"Pinecones & Branches"

"A Threat to Water"

"Rock Friends"

"Band of Boots"

"Post Shadow"

"Shallow Planks"

"Lamp Post Bird"

     Throughout this photography course, I have learned much about the ins and outs of what makes a good photo. Specifically, I’ve read about and practiced the elements and principles of art: line, emphasis, form, contrast, value, and space just to name a few. For example, when delving more into the elements of art, my photo, “Pinecones & Branches,” shows a clear use of positive space in order to make the subject of the photo, the branch with three pinecones in the middle, pop out. In another work of mine, “Post Shadow,” I utilize the shadow of a balcony post in order to create a noticeable line.

     All in all, as my time in the course progressed, I began to use multiple elements and principles of art in my works. Specifically, in my photo, “Lamp Post Bird,” I emphasize the silhouette of a pigeon perched on a lamp post by moving the viewer’s eyes with the line that is the post. Not only that, there is a space between the perched bird and the three flying pigeons in the distance which also moves the viewer’s eyes. Furthermore, the clouds in the sky, as well as the greyish tone of the sky itself, provide good contrast against the darker subjects. This proves that my experience in this photography class has led me to create not just better photos, but better art in general. By mixing everything I’ve learned together, I now know why many different artworks look amazing, as well as how to make my own look great as well.