Week 6: In the spirit of

This evening I was looking at the jack-o-lanterns my friends and I made and I was intrigued by the lighting they produced. What I found myself thinking about was the flickering of a candle light. For some reason, the varied rhythm of a flame is nostalgic and homely feeling. I was trying to figure out if there is a way to make that on stage without fire. How far can you abstract a flame before it is unrecognizable? The other thing I liked that is particular to pumpkin carvings is the ability to have such sharp stark images through a very warm light source. It was interesting to me that the starkness almost overtakes the warm glow of the light. Does shape do this often when you manipulate it in a similar way? I know that in stage lighting there are gobos that do this type of work but I was wondering if there was a way to shape light on a larger scale that would be visible to an audience.

Week 6- Leaves

This photograph was taken in the parking lot of my apartment building. The sun was going down and I loved how the leaves of the trees shimmered when the wind blew. The light from the sun going down creates a lot of tension because it makes some leaves dark and others light. I love this picture because it makes me feel the majesty of nature which is present even in these tiny leaves. I also love how the sky goes from a more saturated blue to a lighter blue from the top left to the bottom left. I get the feeling of wonder and awe when I look at the lighting in this picture. The lighting also emphasizes the texture and diversity of the leaves which I think adds to my sense of amazement.

Week 5

As we progress in our blog adventure in trying to notice the effect of light on our emotions, I am beginning to struggle with whether I am reacting to the light or content of what I am looking at. So I tried to look for an object in light that would have minimal contributing emotions, but I still think I failed.

A little context about the photo… It is a photo of a corner of my living room table with the organza tablecloth jumbled and partially swept off the table. The light is coming from a nearby window with cream/tan drapes. The light is very indirect in that the sun is completely on the other side of the house.

The light is soft, diffused, and low and intensity. I feel like the photo/light has a sense of peaceful depression. It also gives me the sense of someone deep in thought, pensive. There’s definitely a sense of either strength or heaviness.

week 5

A few weeks ago was the Laguna Beach Dance Festival. After a lovely dinner we drove back to Irvine. On the drive back the ocean was crashing waves right besides us. What captures me about this photo (outside of my car window) is how cool and hot colors can mix. There is an electric feel that meets something ominous and dark. The definition in the lights, the motion, and contrast between moody hues and hot accents creates a tension that is both intriguing and full. The red creates an aura that has an initial conflict with the blues and then finds some blend that, although uneven, adds to the electricity and moodiness. There is a feeling of vitality in the night.

Week 5 - Sydney Coastline

I decided to go ahead and use another photo from my Sydney trip, because I found myself trying to stare right into the middle of this scene. I took this from the airplane window on the way into the Sydney International Airport. It was about 8:00 a.m. in November. This makes me a bit nostalgic, because it was a spontaneous vacation that was much needed at the time. I went with my roommate who worked for an airline, and while I was there I met up with a couple friends who lived in the city. We all had a blast, and it was extremely hard for me to leave and go back to normal life! Those feelings aside, I look at this photo and see the emergent light that gives vibrance to the blue hues. Even though the middle gets cloudy, it gives interest to what is in the distance.

Week 5 Etherealness

This picture was taken during our latest succession of storms. It is so oddly different in the amber and grayish colors than I had ever seen in a cloud cover. There is an amazing glow that emminates through the clouds. It really gives a feeling of the heavens entering our atmosphere by the proximity of the clouds. This event and picture gives me a haunting, humbling and awesome feeling. It reminds of how I feel when I am on a ship on the ocean... so incredibly small and in such wonderment of the vastness.

Week 4: My Birthday Dinner

This week the lighting that stands out to me I saw this past Saturday Night. I was out with a group of friends celebrating my birthday at a wonderful Italian restaurant in Newport called Mama D's. (If you have not been make sure to go). The restaurant is so good that there is often a wait and it was during this time that I noticed captivating lighting. While waiting outside to get seated I noticed a contrast between the light outside and the light inside. Outside there was a warmer glow that mixed with the dimmer more sombering light from inside. I noticed while looking around at my friends that this lighting was stark and beautiful. It was not celebratory but it was exactly what was appropriate for that moment. It was happy just dimmer. I found that I enjoyed the the dimly lit comedy cafe feel that I found myself in. I also liked how he two sources of light mixed together. It was engaging to see two isolated sources mixing.

Week 4 Tower of TERROR!

Here is a photo taken in line to board California Adventure's Tower of Terror. A LOT of theater lighting contraptions can easily be caught if you look up. What I found interesting. was if you looked at the lights and the palette of different gels, you wouldn't think that they would portray an eerie mood. I actually thought they were "pretty" colors. The lights highlighted and made various scenic elements glow in the darkness. You definitely sense tension and fear when you are waiting to board. But it was the flickering lights in combination with crashes of ambient sound being played really completed the spooky effect. I an unsure of how the lighting made me feel. On the one hand, there is the feelings I remember. I thought the the glowing effect scenic elements made the space have a sense of "pretty wonder". The lighting supported the depth in the various elements and in the space. I feel like the photo is a lot scarier than being in the actual space. There was definitely a night time feel, but the vibrant coloring made things less uncomfortable. On the other hand, I took a flash picture as well, and it really killed any of the potential tension that you felt while being in the space. So I am left confused, because I do acknowledge the presence of an eerie feeling, but I thought a lot of things in the space were pretty.

Week 4 Continuum of Light, Shadows, Patterns & Movement

This picture is the water sculpture on campus. I really found the shadowing from the leaves of the tree to be very inspirational in a pattern-like quality. The shimmer from the sun light and the water movement gives a relaxed, peaceful feeling. It is a continuum of light, shadow, patterns with a movement feel on the right.

Week 5

I took this picture during my visit to Spain this summer. This is an image of my friend entering a room that is part of a house that still remains after the last war that touched this area of Southern Spain. The house is nearly destroyed. The roof is collapsed in most rooms and the floor is covered in shambles. What interests me in this photo is how the light filters through the room and hits the walls. The only light source is the tiny window in front of the silhouette of my friend. I was so inspired by this room that I did an entire photo shoot right there. How the light paints the walls with a soft and somber touch is really beautiful in a place that was touch by such hate. It is a mixture of sadness and beauty as the soft light enters the room. The light outside is so bright, too, and its effect inside brings the effect of such low saturate colors. There is an emptiness that is revealed and a warmth that is left to be remembered in the destruction.

Week 5 Posting: Indiana Jones Ride at Disneyland

I took this picture while I was waiting in line to get on the Indiana Jones ride at Disneyland. I really felt that the lighting was creating this creepy atmosphere with heavy shadows and stark light. In this picture, the heavy lighting from one main source emphasized the texture of this wall. The light is coming from above and at a slight angle which allows the viewer to see the details of the vines and crevasses of the wall. The lighting made me feel a sense of danger and adventure. I really feel that the lighting made up for the majority of the atmosphere this ride is known for.

Week 4 - Australian Staircase

I was going through some old photos of my trip to Sydney, Australia, and although I took a bunch of shots of the gorgeous coasts and beaches, I kept coming back to this picture, again and again. I took this photo in an old building in downtown Sydney that now serves as a concierge center for a surrounding shopping mall and tourist attractions. I originally took it because I found the wall colors and the detail on the railings and columns to be very classic. However, now that I look at this photo from a "lighting" perspective, I feel that there are some very interesting emotions being presented here. When I look at just the upper half, I get a feeling of old royalty, but when I look at the lower half, I am reminded of something mysterious, like a scene from "The Phantom of the Opera." Combined, I look to the dark staircase as a connection between the two worlds, which gives me an overall feeling of historical legends coming to life.

Week 3

I took this photograph last summer here on campus. What I loved so much about this find was the mixture of nature and industry. The starkness of the steal and the high contrast it creates is very interesting as it meets the late autumn leaves. The rusty amber of the leaves against the grays and blacks creates a very earthy, yet dim palette. Yet, this moment is still full of light. The patches of sun that filter through the trees of Aldridge Park that shine upon this spot add to the contrast and also create a sense of revealing. In the shadows of this location there is a spottiness to the revealing that is truly beautiful in a place where the elements have the potential to read as dirty and dark. Altogether, this is very beautiful to me: the contrast and mixture of elements in an optimistic lighting of filtered sunshine.

Week 3: Flood Light

I took this photo in NYC this summer. When it is Blazing hot in the city people do indeed break open the fire hydrants. This one was right outside the apartment I was at and gushed water into the street on multiple occasions. Once again I am drawn to the silhouette and outlining in this photo. It provides a focus or more isolated feeling for the light. The darkness in this photo has a sense of adulthood and stoicism. I am really drawn to the way the light reflects in the water. The water in the air and on the street glow in a beautiful white sunlight. The simplicity of the white light has a zen-like or philosophical quality. I think there is something very human in the limited color in this photo. I like the photo in both color and Black/White. I think what I say above holds true for both versions which, I also find interesting.

Week 4

I took this photograph right outside my apartment at night when the evening lights were creating heavy shadows on the architecture of the building. The lighting shown in this picture gave me an impression of starkness and austerity. The shadows are so crisp and defined that the image seems severe and almost barren. I also like that the lighting really highlights the lines of the architecture. The emphasis on the lines creates a kind of tension in this photograph.

Week 3

So , one of my neighbors on the street has some spooky decorations on his lawn- graves cobwebs, ghosts, etc. Once darkness falls, his front yard is lit with a strobe light! Talk about a distraction when you are driving... Back to the strobe light... The light isn't as white as I've seen in other strobe lights or theatrical productions. This light has more of a sense of greyish-green tint. The strobe casts enlarged silhouettes of the various lawn adornments against the walls of the house. The overall sight instills a sense of panic and tension. I could imagine feeling confused and frantic as well because there is somewhat a sense of losing sight.

I tried to photograph the scene, but my camera didn't capture the moment well, so I preferred not to post this week.

Week 3 405frwy Clouds

This photo of amazing clouds was taken on the 405. It reminds me of just how expansive the sky is. The multitudes of cloud textures are so fascinating. This image brings to me true awe. I feel foreverness and infinity. The larger softer cloud reminds me of a tornado (I did grow up in Nebraska). It also seems to lead to a destination, which is hopeful and thought provoking.

Week 3- San Diego Sunset

My parent's live in San Diego, and I must say, it has some excellent perks.

I took this shot at the top of their driveway on my way back from teaching. I quickly ran inside to grab a camera and was so lucky to catch it in time, because just moments later, it was gone. My uncle followed me out, because of my haste, and got caught in the shot too...oh well. :)

Every time I look at this picture, something different pops out to me. The warmth in the yellows brushes out to oranges, pinks, reds, blues, purples, and finally white. I find this unique from other sunsets, because of the cloudy texture across the entire sky, forming a fluffy ceiling for the world below. It's a great reminder to what beauty there is in light.

Week 2

So I recently took an outdoor yoga class in Laguna. We were on a grassy cliff that overlooked the ocean. I was kind of stupid and stared into the sun during sunset. After the class was finished, I thought I'd try to capture the moment, rather than continue to damage my eyes. I felt the mixtures of colors and textures felt very inviting. I felt very at peace with the moment. Also maybe a sense of longing (maybe due to the retreating light source?). I definitely noticed the natural coexistence of warm/cool light/colors that Lonnie mentioned in class. I tried to imagine how I would perceive the sight had there not been the cool blue sky atop of the ambers and pinks. I love how the soft clouds add so much dimension to the photo and the effect on creating various colors.

Week 3 Posting: Muse Concert

A few weeks ago, I went to the Muse concert at the Staples center. I was amazed by how the lighting affected my experience of the concert. The music was played exceptionally well but it was the lighting that created a tone for the entire experience. This shot in particular was an incredible moment because I felt the use of these green lasers created a cosmic, alluring atmosphere. The effect was incredible because the green lights lit up the entire venue with a futuristic energy. The beams of these lights extended onto every wall of the venue which reminds me of space and its vastness. I enjoyed this moment because the green lights produced a feeling of awe and vibrancy.

This is a photograph I took back home in Indiana. It is the sunset over the Chicago skyline of which I can see from the beach by my home. The skyline is blurred by the field of vision, but what was more interesting to me than the skyline when I took this photo was the sunset and the dune grass. The sunset is amazingly smooth in this photo. The light is blending in such a way that the warmth of the sunset and the last moments of sun are almost seamless with the cool of the clouds and lake water. Besides the soothing and calm effect of the light, there is the beautiful aspect of silhouette inherent to sunset. Sometimes silhouettes can be very stark, mysterious, blunt, and dark, only making an impression of shape. Yet, what captures me here is that the silhouette of the grass is equally as calm as the sky. Because the backlight is so soft and there is some definition of the grass where some light is still catching its edges and face, the calm of the moment still remains. For me, this is a very nostalgic photograph that reminds me of my home and how sunsets can surround you with a small sense a warmth and peace before the day comes to an end.

Week 2

I took this photo at sunrise on the top of Mt Masada in Israel's Negev Desert. The body of water in the picture is the Dead Sea. What I like about the lighting in this picture is it is a great example of how hot light can focus the eye. But what makes the lighting gorgeous is the blending in to the cool colors. The contrast of the steely blue and purple is calming. The dynamics and perspective created in this lighting have a somber and contemplative effect. The silhouettes in this photo should be noted as well. They add a texture of thoughtfulness and a sharpness to the edge of the surrounding light. As well as the physical objects in this photo display the arid climate. When lighting dance the use of silhouette seems to be an important tool because of all the apparent texture it can add.

WEEK 2 - Perfectly Imperfect

I took this photo on a visit to my aunt's home in Salt Lake City this past year. I loved how the light came through and accented the changing leaves in such a way. We see the gorgeous pink hues overcoming the withering brown, which gives us a sense of beauty among well-defined imperfections.

Castle Rays

I took this picture over the summer while working and traveling in Arezzo, Italy. Arezzo is an ancient walled city with a fortress/castle in the center located in the heart of beautiful Tuscany wine country. This was after an exhausting day of rehearsal while walking home through the crowded cobblestone streets. I came out near a church and saw light pouring from the sky. It was literally as if the skies were opening up right over the heart of the city. There was something about this moment that made me feel very very small in a far away place. I was filled with such hope and awe and an overwhelming appreciation for all of the amazing opportunities I’ve had in my life. I am so thankful to be an artist!

Week2 The X of PSTU1100

I was excited about this observation of light because of its obvious strong lines that felt stark yet comfortable in a very distinct and clear way. Upon looking further, the less prevalent part of the "X" seemed to give a softer, hopeful feeling having a pause and then a continuousness. I really like this happening of light. It seems that it could have a great effect in a performance setting.

Welcome to Dance 287 Fall 2010 Lighting Journal

Now that you have decided to enhance your appreciation for light, I want to help you develop your eye for light not just in the theatre but in your life.

In order to more effectively understand how light can alter the perception of the audience; we need to first understand how it alters our perception on a daily basis.

As we move through the quarter, I hope that this blog will help you to discover light in ways that you have not seen before.

Perhaps you'll see colors you've never noticed before, you may recognize the angle of a certain light, and maybe you will find ways to articulate how a light makes you feel.

In order to assist with this process, I've created this blog so that all of you may contribute a short piece each week on an aspect of light that you have noticed throughout your journeys.

This can include a particular moment in a play, a beautiful sunset, a great rock concert or a well lit store, or just what happens to your emotions when the sun moves behind a cloud. Anything and everything can be included.

Please start your title for each posting with the Week of the quarter and a sybject.

Your postings do count towards your final grade.

Please include photos with your post to help us see what you are describing!

Whether or not you continue in lighting design after this class, I hope that this online journal will help you to discover inspiration for you art in daily life.

Thanks and Happy Blogging!!

Lonnie Alcaraz