Assignment 4: independent research

Annie Leibovitz

FACTUAL: this is a photograph of Lucy Liu, who posed for Annie Leibovitz
TECHNICAL: i think that she took this picture in a studio with artificial lighting but through a diffuser to make the light not so harsh on the subject in the photograph. she has gotten Lucy Liu to pose in a relatively natural pose but one of which that is still classed as interesting.
AESTHETIC: what i like most about this shot is that it is simple and not overloaded with colours making it simple but not 'empty' or 'uninteresting' as the subject almost fills the frame and gives the viewer plenty to look at.
CONTEXT: this is one of the end products of Annie Leibovitz's shoots with Lucy Liu.

FACTUAL: this is one of Annie Leibovitz photographs
TECHNICAL: this photograph was taken outdoors on an overcast day with the camera on a tripod to stop any problems happening with a 'wonky' photograph or blurring, which is also reduced by the shutter speed of the lens
AESTHETIC: what i like most about this photograph is the contrast in colours between the bold red dress of the model and the 'dulled' and almost 'murky' colours of the building behind her. i think it is a great way to draw the eye to her and to make the photograph look great. where she is positioned in the photograph is also a great addition.
CONTEXT: i believe this to be a 'photo shoot' for a model or a brand of clothing but i cannot be sure about it.


slideshow of annie leibovitz work that i like:
http://www.slideshare.net/aulaitt/vanity-fairs-hollywood-issue-the-annie-leibovitz-covers

This is what i put together for the pictures o have of Annie Leibovitz's

13/11/2011

Today my aim is to get to halfway through assignment 4 at least and maybe get close to finishing it this lesson.

DEPTH OF FIELD

sean connery - annie liebovitz

definition: Depth of field is the amount of distance between the nearest and farthest objects that appear in acceptably sharp focus in a photograph. A preferred selection Depth of field ("DOF") in a focused subject in an image can be quite subjective. Remember this, adequate selection of DOF for one situation, application may be unacceptable for another photographer. It is all a matter of personal preference when trying to determine the appropriate use of DOF to enhance an effect in a photograph. (http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/fototech/htmls/depth.html)

 the DOF in this photograph, is a long as you could possibly get it as the background slowly fades into the horizon line in the far distance without anything to interupt the wonderful flow of the photograph, exept from the main feature, sean connery. the photograph has a lot of simplicity to it wiith natural lighting to give it a perfect balance, which i would say was most probably taken in the morning or after noon but avoiding the hours between eleven and two.

http://www.slideshare.net/zhoeben/depth-of-field

LIGHTING

definition:

the way that the light is positioned. they can be done by artificial, natural, difused or direct lighting, manipulating light with filters.

this picture by vee speers, the birthday party #32, is an excelent example of lighting. i believe she used artificial lighting with a filter to make it not so harsh on the subject of the photo but still making the picture bright enouth to cause contrast of colours.

http://www.slideshare.net/davinn/photography-lighting-tips-for-taking-photographs-like-a-professional

3/10/11

today my aim is to finish the lighting post and start on the depth of feild

composition definition

the orderly putting together of parts to make a unified whole; composition through a personal, intuitive act.

http://www.photographicartvictoria.com/composition.php

FOCAL POINT

focal point is the area in a picture that your eye is naturally drawn to when you first look at it.

Hopee Beaton - john hedgecoe

http://en.mimi.hu/photography/focal_point.html

The focal point in this picture is Hoppe Beaton. The picture has been put in greyscale for effects and to add to the idea that he is an old man making the picture look old to suit. it has also blurred the foreground and background to put emphasis on him being the main subject in the picture. he has also been positioned in a simple relaxed pose to make the picture more 'warm' or 'cozy' like. Not only is the face the main thing in focus but it is also in the top right hand corner of the picture AND has the brightets light which automatically draws the eye to it.

i would of been tempted to make his hands a bit more in focus as it would make a second focakl point which if you follow his body up will lead you to the main focal point.

29/09/2011 P4

this lesson i am aiming to have finished my focal point and start on lighting

COMPOSITION

Sir Cencil Beaton in 1974 by John Hedgecoe

In this picture i find the composition is great because they have put the main subject slightly to the left of the center making it ionteresting but adding even more interest by adding a stone figure head slightly to the right of the center but still keeping it simple enough so that the main interest isn't directed away, for example, taking the picture indoors infrount of a wall to make sure it isn't over crowded.

http://www.slideshare.net/Mariamasfour/composition-in-photography

1st analysis

• FACTUAL: This image is by Annie Liebovitz is an american photographer and i think she takes simple but brilliant pictures. She has also written a few books in her time.
• the CONTEXT: This is one in a series of pictures that she took of her close friend Susan Sontag.
• TECHNICAL: I think she has taken this photo with an 'olden day' style camera with a black and white film where she got Susan Sontag to pose for the photo, and used the natural morning or afternoon sun to get just the right exposure for the shot.
• AESTHETIC: What i like most of all about this picture is how it appears to be such a simple shot, but the detail is impeccable. The main subject in the picture is perfectly clear with the background blurred so it wont draw much attention to it. I would find even if you didnt know who was in the picture, you would still find the amount of detail would be interesting enough and how she managed to capture this shot. i would like to learn how to create this type of image.