Photography 101 - Week 7 (FINAL)

Well, we are finally at the end...the very last assignment of my "fake" photography 101 class. I'm lucky that it is a fake class, because I've been so busy for the last two weeks, this assignment has sort of sat idle. I have been thinking about it really hard though.

Assignment: The surrealist aesthetic: composited and constructed realities

The reason I've thought so long and hard about this assignment, is because the professor asked the class to produce a surrealist image using an online image construction tool. My primary problem with that was...the link was dead. No tool. My second problem with it though was that it didn't have anything to do with photography! I didn't come here to learn art per se (already have a minor in Graphic Design). I didn't come here to learn how to make wacky images in photoshop either (I've already been doing that for YEARS!). I came here to learn photography!

Well, truth be told, I almost skipped this assignment. I even spent one evening looking for alternative assignments that were actual photography. But, eventually I came to the realization that if I'd actually taken the class, there'd be no getting out of doing the work...so I went ahead and did it. Sort of. Since the image construction tool was not available, I sort of had to wing it.

You have to systematically create confusion, it sets creativity free. Everything that is contradictory creates life. ::: Salvador Dali :::

"Surrealism is an artistic, cultural and intellectual movement oriented toward the liberation of the mind by emphasizing the critical and imaginative faculties of the "unconscious mind" and the attainment of a state different from, "more than", and ultimately "truer" than everyday reality: the "sur-real", or "more than real"

We were asked to look at the work of Dali, Magritte, and Man Ray as well as read a couple of articles on the surrealist movement and Man Ray specifically. So I did those things, then spent a couple of hours surfing for "surreal photography" on ye olde Goggle image search. I pretty much tortured myself trying to come up with ideas. I had some good ones that I just couldn't execute for one reason or another. (Don't really have the time or money to fill my bathtub with Barbies this month).

Another thing about this assignment, I didn't stick with the self-imposed rule I had about all original shooting. Like I said, I've been fantastically busy the last couple of weeks and on top of that...now I have a killer head cold. So, I've included some of my surreal pieces that I'd done before I even knew about this assignment. They are pretty recent works though, so I'm cutting myself some slack!

Okay, enough of this blathering...Let's go!

This assignment only called for one "best" with 6-10 additional. Here's what I think is my best...

What I like about this one is the apathetic look on the girl's face, the strong diagonal running through the composition, and the tension between the swirls in the lower half and the ripples in the upper half. It's got that dream-like, almost haunting feeling. Pretty proud of this one.

Here are the rest...

This is one I did for a friend about a month ago. One of the things I like the most about it is that even though the image is mostly white, bright and colorful, it's got a dark feel too it. Ominous. Yeah, one of my favorite images that I've created ever.


I think this is my next best one. I created the composite specifically for this assignment, although the photos were done earlier this year. I was shooting for a hopeful ecological image...almost a forest sprite sort of feel. Innocent eyes with hope for things that are green. I think I over saturated it a bit though. May have to revisit at some point.


Another one that I did for my friend's project back in August. The metal sculptural elements overlaid on the exam room scene really evoked a science fiction feel. Stark, clinical...and metallic. Yeah, I'm pretty pleased with this one.


I'm going to have to give Nikki and Shawn a lot of credit on this one. I sent them a rough concept and they art directed me toward this image. Not sure I would have gotten there without their input. Again, all my photography, but pulled up from the archives.


I want to believe! Okay, well, it's not my strongest, but I like the composition and it has a haunting, X-files feel.


Eh, it's okay. Not the most inspired work, but not too shabby either. I especially like the altered color palate I used on the leaves here.

So folks...that's it! My Photography 101 class is complete. I'm pretty happy with the results! In fact, I think I'll give myself a B+! Thank you to everyone who gave me feedback and pointers!! It really has helped me tremendously! I owe a couple of you some prints...I haven't forgotten.

Now...off to find my next course!

Photography 101 - Week 6

Assignment: Window-light Portraits

This assignment was a bit different than the others have been. There was no assigned reading and most of the class example links were dead. To compensate for this, I spent about two hours surfing the internet for window-light portraits and took notes of the qualities of the best ones. I also spent a morning reading about 6 different photo tip blogs on window-light portraits, and natural lighting, then I watched about five different videos on youTube. Once I felt like the same information was repeating itself, I decided I was ready to practice.

Here is are the assignment comments from the professor:
Find someone you know, love and trust. This can be a child, spouse, best friend, parent... you get the idea. Take them by window light. Watch the light on the face, wait for an open, truthful expression and create a simple but beautiful portrait. (No flash!). Use a piece of white cardboard, a sheet or other white object to reflect light back into the shadow side of the face. Take your time... there's no rush.

Don't make your subject smile, just relaxed and truthful.

Tips... No direct sunlight, simple background, quiet expression... take your time.

For your work to be good in this assignment, I am looking for a simple, true, honest and direct portrait... it doesn't get better than that.

I practiced by shooting myself and my dog, and when I thought I was ready, I put the word out on Facebook to my friends. My dear friend Beth offered up her clan as my subjects. Even though I can pick out a number of flaws in the best of the best images, I'm still pretty thrilled with the results. And I had a blast hanging out with the kids!

Rather than picking my best two, I'm going to pick the best one of each child.

Starting with the eldest, Arianna:

I tried not to make the kids do anything at all, just positioned them where I thought the light fit the parameters of the assignment. Then I just chatted with them while I took photos. The prof had said not to make them smile, but I caught this moment when Arianna was just smiling naturally. It's such a natural lovely expression on her face, I felt it really made the shot.

Xen is next.

I had a really hard time choosing between these shots, but I think the light is best in this one. I used a reflector here. Initially I made the mistake of sitting them in front of the light source so it was behind them rather than illuminating them, but the reflector saved those shots and I learned my lesson. Duh.

Now for baby Oliver.

Although I would have chosen another one of my shots as my "favorite" of Oliver, this one, I think, best demonstrates the objectives of the assignment. Although I wish I'd framed it differently, the frank, truthful expression is just so nailed in this shot. And this boy's big round eyes...my word, the cuteness.

One thing the professor stressed that just didn't work out for me was "not rushing." Kids, especially little ones, move around a lot. You've got to be quick to catch them. Focus and depth of field and making sure the background is perfect...yeah, challenging with a tot on the move, heck challenging with an 8-year old who loves goofing around and making funny faces too! Anyway, the rest are below with notes on why they aren't exactly perfect.

Slight depth of field issues here. Both eyes should be in crystal clear focus and barring that, the closer eye should at least be the one that is sharp. Not perfect, but still a beautiful shot.


Not enough time to grab the reflector here and I'm not 100% sharp, but I love the golden glow and the expression on his face, so it's still one of the best of the lot.


I seriously almost picked this one as the best of Oliver. However, the light is really behind him, he's tickled because of the reflector. Depth of field issues on this one, but at least it's the far eye that's out of focus. Despite it's flaws, I love this shot!


I love the beam of light coming down over his eye, although I really should have turned him more to the light. I also like the amount of shadow in this shot. Not the crispest focus though.


Again, focus wasn't perfect (though pretty close), most of the light is from the reflector, I should have turned him a bit more...but the look on his face is PRICELESS!


Perfect light, crisp focus, natural expression...I'm not sure why I didn't pick this one as the best, I think it's an emotional reaction. This one is near to technical perfection, but the sweet smile on the other shot just gets you in the heart.

Not sure how I'd grade myself here. I see the things I did wrong too acutely, but then again, they are some of the best portraits I've ever taken so...B+?

Photography 101 - Week 5

Assignment: God is in the Details: Altered scale: Large images from tiny object(s) (The macro project)

Okay, let's just start off by saying that I LOVE macro photography! I got a little excited to see that this was the next assignment (only 2 left to go).

I did all the reading. Which included a chapter from The Photographer's Eye by John Szarkowski, which I happen to be reading on the side anyhow.

For example art the prof linked to Robyn Thomas' BFA senior project of scanned flower forms, but the link was dead. I Googled instead. I couldn't find her stuff in particular, but I found some awesome images. He also recommended Diane Vetere's "Flowers" gallery (she kills them with Sprite before photographing). http://www.dianevetere.com/ He also recommended Chrisse's gallery.

So, strong emphasis on floral macros. He specifically mentioned using a scanner, but my scanner is in a box deep in a closet somewhere, so I went with the other option of shooting macro. Even though he emphasized flower forms, I wanted to try to shoot other things as well...but damn, flowers are so fun and easy! LOL. However, the professor did say (of Robyn Thomas) "She discovered form inside the flowers rather than just taking a picture "of" a flower... the flowers were a springboard to exploring formal elements of art and design." So I tried to look deeper than just the easy shot.

Same as usual Best 2 + 6-8 more...here we go...

The #1...

Wow, lucked out and noticed these webs just before a summer rain shower. Then ran out in the mud and wet with my camera and tripod! I'm so pleased with this shot I think I piddled a little.

And the #2...

I was shooting the daisies in my front yard when this tiny little butterfly showed up. I shot like mad trying to get him where he wasn't moving so he'd be in focus! Seriously, happy dancing right now.

I'm much more happy with this assignment than I was the last one. I'll give myself a solid B, possibly an A. What about you?

Here are the rest...

Photography 101 - Week 4

Assignment: Shadow & Light

This week's lesson started with this photo gallery. We were supposed to look at how the shadows take on a "materiality" almost as strong as the architecture itself and how the photos are all about the quality of the light. The Prof's instructions included "look for shadow as geometric form."

We were also supposed to read two linked articles on Minor White. But both of the links were dead, so I read 4 articles I found around the net. Dude was a little weird. Basically, what I got out of this work was looking at light as a metaphor for spirituality.

The professor commented, "how can we use light as poetic metaphor." Another little hint the prof included was "Can you photograph a beam of light?" He also encouraged some use of black and white.

Well, yeah, I've done it before, but I'm trying not to dig into the archives for this class...all fresh shooting. And try though I might, sunbeams just don't happen every day. I didn't really hit the spirituality metaphor either, I don't think. I picked the wrong times to shoot and/or the wrong locations, but eventually I had to just stop and call this sucker done even though I didn't really have what I wanted to have. So here they are, the 2 best +6 to 8 more.

I chose this one as one of the two best.

It comes close on the spiritual essence of light. However, I'm a bit dissatisfied because I framed it poorly in the field and had to crop it pretty hard in post. The gap in the leaves in the upper left is pretty distracting, and I probably should have 'shopped out the twigs at the base of the tree.

It was hard to choose a second one, there were two I pondered over, but this one won the #2 spot.

The reason I chose this one is that it's got an almost x-ray or early photo processing feel to it. I don't know, I keep staring at it, so it must be sort of something kind of close to nearly good, eh?

This one almost got the 2nd spot. The closest I came to light beams.


and the rest...




There, that's that. I'm not thrilled overall, maybe give myself a C, possibly a B if I'm feeling generous...I'm not. Think I'll go curl up in bed with my copy of Understanding Exposure for extra credit.

Photography 101 - Week 3

Assignment: By the Sea

This assignment was particularly challenging, since we don't get a lot of "Sea" here in St. Louis. However, the professor had said, "If you live well inland and would prefer to visit a waterfall or brook with moving water, that would work too."

I wound up visiting a river, a spring, a stream, AND a waterfall before I felt like I might have the type of shots the prof was going for.

We were supposed to consider the Photos of Edward Weston, especially the ones he shot at Point Lobos (see them here).

What kind of light did he photograph under? How did he move in and compose what ever he was looking at? For each photograph, consider the point of view Weston and the camera position. Weston got down, got close to these rock forms on the beach. I want you to do the same.

You are to visit the beach, and look carefully at form, light, composition and line. Examine tidal pools, rock formations and sand patterns with the curiosity and freshness of a young child, say a toddler. Move in close, fill the frame

Well, I did my best. I'm not sure I hit the target though.

The final instruction was to submit your best 2, then post 6-8 more on Flickr.

I chose this as my #1 "best":


I think the composition is strongest with the edge of the stone, the ripple in the water, and the veins of the leaves. I'm not sure it has the depth of contrast Weston's work shows, and I think the dark forms in the upper and lower left are distracting from the over-all composition. I didn't want to go too far in post though, so I decided to leave it.

I chose this as my #2 "best":

Again, I think the composition is solid, with the organic shapes and the tones pulling the eye through and up. I don't know though...there's something lacking. Maybe a distinct point of visual interest. I'm just not sure.

Here are the rest:










While I was out shooting, I captured this shot as well. It doesn't meet the parameters of the assignment, but I think it's my best shot of the week!

Photography 101 - Week 2

Since I whipped through Week 1 in one day, on to Week 2!

On the syllabus, Week 2 is titled: Introduction to Composition.

Goals:
1. Clarify, simplfy, and present your environment with intention and control.
2. Go beyond "taking pictures" and start "making photographs" through careful consideration of your subject.
3. Reflect on your selections, frame your subject carefully
4. Appreciate light and form

Reading/Viewing:
1. Look at photo by Edward Weston of a bell pepper in a wooden bowl. DONE
2. Read section from Photography--Not Pictorial by Edward Weston. DONE
3. Browse through Weston's other photos. DONE
4. Read about Paul Strand (professor's link was dead so I read the Wikipedia article) DONE
5. Read The Art Motive in Photography by Paul Strand. DONE
6. Browse the professors photo gallery titled "Connecticut Towns" DONE(it was boring as dirt though)

ASSIGNMENT: DOWNTOWN

Concepts to keep in mind:
1. Light
2. Focal Point
3. Line
4. Color
5. Shadows
6. Simplicity
7. Economy of the frame space (get close, fill the frame)

Photograph shapes, reflections, light, and pattern in an urban or town environment. Pay attention to the shapes you choose, where you place them in the frame, and the quality of light.

Avoid being far away. Don't show the whole building. Always shoot with natural light (no flash). You may use black and white. Edit your images in Picasa. Post your best 2 images to the blog, post 6-10 more to Flickr. (The class actually used Fotothing, but since I'm only pretending to take the class, I'll stick with my Flickr account.)

I think this one is my best for pure composition.



I tried to frame the shot so that the lines would move the eye up and through the image. Enhanced the shadows and the saturation, as well as just a tiny bit of cropping to cut out an object that wasn't visible in the viewfinder.

I chose this for my second image.



I intentionally cut off part of the circle to give the composition an uneasy/off-centered feel to compliment the bisecting lines of the window's frame. What drew me to the image was the colors, the light, and the reflections. I didn't even notice my little model in the window until I got home and started editing the image. What a shame...opportunity missed.

The rest of my Week 2 images are here.







If you have the kindness in your soul to critique or comment, I will kiss your fuzzy little toes! :D