https://photographylife.com/photography-lighting-setups

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ReCsnOYPnoo

For these set ups I use my Labubu subject using 4 different type of back lights, and differently set lightings. One of my favorite setting was the first photo where there was a key light on the front of the subject, a fill light on the side of the subject (45 degree angle), and a backlight. Particularly, for the back light we used was a tv screen displaying colored light. First the fill key light defines the subject’s shape and features, then the fill light supports the key light clearing out the shadows, helping define the subject's details. Finally, the back light adds separation between the subject and the background and introduces a subtle, colored glow that makes the composition feel more dynamic and visually interesting. I think to make a adequate light set up; the preparation needed is a clear plan to follow and a mood the photographer whats to convey. In this set up I wanted to create a mood that is Bright and Cheerful, first I believe that the subject itself is a bright/playful subject, and with the subject the back light's color gives the photo a interesting aspect, the blue scheme matches my subject. But also a important factor would be the filler light which saves the details on my subject allowing the subject's playfulness to be portrayed.

This photo demonstrates my best example. The photo has: a key light under the subject, a backlight, and a lowkey filler light allowing the emphasis on the shadows, which give a warm tone to the image. Moreover, the yellow tone of the key light under and the low key fill light gives the photo a overall mood of a warm soothing feeling. The positioning of these lights are also important. The key light under the subject and the low key fill light in a 45 degree angle below works together give a moodier, more dramatic look. It creates emphasis on my subject's smooth surface. But on the other side, the back light is white allowing the subject to be clearly separated from the background. In addition, the white color of the backlight accounts for numbed details from the warm light.

In my opinion I think breaking rules are also completely fine. Street photography has always been about pushing boundaries, reacting to the environment, and finding beauty in unpredictability. If bending or breaking a “rule” makes the image stronger or more expressive, then it becomes part of your creative style, and that’s what moves the art form forward.

For this process other materials to potentially use is color chalk to give the print color. The color of the chalk gives the image the value of color. Previously I didn't use any chalk or charcoal, and expected the print to print the burnt carbon, however this was not enough. Also the paper sheet wont be soaked in water enough, causing the charcoal to not thoroughly attach to the sheets.

Throughout the different experiments and materials we explored, my understanding of physical printing and image manipulation grew significantly. In the preparation stages, I realized how essential strong value and contrast are for clearly printing the main elements of an image. Working with layered press prints from various media helped me learn how texture and depth can shift the way values appear and how images emerge from the surface. Laser etching taught me how depth interacts with the wiped ink and how materials like charcoal transfer from the plate to the paper. Dry point etching showed me that very small details can be captured by controlling the depth and marks I create on the plate. With PCB board etching, I learned how chemicals and heat can produce layers, textures, and tonal variations without traditional carving, using removal and reaction instead. Moving through these different physical plate making techniques made me understand how each material and process affects the final visual outcome, and how much control I can exert over texture, tone, and depth.

2. Critical Judgment

Dry point etching was the method that most accurately conveyed my artistic intentions, because it allowed me to highlight small details and tonal shifts with the most precision. In comparison, both the laser-etched and PCB-etched prints required more adjustments, as the clarity and values were less predictable and harder to control. The PCB method, especially, involved a longer and more sensitive process, relying on exact timing, heat, and chemical reactions, as well as careful alignment during repeated heat pressing. The laser-etched plates, while clean, were limited by the material itself; certain images needed stronger value contrast to print clearly, and repeated pressing caused the layers to blend together. In contrast, dry point offered a more reliable way to express the detail, depth, and emphasis I intended.

3. Future Application In the future, I can imagine combining these processes to create high contrast prints or works that need strong areas of emphasis. These etching and printing techniques give me a wide range of ways to build texture and layered imagery using physical materials, allowing for expressive control over mood, surface, and color. Each method brings its own strengths and unique visual qualities, making them adaptable for different projects or design contexts. Physical printing offers a depth and tactile presence that digital methods cannot fully replicate, and I may use these approaches to expand my creative work.

What visuals do you get when you hear this idiom? A hand holding a single bird, A bush with two birds hidden inside, illustrating the contrast between what is real and certain vs what is tempting but uncertain.

For block printing, I imagine: A solid black silhouette of a hand One clear bird shape

A textured bush made from repeated carved marks and birds hiding inside.

I think the idiom means that something you already have is more valuable than things you have to search for. After researching, I learned that the idiom means something certain is more valuable than something uncertain, even if the uncertain option seems more appealing. After research, I adjusted my sketches to make the bird in the hand more solid and detailed, while the birds in the bush are more abstract and hidden. This strengthens the idea of certainty versus temptation and makes the message clearer to the viewer.

What I appreciate most about the AI iteration is its level of precision and depth that comes from the texture and patterns. It allows me to visually emphasize key elements of the idiom in a way that feels more engaging and layered than my initial sketch. The composition feels more complete, and the details help strengthen the overall message. Moving forward, I plan to transfer this detail through carving this version further by adjusting certain elements so the main subject stands out more clearly. I also want to simplify or reduce any distracting details to ensure the message from my idiom is transferred. Overall, I believe the AI iteration provides the strongest foundation for my final piece.