Shadow/Leaf Problem

Problem Statement: Take 4-5 4x6 photos of linear shadows and individual clusters of fall leaves. The photos need to incorporate Gestalt principles, variation, contrast, direction, visual interest, and a clear point of view. Draw sketches and note conclusions of discoveries made. 

1st EDIT: In my first set of linear shadow/leaf photos, I took pictures of what classified as a shadow and what classified as a leaf. I was aiming to take photos with a lot of variation. Straight lines, thick lines, one leaf, lots of leaves, leaves with different colors, etc.

2nd EDIT: In my second set of linear shadow/leaf photos, I took pictures with more intent. I didn't take pictures of what "classified" as a leaf/shadow, I took pictures of what exactly was a leaf and shadow. I took a variety of pictures illustrating the form, the structure, the variety of color and shape. I focused on filling the frame with shadows and leaves and cropping off excess information/distractions. My first set of images were really bland. The leaves all depicted the same tone of color and they all share a similar background. The shadows aren't really emphasized in the pictures and it doesn't immediately draw the eye's attention. Because of the boldness/thickness of the shadows in this set, the eye immediately becomes drawn in to the shape of the shadow. The leaf images in this set show more variety ranging from color, to shape, to background. I can distinguish them more as separate images rather than one big whole image.

 First Row of Linear Shadows:

• Variety of line thicknesses, variety of direction, variety of shape, use of interval, 

Second row of Leaves:

•  Variety of background, variety of shape, variety of color,

3rd EDIT: For my third set of photos, I focused on simplicity. What really helped me with this third set is when Gwen mentioned in class that if someone was driving down the freeway really fast, and they took a glance at these photos, they should be able to retain that image in their head. For the leaves, I placed them on different backgrounds and got myself to recognize the white space around them. For the shadows, I tried something a bit differently. Instead of taking pictures of every shadow I saw, I decided to make my own using materials I found around my house. I grabbed a couple of kitchen utensils, and a white cardboard and shot the second and last shadow image in my backyard. I used photoshop to sharpen and hone the image so that it looks clean and crisp. My third set of images definitely came out a lot better than my second set. It's less complex and more simplified and my eye can make quick distinctions between the leaves and shadows. The backgrounds are more cleaner, the shadows are defined more, and the overall contrast between leaf and shadow is more evident.

 First Row of Linear Shadows:

•  More simplicity, white background, texture background, thin lines, thick lines, intersecting, direction,

Second row of leaves:

• More white space, variety of background, size, quantity, shape,

1st Composition:

2nd composition:

3rd Composition:

Final Composition:

• The first set of images resemble figure/ground with a contrast of one organic line, to many shadow lines. There is also a contrast in ratio. Because of the thick shadow in the photo of the composition containing the shadow lines, it transitions and then becomes a part of the composition of the photo with the single organic line. As a result, the organic piece becomes  a bigger ratio while the shadow composition become smaller.
• The middle set of images illustrate a contrast in texture--grainy vs. white. Although the two photos share a subtle similarity of shadow, there is a contrast of scale between the two.
• The last set of images show a contrast between the direction of lines and the amount of white space. In the leaf picture, the veins of the leaf are shooting out in different directions while the shadow composition has a defined direction. The leaf composition also has a center focal point where the veins of the leaves meet and intersect while the lines in the shadow picture do not touch. There is an abundant amount of white space in the shadow composition while there is a much smaller amount in the leaf composition.