AWQ3M

Introduction to PHOTOGRAPHY

Photography as an Artform

The beauty of photography is it can be almost anything you want it to be. It can simply be to capture a memory all the way to influencing societal norms and laws. In this last section of the course you are going to explore one of the facets of photography.

There are many things can be, but for the sake of the course, let's break them down into the following categories:

Abstract

Shooting through objects, using subtraction, use a macro, look at the elements as the focus - use everyday objects. Post-production changes.

Paul Strand. Porch Shadows, 1916

Barbara Kasten, Construct LB/5, 1982

Rick Ohnsman

Documentary

Key concepts: Use wide lenses, get a different point of view, composition and finally continuity (if you're shooting a series of shots)

Tish Murtha , Ella Murtha, 1980's

danif@pixdaus

Lewis Hine, Breaker Boys, 1911

Robert Adams, Stump next to Oregon Highway 47, 1999–2003

Fashion

Know what style interests you. List a series of clients that are your 'dream clients'. Try consuming as many photos from those clients as possible. Force yourself to include something new each time you do a shoot

Rossella Vanon

Karl Taylor

Landscape

Get the right lens for the right job. Separate the subject from the background. Research your idea - it will probably lead to more ideas. Use natural light as much as possible. Use different angles/perspectives. Capture the essence of the location.

Ansel Adams, Moonrise, Hernandez, New Mexico, 1941

Andreas Gursky, Rhein II, 1999

Edward Burtynsky, Nickel Tailings No. 31. Sudbury, Ontario, 1996

Montage/Collage

Planning. Planning. Planning.

Joyce Neimanas

Romare Bearden, The Calabash, 1970

John Heartfiled

Narrative

Often uses accompanying text to tell a story (National Geographic is heavily in this style).

Duane Michaels, Grandpa goes to Heaven, 1989

Wildlife (and plants)

Technically Nature photography has 3 disciplines: Landscapes, wildlife and plants. Shooting wildlife and plants however shares several techniques. Use cropping and composition to ensure the focus of your shot is the organism. Lens choice is key in wildlife and plant photography as is the time of day.

Imogen Cunningham, Two Callas, c. 1929

Konsta Punkka

Portraiture

To capture the essence of a subject in a single shot.

Yousuf Karsh, Winston Churchill, 1941

Annie Leibovitz, John Lennon and Yoko Ono,1980

Still Life

Lenses, lights, tripods. And a plan. Unique props from interesting angles helps.

Irving Penn

Surrealism

It is purely the art of imagination.

Herbert Bayer, Lonesome Big City Dweller, 1932

Erik Johansson

Architectural

Capturing the look and feel of human structures. Choice of angles, lighting and subject are key.

Andre Kertesz, The Eiffel Tower, Paris 1929

Paul Politis, Urban View ,

Ottawa

2006

Time lapse and light painting

Both are not quite abstract, but nor are they surrealistic by nature. They typically involve long exposures, a tripod and a plan.

Hugo Baptista

Craig Hull

Assignment #18 - Photography as an artform

You are to shoot a minimum of 12 photos that reflect one of the artistic styles of photography. Submit all 12 in a Google Photos album and clearly identify one shot that has been processed in lightroom/photoshop. Complete the reflection.

Google Sites

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