Final Project-The Flame

The Flame

Artist's Statement

Varya McCaslin-Doyle

The flame is a forbidden beauty. With the great color of the flame, it can also cause great damage. It can contain abstract shapes and colors in one moment and then be gone in the next. These photos capture the dynamics of these abstract shapes and colors. By using other solid shapes in the frame, the flames remain contained inside of the shot. The color of the flames contrast against the blacks in the photo in a bright and appealing way. The photos show how bright and colorful flames are against black backgrounds. The colors represent the beauty of the flame while the black background represents the cold and eerie cogitation that can come with a single flame. 

Final Project-Final Contestants?

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Final Project-Artist Statement

I choose fire as my subject because I had had success with photographing fire before and I wanted to see where I could take it. I found it interesting to play with shutter speed and the shapes fire can create. It was interesting to edit the photos. Initially I thought that all the photos would be black and white and close ups of the flames. I found that the shape of the container, and the grain of the table created a more visually framed subject. The color of the flames contrast against the blacks in the photo in a bright and appealing way. My goal became to show the the contrast of the flames within its environment.

Write-up (Naked Judging)

105.

I like the overall constant movement in all of the photos. I like the contrast between the glittering water and the organic shapes of the children. I admire the creative angles the photographer choose to emphasize the movement. The only photo I do not like is the last one. I found it not only unfitting to the collection but difficult to decipher. All of the other photos have a subject that is easy to see and focus on. The last one seems to abstract when compared to the rest of the collection. 

Final Project-Post 1

Portrait Re-submission

Edited

Both of the large studio lights from both sides with a white reflector under the subject's face. I boosted the overall brightness and contrast of the photo to bring out the light on her face and the texture in her hair. I boosted the saturation of reds and blues in the photo to bring out her lips and the flowers in her dress. I used the masking tool in Lightroom to make her open eye brighter, to bring out the highlights, and to enhance the color. 

Original

Original Submission-Re-edit

Using the brush tool in Lightroom, I brightened and heightened the level of contrast in the subject's hair. Also using the brush tool I boosted the light in her eyes as well as the color. I boosted the overall clarity and sharpness of her face. Then using the stamp tool in photo shop removed some of the stray hairs on her forehead and cheek.

Original