CLOSE: Mustard and Ketchup

Moving in close displays details, cuts out extraneous background, and often creates an interesting graphic composition. Photo by Mary Stebbins 

Assignment #1: Close, medium and distant shots

Many beginning photographers point and shoot without regard to how close or far away they are from the subject. In this assignment, try shooting the same subject at different distances and try examining the distances that would create the best picture for the subject you're working with. When shotting close, move in close and fill the frame with the subject. Then move back a little and show context. Finally, place the object within a scene.

The completed assignment will include at least three pictures, one taken close, one at a medium distance, and one farther away. The distances will be chosen to best display the subject matter. It could include a set of six photos, one set using the same object three times, and one set showing how close, medium and more distant shots work well with different subjects.

Of course you will want to make the photos interesting and as technically proficient as reasonably possible.

I think the concerns expressed in these assignemts are important consideration for all photographers, so you don't have to be a beginner to participate. And since these issues also affect artists, I invite artists to participate as well.

Posting will begin, if anyone wishes to participate, a week from today, which is November 12/13. I will be away those days, so you will need to acquire an invite before that.

Seeing, 101

This blog hopes to be an ongoing photography and art "workshop." One will be a technical "assignment" and the other will be a ccreative "theme." You can join free if you are interested in participating. You can back post to old themes and assignments. I am also hoping to post some tutotials and links to tutorials, contests etc.

Each month there will be two "themes" or "assignments." I will start writing them and I hope you will join in. I do NOT want to set myself up as the "teacher" or "expert," but rather as a fellow traveler on the journey.

You can post directly to the blog (you will need an invite). I have to figure out how to do that. I would also like to set up a thing like Photo Thursday and Friday challenge so that you can post your link, but I don't know how to do that yet.

For an invite to post your completed assignments directly to THIS blog, contact me at taittems@gmail.com.