Photo Challenge 5

f/5.6

1/250

ISO 1600

AWB(Auto White Balance)

Believe it or not, I set this up in a lighted room. However, the darkness occurred because I placed a reading lamp next to it- the bright white kind, not the small, soft, orange kind. The wood floor made a nice simple background, and I love how it reflects the egg. For this one, it was pointed diagonally downwards toward the bottom of the egg.

f/4.5

1/45

ISO 1600

AWB

The lamp is in the same place, but I moved over to the side. This one is definitely my favorite because its not very dark- there is a softer, warm light on everything. I think this was because the shutter speed was longer, so it let in more light. I have to credit this to the camera, because I had it on auto.

f/5.6

1/180

ISO 1600

AWB

I moved the lamp so that it was lying on the floor, and so it highlighted the bottom of the egg. I also moved the camera so that I was shooting more from above. It put half of the egg in bright light, but then the other half is in almost complete darkness.

f/5.6

1/250

ISO 1600

AWB

The lamp was still on the floor, and I was in almost the same position, but I moved down and farther towards the dark. This gave the egg a neat half-moon look, and it highlighted only a small section of the floor. Most of it is very dark, which makes a nice contrasting, yet simple, background.

f/6.7

1/250

ISO 1600

AWB

For this one, I moved the lamp so that it was shining down from above. This put most of the top of the egg in light, and a lot of the floor around it, and created minimal shadowing around it. I do like the surrounding blackness on the edge from where the light didn't go, and the egg's shadow is very clean and small, which is good for this picture.

I really liked this photo challenge. It was really fun, but easy to do in a short amount of time.

Publication Assignment 1: DNA Lab

Mr. Whiz's 4th period biology class did a lab on DNA. They took raw wheat germ and extracted the DNA out of it using rubbing alcohol and dishwashing soap. Shown here, Liliette Rodriguez mixes the soap with the wheat germ.

Mr. Whiz lifts up the DNA from the rubbing alcohol. He explains that the soap breaks down the substance holding the DNA together and that the alcohol draws it up to the surface.

 Meghana Goli Pours the rubbing alcohol into her beaker. The students had to pour it slowly, so that the alcohol and the soap didn't mix.

Editing

I went through the most recent photos, and decided to try out some photoshop on them.
Unedited pictures are on the left, edited are on the right.
They are basically just more vibrant and touched up.

GALLOP

One of my favorite shots from over the break. I had let Arthur out and he started cantering off. I just love the focus and his color and the highlights on his coat.

Ella silhouetted against the rare bright green grass.

When we were walking to get the ponies, one of the barn dogs ran up to greet us.

Arthur walked up to greet me, then he turned to eat some hay.

Mo reaching for a treat.

Arthur watching me while he finished his hay.

Tula putting Mo's halter on.

Lunchtime is the time when we monitor our Instagrams.

An Introduction to Yearbooks

25 things that should be in every yearbook:

1. Interesting/compelling title
2. Table of contents
3. Good pictures
4. Good captions
5. Events of the year
6. Entertainment
7. Worldwide sports
8. Student sports
9. Fashion
10. Football games
12. Major weather events
13. Overall theme
14. Color theme
15. Student pictures
16. Band/Orchestra
17. Choir
18. Arts
19. Theatre events
20. Major news events
21. Clubs
22. Teachers
23. Core class academics
24. Language classes
25. Table of contents

Questions:

1. Out of Character
2. Bellaire High School, Houston, TX
3. Blue, red, gray and white color theme; different, weird text styles; the words "Out of Character"
4. 10 different sections
5. The agriculture/ FFA section
6. A cow
7. There are animals, multiple pictures, and it's organized well
8. More animals, because that's what the clubs are about
9. There is not an index
10. Yes, there are photos of all of the members of clubs/organizations
11. Yes, there is a table of contents
12. A lot.

Looking Back on 2015

Best Pictures of the Year:

This interstellar shot is gorgeous. The colors are amazing, and it is hard to believe that something like this could even exist. The shot seems futuristic, and it feels like we don't have the level of technology to be able to get a shot like this.

From http://www.cnn.com/2015/12/03/world/gallery/year-in-pictures-2015/
Taken by NASA



American Pharoah has to be on this list. He won the triple crown for the first time in 37 years. The pictures taken of him are stunning- they show how great of an athlete he is.I love this picture of him winning the last race of the triple crown- he looks so happy and Victor Espinoza(his jockey) is celebrating.

From http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/more-sports/breaking-american-pharoah-wins-belmont-stakes-triple-crown-article-1.2249227
Taken by Robert Sabo












I really like this picture because, obviously, horses, but also how 'In the moment' it is. It is so clear and focused, but you know that the horse is falling quickly. Trained groups like this are very professional, so it is rare that something like this would happen.

From http://www.cnn.com/2015/12/03/world/gallery/year-in-pictures-2015/
Taken by AP Photo


Favorites of the Year:


Song:
My favorite song from 2015 would probably be Renegades by X Ambassadors. It has an amazing beat and a great melody.





Movie:
The Martian. When I saw it, it caught me off guard. It was amazingly done, full of suspense, and looked very real. The actors were really good.







News Story:
Same-sex marriage debate. I support everyone for same-sex marriage, and it was a huge step forward for the US. It's a huge change from traditional ways.










Person:
Malala Yousafzai. She is an amazing young woman, and I look up to her and her actions.
















Sports/Entertainment:
Definitely American Pharoah. He's just totally amazing! He's undefeated except for 2 races, and won the 12th Triple Crown. Plus, he's really cute.







My Holiday:


1. I got to go out to the barn a lot, and I was able to get some phenomenal pictures. My brother and sister also rode Arthur and Mo, and they did really well.

2. I didn't set any resolutions, but I thought about some things that I need to work on- becoming a better rider and trainer, and building up Arthur's muscle.

3. I'm looking forward to getting through freshman year, and riding Arthur more.