Today in class, we went back to the basics and took some pictures, this time going back to reflect on what could have been done better at the time of the shooting. Something else that is different is that we got to take pictures outside of school. Here are some of the pictures I took in class and outside:
During the time I took the photo, I chose to use a red balloon because it creates a strong focal point and high contrast against the dark setting. The color red was used to symbolize danger or a warning, which adds to the emotional impact. The choice to tie the balloon to the drain is because the drain could suggest something hidden or mysterious, which helps create tension. I decided to keep a good distance from the balloon to make the balloon look smaller and more desolate, which makes the viewer feel like they're observing from far away. I used low-key lighting to create a moody atmosphere and make the color of the balloon stand out. This gives the image a cinematic look. Overall, the red balloon and the drain are a reference to IT from the movie.
Something I think I could improve is the lighting. In retrospect, my decision to incorporate low-key was good, but the hues of purple that linger in the bathroom because of the lighting almost wash out the red of the balloon. Looking back, the purple tone would mix well with the color scheme, but instead drowned out the bright red color of the balloon, which made it stand out less, defeating the whole purpose.
In the making of this photo, some choices I made included high-key lighting, which helps add a soft and calm atmosphere to the picture, which fits with the sleeping girl who dozed off during her studies. The background of a library helps add to the idea of learning, studying, or mental fatigue. The position of the actor with her head resting on her arms makes the position look natural and makes it relatable to the audience, as most people have fallen asleep this way from exhaustion. Her hair color and jacket help draw attention to her by making a dark contrast with the light, nude background that almost seems cloudy. The camera angle I chose, putting the camera on the table, makes the viewer feel like they just walked in on the moment.
In retrospect, some choices I wish I had made when taking this photo were that I shot perhaps from a high angle to make the actor seem smaller. Perhaps add more books to make her look small, sleeping on a table full of books, which could add to the dramatic effect of the scene.
When this picture was taken, some choices I made were taking it on a boat, so it can give the viewer the immersion of being in the moment, instead of somewhere on shore, which allows the viewer to be in the water. There is texture created between the blue of the waves and the white foam that is created as they crash against one another. The white foam makes a good contrast with the darker blue of the water, which adds visual highlights; this trashing of waves gives action to the photo. The color scheme is crisp and vibrant, emphasized by the tall white buildings in the background, which provide scale to the picture and give the viewer a location reference. The blue sky is fading into clouds as it approaches the white buildings. The small white boat serves as a secondary focal point and adds a human element without taking away too much attention. Overall, the calm vibe that is given off by this picture, mixed with the clean, airy mood of the color palettes, creates that vibe.
Some things I wish I had changed are the angle of the image; a low angle closer to the water could have better captured the depth of the waves, which could have made the water look more dramatic. Another thing is maybe waiting for the boat to come closer, since the closer it gets, the stronger the waves crash, and the boat also blends into the background in this picture. A similar option regarding the boat could have been to keep it in that spot, but maybe make it a different color, like red; a vibrant color could make for a dramatic shot and draw more focus to the boat. I also wish I had maybe cropped the photo or made the ratio of blue skyline to sea more even, since I feel like the blue sky that stretches up isn't much to look at.
In this scene, I used high-key lighting to capture the bright energy of the scene, which matches the excitement of the girl. The actor was told to intentionally cover her mouth to show surprise; the way she positioned her hands makes this scene feel more spontaneous and relatable. I placed the laptop at an angle where part of the live performance video is visible. This choice helps connect her reaction to the cause of her emotion, which adds context. Having her look directly at the laptop shows engagement, which makes the viewer follow her eyes to the screen and make the connection between her reaction and the video. Another thing that played a role here was the slight over-the-shoulder shot where the camera is placed behind her so that the screen is visible as well as her face.
Some changes I could have made are to make the screen less blurry and not have so much glare. Another part is that the background is completely unrelated to the picture, so it doesn't help add context of any sort and might confuse the audience. Another part of it, something I didn't really like, is how her hands cover most of her face, which doesn't really leave room to show her facial expression.
