Student Posts

This is a photo I took on my trip to Norway in June of 2024. Norway is steeped in folklore and stories of mountain Trolls is prevalent. When my companions and I climbed Mount Floyen in Bergen, Norway, the park and its signs, leaned heavily into these stories, warning climbers to beware of the trolls as they hiked. Most of the hike was beautiful and uneventful- besides the trials of climbing a mountain obviously. But as my companions and I finally descended the mountain we caught a glimpse of this big form staring down at us from the cliffside above. The original captures the immense climb that separated us and kind of down plays the face my friends and I thought we saw- it could be mistaken as just a big boulder. In the crop I focused on zooming in on the face so that it can be seen, but still capturing that it is staring down at us by focusing in on the giant tree in the foreground.

So where the original could be mistaken as just a rock- kind of like the blurry Loch Ness Monster Photo, the cropped version seems to showcase a curious, otherworldly creature hiding among the trees.

As I was looking through Flickr’s Smithstonian Gallery, debating what I could use to tell a story, I found this folder entitled ‘Loran’. The word was so similar to my name that I was heavily intrigued and clicked on it. the picture to the left is one of the ones that popped up. It is taken from a bird’s eye perspective, looking down at the ground.

It seems these towers are everywhere around the world transmitting radio signals for ships and aircraft. I never once thought to learn their names because for all of their hard work and talents, they never stood out. And yet their job is one of the most important jobs: to give data to towers so people can fly across our world, to visit their loved ones or to take a trip.

When I went to crop it, I realized how important the shoes were in this picture. The dirty converses tell a story of their own as the toes of them peek at the bottom of the original photo. Without them, the photo turns into this bridge with a mountain at the other side. The bridge looks to be held up by wires, almost as if it were over water or a huge valley.

So often I feel myself walking this tightrope of being a college kid and an adult. While this may seem normal, I often wonder if I will be caught if I fall. I get so caught up in all of my adult responsibilities that often when I go to FSU events, I take a deep breath and remember that I am just a college student. Everything will be okay and my friends and family are there to lift me up whenever I need a reminder of who I am.

Photography is not just about capturing a moment; it’s about telling a story. Recently, I had the opportunity to photograph the iconic Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island, Michigan. While the initial image had its charm, I realized that it didn’t quite capture the essence of this historic landmark. After some thoughtful cropping, the transformation was remarkable. In this post, I’ll share what was wrong with my original image and how cropping helped me highlight the beauty of the Grand Hotel.

The Initial Image: What Went Wrong?

When I first took the photo of the Grand Hotel, I was excited about the scene. However, upon reviewing the image, I noticed a few issues that detracted from its overall impact:

1. Distracting Background Elements: To the left of the hotel, there were numerous background elements, including trees and the street. You can also tell this is taken from a carriage you can see the carriage in the upper right corner. These distractions pulled attention away from the hotel itself, which is the focal point of the image.
2. Cluttered Composition: The presence of these additional elements made the composition feel cluttered. Instead of showcasing the grandeur of the hotel, the image felt busy and overwhelming.
3. Lack of Focus on the Subject: The original framing didn’t emphasize the hotel’s historic architecture or the charm of the horse-drawn carriage in front of it. The viewer’s eye was drawn in multiple directions rather than being guided to the main subject.

Cropping Concepts Featured in the Final Image

In the final version of the photo the following cropping concepts were effectively utilized:

1. Elimination of Negative Space: By removing the excessive negative space on the left, the image became more engaging and complete. The focus shifted entirely to the hotel and carriage, creating a stronger visual connection.
2. Rule of Thirds: The new composition allowed me to position the hotel in a way that aligns with the rule of thirds, creating a more dynamic and visually appealing image. This technique helps guide the viewer’s eye and adds interest to the composition.
3. Framing the Subject: The crop effectively framed the hotel and carriage, enhancing their prominence in the image. This technique draws attention to the subject and creates a sense of intimacy with the viewer.

Conclusion

Cropping can be a powerful tool in photography, transforming an ordinary image into something extraordinary. My initial photo of the Grand Hotel had potential, but it was the act of cropping that truly brought its beauty to life. By eliminating distractions and focusing on the hotel and carriage, I was able to create a compelling image that captures the essence of this historic landmark.