Leading Lines (created by the lights and the architecture leading the eye down the path), Color Contrast (bright lights against darker evening colors), and Framing (the decorations frame the walkway).
Rule of Thirds (horizon placed along one third of the photo), Natural Light - Sunset, and Color Contrast (vibrant colors of the sky against the dark silhouette of the landscape).
Reflection (use of water to reflect lights), Long Exposure (to capture the lights with clarity at night), and Color Contrast (bright lights against the dark night).
A monochrome portrait of a black cat sitting in front of a fireplace. The use of black and white enhances the textural details of the cat's fur and the surroundings, making it a good example of portrait photography with a focus on texture and contrast in lighting.
Framing (the doorway frames the inside of the arcade), Perspective (view looking into the arcade), and Artificial Light (lighting within the arcade).
Leading Lines (created by the architecture and lights leading the eye through the image), Natural Light - Night, and Framing (columns and lights frame the walkway).
Taken from a low angle, this image shows people around a campfire during dusk. It uses natural light and captures a mood of warmth and community, perfect for demonstrating night photography.
Natural Light - Sunset, Perspective (view from the side of the road overlooking traffic), and Color Contrast (sunset colors against the cars and road).
Perspective (driver’s point of view), Low Light (capturing the dashboard’s illumination against the darker outdoor setting), and Depth of Field (focus on the dashboard with a blurred background)
Shot through bars that blur part of the image, this photo focuses on a playground at night, illuminated by overhead lights. This is a creative use of framing and low light photography.
reflection
Reflecting on my final photography portfolio, I’m really proud of how much I’ve learned and grown as a photographer over the course of this quarter. The photos I’ve chosen showcase a variety of scenes, from quiet night views in neighborhoods to vibrant, colorful captures of urban settings and cozy moments at home. Each image is a product of the skills and concepts I’ve absorbed and applied from class, shaping a body of work that truly feels personal and expressive.
One of the biggest successes for me has been getting comfortable with night photography. The challenges of working with limited lighting really pushed me to understand my camera settings better. For example, capturing clear and impactful images at night, like those showing reflections on water and intimate gatherings around a fire, taught me a lot about adjusting exposure and focus to really make the most of available light.
However, working in low-light conditions was also my greatest challenge. Getting crisp images, particularly when trying to capture subtle details like animal fur or the textures in a night scene, was often frustrating. It required a lot of trial and error with ISO settings and shutter speeds, and while it was challenging, it was also incredibly rewarding.
Among my favorite techniques to explore was playing with perspective and framing to add depth and interest to my photos. Using natural frames like windows or gates helped me focus viewers’ attention and add a narrative layer to the images. Additionally, capturing reflections and the interplay of light and shadow became techniques I not only enjoyed but found could transform a simple scene into something spectacular.
Overall, this portfolio feels like a true reflection of both my progress as a photographer and my personal vision. The process of selecting, capturing, and refining these images has been a significant part of my learning journey, offering me invaluable insights into the technical aspects of photography as well as its powerful emotional and aesthetic potential. As I move forward, I’m excited to continue exploring and pushing the boundaries of what I can create with my camera.