This week and next....

This first week is all about getting up to speed with acquiring your software… That is Photoshop… And getting comfortable posting here on the blog. You should read through the syllabus and follow some of the links and think ahead about the projects we will be doing.

Our first visual assignment for photo I, introduction to composition, is all about seeing how shapes and lines and light fill the rectangle we call a photograph to form an interesting design. It's super important to distinguish between taking a photograph of something and making a photograph that uses geometric elements but is more concerned with light and composition than how important in a conventional sense what you're photographing is.

One of the problems beginners face is getting over the idea of taking pictures of things… In other words, you say to yourself"," oh there's an important building across the street", then take a picture of the whole building. That is exactly what I don't want you to do. Instead, move in close, look for angles, geometries, interesting light and shadow. For now always eliminate the sky. The sky is too bright and too difficult to deal with her most beginners. It's a distraction that pulls us away from what is important in the photograph. I want you to think about the focal point… And how the lightest part of your photograph should be the focal point.

Take lots of pictures a good amount would be a ratio of 10 to 1 in other words in order to have five finished pictures that are beautiful and edited well you need to shoot 50.

You don't have to go to a "big city". Anything that is not nature, that has structure and geometry would work including shooting around your own home. But getting out and taking a walk is a good thing to do. iIt opens your eyes to new possibilities and helps you to see things in a fresh way.

Post 6 to 10 of your best and strongest pieces here on the blog by the end of next week. As you know, the college requires me to take attendance two times per week. I do that on Monday mornings and review what you have posted during the previous seven days in order to take attendance. If you haven't posted then that's two absences.

Most of all, have fun with this and email me with any questions.

Example of what not to do:

Very dull as a photograph..

Do this instead:

Think abstractly, look for light and focal point to come together.