Amelia

21 | INFP | See the line where the sky meets the sea, it calls me ~

[becoming-amelia]

For assessment 2, I decided to focus on our dogs at my Beechworth home, and more importantly, my relationship with them. I have had a particularly tough run with my fibromyalgia lately, and really struggled to get this assessment done to the standard I had hoped for. I tried a few different approaches which all fell flat, between days of being unable to do a thing. I requested two weeks extension and still nearly couldn’t get anything done. On one lucky good day, this was the idea that seemed the most possible and I went with it all in the one afternoon. I was very limited in all of my work because of my current circumstances, regarding my fibromyalgia. I believe I could apply the composition and design elements that we’ve explored, to self-portraits a lot better if my situation improves. I hope to apply them to future work, and also utilise the mind-map I did in earlier weeks a lot more closely. I hope to explore themes of fibromyalgia in other work, as well.

Assessment 2 Reflection

[becoming-amelia]

This is Lucy, the dog who loves so much her tail goes so fast she reminds us of a rattle-snake. I sat out on the step in the backyard and she came for a cuddle. I ended up adjusting the cameras position a bit, but this was the best shot I could get. I adjusted the colouring a little bit, as the original (left) has a slight yellow tone. I also cropped it in a little bit.

Assessment 2 Self-Portraits (3)

[becoming-amelia]

This is Winston, the dog who is always on my lap. No matter where I sit down, he comes for cuddles every time. This time I positioned my tripod higher, as dog-height became lap-height. I had to adjust framing a few times, but Winston didn’t hesitate to sit with me again every time I sad back down. I played with cropping, unsure if portrait would turn out better than the landscape images I had, and I also played with angles a little bit. I quite like the odd-angled one, though I did need to crop it for it to look right. I think I like the straight angled portrait shot the most, though the landscape one is also nice.

Assessment 2 Self-Portraits (2)

[becoming-amelia]

After some pretty bumpy roads trying for assessment 2, I finally settled on an idea to touch on my relationship with our dogs here in Beechworth. Beginning trials on some self portraits for assessment 2, I set up the tripod and camera, aiming for a dog-height frame. This is Bruce, the dog who is always by my feet. I sat on the dark blue seat in our kitchen and of course, he wasn’t slow to sit by me. What I immediately loved about the shot, was that it already captured the warm lighting of our kitchen, and I didn’t feel it needed much enhancement at all. I did lighten it up and add some contrast, just to make it a little bolder. It was harder to frame it perfectly, having to use a tripod and timer, and so it was slightly out. It cut out some of his tail, while still seeming too far over to the right. I had to embrace the cut out tail, and so I focused on framing it in a way that seemed more balanced (cropping out more of the tail). The image on the right is my final edit.

Assessment 2 Self-Portraits (1)

[becoming-amelia]

This was taken in Beechworth (original on the left) and was one of my favourite shots of the day. I wanted to crop it to bring elements together centrally, as I believed it would enhance it; filling the frame and having a sense of pattern. This gave it good balance and a sense of symmetry, as well. I also lightened it a touch, but liked the lower contrast.

Exploring Composition and Design Fill the Frame + Pattern/Repetition

[becoming-amelia]

Using Colour Effectively Natural Colours (Beechworth at the end of Autumn)

[becoming-amelia]

Exploring Composition and Design Pattern/Repetition

[becoming-amelia]

Working with Natural Light Afternoon Sun + Side Light

[becoming-amelia]

We’ve always thought Jambi’s eyes were windows into something wonderful. They’re as beautiful as he is. He’s a good dog.

Exploring Composition and Design Fill the Frame

[becoming-amelia]

This post from Michelle over at the Tutor Tumblr page, has sparked a lot of inspiration for me. Capturing a series of images depicting things of one colour, this appeals to me as an aesthetic that can tie together things of completely different themes. Though red is not a colour that holds personal significance to me presently, I believe it does hold significance to an aspect of my childhood, that I’d otherwise have not considered exploring in my own work (and completely lost to my subconscious!). On a personal level, it could be interesting to explore in my photography: the theme of a child’s nightmares, fires, and the colour they associate with them. The inspiration from this post doesn’t stop there! Moreover, I could take this particular concept to explore other areas personal to my ‘self’, that can be found in other colours and objects. More specifically, the colours I’ve identified previously that correspond with my personal ‘self’, blue, yellow, and light tan. This especially is something I am inspired to explore further in my own work.

Inspiration Photography + Colours

[becoming-amelia]

Key points from this: ▪ A light colour scheme would suit me best, pastels and lighter tones rather than full dark colour. Mostly a use of white, Blue, Yellow, and light Tan (sea, sand, and sunshine).  ▪ Images that aren’t too busy and crowded, simplistic and minimalist. ▪ Hufflepuff aesthetics. Yellow scarves and glasses. Calm and tranquil. ▪ Could explore location-based ideas. 

Activity Mindmap + the 'self'

[becoming-amelia]

I find platforms such as Instagram, Tumblr and Facebook to be the most engaging. This is because they are straight forward and easy to use. Instagram and Tumblr feeds have a format that is very content oriented. This makes it easy to see individual photographs clearly without them losing value due to other distractions. A facebook feed is similar, but the nature of the website makes it a busier environment for photos to be shown in. However, because it is such a widely used networking site, it is a perfect place to showcase and discover photography conveniently. These platforms also make it easy to find and see an artists entire portfolio, in professional looking profile. Instagram profiles are clean, and can tie all photographs together beautifully and cohesively. A facebook profile is easy to navigate and offers details on all of the artist's information, to connect with them.

Activity Which platform do you find most engaging and why?

[becoming-amelia]

As I was walking past the little hall room, I was particularly struck by the outside light from the window, and how dark the room around me was. I didn’t feel the need to correct these images at all, as they are accurate to the way it looked naturally. I did lightly crop the first photo to frame it more centrally, as it had just a little too much empty space on the bottom. I really like how the light naturally fills the window, with shadow framing it on opposite corners. I think I could have tried facing it more directly and centrally, as the slight angle is less appealing. I enjoy the detail in the second image, as I’ve brought the focus to the bamboo blind rather than the outside environment focused on in the first image.

In-the-Moment Snaps Windows + Lighting

[becoming-amelia]

The editing software I use for my photos depends on where I intend to publish them online. I edit my images with programs on my computer, if I am posting them to a website; particularly when watermarking them is important. Otherwise, I will save it directly to my ipad and edit them there, if I intend to post them on a social app such as Instagram.

Favourite editing programs: Adobe Photoshop 7.0                            →Typically used for:                                       ▪ Adjusting Curves         ▪ Applying a watermark                           ▪ Tweaking Colour, Levels, or Contrast                                               ▪ Playing with layers and ‘Actions’! Microsoft Office 2010 (editor) →Typically used for: ▪ Adjusting Midtones ▪ Adjusting Colour Saturation ▪ Cropping or Resizing the image (pixels width x pixels height)   Favourite editing apps: ColorStory  →Typically used for: ▪ Tweaking Curves, Temperature, Exposure, or contrast ▪ Adjusting the Shadows and Highlights ▪ Applying Filters ▪ Adjusting Perspective ▪ Cropping or applying Square Fit Cymera  →Typically used for: ▪ Applying InstaFit ▪ Applying Filters, or fun Stickers!

Prompt for thought Editing software of choice

[becoming-amelia]

andrewknapp // wolfgang2242 scoutgoldenretriever // lacorgi cat_effect // jerianie swaglen // incalico geminnorum // kara_kroeger

[becoming-amelia]

Coming into week 4 of this unit, I am now beginning the process of Digital Journaling. I begin this process with an idea of my ‘self’ image which we began to explore in weeks 1 - 3. The following entries will reflect some of this work, as well as the processes I will be taking to complete new photographic works, and explore the ‘self’ in more detail.

Introductions FSH001 Photography & Social Media