Homework #7:

Chapter 6: Printing

This chapter was about printing. This is the first chapter in which I had no previous knowledge on as I never was required to or desired to print my photographs. This chapter was useful especially since our first project for the portrait techniques required us to print out images. I knew about resolution size before, but only to display on the web. After reading this chapter, I learned that it is similar in printing, that if you higher the resolution with the dpi settings, the pixels that convert to dots to complete the image will have a higher definition. Moreover, it gave detail about framing an image and further, in class we discussed how important it is to include only what is needed or add the extension to what you are trying to show. Basically, as a photographer, you need to decide if you want to include the whole thing or nothing, not in between.

Homework #6:

Chapter 5: Image Editing

Image editing is one of my favorite parts before showing my photograph. Most of the time, the camera work only enables you to go so far as to capture the moment, and often times, your photograph will capture the environment of the moment, but not the mood or the real beauty of the moment. With post editing an image, it is important that the photographer think about what he or she wants to showcase in this specific picture. If the same picture were taken by two different photographers, and they were told to edit an image, the result of the two might result in something very different to one another. In this chapter, it talks about black and white imaging, levels and curves, retouching and sharpening as well as contrasting. All these aspects help set the mood for the picture. Personally, when I first start editing a picture, I switch to black and white and compare from which platform I want to start editing the picture. After I choose color or black and white, I then move on to selecting the right contrast and exposure, highlight and shadows and so on, until I am satisfied with my final photograph.

Homework #5:

Chapter 4: Digital Darkroom

The digital darkroom is one aspect of photography that I always had a strong interest in. With previous experience in working with Adobe programs such as Photoshop, Lightroom, Illustrator and InDesign, I have taught myself how to utilize these programs to enhance photos, videos and ideas I produce. This chapter focuses on JPEG and RAW files, and specifically how different it is working with each while using a product in post-production. Moreover, this chapter talks about the RGB and CMYK color options. I remember when I was the head of the Yearbook during my senior year in high school, and was not aware that print had to be on CMYK while RGB was web and digital work. The most helpful part of this chapter was the end of the chapter, where it talks about organization to have the most effective production.

Homework #4:

Chapter 3: Light and Exposure

When I first started showing interest in photography, I would only use the "Auto" feature to get my photographs. Although that did the job, I did not have full control over how I wanted my pictures to turn out, exactly. When I switched to "Manual" mode, exposing a photograph correctly was the hardest thing for me to understand. There are so many different aspects that contribute to how a photo is exposed. For example, not only are the ISO, shutter speed, and aperture the only features that have a role in lighting a photograph. As a photographer, you should also keep in mind the noise level, while balance, and tone as well, which this chapter talks about. A change in setting in each one of these aspects can completely transform your photograph. One thing that I did not learn before were about the histograms in camera's. I have worked with Lightroom and Photoshop which helped me understand that there is a low and high bar that determines how exposed your photo is, and my only knowledge about histograms were that you should stay within the low and high bars.

Homework #3:

Chapter 2: Lens

I found this second chapter to be a little more useful than the first. Although, this was also somewhat a reminder of what I had already known. This chapter included a lot of information about lenses in detail. Reading through it, I wish I had this chapter with me back when I was picking out a second lens for my Canon 70D. I ended up getting the 28mm f/1.8 after a lot of researching. When I think about it more, I do not regret it, even a little, that I got this lens because it was just what I was looking for. It was wide angle and great for portraits, as well as had a large aperture. Since, at that time, I had little knowledge on lens, this chapter would have made life a lot easier as it provides you with the different kinds of lenses and their features rather than reading over 50 different articles online, trying to figure out the best fit for you. My conclusion for this chapter is that it reminded me that it is not only the camera body that makes the photograph, but also the lens. It is better to buy a camera body that is average and invest more on lenses to capture pictures throughout.

Homework #2:

Chapter 1 (Getting Started)

For me, the first chapter was all review. I already have experience in working with camera's and post-editing. However, I still went through the whole chapter to refresh my memory on the basics. The most useful reminder was about the shutter speed. The diagrams that were displayed throughout the chapter was also very useful as it leaves a mental image in your head. That way, the next time you go out to shoot, you can refer back to it.

Homework #1 (Part B): The Q&A

1. Who are you? 

Shreya. From Nepal, lived in Dubai, studying in UNH.

2. What did you look like as a child?

This.

3. What is your main character trait?

Patience.

4. What inspires you most?

Things I see everyday, but they all stem from one...

5. What do you normally take pictures of?

Everything... everywhere I travel.

6. What do you love about photography?

Being able to capture the true beauty of nature, moments with people, life.

7. If you weren’t a photographer what would you be? Or (What do you want to be)

I like to design things as well..

8. What is the first thing you touch in the morning?

My phone. That alaaaarrmm!!! :(

9. What is your favorite photograph? (By you or someone else)

Photo by me. When my grandfather came to visit us.

10. Share a secret about you or your best friend.

We are the same amount of crazy... no one knows how crazy.

11. What is the meaning of life?

Family, of course :)

Homework #1 (Part A)

What moment from your life do you most wish you had a photograph of? Please describe the importance of the chosen moment from your life, and why no photograph exists.

A moment in my life that I cherish so much, no photograph could even come close to being true to the moment. Although the moment was a very sad and we lost someone very dear to us, something my big brother did for my twin and I is something I could never forget. At the time of the news, my twin brother and I were still pretty young to understand what was going on, and when we saw our parents and other relatives crying, we asked why. And, in any situation as such, where kids are not fully aware of the situation, people do not tend to focus on them or give them the attention they need. When my older brother heard us ask these questions, my twin and I unaware that we might have been making the situation worse, he took us to another building in the hospital and bought us toys, food, and drinks. He played with us all night long and told us that now was not the time to go back to the hospital room. When we asked when we could see the person we came to visit at the hospital, he calmly and bravely told us what happened. It is not until recently that I was able to put the situation together that he was trying to protect us. And one thing I will never forget from that night, is that he took us outside to see the stars and wave goodbye.