Assignment #3 Final Images

  

#1 Social/ Cultural Document

      Composition: In this image, I put my camera on the table and took a very low perspective/ an unusual angle. It helped to make the book stand out. Also I included the curtain in the background to achieve the repetition of the strip pattern.
      Concept: The main subject is the Bible in the left top of this picture. It's a cultural/spiritual icon for a population. Taking a different angle/perspective to look at the "stereotyped" bible is interesting. And the sharp reflection from the glass table is totally a surprise.
      Method: I set my camera on the table, and since the indoor light was limited the shutter speed was a little bit lower. But the longer exposure brought more details into this image.

      Motivation:  I cleaned the glass table before I took this picture and my goal was to capture the sharp and detailed reflection of the Bible.

      Context: I guess this is image is more about religion or identity. 

Part 2 Critique

       what works: the sharp reflection of the book is very impressive and seems almost unrealistically detailed.

      suggestions: maybe alter the right side of the image (the curtain) and make it all straight. 

   

#2  Man-made Landscape
      Composition: In this image I chose to take a bird's eye view of this play ground. There was no actual emphasis in this photo since I wanted to include everything clearly. It created a sense of chaos.
      Concept: I wanted to use this image to explain "man-made landscape". Those toys are probably the origin of an architect's inspiration in the future. The toy railway, cars, trucks ad animal residents created this community(landscape).
      Method: I used small aperture in order to contain as much information as possible in this image.
      Motivations: My intention was to show the chaos of this man-made landscape. My goal was to challenge my viewers to see landscape in a smaller scale.
      Context: this map-looking image reminds me of typography.  maybe people who are interested in maps will find it exciting.

Part 2 Critique

what works: the angle of the "landscape", the map view

suggestions: show the complete picture, including more information of the railroad track, and keep viewers eye direction

   

#3 Undiscovered Territory

      Composition: I took a look at the inside of a lamp, and focused on the light bulb when it was on. I have never taken such a close look at a light bulb. The emphasis is definitely on the light bulb, because it's placed in the center of the photo and the background is nearly pure black.

     Concept: another small scale landscape. The idea was about a place which was always out of people's attention. I only enjoy the brightness the light brings but I never thought about how the light bulb works, or what the light bulb looks like.

      Method: since I took the photo while the light was still on and the straight intense light source from the light bulb, I used the lowest ISO and as fast as possible shutter speed.

      Motivation: this is totally an experiment. I never tried to shoot a light source before.

      Context:  it reminds me of the first invention of light bulbs. Even though the world changed so much of centuries, but we still use light bulbs which were invented by Edison.

Part2 Critique

 what works: the high contrast of this image, different view angle.

suggestions: maybe try a little bit cropping

 

      

 #4  Place of the Imagination

        Composition: this image was taken while I was kayaking. the angle was low since I wanted to show a part of myself in it. The angle of my feet echoes the shape of the kayak. It's a very subtle repetition of a pattern.

        Concept: I wanted to depict this place in my imagination where I had to live on this small boat with limited food. There wasn't a planned destination, but I enjoyed the adventure. It's a journey of self-seeking or just general seeking of life.

        Method: lowest ISO and smaller aperture. The focus was on the feet. The background water without a destination kind created a feeling of uncertainty. However, it also has a feeling of peace.

        Motivation: my intention was to create a image that viewer can also share their imaginations. There was a person in the photo, but viewers can't see the face of the person. There was a river/lake and a kayak, but you can't see the destination.

      Context: identity.

Part2 Critique:

what works: the perspective, the boldness of the photographer, the shoes really reveal the subject's personality

suggestions: try subtle burning and dodging, and make the edges of the kayak natural and softer.