Photography Essay

After reading “Photography Essay,” I realized that I have never really noticed the separation between photography being documentation and art. It makes sense to me now that there is quite a distinction between the two types of photography. It personally makes some sense to me now why people might not consider photography as artistic as other art styles. I’m not saying that photography isn’t art because there are various types of components that are involved in making a photo great. I just especially think that with technology today, photographers are criticized more due to the fact that it is easier to gain a great photo in an easier manner.

            I did partially notice this type of controversy today, but I didn’t really think that it was also being conversed in the early 1900s. There was a lot more that went into the process of developing photographs back then, but I guess it really doesn’t change the concept of photography. I personally think that photography can be utilized in both ways. Photographs can be used for expression through artistic abilities, and it can be used to give visual evidence as documentation.

Parts of the Letter

When I used to do any type of design work or anything that involves text, I didn’t really consider the effects that the font can have on something being designed. After looking at the “Parts of the Letter,” I was able to gain a stronger idea on the types of font there are and how it can be used properly.

            I wasn’t completely oblivious to the type that I was using, but I mainly just focused on how it looked to me. Although this document tells you about the different types and components of font, it made me realize what I could possibly change the next time I work on designing something. Not only did I make this realization, but also I learned about all of the various aspects to the types of fonts. I never knew that all of the curves, angles, and other elements had names and certain ways of applying those to letters.

            Overall, this document gave me a better sense of how to incorporate fonts into various designs, and how effective it can make in a design. There are many ways of implementing text into design in an interesting way, but I think knowing the basics of types of font can greatly affect how the text is placed in a composition.

Understanding Comics

            After reading “Understanding Comics,” I was able to gain a better grasp on the reasoning behind certain techniques used in art. Even if it might not always seem like it, various aspects of a piece of art are usually intended to be there for a purpose. These different details can create emotions within the viewers, and emphasize parts of the work of art that were intended for the viewers to notice.

            This doesn’t necessarily mean that everybody will perceive the different components of a piece of art in the same manner. People have wide-ranging experiences and cultures that can affect the way that they look at something. Many people make associations with people, events, objects, and other things when looking at a form of art. Relations are made between these things, and it makes the viewer discern the subjects and other elements with everything that seems recognizable through any type of art.

            Although this may be the case, an artist can expand the perception of an art piece by removing complexities and specific details to allow for a more extensive interpretation. In this instance, viewers have more of an option to use their imagination on what the picture is portraying. Even if the artist happened to have a different idea in mind about their art, a person who is viewing it can also have their own individual understanding and connection, which is a main positive aspect of art.

Writer's Toolbox

            “Writer’s Toolbox” provides various ways of improving visual presentation for different projects and concepts. One can gain great ideas from this reading and figure out what to change from all of the suggestions given. Writing about a piece of work can assist someone in spreading their ideas out and seeking out ways to make them stronger. Having ideas put into words can bring out all of the different aspects of your plan and help in the reviewing process of the project.

            Besides writing, there are also visual options for organizing ideas such as creating mind maps or concept maps that can connect ideas to one another. With this method, relationships can be formed between each of the concepts to create a more focused design and plan. Outlining ideas give a better impression of what is going to be the main subject of your project, and using these ideas to free write will let all of the ideas flow out without any hesitation.

            Not only can someone’s own writing and work assist themselves, but input from others is always beneficial for other perspectives and suggestions for a design. Critiques can be very informational and positive for someone, and it provides a way to solve some issues that might not have been noticed without the help of others.

Support Definition

Bear all or part of the weight of; hold up

Give assistance to, esp. financially; enable to function or act

Color Police

This is a picture of a rug against my dorm floor. It is really not meant to be colorfully correct, but I just saw it at noticed that the rug against the hard floor was not visually appealing. The two colors don’t really contrast or blend very well. Their tones are somewhat similar, but the hues of the colors do not seem to be complimentary of each other.

This is a picture of a basketball that I thought had quality color usage. There are only three colors incorporated into this basketball, but I think that they contrast against each other very well. The simplicity of the black and white along with the color blue creates a visually impressive piece that has simple shapes that look fitting on the contour of the ball.

Color Lecture Reflection

After learning about various color strategies, I realized how little information I actually knew about color within design. I had also never heard of the term chroma used before. Prior to the lecture, I was more familiar with saturation, so I was able to learn about a new word that might be more commonly used in design. Along with this, I thought I had a fairly solid grasp on how colors are supposed to work together, but I didn’t realize how many various factors could come into effect when combining colors in design.

            With the joining of colors, I now have a better understanding of how certain colors, hues, values, and chromas have an effect on a design. There are many aspects of color that can greatly improve or worsen a piece of design work. Maybe the general layout and format of something is correct, but the colors do not correspond with the different shapes, lines, and feel of the design itself. Color can create emotion within a design, and if the proper looking color spectrum is not being used, the design might possibly convey the wrong impression.

            Overall, the color lecture was able to provide me with an improved comprehension of how color should be used and implemented in a design, so that I can create a proper portrayal in the most effective way possible.