Q Instructions Assignment 1: Part 1: Vantage Point (30pts) Everyone has a different “eye” when looking, taking, and critiquing photographs. Many viewers base it on exposure, color, composition, content, among many other factors. Sometimes, if not most of the time, many elements of photography are used to capture one image. In this assignment you will be be both the analyzing viewer and the active producer. Instructions: • Photograph in auto or P mode. (If you have experience and are more comfortable photographing in Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, or Manual Mode, please do so!) • Photograph 2 different subjects and/or scenes. • Turn in 5 photos for each subject/scene (10 photos); edit down to only the strongest photos. • Take as many photos as you need to until you get the strongest 5 for each scene/subject. (A good suggestion is to take at least 25-30 photos per subject/scene, which means 50+ photos) • Make a separate folder (Assignment1_ALL) and turn in all the photos you took for all parts of the assignment here. Follow these tips: • This first part of the assignment is meant to be open-ended to get you "warmed-up." Show us what you got! It is practice but it is also a chance to make meaningful artwork. • Experiment and play around with how you frame the subjects. Get closer, shift your vantage by crouching down to a lower vantage or towering over your subject. Try to think outside the box! • Push yourself to see new details or to photograph scenes from a new perspective. • Save pets and your family for social media! Stay away from photographing expected or clichéd subjects/objects such as your pets, flowers, or a sign hanging on your wall. Think about unexpected subject matter such as reflections and shadows. Think about how to photograph your subject differently by having them turn away from the camera and look into an environment. Again, think outside the box! • Remember: THINK BEFORE YOU SHOOT! Think about what you want your art photography to say to the viewer. Is it political? Controversial? Raising awareness of a subculture? Abstract? An emotional state of mind/being? No more “pretty” pictures or convenient backyard snapshots. • Upload photos to Flickr. See instructions below. Some things to keep in mind (But there are exceptions to every rule/suggestion) • Do not tilt your camera from side to side, always keep your camera straight. To shift your vantage, shift yourself, not the camera. • How you frame and focus and where you position yourself when taking a picture are very important factors to consider. In this first assignment, you are encouraged to see how much you can experiment with framing and focus and vantage point. • Pay very close attention to what you choose to include and not include in your photograph. Check for any background distractions or out of place objects (i.e., if taking a portrait of someone outside, make sure there is no pole or tree sprouting out of their head in the background). A photograph is a window...be sure to select your frame carefully. • Get close to things to emphasize details or get far away to emphasize scale. Overall, don’t be afraid to experiment with different distances from your subject. • Don’t be afraid to move around! Bend down low or climb up steps to photograph at different angles. Don’t just take photographs at predictable eye level. • Your main goals are: to familiarize yourself with your camera, to make sure you are focusing correctly, and to make correctly exposed photographs. Don’t rush your shooting; take the time to meter and focus for every shot. You will see the difference in the end. • Be creative! Remember this is a fine arts class and you will be graded not only on technical aspects but perhaps more importantly creative aspects as well. Choose your subject matter carefully, don't settle on the first thing you see as you step out the door and do not photograph just to satisfy the parameters of the assignment. Take the time to really think about what you are taking a picture of and what you would like to show the viewer. Some more suggestions • Choose any outdoor day-lit location you like. Focus on something far away and take a photograph of it. Move or find something closer, refocus, photograph again. Repeat until you are too close to focus. • Create as many different views and compositions as possible of this location/subject, checking exposure and focus for each image. • Move the camera so your subject matter is in different parts of the frame. Try different angles of view (up, down, etc.) and look for new compositions. • Focus on details. Remember to find the exposure for each image. Take your time. (Figure 1) Above is a photo of a red hose against a brick wall taken from further away. The photographer stood about 10 feet away from the wall. Note the straight framing achieved by making sure the camera is not tilted at all. The lines are straight across and the hose is placed on the left 3rd of the photo, not in the center to provide a balanced photograph. (Figure 2) Above is a photo of the same red hose against the brick wall but from a closer vantage. The photographer crouched down and moved about 2 feet away from the subject to capture the details in the hose. Note the dramatic change in the photograph of the same subject just by shifting the vantage and distance from the subject. (Figure 3) This is what the photographer looked like to capture the photo in (figure 2) of the detail in the red hose. Note the close distance and the lower vantage point achieved by crouching down. Photo Credits: Ding Ren Turning in Your Assignment • Look at the tutorials in the Course Resources section on how to create a Flickr account and album. • Create a new Flickr photo album for each part of the assignment (check the tutorials in the Course Resources section if you need help). • There should be three photo albums labeled o Assignment1_Part1 o Assignment1_Part2 o Assignment1_Part3 • There should be a 4th album labeled: Assignment1_ALL • Upload corresponding photos from this week to the appropriate Flickr albums • Once you have completed uploading your photos to Flickr, go to Assignments • Upload one of your photos from this week. Then, Paste the URL of all 4 Flickr Albums. • Click Submit to Assignment.

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