Self Portrait and Portraits Part 1

Tips:

• A mirror or some other reflective surface offers an even easier way to take a self-portrait.
• Think about the situation you are photographing and how people are likely to act in it. Then prepare yourself for the moment.
• You can create an especially revealing self-portrait by adding personal memorabilia surrounding your mirrored image, such as photos of yourself at various stages of your life, or anything that tells the viewer about your interests. 

ENVIRONMENTAL PORTRAIT 

I liked this photo because it  looks like an action shot of that fish squirming around and it shows his reaction, which I found exciting to look at. I picked it because I think it does a very good job of showing what this man is like.

I liked this photo because it is unique and shows what they see at a whole different perspective. I  picked it because I think it captures these two dentist in a very unique way. 

SELF PORTRAIT

I liked this photo because I think it has a deeper message behind it. I think he is trying to show that he may come off as an average guy, but he is constantly hiding himself from the world such as the bad things we say, see, and hear. I picked it because it isn't just a simple portrait, and I think it's creative that it's 3 of his heads instead of one.

I liked this photo because I think it shows that he probably started off as himself, but people (the hand putting the paint on) are making him feel more and more invisible. I chose it because it contradicts the use of "avoiding mergers" but it still works. It makes you think!

CASUAL PORTRAIT

I liked this photo because some casual portraits can come off as really posed or staged, but you can't fake the happiness coming from the two in this photo. I chose it because it made me smile because of how genuine it is.

I liked this photo because the couple isn't focusing on being photographed, they are enjoying each others company which is really romantic. I chose it because it isn't staged, it is cute and romantic.

who will you shoot, where will you shoot, and what will you do to make the shot successful.

For my self portrait, I think I'm going to take the picture of me in my room laying on my floor or sitting, because that's where I usually find myself at the end of the day. Since I'll be taking it indoors, at night, I will have to use my camera on a higher ISO. 

For my portrait, I'm going to take a picture of my dad running. I will set my camera on a high shutter speed to capture him running clearly. 

Africa and Abandoned Theme Parks

Africa
1. Reading the article, I admired the way that Nick Brandt didn't want to take the most action filled photos, he wanted their simple natural state. He wanted to make sure everything about his photo was true and real which I thought was very respectable. I was amazed at how he waited 18 days to get the perfect photo, that kind of dedication is amazing.

3.This photo is my favorite, because the viewer is able to truly feel the love and care of these animals. It makes me feel like these animals aren't so different from us. 

4.Cropping is used here, because not their whole bodies are being shown, it is mostly focused on the animals faces.

5. Brant uses a Pentax 6x7 camera. He uses this to photograph the animals in a very close, deliberate shot.

6. His reasoning for taking these photos, is that there is something proudly iconic, mythological even about the animals of East and Southern African.

7. His hope by taking these photos is to show the animals simply in their state of being. 

8. "When people in Africa are poor and starving and there are no crops left to eat due to the deforestation and global warming leading to ever-worsening droughts, they cannot be blamed if they kill the last zebra walking through the bush for their family to eat."

Abandoned Theme Parks 

1. Tell me which amusement park featured in the two articles that you would like to visit and take your camera along and what about that park made you want to go there. Write at least a paragraph. 

I would like to visit the Takakanonuma, Greenland, Hobara, Japan amusement park. I love how creepy and eerie it looks, with all of the fog. The rides have all rusted which is so unique and interesting looking. It looks like a big place, I would love to walk around and just explore and see what unusual things I could find. 

2. Post one photo from that park. You may use the photos from the link, or you can google an entirely new photo. I would prefer to see a photo of the park in disrepair and not a photo of it when it was still operating.

3. Think of at least FIVE other unusual places you think would be of interest to photographers. List them.

Pink Sand Beach, Bahamas

Glass Beach, California

Jellyfish Lake, Palau

Rio Tinto, Spain

Black Rock Dessert, Nevada

4. Use google or another search engine to research ONE of your five places and see if anyone has already started documenting that place. If you find that someone has already started - post at least one photo of their work.

5. Write a paragraph about why you think that it would be fun to document that location. Tell me what interests you about that place and what kind of photos you could expect to take there.

I really enjoy being in the water, so I think it would be exciting to experience swimming in the Jellyfish Lake. The water itself looks so clear and beautiful, great for photography. I would expect to get photos of giant gatherings of jellyfish which would be a magnificent thing to capture. Being up close to theses creatures would make for amazing photos. 

6. Tell me what it would take for you to go and take photos at your location. What would you need as far as equipment goes, travel plans, expenses you might encounter and what laws you would have to take into consideration to take photos at your spot.

I would need to bring or have money to pay for scuba gear. I would also need to take scuba lessons. My expenses would include air fair, scuba gear, scuba lessons, a rental car, money for food, a hotel to stay at while I am there, and if I need to get shots for diseases of any sort. I would have to consider what laws are against swimming in the lake.

Prompt Shoot

Bowie

Happy

Metal

Square

Current Events Quiz 5.2

1. Eight people were killed and two buildings were leveled in a powerful explosion on March 12 in what neighborhood of New York City?
The East Harlem area of New York City.
2. March 17 as St. Patricks's Day, but the annual parades in Boston and New York were boycotted by both mayors, and some beer companies pulled their sponsorships. Why?
Marchers were able to carry gay friendly signs.

3. "First Kiss," a three-and-a-half-minute video shot in black and white, went viral last week. It showed 10 pairs of strangers kissing for the first time. What did it turn out to be?
They are actors and it was an advertisement for clothes. 

4. What is the latest theory (s) regarding Malaysia Airlines Flight 370?
They have discovered that flight path was altered by being programed into the system. This means, whoever did that had enough knowledge about airplanes to do so. They believe the plane was purposely taken off its path. 
5. How many people have died as a result of the tragic car accident during SXSW?
3
6. What game was recently banned by AISD because it is "too violent"?
Assassin
7. What country is trying to separate from Ukraine with the help of Russia?
Crimea
8. How did Mick Jagger's girlfriend L'Wren Scott supposedly die this week?
Suicide
9. What major sporting event is about to begin today involving 68 college basketball teams?
March Madness


REMINDER - Some of you are not writing enough here. A single sentence isn't enough. I expect you to expand upon your writing. If you think you have written enough, you haven't, write more. Be sure to answer WHY you think something.

A. What do you think happened to Malaysia Airlines Flight 370? Please cite current information coming out about the situation. Make sure to back your theory with facts and explain why you think you are correct.
I think the plane must've been hijacked by someone on the flight. I want to believe that it crashed, but the fact that they have searched around where the plane went off their radar, it is difficult to judge. However, there is an unimaginable amount of ocean space in the area that the plane could be lost. I think it is highly likely that it crashed. I think if it had landed by now, someone would've found out and delivered the news and the public would instantly find out. Whoever hijacked the plane, knows the consequences of their actions so I am assuming they are planning on not being caught, which I am going to guess, means dying somehow, and that's where the plane crashing comes in. I believe it has crashed and is in the ocean somewhere. 

Levels Photo

Marlboro Marine

A. What skills besides photography did Luis Sinco utilize to produce this slideshow? (Think about the overall presentation: audio, editing, text)
He used photos to correspond with what Miller was saying. He used simple yet sad music to set the tone. He used text for powerful topics.
B. What was the effect (added power or meaning) of the multimedia effects of the slideshow?
The slideshow was meaningful because everything said came from Miller if not from Sinco himself. It was personal and made the view connect with Miller.
2. Think about the power of the overall piece.

A. What is the most powerful image from the slideshow? Why? I specifically remember the photo of him leaning on a parking meter, while everyone else is walking around the city having a good time. It made me understand more, how alone he truly is, and how he just wanted someone to ask if he was okay.
B. What sequence of photographs is the most powerful? Why? All of the photos of him and his wife, and their struggles, then their divorce was most powerful because he said earlier that they planned to get married, and to see that his problems have caused a divorce, is really heartbreaking.
C. How does the audio enhance the photographs?
It's simple, but sad. It grabs your attention and makes you think. 

D. How do the images work together to tell a story?
They go in chronological order, which helps the viewer understand Miller and Sincos story better.

Current Events Quiz 5.1

1. What part of Ukraine has been the focus of recent problems with its more powerful neighbor? 

Brussels

Extra Credit: Who is that powerful neighbor? Moscow

2. What U.S. diplomat went to Kiev this week to increase the pressure on this neighbor and show support of those in Ukraine?

John Carry

3. One more powerful winter storm hit the U.S. last weekend and early this week. What was its name?

4. Twenty-nine people were killed and more than 140 wounded in a train station in China last weekend. What weapons did the attackers use?

5. What is everyone in almost every state in the U.S. doing Saturday night if they don’t want problems Sunday morning?

6. What was named best picture at the Academy Awards Sunday night?

12 Year Slave 

7. Whose selfie at the Oscars now holds the record of the most popular tweet ever?

Ellen Degenerous 

8. What celebrations have been going on this week in New Orleans?

Marti Graus