I believe I already posted the link but to make it clearer, here is the link to my portfolio.
wwwstu.tcu.edu/ksgeorge/gallery/index.html
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Thursday, April 23, 2009
The End...Or Is It?
Now that I think about it, that Reflections post should have been the very last post. Hmm...oh well.
It's hard taking photographs that have the kind of meaning I want them to have. I'm really more used to taking pictures of places and people I've visited. That doesn't really require much skill, other than being able to hold the camera still.
Although actually, that can be hard if you're trying to take a picture of your own hand. My final image is of me and my roommate Libby holding hands. We went through at least ten pictures before I found two that could work. Half of the images were just so blurred that you couldn't tell what was going on! I mean, there was the vague shape of a hand, but the rings were blurred out, and our hands looked really weird. Both of us had that problem. I don't know why - some of the pictures were perfectly fine, and when I was just taking pictures of my own hand I didn't have that problem. So that was weird.
Lighting is also a problem. I had wanted a lot of contrast in the hand image so that it would be easier to cut out the hand. Well, we took all the pictures in the same place at the same time, and some of them came out dark like the one in the viewer, and some were pretty light like the one I posted earlier. Just a slight change in angle completely changed the lighting. I'm a little worried now about taking a photo of a sunset (or at least an evening photo). It looks like there's plenty of light still, but sometimes the image is just way too dark to see anything. Also...the image that I see on my camera and the image that gets uploaded to my computer look different. So sometimes I'll think a picture is too dark, then I'll load it onto the computer and it'll be fine. So weird...but in this case that's probably a good thing.
(Okay...someone turned the thermostat down again. I can feel the freezing air being blown in on me. Grr....)
I like my idea for this project, because it is something that I am very interested in, and one of the main reasons why I think America still has a long way to go before we are worthy of being called a "great" nation (there are lots of other reasons though, don't get me started). I just hope my final product can convey some of that feeling to my audience.
(The nachos were very good, by the way.)
Good night and farewell!
It's hard taking photographs that have the kind of meaning I want them to have. I'm really more used to taking pictures of places and people I've visited. That doesn't really require much skill, other than being able to hold the camera still.
Although actually, that can be hard if you're trying to take a picture of your own hand. My final image is of me and my roommate Libby holding hands. We went through at least ten pictures before I found two that could work. Half of the images were just so blurred that you couldn't tell what was going on! I mean, there was the vague shape of a hand, but the rings were blurred out, and our hands looked really weird. Both of us had that problem. I don't know why - some of the pictures were perfectly fine, and when I was just taking pictures of my own hand I didn't have that problem. So that was weird.
Lighting is also a problem. I had wanted a lot of contrast in the hand image so that it would be easier to cut out the hand. Well, we took all the pictures in the same place at the same time, and some of them came out dark like the one in the viewer, and some were pretty light like the one I posted earlier. Just a slight change in angle completely changed the lighting. I'm a little worried now about taking a photo of a sunset (or at least an evening photo). It looks like there's plenty of light still, but sometimes the image is just way too dark to see anything. Also...the image that I see on my camera and the image that gets uploaded to my computer look different. So sometimes I'll think a picture is too dark, then I'll load it onto the computer and it'll be fine. So weird...but in this case that's probably a good thing.
(Okay...someone turned the thermostat down again. I can feel the freezing air being blown in on me. Grr....)
I like my idea for this project, because it is something that I am very interested in, and one of the main reasons why I think America still has a long way to go before we are worthy of being called a "great" nation (there are lots of other reasons though, don't get me started). I just hope my final product can convey some of that feeling to my audience.
(The nachos were very good, by the way.)
Good night and farewell!
Reflections
Oooh, this is really late but I remembered the last not-serious suggestion I was going to make for the Unit 2 project: oil the hinges of that stupid white gate at the top of the stairs. It hurts to listen to it four times a week.
I've really enjoyed this class, and overall I'm definitely satisfied with the way my projects have turned out so far. I liked learning (and re-learning) how to use Photoshop and Dreamweaver, and even though they've given me some troubles before, it's been a pretty good experience. Of course, this class wasn't really about learning how to use those programs by themselves. Using them properly to create persuasive arguments wasn't as hard as I thought it might be. Take the layers aspect of multimedia values. Working with Photoshop forces you to consider layers. (Obviously, given the name of the textbook.) I've done some projects similar to the ones we did in class before, but I hadn't had to use Photoshop, and so layering was really more of an afterthought, if it even got a thought. Not so here. It's layers layers layers layers. Got a problem? Check the layer. Need to fix something? Make a new layer. Of course, this makes an image very tidy - just turn off any layers that are distracting and focus on, say, the image of a ring instead of an entire hand.
Dreamweaver defnitely helps with the try try and try again aka patience value. Maybe it was because I'm not familiar with the program, but I had a lot of what seemed like simple problems that ended up taking forever to solve - even if the solution was really simple. I'd try one solution and it would look okay, but still not right, so I'd try something else, which fixed that problem but caused a different problem, and so on. But that just made the final project even more satisfying. It's a really good feeling to pull up my own website and tell people, "Hey look what I made!"
I've really enjoyed this class, and overall I'm definitely satisfied with the way my projects have turned out so far. I liked learning (and re-learning) how to use Photoshop and Dreamweaver, and even though they've given me some troubles before, it's been a pretty good experience. Of course, this class wasn't really about learning how to use those programs by themselves. Using them properly to create persuasive arguments wasn't as hard as I thought it might be. Take the layers aspect of multimedia values. Working with Photoshop forces you to consider layers. (Obviously, given the name of the textbook.) I've done some projects similar to the ones we did in class before, but I hadn't had to use Photoshop, and so layering was really more of an afterthought, if it even got a thought. Not so here. It's layers layers layers layers. Got a problem? Check the layer. Need to fix something? Make a new layer. Of course, this makes an image very tidy - just turn off any layers that are distracting and focus on, say, the image of a ring instead of an entire hand.
Dreamweaver defnitely helps with the try try and try again aka patience value. Maybe it was because I'm not familiar with the program, but I had a lot of what seemed like simple problems that ended up taking forever to solve - even if the solution was really simple. I'd try one solution and it would look okay, but still not right, so I'd try something else, which fixed that problem but caused a different problem, and so on. But that just made the final project even more satisfying. It's a really good feeling to pull up my own website and tell people, "Hey look what I made!"
Artist Portfolios
I think my favorite image of all the portfolios was Peter Baustaedter's Princess' Palace. I also liked his Smog City and Squeed, and I found John Crane's images very interesting as well. The three Baustaedter images all make me think of fantasy and technology mingled together. Squeed looks like a cross between some fantastical creature and a machine. Smog City has pollution, but it doesn't look like a modern city - it looks to me more like a castle. Princess' Palace has more of the fantasy element than the technology, although the architecture seems real rather than just randomly drawn, if you know what I mean. I remember reading that Baustaedter worked on designs in some video games, and I think this images would fit well into that category, although I don't know that that was their original purpose. Besides, this is just the type of image that I like. I have lots of posters in my room of unicorns, fairies, dragons, castles, etc. I'm a fantasy junkie :)
John Crane's images are more futuristic, which is very cool as well. Flying Under the Radar may be a modern image, but it doesn't look like it! Maybe it's all the pink and orange. Looking at that, I am not reminded much at all of Earth-based technology. It seems more fitting to an alien device of some kind.
It was very interesting to see these examples. I haven't ever really paid much attention to digital media before - I've mostly stuck with paintings and more natural photographs. But these were different, in a good way. Some were just weird, but I liked the majority of the images presented in this chapter. Sometimes I forget that image editing doesn't have to mean keeping the original subject the same, and it's good to see reminders of what a professional can really do with these programs.
John Crane's images are more futuristic, which is very cool as well. Flying Under the Radar may be a modern image, but it doesn't look like it! Maybe it's all the pink and orange. Looking at that, I am not reminded much at all of Earth-based technology. It seems more fitting to an alien device of some kind.
It was very interesting to see these examples. I haven't ever really paid much attention to digital media before - I've mostly stuck with paintings and more natural photographs. But these were different, in a good way. Some were just weird, but I liked the majority of the images presented in this chapter. Sometimes I forget that image editing doesn't have to mean keeping the original subject the same, and it's good to see reminders of what a professional can really do with these programs.
Okay, I lied
Well I was going to go get nachos but then the room was invaded by noisy roommates and friends of roommates and I'm kind of scared to draw any attention to the fact that I'm actually in the room (as of yet, they haven't noticed and I'd like to keep it that way).
So without further ado, I present:
The Visual Argument I Hope to Convey Through My Website of Images
I talked about a few of the images already, the flag and the group fountain image so I'll skip over those here and just talk about the other ones.
The basic overall argument is simple: promote equality for the LGBTQ community (although I may narrow it down to just 'L' since that's where most of my images are actually focused). The individual images promote different aspects of that equality, in no particular order.
The first image is of a wedding cake with two bride figures on the top. Unfortunately, when I got the picture of my best friend in her dress, I didn't think to get a picture of the cake. I think the argument here is fairly clear: lift the ban on same-sex marriages.
Next is the American flag, colored in as a rainbow. Already talked about this, so I'll just summarize: we're all Americans, all equal, it's a matter of national pride, etc.
The locket image, which probably needs the most work. When it's finished, the left side (the larger side) will show Elizabeth in front of a bookshelf in my room, filled with books and other stuff. The top shelf will be the main focus, and on it will be all the trophies and awards and such I've gotten over the years. There's a nice 2nd place for a youth soccer team, some smaller soccer awards, lots of little academic awards, some medals, and I may be able to dig up a few Math Team ribbons or something like that. If I need more, I think my mom might have some swimming awards or something I can use. Elizabeth will be wearing a locket, which I'll have to blow up a bit b/c it's not really noticeable right now. This side of the image is working to show a successful, healthy, and happy (hence the metal smile) child. The other side is just a close up of the locket being held in someone's hand. Inside will be two pictures, one probably of Elizabeth again, and the other with a family picture of her and her two moms. Argument: two moms can raise a child just as well as a mom and a dad or just a mom or just a dad. Allow same sex couples to adopt children.
The fireplace and stockings! This was actually for our door at Xmas time, I'm just lucky that neither of us wanted to get rid of it because it looked so cool (even if we didn't win the contest). In the fire are a small group of protesters holding pro-Proposition 8 signs, some anti-gay signs, a big red X, etc. I'm going to "damage" this image some, maybe warp it or put some flames over it. Above the flames rise two stockings, for Karen and Katie, showing that we need to rise above such protests. I hadn't thought of this before, and it's kind of a weak argument, but one could relate the stockings to Christianity (through Christmas), to maybe imply that one can be lesbian and a Christian at the same time. (I wouldn't know, not being either, but I think I turned out okay!) I know that religion is a big issue when it comes to LGBTQ rights.
Already talked about the group fountain photo, more of the equality stuff.
Final image is of two girls holding hands with matching rings. Meant to symbolize wedding or promise rings of some sort. (And I am jealous - Libby's wrist is so tiny that it makes mine look fat in comparison!! I have small wrists too but it doesn't look like it here!) Right now the background is just plain black, but it will be changed to something else more suitable. A sunset would be great. This image isn't arguing for any specific change like some of the others were; it's just there to give closure to the argument.
And NOW I can go get nachos. Hurray!
So without further ado, I present:
The Visual Argument I Hope to Convey Through My Website of Images
I talked about a few of the images already, the flag and the group fountain image so I'll skip over those here and just talk about the other ones.
The basic overall argument is simple: promote equality for the LGBTQ community (although I may narrow it down to just 'L' since that's where most of my images are actually focused). The individual images promote different aspects of that equality, in no particular order.
The first image is of a wedding cake with two bride figures on the top. Unfortunately, when I got the picture of my best friend in her dress, I didn't think to get a picture of the cake. I think the argument here is fairly clear: lift the ban on same-sex marriages.
Next is the American flag, colored in as a rainbow. Already talked about this, so I'll just summarize: we're all Americans, all equal, it's a matter of national pride, etc.
The locket image, which probably needs the most work. When it's finished, the left side (the larger side) will show Elizabeth in front of a bookshelf in my room, filled with books and other stuff. The top shelf will be the main focus, and on it will be all the trophies and awards and such I've gotten over the years. There's a nice 2nd place for a youth soccer team, some smaller soccer awards, lots of little academic awards, some medals, and I may be able to dig up a few Math Team ribbons or something like that. If I need more, I think my mom might have some swimming awards or something I can use. Elizabeth will be wearing a locket, which I'll have to blow up a bit b/c it's not really noticeable right now. This side of the image is working to show a successful, healthy, and happy (hence the metal smile) child. The other side is just a close up of the locket being held in someone's hand. Inside will be two pictures, one probably of Elizabeth again, and the other with a family picture of her and her two moms. Argument: two moms can raise a child just as well as a mom and a dad or just a mom or just a dad. Allow same sex couples to adopt children.
The fireplace and stockings! This was actually for our door at Xmas time, I'm just lucky that neither of us wanted to get rid of it because it looked so cool (even if we didn't win the contest). In the fire are a small group of protesters holding pro-Proposition 8 signs, some anti-gay signs, a big red X, etc. I'm going to "damage" this image some, maybe warp it or put some flames over it. Above the flames rise two stockings, for Karen and Katie, showing that we need to rise above such protests. I hadn't thought of this before, and it's kind of a weak argument, but one could relate the stockings to Christianity (through Christmas), to maybe imply that one can be lesbian and a Christian at the same time. (I wouldn't know, not being either, but I think I turned out okay!) I know that religion is a big issue when it comes to LGBTQ rights.
Already talked about the group fountain photo, more of the equality stuff.
Final image is of two girls holding hands with matching rings. Meant to symbolize wedding or promise rings of some sort. (And I am jealous - Libby's wrist is so tiny that it makes mine look fat in comparison!! I have small wrists too but it doesn't look like it here!) Right now the background is just plain black, but it will be changed to something else more suitable. A sunset would be great. This image isn't arguing for any specific change like some of the others were; it's just there to give closure to the argument.
And NOW I can go get nachos. Hurray!
Frog Fountain Group Image
Okay, this image isn't up on the website, because I pulled a stupid and forgot to take a picture of the fountain!!! ARGH stupid Katie. I just realized that last night, when it was already too late to do anything about it. But when I do get that silly fountain picture, it will be the background for the group image. Ideally, I would take the group picture at the fountain, thereby negating the need to edit people into the picture. But come on. This is college. I'm never going to get all these people together at the same time. So editing it is.
I'm hoping to include a female couple here, but none of my friends here are lesbian, and I think it would be a bit too much trouble to drive over to Virginia to get a picture of Kaelyn, so I may try and bully some friends into acting for me. I'll bribe them with chocolate or something. Nick is easier, since he's not only here at TCU but in class with me! Yay Nick. I haven't decided exactly how to arrange people yet; it'll depend on what kind of photos I can get.
I wasn't going to make this a photo of just LG couples; I was going to include some other images - single people, friends hanging out, implying that (again) there's nothing different about being LGBTQ (wow that's hard to type). Someone, I forgot who, suggested highlighting around different people in different colors that don't have to correspond to anything about them. I have mixed feelings about that. I guess I'll try it and see what it looks like. Maybe a caption would help with that.
And now I am off to eat some nachos. I hope.
I'm hoping to include a female couple here, but none of my friends here are lesbian, and I think it would be a bit too much trouble to drive over to Virginia to get a picture of Kaelyn, so I may try and bully some friends into acting for me. I'll bribe them with chocolate or something. Nick is easier, since he's not only here at TCU but in class with me! Yay Nick. I haven't decided exactly how to arrange people yet; it'll depend on what kind of photos I can get.
I wasn't going to make this a photo of just LG couples; I was going to include some other images - single people, friends hanging out, implying that (again) there's nothing different about being LGBTQ (wow that's hard to type). Someone, I forgot who, suggested highlighting around different people in different colors that don't have to correspond to anything about them. I have mixed feelings about that. I guess I'll try it and see what it looks like. Maybe a caption would help with that.
And now I am off to eat some nachos. I hope.
Flag Image
Okay I've also got to do something about those transitions. It looks so weird!!! Especially when I first navigate to the site.
Anyways, the flag image is mostly done, but I had some other ideas. Here they are!
1) Make the flag a little bigger, cut out more of the background if necessary since it's not important to the image.
2) Since the rainbow colors I used were so bright, it might make sense to brighten the blue star background (since it is standing for the 2nd "blue" in the rainbow). That's what I did for the red stripes. I had thought of just leaving them alone but next to the bright colors, that red looked way too dull. So that's something to consider. I can do that with Seashore, which is what I used to change the stripes' colors.
3) The biggest and most time consuming change I was going to make was to edit in small images of people's faces onto the stars. They would be tiny, since the stars are so small, and I don't know for sure how well it would show up, so that's something I would need to test before actually deciding. I would need 50 faces, and I've already got a lot, just from pictures of people that I've taken. I can reuse faces, like Elizabeth's (the locket girl) or the other people who show up elsewhere in the site. And I have lots of friends and coworkers who've let me take mugshots :) So nice of them :)
The point of that, of course, is to emphasize that the LGBTQ community is just the same as everyone else. We're all human and (in this case at least) American (joy...). To that end, I tried to get a diverse range of people in the shots. More than just white college students, which make up the majority of the people I know. So I got a few older coworkers from the store, a few younger, I have different ethnicities, although it will be hard to tell the difference so I'm sticking with three major categories: white, African-American, and Asian/Indian/etc. There's no point dividing it up further than that because, small as the images will be, no one would be able to tell the difference between Samreen, who's from Bangladesh, and Long, who's Vietnamese.
But like I said before...this is the absolute last thing I would do. If I even do it. It would make a cool addition, but all the other images have to be done first. So there.
Anyways, the flag image is mostly done, but I had some other ideas. Here they are!
1) Make the flag a little bigger, cut out more of the background if necessary since it's not important to the image.
2) Since the rainbow colors I used were so bright, it might make sense to brighten the blue star background (since it is standing for the 2nd "blue" in the rainbow). That's what I did for the red stripes. I had thought of just leaving them alone but next to the bright colors, that red looked way too dull. So that's something to consider. I can do that with Seashore, which is what I used to change the stripes' colors.
3) The biggest and most time consuming change I was going to make was to edit in small images of people's faces onto the stars. They would be tiny, since the stars are so small, and I don't know for sure how well it would show up, so that's something I would need to test before actually deciding. I would need 50 faces, and I've already got a lot, just from pictures of people that I've taken. I can reuse faces, like Elizabeth's (the locket girl) or the other people who show up elsewhere in the site. And I have lots of friends and coworkers who've let me take mugshots :) So nice of them :)
The point of that, of course, is to emphasize that the LGBTQ community is just the same as everyone else. We're all human and (in this case at least) American (joy...). To that end, I tried to get a diverse range of people in the shots. More than just white college students, which make up the majority of the people I know. So I got a few older coworkers from the store, a few younger, I have different ethnicities, although it will be hard to tell the difference so I'm sticking with three major categories: white, African-American, and Asian/Indian/etc. There's no point dividing it up further than that because, small as the images will be, no one would be able to tell the difference between Samreen, who's from Bangladesh, and Long, who's Vietnamese.
But like I said before...this is the absolute last thing I would do. If I even do it. It would make a cool addition, but all the other images have to be done first. So there.
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