Keep on striding.
Stripped of colors, this photo’s appeal to the viewer’s imagination depends on differences in light tone. I can see many different possibilities – the painted wood suggesting a dark brown walnut, or a warm mahogany cherry. This photo was taken at a shutter speed of 1/60, aperture of 3.5, and ISO of 160.
This fall I traded land sports for the thrill of water polo. Spending every late-afternoon practice with these players, I’m inspired by their skill, courage, and willingness to learn. I thought this photo was especially interesting because as the Wilcox player in the foreground is reaching for the ball, there is a thin layer of water clinging to her hand, giving it a plastic look. I’m excited to continue experimenting with sports photography in the future.
I love going to Filoli Gardens; it’s a great setting to take photos! And, it’s easy to find views that fill the frame with one color. Looking back on my photos, I found these three that bring me the most joy – I can remember being in the warmth and inhaling the perfumed scent of flowers.
Here is each photo by itself:
I chose to represent my mom for this photo blog prompt. Even with all the ups & downs we’ve experienced with each other, I don’t think I’m easily able to represent her through a photograph or piece of art, but this is one try! Over the original photo (in full color), I fixed a black-and-white adjustment layer; I like that it creates a vintage printed image effect from the photo. The effect draws out the color of the central pendant’s sun decoration, including the smile on its face. Through this image, I hope to show my mom’s value of optimism that she applies in life.
I took the original photo using a shutter speed of 1/60, aperture of 3.2, ISO of 800.
A pile of cleaning tools lie, neglected, for most of the time. This photo represents my habits well. I have the intention of keeping everything organized, yet my tasks and living space often remain forgotten and disheveled, like this pile of brooms. Perhaps a New Year’s goal!
I took the photo using a shutter speed of 1/80, aperture of 3.2, and ISO of 100.
I was hesitant to walk around with my camera at the Mountain View Art & Wine Festival, worried that vendors would shoo me away for asking to take photos, but a lot of them were really generous and let me take as many as I wanted. This photo is of an artist who created Talking Thyme; her booth was full of colorful creations, including resin coasters with plants imbed in them and cutting boards made to look like ocean waves.
In order to create the symmetrical left and right faces on either side of the original, I selected one side of the photo (divided by the center line of the face), deleted it, and horizontally flipped the remaining half of the photo. Placed above a copy of the original and moved to show the other side of the face, the combination gives a semblance of a person who has a perfectly symmetrical face.
The photo was taken at shutter speed 1/256, aperture 4.5, and ISO 100.
My parents and I visited San Francisco’s Chinatown for the first time since before the pandemic. Although I don’t buy anything, I love visiting the stores and seeing what trinkets they have on display. As I took this photo, I told my mom to stop where she was (in the doorway of a store), and turn around, and I snapped down on the shutter to seal the moment. She is an important person in my life, and we have encouraged each other throughout our journey of moving to the US from China and adapting to a new culture.
Although the store collection is crowded, the shapes and colors of each object together form a unique background. The casual, vibrant scene somehow makes perfect sense, which is what I love about this photo.
Taken at shutter speed 1/128, aperture 4.5, and ISO 200.
At our award ceremony for Scioly Nationals, we honored the seniors! Suhrith, Olivia, Kavi, and Brian (invisible) made it possible for the team to win second place in the entire nation – from our 7th place title from last year. This photo represents their exit from our team in a physical sense as they graduate, but they will be connected within the team community for longer times to come. We have gotten to know each of them better through team dinners and workshops through the season; they’ll be missed!
Inside Mr. Sun’s, the lighting arrangement reminds me of Ikea’s numerous, wonderful lamp designs. Not only do the spherical lightbulbs represent an aspect of geometry, the rods holding the lightbulbs are also arranged in the shape of an open cage, as they extend downward. Overall, the light fixture resembles an interesting geometric configuration.
The very first time I felt I finally had independence was being on a shopping mall trip with my friends without our parents around a few years ago. Now as a high schooler, I experienced great freedom over this particular week, revolving around the event of prom. I met up with friends to make corsages and buccaneers, and my parents were really supportive toward us through helping with our transportation. After having a week of AP tests and finishing the Science Olympiad National tournament, this event was a chance to have fun and relax with friends. However, maybe this freedom was given too early. Now, many peers who attended prom are testing positive for Covid. I hope everyone gets better.