Project Nine - Transforming Objects
Title – Should I Stay or Should I Go?
Tags- traffic light, transformation, confusion, digital photography class
This assignment proved to be a challenge for me. We had the options to make an image that uses extreme point-of-view (worm’s/bird’s eye), or extreme close-up, or create an image that has challenging pictorial space and changes our perception of an ordinary object. I have done a couple of pictures with extreme close up and one with a bird’s eye view, but I wanted to do more with Photo Shop and editing. After talking with my husband, he thought I should transform a traffic light. Initially I tried to get a good picture of a traffic light at night, but there was so much moisture in the air that the light diffused more than I wanted it to. So, I tried a daytime picture of the traffic light. At first, I thought I would use the color picture but then I tried it black and white and added back the color to the traffic lights.
This assignment had value to me because it gave me an opportunity to work on editing in Photo Shop. I cropped the photo several different ways to see which photo composition I preferred. Also, I practiced with the black and white and added back the color. I really like this effect for emphasis.
I chose the title, Should I Stay or Should I Go because this traffic light would be very confusing if someone were to come upon it. The person would not know if they should stop or go. The tags (transformation, traffic light, confusion, digital photography class) were used to describe the picture and for easy reference in searching for the picture in the future. I exceeded on all the comments I made for my peers as I gave detailed comments and thoughtful feedback.
I believe I could use this type of photograph for a lesson on mixed messages that we get in life. Mixed messages may come from tone of voice, body language, or sarcasm. This could be a good starting point for a class discussion on mixed messages that may be happening in our classroom.