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[laney-n]

AI and Photography

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Artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping photography by introducing tools that enhance, generate, and manipulate images in unimaginable ways. AI-powered software can automate editing, refine details, and even create entirely new compositions, challenging traditional concepts of ownership and artistic intent. The Aperture article, "How Will AI Transform Photography?," highlights how AI expands creative accessibility but also raises concerns about the authenticity of images. Similarly, The Guardian article, "AI threat: Boris Eldagsen’s fake photo duped Sony judges," exposes the ethical dilemmas of AI-generated imagery, as Eldagsen’s AI-assisted submission won a prestigious photography contest, demonstrating how easily AI can blur the lines between real and artificial.

The Fstoppers article, "Great AI Debate: Will Artificial Intelligence Revolutionize or Ruin Photography?," presents polarized views—some see AI as a revolutionary creative partner, while others fear it will replace traditional photography. I believe AI should serve as an enhancement rather than a substitute, maintaining the photographer’s role as a storyteller. However, copyright remains a major concern. AI models often train on existing works, creating legal ambiguities regarding ownership. Ethically, it’s essential to use original images, in the public domain, or explicitly licensed for modification. As AI evolves, clearer regulations will be necessary to define intellectual property rights in AI-assisted photography.

[laney-n]

Blog Prompt 9 - Surrealism

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Surrealism in photography is an artistic approach that challenges reality by merging the subconscious with visual storytelling. Emerging from the early 20th-century Surrealist movement, it aims to depict dreamlike scenarios, psychological tensions, and unexpected juxtapositions. Unlike traditional photography, surreal photography manipulates images to defy reality.

Two contemporary photographers who specialize in surrealism are Anka Zhuravleva and Tommy Ingberg. Zhuravleva is known for her ethereal, dreamlike compositions that blur the lines between reality and imagination. In contrast, Ingberg’s surrealism is more introspective, using black-and-white photomontages to explore themes of humans and emotion. His compositions express abstract ideas through minimalistic imagery. Both artists push the boundaries of photography, transforming ordinary scenes into extraordinary visual experiences.

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Blog Prompt 8 - Joiners, Triptych, Grid

Shot with an iPhone in fluorescent light.

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This triptych challenges traditional photographic perspective by disrupting spatial continuity and blending multiple viewpoints into a single composition. While each image captures a truthful moment within the shared environment, their arrangement distorts the perception of space and time. The center image showcases a balanced frame, suggesting stability. However, the left and right photos appear disorientated, making the environment feel connected and disconnected. These contrasting views force the viewer to question the reliability of photography as an objective form of documentation.

Although photography is a record of reality, this piece highlights subjectivity. The placement and perspective of each image create a narrative that's harder to capture, challenging the idea that a photograph is only a reflection of truth. Instead, this triptych reveals the oppositeness, altering meaning and perception.

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Art Event - Dual Lives: Chinese Opera in New York City, Photographs by Alan Govenar

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Attending Dual Lives: Chinese Opera in New York City was an immersive experience that provided an intimate glimpse into the world of traditional Chinese opera performers in New York. The exhibition, featuring the photography of Alan Govenar, documented the life and artistry of Qi Shu Fang and her company. It showcases the discipline, dedication, and elaborate visual culture of the performance. The photographs captured moments on and off stage, revealing the duality of these performers’ lives as artists and individuals in a contemporary urban environment. The detailed expressions, decorated costumes, and dramatic lighting in each image emphasized the richness of this tradition while also portraying the challenges of preserving heritage in a modern setting.

One of the most striking works in the exhibition depicted a woman dressed in an extravagant opera costume with intricate embroidery and bold colors. The photograph captured a moment of intense focus, with her gaze sharp and expressive, conveying deep emotion. The use of contrast in the lighting emphasized the texture of the fabric and the dramatic makeup that transformed her face into a theatrical mask. This image resonated with me because it highlighted not only the aesthetic beauty of the performance but also the discipline and artistry required to sustain this cultural tradition. Govenar’s ability to freeze this brief moment allows the viewer to appreciate the complexity of expression ingrained in Chinese opera.

The exhibition’s connection to new media was evident in Govenar’s use of photography as a documentary tool, bridging the gap between historical tradition and contemporary storytelling. His photographs engage with the subject matter in a way that feels deeply personal and dynamic. The use of close-ups, dramatic lighting, and focus guide the viewer’s attention, encouraging a deeper emotional response. His work functions as an artistic statement and an ethnographic study, preserving a cultural practice while interpreting it through a modern lens.

Overall, Dual Lives was a visually stunning and thought-provoking exhibition that successfully conveyed the dedication and artistry of Chinese opera performers. Govenar’s photographs provided an inside look at the intersection of culture, performance, and identity, making the exhibition both educational and emotionally impactful. His ability to capture the essence of a fleeting performance and transform it into a lasting visual narrative showcased the power of photography as a medium for cultural preservation. Through composition, lighting, and framing, he conveyed the vibrancy of this tradition while also highlighting the performers' journeys. The exhibition left me with a deeper appreciation for the art of Chinese opera and the importance of documenting cultural traditions in an ever-changing world.

[laney-n]

Blog Prompt 7 - Glitch

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Image #1

Image #1 was shot with an iPhone with stage light in the dark.

Original:

Edited:

This glitch edit transforms the original concert scene into a fragmented and unstable moment, where the performer and crowd appear disconnected. Through offset layer displacement, sections of the image were shifted out of alignment, mimicking digital distortion. Pixel stretching elongates and distorts parts of the image, creating the effect of an unstable video feed, while noise overlay adds a grainy, degraded texture, reinforcing the aesthetic of digital error. These effects strip the image of its original clarity, making it feel like a distorted memory rather than a vivid live performance.

By introducing glitch effects, the edit changes the meaning of the scene, shifting from an energetic concert to an abstract experience. The performer and audience remain visible but appear fragmented, symbolizing the how the presence of technology is increasing daily.

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Image #2

Image #2 was shot with an iPhone wiht natural light in the dark.

Original:

Edited:

Using an RGB glitch effect, the colors are forced out of alignment, producing a shifted color effect that disrupts the visual harmony. Meanwhile, pixel stretching distorts sections of the image, elongating and fragmenting forms to mimic the appearance of a corrupted data stream. These manipulations create a sense of instability as if the image is malfunctioning or breaking apart in real time.

The transformation shifts the image’s meaning from something tangible to something artificial and unstable, prompting themes of technological interference. The natural elements are distorted, making the image more like a glitched transmission than a captured moment. This effect challenges the viewer’s perception, suggesting how technology can alter, manipulate, or falsely capture the natural world.

[laney-n]

Glitch in Photography

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John Pomara is an abstract painter and glitch artist who focuses on technological errors and glitches. He views glitches as creative disruption, where visual malfunctions generate unexpected compositions. By manipulating errors, Pomara disrupts the original form of an image, transforming it into something new and dynamic. His approach aligns with the broader philosophy of glitch art, which repurposes glitches as an expressive and innovative force.

Elena Kulikova incorporates glitch elements with a softer, more ethereal effect. Her work blends glitches with themes of femininity, nostalgia, and dreamlike atmospheres. Kulikova’s methods introduce vibrant color shifts, pixel disintegration, and surreal layering, creating a sense of fragility and fragmentation. She challenges the viewer’s perception of beauty and imperfection, illustrating how technological flaws can enhance emotional depth in photography.

Both artists use glitch techniques to challenge traditional photographic aesthetics, but their approaches differ in tone and execution. Pomara focuses on the chaos of mechanical disruptions and Kulikova alters distortion into poetic, dreamy visuals.

[laney-n]

Blog Prompt 6 - Photomontage

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This photomontage represents my Vietnamese-American identity by combining symbols of culture, environment, and personal experience. The red lanterns, significant to Vietnamese culture, symbolize celebration and connection to roots. The lion statues stand as guardians of tradition and resilience. The golden snake motif, symbolic of the Year of the Snake, represents adaptability and transformation.

The inclusion of the Texas skyline and surrounding environment illustrates the experience of Vietnamese-Americans in a modern, multicultural landscape in local identity. "Texas" in bold, celebratory stars bridges the duality of identity, merging the pride of a new homeland with the rich traditions of Vietnam. Together, these elements celebrate the beauty and complexity of balancing tradition, modernity, and cultural synthesis.

[laney-n]

DADA & Photomontage

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According to National Galleries' "Skip navigation Search Create Avatar image What is Dada? Art Movements & Styles", Dada was an avant-garde movement that emerged during World War I, characterized by its rejection of traditional aesthetics and embrace of absurdity and anti-art sentiments. Dadaists sought to challenge societal norms and question the very definition of art. They expressed these ideas through innovative techniques such as collage, photomontage, and the use of readymade.

For instance, Marcel Duchamp's "Fountain," a standard urinal presented as art, demonstrates the Dadaist challenge to conventional art forms. Additionally, Hannah Höch utilized photomontage to critique societal norms, as seen in her work "Cut with the Kitchen Knife," which juxtaposes images to comment on the political chaos of the time.

Dada's influence continues today in contemporary art's embrace of mixed media and conceptual approaches. Artists like Duchamp and Höch pushed boundaries by redefining what constitutes art and photography, using everyday objects and fragmented images to generate thought and question reality.

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Blog Exercise - Editing & Sizing

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While editing and sizing my image from Blog Prompt 3, I used Photoshop to adjust the white balance with the eyedropper to select the whitest part of the image. Next, I increased the expose by +0.67 to darken the shadows. Then, I increased the vibrance by +10 and the saturation by +23 to make the image brighter and more colorful. I did this to emulate how my younger self would’ve see them, a more vibrant version that brought lots of joy. Finally, I cropped and straightened the image to the best of my ability to create cleaner look.

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Blog Prompt 5 - Visualizing Identity

Images 1 & 2 were shot with an iPhone in fluorescent lighting.

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Image #1

Using elements within the composition to divide the image into two halves, the first image that captures a visualization of my identity is of Tet decorations. Tet is the Vietnamese version of Chinese/Lunar New Year where we celebrate good health and prosperity. Tet has anyways been a big indication of my identity because it was one of few times my family would celebrate our heritage in a greater sense.

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Image #2

The second photo utilizes horizontal lines to create a sense of harmony and order in juxtaposition to the chaos. With many of these snacks being a large part of my childhood, an overwhelming amount of nostalgia comes to me when I see this photo. While it reminds me of my fleeing childhood as time goes on, it also remains a common ground for when I want to remember those times.

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Image #3

Image 3 was shot with an iPhone natural lighting outside.

With a subtle use of a worm’s eye view, the composition creates a more grand effect towards the outside of the Vietnamese Market. When I was younger, my family would always stop by this large market while visiting Dallas. It was interesting returning to the market without my family at such a later hour, contrasting the energetic atmosphere it used to have.

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Blog Prompt 4 - Paying Attention to Light

Images were shot with an iPhone in natural lighting.

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Image #1

Starting with a photo during early morning, I captured the walkway of a shopping complex that showcases contrasting texture. Comparing the structured paths and buildings with the clear, smooth sky, there’s visual interest between manmade and nature. The lighting includes heavy shadows as the sun’s low yet bright demeanor shines from above.

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Image #2

Next is an image from midday as the sun shines from above the objects rather than behind. The shadows are arranged differently due to the change in the sun’s position. Additionally, there are still stark shadows, constrasting the well-lit surrounding area. This change in lighting also allows for more of the environment’s details to be shown.

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Image #3

Finally, the last image of this photo study is later int eh day towards goldem hour. The overall feeling of this image creates a more mellow atmosphere as the sun’s rays aren’t as prominent. There are also no obvious shadows as the whole area is encased in a shadow due to the sun’s low position. The overall exposure of the image is significantly lower than the previous two.

[laney-n]

Nature of Photographs (S. Shore)

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How does a physical print differ from a virtual one? Does viewing photos online change the experience, the meaning?

A physical print differs from a virtual one due to the tactile and immersive experience it offers in contrast to a digital one. As S. Shore states in page 11 of Nature of Photographs, “the print has a physical dimension.” Additionally, viewing photos online may change the experience as online factors change and distract the viewer, lowering the viewer’s focus on the image. This can change the meaning as online interaction can change the intent and reason behind the image’s purpose.

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How important do you think paying attention, actually seeing, your surroundings is to phorography/art? How do you see?

Paying attention to one’s surrounding as a photographer becomes impactful as it establishes an understanding of the medium. As a means to capture a fraction of a second of a moment, the ability to see the things around you and recognize the different patterns, relationships, and emotions highlights the art of photography. To see is to become one with the environment around you. Let go of distraction that would otherwise prevent you from seeing the world and all it’s beauty.

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How does what is in the frame - or out- affect the descriptive qualities?

The frame is the limits of a photographer’s imagination and creation. By choosing what is in and out of the frame establishes the photographer’s narrative of what they are trying to convey. The choice to include specific elements brings focus to them, making them the center of their story. Likewise, excluding elements also affect the photographer’s story by allowing a sense of imagination for the viewer to fill in the blanks and interpret their own ideas.

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Shore spoke of the "visual relationships" and "filling the picture with attention." How might taking this approach challenge or change your photography? Do you agree - or disagree -  with this approach?

Shore’s idea of "visual relationships" and "filling the picture with attention” calls attention to the idea of intention and thinking critically of what elements to include in an image. This idea can become challenging with the sudden changes that may occur in ones’ environment. However, I don’t believe this approach will personally affect the way I photograph. I agree with Shore’s philosophy and approach as it focuses of the act of documenting the moment and its unique relationships rather than hoping to establish those ideas on a whim. It allows for a more intentional way of thinking that further engages with the art of photography.

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Blog Prompt 3 - Composition

Shot with an iPhone in natural lighting (sunset).

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Four Corners

In this example of four corners, the trees and the ground fill the space, leaving the middle with negative space and the primary subject. These areas of interest help guide the viewer’s attention from outside to inside. 

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Divider

The edge of the concrete pillar act as a divider between the foreground and the background. As the constract between the pillar and the nature are apparent, an additional, more literal barrier separates the two elements.

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2 Perspectives

The two perspectives used between the images are created based on the position the image was taken from. Since the main focus of the photo is a mirror, this change of viewpoint dramatically effects the outcome. With the image taken outside the car, the viewer is able to peer into the car, seeing the individual inside. However, when taken from the inside, the viewer sees a completely new perspective. The outside of the car and the individual’s surrounding environment come to light. Although the subject remains the same, the end result of the image is changed.

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The use of framing and composition are fundamental when discussing photography  because of the importance of how the elements within the image are arranged to guide the viewer’s attention. While framing is the defined limitation of the image and how the boundaries decide what is includes or not, its becomes a tool that controls what the viewer sees. Furthermore, composition is the overall placement of the elements that are included in the final frame. This controls how the viewer sees the elements of the image. It’s interesting how these two ideas work together to communicate the creator’s intended message, focusing on the story behind the photo.

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Blog Prompt 2 - Scavenger Hunt

Shot with an iPhone in natural lighting (sunny).

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Texture

Texture was interesting because I never really considered how photography can document what we may feel just with our eyes. Even though we can’t physically feel the objects in photo, we can assume based on appearance and lighting that emphasizes texture.

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Lines

In my example for lines, I used the thick, vertical lines to lead the viewer’s eyes to the people on the bottom. However, the lines also act as a divider, which separates the two halves of the composition. This creates an interesting dynamic because of the structural imagery one the left versus the nature and organic feel of the right.

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Patterns/Repetition

The shadows on the wall create pockets of light that repeats. This use of light and repetition elongates the image and adds depth. Due to the continuation of the repeating pattern, the viewer had an idea of how large and long the wall is based on these factors.

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Bird’s Eye View

Taken from the top of the stairs, this image looks down to the bottom. There’s a sense of authority and power looking down as everything at the bottom looks smaller compared to the foreground. It’s interesting ot note how the lines of the rail also encourage the viewer’s eye to look further down the stairs.

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Geometry/Shapes

The geometry and shapes of these chairs create an interesting affect as they are layered together. What appears as simple triangles are further broken up into more interesting and unique shapes that extends the primary idea of each individual chair.

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Color

As more of the images I chose have a limited color palette, focusing on minimal tones like whites and grays, the pop of blue stands out. Contrasting to the lighter shades, this bold blue draws the viewer’s attention as an outlier.

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These elements help strengthen my composition by addressing what catches the eye. In a world that is constantly moving and changing, the ability to identify what drew me to wanting to cpture that moment becomes powerful. Additionally, compositon is the use of surrounding elements to further pinpoint a specific view. I am able to use composition to direct my viewers to seeing what I see.

[laney-n]

Blog Prompt 1 - Intro

Shot with an iPhone in natural lighting.

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Hi! My name is Laney, and here's an image that illustrates my appreciation for photography. Stemming from my love of yearbook, photography can capture a feeling, a vibe, or a moment that might otherwise go unnoticed.

When I took this photo in California this past summer, something about it just called to me. The way the light hits, the textures, and the mood it gives off created a sense of serenity. It reminded me to slow down and really see the world around me.

Photography makes me look at things differently, and this picture felt like everything in the world stopped for a moment.