I chose this image because of the movement and repetition present within the composition. Since the focus is a compilation of many of the same form, it starts to create another shape entirely other than the shape of the individual straws themselves. It shows that even though there can be smaller elements that have variation within them, together they can create a completely different emphasis point.
This image is important because it shows that when the many of the same kind are put together, the dynamics and focus change. The same is true with people. While you may act the same no matter who you are around, the dynamics of a group change depending on who is there and how many there are. Together, objects can make more of an impact. Together, people can inspire and make a bigger difference. Together, we can become more than what we are as individuals.

This chestnut is a symbol of my friendship with my new grandma Elaine from Milton Wisconsin. She loves these nuts, and now I do too.

On a more serious photography note, they sure make for interesting subject matter. It reminds me of the photographer who shoots peppers. There's a lot of intrigue and movement in the image.

Alpaca

I went to visit a friend who lives just a few miles away from here. To my surprise, when I got there, her mom was rolling fur onto a a device I had never seen before. Their backyard is home to a small Alpaca farm and they use their fur to spin into scarves.

I think this photo just reminded me that even in the nearby neighborhoods there are people who spend their time on hobbies I would never even imagine.

I love the different colors shown in the fur in this photo and the normalcy of doing this at her kitchen table.

Untitled

I've been taking a series of photos like this, with more to come, as a fun experiment and to convey a message. I spend a semester in Uganda last spring and learned that rather than being consumed by the family and friends around us, American's seem to be consumed and motivated by money. Maybe it's not even just money, but there is always that "diamond" in sight that we're striving so hard for that we forget the loved ones around us. In Africa, they have nothing compared to us, and they're definitely happier and more content. They don't need anything more, and we think we do. Their primary motivation is family and friends.

This project has been a real study of a persons face, intimately working with a person (a couple hours of staring at their face), learning how different people react to what I'm doing, and to get an abstract example of what I've been feeling.

Skittles

I'm not sure how I came up with this, I've been thinking really out of the box lately and wanting to just play with certain things. This arrangement of skittles follows the pattern of the previous image I posted on here. Reasons for taking a photo like this: yellow is my favorite color, I like round objects, I liked the idea of arranging skittles on a white tabletop-like thing (I thought it sounded fun) so that's what I did.

A Face of Wilson

I had to recently update some of the firmware in my flash equipment and I grabbed a couple of guys from the dorm as test subjects. This particular picture stuck out to me because of the symmetry. It's not perfect, but the line that is formed from his "frohawk" really draws me in.

It's Inevitable

Living in Lindner, for the past year and a half we have had these flags that some of the students represent up on the walls. Personally, I like the idea, but what I noticed is that most of these flags were donated because they have seen their fair share of weathering. From another point of view, it is somewhat a reminder that, even though these nations may exist now, nations will eventually fall for one reason or another. So I guess through understanding this, sometimes it is easy to forget that all things will fail that exist on this Earth sooner or later, and we must find our solace elsewhere.

Bathroom Nuiscance

I really enjoy the composition of this photograph. I liked the way the yellow object in the background reflected on the surface of the counter along with the toothpaste. There are a lot of little annoyances that are associated with the bathroom that arise from improper etiquette. At home I have my own bathroom which doesn't keep me particularly accountable. I find it to be a little ironic that something used to maintain personal hygiene can be maintain so poorly itself.

Yellow

Yellow used to be my favorite color. And I think I know why. It is so bold and dynamic. So striking. Sad thing is that it completely looses the effect if you change it to black and white. Very disappointing. Anyway, yellow.

The colander I found very interesting because of the pattern in it. But what I like the most about it is that it almost takes up the whole frame. If I could go back, I would take more pictures, where the colander took up the entire frame. And just play with it more, by zooming in and use different angles.

On Sunday, I was going around Lindner just taking pictures. I was in the lobby when i took this picture of the wall socket and yellow cord. Who would have thought such a, well...common thing would be so sweet looking? I love the way the cord isn't in completely. It has been there awhile. Or used alot. The texture in the wallpaper is another interesting aspect of the image.

I Hope Nobody Noticed

I slipped on this ice.

I had never fallen flat on my face because of ice before --- so the battle scars evidenced in a pair of snagged tights and a Scooby Doo band-aid (courtesy of Cindy) on Monday morning gave me a strange sort of joy. I am entranced by the fact that weather, as over-talked about and over-cliche as it is, affects everything and everyone. People's moods are altered because of it, as are their actions, as can be their feelings and thoughts.

This particular photograph shows the amazing rhythm created through something that people see as painful, obnoxious, and a nuisance. Ice is always where you least need it, least want it, and least expect it. I think we, as photographers (especially in the project we are currently working on) have the challenge of capturing things that have wedged themselves into places where they are least noticed, least needed, least wanted, and least expected. Imagine how much beauty there is out there - in details - wedged into the places that we least expect - that we have not seen yet, but have the privilege of looking for. I felt that this photograph strongly evidenced this fact.

Winter Sun

I loved the colors that this photo turned out. I love the way the picture is sectioned off by colors and lines. It's a very accurate representation of what the sky looks like during the winter months. This picture reminds me of what it's like when the sun sets so early in the day leaving it dark for the majority of the winter season. But with the darkness brings a brief moment of beautiful colors.

Corey Bienert

Cradle

I am not entirely sure why I chose this image. I think it is because the tree looks like it's cradling the light in the crook of its branch, making something really tough and grizzled more nurturing. I also think the texture, when it's taken out of context of the entire tree, looks more exuberant than gnarled and rough. It reminds me of a landscape in and of itself.

This could mean several different things to different people. To me, it signifies that the world is made up of abstract forms. They meld together to make "landscapes" or "portraits" or "interiors", but ultimately it's just our mind that makes the connections between shapes and colors, and ultimately our mind is fallible. God could have taken these exact same visual elements and made a completely different world. Getting closer to the abstract elements helps me pick them apart. Nothing is stable and nothing is "real" other than the Element behind the elements. Hanging onto nature for it's simplicity and intrinsic value is like chasing the wind.

How's that for psychobabble?

More Ordinary Subjects

I chose this photo because it makes the viewer curious as to what the subject is at first glance. The contrast of shapes and values helps to create interest within the reflective surfaces. While all the surfaces appear relatively smooth, the focal point has a sharper shape in contrast to the larger shape that is closer to the lens. There is also a very obvious lack of color so that the viewer is forced to think about the shapes in a very stark and cool environment.
This photo is important beyond myself and the subject matter in that it shows that while we make assumptions as to what an object looks like, there is a great deal more detail and contrast than we often realize. We assume that when we see something, we can understand it in a quick glance, but we often just make rushed judgments about it that may or may not be correct. This can be true with more than just objects; we make assumptions about people in the same way. We glance at someone and often rush to snap judgments about what kind of person they are. This photo calls the viewer to look closer and consider what is taken for granted all around us.

I took this picture over break...I really liked the way the Orchid looked almost like a creature coming alive...

Nevermind

This photo happens to be a shot from under the couch in my dorm. I chose this photo mainly because it is a testament to how both my roommates and I choose to ignore the reality that, even though the rest of our room may be clean and organized, we really haven't paid attention to detail. I think that this applies to other aspects of life in the sense that we tend to either hide or forget things that might not necessarily be in focus or in sight even though we know that they exist. Instead of dealing with these things we just go on with our lives as if they don't matter.
In terms of composition, The focus of the objects attract visual interest from the out of focus portions of the photo to the middle third section. Also, there is a heavy dominance of the sphere on the left, but this is countered by the linear objects moving from left to right.

Untitled

From the start this image didn't necessarily have much meaning; however, I have to recognize that I've always been fascinated by shiny things (water, mirrors, glass, etc). This goes deeper when I think of water because I generally like to live my life as water does. I love its free spirit, how it's always going somewhere new, and that is takes three forms.

I chose this image because it was really fun to shoot as I was in peril on the ice of the Fox River, I've always loved ice and the interesting visual movement it has to offer, and it intrigued me as a viewer because if I didn't know what it was I don't know if I could figure it out (to say the least I think it "transcends the commonplace").

Empty Pockets

A simple commonplace for me is what is stored in my pockets. I never go anywhere without these things placed in their own little jean compartments. They become so common that you don't think about them until you realize that one of them is missing.

The Road

This image was taken on the way to my band's show. When we were driving I was instantly hooked by the look of the trees on either side of me. You don't think about all the time you spend on the road while going from show to show. It's something that slips people's minds when they think of their favorite band. The band travels from city to city hardly getting any time to stay in one place constantly moving. This picture captures what it was like to just stare at the open road pondering what the next location we'll be like.

Corey Bienert

Diligence

This image depicts what I wake up to most mornings. Before the sun has even fully risen, as I open my eyes each morning, there is only this gentle glow coming from beneath my roommate's lofted bed, with books and papers flooding the space. She is overwhelmingly diligent in her studies, and I never know whether to use this as encouragement for myself in my own studies, or to simply stand in awe of her study habits and accept that I will never be that patient or that determined. The lighting in this scenario usually reminds me of knowledge in and of itself --- and how it's often attained and maintained in the quietest hours of the morning, or over the glow of a candle late at night. There is a geometric structure to the composition, even in the midst of the soft light, and I find it interesting how this juxtaposition echoes what learning can, and should, entail.

The Beauty of Ordinary

As we started this project, I was trying to get out of my mind my own concept of "common." I just kept taking pictures of things in my room and other places, but I think this image has the most universal commonality, so to speak.

What I like most about this image the most is the simplicity and the cooler colors. The almost lack of colors is fascinating to me. There is a definite focal point, being the vertical leaf-like design on the glass. I love the simplicity of this image, with just the glass in the picture and the reflections. Another thing I like about this picture is the use of thirds being the reflection, the 'real vase,' and the negative space.

Straight Through My Heart

I chose this photo because of the strong leading lines. They start at the top and continue through the whole picture, drawing your eye all the way down. The lines lead your gaze to the heart, which is where your eye rests. The area around the heart is negative space which seems to frame the focal point. Another aspect I like of this photo is the variety of colors.

Inspired by none other than the newest Backstreet Boys single Straight Through My Heart.

Ordinary Seen in New Light

I chose this image because of the contrast in the values and the texture of the surface. When looking at this photo, it is understood that the object is a bucket, however, the amount of the object within the frame is so little that the viewer becomes interested in the shapes, lines, and texture. This image is important because it allows the viewer to examine an object in more depth and from a different viewpoint than is usually the case. Many times, people don't stop to appreciate what is around them and the beauty in everyday situations or objects. This photo, through the composition, calls out the elements of this everyday object to be important and worth spending time considering.