Assignment Three

For my third assignment, I had to be conscious of how light sources effected my subjects. I think more than anything, these assignments are making me think about the pictures I take instead of just taking tons of pictures of the kids. I showed my "top five" in class yesterday. It went better than the first time. I'm "progressing." His big issue with my photographs is that I "zoom" in too much. I don't capture what's around my subjects, so its not as interesting. I didn't fully get it, but I came home and looked at a bunch of the pictures from an outsiders point of view (as much as I could), and I can see what he's talking about. I guess I've been wanting to capture moments in my kids' lives, and doing it up close is the best way in my opinion! I also took some pictures of Roby working on his motorcycle in the garage that evening because the kids were watching him. I tried various things with getting closer in, getting more of the background, etc. And honestly, although I wouldn't be proud of showing the entire class the mess that is our garage, they are "better" photographs. I'll try to post a few of them here or on REEN sometime soon...too much going on right now though. So...here are the five I showed in class:

I took this one a while ago, but it fit the assignment, and I couldn't make it back to the zoo to try to duplicate it or get a better shot.

This isn't the best composition, but I liked how the light was shining on the controller and he is in shadows...making the controller the most "important" thing in the photo. (I tried to go back and get his whole hands a pic, but by then the sun had shifted enough that it wouldn't work.)

I like how she's all in shadows which matches her glum posture and expression. He did like that too, but said it was composed awkwardly. That it seemed forced and needed more of the playground and background in it.

This was one of my favorite pictures. I loved the shadows and how the girls' hands are overlapping on the dogs back. I also like how Natalie and the dog are looking up at the man that you can't see all of. But again, it is too zoomed in, and getting this moment with more surrounding "stuff" would make it a better photograph.

When I came home I found this (and a few more) that I think he would have liked more. I suppose it is more interesting...I still like the first one more... ;-)

He did like this one!!! Woo Hoo!!! I love how soft it is, and its not too close!!! (Good thing I didn't choose the one that was closer!)

My next assignment is a Power Point presentation on a photographer. That should be interesting. Just minutes ago I turned in my second assignment in digital photography. I'll post about those later. I'm trying to get as much done this week (in all my classes) as possible as we have a lot going on next week with Ethan's birthday!!!

Unexpected

I just logged into my Digital Photography class and saw that I got two more critiques. Considering that everyone has to critique at least two people, it seems that we should all get at least two. These new critiques were much less specific and much nicer!!! One person mentioned that more up close shots as well as black and white would have improved some of the photographs. The other...well...she seemed to love all of them! lol Seriously, they aren't that great, but I'll take the compliments! ;-)

I took another 250 pictures today, and have a few ideas of pictures that I need to take tomorrow to complete my third assignment for my regular photography class. I'm going to try to start going through them tonight or tomorrow morning to see what I have. Being conscious of light source is much more difficult than I thought! Sounds like how I thought being mindful of my frame was doesn't it?!?!

Digital Photo -- Assn 1 Critique

I got a critique yesterday. It was from one of the people that I critiqued. I said about 80% nice things about his pictures...which was kind of hard.

He preceded to go through my pictures one at at time and tell me what was bad about them. Awesome. If he did like a picture he would say, "Good perspective" or "Good use of light" and that was all. I'm not hurt by this, and I really don't care what some random person things. I just thought it was odd. Especially considering he literally numbered my pictures and in his other critique he did it in paragraph form like the rest of us are doing. This is not a, "I'm going to get back at them for saying something negative about mine" type of thing...and I don't know if that's how he was feeling...it was just a little more harsh than I expected. Oh well. I'm going to come up with some kind of response then I'll be done with that for this assignment.

I have lots of pictures to take this weekend for my regular photography class, and have absolutely no idea how I'm going to take them all concerning "light sources." I feel like I need some kind of difference in scenery/background when it comes to these photographs...and I don't know how to go about it. I guess I have to get creative, and maybe drive somewhere with the kids in tow...poor kids! ;-)

Digital Photo -- Assn 1 Grade

I think my Digital Photography teacher is a bit of a spaz. And I desperately want to get a hold of his class pages and edit them for spelling/grammar errors. I suck when it comes to English, but that's why there is spell check and you proof read! Anyway. I got my feedback for my first Power Point assignment. More feedback than I thought considering its online, so that's cool. Here it goes:

5 On time [5pts.]
5 Meeting assignment requirements [5pts.]
5 Use of camera tools technical requirements [5pts.]
5 Presentational Gestalt – what did you bring to image [5pts.]
20 Total [20pts.]

(Woooo Hoooo!!!)

Excellent job. My only complaint is that you stopped shooting on subjects so quickly without exploring further for stronger images or great moments or alternatives. #2 fill flash or a bounce card would add light to face. Nice framing and timing. #3 good inter action, by why not a dozen more images as the relationship develops or dissipates. #6 good full frame, #7 move slightly to right to cut dominance of light arm on left and possibly a little more eye contact; #16 “heh you!” doesn’t usually work, but it does here; #21 explore further; and #24 intense frame again do more.

#2

#3

#6

#7

#16

#21

#24

I'm pleased with that! I did do my "more than one" critique yesterday. Now I have to wait and see if someone else critiques mine. I hate waiting for other people to decide to get their work done. Oh well, I have plenty of studying to do for Medical Terminology...

Just Relax Already

I just got home from class. Its surprising me how much each assignment seems so difficult to me. I guess there is a lot more thought that needs to go into taking photographs than I thought. Assn 3 isn't due until next Monday, so I have another week to take tons of pictures...we'll see what I come up with. I don't remember if I mention that it has to do with light. Not taking pictures of the sun/sky, lamps, etc...but how light sources affect your subject. Harsh/soft, reflective/absorbing, etc etc.

I am pleased to say that I just opened my grade for Assn #2 and got 30/30! Better than my first assignment! Maybe I need to stop being so hard on myself, stop worrying what other people think so much and enjoy what I'm doing. Figure out how to do the same thing I've been doing for so long, yet in the guidelines of the assignments. I have some ideas for this assignment...but I still have one sick kid, two other classes...and less than favorable weather conditions...maybe I can steal a few pictures I took previously (I have a few in mind that fit the assignment perfectly!).

As for my digital photography class...I now have to critique at least two other peoples pictures, then respond to at least one other persons critique (if someone critiques mine, I have to respond to that). I guess this gets us thinking about photographs and filling the frame and all that...but honestly, most of the pictures people posted SUCK!!! Not just snapshot bad. Or not that great like mine bad. But B. A. D. bad! UGH I guess I should do that right now and try to get someone with decent pics before someone else does to make it easier and so I won't sound too harsh!!!