Chapter 3

Photography is considered an art form; this is why we have assessment principals that help us gain more knowledge about each photo. Many of these principals we use with all forms of art. Consider texture as an example, we don’t just use the concept of texture when it comes to textiles or sculpture. Texture is something that can be seen, as well as felt. When you look at a photograph, you can see how smooth or rough and object would be. These aspects give us a fifth sense that can make us feel like we are there inside the photograph.

Photo By: Frances Benjamin Johnston

Image Source: http://www.pinterest.com/janehalldesign/the-civil-rights-movements-of-the-20th-and-21st-ce/

Year Taken: 1896

Principle 1: Use of Lines. The use of lines makes it so that the eye is brought to the woman.  The horizontal line of the fireplace mantle and the vertical line of the wall bump out. It draws the viewers’ attention to the center where the woman sits.

Principle 2: Background Complements.In the background there are many pictures on the mantle, and collectibles off to the side. It gives it just enough essence of a loved family home, without being too cluttered. The background is in focus as well as the foreground, creating depth of where all the objects are placed.

Principle 3: Exposure Time. With this photo being taken in 1896 we know that it was very difficult to obtain a photo without any blurs. The exposure time would have taken up to ten minutes making it a very long time to sit and pose for the picture to be taken. This was an example of great success with a slow shutter speed, creating a stone like subject placed in the center of the room.

Why I chose this photo: First of all this photo was taken of a female, by a female. In the late 1800’s as we all know woman has a specific role to be home makers. Their jobs were to look after the children and take care of the house. The subject of the photo even as beautiful as she is is showing a slight mescaline side of smoking and drinking by the fire as she relaxes. As busy as she most likely was it showed me that she can still do things that would be looked down upon by her husband, and yet still be an elegant and strong woman while doing it. 

Photo By: Tampa Bay Times

Image Source: http://tampabay.mycapture.com/mycapture/enlarge.asp?image=46582659&event=1631467&CategoryID=77204&ShowTabs=1

Year Created: 1925

Principle 1: Rule of Thirds: The photographer used a horizontal way of using the rule of thirds. They made it so that Babe and the munchkins had sky, crowd, and field showing. This time the center of the photo was directly in the center.

Principle 2:Use of Shadows: The way shadows were used in this photograph shows that it was a beautiful sunny day. The dugout and under the willow trees gave off dark shady parts to the point where it was almost black. And from the angle of the sun some of the men’s feet in the dugout were completely in light.

Principle 3:Depth of Field: Babe and the little people are clear and in focus, however the crowed is in all different resolutions. The men further to the left, under the trees are unrecognizable. Where all the men directly above the dugout you can make out their faces pretty well.  

Why I chose this photo: With a family love for baseball and a personal love for the movie The wizard of oz this is a perfect balance of the two. This picture shows the caring nature that Babe Ruth had. Even though he is the greatest player ever to live he never let fame get in the way of his true passion for the sport. here he is showing future cast munchkins how to properly hold a bat. 

Photo By: Jassi Oberai

Image Source: http://designerburst.com/photojournalism-best-pictures-of-2013/

Year Created: 2013

Principle 1:Texture: In this photograph there are many different textures present. Most is in the form of fabric clothing and head pieces. Each shirt and scarf wraps differently to create different textures; also some of the clothing looks wet creating a heavy look to it.

Principle 2:Is the Image Color or Black and White?: As you can see this image has a variety of intense warm colors. With the photo being taken in 2013 he had a choice to edit this picture into a black and white version, but honestly who would? I believe they chose to take this picture in the first place to capture vibrant colored powder.  Both with it still in the air, and it soaked into pedestrians clothing.

Principle 3: Subject’s Expression: every man in this photo looks very calm and serine. There is a sense of peace over the crowd, with not one pair of eyes looking toward the camera.

 Why I chose this photo: The first thing that grabbed my attention was all of the obvious color. There are no words that can describe the intensity and brilliance of the mixture of colors. It also made me think of cultural experiences In India where they use these bright colored powders to celebrate. Over all it is captivating and shows me different aspects of culture.

Chapter Two: Pre-Digital Photographic Technology

Photo By: Unknown

Image Source: http://wetplates.blogspot.com/2012/01/wet-plate-collodion-photographyits.html

In 1851 Frederick Archer discovered the wet plate process of photography, or also known as collodion process. a simple process of mixing three different chemicals and then dissolving it in collodion. then it is poured onto a clear glass plate until the mixture is formed into a gel. the plate is then placed in silver nitrate causing different chemical reactions. wile the plate is still wet, it is then placed in the camera where it is exposed thus creating an image.(Wikipedia)

This technology was one of the very first ways that photojournalism came to be. people have always favored the sharp, clear, and antique look of the photographs. despite the extensive process it was to create them. the way that photojournalists used this was during the civil war era. for the first time people from all over where able to see first hand what was going on in the battle field. (Civil War Trust)

Over time the process became more of an art form that photographers could experiment with. they stopped using wet plate because the trick was that you had to use the plate before it dried. and with steps that were long and drawn out, it gave you no more then 10 minutes to complete everything from start to finish. making it very difficult to capture intense war scenarios. (Wikipedia)

Photo By: Kayla Desmarais

Above is a picture of an antique doorknob that was in the home of one of my home health care patients. i love the mixture of materials that were used to make it. the glass knob, iron base, and gold accent. placed on a flat white background. when the light hits it in the correct way it makes a rainbow effect that is breathtaking

Even though there is hundreds of years in between the above two pictures there are still some things that each share in common.

• both of them create an image
• both capture what ever the photographer focuses on
• and both are very portable

Some things that the wet plate only has 

• combination of chemicals
• takes over 10 minutes to complete
• people must stand extremely still or photo will not come out

Some things that the digital camera only has

• takes less than 5 seconds
• you can change the looks of the image using filters
• uses pixels instead of chemicals

•  

Can Photographs Change the World?

so the big question always thought over by photojournalists is, can a photograph change the world? how would it be possible that one single moment in time, that is captured on film can make such a huge impact. for many people this idea seems to be foolish, but for some its a matter of life and death. 

Back in December of 1999 Julie Armas found out at 20 weeks pregnant, that her unborn baby had a congenital disorder called spina bifida. this is when the baby's spinal cord protrudes through the vertebral column that is not yet fused together, causing the spinal cord to be pushed out from where it is supposed to be.(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spina_bifida)

Afraid and not sure what to do Julie went to Dr. Joseph Bruner for answers. after going through many options including terminating the pregnancy, they decided together that the best option was to undergo a life threatening surgery, of operating on the unborn baby wile still in the uterus. 

 Photo By: Michael Clancy 

Photo title: "The Hand of Hope"

Image Source: http://michaelclancy.com/

After the picture of Julie Armas's surgery went around it gave moms all over the world a seance of hope. it gave them a reassurance that their child who also has this condition can and will survive. 

As a nursing student i wanted to take a medical view of how a photo can change the world. today this surgery has a 90% success rate. saving the lives of about 1500 children in the United States alone every year. in my opinion if you are going to change the world, you might as well save lives on the way.   

15 years later Samuel Armas after the world changing surgery

Image source: http://www.lifenews.com/2009/05/06/15-years-later-samuel-armas-sees-amazing-photo-confirming-abortion-wrong/

Introduction to the History of Photojournalism

Image source: http://open.salon.com/blog/vivianh/2011/09/11/the_big_kiss

Photo By: Alfred Eisenstaedt

Before I enrolled myself into this summer course I had to ask myself that exactly photojournalism is. Because at the time I had no idea! I knew what a photo was and I knew what journalism was, but when you combine the two it makes a way of communicating that is unique, and draws in a person’s attention in ways that they can’t look away. 

The direct definition of photojournalism is: noun the art or practice of communicating news by photographs. Simple enough if I don’t say so myself, but also complex at the same time.

            Everyone can picture in their heads at least one iconic picture that had a great impact on history. Each of them had a specific role in history that could have persuaded and coaxed humans to make decisions that affect us still to this day. Without realizing most people do know what photojournalism is. They just don’t realize it.

            It is important to know the history of photojournalism so that we can understand what the ongoing impacts are around us. At first they were mostly picture of war zones with stories attached to the picture. It gave people a visual idea what exactly was going on at the time. With these printings mainly in newspapers it gave people the feeling of being involved with all of the current events. Today you can find aspects of photojournalism in more than just newspapers. From articles online, news stories on television and even quirky billboard advertisements.

            We study this topic to become informed about what is happening all around us. From all different cultures, and ethnic backgrounds, to small town happenings. If you study photojournalism you become a well-rounded person, who is educated and also gains experience from things that affect you directly and indirectly.

 Image source: http://dbphotojournalism.blogspot.com/

Photo By: Steve McCurry Cover of National Geographic 1985

pure beauty

Here is a picture that i took all most exactly a year ago today. my dad and i went on a trip to New Zeleand and went backpacking. it was incredible to witness first had what it was like to be on untouched land. not influenced one bit by any human.