Tree Tops

This picture I took at a ranch in Mason, Texas. It was around 6:00 PM when I started to notice how the sunlight was hitting the trees. All the trees had orange tops where the sun would hit, while the bottoms were blocked off from the light. The divide and difference between the two colors looked cool and just reminded me of a peaceful sunset, which it was. I had never seen this work of nature before so I thought I would get a picture of it to remember.

Rain and Shine

I took this picture this past summer during a football practice. These clouds were moving super fast towards us and it started pouring after we got out. I thought it looked cool because the sky to the right was clear and sunny with no indication that it was gonna rain. However, you can see that from the left side the clouds had blocked out the sun and began to rain. The middle area reminded me of god rays in the shape of rain, which divided the dark unknown from the lighter, unaware side.

directional lighting: one shadow figure

This light is oriented directly in front of the figure and casts a round pool of light. It is interesting to take into account that many shapes came together to form one figure, because of the light. Light can completely transform a figure.

directional lighting: two shadow figures

I think this example of directional lighting is very interesting. The light is coming up from below the figures, casting large, looming, elongated shadows. This makes me think of Plato's allegory of the cave and reminds me that things aren't always as they seem.

Personal photo

I took this photo at the famous "Avenue of Oaks" at Boone Hall Plantation in Charleston, South Carolina. I like the lighting in this photo because the sun shines intensely from an angle that allows the oak tree branches to cast beautiful shadows on the ground below. This filtered sunlight creates a walkway of shade which was what the designers intended when they planted the oak trees centuries ago. The brilliant intensity of the sun with the rays glowing outward adds grandness to the overall regal and glorious Southern environment. 

Personal Photo

I took this picture of a beautiful sunset over a field in western Pennsylvania waiting for the start of a movie at the drive-in movie theatre. The lighting in this picture reminds me of relaxing summer nights because of all the brilliant orange colors. I love how the angle of the sun at this time filled the top of the sky with less intense light and the bottom with very intense orange hues. I appreciate how the clouds act as a natural filter for the sunlight. I also like how the darkness of the land and trees foreshadow the coming darkness of night. 

Pedernales Falls State Park

I took this photo at Pedernales during the day while hiking. I think this is such an interesting picture because of how direct the light is and the way it reflects off the water. It gives the viewer a sense of movement and also allows them to see how big and grand the sky is. The different landscapes present in this photo (water, riverbed, trees) allow it to have a lot of fun and interesting shapes, including shadows made by the trees and water reflecting the light.