Final Exam

4) I believe my transformative photo is the Skittles photo from the first commercial shoot. The reason I chose this photo is because this was the first photo I shot where there was an exterior light source that I could adjust by myself, which also prompted me to learn how to change the white balance and shutter speed so I could get the perfect unedited photo, to make it even better through editing. Speaking of editing, after the photo was taken, I also learned how to accurately (at least to the extent of my knowledge) edit a photo so that it can look a lot nice compared to its original pre-processed state to its finished post-processed state. All in all, I chose this photo because it made me feel like I was actually doing a commercial for Skittles, with all the steps needed to take to turn a box of skittles into a advertisement picture.

5) For reference, my photos of shape and form are found here and here, respectively. Now, the difference between shape and form, is that a shape is a two dimensional shape with close lines, for example, a square or a triangle or a circle that is missing its final component to make it a three dimensional figure: depth. A drawing on a piece of paper of a square, would be considered a shape. On the other hand, a form is a three dimensional shape expressing all three components: length, width, and depth. Some examples of these shapes are balls, cylinders, boxes, pyramids, and cones. All these shapes have depth, which add the three dimensional aspect to them. In reference to my photos, I chose my photo for shape because the flowers in the photo did not seem to have any depth at all, and thus becoming a shape. For form, the other flower I chose, I chose because the light of the sun creates shade on certain parts of the flower, so the flower has depth, the final part to make a shape, a form.

6) For reference, my photos of pattern and repetition are found here and here, respectively. The difference between pattern and repetition is that pattern is the repeating of an object or symbol all over a piece of art, and in our case, a photograph. An example of this would be taking photos of bricks or tiles laid together, like my photo shown above. This shows pattern because the individual tiles are all repeating on the wall, and thus repeats as shown in the work of art. Repetition acts upon pattern, as it uses pattern to make the work of art (photo) seem active. An example of this would be a photo of lockers, which all look the same to display pattern, from near to far, which was what I shot. First your eyes look at the closer lockers, as they are in focus. Then your eyes follow the line of lockers to the end, where there is a light, which makes it seem like the lockers are actually moving away from you, and thus displaying repetition.

7) My Weebly about page can be found here.
A link to the photographer who highly inspired me can be found here. His name is Peter Lik.

8) My last three project links can be found here, here, and here. Which one of these projects was my best you ask? I believe it was the last project, my photos of light trails. Which was my best photograph in this project? The last photo, which can be found here. I believe this was my best work, because I spent the most time in taking the photos needed for this project, and because I did my best to find the best location to capture these moments. They also required multiple shots, which meant more time to take the photo. I then chose the best shots captured in the group, and used that as a photo (after editing of course). This project changed me as it taught me how to allot time to photography to capture the best moments. It also helped me to learn to see differently as I learned to shoot good photos in spots where I did not think about shooting before. For example, the photo I mentioned up there, it was taken at on top of a highway overpass at 11PM. Normal people would simply drive on the overpass, and never even bother of looking off the sides of it, which was exactly how this photo was captured: I parked my car, walked to the middle of the overpass, got the perfect angle, and simply shot away.

Final Project - Light Trails

Weebly Website Reviews

From first period, I pick Michael Shen's photo. I like this photo because all of the buildings feel connected with each other and the solar flares at the left of the photo add more flare to it.

(His weebly site is: http://mshenphotos.weebly.com/)

From second period, I pick Andrew Xu's photo. I like this photo because it is a really nice photo of a sunset, and also because the sun flares coming from the back of the person in the photo brings out not only the person in the photo but also the sunset and the beach. 

(His weebly site is: http://inspirephotographs.weebly.com/)

From third period, I pick Jason Stiltz's photo. I like this photo because it is a really clean photo with a sense of mysteriousness. The sun placed right in the door of the shack makes the photo look nice, and the fog in front of the mountains in the distance make it seem eerie. 

(His weebly site is: http://gr8j8.weebly.com/)

From fourth period, I pick Kaitlyn Shih's photo. I like this photo because it symbolizes life, and the focus is only on the plant, and makes it look like the health of the plant is more important than the hands holding it. 

(Her weebly site is: http://kaitlynshihphotography.weebly.com/)

Presentation Project: Strawberry

Weebly

First Commercial Shoot

PC: Jason Wu

PC: Gary Zeng

PC: Hong Wu

PC: Henry Yu

PC: Jason Wu

Model: Austin Whaley

Best Photo

The about pages for my 5 favorite photographers in no particular order:
Peter Lik
Joseph Rossbach
Michael Frye
Francesco Gola
Cory J. O'Neill 

Another photographer who didn't have an about page: Alex Noriega

MCJMCW Photo Story

On the first day of MC week, I originally planned to go to a taco truck in Niles, but when we got there, the truck was not there. We had to change our plans, and ended up going to Sonics, where I ordered a Coney dog, filled with great sauces, great onions and beef, and great diabetes.

On the second day of MC week, I took a friend out to lunch and we went to the Habit at Pacific Commons. I ordered my usual there, which was a Double Charburger, with added cheese and grilled onions. In my opinion, I think they have one of the best burgers in Fremont. 

On the third day of MC week, I went with my friends to Chick-Fil-A, my favorite restaurant. When we were there, I ordered a Spicy Chicken Deluxe Sandwich, pictured above. Like always, it was superb.
.

On the fourth day of MC week, I brought another friend out, this time to Popeyes at Fremont Hub. That day was my birthday, so my friend insisted on paying for me! Yay free meal!

On the final day of MC week, we had an assembly schedule where all the students, during third period, would go watch the Multicultural Assembly, where a ton of students would perform dances and cultural events for the rest of the school to see. Pictured here, is Mr. Hui performing Tai Chi Chuan. 

Story with a photo - International Excursion at Din Tai Fung

Back in the summer of junior year, I went back to Taiwan for a internship at my uncle's company. But internship aside, the first thing that came to my mind when I got off the plane was the good food located all over the island of Taiwan that was just waiting for my arrival. Out of all the great food there, there is always one restaurant that I have to go to every time I visit Taiwan: Din Tai Fung. Din Tai Fung is a famous restaurant in Taiwan, well known for their Shanghai Xiao Long Bao, which are essentially circular dumplings with a bit of broth inside. On my second day there, I got the chance to visit the restaurant, and while I was there, I noticed this cute card holder with the company mascot enclosed inside a transparent cube of water, which I decided to take a photo of to remind myself of the great experience. 

Multicultural Week

Ever since Tommy was a little freshman, he was told by all the upperclassmen early on in the school year to "bring a ton of money during multicultural week" or to "ask parents for extra allowance to save up to spend at multicultural week". At that time, he knew nothing about what this "multicultural week" was. It sounded scary. It sounded interesting. And most of all, it sounded fun.

After waiting for 3 quarters of the school year, it had finally arrived. This "multicultural week" everybody spoke of. It popped up everywhere, on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and even Mr. Harley's blog, the blog of that one teacher everybody loved yet nobody ever dared talk bad about due to the off chance he finds out and everybody gets flunked. This must have meant it was a really important event, whatever it was. On Twitter, everybody was getting hyped. On Facebook, everybody was advertising their club and food through profile pictures. Instagram was comprised of everybody sharing photos of students making food for multicultural week. And Mr. Harley's blog... It was the weirdest one yet. The first day back from break, he made his students in English class write an essay about multicultural week. "Wait, what?!?" Tommy had not learned anything about multicultural week yet. It hadn't even started! Thankfully, he found out it wasn't due the same day, but was actually due that Friday. He vowed to himself to make sure he learned every single nitbit about multicultural week.

At first, the only think he knew were that other students were selling various types of food during lunch. Then, he researched some more and found out that every day of the week, there is a recommended color to wear, to support a specific continent where people inhabited. Later, he also found out that people performed on the amphitheater during lunch, providing free entertainment! And finally, he found out that his school schedule was changed to accommodate the selling of food by the clubs. This meant that lunch was extra long! Besides the facts, he also experienced firsthand what buying lunch during multicultural week feels like -- pushy, crowded, but satisfactory because of the awesome food the clubs sold, unlike boring and bland school lunches that were provided year round.

Each day passed by quicker and quicker, as little Tommy learned how to handle the reins of multicultural week. He knew where the best spots were, which clubs to go to first, all the important stuff to excel in getting the best food.

Alas, it was finally time for him to write his essay. As he got home Thursday and sat in front of a computer with an empty word document getting ready to write his essay for the mysterious Mr. Harley, he thought about the essay assigned. Finally, as he mentally prepared himself for the grueling assignment, he contemplated, he smiled, and he wrote.

Principles of Design: Repetition

Edits:

Contrast +60
Highlights +100
Shadows +20
Whites +50
Blacks +50
Vibrance +10
Saturation +10

This photo demonstrates repetition as the lockers in the photo make it seem to move from right to left. Once your eyes focus on the close lockers to the right, you gradually work your way to the left, to eventually look at the lockers whose doors shine in the sunlight.

Principles of Design: Unity

Edits:

Shadows -50
Whites -50

This picture represents unity as all the rocks in the photo are all attached harmonically and leave no gaps in between.

Principles of Design: Variety

Edits: 

Exposure +0.25

Contrast +20

Whites +17

Blacks +1

This picture demonstrates variety as the word mission is surrounded by many different pieces of art, all representing variety, ranging from books to sports equipment to instruments. 

Shutter Speed and Everything After

My partner is Jason Stiltz.

Lens Blog Photo
1) I believe the photo was taken with a fast shutter speed because I am assuming the upright trucks are moving at a fast speed, and for the trucks to be captured without blur, it means that the shutter speed had to be fast in order to capture the trucks at perfect clarity.
2) This photo demonstrates the rule of composition of leading lines as the highway divider and the white lines on the highway in the middle curves further back in the photo, allowing out eyes to follow it. My partner used proportion because the trucks on the road are getting farther and farther away as it appears in the photo; even though they can be assumed to be the same size, one is smaller than the other because of its distance away.
3) The element of art used in this photo is forms due to the three dimensional shape of the trucks, in the shape of rectangular boxes which express depth, length, and width.
4) The principle of design used in this photo is movement due to the path our eyes take when looking at the photo, starting with the upright truck on the right side, then moving to the tipped over truck on the left side, and finally following the highway divider into the distance.


Tuesday with Farley's Kids!

1/1900

Live Movement

Edits: 

Exposure -0.15

Contrast -20

Highlights +10
Clarity +35
Vibrance +10
Saturation +5

Shutter Speed: 1/1900s
F-Stop: f/2.2

Principles of Design: Rhythm

Photo 1:

Edits: 

Temperature -24

Contrast +5

Highlights -23

Shadows +23

Whites +15

Blacks +1

Photo 2: 

Edits: 

Temperature -5

Exposure +0.2

Contrast +15

Highlights -2

Shadows +2

Whites +1

Blacks +1

Both of these photos demonstrate rhythm since the four metal bars in the photo are repeated in its design, and show organized movement as they all look the same with the same angled shape. 

Best Example of "Variety" in NYT: Lens

After looking through the photo galley, we picked photo #6. As to why, in my opinion, it was because in the photo, there are many different things, ranging from a person, to tubs of soup, to an assorted amount of garbage in the background, and even further back, what seems to be a forest. Not only do these things depict variety, but the assortment of trash behind the man also seem to have come from different sources being objects like cabinets, buckets, roof shingles, and wooden planks. The dictionary defines variety as "the quality or state of being different or diverse" which is exactly what the picture is showing: a variety of objects all clumped together in one photo.

Principles of Design: Proportions

Edits:

Highlights -100

Whites -100

Blacks -60

Contrast +50

Although Gary seems to be holding the statue on his head, he is really holding his hands up and pretending to hold the statue mounted to the top of the library wall. This photo shows proportion since Gary looks like he is equally sized compared to the statue, when it is actually bigger than him. 

Principles of Design: Pattern

Edits

Exposure +0.5
Contrast +25
Highlights -40
Shadows +40
Whites +40
Blacks -40
Vibrance +5
Saturation +5

This photo demonstrates pattern as the benches are repeated five times throughout the photo.

Movie Monday: Half Past Autumn Q+A

Part 1

1) On the day Gordon Parks was born, how did the doctor save Gordon's life?

          The doctor saved his live by having his sister dunk him in a tub of iced water.

2) Where was Gordon born? (What state?)

          He was born in Fort Scott, Kansas

3) What did Gordon's class adviser, Ms. McClintock, tell him about college?

Since he was colored, it would be a waste of money because not only would he be racially profiled, he probably did not have the intellect to learn anything as he "wasn't college material".

4) How old was Gordon when his mother died?

          He was 14 years old.

5) Where did Gordon move after his mother died?

He moved to Minnesota.

6) Did Gordon graduate from college?

          He did not.

7) How did Gordon begin his fashion photography career?

He visited Frank Murphy, and Murphy's wife offered to let him shoot models, which in return surprised them with how good Parks' photos came out.

8) What is a "double exposure?"

When two exposures are made on the same film; when the camera shutter opens twice.

9) Who was boxer Joe Louis?

A heavyweight boxing champion whose wife encouraged Parks to move to Chicago to continue his career there.

10) What instrument did Gordon play?

          He played the piano.

11) What was the purpose of the Farm Security Administration?

          To document the conditions of farms of the South during the Great Depression.

12) When Roy Stryker hired Gordon for the FSA, what was Stryker's first assignment for Gordon in Washington, D.C.?

To buy a top hat, eat at the restaurant across the street, and to go watch a movie.

13) Who was Ella Watson?

          Ella Watson was the model in the painting "American Gothic".

14) What was the inspiration for Grant Wood's American Gothic?

From his feelings of racial segregation and discrimination he has experienced throughout his life.

15) What did Gordon learn from Stryker about photography?

          That the camera can be wielded to fight for civil rights, as well as how much emotion a photograph can capture and induce.

Part 2

16) When did the FSA shut down?

          The FSA shut down in 1946.

17) After Gordon moved to New York, what magazine did he shoot for?

          Gordon shot for the fashion magazine Vogue.

18) Who was the picture editor of Life Magazine when Gordon walked into the Life Magazine office?

          The picture editor was Wilson Hicks when Gordon walked in.

19) What was the first major story Parks covered for Life Magazine?

          His first major story was on the Harlem Gang Leader

20) Who were some of the artists that Gordon Parks mentioned influenced his work after he moved to the Paris Life Magazine bureau?

He was influenced by Picasso, Moliere, Prokofiev, Debussy, Bach, Ravel, Rachmaninoff, Pablo Neruda, etc.

21) How did Parks shoot fashion when he lived in France?

He let the models move around and he moved around with them keeping them in focus in the camera.

22) Where was Parks' concerto performed?

          It was performed in Venice

23) Who was Parks' second wife? (Who was her father? What did she do?)

          Elizabeth Campbell; she was model

24) How old was Flavio de Silva when Parks met him?

          12 years old

25) When did Parks meet Flavio?

          1961

26) Where did Flavio live when Parks first met Flavio and his family?

          He lived in the slums in Brazil

27) How is Gloria Vanderbilt? Who is her famous son? Who are her ancestors?

She was an artist. Her son is Anderson Cooper, who is the anchor of CNN News. Her ancestors are Vanderbilts and her parents are Gloria Morgan and Reginald Claypoole Vanderbilt.

28) How did Vanderbilt describe their relationship?

She described it as being a reunion with an old friend they haven’t met in a long time, because they did not have to act with common manners when meeting a new person for the first time.

Part 3+4

1) What is your definition of successful?

My definition of successful is to accomplish goals that you have set for yourself.

2) What have you given up to become successful?

I have given up a lot of time that I could have spent doing things in occasions to become successful in other occasions.

3) What did Parks give up to become successful?

He gave up a lot of his family time with his wife and children to become successful

4) Who was Genevieve Young's father?

Her father was one of the founding members of the United Nations and VK Wellington Kok.

5) How much was Parks advanced to write his first book (and eventual best-selling autobiography)?

          He was offered $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?

          He was afraid Muhammad would influence him to do the story.

8) What was significant about the movie The Learning Tree?

          The lead actor in the movie was African American.

9) What was significant about the character Shaft?

Everyone knew who Shaft was because of his unique personality and how he would act before thinking

10) What was Gordon Parks' choice of weapons?

          His choice of “weapon” was his camera.

11) What reason did Genevieve Young give for the divorce?

She claimed he was traveling too much and did not spend enough time with her.

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.?

          Gordon Parks’ son.

14) What is your favorite Gordon Parks photo?

          My favorite photo of Gordon Parks’ is his photo named “American Gothic”

15) What will you remember about Gordon Parks in ten years?

          That he inspired many people and the way he took photos. 

Principles of Design: Movement

Edits:

Tint +15
Exposure +.5
Contrast +10
Highlights -20
Shadows +20
Whites +10
Blacks +5
Saturation +10

This photo demonstrates movement as when you first take a look at the photo, your eyes would start at the foot of the stairs, and work your way up towards the whiteboard, which gives a description of where you are (in this case the MSJ garden).

***The main emphasis is the whiteboard at the head of the stairs.

Principles of Design: Emphasis

Edits:
Exposure -.5
Shadows -50
Whites -20
Vibrance +20
Saturation +10

The emphasis in the photo is the nearest basketball hoop, as it is the closest and largest object in the photo.

Principles of Design: Balance

Edits:
Contrast +3
Highlights -37
Shadows +8

This picture demonstrates balance as if it were to be cut down right in the middle, the two sides are almost exact opposites of each other, from the shrubs to the open doors to the tiles on the ground. Everything is equivalent on both sides.

Elements of Art: Texture

Edits:
Contrast +8
Highlights -1
Shadows -39
Clarity +3
Vibrance -18
Saturation +11

Elements of Art: Color

Edits:

Contrast +37
Shadows -53
Vibrance +48
Saturation +28

Half Past Autumn - Gordon Parks Questions and Answers

1) On the day Gordon Parks was born, how did the doctor save Gordon's life?
By having his sister dunk him in a tub of iced water.

2) Where was Gordon born? (what state?)

Fort Scott, Kansas

3) What did Gordon's class adviser, Ms. McClintock, tell him about college?

Since he was colored, it would be a waste of money because not only would he be racially profiled, he probably did not have the intellect to learn anything as he "wasn't college material".

4) How old was Gordon when his mother died?

14 years old

5) Where did Gordon move after his mother died?

Minnesota

6) Did Gordon graduate from college?

No

7) How did Gordon begin his fashion photography career?
He visited Frank Murphy, and Murphy's wife offered to let him shoot models, which in return surprised them with how good Parks' photos came out.

8) What is a "double exposure?"
When two exposures are made on the same film; when the camera shutter opens twice.

9) Who was boxer Joe Louis?
A heavyweight boxing champion whose wife encouraged Parks to move to Chicago to continue his career there.

10) What instrument did Gordon play?

The piano

11) What was the purpose of the Farm Security Administration?
To document the conditions of farms of the South during the Great Depression.

12) When Roy Stryker hired Gordon for the FSA, what was Stryker's first assignment for Gordon in Washington, D.C.?
To buy a top hat, eat at the restaurant across the street, and to go watch a movie.

13) Who was Ella Watson?
Ella Watson was the model in the painting "American Gothic". 

14) What was the inspiration for Grant Wood's American Gothic?
From his feelings of racial segregation and discrimination he has experienced throughout his life. 

15) What did Gordon learn from Stryker about photography?
That the camera can be wielded to fight for civil rights, as well as how much emotion a photograph can capture and induce. 

Elements of Art: Space

Edits:

Exposure +0.3

Highlights +18

Shadows -100

Blacks -25

Contrast +25

Clarity -10

Vibrance +15

Elements of Art: Form

Edits:
Exposure +0.4
Highlights -100
Shadows -11
Whites +10
Blacks +10
Contrast +3
Clarity +13
Vibrance +29

Elements of Art: Shape

Edits: 

Exposure +0.5

Highlights -100

Shadows +34

Whites -37

Blacks -3

Contrast +16

Elements of Art: Line

Edits: 

Exposure -0.7

Highlights +18

Shadows -100

Whites -29

Blacks -21

Contrast +34

Clarity -13

Vibrance +7

Our favorite photo from "Look From Behind, With Feeling" and why.

We picked this photo from "Look From Behind, With Feeling" because of its uniqueness. Not everyday, are you able to see a woman shooting and hitting a target causing an explosion from the backside. Her bright jacket and the explosion of whatever she just shot also adds color and brings attention to the photo. Since the photo was taken from behind the car door, it also adds perspective, making the photo viewers feel like they are actually witnessing this event take place behind the car door out on a country road.

In summary, my three reasons why I picked this photo are
1) The explosion captured in the photo looks cool and is very unique
2) The colors (the woman's jacket and the explosion) catch the viewer's attention and stand out
3) The perspective of which the photo was taken from (behind the car door) makes it seem like you are actually witnessing the event happen

Top 5 Photos Ranked

Our favorite photos are: 3, 9, 11, 24, 6 (this is in order from #1 to #5)

Multimedia Fest 2015 Final Draft

Movie Monday - The Photo League: Questions and Answers

1. What was The Photo League's credo?

The photo leagues credo held that the camera was more than a means of recording reality. It was a device with a potential to change the world.

2. What organization did The Photo League separate from?

The Photo League separated Workers International Relief. They were originally known as the Worker's Camera League.

3. What was the workshop?

It was a basic documentary photography workshop where Sid Grossman taught advanced technique classes.

4. Who taught "the workshop?"

Sid Grossman.

5. If you were to devote one year of your life to one project, what project is worth your time and energy?

It would be a project that I have interest in, and wouldn't mind spending a year on since if I did not like doing a project, why waste a year of my life on something I dislike?

6. What was The Harlem Document?

The Harlem Document was a collection of portraits of Black urban American and the people, culture and lifestyles of Harlem during the 1930's.

7. Who started The Harlem Document?

Aaron Siskind started The Harlem Document.

8. A photographer discusses a photograph where "the children looked like they came out of a __________ painting. Who was the painter?

Caravaggio

9. Why did the photograph mentioned in #8 look like it was by the painter?

The sun was coming down and one kid was illuminated by the sun.

10. Who was Lewis Hine? (name two significant contributions)

He was an american photographer who inspired the Photo League’s collective portraits of urban life. He was a photographer for the National Child Labor Committee and he also worked for the Red Cross during the Depression to photograph the drought relief in the American South.

11. Who was Weegee?

Wee gee was the pseudonym for Arthur Felling. He was known for his black and white street photography and his quirky personality.

12. How did The League change when The Nazis took power?

The immigrating refugees from Nazi Germany and surrounding territories supplied an influx of new talent and faces to the photo league. Photographers like Laudi Jacobi, Erica Cocfer and Lizet Model were a few of the new photographers.

13. How did The League change during WWII?

Photo League members used their cameras in support of the war. Feature groups documented war production, parades and parties. Female members assumed a much larger role in keeping the League running. Trained photographers served in every branch of the armed forces.

14. How did Siskind change after WWII?

Siskind switched from documentary and realism photography, the type of photography he had championed before the war, to more abstract expressionism.

15. What was the Saturday Evening post?

It was a bimonthly American magazine that started in 1897.

16. Who was Barbara Morgan? What did she photograph?

She was a photographer from Kansas best known for her photos of modern dancers. She also cofounded the photography magazine Aperture.

17. What eventually undermined the Photo League?

The Photo League was listed on a government publication of subversive, communist, fascist and totalitarian organizations.

18. What was the "Growing Menace" mentioned in the film?

Communism

19. Who agreed to serve as President when The League was under investigation?

W. Eugene Smith.

20. What happened to the league?

Photo League Member and FBI Informant, Angela Calomiris testified that the League was a front for the Communist Party. Afterward, the membership dropped and members left and the Photo League disbanded in 1951.