Challenge #2 - The Things I love
"We lose ourselves in the things we love. We find ourselves there too."
Kristen Martz
I can't wait to learn more about each of you this challenge!
PART 1: Your challenge this week is to take 3 photos of things/people/places that you love. These photos do not have to be a series or go together, but should be compelling photos on their own that show or represent your interests, loves and passions. You have a lot of freedom for this challenge, but what I am looking for are very compelling photos (SEE LESSON BELOW) that let the viewer into your world, while showing your understanding of the concepts that make a well composed photo.
Here are some student examples. As you can see, although very different in editing and composition, each shows the photographers passions in a clear way, while using the elements of art, principles of design and rules of photography to make the photos more interesting to the viewer.
PART 2: Write one or two sentences about the photo that tells me about your interests, loves and passions that you have shared.
AND
Using The Elements of Art (linked here), The Principles of Design (linked here) and the Rules of Photography (linked here), critique your photos in one or two sentences and tell me about your process. We have been critiquing photos since September and you all have become pros but remember, when critiquing your photos, you are not "criticizing", but rather explaining what you did to make the photo more interesting to the viewer. (See example below.) I am also creating a link to the Composition Venn Diagram you have been using (here) It might be a good idea to print it out and have it on your desk when you are critiquing your photos.
As always, the photos will be put in a google photos album titled: (Your Name) Challenge #2, and shared with mrsthindson@gmail.com
The critiques should be handed in using the comment section or information section connected to each picture in the album.
This is a one week challenge. I will be accepting submissions until Friday April 24th.
Example:
Looking Deeper, a photo by Mrs. Hindson
Photography has taught me to see more in the world around me. I look deeper at the mundane and find beauty there. I love the creative outlet of photography and that it is a language that is understood by everyone.
In this self portrait with my newest camera, I used the rule of thirds which allows the viewers to glance through the photo before settling on the subject. By doing this, the viewer sees that there are other interesting elements like the texture of the grass and my hair. The muted, cool colours give the photo a soft feeling that is mirrored in the blanket. By filling the frame the viewers eye moves around the photo before settling on the camera.
Read this to learn about the difference between a regular photo and a compelling photo.
I think this concept is best shown by example.
I LOVE spaghetti! I mean could eat it everyday for breakfast, lunch and dinner and would choose it as my last meal kind of love. This photo is an ok photo of one of my great loves. But why doesn't it draw me in like the ones below?
Photos can be considered more compelling for a number of reasons. The first is COMPOSITION and how the photographer uses the Elements of Art, Principles of Design and Rules of Photography in their favour. Although the first photo below is simple enough, by using the stark white background it allows the subject to pop and the viewers eye go straight to the subject. By centring the subject, balance and symmetry is created which is usually pleasing for the viewer. The same reads true for the second picture, but what adds to that photo is the unexpectedness of it. The photo is simple (background & symmetrical), but very interesting at the same time (Shape & contrast). The third photo tells a story. Although the background is not simplified, it adds elements to the "story". The bowl of spaghetti still stands out because the rest of the photo is slightly blurred and there is no confusion on where the viewers eyes will end up. The last photo (my personal favourite) mixes all of the elements up in an unexpected interesting way. It tells a story, uses colour, texture AND emotion which can also help create a more compelling photo.
Lastly here is a link to an article that really dives deeper into taking your photos from ORDINARY to EXTRAORDINARY: