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Worry Through Religion: A Junior Design Student Conceptual Project by Lara Darling (2015)

The two objects in my photo are exactly the same, but with different flames. The candles represent religion, but one light while the other is dark. This represents that religion is two sided. While the first candle is very apparent, you gradually notice the second. I wanted to show both the positive and negative aspects of religion. The picture is simple, not overly ostentatious, the background is a simple black, the candles are facing the camera in a landscape format, and has a simple angle. The angle is simple because the biggest obstacle for me in this picture was a lack of light and I needed a placement that would keep the candles still.I learned how to make selections, add filters, use the pen tool, and the importance of feathering. I used color grading, exposure, and contrast because the photo was very orangey and I also wanted to make it more solemn. I selected the bright candle and color graded it, to try to make the contrast between the light and the dark less harsh. I added some exposure, so that the darker candle would not be completely hidden in the shadows. The candles were already a little hazy because I had to use a slow shutter speed I wanted the candles to be as sharp as possible, so I didn't use any filters. I thought that they would distract from the subject.

I wanted to show positive and negative of religion, and how the negative may not be seen until you look at it for some time. The light shines brightly, but the hidden candle is worrisome, because it is hidden which adds a slightly sinister side. The candles can also symbolize a crisis of faith, because one is burning very brightly which could mean that it's overcompensating for the darker candle, which I can also mean that it represents their inner mind, because their faith may be wavering like the candle.
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