Blog 8

Before taking this class, there were some aspects of photography of that I wasn't aware. I didn't know much about the history of photographs and how they are made. The technology has advanced so much and has made photography such a popular artform. It was neat to learn of the process that deals with developing photographs and the different types of cameras and developing processes. I also didn't know about the visual elements and design elements that went into a photo. By learning these types of things, I can look at a photo with a more artistic eye.

Now, I can dissect a photograph more thoroughly and effictively due to the subjects discussed in class. Before, I wasn't familiar with the design principles and photographic compositions. By knowing what the emphasis of the photograph is, and the proportions, the scale, and framing, I can better know what the photograph is trying to tell me. The visual elements such as line, shape, space, texture, pattern, and symbolism can also help me understand photogrphs. I can understand certain photographs more now that I know the specific elements that compose it.

All in all, I don't have many questions remaining. The one question I would have is why photographers take certain pictures. Throughout the course when we looked at works by photographers, i would ask myself "what's the point of this photograph?", or "was it necessary to choose that particular photograph to showcase?", etc. But then after seeing their documentaries and reading stories, it all boils down to the fact that photography is their mean of self-expression. Photographers take certain photos and choose certain ones because they have meaning to them. It's hard to showcase something that won't cause controversy. I think we're all entitled to our own means of self-expression and for many people photography works for them. I think that the photographs that photographers take are a reflection of them, and maybe their photographs can affect someone else as they did them.