Portraits, Assignment #2

This is the first image I chose, and the first image I successfully and extensively edited with photoshop. The original image was much brighter and contained many dots and reflections from the use of the flash. First, I used curves to darken midtones and shadows to create much more of a mysterious and creepy theme. I found the "clone stamp" tool extraordinarily useful and was able to clandestinely remove the brighter flash reflection on the CPR poster behind the dummies. I've always thought the lifeless disembodied torsos to be unsettling, and the edited image accentuates the anthropomorphic lifelessness.

This is a picture of my hand against the textured shade of the bus. Driving back from the UCF speech disorders clinic a few weeks ago, we found ourselves in gridlock traffic on Aloma ave. With few things other than my camera and my good friend Anna to entertain me, I proceeded to take a few snapshots of my surroundings. This was not originally one of my top picks--though after sitting and reviewing the initial photographs with Professor Roe, we examined the texture and subtle colors and came to the conclusion this picture was in fact impressive. I love how the shadows accentuate the tendons and knuckles in my hand and provide an interesting texture over the skin. I also edited this photograph, just barely darkening the exposure and adding a bit more reds and magentas to make my skin look a bit more vibrant. Overall, I'm extremely happy that I chose this image to print.

We chose this as the strongest portrait in the group. This is of my best friend, partner in crime, and fellow budding neuroscientist, Shakirra. The white negative space and the right-weighted black-clad profile makes this a very strong portrait. I barely edited this photograph just enough to lighten her hair. The button at the bottom and the chain accent the dark jacket and turtleneck shirt. The subtle curve of her hair on her right shoulder is lovely. It's obvious that this girl is beautiful, and I think this picture captures a little bit of that.
The story behind this photograph is great. We got up early one morning to meet and rehearse a neuropsychology presentation before class one day. She's just about as neurotic as I am, but since I was confident about the project we clashed a little bit about the practicing. I was certain this was superfluous preparation but nonetheless agreed to meet her. We found an abandoned classroom in the science/psychology building and went through the presentation flawlessly. She insisted on going through the presentation one more time, much to my chagrin. I decided to read my slides while spinning around in an office chair and then walking dizzily around the room. This didn't distract her enough so I took out my camera to take pictures of her while she was talking, attempting to unnerve her. After a few shots, I realized the background of the white projection board looked indistinguishable from a professional portrait background set. I took about forty images of Shakirra, many which turned out wonderfully. Professor Roe and I agreed this was the strongest, and this ended up being the number one image to satisfy my second assignment.