This is my final portfolio and my intention was to portray different interests by taking this series of legs or feet.  Most of these photos are compositional, contrast between the subject and background, and colors that stand out from the others. Also texture is used in a few of these photos, with the ground, grass, fabrics, etc. Balanced is shown by the focus on the subject which is the feet/legs, and having the background as negative space but also showing the environment or where these legs would be.  I like this series because the frame is mostly filled with the feet/legs, but there is enough of its surroundings to explain it more, while it also creates more design principles.  Line is another of the design principles used in many of these photos.  I actually did not experience many problems because I had planned my shoots well enough to know exactly how and what I was going to shoot.  I think the main problem was choosing which photo would match best with the rest of the series.  I feel really happy with all the color, contrast, line, and compositional aspects of this series.  I also feel like they fit together well and explain something all together and show the type and style of photographs I like to take.  If I were to shoot this series again, I would probably change the categories by thinking of more creative ideas, or also try to shoot a different side of these interests.  Also I would maybe change the colors and angles I shot the images from that could portray the image differently.  Overall I feel happy about my series of images because I really like taking compositional photos and I think all the images together fit well.  Also I like the vantage points and focus/zoom on all the images because it shows the detail of the feet or legs.

My intention with my self portrait was to show the habit of biting my nails and awareness/nervousness.  The nervousness and bad habit is shown by biting my nails, and my awareness by the focus on my eyes wide open.  I used contrast with my dark hair and eyes against the white wall, and the bright red jacket the add color with the other dark and light colors.  There is also contrast between my light skin and dark eyes with darker makeup.  There is implied line from my hand leading to my face/eyes/mouth, which are the two main focal points in this photo.  The white wall serves as negative space and also shows the unbalance of me on the left side and the blank space on the right.  The pop of color on my jacket makes the photo stand out more, and makes the dark and light colors stand out as well.  I experienced the problem of having to take many photos, since someone else had to press the button and I had to continue looking at the photos and telling her where to move and stand so I could get a better shot.  Also it was hard for me to make it seem like I was really biting my nails, not just posing, so that made it needed to have more shots just in case there were not enough good ones.  I feel really happy with how the contrast and focus turned out, because the whole image is very focused and the contrast really makes the photo look better.  If I were to shoot this image again, I think I would want to shoot against a black wall with white clothing, and possibly make it a black and white photo.  I think it would maybe be more effective and meaningful.  Overall I am happy with my piece because I think it shows a side of my personality and also is a high quality, focused, and well contrasted photograph. 

I was inspired to shoot this photo from Dinithi’s photo of the old Volkswagen.  My intention with this image was to show the old Mercedes from a different perspective.  Also showing the Thai license plate and Mercedes symbol on the top of the hood.  I used a different vantage point by getting low on the ground and focusing up on the Mercedes symbol, while showing the front of the car and above to the sky.  I used contrast by having the dark spaces in the front of the car and also the grass/underneath the car.  Also there is contrast between the whole car and the sky.  The line of the grill on the car creates contrast and balances the photo, separating the top and bottom.  There is also a little reflection on the metal part in the front of the car, and I think this helps know what the surroundings are.  The vantage point kind of makes the grill seem deformed and the largest part, which makes the photo more interesting.  I did not experience many problems, since I had a pretty clear idea of what I wanted to shoot after seeing her photograph.  But I actually was not planning to shoot from this vantage point, and I am glad I did.  I also like how I was able to keep the symbol and license plate in the frame and have a little piece of the windshield showing.  I feel really happy with the photo because I like the perspective, the old car idea, and having the grill and Thai license plate.  If I were to shoot again I would probably try to shoot at another time of day or something so the sky had more clouds or no trees in the background.  Overall I feel happy about my piece because I like how I was able to keep a lot of the car in the frame even though I shot it from a different vantage point.  I am also glad that I was inspired by the other old car photo, because I ended up getting a good shot of the old Mercedes.  

My intention with this image was to show the life of the Thai people on Koh Kret.  This is an island right off the mainland of Pak Kret with houses, little shops, a pottery village, bikes for rent, a few wats, and a popular tourist location.  I took photos early in the morning so it was harder to photograph people since there weren’t many out.  So I decided to show more how they live by taking photos of the houses on the river, boats, the bikes they rent to earn money, and the little alleyways.  This photo was my favorite one from the shoot because the foreground is the dark hallway and then the river is bright from the sunlight.  Also my intention was to have the shoes as the main focal point making it look like someone has just jumped off the dock.  There is also a lot of contrast in this photo and even though the hallway is so dark I think it makes the photo work.  Balance is also shown by contrast and different textures.  The only problems I had during the shoot were not being able to get people in the shots, and also not being able to get high and low since the alleys were so narrow and I couldn’t get in the houses which made it harder to get different vantage points.  I feel happy with this photo because I like the big difference between the dark and light and I also liked the series of images I chose.  If I were to shoot this again, I probably would go later in the day so I would be able to take photos of more people showing more of how they live by the people around.  Overall I am happy with my piece because it turned out somewhat of what I wanted and there are many compositional and contrast photos.

My intention with this photo was to persuade viewers to buy dental insurance in a clever way. The text makes the viewer question whether or not they have insurance, and if not to buy it from Aetna.  Since this is an insurance ad there is a lot of text, but I tried my best for everything to work photographically.  I used line by placing the text beneath the toothbrush so they are parallel. The colors on the ad are balanced and there is contrast between the logo and toothpaste with the rest of the ad.  The logo for Aetna is blue like the toothpaste and it stands out compared to the more neutral background and other text.  I balanced the ad by placing most of the information in the lower thirds of the photo and make everything but the question mark placed within the same line. Also the way everything is placed it creates negative space at the top, so it isn’t too crowded. 

From the beginning of shooting this photo, I changed ideas many times until I got my final photograph.  First I was just shooting a toothpaste question mark, but it didn’t seem like it would look good on the ad. Then I thought of the idea of using text to draw the question mark and just use a toothbrush and a dollop of toothpaste.  Then I was able to place the text below the toothbrush since it created a long horizontal line and this made my ad visually work.  Even after I thought of my final idea, I had to take many photos until I got the one with the right contrast, line, balance, and make sure the dollop of toothpaste would work as the dot of the question mark.  Once I finally got my photo and made a few color/contrast changes on photoshop, I was happy with how it turned out.  Even though it was nothing like I had expected, I think the ad looks pretty good and the image fits with the text and that is what looks the best. And I like how the colors are mostly neutral because it helps create the simple ad. If I were to shoot this image again, I would probably change my image or the question mark.  Maybe just think of a more creative idea or place to put my question/question mark.  Other than that I am really happy with how it turned out.

My intension with this image was to show the line of her legs against the cabinet.  I employed the following art elements and design principles: line, contrast, rule of thirds, and texture.  I think the contrast from the floor and her white shirt stand out against the jeans and wood cabinet.  I have manipulated balance by placing the legs on the right side of the frame and the negative space on the left side (the cabinet) which also has line and contrast.  I couldn’t seem to fix the little black line on the bottom right side of the frame because if I cropped it anymore, her butt would get cropped out.  I feel really happy with this image, it turned out how I expected and I feel it is a good example of the photography I prefer.  If I were to shoot this image again I would probably place her against a different background to create a different effect.  And also make sure I would be able to fix the black line on the side. Overall I’m very happy with how this photo turned out.

My intention with this image was to show something a photographer does to get the photograph they hope for, such as getting at different vantage points.  Not only did I include the two girls lying on the ground taking a photo, but I also included the foreground and background the show the environment around them.  I employed the following art elements and design principles: contrast, value, line, shape, rule of thirds, and texture.  I used contrast in the following ways, it is pretty dark up close and the girls are in the shade so that makes it darker.  In the background is the pool, which is in the sunlight so it is a lot lighter than other parts of the photo.  I have manipulated balance by placing the girls on the left side of the frame and on the right side of the frame are the pool, wall, and bleachers.  Even though the frame is pretty full and busy with objects, you can tell that the focus point is on the two girls taking a photo.  I experienced problems while taking the photo because I did not crop everything out when I took the photo so I had to crop the frame when I printed.  I feel really happy with the focus and contrast, it is very clear.  If I were to shoot this image again, I would change the focal point because the image seems very busy and the focal point is kind of dark.  Overall I feel pleased about my piece because I improved from the first project and I feel like I learned a lot about composition and focus.