Final Project

 

Assignment Discussion: Final

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97 Replies, 66 Unread

97 Replies, 66 Unread

Discussion Topic: Assignment Discussion: FinalAssignment Discussion: Final

Learning Objectives

Discussions are a valuable tool for enhancing critical thinking, communication skills, and collaborative learning, while also fostering a sense of community. 

Discussion Topic 

This is where you get post your work and look at projects from other students. Feel free to respond to other students about anything that interests you about their work. You should use terms from the class to identify elements in their photographs that are working well. You are also able to leave recommendations for your peers here, but please be respectful and remember that not everyone will have the same opinion or idea for what looks good and what doesn't. 

Instructions 

Part 1

1. 1. Click reply and post the link to your Adobe Express Page. Make sure your link works and that it is clickable!
   2. Include your essay in your post. 

Part 2

1. 1. Read the posts from other students and reply to at least two (2) other students. Your comments should be helpful and thoughtful. Reference the following pages for key terms to use in your replies: Photography Basics  Terms for Photo Editing
   2. Make sure you use the grading rubric as a guide. See instructions below.

Example

Post Example

Final Project

Completing this project challenged me to hone my skills of framing and seeing patterns in the spaces I go to on a daily basis. Previous to this class, I enjoyed up close narrow depth of field photos. In completing this assignment, I looked for ways to amplify close-up pictures by framing, looking for shadows, or using artificial light. I chose to present photos of my home, my plants, my job, and social topics such as feminism and sustainability. I felt that a black-and-white theme throughout helped narrow down the message or techniques. Many of these were taken at Stanford where I recently got an internship at their Nano Lab aka the Allen Building. Most days I hurry through the corridors making sure I get there on time and leave right after. This past week I was able to take a moment and enjoy the architecture and landscaping done. There is symmetry everywhere which was almost an overload of options. This leads me to the next point of empowering women in jobs, especially in STEM fields. Many times women are hinted to be taken care of, to be princesses. While that may sound great, it results in women staying at home more, and deciding to forego an education. This to me feels like suppressing a gender that is very capable. It felt very similar to a princess being locked away. This social issue and sustainability are important and therefore need to be shared. Photography is a way of communication that can be quick yet effective. I share my own candle project by showing five new candles that were repurposed from about 10 old candles. Using dried flowers and real flowers helped bring life to them. My favorite and most challenging were the roses in the second row yet they turned out great and serve as a Christmas present.

Reply Example

Yuki - I want to start off with pointing out those amazing skills for black and white photography. That type of photography can be complex. "Carousel" in your portfolio has to be my favorite, in my opinion, the blurred movement and then the lady just standing there chilling was really sick! I would definitely recommend looking at Valdir Cruz's portfolio it’s some killer black and white photography. Stunning Job done here & keep it up best wishes!

Nathan - Your photographs caught my attention. The outsides of the old buildings are fascinating. Not only because they feel somewhat out of place in nature, but the way you position the camera for these photographs makes them come to life. While the plane and truck images are almost certainly taken in a different setting, the way you photograph them makes them cohesive because the common thread is that they are deteriorating manmade objects. Good luck with your future photography endeavors. 

Submission, Feedback, and Grading 

Discussions are an important tool for interaction and development of a learning community. Your timely participation is essential. Please plan to submit your initial reply by Thursday, and reply to at least two of your peers by Sunday. The discussion will close Sunday at 11:59pm.

I will use the attached rubric to grade this assignment. The grading rubric can be found by clicking on the three vertical dots in the upper right of this window. Feedback will be provided in the comments for the assignment, which you can view under Grades in the Navigation Bar. Work will be graded within one week of the due date.

For mobile devices click on the Submission & Rubric link.

Additional Resources 

How do I embed Images?

General Discussion Guidance

How do I reply to a discussion as a student?

How do I view and sort discussions as a student?

How do I edit or delete discussion replies as a student?

How do I view the rubric for my graded discussion? 

Abigail Jalpa (She/Her)

Dec 8 8:22pm| Last reply Dec 8 9:47pm

Reply from Abigail Jalpa

https://new.express.adobe.com/webpage/6x9lvdQmuUOIqLinks to an external site.

I am content with my final portfolio. This was very enjoyable and rewarding to work on because it truly allowed me to reflect on all I have learned throughout this course, such as photography basics, exposure, and light (just to name a few). It also helped me capture my photos to the best of my ability, edit them, and curate my portfolio thoughtfully.

My greatest challenge was figuring out my focus for my final portfolio and what I wanted it to showcase. As I looked through the photos I had taken during this quarter, not only did I notice a trend of photos shot outdoors and/or in nature, but also that many photos were of some of my favorite places to visit in the Bay Area and its outskirts. From Mendocino County to San Francisco to Carmel-by-the-Sea, my love for these places was evident through my photos. I decided to focus on this and took it as an opportunity to capture more for my portfolio. I think my greatest success was sticking to my focus, or theme. I feel like all of the selected photos create a cohesive aesthetic. While I was tempted to edit these photos to black and white for a more polished and professional look, I ended up keeping them in color. My reason for this was because all of my photos were taken outdoors and captured nature to some degree so I thought they would each present better with their original color. I was happy with my decision, as I think they turned out pretty well.

One favorite technique of mine that I used frequently was leading lines. The ones I captured in nature were mostly through trees and branches. However, a few photos incorporated this technique in a non-natural way, with one sunset photo featuring transmission towers and wires as the leading lines. Another technique I liked was the rule of thirds. An example of this is my photo of the church - I tried to position it right on the grid to create visual interest.

This was such a fun final to work on! I am happy I had the opportunity to create photos I am proud of and am looking forward to applying the knowledge I have gained from this course in my future photography.

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Steven Barajas

Dec 8 6:12pm| Last reply Dec 8 11:57pm

Reply from Steven Barajas

Final PortfolioLinks to an external site.

Last week I had some fun experimenting with 35mm film and development. For my final portfolio I wanted to continue down that path and go back to basics, I tried using one of my oldest cameras (produced sometime between 1933 & 1941) a medium format, art deco Kodak Six-16 Brownie. But unfortunately the images didn't make the cut for the final portfolio, so let me get my greatest challenge out of the way up front. The camera has a fixed focal length of 110mm (with moveable lens for close-up), two aperture setting f/16 or f/22, and two shutter speeds of about 1/50 sec or bulb. The first roll I took it out at night with my phone as a light meter and did some long exposures, between 1 to 3 minutes. The photos came out good but since I rewound 120 film on to a 616 spool something got messed up internally and some of the edges of the frame were overlapping. I could have cropped all the images square but I spent so much time composing for 6X9 format it didn't seem right. Try number two I was able to resolve the gap between frames, yay! But it was such an overcast hazy day in San Francisco that the images were mostly washed out. I tried saving them in editing but having a coated lens (minimize unwanted reflections and glare), UV filter (haze), yellow filter (contrast) and lens hood (lens flare) would have been much better. So for my final portfolio I decided I wanted to photograph all new images and revisit some of my favorite assignments during this course. Doing this gave me an opportunity to see how much I've learned and grown as a photographer. My favorite technique was showing both Frozen movement and Blurred movement by doing a tracking shot. This time around I spent more time focusing on the edits like cropping and adjustments to brightness / contrast, shadow / highlights. Since it was film I also had a lot of dust removal, scratch removal, to do as well. I'm happy with how my photographs and edits turned out and hope to get more practice with with the Kodak Brownie.

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RB

Ryan Begnaud

Dec 8 3:32pm| Last reply Dec 8 11:54pm

Reply from Ryan Begnaud

Final PortfolioLinks to an external site.

 

As I wrap up this class and my final portfolio project, I feel extremely happy with how everything has turned out. As I look back at my earlier projects throughout the quarter and the quality of them as compared to the quality of my final, I am sure that I learned a ton when it comes to being a photographer. I knew going into my final that I wanted to use a lot of Brassaï’s work as inspiration. I loved the way he made the mundane aspects of his city turn into images that were absolutely serene and beautiful. His ability to showcase the beauty in the mundane was what I was truly searching for in my final project. I also wanted to incorporate some Astrophotograhy in my portfolio because I simply love stars and the night sky. After doing the night photography assignment I knew that my final had to also be all night photography. I feel like it suits me much better and for me is much more fun to practice. Getting to adventure around my town and the neighboring towns in search of specific spots that I wanted to capture ended up being really exciting. My favorite technique while taking these photos had to be the use of contrast. It is something Brassaï also does extremely well and I wanted to mimic a similar style of differentiating the light from the dark using artificial light of whatever was around me. I also decided to go with an entire portfolio that is black and white, which in my opinion makes the contrast of darkness and artificial light at night look more prominent. My greatest challenge during this final was getting it down to just 10 photos. After spending hours and hours during the week capturing countless spots and images, I needed to narrow down hundreds of photos to the 10 I was the most happy with, which ended up being quite a challenge. This process took me multiple days as I had a ton of photos that I was happy with but that just didn’t make the cut of the best 10. Overall I feel as though I accomplished exactly the style I was hoping for when I started the final, I’m really happy with it and I believe it to be the best photography work I’ve done all quarter.

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Josephine Waliman (She/Her)

Dec 8 3:01pm| Last reply Dec 8 11:23pm

Reply from Josephine Waliman

Final Portfolio: NightscapesLinks to an external site.

Night photography captures a world that feels both familiar and transformed, with each scene revealing its own unique perspective. For my final portfolio, I wanted to explore the variety of experiences that come alive after dark while blending quiet moments with bursts of energy.

The stars over Foothills Park were a serene highlight. The stillness of the night paired with the endless sky felt grounding, and I tried to capture that sense of calm in my photos. In contrast, my city shots focused on festive energy. A brightly lit Christmas tree brought warmth and joy to the urban backdrop, while a Halloween house added a playful, eerie charm to the collection. Both settings reflected how light and atmosphere change the way we experience familiar spaces.

Closer to home, I turned to places around my neighborhood. These quieter, everyday scenes reminded me that beauty often exists in the mundane. The moon became a recurring subject as well. Its presence tied the series together, offering both a literal and symbolic light in the dark. Finally, the Sabrina Carpenter concert added a burst of character to the portfolio. Remaining present in the moment while attempting to capture the movement and stage lights was both challenging and rewarding.

My greatest success was achieving clarity in my photos, especially in two areas that had always been tricky for me: capturing sharp, dynamic concert images and photographing the moon and stars. Before taking this class, I struggled with both, but now they’ve become some of my favorite shots. My biggest challenge was working with limited light—balancing long exposures without losing detail or introducing too much noise. Some of my favorite techniques were using longer exposures to bring out starry skies and experimenting with focus to perfect sharpness in low light. I am very happy with how all my photos turned out and I hope to apply what I've learned to capturing my next national park trip!

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B Daniel

Dec 8 5:20am| Last reply Dec 8 10:50pm

Reply from B Daniel

Bryan Daniel-Cats and Coastline (Final)Links to an external site.

Reflection:

     I will start with my greatest challenges while making this final. I captured a tremendous number of photographs which gave me a lot to choose from. This was great at first, but it became a bit of my nemesis when trying to put together only the best ten. I would pick one, start some cropping, editing, thinking of a title, and then dis-regard it completely and start on a different photograph. This indecision created delay and over-analysis. I believe I have mentioned before that over-analysis is a problem for me. Even now as I write my reflection, I consider other photographs or second guessing my edits. But all this extra work and “challenge” was the catalyst to my success! All the different ways of editing, comparing photographs to one another, and the sheer volume of photographs I captured helped me see what worked, and what did not. Speaking of errors, I am sure I made mistakes, but that’s fine as long as the next photographs I take are better than the previous.

     I feel my greatest success was the Salt Life photograph I presented where I captured the spray of the ocean. Makes one feel a bit powerful to “freeze” time (in my opinion). I have grown so much this quarter it is difficult to pinpoint my greatest successes. But, I feel way more comfortable taking photographs and I have become more fluid in making adjustments on my small camera phone. I have gained a better understanding of the basics. For example, cropping out distracting elements and fixing the horizon line, but even better is learning to take the initial photograph with the correct angle that does not need excessive cropping/adjusting. If only my cats would listen! But in all seriousness, I now have a method to my madness and have an order in which I edit a photograph where I try to make sure everything is compositionally correct before making edits such as tint, temp, blacks, etc.

     The first photograph, Wave Check is an edit of a prior photograph in which I added a pinch of green and I think it came out well. I also made adjustments to Cat Life (Mia in the sink.) Salt Life I really like, as the clarity I achieved from my camera phone even surprised me. Listo (ready in English), of Mia on the fridge I also edited. Play Time of the boy jumping off the bridge could use some work and the same goes for Rising Tide, but all in all, I feel good about what I submitted. We shall see when the grades come. Getting both of my cats to chill on the terrace was probably the biggest success, but I surmise this was through my dedication and the massive number of cat photographs I captured. Thank you for viewing my final.

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Lauri Mendoza

Dec 7 7:21pm| Last reply Dec 8 9:19pm

Reply from Lauri Mendoza

Lauri Yssabelle's final portfolioLinks to an external site.

Reflection 

For my final portfolio, I decided to showcase the photos I took during my recent trip to Mallorca and Barcelona. This final project came at the perfect time, allowing me to apply the techniques and skills we learned in class to capture the magical moments I experienced within these beautiful places.

I think my greatest success in creating this final portfolio was capturing each photo in a single shot. I remember working on one of our photojournalism assignments, and through my research, I learned that William Eggleston takes his photographs with just one shot. I wanted to apply this to my work since my biggest struggle with taking photos usually come from taking too many shots and struggling to choose the best one later. Many of the photos that I took depended on quick and decisive moments to get the right lighting, placing of people, and subjects like the cats. Overall, Many of these photos came together by chance, with everything aligning perfectly in the moment. On the other hand, I think my biggest struggle with this portfolio was the editing process. I had a hard time getting the right vibrancy and colors to match the dreamlike aesthetic I was aiming for. I also wanted to maintain a consistent vibe across all the images, so that when I put everything together, the portfolio would flow well together. Balancing the colors, tones, and overall mood took a lot of trial and error, but through this process, I was able to successfully create the vision I wanted for this portfolio.

Some of my favorite techniques I used are symmetry, rule of thirds, leading lines, and natural lighting. I feel like all of these techniques helped me create a balanced, harmonious look in my photos. I think my overall favorite technique was using symmetry for this project. It worked out perfectly especially since many of the old rustic structures I photographed naturally followed symmetrical patterns which really brought out that balance and harmony within the photographs. Another favorite technique of mine that I was able to use in this project would be the use of natural lighting. During my trip, the sun was always out at the perfect time which helped reflect the light in so many ways within my photograph that helped create a vibrant and dream like feel to my photos, reflecting off buildings and created soft shadows that helped add depth and atmosphere to my photos.

Overall, I'm really happy with how my final portfolio turned out. I enjoyed every moment of capturing these photographs, as well as editing them to create the exact vibe I envisioned. One of my biggest inspirations throughout this process has been William Eggleston, one of my favorite photographers. His vibrant, dreamlike aesthetic has always fascinated me, and I’ve wanted to recreate that in my own work. The first photograph, "The Girl with the Red Hair," was directly inspired by him. I remembered a photo of a girl with bright red hair that I had written about in this class, and I was super happy to capture a similar vibrant effect in my own shot.

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Mark post as read

Libbi (Elizabeth) Ziegler (She/Her)

Dec 6 11:26pm| Last edited Dec 7 12:25am| Last reply Dec 8 10:48pm

Reply from Libbi (Elizabeth) Ziegler

Final Project-Oakland Zoo-Libbi ZieglerLinks to an external site.

I decided early on that I was going to shoot new photographs specifically for this assignment but had a little trouble deciding where I wanted to do it (the beach, Mt. Diablo, the zoo, SFO) but my decision to take this to the zoo was definitely the right call. I had the best day, as I went by myself and spoke to some very enthusiastic volunteers who were there for no other reason other than they love the animals. As do I. The crowds were minimal so the animals were out and active and I ended up taking over 1000 photos (!) and stayed until closing. I learned that the majority of animals at the Oakland Zoo are rescues (zoos do not generally rescue and rehabilitate animals), and their 17,000 sq. ft. veterinary state-of-the-art hospital is the largest wild animal veterinary facility in Northern California. While I missed the elephants, as they have all been relocated to other habitats better suited to their needs, many of the animals were in rare form and it was a really productive day. I have taken photos at zoos before, but today I took the knowledge I have gained in Photo 5 with me, and the words of Ansel Adams; "a good photograph is knowing where to stand", on repeat, in my brain, all day long.

My greatest success was the lions and the bears. They're either M.I.A. or sleeping every time I go to the zoo so seeing them up and at it on the same day was awesome. They take my breath away. The baboons were also on fire but you can usually count on that. The weather was also in my favor as it was hazy which acted as a filter to the harsh sunlight and it was cool which is another reason many of the animals were out. My greatest challenge was staying focused and approaching my photography in a more thoughtful, intentional way and accepting that animals are unpredictable. It's not like you can say "ok, I want you to cross your front paws and show me your pearly whites". I spent some time thinking before each photograph, really looking at what was in front of me, and imagining what I wanted the result to be. With every photo I considered not just the artistry but the technical aspects; lighting, movement of the animal, the plexiglass or wire barriers that separated me from the animal, the animal's eyes, the background, the distractions in the environment etc.. It took time, intention, focus and patience which can be a little difficult for me but that is why I went alone. I feel I was able to accomplish the task at hand and am happy with the results.

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Hannah Razban

Dec 3 9:44am| Last reply Dec 8 10:45pm

Reply from Hannah Razban

Final Assignment- Hannah RazbanLinks to an external site.

I feel proud about my final portfolio. I think I was able to keep the overall theme of the pictures cohesive while displaying a wide range of photographic techniques. My greatest challenge was choosing the right photos to add to my portfolio. I had a lot of random pictures that I took whenever I saw anything that caught my eye during the past few weeks. Between those photos and the photos I have previously turned in for assignments, I had a very wide range of photos to choose from, each of which capturing very different subjects and moods. 

My greatest success was using the techniques we learned in class to capture the beauty of my subjects. I used techniques such as layering, leading lines, and the rule of thirds in my portfolio. I also made sure to go through the photos one by one to make sure I cropped out any distractions in the backgrounds of my photos. My favorite technique to use in my portfolio was by far the rule of thirds. I think it is borderline magical how- when a photo is aligned correctly- a person’s eye is immediately drawn to a certain part of the photo. Throughout my portfolio, I used the rule of thirds to try to draw more attention to the parts of my photographs that I wanted to display most. 

Another technique I used a lot throughout my portfolio was using a narrow depth of field. Having all the distractions in the background of my photos blurred out let the details in my subjects pop out. I used this technique mainly when taking portraits of my friends as I wanted each and every beautiful detail of their faces to shine. 

My goal throughout this portfolio was to draw attention to a cause near and dear to my heart: the climate crisis. I hope that my portfolio causes thoughtfulness around that subject and the way it discreetly shows up in our day to day lives.

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Learning Objectives

Discussions are a valuable tool for enhancing critical thinking, communication skills, and collaborative learning, while also fostering a sense of community. 

Discussion Topic 

This is where you get post your work and look at projects from other students. Feel free to respond to other students about anything that interests you about their work. You should use terms from the class to identify elements in their photographs that are working well. You are also able to leave recommendations for your peers here, but please be respectful and remember that not everyone will have the same opinion or idea for what looks good and what doesn't. 

Instructions 

Part 1

1. 1. Click reply and post the link to your Adobe Express Page. Make sure your link works and that it is clickable!
   2. Include your essay in your post. 

Part 2

1. 1. Read the posts from other students and reply to at least two (2) other students. Your comments should be helpful and thoughtful. Reference the following pages for key terms to use in your replies: Photography Basics  Terms for Photo Editing
   2. Make sure you use the grading rubric as a guide. See instructions below.

Example

Post Example

Final Project

Completing this project challenged me to hone my skills of framing and seeing patterns in the spaces I go to on a daily basis. Previous to this class, I enjoyed up close narrow depth of field photos. In completing this assignment, I looked for ways to amplify close-up pictures by framing, looking for shadows, or using artificial light. I chose to present photos of my home, my plants, my job, and social topics such as feminism and sustainability. I felt that a black-and-white theme throughout helped narrow down the message or techniques. Many of these were taken at Stanford where I recently got an internship at their Nano Lab aka the Allen Building. Most days I hurry through the corridors making sure I get there on time and leave right after. This past week I was able to take a moment and enjoy the architecture and landscaping done. There is symmetry everywhere which was almost an overload of options. This leads me to the next point of empowering women in jobs, especially in STEM fields. Many times women are hinted to be taken care of, to be princesses. While that may sound great, it results in women staying at home more, and deciding to forego an education. This to me feels like suppressing a gender that is very capable. It felt very similar to a princess being locked away. This social issue and sustainability are important and therefore need to be shared. Photography is a way of communication that can be quick yet effective. I share my own candle project by showing five new candles that were repurposed from about 10 old candles. Using dried flowers and real flowers helped bring life to them. My favorite and most challenging were the roses in the second row yet they turned out great and serve as a Christmas present.

Reply Example

Yuki - I want to start off with pointing out those amazing skills for black and white photography. That type of photography can be complex. "Carousel" in your portfolio has to be my favorite, in my opinion, the blurred movement and then the lady just standing there chilling was really sick! I would definitely recommend looking at Valdir Cruz's portfolio it’s some killer black and white photography. Stunning Job done here & keep it up best wishes!

Nathan - Your photographs caught my attention. The outsides of the old buildings are fascinating. Not only because they feel somewhat out of place in nature, but the way you position the camera for these photographs makes them come to life. While the plane and truck images are almost certainly taken in a different setting, the way you photograph them makes them cohesive because the common thread is that they are deteriorating manmade objects. Good luck with your future photography endeavors. 

Submission, Feedback, and Grading 

Discussions are an important tool for interaction and development of a learning community. Your timely participation is essential. Please plan to submit your initial reply by Thursday, and reply to at least two of your peers by Sunday. The discussion will close Sunday at 11:59pm.

I will use the attached rubric to grade this assignment. The grading rubric can be found by clicking on the three vertical dots in the upper right of this window. Feedback will be provided in the comments for the assignment, which you can view under Grades in the Navigation Bar. Work will be graded within one week of the due date.

For mobile devices click on the Submission & Rubric link.

Additional Resources 

How do I embed Images?

General Discussion Guidance

How do I reply to a discussion as a student?

How do I view and sort discussions as a student?

How do I edit or delete discussion replies as a student?

How do I view the rubric for my graded discussion? 

Phyu Phyu Thant (She/Her)

Dec 8 11:58pm| Last edited Dec 9 11:14pm

Reply from Phyu Phyu Thant

https://new.express.adobe.com/webpage/MUYS6jGOlBNdL Links to an external site.

  Final Photography Project 

              I am very happy with my final portfolio. Working on it was both enjoyable and rewarding. It gave me an opportunity to reflect on everything I have learned in this course, such as photography basics, exposure, and light. It also helped me focus on taking the best photos possible, editing them carefully, and organizing my portfolio thoughtfully. One of my biggest challenges was deciding what kind of photos I should take for my final project and determining what I wanted to express through them.

           A memorable moment during this process was capturing beautiful shots while on a wine-tasting trolley with my coworkers. I truly enjoyed this experience, as it allowed me to combine photography with a fun field trip. Some of the photos I selected for my portfolio were black and white because I’m not very confident in adjusting colors yet. I find that black-and-white photography enhances the contrast between darkness and light, especially in night shots, which is something I wanted to highlight in my work. After completing the night photography assignment earlier in the course, I start working for the final project. Exploring in town and taking photo during wine tasting field trip is incredible.

         The process of creating my portfolio took several days. I had so many photos that I liked, but taking photo them 10 photo was a real challenge for me.  I am very happy with my final project, working on it was both challenging and rewarding. It gave me an opportunity to correct on everything I have learned in this course and correct the concept that missing in the previous assignment photography basics, exposure, and adjusting light. It also helped me focus on taking the best photos possible, editing them carefully, and organizing my portfolio thoughtfully. 

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Kevin Nguyen

Dec 8 11:52pm| Last edited Dec 8 11:52pm| Last reply Dec 9 10:52pm

Reply from Kevin Nguyen

 

Final ProjectLinks to an external site.

I took these photographs while on my honeymoon with my wife. The first five photos were taken in Phuket, Thailand. We visited John Gray’s Sea Canoe to see the natural sea caves. The first photo was taken from high up on the boat, looking down the front of the boat. I used the rule of thirds to capture the boat in the foreground, the sea in the middle ground, and the island in the background. I also used symmetry to highlight the front tip of the boat.

Once we reached the sea caves, we canoed to explore them. I took a photo of my wife using the rule of thirds and layering to include the foreground, middle ground, and background. The third photo was taken with my phone to avoid getting my camera wet. I used the rule of thirds to divide the layers in the photo. On the main boat, I used my camera to take a portrait of the captain steering the boat. I liked the window lighting and the color contrast in the black and white photo.

The fifth photo is a landscape shot of the islands taken with my camera. I used a high aperture number (10) to achieve great depth of field, along with a fast shutter speed to freeze the movement of the boat. The sixth photo was taken in Bangkok, Thailand, with my phone using symmetry and the rule of thirds. I used a wrecked boat as the foreground to add layering to the photo, with the sun providing backlighting.

The seventh photo was taken at our hotel. I used the rail guards to create leading lines to my wife, with the jungle background also forming leading lines to her. I used an aperture of 4 to get good depth of field. The eighth picture was taken at an amusement park. I liked the road leading the eyes to the Ferris wheel in the background. I tried to use the red rock as the foreground and the trees and mountain as the mid-ground.

For my ninth photo, I wanted to try night photography on top of a sky bar. It was challenging to get the right lighting for both my wife and the background, so I used a lamp to light up her face. The last photo was taken at the metro. I used the railing for leading lines, and a fast shutter speed to freeze the train's movement.

Switching between my phone and camera on this trip was challenging. While on the canoe, I used my phone to avoid getting my camera wet. My goal was to capture the beauty of nature during my honeymoon through landscape, portrait, and night photography. I decided to showcase 10 brand new photos, along with 4 additional ones that I really liked.

Taking photos on a moving boat and handheld presented its own difficulties. However, I thoroughly enjoyed this final project because it pushed me to take shots I wouldn’t normally attempt. Usually, I only take a few photos and some food pictures, but this project encouraged me to be more creative and explore different types of photography.

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AG

Anthony Gualdoni

Dec 8 11:51pm| Last reply Dec 9 10:57pm

Reply from Anthony Gualdoni

https://new.express.adobe.com/webpage/kQ4OHrfDWoUi2Links to an external site.

I feel a mix of progress and pride as I finish my last photography portfolio. This experience has been both demanding and fulfilling, encouraging me to advance my abilities and experiment with photography in new ways. Every picture in my portfolio conveys a tale about the subject matter as well as the lessons I've learned.

Developing unified pieces that conveyed meaning and emotion was my biggest accomplishment on this endeavor. I'm proud of how I honed my abilities to artistically employ lighting and frame scenes, whether it was through documentary-style pictures or portraiture. For instance, I used golden hour light to accentuate the warmth and atmosphere of my subjects in my outdoor pictures. I'm really delighted with how well my efforts showed in some of my photographs. My favorite techniques are framing and using leading lines to draw attention to the center of the photo. My other favorite technique has got to be using strong contrast of light background and dark subjects. Sunsets are my favorite time to take pictures, and that is reflected in my projects.

But striking a balance between creative expression and technical accuracy was my biggest struggle. I sometimes lost sight of the tale I intended to portray because I was too preoccupied with capturing the "perfect" photo. For instance, I found it difficult to record unscripted moments without being obtrusive or unduly planned when I was working on my documentary photography shots. All things considered, i think this mini portfolio shows my development as a photographer in this class. It demonstrates not just my technical advancements, but also my capacity to engage with themes and realize my ideas. I've discovered that patience and observation are just as important in photography as technique, and I can't wait to keep honing my skills in the future.

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Edwin Spackman (He/Him)

Dec 8 11:42pm| Last reply Dec 9 11:03pm

Reply from Edwin Spackman

LinkLinks to an external site. 

While I was doing this assignment, I was doing many different activities with my friends, family, and also just going through my daily life. In the first photo labeled "Tree in the sunset" I was in the car with my father coming back from my Grandparents house and we had to cross through many acres/miles of farmland when the sun started to set. The sun created an orange and purple hue that outlined the trees so well that it prompted me to take a photo of it so I could showcase it in this class or to my friends. In the second photo named "Morning", I was camping with my friends in Halfmoon Bay. On the last day of this camping trip, we woke up to a beautiful view of the sun peaking over the horizon. I saw how the plants looked in my camera and saw how I could take a picture. In the third photo "Fall trees", I was walking my dog and I saw how beautiful the trees looked in contrast to one another and the sky. This inspired me to take a picture to capture how the layers of colors look in the Autumn season. The fourth photo "Lamp" I was also walking my dog with my Grandparents at night during the rainstorms that came around during Thanksgiving. Seeing this lamp lighting up that patch of street like many others around it, made me appreciate how it lit up that specific area that I was in, isolating that area in light while surrounded by darkness. Moving onto the next photo, "Plant" I was camping back in Halfmoon Bay with my friends when I woke up and my hammock I was sleeping in was next to a plant. I was curious about my phone and using different apertures at that time so I was experimenting how it would look with a lower aperture. Whilst doing that I saw how cool the plant looked with a blurrier background so I took that photo. Furthermore in the same area, I took another photo of the surrounding scenery and I noticed several interesting things: I saw how the hills layered over itself, I noticed how the green of the hills greatly contrasted with the blue of the sky, and I saw how the ridgeline divided the sky from the hills. This was several birds with one stone for me when it came to photography techniques. Second to last, "Lamp Post" to me is pretty special because I took this when I was walking out of one of the classrooms at my home Highschool with my football team. For me, many of my memories with my football team are very special and I cherish them greatly. For some background, We did some classroom things such as watching film and preparing for our next game, and when we came out of the classroom to go to the field. I for some reason, stopped for a second and saw how the light of the sun hit the lamp post and the clouds behind it and it highly prompted me to take a photo to capture this. Another photo that happened when I took a second to look around is my last photo, "Sunset on the Road" by me. This was when I was biking home from school and I saw how the sunset created a beautiful orange and it turned darker the further it went down the road. Though I took many photos for this project. I feel that I really enjoyed this especially since I took these photos during my day to day life and was able to showcase the beauty of life if I could just take a second to look around for a little. I want to continue doing this and document/capture moments like the sunsets or little things that I can experience and see through a different lens.

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AV

Aline Vayner

Dec 8 11:26pm

Reply from Aline Vayner

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For my final, I had originally planned an all-night photography-themed project, capturing the San Fransico city lights and nightlife. I decided I wanted to change my plan and photograph my day in Half Moon Bay where I surfed and watched the sunset. I got to use a disposable camera for this project, which made taking pictures feel more professional and fun. I felt like I got to be more creative with my pictures and the lighting. Most of the pictures I included in this assignment are from my day-in-half moon bay. I have a few other images that are from my night photography assignment that I felt captured my improvement and photography skills acquired from this course. I feel that this week, I practiced and improved my understanding of the techniques. I spent more time playing around with the exposure after my pictures were taken, which made them turn out better. I also spent a lot of time figuring out the lighting on my disposal camera, trying it out with the flash and without it. I tested out multiple angles and ideas, greatly utilizing color contrast and layering. 

I wish I could have utilized a disposable camera or even a higher-quality camera throughout the quarter. I felt that not only did my pictures turn out better, but I also felt more motivated to be creative with my pictures. My favorite assignment throughout this course was the night photography assignment, as night photography is my favorite type of photography and it felt very natural to me. Something that I feel I need to improve on is taking side-light photos and understanding the depth of photography better. I am very grateful that I took this course, as I feel like I got to have fun and embrace my artsy side while still learning a lot of valuable information. I will continue to use all the skills and techniques I learned in this class in my day-to-day life and I have made it a goal for myself to keep practicing photography.

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Karina Gonzales (She/Her)

Dec 8 11:21pm| Last reply Dec 8 11:45pm

Reply from Karina Gonzales

Final Project - Karina GonzalesLinks to an external site.

 

Throughout these 12 weeks of Photography class, I learned a lot of techniques and vocabulary that I was not aware of. I decided to share some of the first images from the first assignments of this quarter, as they reflect my beginnings. I would say that the image I am most proud of from the first 6 weeks of class was the rule of thirds at Lake Shoreline. I was proud to be able to show something that I considered “hard” to understand and master. Another image I chose from the first 6 weeks of class was the Shoreline Bridge, as I remember how hard it was for me to get framing, and leading lines. After I took this image I noticed that not only did I accomplish the technique of “Leading Lines” but I also accomplished the “Repeating Shapes” which was very surprising for me. The third image again is my cat as she has become my favorite subject to photograph. This time she was in front of the window (natural light source) creating this beautiful backlit and to my surprise she stood there as if she knew I was going to photograph her again. I again chose the image of my pet Luna, as we know pets can get tricky to photograph, but I used the time when Luna was in front of a natural light source (the window) to get a few images of her using the “Rule of thirds” and color contrast to show her black fur stripes and her white belly. The next image is a landscape of Fort Point in San Francisco, this is a new image taken today for this final assignment as I wanted to go out around the city and snap a few pictures. One of them is the beautiful landscape of Fort Point, where you can see the San Francisco landscape in the background, the middle background, and the foreground. Another image taken today was the Golden Gate being framed by two trees, the leading lines of the bridge, and the black and white contrast. Another image for which I am very proud is Photojournalism and the story of Raul. I was able to capture him pushing his cart and still get a clear image of him, using the Rule of Thirds, and I added the Black and White contrast to create a timeless feeling. One of the hardest assignments for me was Night Photography. Using slow shutter speeds, and not having a tripod was a challenge, yet I was able to get an image of one of the solar lamps, using a slow shutter speed and almost not breathing to prevent hand-shake, the result was this beautiful image that has this light glow around it, it makes it feel as if it has magic. Another of the challenges I faced was capturing frozen movements, especially cars or in this case a Trolley in San Francisco, between my shaking hands, and the sun, it was a challenge capturing the trolley and creating the frozen movement. And lastly one of my favorite images would be The Golden Gate with a ship crossing under. I was just snapping some images so I could later decide which ones to use for the final assignment and while trying to get the Rule of Thirds this ship was crossing under I couldnt pass the opportunity to get an image, and for my luck, it was with frozen movement. 

Overall, I learned a lot of new techniques that now I will be able to take with me and my photography journey.

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Grace Turner

Dec 8 11:17pm| Last reply Dec 8 11:32pm

Reply from Grace Turner

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Although I am very proud of the work that I have included in this final project I am also sad that this is the final project. This class is truly taught me love for photography, and I could not be happier that I have taken this class within this final project, I have included photos from past assignments that I have never used, and I have also taken new photos to help fit the theme and find the correct usage of certain assignments that I struggled on, for example, depth of field. 
Here is a rundown of each of the photos I have taken my first photo which I would say is my favorite from all of them. That is why I decided to choose it first I took this photo in Laguna at the tide pools with my new camera. I really love this photo because I love the reflection of the wave that’s coming in on the Stillwater of the tide pool, but I also love how you can see truly how clear the water is in the front of the photo but then as it moves further back, it’s more reflection of the sky. Lastly, it wasn’t too harsh feeling and I am happy that you can see a lot of seaweed and other plants that have been grown on the rocks because they have great color to them. The next photo is of one of the Christmas lights that my college apartment has up all year as you can see the codeine of a lot of the light has chipped away, which to me made this lightbulb look almost like a globe. This photo has a very narrow field since the only thing in focus is the lightbulb. The next photo really demonstrates leaning lines. For example, the walkway in Laguna I would say this photo has a pretty good depth field because it feels very long. The next photo I took on my G7X because I wanted to attempt more night photography with artificial light I really enjoy this photo because I oversaturated it which created a red glow around the bottom of the candle. The next photo is two dogs playing that I took at the beach. I really love the motion of this photo just because you can see how quickly they are moving by the splash of the water underneath their paws of the flowers spring and winter I felt like this photo had very good framing for example, the flowers that are out of focus in the front and the sides really created a centerpiece for the main flower that is in focus next is my dog Brie while she is running in our park nearby I really enjoyed this photo because you capture her almost smiling. I really love the way that the dog looks at you honestly makes him look like he’s staring at you three or so this photo has above/sidelight in it, and I really liked the framing of this because of the dog being in the side of the photo. The next one I took this past week it’s been very bad air quality down here in Newport so it created a beautiful sunset which has a lot of color contrast this Thanksgiving break went to the beach in Northern California. That had a lot of sea class. this one I feel has a lot of focus in the front of the photo and slowly gets more out of focus. As you go back I really edited this saturation to make the colors of the Seaglass pop. Lastly, cherry Hill, I took a photo of these cherry blossoms which has a narrow depth of field and I cropped this so that was on that center of flowers.
I would say my greatest success in this project was really learning more about the different types and techniques of photography. I am super proud of a lot of my images within this and I felt like my color scheme was pretty cohesive. I would say that was really understanding this was a part of this class that I definitely struggled to understand, but I feel I have slowly Began to grasp that technique. I would say my favorite technique that I used within. This project was really just color. Although my photos I’ve used aren’t very vibrant and bright colors. They still are a very soft and smooth colors contrast which created a very great tone for this project.

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Sean Stein

Dec 8 10:43pm| Last reply Dec 8 11:29pm

Reply from Sean Stein

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Overall, I am happy with my final report and the photos I included.  It is cool to look back and remember where I took each picture and the challenges I faced trying to get the best shot.  This makes it very rewarding and enjoyable to look back on. 

The biggest challenge I faced during this quarter was translating the concepts we learned in class into actual photographs in the real world. At first, I struggled to make this connection. While I could understand the ideas when they were taught in class, I found it difficult to incorporate them into my own work. However, this initial difficulty ultimately led to my greatest success which was being able to creatively apply those concepts in my photos. The turning point for me was shifting my mindset. Instead of simply expecting to recognize these techniques naturally while taking pictures, I began actively looking for opportunities to experiment and incorporate them. This more creative and open-minded approach helped me to better appreciate the art of photography and to develop my own style.

One of the techniques I enjoyed the most was using a Narrow Depth of Field. I loved how it allowed me to focus on specific parts of the foreground or background, creating visually striking and dynamic photos. It was fascinating to see how this simple adjustment could transform the entire feel of a picture. This technique was particularly exciting for me because I discovered I could achieve it with just my iPhone. I didn’t need a professional camera or any advanced equipment, which made the process more accessible and approachable. Being able to create meaningful and artistic photos with a device I was already familiar with gave me confidence and inspired me to keep experimenting. 

I also found it fascinating to learn about how photography can have a powerful impact beyond being just an art form. Exploring the role of photography in documenting important social and historical issues was incredibly eye-opening. It showed me how a single image can spark awareness and drive meaningful change in ways that words alone often cannot. Seeing a compelling photograph can leave a lasting impression, making complex issues feel more immediate and real compared to simply reading about them in the news or a book.

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Tyler Mostofizadeh

Dec 8 10:36pm| Last edited Dec 9 8:36pm| Last reply Dec 8 10:42pm

Reply from Tyler Mostofizadeh

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Reflection: My Final Portfolio is composed of my favorite photo I took previously in the semester, as well as photos I took this past week. I wanted to make the majority of my final project photos of the ocean, so I spent hours touring the coast near my house capturing shots of the ocean, surfers, blurred movement, and sunsets, and snuck in a surf session in-between :) Leading into how I feel about my final portfolio, I am satisfied, and happy with how these photos turned out, thanks to Light Room. My favorite ones are "Rockaway", "Cove Beach", and purple sky". I love how I was able to catch a photo of someone paddling for a wave; the break at this spot was close enough to where I could take it on my phone. In "night vision", I had just finished photographing "Blue Hour", and I wanted to climb on a hill to get a photo of blurred movement with blue hour. It was a sketchy walk up in pitch black, but when I got to the top, it was worth it. In "purple sky", I had just left the gym and when I saw the sky I knew I had to take a photo. I am happy with how all of my photos turned out and I think this is my best work yet.

My greatest success for this project lies in my blurred movement photos, specifically "Cove Beach". I knew I wanted to photograph the beach when I started this project. When evening rolled around yesterday, I was at a beach nearby where this photo was taken, and I remembered there was a trail at this turnout. Spur of the moment I turned on my car and drove quickly to this spot and ran up the trail so I could get to the lookout before it was completely dark. After editing it a bit in Light Room, I was amazed with the combination of colors, darkness, and blurred movement. The hike was worth it, and I think it is my best photo yet.

My greatest challenge in this project came when I found out there was a glitch with the built in filters on an I-Phone camera. Yesterday evening, I could not upload my photos, and I had to submit a project without my favorite photos. I realized that I should have been taking photos in the Light Room app, as this problem would have never occurred. Luckily, when I tried again this morning, I was able to upload the photos to Adobe Spark and Light Room, and complete my project. It would not have been complete without these photos, and now that I have them in, I am happy with my work, and have definitely learned a lesson about the built in filters in an I-Phone.

As for my techniques, I would say my favorite technique that I used in the project, and learned this quarter, was blurred movement. I have come to appreciate photos with blurred movement, and I love taking them myself. When I think about why I love them so much, I feel it lies in the fact that it shows how the natural world remains so still and peaceful in time, coupled by humans, particular cars, that move incredibly fast through time. It shows us the world in the eyes of something that sees in increments of second. I imagine it is how a tree sees the world.

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Philip Torres (He/Him)

Dec 8 10:30pm| Last reply Dec 8 11:34pm

Reply from Philip Torres

Final Portfolio - Philip T.Links to an external site.

 

Looking back at my portfolio, I can look back and say that I am happy with what I was able to achieve in the past quarter. From not going out to take pictures whatsoever to having segments from time to time on being able to rediscover my passion for photography. Albeit not my best work that I have done but for what it's worth I was able to get out there and look around for once. All these photos are just the reminder that I was able to come from a really busy schedule and accomplish this. I was able to do the best I could with the subjects that I had around me and I can't wait to go out of my comfort zone soon and take more photos there. This will always be a reminder of that time where I was booked to the maxed and I was still able to do one of the things I love.

My greatest success was reigniting that love for photography, finally being able to go out into the world and take photos. I was always too shy or nervous to do street photography, I thought that I might look weird or crazy going around and taking pictures but after this I am definitely going out and taking pictures. This class just proved to me that I was able to go out there and take the photos I wanted and the ones I needed. No more holding back on what I used to think was too hard for me to overcome. One of the greatest challenges was finding time to squeeze it all into my schedule, from going to school full time and working part time, I essentially got no full rest days, it was either school, work or homework. I did my best to make it work since I am determined to keep pushing greater and this class was a way to destress, get off of my computer screen and see the world as a photographer. I would always say that I'm too busy or I just simply don't have time to take photos but I think I should be able to squeeze it into my schedule more and more as my schedule opens up.

Some of my favorite techniques would have to be lighting and perspective, I love toying around with those a lot since they give me a lot of different views on things like plants and buildings that you might not get from your normal day to day life. Most of the photos I have added have that type of composition and I think that they came out pretty good. I could definitely do a lot better with a little more time and patience but those are for sure my strong suit when it comes down to photography.

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Suleman Faizmohammad (He/Him)

Dec 8 10:20pm| Last reply Dec 8 11:40pm

Reply from Suleman Faizmohammad

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For my final project I have included a variety of pictures that show different parts of my life. It sums up who I am; an accountant who likes to spend time in nature, play basketball, and treat himself to a nice dinner after a hard week.

I feel alright about my final project as I understand I am only scratching the surface of photography. I struggled with finding a theme for the project. If I was to recreate a portfolio I would pick a topic and take photographs around that theme. I feel like this project is a mix of too many topics and items. With that being said I have come a long way from day one of this class. Learning about other photographers, styles of photography, and technical elements of photography has given me a solid foundation for photography if I decide I would like to continue this learning journey.

My favorite pictures from this project are nature related ones; picture number two, three, and five. I guess this might be my favorite because it was the topic of photography that attracted me to photography in the first place. I liked playing with the narrow and wide depth of field and composition. The most difficult aspects of photography for me was ISO, shutter speed, and aperture and how those things work together. The most enjoyable part of this class was going to places to take the pictures. It forces you to not only go to new settings but slow down take in the scene.

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Celeniz Valenzuela

Dec 8 10:13pm| Last reply Dec 8 11:27pm

Reply from Celeniz Valenzuela

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Reflection: Completing this project was difficult for me at first because I felt stuck on what to take photos of. I realized I spend a lot of time driving and being outside so I could use that to my advantage for my photos. I added the black and white filter in order to create a sense of mystery to the photos. For some it also makes them more eerie which I really like. It was a little difficult as I am only limited to my iphone camera but I think the pictures came out pretty for what I had. I really appreciate when other photographers take pictures of the horizon so it inspired me to do the same. My favorite picture would have to be the last because I think the clouds are outlines beautifully.

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Alanis Bandy

Dec 8 9:55pm| Last reply Dec 8 10:37pm

Reply from Alanis Bandy

Adobe Express Link - Final ProjectLinks to an external site.

Brainstorming for this assignment was similar to the many ones I have had to accomplish this quarter. I had to first take a step back and think to myself if there was a specific theme I wanted to lean towards if so, what would that theme be. I ended up deciding that wasn’t something I wanted to do. I wanted this project to be different from the rest of them in the case of I wanted more freedom to take pictures of places, people, or things that inspire me right when I see them. Rather than planning ahead of where and how I would take the picture, I let the view in front of me or the opportunity to present itself. This was something I really enjoyed throughout the process of this assignment. I often caught myself looking at everything around me with a different perspective. Wether that had been a place I was at or just driving around, I would talk myself through how I would take the picture of that certain person, place, or object! 

My greatest success in this project would be having displayed the use of techniques throughout my photos I was capturing. I imagined I would have struggled with this but there was so many to chose from. Looking back to the time I first used certain techniques until now I have became more comfortable using them which actually made it fun instead of stressful or challenging! Another success would be the final cut of my photos, I am beyond proud of how each image turned out. Some more than others, nonetheless I am happy with my results! One technique I really enjoy is the use of artificial light. I personally find it so fun and easy to manipulate whatever type of light you may be using. I also really love black and white photos! 

My greatest challenge for this assignment didn’t have anything to do with the assignment itself it was more so physically taking the picture. I am a stay at home mom and my finance works a lot so finding the time to safely take pictures was a bit of a challenge. If I had to pick something in the actual assignment that I found challenging I would have to say getting my two cats to sit still for the last two photos I added. They both have two completely different personalities and are two different ages which played a role in the challenge. The first picture is of my older cat Baeya who has a more calming personality so taking her picture was a little easier. She was just waking up from a nap which may have helped! My second cat Heihei (yes, the chicken from Moana) is way more rambunctious so taking her picture was much harder. Overall, I really enjoyed this assignment and everything I learned throughout taking this course. I hope you enjoy and have enjoyed my works! (:

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Jess Ramirez

Dec 8 9:31pm| Last reply Dec 8 10:41pm

Reply from Jess Ramirez

Final - JMRLinks to an external site.

This was, by far, the most rewarding assignment of the class. While reviewing the photos I have taken throughout the class, I realized that my technique has changed. I am more aware of the lighting and recongize when lighting is “good” versus “great”. I stopped using angles that did not fit the rule of thirds. I sought opportunities to use the scenery around me to frame the subject. I am still a lover of candid moments, but I choose a different approach and find angles that might make the image better. 

 

Focusing this assignment on my everyday life was the most convenient for my busy schedule, but it was the most rewarding. Over the last few weeks, I had to step away from certain moments with my family or at work to take photos. It was almost as if I was seeing everyday life in a different light. Watching the team I work with make decisions independently, without my help, was rewarding. It helped me take in those compliments I have received from my team and peers that I am a good mentor and manager. It helped me genuinely feel rewarded in my career and know that my leadership will shape a new side of veterinary medicine. Taking photos of my kids while they were engaged in activities helped me see their innocence and excitement in tasks I might take for granted. It helped me see my kids and their personalities better. It gave me a better understanding of how they see the world we are in and how they react to the same event. It was part of motherhood that was the most beautiful for me over the last few weeks.

 

This assignment also rekindled my love for photography. It has given me enough interest to discuss purchasing a new camera, allowing me to use the techniques I learned throughout the class. It helped me appreciate portrait photographers; being able to capture beauty in different lights and angles is a talent I did not fully understand until recently.

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Nicole Luz Ramirez (She/Her)

Dec 8 9:01pm| Last reply Dec 8 9:09pm

Reply from Nicole Luz Ramirez

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This semester in the photography class has been a really interesting experience and full of new experiences and knowledge. I learned much more than I expected, not only about technique and camera handling, but also about how to observe the world from a more artistic and detailed perspective. I discovered the importance of light, angles and colors, and how each can tell a story or convey an emotion. I realized that photography is not just about capturing an image, but capturing a moment, an idea or a feeling that can resonate with others. The aforementioned was one of the factors that interested me and made me realize how much I liked photography.

What pleased me most was the creative freedom we had to explore different styles and subject matter. This approach allowed me to experiment with new ideas and express my thoughts and feelings through images, where every photograph we took was an opportunity to learn something new and push our own limits. The constructive criticism we received from both the teacher and my classmates was invaluable, as it helped me to see where I could improve and to appreciate the strengths of my work. I would especially like to thank our teacher for her patience, dedication and enthusiasm. Her interest in photography motivated us to do our best in each project. Every explanation, no matter how simple it may seem, helped us to understand complex concepts in a clear and practical way.

I also thank my classmates. Learning alongside you was an incredible experience, as everyone brought unique ideas and different perspectives. Seeing your work inspired me greatly and taught me that everyone has a special way of seeing the world through the lens. I am very grateful for this experience and excited to continue practicing and improving my photography skills.

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Christopher Valencia-Perez (He/Him)

Dec 8 9pm| Last reply Dec 8 9:37pm

Reply from Christopher Valencia-Perez

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Reflecting on my final photography portfolio, I’m really proud of how much I’ve learned and grown as a photographer over the course of this quarter. The photos I’ve chosen showcase a variety of scenes, from quiet night views in neighborhoods to vibrant, colorful captures of urban settings and cozy moments at home. Each image is a product of the skills and concepts I’ve absorbed and applied from class, shaping a body of work that truly feels personal and expressive.

One of the biggest successes for me has been getting comfortable with night photography. The challenges of working with limited lighting really pushed me to understand my camera settings better. For example, capturing clear and impactful images at night, like those showing reflections on water and intimate gatherings around a fire, taught me a lot about adjusting exposure and focus to really make the most of available light.

However, working in low-light conditions was also my greatest challenge. Getting crisp images, particularly when trying to capture subtle details like animal fur or the textures in a night scene, was often frustrating. It required a lot of trial and error with ISO settings and shutter speeds, and while it was challenging, it was also incredibly rewarding.

Among my favorite techniques to explore was playing with perspective and framing to add depth and interest to my photos. Using natural frames like windows or gates helped me focus viewers’ attention and add a narrative layer to the images. Additionally, capturing reflections and the interplay of light and shadow became techniques I not only enjoyed but found could transform a simple scene into something spectacular.

Overall, this portfolio feels like a true reflection of both my progress as a photographer and my personal vision. The process of selecting, capturing, and refining these images has been a significant part of my learning journey, offering me invaluable insights into the technical aspects of photography as well as its powerful emotional and aesthetic potential. As I move forward, I’m excited to continue exploring and pushing the boundaries of what I can create with my camera.

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Mark post as read

TL

Tylon Law

Dec 8 8:57pm| Last reply Dec 8 9:45pm

Reply from Tylon Law

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Completing this project has been fun and challenging at the same time. Challenging due to me having to think outside the box and having to do things I usually don’t like waking up early to get the photos. Me having to use different terms and different styles of photography at first was very confusing, however I did find a way to combine my personal life and where I live into my photos. My photos became more and more personal with each photo. And with each photo me and my friends began to take each one more ambitious. In the first photos I was walking to school and I saw the tree be illuminated by the sunlight and I thought it was a good idea to take a photo to take this photo. I adjusted my phone to f 7 to get the exposure. In another photo I went to a car meet in downtown Fremont with friends and we began to take photos of old school cars. Cars such as the Ferrari 488 spider. This car in particular is really cool because this car is very expensive and exclusive to specific people. I took a photo of this car in .5 on my iPhone and adjusted the exposure slightly in Lightroom. In another photo I was walking home again and I walked past my sisters apartment. Her apartment has a really old design and it’s angles reflect light in very special ways. This photo was taken in the early morning and the sun causes the windows on the apartment causes the sun to shine of the glass and glisten.using my iPhone camera I adjusted the exposure and depth of the photo to find the perfect shot and took it. The only thing I wish I did more during this project was experiment more with different subjects and different people to take pictures of

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Anna Koeppen-Babcock (She/Her)

Dec 8 8:48pm| Last reply Dec 8 11:29pm

Reply from Anna Koeppen-Babcock

Final - AKBLinks to an external site.

Throughout this class, my favorite photos have been the ones including animals. They are the photos I'm most excited to take and the ones that bring me the most joy when I look at them. This is not a big surprise -- I've always enjoyed featuring animals in other areas of art. So I decided to have every photo in my final feature an animal. I had hoped to include more photos of wild animals, but luck was not on my side in the past couple weeks, and I did not come across many of the larger animals that live around me.

My biggest challenge is that my subjects are not always cooperative. With the farm animals, I have a better chance at getting good shots, but they may not be positioned in the optimal light conditions or they may be moving way too quickly. Also, animals, both domestic farm and wild, tend to be most active around dawn and dusk, so I found myself often shooting in low light conditions. I've become better at adapting to this through the class, but its still creates a struggle in getting crisp photos.

My goal when taking animal pictures is to capture their personality or spirit. I feel that many of these photos capture the animals' moods, quirks, and dispositions. If others can see that in the photos, too, then I would count that as my biggest success. One of my favorite techniques is using a shallow depth of field. Its especially helpful when taking portraits; it allows me to clean up noise and clutter in the background and direct all the focus towards my subject. I tried to not rely on this technique too much, because I didn't want the collection of photos to feel very repetitive, with every photo being a shallow depth of field portrait. I tried to create a bit of variety, but if I were to expand on these photos, I would try to include photos that have a greater depth of field/more subjects in the photo. 

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Avery Green (He/Him)

Dec 8 8:34pm| Last reply Dec 8 9:54pm

Reply from Avery Green

Final Project - Avery GreenLinks to an external site.

The concept for my final portfolio is anthropomorphization of plants. From the start of this class, I immediately went to take pictures of plants, and within a few weeks was fixated on comparisons between plant/human physical features and plant/human behaviors. I weighed whether or not I could adequately express this concept (I'm not sure that it was an overwhelming success in the end), but after seeing the first photo 'Wizened Skin', which I took with this theme in mind, I decided I had to try it. My worry here is that the titles are overly leading. I think one could be convinced of the human comparison with the titles in-hand, but a better set of photos would allow me to omit titles and show (instead of tell) the viewers what I'm thinking.

All of these photos are taken outside, natural light was a given here. But it really does affect the subjects differently, depending on the quality (cloudy vs. direct sunlight), the direction (back, side, front lighting), the usage or avoidance of shadows, etc. I maintain that light management was one of the tougher units of this class, and it still feels like a difficult thing to master. There were sometimes I really liked the lighting in these photos ('Telling Secrets at School' has great soft lighting, 'Can I Join You Guys?' has cool shadowing effects), others where I didn't ('The Clique' is just flattened by direct, near-front lighting). Some of the time, I was able to walk around the object, maintain a pleasant-enough background, and get the lighting that I wanted. Other times, it was completely impossible to change the lighting. My note to self is to consider the weather and time of day for these photo shoots! Direct lighting can be really hard. Good to look out for clouds or just to go take photos a little after sundown.

A surprise here was my relatively infrequent use of low depth-of-field. I've preferred to shoot that way throughout the class (and have maybe trained myself to resist that temptation), and thought that it would naturally come forward with a photo set that contains a lot of faux portraiture. I'd say only 2-3 of the photos above wound up with narrow depths of field. If I were to do it again, I would probably lean harder into that, and try to figure out a plant portraiture style.

Overall it was a fun one. This week was effectively a passion project that allowed me to take nature walks and try to capture some natural beauty. It's been brought up in this class by a number of students a number of times, but the environment is a critically important thing. There's a small part of me that believes that people can gain empathy for a much wider swath of nature than they usually have, including an empathy for plants, who are our constant providers and nurturers. I think if people can see human stories in the flora around us, there's a better shot that people will be willing to take action to save the environment, before it's too late.

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Mike Herrera

Dec 8 8:33pm| Last reply Dec 8 9:55pm

Reply from Mike Herrera

Final Project Adobe LinkLinks to an external site.This short course has taught me a lot about photography. A few of these topics are the exposure triangle, composition techniques, lighting techniques, and perspectives. My greatest challenge of the course was digesting all of these topics, particularly with the exposure triangle. Learning what aperture, shutter speed, and ISO are was digestable. The difficult portion was learning how they could all effect eachother because of how much light was being let in. Learning how you could achieve different results with higher or lower values in each category. Depending if your goal was to get a grainier feel you could use a higher ISO. If you wanted to have a shallow depth of field use a large aperture or vice versa. If you wanted to capture an object in motion you could use a slower shutter speed to see the motion blur, or if you wanted a still and snappier image use a shorter shutter speed. All of this, I learned in this class through trial and error. Likewise, I was able to learn about lighting techniques and light painting. By using a long shutter speed while simultanously adjusting the focal length mid shot to obtain a overlayed image. Learning about all of these topics and learning how to execute them was my greatest challenge. My greatest success was how I was able to go out and explore with my camera. Going to new spots and capturing the moments in various ways was new and fun to me. It really made me get into the mindset of finding the best shot in everyday life. Not only finding the best shot, but experimenting with various techniques to get my desired shot. One of my favorite techniques that I learned from this course was light painting as well as depth of field. By changing the aperture I could either get a large or narrow depth of field (large aperture: narrow depth of field / small aperture: large depth of field). Utilizing this technique to either highlight a singular subject like in a portrait or even a large subject like an entire landscape. Ultimately, this course has given me a true appreciation for photography and has me eager to learn more.

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