Samuel's Commercial Photography Blog: 2016

Monday, December 12, 2016

Friday, December 9, 2016

1. This photo's symmetry has a really cool effect, although the subject is less desirable.
2. It is amazing how powerful photography can really be. The German people at the time of this photo being taken were broken. So when a powerful man and party claim they have all the answers and power in the world, people will look at images like these and believe them.
3. I didn't realize that basically one man was photographing Hitler's rise and fall from power.
4.

5. Heinrich Hofferman was born on September 12, 1885 in Germany. He went to Heidelberg University and died December 11, 1957.

1. This photo makes my jaw drop to the floor. This photograph looks like something out of science fiction.
2. The photographers waiting the zeppelin's arrival did not expect to horror that was about to ensue. The raw destruction of this scene must of been a jarring sight, but was luckily captured in a panic. The photographer, Sam Shere, actually was shooting from his hip when he captured this photo.
3. Led Zeppelin used this iconic image in his self-titled album in 1969.
4.

5. Sam Shere was born on April 15, 1905 in Minsk, Belarus. Shere didn't go to school, instead he began working at a newspaper for experience. He died on June 8, 1982 in Orlando, Florida.

1. I chose this photo because of how horrific it looks and captures the fear these people are feeling very well.
2. Stanley Forman, the photographer, was expecting to shoot a normal fire escape. But then the escape broke and these two came tumbling down. Forman said he realized what he was about to shoot and looked away.
3. I learned about the book where these images are showed off.
5. Charlie Forman was born on July 10, 1945 in Winthrop, Massachusetts. He studied photography at Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology in Boston.

1. This picture shows a side of Lincoln that not many people get to see. He's really young in this photo.
2. This photo really shows the transformation Lincoln went through in the Oval Office. Lincoln had to fight the bloodiest war America had ever faced and had to bind the nation together after that.
3. Brady's camera was used by plenty of portrait photographers at the time.
4.

5. Brady was born either in 1822 or 1823 in New York, He owned a portrait studio and took photos of many famous individuals. He died on January 15, 1896.

1. This photo caught my eye because of the pure beauty of it and the weird cropping.
2. The Hubble Telescope was considered a failure for almost its entire development. However after many delays it was put into space and captured this glorious image.
3. I learned from the other pictures that the Hubble Telescope is absolutely amazing.

5. NASA was founded on July 29th, 1958

Monday, December 5, 2016

Deadlines in journalism

http://wonderopolis.org/wonder/why-are-they-called-deadlines

1. Early in the word's lifetime it meant a line that did not move.

2. It won't have a grade, which will lead to the corrosion of my education.

3. I don't have too many problems with deadlines because its really not that hard to put aside five minutes for homework.

4. No.

5.Ummm not really sure. Probably my parents because I don't really want to deal with my deadlines later then I have to.

6. Just sit down, take a deep breath, and do it.

https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/get-started/inside-the-classroom/8-ways-to-take-control-of-your-time

1. Keeping work with me would make me a lot more efficient. You'll never have an excuse like "I was busy".

2. Probably making a list everyday because I don't really want to sit down and do something like that.

3. Probably a morning person.

3A . I am less likely to do work at night compared to doing it in the day.

4. I can reduce the time I do things like watch tv and stuff like that.

5. a. Get my face out of my phone.

b. Sit down and actually do work.

c. Get more sleep.

https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/get-started/inside-the-classroom/take-control-of-homework

1. Yeah.

2. I like studying in a quiet place like an office. It's usually day because it's easier for me to focus. I like to get to everything I need at the same time so I do not have to get up.

3. My biggest distraction is probably my phone. It has everything my phone does not have.

4. I could turn off my phone, but I almost always need it for my homework.

Wednesday, November 30, 2016

Magazine Portraits

Portrait and Self Portrait

Friday, November 18, 2016

Prompt Shoot 3

Wednesday, November 16, 2016

5 Websites

Killer Time-lapse

http://blog.ted.com/2014/10/07/how-to-create-a-killer-timelapse-with-joe-capra/

1. On this website, I learned about this guy named Joe Carpa. Carpa does time-lapse photography and is asked by various companies to shoot time-lapses for them. I learned about the process of making an edit and finding the right location for a shoot. Time-lapse photography is something that really interests me and I would love to get a powerful camera to shoot time-lapses one day.

2. I learned about the importance of music choice while making an edit.

3. Time-lapses are a business I could potentially tap into when I grow up. Any job relating to photography, video creation and editing, and other fields with similar objectives I'm pretty interested in.

Photographer Resolutions

http://petapixel.com/2014/12/31/10-photography-resolutions-new-year/

1. On this website, the author dived more into the personal side of photography. This website kind of makes me realize I can fall behind in my photography skills compared to others. Sometimes I blame my gear when a shoot is not particularly good that day. It's really easy to blame outside forces for your failures. I should be more organized, use more of the gear potentially useful to me, and etc.

2. I learned about how I have a long way to go if I want to even try to pursue a photography/video career.

3. This site relates to photography by connecting with the photographer rather than the plain image.

Style

http://petapixel.com/2014/08/25/approaching-problem-style/

1. On this website, the author discusses style and what it takes to obtain it. This website is more focused on a professional level, but still has some tips on it for beginners. The website basically says that it takes time to develop style. This is true, but is one of the only things I agree with on this website.

2. I learned that I can't go on lists like these to develop my style. The only way to develop a style is to take photos.

3. While taking photos in class, I should stick to my strengths as a photographer. This is how I will develop my style.

Using a projector

http://petapixel.com/2015/01/01/projector-brought-forest-turns-nature-glowing-wonderland/

1. On this page, it showed a project a photographer and an animator worked on. They brought a projector, a DSLR, and a computer out to the wilderness. These guys had some really creative shots in their video and I would love to be involved in a project like this in the future.

2. I learned about using a projector while shooting. I had actually never seen this done before and it looked really cool.

3. The producers of this video went out to the wild for six weeks and took video of illuminated wildlife. The end result really brings a lively and neon feeling to the forrest and that was captured really well in the video.

4. Both of these guys make 3D art and projections and their other works are pretty cool.

Drone Photography

http://petapixel.com/2016/11/15/dji-drops-jaws-seriously-powerful-phantom-4-pro-inspire-2-drones/

1. On this page, DJI, a drone company is releasing two new drones which are pretty well made and have amazing specs. Drones have interested me for a while, but I probably won't be able to own a quality one for a while. These new drones are remarkably expensive and would be a tragedy to somehow destroy.

2. I learned that drones are becoming incredible and easy to use, but are very expensive. I have faith in my future, so maybe I'll be able to get a drone someday.

3. I saw some drone video and it looks incredible. The image quality for these drones right now are better than the DSLR I have right now.

Monday, November 14, 2016

Mural Project

Our theme for the mural project is movement. With our mural, we are capturing all forms as movement. Just anything that moves.

LOCAL ARTIST

JTYPE

This is an Austin based photography that takes photos of Austin skyscrapers and other things in the Austin area. His photos are usually darker than average so it really gives the neon lights boost in color. He also takes a lot of long exposure shots which I like a lot. (This is an instagram account so it's a bit harder to find images with superb quality so sorry about that).

This photo of the Frost Tower has a really mysterious mood due to the fog and makes an awesome effect. The center position of the photo helps the viewer focus on the tower.

A reflection allows the viewer to look at the same image in two different ways. On the right, the Frost Tower is light and clear while on the left the tower is dark and vague.

The orange tower helps to tell the viewer how unique Austin is. Opposite colors can help make a creative photo and make it stand out.

This is another example of just a really cool. The street gives the viewer more photo to look at.

The combination of contrasting colors and long exposure make a creative photo. The night life represented in this photos is enhanced with the red dress.

Wednesday, November 9, 2016

Self Portrait and Portraits Part I

1. Change your perspective.

2. Get close to your subject, but don't be obstructive.

Environmental Portrait

This photo really captivates and I actually have to think of what the photo shows.

I like how this portrait engages you because you have to look down the rims to find the subject.

Self Portrait

I like this photo because it is not like a traditional mirror picture and gives the viewer two perspectives instead of one.

I really like this photo because it give the illusion of invisibility and it's really creative.

Casual Portraits

This photo stands out for me because the photographer took a generic photo and transformed it into something new with the use of nature

I like this portrait because the relationship between the infant and father is shown in an interesting way.

Portrait Project

1. For the portrait project I will most likely take photos of myself doing things I enjoy like swim or photography.
2. Most of the photos I have in mind could be taken at my own house, but I might have to go to the Circle C pool to take photos.
3. To make sure the shoots are successful should probably have a test subject because I am using a tripod in my shoot.

Magazine Preview Assignment

#1 - Magazine Tips

1. I should be making the cover image as intriguing as possible.

2. I should make the cover clean and easy to look at.

3. Make your cover stand out compared to other covers.

4. Make the cover so that people can easily connect it to your brand.

5. Add emotional appeal to the photo.

#2 - Best Covers

1. Michael Douglas Is Liberace - Formal

2. J Crew: Teaching the World to Dress American - Informal

3. Floyd Mayweather in The Fight Issue - Environmental

4.The Flight Risk - Formal

5. Get Fit Have Fun - Informal

6. Hair! - Formal

7. Get Inspired! - Formal

8. The Art Issue - Formal

9. Summer Fashion Issue - Formal

10. Spring Fashion - Formal

11. Solange - Informal

12. Scholars in Bondage - Informal

13. Bill Gates Wants You to Fix the World - Formal

13. 100 Years - Informal

14. Kenneth Faried in The Body Issue - Environmental

15. Beyoncé - Informal

16. Nobody's Safe - Formal

17. Show Your Love! - Formal

#3 - My Favorite Cover

"For this cover story on the U.S. women’s ski-jumping team, we featured the Olympic hopeful Sarah Hendrickson as photographed by Martin Schoeller. Schoeller captures the competitive spirit of Hendrickson, who wears her competition gear, in her body posture and intense gaze."

This is my favorite cover for various reasons. The subject of the portrait takes up the entire cover and I like that. Simple, but vibrant colors make the cover stand out. The colors also contrast with the plain grey background. The subjects gaze pierces into the viewer's eyes and the blue ski goggles could represent the cold glance. The subject looks very focused, similar to the sport she participates in. Though this cover is plain, its simplicity is its strongest strength.

#4 - Magazines Part 2

1. Image Based- These magazine covers are used in almost all celebrity, sports, and fashion magazines. Image based magazines have people in various poses. Image based covers are not only used for magazines with people in them. Fashion and food magazines both use image based covers. Image based covers are any cover that uses a photograph that corresponds with the magazine type.

2. Illustration Based- These magazine covers were used in all magazines before the 1930's. Drawing the cover was the option. Now illustrations are used to show something funny or not normal. When a simple photo won't work, magazines can use illustration based covers. A majority of illustration cover are from independent magazines.

3. Type based- Type based covers are used to covey a shocking or striking idea. Though rare, type based covers can give a powerful message compared to illustrations. This kind of cover is rare, but is on the rise. Sometimes words can represent an idea better than an image.

4. Concept based- Concept based covers can be a combination of all three of the covers above. Concept covers are used to deliver a funny, shocking, or just strange message. The reader must understand the cover's message immediately or the cover fails. This is why concept based covers are pretty rare.

Pictures on magazine covers draw viewers while words keep the viewers engaged.

Wednesday, November 2, 2016

American Soldier

A. I think the photo A Farewell Hug is the most powerful photo in the Denver Post. This photo shows the reality that the military can separate you from things you care about like family.

B. The reason these photos even make a story is because of the focus each photograph has on Fischer. Stories with no focus do not work.

C. Captions give information people would not figure out with more context.

D. Ian Fischer in the beginning of his journey is a teenager with a small goal to join the military. Fischer goes through recruitment and learns the struggles of military life. Fischer's old life and new military life often are conflicting and he feels like he doesn't belong. He struggles in the military often getting in trouble or injuring. Eventually Fischer does go to Iraq, but does not have a direct combat role. He realizes that joining the military was to build who he was and live out his adult. Fischer comes home a changed man.

E. The captions are usually in present tense.

1. The captions are around 3 sentences.

2. The first sentence of the caption provides a general description of what is happening in the photo.

3. The second sentence provides background and context to the photos.

4. The third sentence if there is one usually has a quote either from Fischer or from someone else.

5. Yes, multiple contain quotes.

6. There are no captions with four sentences.

G. You can tell a full story with captions and photos, but it's a basic one. Picture books are basically photos with captions so it is possible to tell a story, but it will not be a deep one.

H. Captions and photos do not provide enough information to give a complete story.

Monday, October 31, 2016

Funny Captions

On Tuesday, the 1st of November, Ed Eddy dances off with his fellow doppelgangers on his 70th birthday. This party was a surprise for Mr. Eddy had been expecting a smaller party at his home.

On Sunday, the 30th of October, James Creek gives his dog Sprinkles a cold stare at a picnic event to raise awareness for abandoned dogs. Sprinkles had stolen Creek's cookie.

On Monday, the 31st of October, John Black and John Brown skydive by the coast of Peru. The 31st was the two Johns' birthday and decided to celebrate together.