Reflection
For my final portfolio, I decided to showcase the photos I took during my recent trip to Mallorca and Barcelona. This final project came at the perfect time, allowing me to apply the techniques and skills we learned in class to capture the magical moments I experienced within these beautiful places.
I think my greatest success in creating this final portfolio was capturing each photo in a single shot. I remember working on one of our photojournalism assignments, and through my research, I learned that William Eggleston takes his photographs with just one shot. I wanted to apply this to my work since my biggest struggle with taking photos usually come from taking too many shots and struggling to choose the best one later. Many of the photos that I took depended on quick and decisive moments to get the right lighting, placing of people, and subjects like the cats. Some photos were totally unintentional and I was unsure how they would come out with just one shot but they all came together by chance, with everything aligning perfectly in the moment. On the other hand, I think my biggest struggle with this portfolio was the editing process. I had a hard time getting the right vibrancy and colors to match the dreamlike aesthetic I was aiming for. I also wanted to maintain a consistent vibe across all the images, so that when I put everything together, the portfolio would flow well together. Balancing the colors, tones, and overall mood took a lot of trial and error, but through this process, I was able to successfully create the vision I wanted for this portfolio.
Some of my favorite techniques I used are symmetry, rule of thirds, leading lines, and natural lighting. I feel like all of these techniques helped me create a balanced, harmonious look in my photos. I think my overall favorite technique was using symmetry for this project. It worked out perfectly especially since many of the old rustic structures I photographed naturally followed symmetrical patterns which really brought out that balance and harmony within the photographs. Another favorite technique of mine that I was able to use in this project would be the use of natural lighting. During my trip, the sun was always out at the perfect time, which helped reflect the light in so many ways that added a vibrant, dream-like feel to my photos. The light reflected off the buildings and created soft shadows, which enhanced the depth and atmosphere to my photos.
Overall, I'm really happy with how my final portfolio turned out. I enjoyed every moment of capturing these photographs, as well as editing them to create the exact vibe I envisioned. One of my biggest inspirations throughout this process has been William Eggleston, one of my favorite photographers. His vibrant, dreamlike aesthetic has always fascinated me, and I’ve wanted to recreate that in my own work. The first photograph, "The Girl with the Red Hair," was directly inspired by him. I remembered a photo of a girl with bright red hair that I had written about in this class, and I was super happy to capture a similar vibrant effect in my own shot.