This page is some of my favorite images I created while taking the DGMDE-9 class at Harvard Extension School and is a document of my learning journey. I chose nature to represent me; I enjoy the different textures the asymmetrical shapes created on our planet.
1. Thneed for speed - photo by Jayscott Crosley
2. Golden Bark - 1/125_f4.5_ISO 125 - Texture of the Golden River Birch - photo by Jayscott Crosley
3. Floating - photo by Jayscott Crosley
4. Rising mist & blue trees - photo by Jayscott Crosley
5. Wire Web - photo by Jayscott Crosley
6. Whipping wind - photo by Jayscott Crosley
7. Sunflower on a Cloudy Day - photo by Jayscott Crosley
8. Harvest Moon '20 - photo by Jayscott Crosley
9. Autumn roots - photo by Jayscott Crosley
10. Side light cone - photo by Jayscott Crosley
11. Leaf trail - photo by Jayscott Crosley
12. Leafcicle - photo by Jayscott Crosley
13. Icy Ascent - photo by Jayscott Crosley
14. Frozen web - photo by Jayscott Crosley
Final Reflection
Reflection on my Fall 2020 DGMDE-9 experience
Final Selection:
As I was choosing my favorite photos for this Portfolio page, a theme became apparent. With Nafis’ help, I decided to keep the selections to nature photos. As stated above I am drawn to texture and shapes. Nature expresses itself in our world in such unique and vibrant ways that it constantly draws my eye to it. Sometimes in its structure, sometimes in its presence in an otherwise urban shot, and sometimes looking down from the heavens, nature is a constant. With the vibrant colors of green and yellow leaves and flowers, peachy orange bark, the strange effect of the snow turning tree trunks blue, or the vibrant white of snow accenting orange leaves, nature shows its beauty in many ways.
Final Reflection:
I came to the DGMDE-9 class a little bit backward having already taken DGMDE-10. However, I chose to take the class for two main reasons. First, I had purchased a new camera from the one I used in the advanced class and felt it was such a step up that I needed to feel more comfortable using it and to stop being intimidated by its “professional features”. Secondly, while the DGMDE-10 class did talk about the technical aspects of photography, being an advanced class there was less focused work on subjects such as depth of field, shutter speed, and composition. So I enrolled in DGMDE-9 to learn more of the basics and improve my skills.
Depth of field has become one of my favorite skills to play around with. I love how it can put the spotlight on something specific and still give you the sense the rest of the scene is there but in the periphery. In my Autumn Roots photo, the trees and sky fade away and the vibrant colors and shapes stay in the forefront. Similarly in my Golden Bark photo, the lead trunk’s paper-like bark is the focus as the background fades.
Though not highlighted as much in the final portfolio, lighting was also a fun and interesting assignment. The Light painting cone at the top of the page used the painting with light effect that I found exciting. It’s almost like a surprise gift, you don’t know what exactly it will be until you open it up in Lightroom and make the photo. Alternately the high key Side light cone photo shines on some of the textures and details of the scales. Although I did have some issues with camera shake, thank you old wooden floors, and setting up the studio, creatively the lighting assignment was one of my favorites.
Another creative assignment that I enjoyed was the "Channel your inner Eggleston" assignment. Only being focused on one side of the street, or down, or up makes you see many things you would otherwise miss. This assignment forces you to focus on things you might otherwise miss or to see items from a new perspective. I like to view things in out-of-the-ordinary ways and I will be doing this assignment again on my own in the future.
Self Assessment and going forward
While I have learned a great deal in this class and do indeed feel more comfortable in the use of my camera, I have a long way to go to be happy with my work. I feel that there’s still an aspect of technical apprehension. Although I have stated elsewhere that I do feel better letting go and just shooting, upon reflection I realize I am not there yet.
I still have issues with focus and camera shake. Maybe a lighter camera would help, the Mark III is huge. It doesn’t help that I can’t seem to see it until I am in Lightroom and obsessing over the fact I don’t have enough shots because so many are blurred and I didn’t give myself enough time. Which of course means better time management is needed, and probably better glasses.
Creatively, I need to find ways of getting what I am imagining in my head to read in my photos. I was very upset with myself for not making the photos in my “Day in the Life” assignment say anything. In retrospect, a subject familiar to you can be unhelpful in this type of assignment. There is a great deal of internal knowledge that didn’t get conveyed because how could it? Photographs are not psychic. The set ended up being just a bunch of pictures of my dog with no narrative. It didn’t help that the focus on some pictures was off and others had blur.
Going forward, I will just keep shooting. I do love taking photos and can work to build my skill set. There are so many ways to see and document the wonders of the world. Nafis had mentioned asking friends to come up with assignments, which I believe I will do. I want to be good at this and practice is the only way that will happen. Once the world opens up again, and we start our travels around I look forward to being able to make photos of what is out there.
Captions
1. Thneed for speed -1/80_f13_ISO 160 - We call this plant the Dr. Seuss bush as I don't remember the scientific name. It looks like a Thneed tree from "The Lorax" to me. _07-September-2020_Lovett St_Beverly MA_photo by Jayscott Crosley
2. Golden Bark - 1/125_f4.5_ISO 125 - Texture of the Golden River Birch._04-October-2020_Lovett St_Beverly MA_photo by Jayscott Crosley
3. Floating - 1/60_f13_ISO 100 - Leaves and a wayward Snickers wrapper float by where the Danvers and Bass Rivers meet.31-October-2020_Gillis Park_Porter St_Beverly MA_photo by Jayscott Crosley
4. Rising mist & blue trees - 1/800_f4.5_ISO 200 - Mysterious blue-hued trees and a warm mist juxtapose two seasons on a very unique Halloween._31-October-2020_J.C. Phillips Nature Preserve_Beverly MA_photo by Jayscott Crosley
5. Wire Web - 1/4000_f5.0_ISO 400 - Above the storage container the leaves, branches, and wires come together to give the illusion of a web._12-October-2020_Bow St_Beverly MA_photo by Jayscott Crosley
6. Whipping wind - 1/320_f4_ISO 400 - Planted in the wind tunnel section of the yard, this young Golden River Birch tree bends and shimmers in the high MPH wind._30-September-2020_Lovett St_Beverly MA_photo by Jayscott Crosley
7. Sunflower on a Cloudy Day - 1/125_f4_ISO 250 - Due to the North facing position in the yard, our sunflowers always have an uphill battle from the start. This sunflower is loving the rainfall it received and I particularly liked the droplets on the petals. Many facets of the ebullient named plant._10-September-2020_Lovett St_Beverly MA_photo by Jayscott Crosley
8. Harvest Moon '20 - 1/500_f9_ISO 100 - The Harvest Moon of 2020 was captured via my 300mm lens from my back yard._01-October-2020_Lovett St_Beverly, MA. photo by Jayscott Crosley
9. Autumn roots - 1/400_f4.0_ISO 200 - Roots resembling birds' feet emerge from under the fallen orange leaves on a hill crest at Wenham Lake._ 31-October-2020_J.C. Phillips Nature Preserve_Beverly MA_photo by Jayscott Crosley
10. Side light cone - 3.2 f9 ISO 125 08-November-2020_5 Lovett_Beverly MA_photo by Jayscott Crosley
11. Leaf trail - 1/320_f4.0_ISO 160 - Snowy Samhain afternoon. A mix of colorful leaves trail up the white snow of this branch at J.C. Phillips Nature Preserve._31-October-2020_Beverly MA_photo by Jayscott Crosley
12. Leafcicle - 1/80_f4.5_ISO 160 - A cluster of leaves temporarily stuck together._31-October-2020_J.C. Phillips Nature Preserve_Beverly MA_photo by Jayscott Crosley
13. Icy Ascent - 1/250_f5_ISO 160 - An icy patch leads up to the treetops which still have many green leaves.31-October-2020_J.C. Phillips Nature Preserve_Beverly MA_photo by Jayscott Crosley
14. Frozen web - 1/800_f4.5_ISO 400 - Snow covered the decorative spider webs viewed from behind looking outside._31-October-2020_Lovett St_Beverly MA_photo by Jayscott Crosley