Elaine Gates

        While Elaine's visit to our classroom to show us some of her portrait pieces and teaching us some tips on how to take them, i learned a lot. One thing that stuck out to me was the background. i liked how the background is blurry because it really emphasizes the subject. though she did show us a couple photos where the background was really pretty and it was all in focus, i like blurry better because to me it is easier. i like how she uses what she has to make a good photo even when there isn't a lot of good areas, like the brick wall of the school, it looked not super good because of the things around it and the surroundings, but she made it work by doing a lot more close up photos, or crouching down. i learned that you have to be tough on the subject. you cant just let them do whatever you want, but you have to be strict and tell them what to do whether it is for them to take off their jacket, or to look slightly to their left. i knew this already, but i like how she told us about lighting and how outside light around a certain time of day is the best, and how indoor light through the window is a good second choice if it has to be. i liked how when the sun is hard, it is best to use shadows and the shade of big objects and not have the light on them.