With Questions

by Joanna Liriano 
(West New York, NJ)

Technique: Black & White, Indoors
Lens: Wide Angle 28-224mm (35 Equiv.)
Mood/Message: Mysterious, Curiosity

I wanted to start with a white background where there is also a strong key light, so I got on the dining room table where the chandelier lights my whole face. I was wearing a dark purple shirt, and I automatically thought “CONTRAST!” This photograph had to be very exaggerated, almost unreal to add more mystery to the mood. I call this  With Questions because it is what the audience is left with: Who is this person? How is she feeling? Where is she? etc… 

Tuna

by Joanna Liriano 
(West New York, NJ)

Technique: Black & White, Indoors, Flash
Lens: Wide Angle 28-224mm (35 Equiv.)
Mood/Message: Dark; Fear; Intense

This is one of the first portraits I took with my Kodak Easyshare M580 camera. I was playing with my boyfriend’s evil cat, Tuna, when I decided to bring out the camera. The real work was tweaking with the histogram. I want his black fur to blend with the background shadows, and still have some light reflecting of the left wall to convey almost a Yin & Yang. Tuna’s white pattern makes a very strong contrast with all the shadows. Great job!