an excerpt from on photography, susan sontag
regarding the torture of others, by susan sontag
The Abu Ghraib Pictures
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supplement to the world (landscape) assignment
the world (landscapes): the assignment asks students to produce a photo study of an environment—natural or cultural, rural or urban, interior or exterior—to be organized sequentially and presented in a slide-show format (PowerPoint or I-Photo). emphasis should be placed on how elements of the landscape or architecture and urban environments express poetic or social relationships. in each individual image depth of field, framing and perspective will be important. overall, the content and form (lighting, angle) should be thematically and stylistically cohesive, while remaining fresh from image to image. 15%
Theme/Composition: Before shooting, choose the type of landscape you want to study--natural, urban, domestic--and then draw up a list of interesting environments of this type. Next, pretend you are writing an essay and decide what it is that you want to say about these chosen environments. Look for a basic theme and approach. With your essay in mind, visit the best of these places and take a mental inventory of the kinds of objects or structures that you find there--natural formations, skylines, vegetation, buildings, roads, malls and other urban structures, furniture, furnishings, collected objects or interesting forms. Now with respect to your thesis, decide how best to present the subject, taking into consideration its physical qualities. You should think about the elements of line, form, mass, colour and tone. Think about size. Is detail important? Texture? Shape? Should you be closer or further from your subject? What is the light like? Can you change it or return at another time? Can it be increased or modified, more focused, angled or diffuse? Now, look for patterns of association between the kinds of things that comprise the various elements and their qualities. Can your characterize all of your imagined pictures in the same terms as your thesis has approached the subject--majestic, dynamic, humble, elegant, quiet, studied...? Consider a few different approaches that harmonize to best express the poetry of form, or the quality or character of the social experience of the place.
Photo technique: In each individual image, depth of field, framing and perspective will be important. Ask yourself if you have enough light to present a long depth of field or if you want one. If you don't have the available light to obtain a great depth of field, consider the best way to use the limited plane of focus available to you. How about available light? Is it strong, even, weak? When taking a light meter reading you should be considering which elements you want to foreground and then be metering and exposing accordingly. If your subject is dynamic, consider how you might best express this quality. Do you want to use a slow or fast shutter speed?
Selecting, Sequencing, Showing: After taking your first roll of film, look through your images to select the ones you think best express the qualities of the subject you've chosen to study. Next, look for images that speak to the qualities of the subject identified in your original essay outline. Can you match the content of the original images to the themes identified in your original essay form? How can you enhance these basic ideas? Are there any significant formal or symbolic connections between the images. Look for commonalities and differences between individual images in this smaller group. Consider the particularities of content, as well as the perspective, the time of day, the distance from the object and the possible depth of field. Do images you've selected suggest a logical sequence in terms of content as revealed by form (time of day, general to particular, slow to fast movement, near to far, empty to full, dark to light?) Once you've decided on the sequence, consider how the images should be presented in a slide show? What is the title? Do you need text? What image will appear on the 'cover' page, or introductory slide? What size will the images on the inside be? Where will they appear on the page? Do you need text? If so, you'll need to compose it and decide where to place it? Do you need music? Which slide program is preferred in this case?
Theme/Composition: Before shooting, choose the type of landscape you want to study--natural, urban, domestic--and then draw up a list of interesting environments of this type. Next, pretend you are writing an essay and decide what it is that you want to say about these chosen environments. Look for a basic theme and approach. With your essay in mind, visit the best of these places and take a mental inventory of the kinds of objects or structures that you find there--natural formations, skylines, vegetation, buildings, roads, malls and other urban structures, furniture, furnishings, collected objects or interesting forms. Now with respect to your thesis, decide how best to present the subject, taking into consideration its physical qualities. You should think about the elements of line, form, mass, colour and tone. Think about size. Is detail important? Texture? Shape? Should you be closer or further from your subject? What is the light like? Can you change it or return at another time? Can it be increased or modified, more focused, angled or diffuse? Now, look for patterns of association between the kinds of things that comprise the various elements and their qualities. Can your characterize all of your imagined pictures in the same terms as your thesis has approached the subject--majestic, dynamic, humble, elegant, quiet, studied...? Consider a few different approaches that harmonize to best express the poetry of form, or the quality or character of the social experience of the place.
Photo technique: In each individual image, depth of field, framing and perspective will be important. Ask yourself if you have enough light to present a long depth of field or if you want one. If you don't have the available light to obtain a great depth of field, consider the best way to use the limited plane of focus available to you. How about available light? Is it strong, even, weak? When taking a light meter reading you should be considering which elements you want to foreground and then be metering and exposing accordingly. If your subject is dynamic, consider how you might best express this quality. Do you want to use a slow or fast shutter speed?
Selecting, Sequencing, Showing: After taking your first roll of film, look through your images to select the ones you think best express the qualities of the subject you've chosen to study. Next, look for images that speak to the qualities of the subject identified in your original essay outline. Can you match the content of the original images to the themes identified in your original essay form? How can you enhance these basic ideas? Are there any significant formal or symbolic connections between the images. Look for commonalities and differences between individual images in this smaller group. Consider the particularities of content, as well as the perspective, the time of day, the distance from the object and the possible depth of field. Do images you've selected suggest a logical sequence in terms of content as revealed by form (time of day, general to particular, slow to fast movement, near to far, empty to full, dark to light?) Once you've decided on the sequence, consider how the images should be presented in a slide show? What is the title? Do you need text? What image will appear on the 'cover' page, or introductory slide? What size will the images on the inside be? Where will they appear on the page? Do you need text? If so, you'll need to compose it and decide where to place it? Do you need music? Which slide program is preferred in this case?
About Me
exercises
lighting/bracketing exercise
(5% of the participation mark)
an exercise in metering for exposure and the observation of light quality
the exercise requires students to work in small groups to shoot one roll of film (24 exposures) in three different locations (8 pictures in each), following the directions outlined below. Please take notes recoding the frame number and exposure setting for each picture.
1 the first location should be characterized by high-key lighting (e.g. a scene with predominantly light toned objects ~ white flowers in a white vase on a white table cloth in front of light toned wall, in bright sunlight);
2 the second location should feature low key lighting (e.g. a scene with predominantly dark toned objects or heavy shadows ~ a black cat in a shaded corner, a street scene at dusk)
3 the lighting in location three should include equal parts highlight and shadow (almost any mid-range outdoor scene mid-day, in the sun)
take the same picture 8X at each location, using a mid-range shutter speed (1/60th or 1/125th) but changing the aperture as follows:
∑ exposure 1: as recommended by your light meter
∑ exposure 2: + 1 stop over the recommended exposure
∑ exposure 3: +1.5 stops over
∑ exposure 4: +2 stops over
∑ exposure 5: as recommended by your light meter
∑ exposure 6 –1 stop under the recommended exposure
∑ exposure 7: -1.5 stops under
∑ exposure 8: -2 stops under
remember to keep a log recording the frame number and exposure setting for each picture
have your film processed to disk and submit the disk and the log in class on September 25
(5% of the participation mark)
an exercise in metering for exposure and the observation of light quality
the exercise requires students to work in small groups to shoot one roll of film (24 exposures) in three different locations (8 pictures in each), following the directions outlined below. Please take notes recoding the frame number and exposure setting for each picture.
1 the first location should be characterized by high-key lighting (e.g. a scene with predominantly light toned objects ~ white flowers in a white vase on a white table cloth in front of light toned wall, in bright sunlight);
2 the second location should feature low key lighting (e.g. a scene with predominantly dark toned objects or heavy shadows ~ a black cat in a shaded corner, a street scene at dusk)
3 the lighting in location three should include equal parts highlight and shadow (almost any mid-range outdoor scene mid-day, in the sun)
take the same picture 8X at each location, using a mid-range shutter speed (1/60th or 1/125th) but changing the aperture as follows:
∑ exposure 1: as recommended by your light meter
∑ exposure 2: + 1 stop over the recommended exposure
∑ exposure 3: +1.5 stops over
∑ exposure 4: +2 stops over
∑ exposure 5: as recommended by your light meter
∑ exposure 6 –1 stop under the recommended exposure
∑ exposure 7: -1.5 stops under
∑ exposure 8: -2 stops under
remember to keep a log recording the frame number and exposure setting for each picture
have your film processed to disk and submit the disk and the log in class on September 25
links of interest
anticipation
assignments
self-portrait (with found photos) (ALTERNATIVE ASSIGNMENT DESCRIBED BELOW): students are asked to produce a panoramic self-portrait comprised of a series of six (6) scanned print materials. these materials can include snapshots, pictures from magazines or books or elements of text BUT NO ACTUAL PICTURES OF THE STUDENTS THEMSELVES. Choose images that communicate something about your interests and values and be considerate of the formal aspects of both the individual pictures and all elements they cohere in the group. the order should also be carefully considered. each image must be scanned, cropped and scaled and have contrast adjusted to suit the graphic sensibility of the whole. print the image full-bleed (without borders) on the horizontal axis. carefully adjoin one to the next with scotch tape on the reverse side of the print and submit in a file folder or 8.5” x 11” envelope. 15%
as an ALTERNATIVE to the self-portrait assignment, students can produce an atmospheric panoramic portrait of a space, time or emotion state. as above, the portrait is to be comprised of a series of six (6) scanned print materials, including imagery taken from snapshots, pictures from magazines or books or elements of text. choose images that communicate something of the subject via style (tone, graphic sensibility) and their literal and symbolic content. consider images that express specific values of space (open, closed, imaginary…) and time (day, night, present-tense, past, a particular historical moment) and be considerate of the formal aspects of both the individual pictures and all elements they cohere in the group. the order should also be carefully considered. each image must be scanned, cropped and scaled and have contrast adjusted to suit the graphic sensibility of the whole. print the image full-bleed (without borders) on the horizontal axis. carefully adjoin one to the next with scotch tape on the reverse side of the print and submit in a file folder or 8.5” x 11” envelope. 15%
portraits studies (with light): students are asked to shoot one roll (24 exposure) of 35mm print film to produce two series of 12 portraits each: one series should choose a close friend or relative as the object of study and the other a stranger. in each the student should use three different lighting situations—interior, exterior, back-lit, low-light, in shadow, contrasting light… and three different environments as well as a variety of perspectives. the pictures should capture a physical and character trait of the subject and use framing, lighting and setting towards that end. technical consideration should be given over to exposure and focus. 15%
the world (landscapes): the assignment asks students to produce a photo study of an environment—natural or cultural, rural or urban, interior or exterior—to be organized sequentially and presented in a slide-show format (PowerPoint or I-Photo). emphasis should be placed on how elements of the landscape or architecture and urban environments express poetic or social relationships. in each individual image depth of field, framing and perspective will be important. overall, the content and form (lighting, angle) should be thematically and stylistically cohesive, while remaining fresh from image to image. 15%
portfolio (home): the final production assignment asks students to produce a portfolio of 8 – 10, 8” x 10” images addressing the subject of ‘home’. this theme can be interpreted broadly to involve a documentary-style investigation of domestic, cultural or community life and relationships, an architectural study of domestic space, or a more personal and poetic odyssey exploring what it means to be ‘at home’. students will prepare their images using Photoshop software. printing will be done commercially. 25%
as an ALTERNATIVE to the self-portrait assignment, students can produce an atmospheric panoramic portrait of a space, time or emotion state. as above, the portrait is to be comprised of a series of six (6) scanned print materials, including imagery taken from snapshots, pictures from magazines or books or elements of text. choose images that communicate something of the subject via style (tone, graphic sensibility) and their literal and symbolic content. consider images that express specific values of space (open, closed, imaginary…) and time (day, night, present-tense, past, a particular historical moment) and be considerate of the formal aspects of both the individual pictures and all elements they cohere in the group. the order should also be carefully considered. each image must be scanned, cropped and scaled and have contrast adjusted to suit the graphic sensibility of the whole. print the image full-bleed (without borders) on the horizontal axis. carefully adjoin one to the next with scotch tape on the reverse side of the print and submit in a file folder or 8.5” x 11” envelope. 15%
portraits studies (with light): students are asked to shoot one roll (24 exposure) of 35mm print film to produce two series of 12 portraits each: one series should choose a close friend or relative as the object of study and the other a stranger. in each the student should use three different lighting situations—interior, exterior, back-lit, low-light, in shadow, contrasting light… and three different environments as well as a variety of perspectives. the pictures should capture a physical and character trait of the subject and use framing, lighting and setting towards that end. technical consideration should be given over to exposure and focus. 15%
the world (landscapes): the assignment asks students to produce a photo study of an environment—natural or cultural, rural or urban, interior or exterior—to be organized sequentially and presented in a slide-show format (PowerPoint or I-Photo). emphasis should be placed on how elements of the landscape or architecture and urban environments express poetic or social relationships. in each individual image depth of field, framing and perspective will be important. overall, the content and form (lighting, angle) should be thematically and stylistically cohesive, while remaining fresh from image to image. 15%
portfolio (home): the final production assignment asks students to produce a portfolio of 8 – 10, 8” x 10” images addressing the subject of ‘home’. this theme can be interpreted broadly to involve a documentary-style investigation of domestic, cultural or community life and relationships, an architectural study of domestic space, or a more personal and poetic odyssey exploring what it means to be ‘at home’. students will prepare their images using Photoshop software. printing will be done commercially. 25%
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