Erika Clark | Week 10 | The Top Floor of the Parking Structure

I took this picture of my roommate on the top floor of the parking structure at our apartment complex. I like how even though it is nighttime, she is still pretty well lit on one side with shadows on the other side. It gives her some depth, as well as adding a sense of mystery. The light on her was just coming from the various street lamps all around us. I also like how in this picture, you can see the city lights in the distance, and because of those lights, instead of pitch black, the sky looks like a more brownish-black color with clouds arranged in vertical lines at the top. The sky looks a bit lighter around the more heavily populated areas too. I really like coming out here at night, because of the view and the peace it brings me.

Week 10- Forest Trail

I took this photo on a hike with my boyfriend through a little forested area. I was fascinated by the towering trees all around us, and it was so beautiful how it seemed dark on the trail but little rays of sunlight would show through the trees. I couldn't fully capture the beauty of this one my phone's camera, but I still like the contrast between the deeper colors in the forefront of the photo and the light coming from the sky up ahead. For me, this photo evokes serenity and joy.

Week 10: Shadow Castle - Kari Setlak

My picture this week was taken inside of my apartment, of one of the pieces of our Harry Potter Lego set that lives on the island between the living room and kitchen. My boyfriend loves candles, so we have one in pretty much every room of the house, including this one. And when we have all of the lights turned out, the warm light of the candle and the cool light of the bug zapper contrast to create a strangely natural artificial effect. The warm glow coming through the windows almost makes it look like there's actually a light source coming from inside, specifically actual candlelight. With the blue-purple light coming from across the room, the scene appears to be reflecting the glow of the night sky, with the yellow light cutting through as a contrasting source. Even though this set is Harry Potter inspired, this particular frame reminds me of the reveal of Frank-N-Furter's castle in The Rocky Horror Picture Show, and much like that scene, this image makes me feel a certain apprehension. The lighting angles also cast deep shadows that conceal many of the components of the visual that would possibly reveal any information- which also serves this particularly mysterious sight.

On a related note, I've learned a lot this quarter in this class, and I feel a lot more confident discussing lighting now that I did ten weeks ago. I would like to thank everyone in the class for still taking the time to create this learning environment and work together, despite the odd circumstances that have come along with the pandemic. This was the most memorable last quarter and graduation I think I could possibly have, and I know I'll use everything I've learned during this time moving forward. I hope everyone has a good summer and stays safe!

Week 8: Fallen Flowers - Meghan Minguez-Marshall

Happy week 10 friends! I am here with yet another flower-related photo. I have still been social distancing so I only have pictures from the walks I have been taking. Lavender is my favorite color, so seeing all of these purple leaves inspired me to pull out my phone and snap a picture. I love how they almost completely cover the ground. I also love the pattern that the shadow of the tree branches forms on the ground. The little pockets of bright green grass surround the dark green from the shadow, which resembles gobos I have seen used in shows. I have noticed that I am drawn to shadows a lot and that is usually what inspires me to take a picture, sometimes without even realizing it. I also love the combination of purple and green and have a lot of purple and green clothing. I know they are not complementary colors but I think they look very good together. 

Week 10 - Tyler Garcia - Borrowed Light, Bright Light, Bright Light

Borrowed Light, Bright Light, Bright Light
For my final blog post, I've chosen a photo that I took outside my parents' house a few nights ago.  A couple weeks ago I moved back up here, and it's definitely been really weird adjusting, and living in my childhood room with a bunch of still-packed moving boxes.  But one of my favorite things about my hometown, if not my favorite thing about it, is the night sky.  If it isn't cloudy out, I can look out at the night sky and see hundreds and hundreds of stars, constellations, and sometimes even planets.  When I got out of my car and looked toward my house, I saw the moon shining overhead, beaming brightly and pouring moonlight over my house.  This picture is unedited, the moon really is that bright at our house, it's crazy.  I've always loved the night sky, and it's very comforting to be able to look into it and see the infinite possibilities that the universe could become.

Week 10: Stacey Manos

I took a walk around campus last week and came across these beautiful trees with flowers all over the ground. It was a cloudy and overcast day so it was lovely to see this burst of color. Even though the sky was gray, there was such light coming from the bright green of the bushes, which illuminated the purple trees even more. Even though this is a still image, it almost gives the illusion that the trees are swaying in the wind because of the grayness coming through the branches and the vibrant color contrasting the dreariness. This sight brought so much life to a dark day. 

Week 10 - Madi Smith

I was on a walk and had to take this photo because of how pretty the sky looked. It was just after sunset, before the sky got all the way dark, and I loved the varying shades of blue that were visible. That, paired with the yellow light from the parking stalls made for a very aesthetically pleasing photo. I also loved the way the trees were in silhouette, and the way the soft lights from the stalls washed the street in light.

A Warped Reflection

In this photo I really just wanted to share my appreciation for the way this cabinet door disperses light. The reflection of the light seems to soften as it reaches its edges, creating a kind of soft focus. I also wanted to comment on how the reflection kind of forms a sideways hourglass shape in the bright section. It's just a very interesting example of the physics of light in action.

Week 10 - Building

For my final blog post, I am sharing this photo I took during a filming at the Pasadena City Hall. After a long day of filming, the sun began to set and lit the beautiful architecture of the building from behind. The artificial lights lighting the building from the inside as well as the details on the outside made the whole building look so beautiful. The contrast between the natural light from behind and the artificial light from within created a beautiful lighting that was only possible during the time of day I took the photo. If anyone has a chance to go to Pasadena around the end of the day, I would definitely recommend it! The architecture of the building is so beautiful.

I really enjoyed sharing my photos with you all this quarter! I really enjoyed seeing everyone's photos as well. Thank you for a great quarter!!!!!

Week 10 - Hope for the Future - Andrew Landeros

Me and my family were celebrating my cousins graduation and we were all taking photos with him in his cap and gown at around the same time the sun was setting. In the distance you could see the rays of the sun shinning through the clouds. In the midst of such hard times we are facing, it reminded me that there is still hope. Looking at this lighting i felt hopeful and determined. That even in times of darkness, the light will continue to shine through.

Week 10 - Beautiful Morning - Hector Hernandez

Hello everyone!

In this picture I am demonstrating the light shining from the window in the morning, which really caught my attention. This indoor scene shows a dark and unlit indoor lighting in a scene, bringing a theme of resting and calming atmosphere to the room. However, the window brings an outside source of light that begins to light up the room, giving the idea that it is dawn and a new day begins. I thought it was pretty soothing how the warm colors from the items in the room along with the blue-white cool light coming from the window brings a contrasting but soothing source to see in this picture. These two contrasting colors brought my attention and it brings a perfect type of lighting to a scene, by including warm colored items with a cool colored lighting. This lighting in the picture brings a feeling of waking up to a new day as dawn is now here and it's time to wake up to a wonderful new morning.

Week 10-Side Light-Lissette Garrido

Since the quarantine has started my grandma has been staying with us and she is sleeping in my room. Since I don't really have a bed I've been sleeping on an air mattress in my brother's room. Him and I have been spending a lot of time together and today we were watching the walking dead and loved the lighting in his room at this time. The blinds were barely open and the only light that was shining was on his trophies and his baseball caps. This almost reminds me of when using a spotlight shining with some lowly lit lights around it. There is also some light on the lampshade that looks like it has a design on it as well. It looks like when only the side lights are only lit on one side of the stage.

Week 10 - Context - Matthew Byrd

As my town sets up now for the second protest this week. I sit here among the barricades and chain link fences that are sure to hear angry voices and racial slurs full of hatred. I can't help but think about context. Normally a photo of this nature minus the fence would be seen as hopeful, patriotic, optimistic even. The beautiful golden being cast by the sun the rich greens and blues of the sky and tree. The uplifting feeling of looking up to the sky. Now I see this setting and its changed. I feel this deep groaning pain, the greens and blues are no longer hopful or rich but hot and oppressive. The flag no longer optimistic but torn dominating ominous, I'm no longer looking hopefully up at the sky but feel as if it is looking down upon me and everyone else that passes by casting judgement waiting for them to give it an excuse. Context, context means everything.

Week 10 - Summer

I went to school yesterday because my best friend wanted to take graduation photos at school. And this is a picture I took near the Winifred Smith Hall at Claire Trevor school of the Art. I often rest here alone when I wait for the next class, but I have never seen such a beautiful scenery before. There had been sunny days before, but the flowers had not blossomed. 

The pink flowers and the warm colors of the building behind are comfortable to look at, and the blue sky is like the background color of this photo. This image has a high saturation and light level, mainly due to the dim light of my position. In general, I like the color and angle of this photo very much, which makes me feel relaxed.

Week 10: New Beginnings -Alyssa Mendoza

Happy Week 10 everyone!

I recently moved in with my cousin, who is lucky enough to have a pool in her backyard. I noticed the flowers floating and thought it looked lovely, so I decided to take a picture of it for this final blog post. I love how the color of the water and the flowers look together. The reflection of the world and the sky on the water is really cool. The shadows on the pool floor are very interesting. It looks very cool and refreshing. I'm very excited to spend lots of time here when the weather warms up again.

 This picture is very hopeful to me. The last few months of school were difficult, but I'm very lucky and thankful for the people who got me through it (shoutout to my roommates, love you Erika!). Now, as I graduate, I look forward to whatever new opportunities come my way, and hopefully, the world starts becoming a better place to live in. Thank you all for a great quarter, it was an honor to learn alongside you and I wish you all the best in your future endeavors!

Lots of love,
Alyssa :)

Week 10- Make It Blue - Rachel Stinger

Happy week 10 everyone! I can't believe that this is my last week of undergrad. I took this photograph on my friend's balcony in November of 2019. I was admiring the sunset and was enraptured by the blue gradient of the sky before the sky turned to black. I love that the sky is a lush indigo/royal blue at the top of the photograph and shifts into the pale lavender and then finally a soft yellow right where the sky meets the shadowed city silhouettes. You can faintly see the powerline cables, but they look as fragile as spiderwebs. Most of the shadow is concentrated at the bottom of the picture, but there are thin trees and powerline supports extend upwards towards the dark blue. I love the contrast between light and shadow and the balance between the two. The emotion I get from this photograph is a sense of serenity and calmness. Blue is commonly associated with these feelings so it is only fitting that I felt those in that moment. I also feel melancholy while looking at this photo. So much has changed between November and June and the only way we can move is forward.

Week 10 - Weiner In Paradise - Lucas Goodman

This is a photo of a little weiner pupperino. Her name is Pumpkin. One day she popped in to say hello and there just happened to be a glimmering beam of warm sunshine blasting through the window. As soon as she noticed this opportunity for a chill sesh, she plopped down and bathed herself in the glorious sunlight.

What I appreciate about this photo is how concentrated the ray of sunlight is in the photo. It gives such a vigorous power to the image and as a result it makes little Pumpkin here look exquisitely divine, and eternally glamorous. I also find the shape of the light so fascinating. The shadow of the table behind the camera presents a corner shadow and it just so happens to be pointed right towards Pumpkin; on top of that, the outline of the window that the light is traveling through is stretched in a way that is tight and concise. Moreover, all the surrounding areas are dark/and or live in a shadowy realm. Because of this, it feels like everything about this photo’s composition is telling the audience to pay attention to Pumpkin, sitting there looking ever so fabulous.

This photo is inspiring to me because it demonstrates all the different ways you can concentrate light on a figure, prop, scenery, etc. Of course color has a great influence on how light attracts our eyes, but the manipulation of negative space, shadows, shape, and contrasting intensities can also work wonders in creating a concentrated composition.

Katherine Cotter Week 8: Serene Skies

I took this photo while I was on a walk around my neighborhood. This is my favorite spot that I walk to, and in the late afternoon I find it so calming to stand out there and listen to all the frogs croaking and the breeze moving the leaves around. On the day I took this photo, I remember being in a bit of a sombre mood, and hopeless feelings were getting to me, but when I turned the corner and saw the sky, with the sun peeking through the grasses, washing across the sky and reflecting warm colors onto the clouds, I felt more at peace. The difference between the dark grey clouds (toward the bottom of the sky in the photo) which I was seeing more of that day, and the color and warmth from the setting sun reminds me of hope and lifts my mood. 

Week 8 / California Dreamin' / Tyler Garcia

California Dreamin'

I took this photo on the last walk that I took in Orange County, right before moving back up to my parents' house back up in the middle of nowhere, California, right near the Nevada border.  Palm trees have always been something I've loved, particularly because of how much they remind me of home.  I never grew up around palm trees, per se, but being from California, that's what people always associate us with; that and the Golden Gate Bridge.  I loved the silhouette of the palm trees in this, backed by the almost dream-like clouds, creating this kind of ethereal California dream. Palm trees always reminded me that no matter where in the world I am, I'll always be a California boy at heart.

Week 8-Sunny Tree-Lissette Garrido

I took this picture in my backyard and the lighting during this time of day was so pretty. I loved the way there was some light showing through the branches of the trees and there was more light on side as well. This makes the tree look greener than the other side even though the leaves are all the same color. Kind of like when lighting only one side of the stage it can sometimes make the actor look like they are wearing different colors. I also really like the shadows the tree is creating on the ground too. The wind was blowing and was creating different shadows while the branches kept moving.

Week 8 - Blushy Sky - Andrew Landeros

It was a cloudy day and i was inside during quarantine. The sun started to set and i saw a pinkish glow through my window. I went outside and got a sight of this. I took a picture and i observed the colors. I gave me a sense of serenity and it was so soothing. I was outside for 15 min just admiring the sunset and the colors it projected across the sky. I also finally realized the clouds actually are lavender. I was mind blown.

Week 8 | Soft Sunset | Erika Clark

I took this picture on the beach (with a mask and safely distanced from other people), because I hadn't seen a sunset in a very long time. I realized I also hadn't been to the beach in over a year despite living so close to so many. I thought the sunset was beautiful and soft. The fog over the water created a soft glow when the sunlight went through it, creating a sky of hazy oranges and blues. The reflection from the sun makes the water glow, and I can also see a shadow of a bird backlit on the right. It was just a really beautiful night, and I'm glad I got to see it.

Week 8 - Bright Spots and Shadows

I took a bit of a different approach to this photo. I really just appreciated the way the shadows kind of bled downwards and how the shadows at the bottom contrasted with the bright spots of light near the top. It gave me a warm feeling, kind of like the warmth of athe sun coming through the window on a cold morning. The shadows bleeding downward really reminded me of the feeling I get as I warm up and the cold just drips out of my being.

Week 8 - Madi Smith

I took this photo on a walk at the park earlier last week. I had stopped to take a photo because I thought the shadows the trees cast onto the creek made it look so pretty. I was also drawn to the varying shades of green on the trees depending on where the sun hit them in the photo. The green mixed with the brown of the creek, and the rusty-red of the bridge made for a great combination of colors, and the shadow gave the whole scene a more adventurous look.

Week 8 - Lights, Fence and LA (Sittichai Chaiyahat)

This photo is from the very top of a hill in LA that's very close to the Hollywood sign. I think the time was around 11:30 or sometime close to that. This was the result of an impromptu drive I had with my friend up to LA . We stopped by to get food, drove through the bougee Hollywood Hills and found ourselves atop the peak of a mountain where we could see both the city and the Hollywood sign. I really like the lighting in this photo. Everywhere is dark except for the faint glow coming from the city lights way in the distance. It looks awesome. The chain link fence also adds some interesting texture to the photo, as you cna barely make out the chain link except for the section that's being lit by the city lights. This photo reminds me of the good times I had with one of my close friends.

Week 8- Apartment Views- Alyssa Mendoza

Hi all! I hope you are enjoying the final few weeks of the quarter.

I took this picture from the balcony of my apartment. My roommates and I often joke about feeling like Rapunzel in her tower, being so high up and unable to go outside. This balcony is a nice little escape for me, whenever I don't have the energy to go on a walk but still want to be outside. It's where we have impromptu dance parties, moments alone, and breaths of fresh air. As the sun travels over us, the light is constantly changing. It is really bright in the morning and more shadowy in the afternoon. This was taken at around 5pm, so the sun was behind us, casting the shadow of the building over the area downstairs. It's really nice at sunset because the windows will reflect the orange light and it looks really pretty. It can feel a little suffocating at times, but it is nice having this little bit of escape where we can see people passing by, trees in the distance, and the world continuing to move forward.

Week 8 - A Day's Upcoming Night - Hector Hernandez

Hello everyone!

Today i am demonstrating a picture i took around Stanford Court before dusk. Seeing how the sun shines close to 7:00 PM when the sun is close to setting, the light it brings to this area really caught my attention. The contrasting colors on the buildings and the floor really caught my attention as shown by the building's warm yellow & orange colors due to the sun's reflections, all while seeing the cool shaded floor, giving a darker and cool blue mood to the picture. Seeing the light this picture bring makes me think of a relaxing and satisfying mood to the scene because the lack in sunlight all over the picture makes me feel like the day is close to the end, where i am done working for the day and I can relax now that the night is close, later to go sleep in bed once night arrives.

Week 8: Stacey Manos

I took this photo while on a walk with my sister. It was an unexpected moment of laughter between us and she hid from the camera. I love the bright pink of the flowers coming from behind her because it is the first thing my eyes focus on when I look at this picture. The sun is hitting the green grass and the pink flowers in a way that makes the entire photo feel happy and free, reminding me of summertime and genuine joy. 

Week 8: K-town Streets - Tina K.

This week, I wanted to share this photo from last year that I took at Korea Town in Downtown LA. As I was waiting in line for a concert venue for the group PENTAGON to perform the LA stop for their Prism tour, the sun began to set and the lights around began to slowly turn on. The bright neon signs of the venue along with the colorful sunset behind made me immediately want to take a photo. Seeing the beautiful way lights work immediately made me distracted from the long wait I have been expecting. The headlights of the passing cars also added to this beauty crated by both artificial and natural lights.

This photo also brings back memories of this wonderful day I spent with my sister, so it is a very meaningful, and light filled photo for me. I hope you guys like it as much as me!!

Week 8: Drawn In - Kari Setlak

Tonight on our walk, I literally made my boyfriend stop in his tracks because I wanted to take this photo. My eye was drawn in immediately by the quality of light and the way that isolation interacts with the larger picture. Although each lamp draws attention to the small area bathed in its light, their setup pulls the viewer all the way in and towards the end of the walkway. Compared to the dimming light blue sky as the sun begins to set in the background, the harsher yellow lamps cut through the enclosing darkness with a certain boldness. I've realized in my last couple posts that I have a fascination with the time during which the city lights start to come up but before the natural light of the sun has disappeared. It makes me feel a certain apprehension but also gives me a sense of curiosity, and this image was definitely no exception in my mind. This view reminded me of the kind of magical realism we've been discussing in class, especially in regards to Anna in the Tropics. And I have to admit that it does feel nice to have found new ways for my brain to convert mundaneness into escapism through this lens, especially right now.

Week 8 | Hoi An Lanterns | Diemmi Le

This picture was taken last summer when I went to Vietnam with my mom and sister to visit my family there.  Most of the time in Vietnam was spent indoors in Saigon, trying to stay out of the humid heat, but this picture was actually taken when we traveled up north to Hoi An, Vietnam, the highlight of the trip.  I remember this night being one of the best nights of my time in Vietnam because of all the beautiful lighting.  I remember walking around telling myself, "Damn, this is where I want to have my honeymoon," because of how incredibly romantic the lanterns made everything feel.  They were everywhere and it was the main source of light.  They were in the river, being sold at booths, on the side walk, etc.  I think there is a general warmness in lanterns because they were candlelit for the most part.  The flame creates an aura that is more warm with its yellow/orange color.  They also aren't as assertive like artificial light may be.  Also, especially in the picture, lanterns dim the overall source of the light so that it is not as bright and in your face.  Instead, the flame (or lightbulb) is covered with intricately designed fabric, and when it shines on people, there is a sense of mystery (and conceal) to them. Overall, they created a more calming feeling and being around them, I felt more relaxed, yet happy.  It felt romantic.  In the picture, there are lots of red and orange that add to that warm feeling as well. 

Week 8 - Baroque Clouds - Rachel Stinger

Happy week 8 everyone! We are in the final stretch.
I took this photo when I was taking my dog Nikita on her evening walk. As I was leaving my house my eyes were drawn to the beautiful sky above me. I was enchanted by the soft blues of the evening sky, the subtle amber and lavenders of the clouds and the dark silhouettes of the trees. I really love the gradient of dark blue down to the almost white blue at the bottom of the photograph. It creates a beautiful natural ombre effect. At first I didn't care for the silhouettes in the photo, but I feel like they add a nice contrast to the brightness of the photo. The sky in this photograph reminded me of the skies painted in Baroque period paintings. It specifically reminded me of the painting on the ballroom ceiling that you see during the title song of Beauty and the Beast. I feel like all the picture needs is some photoshopped cherubs and angels to really complete the Baroque look. Themes of romance, timelessness, beauty and etherealness come to mind while I gaze at the image. When I look at this photo I am reminded that these great painters and I looked up at the same sky. I only wish I had the ability to paint the beautiful scenes they painted. I am really inspired by the sky and by classic paintings so I feel like this photograph really encapsulates both.

Week 8 - Natural Projection - Matthew Byrd

This photo brought a little bit of joy and wonder. I happened to turn around and noticed that the magnifying glass that I use to tie flies was focusing the light coming through my window and not just focusing light but acting as a projector in such a fuzzy just satisfying way. In analyzing the image it was even fun just to notice that the image is flipped but noticing what doesn't appear to be flipped. Such as the lamp looks right side up but has moved to the bottom now hanging off of the bookshelf rather than resting on it. It got me curious and thinking about how I could use this in theatre. Creating projections that are more naturalistic and calm. Rather than the sharp crisp detached projections, we use now in theatre. I'd love to see how to replicate this even if it is just an unfocused projector with a very soft diffused edge.

Week 8: Flowers in Bloom - Meghan Minguez-Marshall

Hello friends! Happy week eight!

 I wanted to make this picture large so that the quality was only slightly lowered, so you could all see the details in the photo. I took this photo on a walk last week. I walk on this trail a lot, and in the week or so since I had been last all of these flowers bloomed! It made me so happy to see so many of them when I didn't even realize they were budding for the past few weeks. I really enjoy all of the different levels the flowers are growing at, and how the white of the flowers pops out and catches your eye. They form little waves close to the skyline, and it makes me feel calm to look at the bright white of each flower in the distance. I tried not to get my shadow in the photo, but in hindsight, I like that I am a part of this photo in a way, even if it is just my shadow. I also think it is interesting to note the three flowers towards the bottom of the photo. One is in all sunlight, one half in sunlight and half in my shadow, and the other completely in my shadow. I like how the change in light effects the vibrancy of the yellow centers of the flowers. The sunlight also allows you to see more detail in the petals of the flowers compared to the one in shadow. Lastly, I love how the blue of the skyline gradually gets more saturated, resulting in a pure sky blue at the top of the photo.

Week 8 - Oh Hello There, Sir! - Lucas Goodman

This is a photo I took of a little succulent I own! I took this as it was gracefully chillin on my desk, basking in the golden flares of the setting sunlight. I happened to walk into my room and it was almost as if the little plant said, "Oh hello there, sir!" Immediately, I knew that this snapshot HAD to be my blog post. 

What draws me toward this image the most is a combination of the defined presence of the plant in the foreground contrasted with the out of focus nature background along with the splendid ray of sunshine splashing through various areas of the image. In addition to the adorable heart in the heart painted on the pink pot, the influence of the nature in the exterior illuminates the visual with ease and comfort. It makes me just want to cuddle up next to the succulent. In a way, it seems like the succulent is joyfully having a little afternoon conversation with the trees out side. 

I am inspired by this photo because it makes me think how appreciating the simplicity of nature is one of the most profound ways we can connect with art. In tying this to lighting, it makes me wonder about all the different ways one can establish peaceful exterior lighting by emulating sunlight, trees, greenery, etc. I also imagine how when it comes to lighting nature environments, simplicity can often be more effective. 

Week 8 - Cat behind the window

There were significantly fewer rainy days during this period than in the previous two weeks, so I go out more often. This photo was taken on my way home from the supermarket this afternoon. When I came back, I just saw my roommate's cat Jilly basking on the windowsill.

Black cats are not easy to see on cloudy days or when there is no sun, especially the position in the window, the sunlight cannot illuminate in. Compared to other place that can be illuminated, the light is much dimmer.

The other reason that I like this picture is because the color combination in the photo gives me a very comfortable feeling. For me, light colors are relaxing. Especially in the sunlight, the colors stand out and look cleaner.

In this project, I have gradually found that color is important for photos. Humans are visual animals, and other tactile sensations are relatively weak for vision. So photographs are very intuitive things, and I'm getting more and more aware of that.

Week 6 - A Streak of Fear

I took this photo before I spotted in the small hours of the morning and it reminded me of the kind of intense streaks of light in contrasting darkness you see in horror movies. It kinda created this isolated and uncertain atmosphere.

Week 6- Stacey Manos

I took this photo from the car at sunset while I was driving by the beach to clear my head. Even though we are living in stressful times, this sunset felt happy. The sky was still bright blue, even though the sun was setting and the bird was flying right towards the sun. The beam of light coming from the sun and reaching all the way to the car was a nice metaphor for the sun reaching out to me. The brush strokes of the clouds dancing with different colors in the sky made it feel childlike and playful. 

Week 6 Impressionist- Matthew Byrd

This is a picture of one of the 14 redwoods my grandfather planted as a gift to my parents in our back yard I loved this because of the balance of color. The warm of the orange twilight sun against the green tree with the light blue background. I also loved the stylized format the screen gives the view making it see as if it were an impressionist painting unless you get close enough to see it. But also an almost modern impressionist as it seems pixelate perhaps even pointilist in nature.

Week 6 / Solitude / Tyler Garcia

Solitude

Lately, I haven't been going out as much as I know that I should, at least to get regular exercise and vitamin D.  It feels like more and more lately we shouldn't be going outside, and should be locking ourselves away in our houses in desperate attempts to curb exposure to ourselves and others.  Though, I did force myself to go outside and take a walk by myself, mask equipped.  Just around my little suburban Orange County neighborhood.  I found myself in the parking lot of a liquor store, closed either due to time or COVID-19.  But this light was still on, illuminating the space around it, despite the fact that the only person, in fact literally the only thing in the entire parking lot, was me.  This little light, faintly glowing, was still glowing for me.  My own personal spotlight, six feet away and social distancing, of course.

Week 6 - Fairy Lights - Andrew Landeros

This picture is of the lights that my sister placed behind her curtains in her room. We were talking to each other and having a nice conversation at around 2am when I took this picture. The warm yellow made me feel really joyful, safe, and it felt like fairies were surrounding me and my sister.

Week 6: Beams - Kari Setlak

My boyfriend and I have been trying to at least sit out on our patio recently, so we don't spend too much time inside while we can't go anywhere much further. Even though we don't have the greatest view- just facing the parking lot for the apartments-, we at least have some beautiful trees on the other side of our wall. I've always loved the silhouette of trees and branches, so much that I have a tattoo of a guitar made of tree branches on my back. So, this week my photo is of one of the street lights shining through the branches of the trees and even casting a soft beam on the nearest leaves and brightening their color and tone. I thought it was appropriate, given our discussions the last few weeks of isolated sources of light versus flooded fullness and the way that different sources of light are always affecting the way we see the scene in front of us, onstage and in life. I love the contrast of the soft blue gray glow of the sky, as the sun has gone down but the darkness hasn't quite settled in yet, and the artificial yellow light calling more specific attention the now brighter, more vibrant green cluster. Especially right now, I really appreciate the calm serenity of the look and feeling of the evening air with a bright light shining through the approaching darkness. The small glimpse of light encourages us to keep looking forward to the daylight that will come again after the darkness, just like in life and in many shows.

Week 6: Flower- Alyssa Mendoza

I took this picture on Valentine’s Day this past February. Brown Bag was selling carnations on campus and I happily bought one for myself. I love flowers, they make me smile. I loved this one, which is a delicate pink. I like how the light of the car makes some of the petals look blue. I like the contrast between the warmer and cooler colors. The shadows make the middle of the flower a darker pink than the edges. I’m not a fan of Valentine’s Day, but being able to spend it with friends and the little things like this made it a little better.

Week 6 - Madi Smith

I took this photo outside the car window as the sun was setting. I loved the mix of colors, and though it wasn't a very extravagant sunset, but the blue, orange, and pink together looked really pretty aesthetically. I liked the way the sky made the ground appear in silhouette, apart from the sunset's reflection in the shop window. The color palette felt soft, for lack of a better word, and I thought it gave the picture a really peaceful vibe.

Week 6 - Sittichai Chaiyahat

This picture is from when I went to the beach a couple of nights ago. It was around 10 p.m. so there was almost nobody there. I love going to the beach in the evening. I didn't go down on the sand, instead I just parked my car above the beach and went to the edge of a cliff near the beach and took the picture you see above! If you're curious about where I'm at this picture was taken in Carlsbad. I particularly like this photo and the lighting because even though it's dark you can still manage to see everything on the beach, but once you hit the water it's almost pitch black and you can't see anything. So that dynamic is interesting along with the the infrastructure of the trash can, fence, and bench that's located on the beach. The smell of the open sea air is the absolute best, and can really help you cleat your mind. Also, Happy Mothers Day! 

Week 6 | Jellies | Erika Clark

This week, I decided to post this photo that I took at the Long Beach Aquarium last August. I really like looking at the jellyfish exhibits, because they always make me feel like a kid again. I look at them with the wonder and amazement of a kid who has seen what they might perceive as magic for the first time.

In this picture, I like how the light coming from under the jellyfish illuminate them in a way that provides depth and still leaves something to the imagination. It does a good job of revealing just enough to spark interest but concealing enough to make them a bit mysterious. They each remind me of a little full moon and give a similar feeling to how I feel looking at the night sky. The blue color of the light also helps in making it feel like night and giving them a mystical feel.

Week 6-Juice in a Fancy Cup-Lissette Garrido

Last week my parents wanted to recreate what it's like to be in a restaurant again. My mom doesn't drink wine very often but she wanted to feel "fancy." She put cranberry juice in a wine class to get as close as possible to recreating wine. It was also a candlelit dinner to make it a little more romantic. When I saw where my mom had placed her cup I had to take a picture of it.

I really like the way the lighting is in the back of the cup giving off a pinkish lighting. It reminded me of a cyc light in the background of the cup and the lighting from the living room in the background as well. The light from the candle is also illuminating the bottom the cup as well giving it a romantic/mysterious feeling.

Week 6 - Sky's Calming Light - Hector Hernandez

Hi everyone!

Today I am showing a picture I took at home around sunset. While walking outside to get the mail I saw the sky and it caught my eye to demonstrate to the class. This scene caught my eye because of the dark surface the scene brings while the sky brings an orange and blue sky. The darkness of the floor and the trees and the light in the sky made me focus less on the surroundings and instead made me focus more on the beauty of the light above me, giving a more scenic and meditating emotion to the area due to the contrasting blue and orange colors in the sky.