Fresh

Myself, Meredith, Monica, and Evan had to come up with 10 images that represent the word "fresh". As a group, we decided to each take 3 pictures and then we would all meet and discuss which ones we liked the best. I feel like this way of setting up the group project really worked for us because we individually got the chance to take our own pictures and explore with the concepts in "Idea Index" but then we also came together as a group to discuss the images that we took. I think that what didn't work (or did work depending on how you view it) as a group is that we did not really have similar ideas of "fresh" so the theme of our pictures seem a little different. I guess the only thing I would do differently is discuss beforehand what we think "fresh" to be and then decide what kinds of pictures to take. Although this is the case and our pictures are very different, I really liked how the finished project shows a mixed range of ideas and creativity from different people. So even though we could have been a bit more organized, I think that it worked in our favor.

The most important thing I discovered through this group project is that one word can mean so many different things. We chose the word "fresh" because we thought it would be so easy to find things that the word represents. Turns out, each of us struggled a little bit to discover "fresh" things. We each went out and found very different things that represent "fresh" and captured them in different ways.

This is one of the images that I took to capture the word "fresh". This image has a shallow depth of field because the watermelon is the only fruit that is in focus in this picture, while the other fruits are slightly out of focus. The black utensil almost directs the viewer's eye towards the fruit and leads the viewer to the center of the picture. The watermelon is not right in the center of the image. This off-center placement makes it possible for the viewer to be aware that there are other fruit options and this adds to the overall image.

There is also added emphasis on the watermelon due to the reflection of the light in the water. Sometimes reflections are not a good thing, but the reflected light works in this case because it adds to the location of the picture since the light shows that these fruits are displayed in a case for people to eat. The color of the fruit is very vivid and draws the viewer's eyes to the image. The color really makes the image pop. The red, green, and orange are all very solid and powerful colors in this image because they are the only colors that are present. Since there is no other color in the image, the viewer's eyes are naturally drawn to where the color is.

There is also a sense of repetition in this image due to the similar white trays that are holding the fruit that appear one after the other. Although the viewer cannot see the full length of the white trays, they are still aware that the trays are similar and that a pattern emerges from the repetition. This sense of repetition is important for an image because it attracts attention to the subject, conveys harmony, and can create patterns.