Local Austin Photographer

The local Austin photographer I chose is J. Noel Photography. She stands out to me because she covers a variety of themes of photography. She takes beautiful pictures of families, babies, couples, and weddings, and all are captured with beautiful lighting, and a nature background filled with simplicity, and beauty. Her photographs are always taken from a warm and nurturing point of view that makes it seem as if she is extremely close with the subject, and feels a relation to them.

The pictures never seem too placed, and are never stiff, with the people laughing, their eyes closed, and their hair streaming behind them. there is always movement, whether it's the wind, or the subject is running or spinning. All the photographs have a color that is soft, but not overly saturated, and carry a sweet and angelic vibe that is consistent throughout.

I am drawn to these because they seem so content and happy. They carry the essence of fantasy, almost fairy like. Another thing I love about her and her photography, is how in touch she is with simplicity and the wonder it is just to be alive. A series she has, called natural babyhood, incorporates a neutral palette, with no flashy or elaborate bows, patterns, or onesies, and white sheets, only to focus on the beauty and unexplainable wonder, gift, and blessing, having a child is.



Simplicity would be the rule used here, because the focus is solely on the piercing blue eyes of the baby boy. This photograph is from her natural baby series, which is using a extremely natural and simple background and pallet so that the focus is on the baby. This technique was clearly affective because when looking at the photograph, your eyes go directly to the bright blue eyes of the boy.



The rule being used could be balancing elements, because the tree in the background is balancing with the man and the women. I have been following J. Noel's photography for a while, and the story of this couple is one that is unique and special. When the couple learned that their unborn daughter would only live a few hours, after suffering from severe heart and brain complications, instead of terminating her pregnancy, the couple decided to carry to term, and have the baby, and were able to hold her before she passed away. I think the joy of pregnancy is wonderfully captured in the picture, and tells the story very well.



This picture is a perfect example of balance, as the mom and dad are perfectly centered around the boy. This picture is very cute, and captures the silliness and fun of spending time with your family.



This photograph uses rule of thirds, because the little boy and girl are moved slightly to the left of the center of the photograph.



This picture uses symmetry because in the background the square pillows are stacked evenly, creating an even and eye pleasing shape.

Mural Project

The theme of my mural project is Austin, from downtown, to soho, and all the historic and interesting parts of our city that we all know and love, we wanted to showcase why we love our beautiful city so much, and how it's different from any other place in the world. My 9 images focused on the downtown, soco, and trendy portion of Austin, with all the fun artwork, stores, restaurant and the quirks and activities that are Austin.

1. ACL hat

2. Before I Die wall

3. Boots store

4. HEB mural

5. Hey Cupcake

6. Home Slice

7. ILYSM wall

8.  Smile wall

9. Telephone Pole

Magazines Part ||

Image based magazine covers are based on drawing the consumer in with a glamorous shot of someone the viewer can identify and relate with. A picture of Kendall Jenner would draw in a younger audience, maybe ages 15-25, while a cover of Willie Nelson would draw in an older audience who have knowledge or can relate to the cover. In the earlier days of magazine covers, the only covers available were illustrations. When magazines use illustrations as their covers, it gives the cover a vintage or classic vibe that is interesting to look at. When an illustration is used, it usually makes a reference to something historical, or an impactful event we all identify with. Type based magazine covers draw the reader in with over exaggerated text, large graphics, and big lettering that draws the eye in to read the text. Concept based magazines give the reader an idea what the entire magazine will explain, design, and illustrate for the reader. Whether it's fashion, food, or fall, the consumer understands what the magazine will encompass, and what they can expect from reading it.

Words and pictures on magazine covers need to balance one another out. If you have an extremely bold picture with bold and graphic writing, incorporating as many techniques and tricks as you can possibly cram into the picture, the picture gets lost, and becomes muddy and unorganized, therefore becoming unappealing to the consumer. On the other end, if you have a simple and basic picture with little or no writing or explanation, there is no appeal, and the reader feels no desire to purchase the magazine because there is no visual stimulus to interest them. A cover needs to be interesting but not overwhelming, simple but not boring, and colorful but not obnoxious, and you will have the perfect balance for a great cover photo.

Favorite Cover

This magazine cover is my favorite because of the stand out white that drew my eye. This cover looks pure and clean on a shelf with other cluttered magazines, muddy with words and too much going on. Gwyneth's skin is glowing and clear, and the netting over her face is mysterious and elegant with her blue eyes glowing from behind the veil. Some critiques that would improve the magazine cover even more would be if the exposure of the camera was lowered slightly. The background is white, the veil is white, and Gwyneth is also pale, so the intense exposure and lighting makes the shot bright and stark, and if it were lowered slightly, it wouldn't wash out her face. Having the magazine cover title in a bold black with a thick and elaborate font, wouldn't have been my choice either. The font draws you attention away from her glowy and angelic face, which should be the main focus of the cover. Having a bold black cover title that covers up her hair and parts of the beautifully designed cap/crown could've been better placed under her chin, and completely removed from her face completely. Despite these slight improvements, the shot is beautifully shot with an angelic and timeless vibe that draws the eye and makes you wonder what's in the pages.

Best Covers

1. Formal
2. Casual
3. Environmental
4. Environmental
5.Environmental
6. Formal
7. Environmental
8. Casual
9. Formal
10. Formal
11. Formal
12. Formal
13. Casual
14. Formal
15. Formal
16. Environmental
17. Casual

Magazine Tips

1. Bold Color

2. Overwhelm of color, text and pictures

3. Don't judge the cover by what's on the computer

4. Decide what element should be the most dominant

5. Less is more sometimes

American Soldier

American Soldier

A. I think the most powerful image is the one of the soldiers stringing up Christmas lights. I guess I never really understood the amount of holidays, moments, and events people in the army don't get to experience. Being able to see them putting up the lights amidst the cots and makeshift holiday decor is really powerful and makes the appreciative that I get to spend the holidays with my family.

B. The images all evolve and change with the positives and negatives of Fisher's story. They make you feel like you're the photographer and you can understand a soldier's journey as best as anyone can without actually being one.

C. The captions are so well done and descriptive that they enhance the picture by making sure that the viewer fully comprehends the picture with some background information. From all the captions being so close the Ian, I feel like I can understand what he's going through.

D. Ian joins the army at the young age of 17, and is sent to train, leaving behind his family, his friends, and his girlfriend. Fisher endures the 'red zone' period of training, filled with extreme training, intense commands, all paired with little to no sleep. Ian goes through a rough patch with drugs, girls, and even gets lowered a rank. Once it's time for his one year deployment to Iraq, Ian feels like he's finally making a positive impact. He fights long and hard, understanding the meaning of war, and the loneliness of deployment. When Ian comes home, he marries his girlfriend Devin, and feels a sense of accomplishment and pride for everything he's overcome.

E. When Ian is the main subject of the picture, the caption is usually written in present tense.

F.

1. The captions are usually about 2-5 sentences.

2. In the first few sentences, it explains the subject and action of the picture.

3. In the second sentences, it provides background information and an explanation for what is happening.

4. If there is a third sentence, it provides why the subject may be doing what it's doing and an emotional connection.

5. Yes, many captions include quotes.

6. Yes, depending on how much explanation the picture needed, the caption could extend up to 5 sentences.

G. Because if the photos are done well enough, they can tell as story on their own through facial expression, body language, lighting, and point of view. So the captions are actually just short explanations, and aren't necessarily needed.

H. A story can help a reader imagine for themselves how situations or subjects react to events.