Phase 1- Light!

For phase 1 of our current project we were asked to find a solar light phenomenon.  We then had to record the phenomenon via video/photos, a drawing, and a diagrammatic model and present it on a cold press 16x16.  I was in the woods around 5 p.m at some dirt trails wondering around noticing several different, possibly phenomenal light situations, however none of them truly stuck out to me.  After taking a couple videos that I wasn't truly satisfied with I stumbled across a giant mushroom on a tree.  At first I wasn't focused on the light, just the mushroom!  But then  in the one spot that the sun was highlighting on the mushroom it started to 'smoke'.

5:20 p.m- Light angle

I quickly whipped out my camera and had it recorded!  I tried to go back the next day around the same time to catch the mushroom when it was completely lit by the sun but I wasn't as lucky, and the sun never hit it, possibly because trees may have been blocking it.

When I got home though I researched what the smoke-like effect could have been and was informed that it was the microscopic spores that shoot off the mushroom cap and can only be seen because they travel in a mass of thousands are have to be lit by the sun!

Smoke against the bark

Once I had all of the information necessary I had to draw my picture and make a diagrammatic model.  We also focused on how to arrange our boards in a manner that was easily understood by our audience.  I think I worried more about fitting all of my pictures and information on the board more, and probably could use improvement on the way I organized it.

I also wasn't completely happy with my diagrammatic model.  It is suppose to explain what was happening with the light, and mine was suppose to show a large mushroom, and then baby mushrooms to symbolize the fact that the mushroom spores purpose of spreading are to reproduce, however I don't feel that the message was clear enough.

Final Board!

I think my final project was decent.  When I initially finished it I was proud of it and thought it was excellent, but after critique I had a few doubts.  Ultimately though I won't be let down because I tried hard and my next project just has to be that much better! :)