I had never noticed the delicateness of the dandelion, and the stark contrast between the petite flower and the grand background. The dandelion is representative of how I feel growing up: something delicate and small in the grand scheme of things, however eventually I will evolve into someone who has a larger impact on the world, just as the dandelion will eventually blow away into all directions and join the grand scheme.
The candlelight represents the world around us that can easily dissipate and disappear in a breath of exhaustion exhaled by the very lungs that consume the oxygen provided to them by the world. It illustrates the importance of keeping the balance between giving and taking between humans and Earth.
I now realize the impact of humans to the Earth that this photo showcases. There is a tree, but it is tagged by humans. Even though it is not bad for the tree or the environment, it still shows how humans try to take over every aspect of the planet. The car in the back also demonstrates this. However, the car contradicts this, being a Prius, which is supposed to be ‘good’ for the environment.
When I took this photo, I was really cold and tired, but I was also taken aback by how beautiful it was. I took the photo in November. Looking at it now, I notice the contrasting colors of the trees and the snow, and how it focuses on the edge of the trees where it meets the meadow. Looking at the photo I feel nostalgic for being outside and in the snow, since I barely get to go there.
“The clouds… are a picture of the chaos in the world, and of my relationship to that chaos.” -Alfred Stieglitz
The blur of the clock and background is representative of time lapse. It captures the dark idea of how fast life moves before we can focus on and appreciate specific moments.
I noticed that the chrysalis is still holding a butterfly in it. When I see this now I feel happy because it illustrates the joy that becomes with change. The chrysalis is a transformation of a caterpillar into a butterfly. Changing can make us better and they are something to be happy about.
I took this photo of my friend on a vacation to Lake Michigan last summer, and seeing it again brought back many good memories. I remember jumping off that deck more times than I could count. The water was freezing cold and every time we made it in the water we swore we wouldn’t jump in again. But two minutes later we would climb back on the dock and jump in again and again endless times. I took this photo without my friend knowing, so it makes me wonder what she was thinking about as she looked at the lake. This photo means a lot to me because it brings me back to the fun times we had over the summer.
Two students admire the large lacrosse field at Palo Alto High School. This sport has become a huge part of our culture these past few years in the Palo Alto community.
Looking at this photo again, I’m reminded of the exclusion and pain felt by someone forced to sit on the sidelines, making it possible to photograph the game. I notice the girl standing behind the goal, looking for a pass, and am led to wonder whether she expected to get the ball and was upset when her teammate took the shot rather than the pass. I question how the defenders felt, if they had given up or just weren’t expecting the shot.
Looking more closely to this photo I notice how much of a difference the clouds make, because it makes your eye follow it so far into the photo. I feel proud for capturing this moment, because there is so much detail inside.
In this photo I find it with great tone and coloring. And it sets up a great feature. It also shows peacefulness.
At Yellow Stone National Park, there are millions of geysers but only a few of them erupt. Through this photo, one can see the beauty of nature and the wonders of the world we live in.
Walking out of class one day, I was directed to look up at the sky. Immediately, I was entranced by the formation of the clouds and the light seeping through. As I look at the photo again, I notice that the clouds at the top of the photo seem much darker, while the clouds further away are much more cheerful. The photo is brightened by the permeating sun. Even though the clouds above us are ominous, we are reminded that there is always something much better and brighter above it.
Originally, I wanted to capture the youth of the teenage basketball players in the background. However, through my camera’s display screen, I noticed the diminutive caterpillar and decided to focus on that instead. People today are so absorbed in everything that they do and are often oblivious to their surroundings. If people could just let go of their tight grip on life, they can notice all the small, beautiful things in life.
As I look closer at my picture, I notice the varying colors of each rock; each one unique with a different shape, size, and color. I notice the contrasting patterns of the ground, door, and rocks; the lines moving in all different directions. After a closer look, I find myself more drawn to the image, and appreciating it further.
When I went to visit Stinson Beach over the summer, I was amazed at the beauty that the beach held. The ripples in the water on the sand get bigger as they get closer to the shore. I feel like these ripples portray our knowledge in life and how, as we gain more knowledge, we get closer to discovering our identity. I am a middle ripple, on the path to becoming the real me.
I took this photograph on a school trip to Costa Rica. It’s a picture of Poás Volcano in Costa Rica. When I keep looking at this photograph I notice new things and details I haven’t seen before.
It looked like a colorful painted background and a light projecting it into my eyes. I watched my brother climb to the tallest rock by the ocean and he stood there as I took the picture. To me, I was seeing the light rising from the ground into the air and gone into the heavens. When you’re looking at the photo it feels like a dream, all the bad thoughts gone and you’re floating through a calm sky.
This photo is of the Hotel where one of the people who worked on The Godfather stayed. It is surrounded by modern buildings. It represents how as we get older the things from our past that don’t fit in with our lives still help represent who we are.
In our world things can turn upside down whether we want it to or not. The reflection of the puddle can be seen as a reflection of yourself and how you have changed. When things don’t turn out the way they should you can always take a minute to see where you are.
Walking on a path to the beach when the sun was setting, I entered a dark forest that surrounded me and it felt like all the bad and darkness in the world and how I saw myself in it. But at the end, there was an opening of sunlight; I saw it as a better world to be in and I felt relieved and amazed. It really changed how I see most things and I never forget there’s always a light at the end of a dark path.
Staring into the photo I start to imagine myself back at the same place. This beach gave me many good memories that I shared with many nice people. I can feel the warmth and the wind on my face. I can become lost in this photo and not think about any of my worries in the real world.
My favorite thing about backpacking is the feeling of freedom. The clouds and “endless” trees in this photo give the appearance of power and being in charge. What I didn’t notice the fist time was the shelter the clouds seem to give. It gives the other feeling I feel while backpacking of being safe and leaving all my worries behind.
This was originally meant to be a photo that portrayed the death of something that was once beautiful. Now, however, it means far more than that. The delicate branches sharply contrast with the tree’s gnarly main structure. With the sky gently arching overhead, the tree looks morbid, alien, even. I feel fascinated, rather than horrified by such an atrocity. My eyes long to trace the lines of the tree and follow around the entire photo.
After looking at the picture, I noticed the beautiful shapes of the crashing waves plunging towards the beach. I feel open and astonished at the beauty of nature and man’s inevitable influence on it. Now, looking at the photo, I feel a renewed sense of hope rather than simple happiness because of the realization that there is endless beauty in the world and hopefully many more people to appreciate it.
I went to the top of a parking structure to get a better view of the town. While I was photographing Mountain View, I saw this very small graffiti on the top of an elevator. The small act of rebellion within such a pristine town really spoke to me. Being a person who always follows rules this photo made me realize how badly I wanted to break a rule but could not because of how I was raised, and where I live.
The mountains and the trees show the beauties of nature and how magnificent the world is. The clouds show the mysterious parts of our world, filled with danger and suspense.
Hiking with my school in Israel, we passed a bridge with quickly rushing water flowing under it. Water, the force of life, is very important in Israel, which is often lacking in water. I tried to capture the rushing water and the feeling of power that it portrayed as I realized that even when Israel may not have enough water, it still is strong in what it has.
When I took this photo I was entranced by the repetition. The same shapes repeat out over and over, drawing your eye in to the center of the photo. It looks like a portal to another world.
After staring at this photo for a couple of minutes, I noticed some different things that I didn’t notice before. I noticed the traffic lights and the palm trees in the background. I never noticed a lot of the background at first because I was just paying attention to the center of the photo. After a longer glance, I felt differently about this photo. I realized that I missed a lot of the background at first glance but when I noticed it, I realized that these background elements are very important and help add to the feel of the photo.
When I first took this photo, I wasn’t thinking. I just saw a relaxing and memorable view and decided to snap a pic. Now reflecting on the photo I see my subconscious thinking. The symmetry in the sailboats, the glitter on the water, the pure essence of the scene. Now when I look at it I feel calm. It reminds me of a happier time during the summer, when I was worry free. During a stressful school year I think it’s important to have photos like these. Moments that you can reflect on and think, “this is what it’s all about”.
I chose this because it represents the feeling I had while taking this picture perfectly. It is really calm and relaxing with the easy-going atmosphere with birds flying in the sky and people fishing. The boats represent how people sometimes come and go and just go with the flow.
This photo is a reflection of my thoughts during this photo, the lighting represents dark and empty thoughts. This was also a positive photo seeing the light on the left; it made this photo have some “hope”. I was looking towards the brighter future.
Taken at the beginning of the Manhattan Beach Pier, this photo relaxes me and keeps me calm. I took this photo close to sun down, where the sun is almost creating a silhouette.
This picture makes me remember the warmth of the Mediterranean sun, and anticipate the coolness of the water. I always feel most relaxed in, on, or around water. Looking at it now, I wonder if there were underwater spectators that were viewing my toes from the opposite perspective.
When you look at this photo, first you see the a bolder version of me, but if you look at the back of the image, you see a shy persona of myself. What this image represents is that I may appear to be something else, but on the inside I am shy. I think many other people can relate to this and its a common ideology which we all share.
I took this photo desperately, excitedly, trying to capture the feeling of momentum, of freedom, of serenity, I felt when driving along the coast on my first vacation ever. In that moment I felt so at peace, connected to the earth, myself, my breath. Looking at it now I notice the photo isn’t anything particularly spectacular- it could be taken almost anywhere, there’s a trash bag stuck in the fence, and the light through the clouds isn’t particularly breathtaking. Sometimes, moments can’t be captured. But I’ll still hold on to this photo just to remind me of that.
This photo is years old, but I hadn’t noticed the subjects’ proximity to the tree’s shadow until today. Just as the people merge to form one figure, it looks as if they are connected to the shadow.
It’s my face, so I suppose it has significance. I look open, my nose has depth. I don’t have a lot of pictures of myself with short hair, even though it’s been some months since I cut it. I feel differently today than I did when I took the picture. I am wearing white today. The focus is so sharp in this picture. but my eyes look tired or like it was morning. I don’t remember.
I was delighted by how my children were enchanted by the statues. “I don’t invent anything. I rediscover,” said Auguste Rodin.
I took this picture on one of my rare days off– to savor the sunny day, a good book and a fancy drink! Looking back at it, I can really notice the rich texture of the bubbles and the delicate flow of the milk. This drink was made by someone who didn’t have the day off, and I feel so grateful for his labor.
It was an early Sunday morning in September when the sun was still as sleepy as I was. Notice the streak. Is something about to crash into the earth? Or did it blast off into the atmosphere? How often do we miss moments like these?
There’s something in the barn, behind the doors, that I didn’t notice before. A wheelbarrow, perhaps? This photo evokes feelings of warmth, happiness, and security…which is interesting because I spent the second half of this Christmas weekend rather upset. But a brief moment of reflection and wonder at the sight of the warm barn at dusk makes me remember the weekend fondly.
The fairy tale like scenery makes it so dream like that I myself while looking at it feel absorbed into it as if I’m actually dreaming. Not just any dream, a dream where I feel like I can finally relax on the grass, take a nap and get some sun since it’s not something I can do often in real life.
When I look at this photo all I really see is the one shining rose in the middle, I feel as if I’m that rose in a crowd of people and all he can see is me.
I took this photograph upon my arrival to a near-ghost desert town in Nevada. When I was there, I had the mentality that the environment was extremely desolate and barren. In looking at this photograph, what stands out most to me is the variety of greenery and life.
As we were driving through the desert landscape, we were told to follow the deepest set of tire tracks, which would reduce our likelihood of getting stuck in mud. I now notice the handful of tire tracks heading in different directions, and I can only speculate what these people were looking for in traveling towards the mirage in the distance.
I remember this photo as representing richness, colors, and luxury, and spaciousness on a sunny afternoon. When I look at it now, I see the thickness of the curtain blocking out all the light from the inside.
Growing up in LA, I understood that Barbie was important. And when I took this picture I loved the symbolism of her various stages of disintegration, right up against the ever-present palms of my childhood home. But now, after looking long and hard at the image – I finally see the diagonals that lead out of frame, away from her to other worlds, as if by criss-crossing time they could hold her in place forever.
