THE ASSOCIATION OF TEXAS PHOTOGRAPHY INSTRUCTOR’S FALL COMPETITION
The 12 Photo assignment is designed to give you original reference material and for the fall photo competition, so do some experimental photography that are very clear.
Students have won TWO BEST OF SHOWS from ATPI, TWO NATIONAL SILVER MEDALS FROM SCHOLASTIC, THREE GOLD SEALS from VASE, and FIVE were chosen to be included in the BEST OF HIGH SCHOOL PHOTOGRAPHY 5 Year ANNUAL in 2022!
Take a Look:
So its a tried and true lesson worth doing. These elements of composition and design can be applied to all areas of art and design.
ELEMENTS of COMPOSITION in a NUTSHELL: We will go over this in class
What make a photo good or bad?
- These must be original photos, but you are allowed to set up a scene and have a friend take the photo, but NO ADULTS may take the photo of you or for you.
- Cell phones can do what regular 35mm cameras can do about 90% of the time. With the Lightroom Mobile app you can control ISO and shutter speed and white balance and even manually focus. Otherwise, all the ideas of photography in terms of composition and meaning stay the same.
- We may need to print your photos for competition so keep your unedited large photos. Good apps: Photo Editing Apps
Try to stay away from overused or unoriginal subjects https://www.studentartguide.com/articles/avoiding-cliche-art
1. PHOTOGRAPH 3 SELF PORTRAITS – ____ (25 points)
I KNOW YOU HAVE SOME WACKY, EXPRESSIVE SELFIES!! Consider psychological portraits expressing your subject: intense concentration or quiet contemplation, looking out of a rainy windowpane, or cringing away in fear of something seen or unseen (under the bed), etc.
Be Brave! Theatrical! This is your stage! Creative Portraits on Prof Robson’s Pinterest site
- Extreme close-up or part of your face.
- Extreme close-up or part of your face and or with hands doing something. Straightening crooked glasses, cutting your hair (pretend only!), eating something, etc.
- Using your reflection in an unusual surface, something other than a normal mirror. This could be a metal appliance (toaster, blender), a computer monitor, a broken or warped mirror, a car’s rear-view mirror or tinted windows. Pinterest has a TON of ideas.
- Using your reflection in an unusual surface, something other than a normal mirror. This could be a metal appliance (toaster, blender), a computer monitor, a broken or warped mirror, a car’s rear-view mirror or tinted windows. Pinterest has a TON of ideas.
- Dramatic facial expressions, poses, and gestures or action- (like dancing, riding a bike or walking downstairs) close enough for detail.
- Lighting- dramatic darks and lights
2. PHOTOGRAPH 3 PORTRAITS OF OTHERS – ____ (25 points)
Photograph three or more differentpeople. Get close, show details. Use props, (like your dad cooking in an apron) or wear fun clothing, hats, scarves, gloves, theater costumes or goofy pjs. Try to do something that shows their character.
3. PHOTOGRAPH 3 MAN MADE STRUCTURES FROM EXTREME ANGLES _____ (25)
Requirements: three interesting vantage points of at least three different structures (buildings, home, barn, cities).
Since we view the world from about 4 feet off the ground. Most images we see are made within that normal range of human vision. In this project you are going to make pictures from extreme points of view—ways of seeing that fall outside our normal viewpoint.
Bird’s-eye view (looking down from HIGH above)
Worm’s-eye view (looking up from the ground or below)
Forced Perspective (technique that uses the space between your subjects to create an interesting or unusual relationship between them.)
A building or spot that is part of your neighborhood’s identity like a firehouse, park, church, an empty playground. Try to convey an emotion with your shot like Andy Wilson’s Covid playground scene: 2021 STATE VASE WINNERS
4. PHOTOGRAPH 3 DIFFERENT SCENES FROM NATURE – ____ (25 points)
Photograph nature, focusing your camera as close to your subject as you can. Explore DETAILS found in textures, patterns, shapes, and forms filling the entire picture frame.
- Textures: Worn stones, rocks, bark, weathered wood, leaves. You may want to try to contrast different textures in the same picture.
- Patterns: Branches, trees, roots, water, reeds by water, bark, stones. Explore the patterns that can be found in nature. Look for natural elements that are dramatic.
- Reflections: Photograph the patterns and shapes of trees and branches reflected in water. Find still pools of water, as well as moving streams, and look for patterns on the surface of the water. Throw rocks into still water and see the patterns you can make.
- Take the pet photo close up, use an unusual angle, and limit the background. If you do not own a pet, borrow a friend’s pet or visit the zoo.
- ONLY 1 ANIMAL PHOTO is allowed.
Finally: AS A FAMOUS PHOTOGRAPHER ONCE SAID:
“If your pictures aren’t good enough, you’re not close enough.” -Robert Capa
BRENDA ROBSON 