Cat Nap

I chose this photo because it captures the beautiful details of the cat's fur as well as the peace of the moment. The muted, warm tint of the photo along with the short depth of field that makes the background a gentle blur lend themselves to the feelings of contentment and comfort. The subject fills the frame, allowing us to get up close to the furry face. I honestly get sleepy just looking at this photo.

I took this photo when I found my cat, Goose, napping on our couch. I loved the wacky angle he had his head at his stillness allowed me to capture the details of his fur.

Kept Wishes

This photo's subject is practically made of leading lines, all bringing the eye to the center of the the dandelion. I chose this photo because of the incredible details of such an intricate plant. The short depth of field stops the dandelion from being lost in the foliage of the background and further emphasizes it to the viewer. I chose this photo because of how magical it was to see such a massive version of the dandelions I saw on my lawn at home.

I took this photo while on a hike with my family through an abandoned cow pasture near the Sonora Pass. We spotted these dandelions, which were larger than baseballs, and I had to stop the hike for a bit to take photos.

Held

For me, this photo exudes warmth, comfort, and security. I chose it because of the soft, cool tones, the interesting shadows, and how the short depth of field adds to the softness of the moment. The hands create contrast against the dark background and there is repetition in the shapes of the clasped fingers.

I took this photo of my boyfriend and I holding hands and chatting in my room while collecting pictures for the "fill the frame" assignment. I love hands as subjects, I think they tell a lot about the people they belong to and I wanted to include this special moment in my portfolio.

Going Green

I chose this photo because of the imperfect symmetry. The branches framing the subject and the subject's clothes, pose, and parted hair all lend themselves to balance but the imperfections allow for a sense of authenticity. Organic symmetry paired with the repetitions of greens create a natural, fresh atmosphere. When I look at this photo I feel the cool evening air and smell the earthiness of the orchard. The warm light in the trees hints at the peace of sunset.

I took the photo in August during a shoot for the symmetry assignment. I asked my sister to pose in the fields and orchards around our neighborhood, trying to find symmetrical environments.

Spotted!

This photo is rather playful as the subject, a grey squirrel in a Washington park, takes a peak at the photographer. It makes me wonder what is going through that little squirrel brain and what he thinks of the camera. The photo is also appealing because of how cohesive the color palette is, with the grey of the fur reflected in the tree bark and the auburn of the blurred leaves in the background also being found around the squirrel's eyes and ears. A blurred mosaic of grey, browns, and greens in the background offers a good representation of a rainy fall day in Washington. I wasn't taking the photo with the intention of capturing diagonal lines, they were a compositional bonus.

I took the photo because I was trying to capture the various wildlife we encountered on a trip to Washington. Unfortunately the most interesting critters I spotted were the squirrels.

Just Ahead

For me, this photo captures the awe and excitement of the moment when I spotted the top of the skull peaking out of the dirt. I wasn't sure exactly what it was, although I had an inkling, and I was full of the joy of discovering something new. The high detail of the photo shows off the intricacies of the bone and soil, emphasizing the beauty and complexity of the natural world.

I took the photo while hiking with my family near the Sonora Pass. We walked through a cow pasture and I noticed cow bones scattered just off the road. I dug up the skull and took it home with me.

Counting Sheep

I chose this photo for my portfolio because of the emotion I feel it conveys. The sheep looks warm and friendly with kind eyes and a fuzzy nose but she's as wary as she is curious. Her head is low and she's keeping a pile of cut branches between us as if trying to hide but with some coaxing and snack she would probably make a good friend. The white sheep against the dark background creates contrast and there is symmetry in the sheep's face.

I took the photo while on a walk down a country road. There is a pasture of sheep who always come out to see me when I walk by and they're great subjects.

Rope Swing

I chose this photo because of the way the subject is frozen in the air mid swing creating a sense of movement with the wind tousled hair. It is whimsical and carefree, capturing a moment of play. The subject's dark hair and clothes along with the short depth of field makes them pop from the lighter background.

This photo was taken during a family trip to Mariposa. I was photographing the surrounding scenery and farm animals when my sister and I spotted the rope swing. It was the perfect opportunity for some interesting photos.

Sanctuary

The candle surrounded by a deep black offers stark contrast between the warm glow of the flame and the cold darkness. The dried petals in the wax add comforting colors of auburn and the rim of the candle, which is out of focus, creates a soft halo. I chose the photo because it juxtaposes warm safety and the darkness of the unkown.

I took the photo in my dark room as I was collecting photos that exhibited a contrast in light for the contrast assignment.