that I am very good at Photoshop. I figured out most of the program on my own and I accomplished the simple tasks given in minutes because I am now so familiar with the program. Above I attached my photo emerge assignment which is one of my images made up of a bunch of tiny images. I loved that I was able to find something I was good at and not feel frustrated with myself. Also, it is a good skill to have for AP and maybe even a future job. 

Nature Field Trip

For this photoshoot we took a field trip over to White River Elementary on the paths by the cross country course. I was disappointed to realize that my camera did not have my memory card in my camera so I had to use my phone camera. For this photoshoot we had a list of items that we needed to find and photograph. Since many people would be taking pictures of the same items it was important to incorporate voice through the elements and principles of design. I used rule of thirds and close & far, as seen in the images above. Overall I feel this is one of my weaker photoshoots, specifically because I could not use my camera. I had high expectations for myself for this photoshoot, so I feel I let myself down.

Food

For this photoshoot we did a pitch in of food in class. Not only did we get to eat snacks all class, we got to work together as class to set up scenes for each other. We used the professional lighting and colored paper to make the food look better. For this photoshoot I rule of thirds and close in far, as seen in the pictures above. I also used the rule of get close.
We did not really get to incorporate our own voice into this photoshoot since most of the scenes were already set up for us. But we could put our own spin on the different stations. I think overall I have a couple of strong photos but also a couple of weak ones. I definitely think this is a good skill to have for future photoshoots.

Portraiture

For this photoshoot I decided to take pictures at my house. I figured there was no better place to show my voice then to be in a place where I spend a majority of my time. For this particular image, I sat on the landing of my stairs. I used close and far with the texture of my hair and the texture of the wall in the background. I also used rule of thirds by sitting just off center.
I found this particular photoshoot hard to incorporate my personal voice. Most of the things I use to describe myself are hard to find in Indiana. I feel this is one of my weaker photoshoots and I wish that we would've been given more time to shoot.

Panorama

For this photoshoot I took them while I was on spring break. I wanted to capture what the town was like. I went out really early in the morning so not a lot of people would be out. I used close and far to get the objects on the street and the entire buildings.

I chose to do my panorama here because it is a place that I am the happiest. I wanted to be able to share with people a place where I can call home. I think my panorama is very strong but it does have a crease down the middle of the sky. Overall, I am proud of this photoshoot because it turned out better than I had expected.

Gif

For this photoshoot I decided to take pictures of my mom doing yoga. Yoga has been a big part of my life since I was younger since my mom is a yoga teacher. When my mom told me that she was going to start teaching at Shine yoga studio in downtown Noblesville, I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to take some pictures. I tried to keep my mom off center in the photos to make the composition more interesting. I found it hard to keep my camera steady and hold the button down for so long. I also found it hard for the pictures to all stay in the same lighting, which is why I put it in black and white. Overall I am very happy with how my gif turned out.

Art in the Park

For this photoshoot we were to take pictures of nature in our town. Initially I was very frustrated because we had a short time limit and being that it was February in Indiana, everything was dead and brown. I decided it would be a good idea to go to Morse Park and Potters Bridge to try to photograph water and plant life around the river. Like I had expected, I took a lot of pictures of bare trees and small patches of grass. The image shown above was pure luck that I was able to get that close to the ducks in the water at just the right time. Although this is the only image that I would even consider to be good from this photoshoot, I am very proud of how it turned out. The two ducks show a repeating pattern and rule of thirds making it interesting to look at. After taking this image, I realized that nature could be more than just dirt, green plants, and flowers. It is everything that makes up our environment.

Noun

For this photoshoot I spent the day walking around downtown Noblesville with my mom and sister. I had originally chosen to do the noun abstract, but as I walked around the square I noticed all the hidden beauty that is in the architecture of the buildings. I used rule of thirds to make the subject of my images more prominent, as seen above in the door picture and the stairs. I also used close in far to emphasize smaller details in a larger picture.
I ended up choosing the word hometown as my noun for this photoshoot. This shows my voice by showing the viewer where I live and the environment around me. This assignment helped me find beauty in things most people would not see. Such as the stairs for example. Most people would not find a rusted, old, metal staircase in a dark alley beautiful, but this was one of my favorite pictures I've ever taken. I love that I can show things that most people wouldn't think twice about when walking past it on the street.
I felt this photoshoot was very strong. I liked that for once we were able to completely have freedom to choose what we wanted to photograph. The only struggle I had was choosing the subject matter. If I could back in time, I would've spent more time deciding what to take pictures of. Overall I am very proud of my work.

juxtaposition reflection

For this photoshoot I tried to find things that juxtapose each other in our everyday life. I took a lot of pictures around my house and neighborhood. I used my family to help me. I always try to remember to use rule of thirds, but for this particular photoshoot I tried to center things to make them more prominent. I also used juxtaposing colors and angles.
I tried to find ways I could show multiple opposites in just one picture. For example, in the photo above you could find the opposites, good and bad, up and down, or light and dark. I had never noticed how many opposites we have in our world around us and how creative you can be with the assignment.
I enjoyed doing this photoshoot but I found it hard to incorporate voice into this particular photoshoot. I should've given myself more time and did more planning before going to shoot.

parody reflection

For this photoshoot I photographed my sister for most of my pictures. I set up lighting by a blank wall in my room. I also tried to use some natural lighting outside on my porch for variety. I tried to make my sister off center in some of my pictures because I thought it would make the picture more interesting to look at. I also liked to zoom really close up on my sisters face and cast shadows across it. I chose to take pictures of my sister because Annie Leibovitz is a portrait photographer. I would have much rather taken pictures of other people, but I could not get anyone to agree to model for me. Although I thought my sister did a great job and I loved being able to show her beauty through my photography. I really needed more variety but overall I thought I did a good job capturing the voice of Annie Leibovitz. I also discovered my love for photographing people!