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

Photography 101 - Week 1

Assignments:

1. Download Picasa and play around with it. DONE
2. Look self-portraits on Fotothing (link) DONE
3. Search and browse self-portraits on Google image search DONE
4. Read "10 Tips for great pictures" at Kodak (link) DONE
5. Be comfortable using your camera, posting pictures, emailing, blogging. *giggle* DONE
6. Read syllabus for the day/lab class. Read all linked articles. DONE

7. Shoot a self portrait. Be creative (shoot a reflection, usual angle, etc.) DONE
8. Post self portrait to the class blog and introduce yourself. DONE


After struggling with my DSLR for a couple of hours, I finally caved and just shot this with my phone. Possibly cheating, but the professor didn't specify which camera I had to use and logistically, the phone's just easier for self portraits.

I imagine, if you're here, you probably already know me, but I'm a 44 year old crazy woman trying to change careers. Here I come photography!!

Photography 101 - Introduction and Begging

Earlier this year I got all fired up and decided to become a photographer. I've spent the entire summer shooting like a mad woman and studying everything I could get my grubby little hands on. I've even had my first paying gigs!

My intention was to go to school this fall and do this whole thing right and official. Due to unemployment causing budget issues and me needing a interim job in order to eat, I planned on only taking Photography 101 to start. Well, long story short...due to insurmountable bureaucratic incompetence, I wasn't able to register for classes. The various people I've spoken to on the phone assure me that I was accepted and that my credentials would be sent right away, nonetheless, classes started today and I still don't have what I need to register.

Well, screw it. I'll try again in the Spring. In the mean time, I don't want anything to slow me down because I'm making great progress. So, I spent this past weekend looking through several syllabi for Photography 101 classes and I found one that I think will work.

My only problem now is no classmates for critiques and no professor. Damn. So this is where the begging comes in...I'm on hands and knees, praying that my art friends will take a few minutes over the next couple of weeks to look at the assignments and photos I post here and give me a quick critique. I'm certainly NOT looking for praise (unless I've earned it). I've got a minor in Graphic Design, so my skin is pretty thick and I NEED real critique. If you're a professional artist...grades would make me kiss your feet!

So will you? Will you help me? Pretty please? *puppydogeyes*