Sketchbook Cover

This is the cover page for my photography sketchbook. I took the image of the sunset over the ocean and the rest of the images were incorporated to explain a little about myself.

• I took this photo with the camera on my phone while on a boat.
• This photo is good because it follows the rule of thirds, has complementary colors, an interesting subject matter, and is well focused.
• I value this photograph personally because it reminds me of a happy vacation.
• The theme of the page is life and i showcased this by adding uncertainty and flow.
• The space background represents the vague and uncertain future and the wave represents the flow in life that pulls you through it.
• My chosen principle of design was movement and rhythm and I incorporated this design by making very flow-like lines and shapes as well as some moving objects.

Best Photograph

I believe this to be my best photograph because it contains many things that are special to me. I love wildlife, nature, and especially sunrises. The beach at the Outer Banks in North Carolina is my favorite place to be so this photo also contains a good memory for me. On several days I woke up at 5 A.M. to try and catch the sunrise and I was pleasantly surprised to find this crab in the surf. I love the subject, location, angle, and colors so this photo is my best.

Elements of a Good Photograph

I've complied a list of qualities that I believe create a good photo when put together. The list is as follows:

• good lighting
• the right angle
• the right subject
• a fitting background
• proper scale
• balanced color
• clear image
• obvious focal point
• not too much clutter

I then proceeded to read an article where professional photographers shed light on what elements they think are most important and then was told to write about one thing that makes a photo stand out. This is what I think is the most important quality of a photo.

Anyone can point a camera and take a picture but only few can successfully capture something real and convey an emotion behind it. The most skillful photos are not the ones that have the best sunset or most beautiful model, but they are the ones that are alive and can make the viewer feel a specific emotion. This kind of photograph has the ability to make the viewer lose their grasp reality and almost become transported to the location to be filled with the emotions. The best photos are the ones that transport both ideas and emotions.