Annotated Bibliography

SHYAM SUNDAR, B., 2018. Photography. Crit, (82), pp. 37-39.

In this essay, Bhavana Shamsundar explores the lens and its connexion to the setting, the perception of architectural photography and the experience of design and framing, as well as the impact of illumination on how it affects focus while using a film. From the “camera obscura” to the new DSLR lens, he discussed the history of photography. A detailed diagram of information provides a brief look into the history of the camera. In my practice, I have applied architectural photography to convey a special perspective through the use of composition, focus, and focal length. The camera also allows the subject to have a photographic sense within the frame of focus. One main component of photography that I have learned is to be able to communicate with emotion. He also talks about photography being one of the most revolutionary advancements in artistic expression that created a widespread universal language in the way we communicate. The camera technology has made a huge impact on the development of 3D architecture and has provided innovations and designs for the future.

Wells, L (ed.) 2015, Photography: a Critical Introduction, Routledge, London. Available from: ProQuest Ebook Central. [28 October 2019]. pp. 25-27

Digital photography has played an important role since the 1990s and until today, shaping the media landscape and production, even analog shooters are required to work under digital technologies. Since I’m a digital photographer, I have a wide interest in the transformation of photography into a digital artistic platform which is convenient and also easy to access anywhere. In this chapter, Liz Wells talks about the impact of aesthetics with regards to digital imaging and the effects of it. It is interesting for me to learn that the transformation of imagines from analog to digital, in which digital is simply nothing but several coding that has no external phenomena. Through this book, I have able to understand the used of digital memory storage and LCD, which has become a normal trend in almost every digital machine, which all requires electricity and the internet. For instances every technological machine consists of a screen that can either be color or black and white, this denotes the inter-relation of aesthetics and technology.

Jan, KH 2012, The Rules of Photography and When to Break Them, Taylor & Francis Group, Oxford. Available from: ProQuest Ebook Central. [1 November 2019]. pp. 149-153

Lighting is one of the most important aspects of photography. In this book, the author discusses the basic techniques of achieving light effect in photography. As a student of photography, I am quite interested in the use of lighting effects and various techniques. One of the primary rules of photographing with sunlight is to “keep the sun behind you”. Photographing in sunlight works well during late in the day, it is called “the Golden Hour”, it’s when the light becomes warmer on the skin tone of the subject. Another aspect of lighting is the use of flash in photography, I can use an external flash with a slave unit and bounce it using a reflector or a softbox, these are just basic uses of flash photography. The author makes it easy for the readers to understand the concepts of photography, in this case, the use of lighting in photography. It has given me the correct tools to craft lighting effects for a photoshoot.

Bate, D 2009, Photography: The Key Concepts, Bloomsbury Publishing, Oxford. Available from: ProQuest Ebook Central. [23 November 2019]. pp. 68-84

In this book, the author talks about photography being part of everyday life and that we constantly being shaped by images we see all around us. He explores the different photographic theory models to interpret the different genres of it. The most interesting topic of this book for me is the subject of portraiture in photography. A portrait has its own identity, the visual description of a person. Portrait photography became an important commodity during the nineteenth-century industrial revolution. He talks about the history of portraiture during that period and how it evolved. It’s interesting to learn about the different movements of portraiture such as the Industrial Portrait, Mass Portraiture, and Bureaucratic Portraits. Portraiture consists of four important elements: face, pose, clothing and location. These elements are very crucial to the understanding of the nature of portraiture in photography. I believe that by following the basics of these four elements, I will able to capture a well-balanced portrait photograph or even go into the depths of it.

Child, J 2008, Studio Photography: Essential Skills, Routledge, Oxford. Available from: ProQuest Ebook Central. [24 November 2019]. pp. 59-71.

In this book, the author goes in-depth into the technical aspects of studio photography. The different genres of photography and how to apply the advanced lighting techniques into them. The studio, itself consists of different materials and equipment related to photography. The most important aspect for me is lighting, how it is crafted in a studio environment and what are the techniques that are achievable through the various equipment. To develop a relationship between artificially created lighting situations and the photographic medium. He also talks about flash which is a term for artificial lighting and the different types of flash used in a studio environment or outdoors. It is also interesting to learn about the different characteristics of light, how to able to manipulate and come up with creative ideas. Another important aspect is, contrast in photography, it is nothing but the level of light falling on or being reflected by a subject. Without contrast, photos would appear dull and flat, it helps to create dimension, shape, and form. There are also different types of contrast in photography.

Zakia, RD 2013, Perception, and Imaging: Photography–A Way of Seeing, Taylor & Francis Group, Oxford. Available from: ProQuest Ebook Central. [29 November 2019]. pp. 275-300.

To me this book, the author makes it clear that it’s not just about photography in general but it is beyond, no doubt about it. Photography is not just about visual art, which has existed for thousand years ago but it’s the science and art of imaging process of photography that makes it special. This book is essential for me, to know about the photography composition the science behind it, it provides all the scientific context. I can pick up important theories on photography but the most important thing to understand photography for me is to critique it. Most of the time photographs have been heavily manipulated such as tabloid magazines, internet photos, catalogs, advertisements, etc. But to critique a photograph is to learn it’s origin, nature, and appearance. It can also be a subjective task and often different critics mean different opinions. One should know the facts presented by the photographer then analysis the composition and apply the different rules and theories of photography, but it doesn’t mean that it should always be that way. Rules are also meant to be broken, best is to stay neutral.

Hand, M 2012, Ubiquitous Photography, Polity Press, Oxford. Available from: ProQuest Ebook Central. [29 November 2019]. pp. 1-25.

This book provides a clear understanding of how photography has shaped visual communication and culture. This book provides an analysis of the practice of different technologies in the world of photography that have a historical, social and political-economic context. It gives a clear understanding of the changes in digital mediated communication in today’s culture which is currently growing. The interesting about this book that helps me with my research is the narrowing of the idea of photography as simply as a tool of daily observation and transformation in the world. It has evolved throughout history and is now part of our daily lives. Images shaped our social well-being and culture every day of our lives. The camera has been transformed into our daily commodity and not anymore as an object only to be used by a fewer group of people who could be photographers or can afford a camera but now everyone has it. Photography is now personal, it is very much sensitive.

Sheppard, R. 2013, The Power of Black and White in Nature and Landscape Photography, 1st edn, Peachpit Press.

Black and white photography has always been my fascination ever since I discovered it many years ago but never really quite understand why it’s one of the most famous genres in photography. The author talks about black and white images having a definitive beauty and meaning, throughout history and culture. He also mentioned the key elements of black and white photographs such as highlights, dramatic shades, contrast, tone, texture, patterns, and sharpness. Notable artists such as Ansel Adams, Brett Weston, Bill Brandt, and W. Eugene Smith have played a significant role in shaping the genre. Well, what is monochrome? it is referred to as an image that is based on one color and all of its shades from dark to light, such as black and white but it can also refer to other mono colors. The beauty of black and white photographs is the tone of separation which gives this sense of realistically true and very real, almost seemingly three dimensional because we only see black and white and not color.

Jacobs, L 2010, Professional Commercial Photography : Techniques and Images from Master Digital Photographers, Amherst Media, Amherst. Available from: ProQuest Ebook Central. [1 December 2019].

This book covers some of the famous commercial photographers, their work and methods on developing commercially successful photography business. I am looking for a particular artist named Mike Schaffer, who is a successful American photographer and his studios in Upland, California. His studio is about 2200 square feet with a receptionist’s area, a post-production office, his office and an office for bookkeeping. He gives a piece of detail information regarding his cameras, lighting, and other technical equipment. He also briefs on client involvement and how to approach and communicate them. Also, his detailed work process from camera setup to lighting effects to post-production. I would say, his lighting skills is much advanced and intriguing for me to look into it. One important aspect is the photographer’s personality which plays a major role in the influence of business. He says that to become successful, we need to have a particular personality that clients can easily identify and it should be attractive and client satisfaction based.

Wells, L. 2011, Land Matters: Landscape Photography, Culture, and Identity, I.B.Tauris, London.

This book has extensive valuable material relating to photographers engaged in conventional and contemporary style photography of landscape. This includes historical references to image taking, using different artists and not just photographers. The examples are well known and easy to follow and verify. It is a well-structured, well-referenced review of current practices in Landscape photography, set in the context of the genre’s historical developments. Liz Wells is a well-informed and passionate advocate for the topic. Despite some academic jargon passages, the essential ideas are well thought out and skillfully woven into a text that can be read thoroughly. She further questions what is at stake in landscape photography by objectively examining primary instances of photographers employed in, for instance, the USA, Russia, Scandinavia, and the Baltic States, in the sense of wider art historical and political issues. This fascinating book helps me take interest more in photography and media, geography, art history, and tourism, as well as those concerned.

la, GA 2005, Basic Critical Theory for Photographers, Routledge, Jordan Hill. Available from: ProQuest Ebook Central. [12 December 2019]. pp. 30-34.

I’ve never written anything from Susan Sontag, but there have been numerous references to her book On Photography in different contexts. It’s alluded to as “one of the most popular books in its kind.” I enjoy taking photographs myself. Photography, like painting, depicts and portrays not only the subject but also its basic meaning becomes part of the image. Photography is a medium of development, according to Sontag. In several ways. Reality has always been associated with countless symbols and thinkers like Plato have made efforts, by referring to a direct way to understand the truth, to reduce our dependence on depictions. This generation favors the snapshot to the real thing, the feel before the encounter. Just to conclude this is an interesting and groundbreaking analysis of the profound changes in how we relate to the world and ourselves induced by digital photography.

Ablan, D. 2007, Digital Photography for 3D Imaging and Animation, 1;1. Aufl.; edn, Wiley, Hoboken.

This book got me interested. I’m an amateur in 3d modeling and animation. I wanted to know how photography could be best used to create effective pictures, shapes, standard maps, bump maps, displacement maps, etc. Although some may find difficulty in 3D and digital photography for masterclass, it is clearly aimed at beginners. But it is important because there is no pause at a point for vocational training. Dan Ablan’s book was of tremendous use to me not only because it encourages beginners to 3D and/or virtual imaging but also because it will encourage those who are overwhelmed by 3D’s complexity and nuances to try this glorious tool to develop their personality and comprehension. The book is also very detailed in crafting 3-d slideshow and how to create a digital collage for After Effects, whereas these subjects are somewhat fascinating.