Angel Larson Design

Tag: digital photography

  • The Nature of Images – Appreciating Form Syntax

    -Angel Larson

    All Forms Carry Meaning

    • Prior experience and associations to the form creates meaning.
    • Shape, size, linearity, & mass tell us what a form is.
    • Pictorial images show recognizable subjects like objects, figures, and spaces

    A designer might choose to represent an idea pictorially by using photographs, illustrations, or a mix of both. Images must provide informational clarity in a way that resonates and delivers secondary and tertiary messages, associational, and branded messages.

    Empirical Pictorial Images


    Empirical pictorial images depict the characteristics of objects and scenes as they are observed in space. This type of image is usually used to help describe or explain subject matter better and to suggest that the message is grounded in real life. Photographs are the most empirical of any type of imagery.

    For example, in an ad for a photographer, you would want to use real photographs of their work. If they are a wedding photographer, showing a good photo of a wedding couple they have taken would let the viewers know that this is the type of work they do and that they know what they are doing.

    If you showed an illustrated version of a photo they have taken for a wedding, this would confuse the viewers and send mixed signals because the information of the ad and the photo doesn’t match up.

    Stylized Pictorial Images

    Recognizable to reality but add a conceptual or metaphorical overlay of meaning. For example, reality TV & animated shows. In reality TV, the scenes and imagery that are being shown are being stylized by the director to convey certain themes, context, and emotions in the viewer. The scenes are contrived and edited from real life to become a stylized version of reality.

    Animated shows take this to a whole new level by representing real life or fantasy in a completely stylized way. The characters of animated shows may look more or less realistic depending on the style of the show. This form of imagery is really good for envisioning things that are not naturally occurring. We can envision the world in a way that is very unnatural to us and would be impossible to do filming actual people.


    Reductive Pictorial Images

    Represent real-life places, people, or things in a very simplified way. This would be like graphic translations or icons where the form is very distinct and recognizable right away. For example, there is usually always a sign on bathrooms that is either a female icon, male icon, wheelchair-accessible icon, or family icon. These are very easy to identify right away because the symbols are just pictures of people, reduced to the simplest forms.

    https://www.afaqs.com/news/print/news-or-ad-colgate-palmolive-mimics-a-newspaper-for-its-visible-white-print-ad


    This ad has an image of a lady with white teeth smiling, as well as literall photos of the product and its package to help explain the message of the ad better. The image has been stylized and is no longer in its most natural form, but the toothpaste is depicted exactly as in reality and helps to bring credibilty to the ad. This also helps the viewer to know exactly what the product looks like so they can spot it better in stores. 

  • The Nature of Imagery – Overview

    -Angel Larson

    Designers can achieve their communication goals through different forms of imagery.

    • Images are symbolic and emotional in nature and can be representative of real places, people, or objects, or they can be artificially contrived and abstract.
      Images create a visceral connection to experiences described by written language, bringing more context and meaning to a composition.
    • Images can be powerful communicators on their own, but usually they are integrated with other visual elements to enhance their meaning. 
    • Pictorial images show recognizable subjects like objects, figures, and spaces.

    Empirical Pictorial Images

    -depict the characteristics of objects and scenes as they are observed in space.

    • This type of image is usually used to help describe or explain subject matter better and to suggest that the message is grounded in real life.
    • Photographs are the most empirical of any type of imagery.

    For example, in an ad for a photographer, you would want to use real photographs of their work. If they are a wedding photographer, showing a good photo of a wedding couple they have taken would let the viewers know that this is the type of work they do and that they know what they are doing. If you showed an illustrated version of a photo they have taken for a wedding, this would confuse the viewers and send mixed signals because the information of the ad and the photo doesn’t match up.

    Stylized Pictorial Images

    -recognizable to reality but add a conceptual or metaphorical overlay of meaning.

    • This form of imagery is really good for envisioning things that are not naturally occurring.
    • We can envision the world in a way that is very unnatural to us and would be impossible to do filming actual people.

    For example, reality TV & animated shows. In reality TV, the scenes and imagery that are being shown are being stylized by the director to convey certain themes, context, and emotions in the viewer. The scenes are contrived and edited from real life to become a stylized version of reality. Animated shows take this to a whole new level by representing real life or fantasy in a completely stylized way. The characters of animated shows may look more or less realistic depending on the style of the show.

    Reductive Pictorial Images

    -represent real-life places, people, or things in a very simplified way.

    • This would be like graphic translations or icons where the form is very distinct and recognizable right away.

    For example, there is usually always a sign on bathrooms that is either a female icon, male icon, wheelchair-accessible icon, or family icon. These are very easy to identify right away because the symbols are just pictures of people, reduced to the simplest forms.

    Semiology

    -the process of perception and cognition for visual understanding and describes the process of a visual signifier gathering meaning in our brains. This is also referred to as syntax to semantics and explains why different forms create and signify different visual meanings.

    • All forms carry meaning.
    • The shape, size, linearity, and mass of a perceived form tell us what the form is (syntax), while our experiences and prior understanding of these characteristics create the meaning (semantics).
    • Interplay of forms and images also creates additional meaning beyond the base syntax of the form.

    For example, round objects are usually associated with being natural because of our experience and knowledge of other round objects (sun, moon, earth, unity, cycles of nature). Square objects are usually associated with being unnatural or man-made because of our experience of other geometric shapes (architectural, artificial, intellectual, shelter, order, math).

    A designer might choose to represent an idea pictorially by using photographs, illustrations, or a mix of both.

    • Images must provide informational clarity in a way that resonates and delivers secondary and tertiary messages, associational, and branded messages.
    • Images come in different modes, and the correct mode you should use depends on the kind of message you are creating and how you want the viewer to interpret it.

    Icons

    -used when you want to literally represent the subject or idea in a way that will be descriptive and straightforward to the viewer.

    • A photograph can be used as an icon if it exactly represents the subject matter.

    Symbols

    -used when you want the information or idea to be more open-ended for the viewer to interpret.

    • Symbols are interpreted differently depending on the cultural, social, and historical context that the viewer may or may not be aware of.
    • Therefore, symbols must be used carefully to achieve the desired effect on the viewer.

    Indexical signs (indexes)

    -visual signs that point to a signified object indirectly.

    For example, an image of a tree with the leaves falling might be pointing to autumn.

  • Creating a Composition of Three Photos (Triptych)

    A triptych is a composition of three photos. The goal is too make a composition of photos that are stronger as a whole than on their own. There are guidelines to making sure that your triptych is a unified, pleasing composition.

    • Echo and rhythm between the subject and the background.
    • Make sure the side panels compliment their position.
    • Make sure the lighting is consistent between the three photos.
    • Changing the colors of the photos can help to highlight the subjects and unity of the pictures.
    • One very clear idea should connect all of the images.
    • Don’t let one image bring the rest down.
    • Keep the textures, details, and differences of the photos in mind.
    • Point the viewers’ eye back to the center.
    • Pay attention to the shapes, implied shapes, and lines.
    • Unify the colors (monochromatic, black and white, cool, or warm)
    • Use a black, white or grey background, that doesn’t distract from the photos.
    • Keep all of your images horizontal or vertical, so they will fit better in the composition.

    How to Create a Triptych in Photoshop

    1. Open a new file in Photoshop
      • Photo
      • Landscape or Portrait
      • 8″ x 10″ or 8″ x 12″
    2. Select the three images you want to use in Adobe Bridge
      • Tools
      • Photoshop
      • Load Photos into Photoshop Layers.
    3. Save under the desired name as a Photoshop file.
    4. Use the rectangle tool to make a frame where a photo will fit
      • Use a dark fill color
      • Command J (Mac) or Control J (Windows) to duplicate the square frame (do this twice)
      • Make sure the frames are equally spaced apart and within the image.
    5. Select the box where you want the first image to go
      • Use the move tool to drag the image from one document to the triptych document
      • Option click between the shape and image layer to make a clipping mask
      • Command T (Mac) or Control T (Windows) to free transform the image within the shape. This will let you edit and resize the image within the shape as well.
      • Select the shape
      • Add the layer style
      • bevel and emboss
      • bevel going down (this will make it look like the photo has been cut out)
      • Layer
      • Layer style
      • Copy
      • Paste to other shapes.
    6. Add any other effects to the images you would like (Monochromatic, Black & White, Cool Tone, Warm Tone, etc.)

    This is a triptych I created, with Jeeps being the inspiration. I went with a black background and black & white photos. If I where to redo this composition, I would have went with the photos in portrait orientation and have the background in landscape, so that the two jeeps on the sids would be pointing in towards the middle.

    These jeeps are all different colors, so thats why I made the choice to do black and white, to tie the colors together. The photos where all taken on the same day, so the lighting is similar. The colors and subjects give off a vintage feel, focusing on the appreciation for this type of vehicle. I used this as a gift for my dad because he loves jeeps.

    As you can see, the composition of the photos together is stronger than any one of the photos and could make a nice gift, advertisement, or a stronger layout to sell your photography prints.

  • High Key vs Low Key Images in Photography

    I will be explaining what high key and low key images are in photography and how to achieve the desired effect with your camera.

    In simple terms white on white is high key, while black on black is low key.

    High Key Image
    The high key image will have low contrast, a controlling white color and minimal shadows. The high key image conveys happiness, cleanness, purity, and positive emotions.

    Low Key Image
    The low key image will have high contrast, a controlling black color, very hard contour lines, and strong highlights. The low key image conveys drama, mystery, and tension.

    Capturing a High Key Image
    To create a high key or low key image on your camera, you will need to put your camera in manual mode. In manual mode, you will be able to increase or decrease your exposure so that the image is under exposed (low key) or over exposed (high key). The key is to look at your camera’s histogram (shows you the dynamic range of the photo) to make sure that the light in the photo is at the very high range of lightness or very low range of lightness, without being over exposed or under exposed.

    High Key Image with Histogram

    As you can see in the top right corner, the colors are all located on the 1/3 area closest to the right of the histogram. There is no warnings about the picture being over exposed. This image was captured outside in the daytime, with white paper for a background. I made sure to take the photo when the sun was hiding behind some clouds, so that the shadows wouldn’t be too harsh.

    Low Key Image with Histogram

    As you can see in the top right corner, the colors are all located on the 1/3 area closest to the left of the histogram. There is no warnings about the picture being under exposed. This photo was taken outside during the day, with black paper for a background. I made sure to take this photo when the sun was out, so their would be harsh shadows.

    I hope you where able to understand the differences of high key and low key photography after reading this post, and are able to shoot your own photos with these techniques!

  • Getting Into Photography

    In fall 2023, I took a digital photography class. I was not at all prepared for what this class would be like, or what I would be learning. Overall though, it was a very fun and challenging experience that I would recommend to anyone interested in photography or design.

    I am fortunate that my older sister is a professional photographer and has a backup camera that I can use. Before, she never trusted me with her camera. When I told her I was taking a digital photography class though, she was excited to let me borrow her equipment and camera. I have been using her Cannon T6i Rebel Camera, which includes a variety of lenses, multiple camera batteries, a large and small tripod, light reflectors, camera bag, sd cards, and a black & white backdrop. She did require me to get her some new lens covers and I bought a white card, along with some lens cleaners.

    Working with an expensive pieces of equipment, you must make sure to store your camera and lenses properly. The lens caps and camera cover also insure that minimal dust/debris will get into your equipment, making it last longer. It was very daunting working with this equipment at first, as you also have to make sure not to drop anything and keep it away from wetness. With the cannon, you can also turn the screen inwards when you are not using it.

    After my sister explained all the buttons on the camera to me and how to use it properly, I still had no idea how to take an ideal photo. The digital photography class was what taught me the basic skills and knowledge I needed to progress my photography skills. We first started by learning the basics about exposure, and how it is achieved through shutter speed, ISO, and aperture. It is critical to learn about these concepts as well as white balance in order to achieve different creative photo styles/effects and become a master of photography.

    Digital photography not only helps you to take beautiful and unique photos but also can help you in a manner of other design applications. These applications include, commercial photography, landscape photography, portrait photography, digital imaging, and creating unique content for videos, ads, layouts, or websites. On this blog I will be sharing the things I have learned in this digital photography class as well as other classes and context that this design and technical knowledge has become useful. Topics will include: depth of field, white balance, high key images, low key images, HDR composites, macro photography, motion blur, portrait lighting, underwater photography, sunset silhouettes, and civil twilight photography.

    Thank you to Sylvia Larson for letting me continue to use her camera and equipment. I have learned so much and photography can be so much fun! I fully intend to buy this equipment from her before I graduate, and continue to experiment more with photography for my own personal interest as well as creative projects. That you to my professor for being a great guide and influence on our learning journey as students, by providing knowledge and experiences in photography for us. At the start I really didn’t think I would be cut out for the digital photography class, but over time I have become a lot more confident in my skills and abilities.