Baby it's Cold Outside~Weather Photo Week 14

This week we were challenged once again to take a photo which captures the weather conditions. While I had a hard time finding people outside during the sleet and rain (cold weather makes Texans hibernate), campus was still full of people. Unlike rain, hard weather is a less obvious climate to translate. Aside from people wearing warmer clothing and cloudy skies, the environment tends to look the same. For this picture I decided to find a place where the trees were changing colors to emphasize the fall season. As for my subject, I tried to capture her while she was rubbing her hands for warmth.  It wasn't quite cold enough to see your breath, so I figured the hands were the most visible way to display the chill environment.  

Sophie Smith, a senior Theatre major, waits for her ride outside of the Tom Brown Pete Wright Apartment Complex on Monday Nov. 25, 2013 in Fort Worth, Texas. 

Disaster in Your Backyard: Photo J Analysis Week 13

This week, instead of taking a photo we were told to explore publications for a photo depicting the effects of the recent typhoon in the Philippines. The photo I chose is from the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation's website. It is not only appealing compositionally, but tells an interesting story. Children are playing outside, but instead of being surrounded by green grass, soft sand, or any sort of natural structure, there are piles of rubble. Their parents watch from a make shift shelter instead of a back porch. The bright colors of the clothing and blue sky are juxtaposed with the drab and harsh tones of the tin shacks, wood and tarp. The destruction has become part of the Filipino's new existence, yet they have found a way to settle amidst the chaos. The picture captures the capacity for humanity to continue on even after great devastation.

Children walk amongst the rubble in Tacloban, Leyte, Philippines on Nov. 13, 2013. (Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)  

Flashy: Photo J week 12

This week we finally got to use the flash-but not in the typical dark situation. I used "fill flash" to combat the shadows cast by the sun on a bright sunny day. When I turned on the flash, the shutter speed automatically dropped and so I had to turn up the aperture in order to stop the photo from washing out. Luckily I had a fair skinned model, so it was easy to light.  

Amber Flores sits outside Erma Lowe Hall on Monday Nov. 12, 2013 in Fort Worth, Texas. 

High Heels and Skyscrapers~Photo J week 11

For the photo of my choice this week I wanted to capture beautiful lights of downtown Fort Worth during the Sundance Square grand opening. The plaza had a fountain of shooting water spouts in the center. My friends and I spotted the water shooting up and by the time we got close enough to take a picture, the water was back to ground level. After waiting around for the water to shoot up again, I had the idea to shoot my friend's shoes and long dress next to the water while also capturing the lights and taller buildings. I tried squatting but eventually laid down flat to take the shot. With a high ISO and low shutter speed, the lighting was easy to capture. It was tough though to shoot a picture while laying on the freezing ground-a small sacrifice. 

Kelly Pahl flicks her foot back in the newly opened Sundance Square in Fort Worth, Texas on Friday Nov. 1, 2013.