LAURA SMiTH: Process for Photo Project

PROBLEM STATEMENT: Using gestalt principals take photographs of clusters of leaves and of linear shadows. Each photo should have contrast, direction, visual interest and a clear point of view. Create a dynamic system of three groups consisting of two photos each there should be one photo from both categories. Each pair should share a connectivity different from the others and can be subtle or obvious.

RESEARCH:
Cluster: A group of the same or similar elements gathered or occurring closely together; a bunch. Synonyms- Bunch, group, collection, band, gathering, constellation, knot, mass, nugget, bundle, crowd.
Linear: of, relating to, resembling, or having a graph that is a line and especially a straight line: involving a single dimension. Characterized by an emphasis on: composed of simply drawn lines with little attempt at pictorial representation of, relating to, or based or depending on sequential development.
Shadow: An area that is not or is only partially irradiated or illuminated because of the interception of radiation by an opaque object between the area and the source of radiation. The rough image cast by an object blocking rays of illumination. The darkness following sunset. A feeling or cause of gloom or unhappiness. A shaded area in a picture or photograph.
Leaves (ORGANIC) vs. Linear (GEOMETRIC)

Organic: Of, relating to, or derived from living organisms. Of relating to, derived from, or characteristic of living plants and animals. A work is said to possess an organic form if the work's structure has originated from the materials and subjects used by the author, "as a plant". The organic form, is innate; it shapes as it develops itself from within, and the fullness of its development is one and the same with the perfection of its outward form. An irregular shape, or one that might be found in nature, rather than a regular, mechanical shape. I imagine many colors that naturally transition and flow together as well as contrast. Color can be unpredictable in organic forms.
Geometric: Of or relating to geometry and its methods and principles. Using simple geometric forms such as circles and squares in design and decoration. Geometric forms are those which correspond to named regular shapes, such as squares, rectangles, circles, cubes, spheres, cones, and other regular forms. Architecture, such as this example by Frank Lloyd Wright, is usually composed of geometric forms. I imagine blacks, greys and whites when I think of linear shadows.

Connectivity: The quality or condition of being connected or connective.

Connect with similarities: Colors, lines, shapes, lighting, subjects, sizes, direction.
Connect with contrast: color vs black/white, big vs little, light vs dark, cold vs. warm, close vs. far, horizontal vs. vertical, simple vs. complex, single vs. multiple, whole vs. parts, directional, organic vs geometric, dot vs line, high vs low.

Craft of taking photos:

Quality: High resolution camera with manual setting so that I can control the light, shutter speed etc. Send out to get printed or print on quality paper. Make sure there is enough ink in the printer.
Size: 4”x6” portrait or landscape.
Contrast: make sure to display many layers of grey from the whitest white to the darkest black. A good quality black and white photo has a large range of greys.
Cropping: Think about how to frame the digital shot while taking the picture and fine tune the crop in Photoshop later. Here is where you will also tweak the lighting, color, contrast using curves.
Time: Manage time and try taking photos at different times of the day. Shoot multiple times to ensure you get the perfect crop and lighted image of the subject.

FIRST CRIT:

THIRD CRIT:

Love this combo but there is something that doesn't allow the two pics to connect. There is great contrast but the connectivity is missing.... try the starbucks picture next to the twigs.