Reflecting Natures Beauty

The moments that I spend in fields, mountains, by any body of waters, or hiking trails, I feel at peace as I am surrounded by natures beauty. Observing the way the trees, plants, water and flowers all come together to create an environment where other forms of nature call home intrigues me and shows how we should all appreciate nature more. 

Nature pleases me and touches my inner peace which evokes my enthusiasm for solitude. The way nature makes me feel so free from all of life's adversities makes me appreciate it so much more. The way the trees, and plants sway in the wind compels me to understand myself and purpose of being. Observing all the nature I am surrounded by, I am constantly in touch with my inner feelings. The hills, the different trees, the colorful flowers, the different bodies of water are all inspirations and help reflect on past experiences. 

I created this portrait series to reflect the awareness humans should have about natures beauty and the emotions in which it brings. I want viewers to feel the vibrant colors that nature brings and how it can be so peaceful; the tranquility and relationship with nature. A look in the mirror can reflect how we should embrace natures beauty. 

-Jezabelle Quintana

 

Reflecting your True self

 Everyday we look at our reflection in the mirror. Most of the time, we are looking at our physical appearance. We are trying to discern if our outfit, hair, and makeup look the way we want it to look. Have you ever looked in the mirror and locked eyes with yourself? It tends to give people an uncomfortable feeling and some may feel confident while doing so.  For my portrait series, I decided to take pictures of friends looking into a mirror. I wanted to capture some of the different emotions and feelings they had toward their true selves. Some smiled, while others showed a little glimpse of their personality. I thought this was a great series, and really enjoyed photographing my friends. 

I really wanted to keep the theme of a darker and more personal feel to the photos. I brought the contrast up in all the pictures and really made the focus on the subject. 

Experimenting for Assignment 2

 In the pictures above I really wanted to capture the motion of the athlete while running and jumping. I was able to capture that by having a high shutter speed. 

The picture above I really wanted to focus on all three cones and was somewhat successful. 

In the picture above I tried slowed down my shutter speed to have some blur to show motion in the athlete.

Black & White

 

The photograph below is the one I chose to edit. The side of the science building is what is pictured below. This photograph allowed me to be able to be creative and come up with ways to make it look different while following the same theme. I decided to stay with a gloomy/dark feel to each edit. 

The edit below I decided to play around with the brightness/contrast before applying the settings for the sepia effect. I did this to give it a darker look and highlight the sky a bit more. 

In the next edit I went ahead lowered the brightness of the image and brought the contrast up tp give it that gloomy feel. I used the settings for the Cooltone that were provided. 

In the next edit I chose to play around with the color balance. I wanted to make this feel like a late winter afternoon and really display a purple sunset like we've been experiencing in Mckenzie. This edit really reminded of that. The purple really lit up the sky and building.

This following edit I went off theme and decided to make the image feel like a night vision feel. To make this happen I played around with the levels tool. 

My last edit is my absolute favorite. In this edit I chose to pick up the contrast and brought down that brightness. Then I used the doge and burn tool. I did this to help make it look like there is an incoming storm. I felt really good about this edit.

     My name is Jezabelle Quintana, and I was born and raised in Orange County, CA. Now you're probably wondering how I ended up in the middle of no where McKenzie. Something that is part of my identity lead me to attend Bethel University; softball. Softball has been part of life since I was 4 years old. It has brought a lot of  opportunity into my life; making lifetime friendships, learning life lessons, traveling and continuing my education beyond high school. 

    Growing up in California, I had the convenience of  having plenty of activities to keep me occupied. I really enjoyed going to the beach quite often. As well as going on hikes. Fishing in the ocean is another activity I really enjoy. Since a young age I really enjoyed the outdoors. It really makes me feel at peace. Life in Tennessee is much different than it is in California. Especially McKenzie , TN. Life is much slower, and there's not much to do. It's nice to get away from a chaotic scene, but I cant say that I don't miss California. 

Click HERE to view a clip on youtube of Birds of paradise.