Assignment 4

The photographer that I chose is Trey Ratcliff, who is known for taking HDR photo’s (high dynamic range). It is done by compiling multiple photos with different exposures, using the computer. The outcome is a photo with a greater dynamic range of luminance form brighter to darker shades.   Photo below is by Trey Ratcliff – Another Summer Day in Paris

Image 1 : http://virtualphotographystudio.com/photographyblog/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/hdr-technique-thumb.jpg

 This photo displays the subtlety highlights mid-tones and shadows have together, to make a perfect HDR photo. This photo brings out the shadow details that the rocks casts on each other, as well as the suns lights reflecting from the ocean. Also take notice specifically how well the shadows and highlights combine to bring out the detail in the feather as well as the clouds.

The similarities that these photos have are the source of light that helps define the objects in closer range.

Trey Ratcliff – An Icelandic Horse in the Wild

Image 2 : http://digital-photography-school.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/hdr-2.jpg

 These two photos share the similarities of light hitting the main object being photographed, the details of the statue and the horse. The light is sharpening the image to make it seem more realistic. They both give the sense that you are standing right in from of the statue and the horse.

 Trey Ratcliff

Image 3: http://flickr.com/photos/bcnbits/363695635/

The lighting in these two images is what makes them beautiful. Both photographers have brought out all the highlights, mid-tones and undertones. They have captured the realness of scene, again making you feel like you are there in real life.

 Trey Ratcliff – The Long Alley, Tokyo 

Image 4: http://s-fun.com/photo/1a//17-stunning-photos-HDR-PHOTOGRAPHY-044.jpg

 Using HDR, both photographers have made these images look like they virtual and almost a cartoon. It is hard to believe that they are photos. They have mastered the technique HDR. 

Trey Ratcliff

 

Image 5: http://s-fun.com/photo/1a//17-stunning-photos-HDR-PHOTOGRAPHY-039.jpg

These two images capture the expression on the people’s faces very well. The way the lighting hits their faces so that you can see every crevice and contour. Even though the outcome of both these photos are different , the same techniques are used. 

It is hard for photographers to capture a scene the way they see it with the naked eye. Pictures will never replace a real vision seen by the eye. When a person is looking at the scene, light travels back and forth, making some areas brighter or darker. People tend to create emotions and feelings when looking at the scene and no camera would be able to capture that image and give that same feeling.  This technique of using high dynamic range tricks the mind in a way so that it may experience more.

Sources:

http://www.stuckincustoms.com

http://thundafunda.com/photos/hdr-photography-17-hdr-photos/

http://www.digital-photography-school.com/hdr-photography-what-do-you-think-about-it

http://virtualphotographystudio.com/photographyblog/2008/10/hdr-photography-high-dynamic-range-technique/

Topic 2: Press photography versus art photography

 

                                                   Carlos F. Gutierrez, Chile, May 2, 2008           

The difference with this photo and the photo below is the timing that it was taken in. The photo above is of a volcano that had just erupted. This is a rare moment in life that only few people can witness in person. Gutierrez captures this moment through his lens so vividly. The photo captured is very “in the moment” and was probably taken as, quickly as possible with many shots because this is something that you can not miss and have another opportunity to photograph. The photo below, took much longer for the photographer to capture the right shot, and it was probably still editing through a computer before printing. The preparation of these photographs is different as well. Since the first photo is of nature, the photographer is unable to make lighting adjustments, or reposition the focal point. The magazine photo shoots, everything can be adjusted to preference of photographer.  

                                                                  Anne Leibovitz 

The similarities of the photo of Lady Gaga and the photo of the women trying to stop forced eviction for her people, is the message that these photographs send out. The purpose of Lady Gaga’s meat dress is to send out a message that she wants to stand for her own rights by wearing whatever she wants. In The second picture, the women is trying to stand up for herself and her child, but trying to stop the forceful army of men. They are both captivating and makes you think about the photo in more depth. 

 

                                                 Luiz Vasconcelos, Brazil, March 10, 2008

DB 9 - Presentation Week 9: Shooting the truth: Photojournalism

Photojournalism

 1) What's the role of photojournalism?

The role of photojournalism is another form of journalism that uses photos or videos to provide information, a story or point of view. The images shown are to enhance the readers’ emotions and feelings of the subject. These images bring the story to life.

2) Are there rules that photojournalists should follow? Why? Why not?

The rules that photojournalists should follow would be that they should never edit the photos. Since the photos are used to portray the reality of a story, why would they need to alter it? They should not have to if they have captured the photo at the right moment at the right time. Editing photos to enhance the image may be used, but deleting objects/ people are not allowed.

3) Is the ethics of taking journalistic photos different than the ethics of writing a news story?

I believe that they are the same. Photo’s can be enhanced to make it clearer, so can stories. Using captivating words or a larger vocabulary can make it more understanding for a reading. The same ethics in photo’ and stories are the same. They should not be altered to change the truth or meaning of the captured image or story.

4) What's the impact of altering press photographs? Should they be edited (at all) in postproduction?

I think that the impact of altering press photographs can be misleading and untruthful that it doesn’t become as desired as photos aren’t edited. I don’t think that they should be edited at all in postproduction because the takes the truth out of the image.

Assignment 3 - Photo Manipulation

The photo that I manipulated is a photo that I took 3 years ago of an arrangement of flowers I placed in a beer bottle.  The original photo is bright and full of color.  There is a lot going on and when you look at the photo for the first time, it can seem too much for the eye. The photo is not something you can look at for a long period of time, but rather a quick glace and on to the next photo.

What I did to manipulate the photo was first change it into black and white. Then using photoshop I made the only colour in the photo be the flowers. I did this because I wanted the center of the photo to be the flowers. The colors are so vibrant and noticeable with a black and white background.

With the technology that we have today, photos can be manipulated in any way possible.  From removing and placing objects in a photo to be apart of the picture. Photo manipulation is used a lot on the human body. In magazines, billboards, movies and television, the technology we have today can make a person look as they wish. Anything from hair color, skin color, height, and size can be altered to ones preference.

The manipulation of photos can be seen as being ethically wrong. In a sense it can be because when people manipulate images for ads and magazines to make a model seem "perfect" sends out the wrong image to the public. The public is being lied to with these photos and it impacts them so much that they feel that they need to look exactly as the “perfect” model. These created so many self-esteem issues and many problems for our society. However when manipulating photos for the sake of art, it is not wrong at all. I think that we should use the available technology that we have to better advance in the world of art, not to manipulate body images that give our society low self-esteem. 

The role of portraits in the early days of photography and portraits today

1. What are main differences and similarities between portraits in the early days of photography and portraits today?

Some similarities between portraits in the early days of photography and today are that is bears a sentimental sense of value for its keepers. In the early says of photography, people use portraits of loved ones, family members to carry around in lockets and powder boxes as a memory/keepsake. In today's society, people still carry around portraits of loved ones and family members in their wallets, keychains, etc

Some of the differences in the early days or portrait photography are portraits  being made in a miniature form. But today, portraits are usually made at a larger scale, fit be place in homes, advertisement, monuments etc. Another difference would be that in the early days people who had their portrait done were people of high status. In today’s societym anyone and everyone can have their portrait taken. There is no more sense of hierarchy when it comes to having your portrait taken. 

2. Who was the photographer and who was the subject of photographs in the past and today? 

In the early days the photographers were the middle class artists/ painters who would make the portraits of the higher-class people.  Today, anyone who owns a camera is the photographer, and anything and everything can be the subject of their photos

3. What was the impact on technology on the portraits in the past and today?

The impact technology has greatly affected photography in the early day and today. In the technology was not developed in the past, photography may not be the same as it is today.  With the invention of the physionotrace, it was one of the inventions that sped up the process of forming a silhouette and engravings to form a portrait. The innovation of wet collodion and calotype method has shown us how technology has transformed over the years to what it is today. Today with everything being digital, cameras have high resolution and photos look more real and the camera and capture every single detail.