Activity 4: Montage

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• Find two examples of photomontages that are either from a commercial source or from a fine art background. Discuss in what context they have been produced and what techniques they share with political photomontages. 
• What messages, if any, are communicated through these photomontages and how effective do you think they are? Consider different ways that each image could have been tackled by the artist and come up with an idea for ‘another in the series’.

I think the techniques and context being used is too of course always bring some kind of message to the attention of the person looking at the photos. These two images totally contradict each other as you can tell, I think the left is portraying that we are destroying our earth. We actually are and it is our fault that we are. It may seem like it'll take forever to do but it's happening quicker and quicker. The right is trying to give itself a nicer day with light. You can tell he's using wallpaper to get rid the of the clouds and darkness. These photos can have a different effect on people but the effect could and seems like it should be strong to everyone no matter what the effect is. I think the left picture can be portrayed also a different way but the idea has been used. These two pictures are really good and i wouldn't see any other way to portray their messages.

Activity 3: Montage

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• As editors exercise their ever-increasing power over information control, what limits would you impose on them as to the extent to which they can manipulate the photographic image? 
• Devise a series of guidelines that will control the release of images that have been constructed for media use so that the public is aware as to the extent of the manipulation.

I think editors don't have a lot of limits besides, of course simple stuff as in not over editing. Making sure it looks clean and having the ability to edit certain things for our sake. Other limits would be not ALWAYS making us look like the number one hero and give others to look good but of course make sure we look just as good. They edit tons of things on pictures to make sure it looks the way they want it so that we cannot see certain things as society, only what they want us too and they have that ability. Guidelines for checking the manipulation is easy. You can always tell when a picture is messed with, yes this editors are professionals but its easy to spot things. If a video is to go with the picture you can tell how the original set up was. For example these pictures, the left is edited the right isn't. If there is a video watching them and Obama was walking in the front we would know okay the left picture was changed drastically. Also for photoshop of the body, everyone is made to look thin when we have possibly seen these people in person or on video. Its so easy to tell when a picture is photoshopped, and knowing many of the government and people who work with it are corrupt, nothing is ever the way its shown to us.

Activity 2: Montage

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• Find two examples of political photomontages that are either from a historical or contemporary source. 
• Discuss in what context they have been produced and how effective you think they communicate their intended message. 
• Discuss the techniques that have been used to assemble the examples you have chosen and offer alternative ways that the artist could have put over the same message.

This image is from a historical source. I think this image is VERY effective because it just doesn't apply to the country this picture is representing, it applies to everyones countries with some type of government. They are trying to show that the political people and parties people who are here "for us" do and say what we want to hear. Like monkey see monkey do, they don't mean what they say, they do whatever they can for the money not putting us in mind, just making us think that they are. The techniques they chose are the monkey of course implying the "monkey see monkey do" say what I want you to say and do what I say for the money. There really is no other way I would have put this because this shows a lot and is probably the easiest and best way to get a message across that the government is corrupt.

This image is from a historical source. The image would be very effective on the audience seeing it, especially the countries government that this person is in. The message is pretty much giving this lady some choice of words and letting them know they aren't any good. Of course they used the toilet because that's where waste goes and they montaged her in there letting her know they want to let her go and she needs to go with the rest of the waste there is. I wouldn't put this is another way because it's a clever way and the best of saying you don't want somebody around anymore.

Activity 1: Montage

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• Briefly discuss why you think painters of the Victorian period might have criticized these early photomontages and why the pictures were popular with the general public. (This technique of piecing together separate images to create one picture is again very popular with both artists and the media). 
• What two reasons can you think of for this revival of an old technique?

It is possible victorian's might have criticized this photo because it took away from them painting, especially because the public liked it.Victorian's had ideals to live by, they did not care about the reality of things. In this picture this seems like a realistic situation, something raw, something to REALLY think about, and thats not what the times were about back then. I think it became popular to the public because they were not used to this, and why did to step out of what was just expected, they wanted something new. Two reasons for the revival of this old technique is it is fun to do, and also there is so much meaning you can put into it to make it become something so much better from what it originally was.

This photo is very different, victorians were not about different. They had a mindset and wanted things done that way. They kind of shaped everyones ideas into what they wanted. I can see why the public would want to break against that, and this seems like the type of artwork to catch the attention of many. Two reasons for the revival on this is to make good and meaningful artwork like this, and to let many put their own message out there. This picture most likely has deep meaning and thats what a lot of people look for.

Activity 3: Portraiture and Studio Photography

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Collect four portrait images with two to five subjects. In at least one image the subject should have been placed in the foreground.Comment on the arrangement of the subjects in relation to the camera and the effectiveness of the design.

Karma Hill Photography

This image has the toddler as the main subject, but of course you can see the parents in the background and the expression of both subjects clearly. They wanted the expression of the toddler to matter most as you can tell by the clarity and how much of the frame it takes up. The parents would purposely put in the background to show they are there and are happy and watching the toddler. This is a great example of more than one subject but the image still having one focus area.

Getty Images

People in this photograph are obviously protesting and there are full with some type of emotion obviously because they all have their hands up. There are many people in this photo but of course the man in the very front will catch your attention. He would be the main focus of this photo, along with all the hands. The photo shows that many are involved, no matter what its with.

Kraaystillaaa photography

There are two obvious subjects in this picture (technically three). You can see both very clearly but of course the main subject is the woman's stomach, she's pregnant! That would be the main to catch your eye of course, besides the lack of clothes. You would then of course notice the other things that make up the frame, the man, and the woman.

In this photograph there is one and only whole subject, the family, but obviously there is more than one of them. This is just a simple family portrait and there is really no main focus out of the more than one subject for this photo. Of course the photographer puts the family right smack in the middle so that the first thing you see is them!

Activity 2: Portrait and Studio Photography

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Find four portraits that demonstrate the different ways a photographer has framed the image to alter the design and content. Discuss the vantage point, depth of field and subject placement in all of the images.

 

The photographer laid on the floor to take this picture. They purposely wanted this type of look for the picture, ground view. Many people think this is a very nice look.The subject is the trees and they kind of give that hypnotic look if you stare long enough. The trees are kind of scattered about, they are not lined up with one another. The depth of field in this photo is very obvious. The bottom of the trees are very close and look like they are close in and as you look up they stretch out and scatter about into the trees and you get the sky view.

The photographer framed the picture to only a small portion of where only half of the sky from the sun on each side showed. They made it look like the two people were holding the sun there in the sky together to give it a cool look. I think the subject would be the sun instead of the two people "holding" it. The depth of field in this picture would be the people and the background. The color is sharp and so is the sun, as well as the people even though they are just shadows they can be seen clearly there. 

This is also a ground level photo. You can really see the stretch of the eiffel tower. The depth of field is clearly very sharp at the bottom more than the top because it is so far away. The subject of course is the eiffel tower and how much you can tell the size from just pictures to actually being there and standing there.

Another ground level photo. The photographer purposely framed it so that the corners would form an X. The depth of field is mostly in the sky and the corners. They are very sharp but they buildings are very blurry. I think the subject placement in this picture is very cool, and creative. 

Activity 1: Portrait and Studio Photography

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Look through assorted media, magazines, internet and collect four portrait photographs. The environment should be a key feature in two of the four images.Describe the subject’s character in each of the images. What can you see within each image that leads you to these conclusions about the subjects’ character.

Ultra Updates Photography

The subjects character in this picture is really still, and very plain. Everything is black and white but it has a color splash of orange as the paint on the paintbrush and as the subject wipes it across his face it brings out the color in his hair and on his face. It seems like the paint brush is bringing the color back out and kind of the "life" back into this picture. Since's it's black and white usually those pictures are looked at as sad or kind of just with neutral feeling and he could be trying to use the paint brush to bring life back and bring back a better emotion.

Anne Nevreva Photography

The character of this subject in the picture seems kind of surprised and full of life. You can see the forest and leaves in the background showing it is fall. You can tell its windy from her hair and that its cold since she is wearing a jacket. So possibly the cold could of caused her character to be changed and act different at the moment the photo was taken. Her character looks happy for most of it.

Martin Gommel Photography

This is another black and white picture. The character of this subject is very scared. Taking pictures is also known as "shooting" so he has a camera to his head as if he is going to "shoot himself". His character shows he is scared and acts like he is really going to die from it. His character has a lot of emotion to it.

Jenuine Crreations Photography

The character here is very happy. The background is of a lake and some mountains and you can tell its much warmer  by what she is wearing. That could have an affect on her character as the photo was taken. She seems very pleased and calm. She seems to have a always happy character and their surroundings can always have a lot to do with it.

Activity 3: Self Image

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Consider some of the social pressures that you think may shape your behavior and personal image. List the images most commonly associated with the categories or ‘boxes’ you have already listed in Activity 1.

How have you responded to social pressures to conform by adopting an appearance that relates to the categories that you feel you have placed in or have chosen?

I have responded to social pressures before, I was very into following what everyone else did when I was younger, especially because the people I was around were considered "cool" and I wanted to be apart of that group. I changed the way I dressed, spoke, behaved just to impress them. As I got older I (and most of that group) realized that was so dumb and we need to be ourselves. Following people isn't fun and you need to do your own thing and find your own way. Don't let social pressures make you feel left out, there are many people who do their own thing and you can only be truly happy once you do that, you aren't alone.

Activity 2: Self Image

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Find images in the media, which have been used to represent attractive and unattractive aspects of the human face. Examine and record carefully the photographic techniques used to accentuate both these qualities, drawing up a list that relates to the images you have found. 

• List the physical characteristics that we have come to admire in both the male and female face and write 100 words in response to the following questions: 

1. Do you believe that media images or public opinion are responsible for the characteristics of beauty becoming universal stereotypes? 
2. Do you believe people admiring media images of glamorous models can do any harm?

Attractive:

   

Photogenic techniques for attractive people in society is guys have a nice and clearly seen jawline, obviously already being "pretty" or "attractive", and girls having perfectly done make up that people think is nice (society again portraying whats good and not), and guys having some facial hair. These 4 people are very huge in society and are very well considered perfect or attractive. 

Unattractive:

 Unattractive people in society obviously have (to others) no photogenic technique at all. They do not have the perfectness or demand of good looking genes that society demands or wants.


I strongly believe that media images and public opinions are COMPLETELY responsible for the characteristics of beauty becoming universal stereotypes. Many people are very scared to go off and do there own things and be themselves because they want acceptance. They believe if society accepts me and they like me for what they technically pressured me into doing then I will be happy, when doing this makes matters so much worse. You can never become happy with yourself and who you are until you do your own thing and are comfortable with what YOU want and what YOU think is okay not society. People admiring media images of glamorous models can do very much harm. Many people have died from following along with what they see when they do not understand IT IS NOT REAL. Pictures are photoshopped to hell, in the movies someone can do drugs or die or do something very dangerous but THEY ARE NOT REALLY DOING IT and some people think "I can do that and be just like them, ill be fine" when that is not is okay. We let society choose our behavior, actions, looks, clothes, everything. WE practically let it control us. We have to do our own thing and be ourselves. Once we as society acknowledge that and understand that, then no ones opinions will matter and we can be happy. Purely happy with ourselves as people.

Activity 1: Self Image

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What follows is a list of categories that serves to define and divide us. Make a personal list of the categories you belong to or have conflict with and visual symbols that are associated with each. Aspirations and expectations should also be listed.

  1. Age/generation - is can dictate levels of independence afforded to the individual.

  2. Gender - Our sex affects the way we are treated by some individuals. 

  3. Race - Prejudice and perceived racial superiority can affect hopes and aspirations.

  4. Religion - Moral codes and ideologies that serve to guide, unite and divide.

  5. Class or caste - A classification that an individual may never escape from.

  6. Personality - Extrovert and introvert are classifications of personality.

  7. Intelligence - educational establishments, based on IQ, often segregate us.

  8. Political persuasion - Left wing or right wing. Each carries its own ideology.

Categories I belong to:

 Number 1 (Age/Generation) applies to me because with being a teenager soon to be adult (17) and with being in my generation people see us as bad kids. Truthfully people look at us as stupid, careless, rude, and many other things. I think this generation of being the last 90's babies is very different but not in a bad way. Our generation is very open, accepting, courageous, helpful, so much more nice. We are changing the world slowly and I think its for the good.

Number 2 (Gender) most definitely being a female changes many things. There are many double standards and I have noticed many people are turning on us. Feminists and many other people supporting women power and making their voices heard because recently in the world all of these people have been making ways of how women should be. For example dress code, how we dress can be distracting to boys and we "ask for it" when that is a personal problem for whoever gets distracted by MY clothing. I should not have to change because someone else doesn't like me as I am or what I wear.

Number 3 (Race) is a big one. This world is becoming very diverse and soon enough everyone will be mixed with many different ethnicities and no one will be one whole race. Some do not like that and I think minorities get looked at differently. Especially being Mexican or african american, we get stereotyped and we sometimes get racially profiled. Sometimes we get treated VERY different. It's not very fair, we get looked at different as if we aren't human or of this world, but this world is becoming more open and diverse and people are becoming more open to the fact of treating everyone equally regardless of color.

Number 4 (Religion) with being Christian many people think "you HAVE to be perfect" and this religion gets judged a lot especially the people who follow. Everyone thinks you can't make mistakes and you have to be a replica of god, thats not true. You work on yourself to be a better person and to do right in this world, although many questions comes along with this religion as to how god my not be real its good to have hope and to be a good person anyways. Tons of people get killed for being this religion and its sad. It's hard to be anything or stand for anything anymore. Even though we are becoming more open at the same time people are getting crazy and becoming TOO sensitive, trying to force the world to be one way, one religion, one race. We are trying to cure it with positivity and peace because it's only going to get worse from here if we don't try.

Number 6 (Personality) many people think once you are a certain way from birth or even for a good while enough for influence, you will NEVER change. Which is untrue, if you're an introvert you can become extroverted, and vice versa. It takes time for change sometimes years upon years because some habits of your personality are hard to change whether they are good or bad. I'm looked at as kind of selfish (I can be) and I have many bad habits and many people think I won't change them but I can. It takes a while to stop a habit and its more of a challenge to not break it and stay on the right track.

Rubric

Activity 5: Time

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Create four images that contain a mixture of solid (sharp) and fluid (blur) forms. Using the camera that you have been checked out, create these four images as creatively and artistically as you can!

 These four pictures contain the mixture of solid (sharp) and fluid (blur) forms. I worked with what I had and tried as best as I could to make those two work for these pictures. I tried many different things with making the subject holding something and making it move but made the subject stand

 still as the other object moved. As well as having the subject stand still and everything around it still or another person around the subject move.

Activity 4: Time

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Find a photograph where the photographer has used a slow shutter speed and describe the subject matter including the background. Discuss any technical difficulties the photographer may have encountered and how these may have been overcome.

Mikel Photography

The subject matter in this picture is the subway moving in the background. The man is still and waiting for the subway to stop. I think some technical difficulties would have getting a perfect shutter speed because you can ever see the other side of the stop through the train. Also it could have been getting a perfect shot since the train moves so fast and having to wait. Also lighting could have been a major factor when taking this picture. I think the photographer possibly waited and until the train came and took as many pictures as possible to see which they could pick out of the many. As well as trying their best to work with the light.

Activity 3: Time

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Take four images of a running or jumping figure using fast shutter speeds (faster than 1/250 second). Vary the direction of travel in relation to the camera and attempt to fill the figure. Examine the image for any movement blur and discuss the focusing technique used.

Take four images of the same movement subject using shutter speeds between 1/15 and 1/125 second. Pan the camera to follow the movement. The primary subject should again fill the frame. Discuss the visual effect of each image.









Most of these pictures are very well focused. I would zoom in and out a lot and move around as well to make sure the subjects were very well seen.  The only things that are very blurry are the basket ball and of course the backgrounds. Of course in my opinion I think these were great photo options.

These pictures are very blurry, with the slow shutter speed it didn't have much time to catch the subject clearly. The nice thing is that it caught the subject in air when she would jump and caught her facial expression when she walked. I try to make sure to get as focused in as I could before I took each picture.

Activity 2: Time

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Find an example of a photograph where the photographer has used a very fast shutter speed and describe the subject matter including the background. Discuss any technical difficulties the photographer may have encountered and how he or she may have overcome them.

• Discuss what happened to the depth of field and why
• Discuss whether the image gives you the feeling of movement, stating the reasons for your conclusion

The subject is the fist pushing itself into the water. You can see the resistance and you can tell how fast the fist was being pushed into the water. The background is very plain and simple black so you can focus on the subject, and the details of the water. There's really no depth of field in this picture, but this picture really gives you feeling of movement. You can see the movement of the fist into the water and the detail of resistance and how fast the hand was moving. Technical difficulties could have been angling the camera a certain way and not getting the right picture because of the equipment needed.

Activity 1

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Look at a Henri Cartier-Bresson photograph and discuss why you think that capturing the decisive moment has added to the picture's quality

I think this picture was taken at this exact time because of how the man was dressed. He is wearing all black and it fits the dark, gloomy, and creepy looking scenery behind him. The man seems kind of lonesome but that he doesn't mind it and that scene behinds it has the same look as well. He really goes with this picture and it all just kind of comes together. He may be almost to the center but its perfect because you see him, as well as the scenery. This picture doesn't just drag you to one spot or distract you and keep you there.