I found this photo on NationalGeographic.com. It was taken by Jose Azel on March 19, 2009. There wasn't even one thing i did not like about this photo. I like the way it was taken, no one is posing. It is taken from a very unusual angle. My favorite part of this is that I can relate to it. These are skiers that climbed the headwall to ski, and they took a moment to enjoy the warm sun and the cool snow. They are enjoying the little things in life. The lighting is completely natural sun. There is movement and informal balance. Your eye goes from one object to another as it jumps around the picture. I think the emphasis is on the womans bare feet; that is the first thing i saw. I think the photographer is trying to communicate that if you just stop, you can realize the how great the environment around you really is, even if you happen to be climbing a mountain. I think he did a fantastic job communicating his message.

This photo is an example of rules of thirds, point of interest and value contrast. The leaves take over about two-thirds of the photo, but don't create a straight line distinguishing the two-thirds from the other one-third. If it is split into thirds going horizontally and vertically, some of the tips of the leaves line up on points of interest. Value contrast is portrayed through the sun hitting the leaves, making them light, compared to the dark background around it.

This photo portrays rule of thirds. The photo can be split into three equal parts horizontally. Two-thirds of the image are stone, and one third is concrete. I like this because it is very simple, but it still has complexity and value contrast within the stones.

This photo portrays point of interest and leading lines. If the photo is split into thirds, both horizontally and vertically, the tennis ball is located right where the lines intersect. The leading lines is found in the bricks and there is a vertical line leading directly to the tennis ball. I really like this photo because of the lighting and the different elements used.

Children Playing in the Rain

I found this photo on the National Geographic website. This was taken by Jashim Salam.It was taken April 28, 2010. I like this photo because it does a good job depicting the happiness of the children. If you were to simply look at the weather and the muddy water, you would think of sadness. With the addition of the children enjoying this weather, it adds a happier element to the photo. The lighting is pretty dark, but light enough to focus in on some of the rain. Natural light was used. There is high contrast between the children's dark skin, and the light muddy water around them. There is a strong value contrast in order to emphasize the children. I think the photographer is clearly communicating that even in lousy weather, or if you're in a lousy situation, you can always find the happiness in it.

Visual Dynamics

This photo is an example of value contrast. Although it may seem obvious, the lightness of the entire photo makes the dark lines on the zebra stand out. There are also zebras in the background. They are lighter grays and the zebra in front is darker shades. The eye is attracted towards the dark black and bright white values of the zebra.

This photo is an example of value contrast. The entire photo is dark, except the white of the person's eye. With the dark center of the eye, the white around it makes it stand out. Also, with the darkness around the white, it makes the white stand out, which draws the eye to this part of the photo.

This photo shows rule of thirds and points of power. By splitting the photograph up into eight equal sections, there are two points of power. Where the lines intersect on the right side, the meercat's nose and paw are located.

Leading lines are used in this photo. There are actual lines that lead the eye to one point. The edge of the river leads the eye towards one point. The horizon creates one straight line, but with the lines from the river, the horizon line leads toward that same point.

This photo is a great example of leading lines. Because of the reflection of the sky on the water, it creates double the lines, which leads the eye to one point in the middle of the photo. the clouds and light all lead to one point.

I found this photo on Pop Photo Blog.

Photographer: Jordan Manley

Taken February 12, 2010

I liked this photograph because I love skiing. I find this interesting not only because I am a skier myself, but photos like this seem very risky and that appeals to me. Your eye focuses on the skier, but if you look past, you can see the smooth lines of the snow. I love that the skier is taking a smooth turn, which creates a wave of snow as he flies down the mountain.

The lighting is natural.

Manely emphasized the skier, he focused on him as the subject of the photo.

I think the photographer is trying to communicate that skiing is an art in itself. He combined the art if photography, with the art of skiing, creating a beautiful photo.