2010

Favorite Layouts:

1) Amber’s Blog

http://ambiiie.edublogs.org/

I liked this layout because it was really neat, the green and blues looked really good with the gray. It looked organized and the font was in a color you could see very well.

2) Chelsea’s Blog

http://polarice.edublogs.org/

I liked this one because it wasn’t too busy. It was classic black and gray and everything was listed where it needed to be.

3) Blake’s Blog

http://steezyfreeskier.edublogs.org/

The thought bubble layout was very creative. I liked how it was a somewhat skinny layout. The color scheme is not one you see all the time.

Favorite Projects:

1) Calysta’s Project 6

http://calymonkey.edublogs.org/2010/05/26/project-6-self-evaluation/

I liked this project because it was so creative and it makes me wish I had made my own announcements too. The pictures she used were really good and I thought the layout fit well.

2)Hanul’s Project 6

http://ekardnah.edublogs.org/2010/05/26/project-6-photoshop-self-evaluation/

I really like this project because I think she did a really good job documenting her start to finish, step by step. Also it’s just really talented and she has really good skills and excellent shading.

3) Joey’s Project 5

http://joeytheitalianstallion.edublogs.org/2010/05/13/self-evaluation-5/

I think it’s awesome that he’s working with logos and stuff and I like that in each one he puts a little object in each one so that its not just text. However I especially like this one because of the flame, I don’t know how hard it is to make a flame but it sounds hard.

What I learned:

I learned that to first make a triple exposure (or more) looking photo, you need to bring up a background photo in Photoshop. Then copy and past the next image on a different layer, usually playing with the size. Then I changed the Opacity to make the picture more transparent. I then changed the picture from “Normal” to “Overlay” which gives the picture a more balanced look. I especially like using the overlay application on the colored projects. I mostly just messed around with applications and looking for new ways to improve my project.

What I Did:

What I overcame:

I overcame the dilemma of changing the substance of my project within the last week. Instead of spending time taking new photos I used the ones I already had. I changed my project because of finals and the time restrictions, plus I’ve been spending most of my days at work or home so pictures would have been kind of boring.

During my “365 days” project searching, which inspired my “14 days” idea, I came upon a picture that I really liked that looked like it had been layered like a double or triple exposure picture. So instead of doing my 14 days idea I decided I would learn how to layer like that on photo shop as my new project. I researched and Mr. Leduc to find out how to do it and then messed around with the previous pictures I already had taken.

For my last project I wanted to do a “365 day” project, but since we only have two weeks changed it to fourteen days. Everyday I will have to pic a new picture that maybe represented that day or was something I discovered or something that looked cool. So my time line will be a little nontraditional, instead of taking pictures one week and editing them the next, I will take a picture and edit them in the same day. Posting them to my blog at the end of the week. I will have 14 pictures at the end of the two weeks to show my work.

Resources:

http://content.photojojo.com/tutorials/project-365-take-a-photo-a-day/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/alaynajay/page2/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/crashbangsqueak/page2/

What I did:

What I learned: I learned how to edit pictures using brightness, contrast, and tones. I also learned about pointers that help direst your focus to your main point. But what I specifically learned through experience was that lighting was extremely important. I took pictures starting with the outside pool and then worked inside, the comparison was amazing. The inside pool was very unclear and dark, and no editing would help.

One of the things I really loved was the reflection on the underside of the water. And because I learned that you can flip a picture to give it that abstract feel, I chose to flip my first photo so that the refection of her body was on bottom. Also, on my last photo I posted I used my application to blur the background legs because they were in perfect focus and I wanted the background to be out of focus.

What I overcame: I overcame not having any people to take pictures of. I finally got a friend to come to the pool with me and we had a really good night just shooting pictures.

I finally got my pictures taken this week! A friend and I went to the Valley Pool and took some in the inside pool and the outside pool.

I took around 250 pictures and now am getting ready to edit them on Photoshop or an online site, then upload them to my flickr and my blog.

I found some more favorites here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jayhem/3600586774/in/photostream/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/nakrnsm/3646991462/

A lot of what I’ve seen about editing so far is just to mess with the hues and see what looks best.

I’m really exited to use this program I have to blur the background if the depth of field isn’t what I wanted.

For my next project I am expanding my Part 2 of my last project. For my next project I will be focusing on the picture taking and the editing of my photos. My end product will be a series of 5 photos.

My first week I will be taking my pictures (hopefully getting to multiple places with multiple people). The second week I will looking at tips to edit underwater photos and fooling around with my pictures on Photoshop.

Resources:

http://www.webdesign.org/photoshop/photo-editing/correcting-underwater-photos.4070.html

http://digitaluwphotography.com/edit.html

http://www.olympusamerica.com/cpg_section/oima_underwaterTips.asp?lesson=3

What I learned: I learned that depending on the conditions of the water you can vary your flash use. I’ve learned to get close to the subject because water reduces everything!(and do not use digital zoom) Along with regular pictures you can use different angles to make pictures more interesting. Depending on the picture your trying to achieve it’s good to use low ISO.

What I did: I researched underwater photography tips and looked at many different pictures to find out what effects I am trying to get across to the viewer.

What I overcame: Because I am breaking my project up into two parts (part 1, research, part two, picture taking), my obstacle that I have  to solve is finding someone that’s available to take pictures of that has access to the pool also.

What I want to do for my next project is underwater pictures. My plan is to research to see if there is any special techniques to underwater photography or things that I should know. My dad, who is an experienced diver to willing to lend my his underwater camera so that I can take pictures either in a nearby pool or the beach. Ill take a series of photos and post my favorite 5  on my blog again.

Resources:

http://www.uwphotographyguide.com/underwater-photography-tips

http://photography.nationalgeographic.com/photography/photo-of-the-day/underwater/

http://www.youmightlikethis.com/2009/05/the-unbearable-lightness-of-being-alinka-echeverria/

I like this last website a lot because they showed by turning the picture upside down it created a whole new  element to the picture and created a complexity to the picture that I never expected.