Landscape vs. Architecture: Photography
Title:Landscape & Architecture
Medium:Photography
Completion:October
Intentions:Using Ansel Adams as my inspiration I was able to capture the beauty found in both nature and in what is man made. I not only wanted to show the beauty in nature but, I personally, wanted to find appreciation for the buildings that surround me in my city. Changing the photos from color to black and white not only brings more focus to the subject, but it also mirrors Ansel Adam's photos.
Made or Found:Made
Medium:Photography
Completion:October
Intentions:Using Ansel Adams as my inspiration I was able to capture the beauty found in both nature and in what is man made. I not only wanted to show the beauty in nature but, I personally, wanted to find appreciation for the buildings that surround me in my city. Changing the photos from color to black and white not only brings more focus to the subject, but it also mirrors Ansel Adam's photos.
Made or Found:Made
Artist
The Tetons and the Snake River(1942)
"Ansel Adams." Wikipedia. N.p., 14 Oct. 2016. Web. 16 Oct. 2016. |
Ansel Adams was an environmentalist. Adams was inspired by what nature had to offer, especially in the Golden Gate. He is known for his nature photos. Adams took extraordinarily detailed image considering the camera of the time. He would wake up early or stay outside till the end of the day to capture the moments where the sun's light best enhanced nature. Adams was one of the biggest influences in society considering photography an art form. His photography is most popularly seen by the masses as posters in offices or waiting rooms.
I wanted to take the time to appreciate nature, but also to appreciate the city that I take for granted. Biography.com Editors. "Ansel Adams Biography." Bio.com. A&E Networks Television, 02 Apr. 2014. Web. 14 Oct. 2016. |
Planning
There was not much planning that I could do until I got on the scene of where I would be shooting. I did try to climb the Devil's Lake mountains and explore Downtown Milwaukee earlier in the day and on days with good weather. I do not have any other camera besides my phone, so I knew I had to plan on maneuvering my body to best capture an image.
Tools
ProcessMy project began by heading down to Devil's Lake and hiking on the trails up the their mountains/bluffs. I took dozens of pictures. Then I drove to Downtown Milwaukee and did the same thing. I then scanned through the images and evaluated which four from each location were what I consider to be the most visually appealing. Once the top four were chosen I uploaded them onto Photoshop and changed the image from color to black and white with one click of the button.
Here are a couple of photos so one can compare and contrast how they look in color vs. in black and white. Thought the process seems simple it really was not. It was quite challenging to get the images you see here from a phone camera. That is why I had to take dozens of photos. Through this process I could only imagine how hard it must have been for Ansel Adams to capture what he saw with his less advanced camera. |
Experimentation
What I had to experiment with the most was the angle that my camera was at and the distance I was from the subject. Here's an example from a church that I didn't use because I just couldn't seem to find the right angle. Also the glare and shadows from the sun was not cooperating.
I didn't feel as though this image captured enough of the detailed architecture of the building. Also I did not like the glare that is present in the left of the photo. I was about a quarter block away to take this photo.
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I was about a block away when I took this photo. However, being a block away meant a lot of cars and lampposts obstructing the view of the building. I did not like how the shadow fell across the entire building. I knew putting this image in black and white would not enhance the visual experience.
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To capture this image I was about five feet away from the building. I was able to capture a lot of detail, but much less of the building. The glare from the sun is not present. I still did not like how crammed the image looked/felt.
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Reflection
It was definitely interesting working in this new medium. I haven't done much work with photography except for the occasional selfie. The most challenging part was trying to capture what I saw. No matter where or how I took the picture, I never felt as though I captured the scene exactly as I saw it. That's probably because the human eye is a lot more complex than my phone camera.
Another challenging aspect of the photoshoots was trying to work with the nature's elements. Glares and shadows are hard to work when trying to take a picture. I think a way to better work with this is to stay out all day from early morning till evening, similar to Ansel Adams. This way I could take images throughout the day as the position of the sun was changing and determine what time of day worked best for the subject of the photo.
All in all, trying to work with the elements, and this being the first time I truly explored photography, I feel as though I was successful with this studio.
Another challenging aspect of the photoshoots was trying to work with the nature's elements. Glares and shadows are hard to work when trying to take a picture. I think a way to better work with this is to stay out all day from early morning till evening, similar to Ansel Adams. This way I could take images throughout the day as the position of the sun was changing and determine what time of day worked best for the subject of the photo.
All in all, trying to work with the elements, and this being the first time I truly explored photography, I feel as though I was successful with this studio.
ACT Question Responses
1. Ansel Adams inspired my photography series through subject and appearance. I attempted to capture the beauty of nature the the lens of a camera. I then changed that photo to black and white so the audience could make the easy connection as to who was my inspiration.
2. Ansel Adams was an environmentalist with the idea that nature should be preserved. Although I agree with that idea I am unsure as to how he would feel about the the city that I photographed as well. Would he find beauty in it too?
3. I've personally come to the conclusion, that although I do not like the city, the architectural aspect of it can also be aesthetically appealing. I found a new appreciation for this.
4. If I haven't said the word enough times already, the theme of this was trying to capture beauty.
5. I concluded the photography truly is a powerful art form. I am amazed at Ansel Adam's work and I am proud of my own work as well.
2. Ansel Adams was an environmentalist with the idea that nature should be preserved. Although I agree with that idea I am unsure as to how he would feel about the the city that I photographed as well. Would he find beauty in it too?
3. I've personally come to the conclusion, that although I do not like the city, the architectural aspect of it can also be aesthetically appealing. I found a new appreciation for this.
4. If I haven't said the word enough times already, the theme of this was trying to capture beauty.
5. I concluded the photography truly is a powerful art form. I am amazed at Ansel Adam's work and I am proud of my own work as well.