The Shoeless

Ok so first, I would like to say I’m sorry I’m behind on a regular post. I’ve been hoping to post stuff from a fashion show I went to last week and a photoshoot but has kept getting distracted. However this is about stuff I’ve found on the web lately.

Today I was on thephotoforum.com, it’s not the best forum for photography but I enjoy it and like to go on there every once and awhile. Now I go on there today and start poking around, seeing what people have newly posted and I stumble across this older but still be updated post. It’s about selective color. It was an assignments thread, and it was for this ongoing thread on selective photography. There were only 6 pages, so I quickly went through them. Much to my discovery, people DO NOT really know how to do selective color. Not really the process but the point. People would just bring back color in anything, like a portion of the skin in 1 spot on the arm. People don’t realize that selective color is meant to pop a subject out of a gray background, or at least that is what it does. The meaning behind what is colored can vary upon photography. Let this be said, I completely understand that this is very subjective; however, I feel that people are just doing it to do it which upsets me. I guess my lesson for anyone who enjoys selective photography, make sure there is a meaning behind what color (or color area) you choose and don’t try and make everything selective color. It’s a cool technique but an overdone one at that!

These are 2 selective colors that I’ve enjoyed from ThePhotoForum:

Photo by: Hankejp

Photo by: Leaving0hio

A few days ago, I was using the the Stumble Upon add on for Firefox (which I love) and I came across this website. Now I want to commend Jake Garn, he made his post very eye catching, and it seemed interesting. And it is! I do recommend anyone to read it. Now what got me was the Lazy Rule of thirds, mainly because I have been hearing about rule of thirds since I started doing photography and looking a more graphical world. This guy is now saying that this is lazy. I do want to critique that what he was using.  If you go to the website the first image, of the Golden mean in relation to the “Rule of Thirds”. I put that in quotes because last I checked that isn’t really the rule of thirds. that’s breaking a plan into 3 (not 9) equal parts. I can concede that the horizontal lines were not necessary for his post but he looks kind of stupid no even pointing that out, to me at least.
After reading through it though, I do agree that the golden mean (Fibonacci’s Curve) would better composition technique.  Mainly because it covers the flow of an image, and not just on a direction of an image, like the subject looking in or out of the frame and it seems more interesting than having a person directly in the center.
So Jake Garn I don’t like part of argument but not a bad idea (I know it’s not yours but yours is the first I’ve seen on it).

So I meant to post this on Tuesday, but I got preoccupied working on my studio project. The project was from the beginning of the semester, I was just fine tuning the poster. What we were giving to do was to take the company Muji and create something that would fit with their style of design. I chose design a chair that had storage compartments in it, so the following pictures are view from the chair. I will update later with the final poster as well.

So last weekend was simply one of the most busiest weekends I’ve had in awhile. It started with portraits of my friend in Pullen park then  a Step Show and First Friday on Friday to a Pillow Fight, Gymnastics Competition, and Grains of Time (N.C. State’s all-male a cappella group) performance. and what wraps us up to today is I scanned black and white film.

Portrait: I was talking to my friend, Susannah, and it was just So nice outside that we decided to go to Pullen Park for me to take portraits of her.  I took pictures down on the grass and by the Train tracks.

Train tracks lead towards Downtown Raleigh

Step Show: The National Pan-Hellenic Council Step Show was Friday night, it was a competition for Fraternities and Sororities at State and around North Carolina. The winning Fraternity was Alpha Phi Alpha and they won $1000. (Not going to lie, was a little jealous). The picture is linked to an audio sideshow that I made for the Technician.

Alpha Phi Alpha member doing a step show themed to Dark Knight.

First Friday: So my friend, Michele, and I went to Downtown Raleigh for First Friday. After going to the Fish Market we were walking around. I was trying to find a certain look for a Brick wall with a particular lighting direction. It is to replace the photoshopped brick wall of the Harvey Quinn that was in a few posts ago. Well I was having fun taking pictures of Michele after I took pictures of the wall.

Michele on Wilmington St. in downtown Raleigh.

Pillow Fight: It was World Pillow Fight Day on Saturday, April 4,2009. A group of people got together in Moore Square for their own pillow fight. It was advertised on such places as Facebook and Couchsurfers.com. I would say about a good 60 people came out, ranging from 5 year olds to maybe late 40s. During the fight,  a girl dressed as Spiderman came out and started joining the brawl.  I didn’t get her name so I couldn’t use it for the Tech, but it definitely helps you get a feel for the atmosphere.

Spiderman(women) getting hit and about to hit people at Moore Square.

Gymnastics:  The NCAA Regional Tournament was held in Reynolds Coliseum. Our girls didn’t do too great, mainly because of the balance beam. We placed 6th; however, junior, Taylor Seaman, did well enough to go onto Nationals in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Taylor Seaman during her floor routine.

Grains of Time: It was the 40th anniversary for the existence of Grains of Time. They had a special concert to commemorate them. During the show my sister’s friend, Jessica, was called up on stage to be sung to.

Jessica being sung to by Grains of Time

Film Scanning: So ask I’ve said in previous post I’ve started to scan film. Last time I was doing my color roll. This time I started scanning my black and white film. I would have most of the first roll scanned but the program crashed on me before I got to save them. But here is one of my favorites that did get scanned. I don’t remember which film this was, sorry.

Christin sitting at the computer.

So as one can see, very busy. But quite pleased with what I’ve accomplished. This week is also special because I have finally gotten a twitter account. Name is Kutsuphoto , much surprise there I’m sure. Also, look to some interesting photo shoot coming up. I have been making plans with a few people and I’m Quite! exited.

So, this is my first post from my design stuff. I’m including this in my Photo specific blog, mainly because I did it in photoshop, blender and Solidworks, so I feel the photoshop part makes it worthy. Also I’m quite proud of it.

So, quick background- Our professor gave us 3 options: Identification, Fueling Station, or health monitoring. I chose identification which goes with creating something that would include passport and drivers license. I decided this watch that would do it, and the 3 photos below are my 3 presentation slides.

So last week or so, people of N.C. State were to submit photos to a contest sponsored by IRC (InterResidence Council) and today the results were announced.
I’m proud to say that of the 7 categories, I placed 1st in 2. Then placed in 2 or 3rd in 4 categories.  I didn’t place at all in 3 categories. I’ll let you do that math
That being said, I won $50, WOOT! not a big money maker but it’s a start and definitely an ego boost. Between today and tomorrow, I’m also going to post my latest design project.

Enjoy: