An interview with Keith Cooper

Go to THIS page and read the interview.

Complete the half page questionnaire supplied to you and turn it in at the class switch.

With ONE partner or alone look at the two photographs on this blog post and give your thoughts as to the general quality and effectiveness of the photograph.

Write in complete sentences and use the computer to type to out and then print it out. 

Make sure both students names are on the paper.

Use the following outline to write your critique of both images. (go through the outline two times, 

two written critiques)

1. How is the technical quality? Let’s start here before we get to the more subjective issues of composition and emotion.

• In focus? (or if not,  was that intended?)
• Exposure: Is it too light or dark? Are there blown out or underexposed areas?
• Use of depth of field to control the viewer’s eye.
• Use of contrast? Too muddy or too much contrast.
• How was lighting handled?
• How do the colors look?

2. How’s the composition?

• Framing?
• What should and shouldn’t be in the frame?
• Where is your eye drawn to?

3. How is the emotional appeal?

• What emotion do you feel when you look at the photo? Or lack of?
• Did the photographer connect with his subjects or do they look tense, posed or stilted?
• Does the photograph tell a story, or part of one?  (It could be as simple as, “here are my kids who I adore” or “here’s my dog catching a frisbee.” Or a very deep one such as, “this is what poverty looks like, right in my hometown.”)

4. In your opinion what was the purpose of the photograph?

   • Was it supposed to be a photojournalistic shot (showing an event as it happened)

   • Was it a informational picture, capturing detail to preserve it for history?

   • Was it intended to simply be an interesting composition to be enjoyed for it's beauty?

   • What other purpose did the photographer have in taking the shot? (if none is discernible, what effect does this have on your opinion of the photograph?)

copyright: Ken Blaze

copyright: Jay Maisel

September 5th 2012 Intro to Photo

Go here for today's note taking. Read and take notes on the 6 Elements of Composition. This information is VITAL to the rest of the semester and you will be quizzed on this info and expected to use it in your photographs.

CLEAN DARKROOM WHEN CLASS IS JUST ABOUT OVER....

Do not leave the cutting board or the individual stations a mess for the next class or me to clean up after you.

Salvage as much photo paper as possible back into the paper safe as you can.