Master of Photography - Andre Kertesz

Andre Kertesz is considered a master of photography due to his various, innovated methods to take photos. He shot photos during the time period of the Dada movement. Kertesz stopped shooting photos for magazines and began his own artistic journey during the 1940s and 1950s. His photography career can be split into four periods: Hungarian Period, French Period, American Period, and International Period. He was born Hungary and later moved to Paris, France. Due to religious persecution of Jews during World War II, Kertesz decided to move to the U.S. So all in all, Kertesz photographed in Hungary, France, and the U.S. Kertesz often photographed simple objects that revealed a shadow. He even photographed the bustling activity of city streets, often from the elevated regions to allow himself to wait for the perfect moment when the chaos would arrange itself into an elegant composition. Kertesz was also well known for his distorted photos using mirrors and female models. He added to his distorted photos by using polaroids. Kertesz is a unique photographer because he would take photos at different angles. By using a variety of angles, Kertesz was able to capture the full extent of shadows.

I chose Andre Kertesz for his ability to photograph the simple. His use of simplicity emphasizes the smaller aspects of a photo, like shadows or geometry that could sometimes be overlooked when there is too much going on in the photo. Also, the other photographers that I researched often took photos of nature, which would be difficult for our group to be inspired by so that our style would be similar to that of the photographer. Andre Kertesz inspired me to be aware of how angles work. I have learned how my position relative to the subject of my photo can heavily influence the photo that I produce. Each angle of the same subject produces entirely different photos that can create various themes or feelings. When I took photos for this project, I started to stand or crouch at different levels relative to the subject in order to see how minute changes could affect image. My movement as a photographer is extremely important because my perspective will change.

The photo of the shattered window was edited to look similar to that of Andre Kertesz by using Adobe Photoshop and switching the colors to black and white. Then the black and white photo was edited on Camera Raw using these settings: 

Temperature: 0

Tint: 0

Exposure: -0.15

Contrast: -9

Highlights: +2

Shadows: -18

Whites: 0

Blacks: -24

Clarity: -23

Vibrance: 0

Saturation: 0

These stairs were reverted to black and white on Adobe Photoshop to appear similar to the photos of Andre Kertesz. Then the photo was edited in Camera Raw using these settings:

Temperature: 0

Tint: 0

Exposure: -0.45

Contrast: +20

Highlights: -11

Shadows: 0

Whites: 0

Blacks: +9

Clarity: -16

Vibrance: 0

Saturation: 0

The photo was edited on Adobe Photoshop and changed to black and white. Then the black and white photo was edited on Camera Raw using these adjustments:

Temperature: 0

Tint: 0

Exposure: +0.20

Contrast: +7

Highlights: -16

Shadows: +6

Whites: 0

Blacks: 0

Clarity: -8

Vibrance: 0

Saturation: 0

This photo was reverted to the black and white adjustments on Photoshop. Then the black and white image was edited in Camera Raw using these adjustments:
Temperature: 0
Tint: 0
Exposure: -0.70
Contrast: -30
Highlights; -68
Shadows: +9
Whites: 0
Blacks: -22
Clarity: +40
Vibrance: 0
Saturations: 0

This photo was changed to black and white in Adobe Photoshop and then edited on Camera Raw using these settings:

Temperature: 0

Tint: 0

Exposure: +0.15

Contrast: -13

Highlights: -5

Shadows: -19

Whites: +13

Blacks: -18

Clarity: +13

Vibrance: 0

Saturation: 0

Second Portrait

Location: the courtyard between the Gym and the E-Wing

Conversation: The subject is Jason Chang. We talked about his football season. He recently sprained his rotatory cuff, which kept him out of the 10/24/14 football game of MSJHS vs. American HS.
"What did the doctor say about your shoulder?"
"They told me not to get an MRI because MRI's are expensive. Doctors said it was probably just a sprain."
"Are you going to play this week?"
"Nope. Going to be a big baller on the sidelines!"

Temperature: 0
Tint: 0
Exposure: +0.40
Contrast: -8
Highlights: -28

Shadows: -11
Whites: +13
Blacks: -33
Clarity : +3
Vibrance: +7
Saturation: +4

Composition Review - 3 Rules

Before:

After: 

After cropping the original picture, I was able to express my three rules of composition. Simplicity is portrayed in this cropped photo because the main focus is the marble eye. The blurred background complements to the picture because the background should not be the subject of the photo. The marble eye being in focus reveals the eye as the subject of the photo, while the unfocused background complements the eye as a neutral layer. The marble eye is curved, which helps to exemplify the curved lines. Curved lines fall under the rule of leading lines. The curvature catches the viewer's attention to the marble eye and then to the surrounding area. The portion of the kite in the background adds depth to the cropped photo as it gives a sense that the marble eye is closer to the viewer than the kite as the kite is blurred. It adds layers to the photo as the marble eye is the closest layer, the kite is the middle layer, and the sky is the final layer. 

1. Simplicity

2. Leading Lines

3. Depth

http://www.photographymad.com/pages/view/10-top-photography-composition-rules
http://www.digital-photo-secrets.com/tip/3372/18-composition-rules-for-photos-that-shine/

In today's warm up activity of Lens Unhealed Wounds, photo 8 out of 12 uses my three rules of composition best.

First Portrait

Location:  The picture was taken in the gated area behind E7.

Conversation: Ryen Teo is an avid soccer player. We talked about how he was preparing for his upcoming winter season of soccer in which he will be returning player to Mission San Jose's varsity soccer team. He stated how he was training nearly everyday after school on the soccer field between Hopkins Jr. High and Mission San Jose High School.
"Are you ready for this soccer season?"
"Yeah, I have been training everyday. Turn up."

Camera Raw Changes:
Temperature: 0
Tint: 0
Exposure: +0.35
Contrast: +16
Highlights: -40
Shadows: +16
Whites: 0
Blacks: 0
Clarity: +17
Vibrance: 0
Saturation: +20

Self-Portrait

Depth of Field-Shallow

This photo is an example of shallow depth of field. The water jetting out of the lower drinking fountain and water droplets are in focused as the background of the school and the other drinking fountain is out of focus. A depth of field is created because the blurring emphasizes the distant between the closest subject (water stream and water droplets) and the furthest objects (school and upper drinking fountain). The photo is sharper at a closer distance to focus on the water stream and droplets and gradually becomes less clear to de-emphasize the background.

Third Photo Assignment - My Third Rule: Depth

Composition Rule #3
Depth
The rule of composition of depth states that the objects at varying distances in the background help to add layers to the photo. The layers add depth to the photo. In the picture, the audience is at first focused on the similar shoes and soccer pants, but the poles and trees help to highlight the depth.


1. Simplicity
2. Leading Lines
3. Depth

Second Photo Assignment - My Second Rule: Leading Lines

Composition Rule #2 

Leading Lines

This picture is an example of leading lines. The stairs and handrails act as naturally drawn lines that attract the eye's attention first. It focuses on the outer environment on the school and then on the individual walking up the stairs. 

1. Simplicity
2. Leading Lines
3. Depth

First Photo Assignment - My First Rule: Simplicity

Guideline #1

Simplicity

Simplicity is a photography composition rule in which the background is neutral. The neutrality allows for the subject to emphasized. This way the audience is focused on the subject. The subject is a student finding time to study during class. It shows the struggles of being a student.

1. Simplicity
2. Leading Lines
3. Depth