Hi Everyone,

You have an assignment for the education meeting on Wednesday, October 16th. It is called ‘Work the scene’. Pick a subject, any subject, but preferably something that excites you. Your job is to spend the next week and a half photographing that subject. Our goal for this assignment is not to create a story, but to create the most powerful image you can of your subject. Keep the photos of your exploration so that we can share our assignments both in photos and words. The subject can be literally anything. A place, a person, an object or even an idea. The goal of this assignment is to get us all thinking about how we can use all the tools and ideas available to us to create the most impactful image of our subject.

Some things to think about: Choice of lens (telephoto or wide angle), choice of aperture (depth of field), choice of shutter speed (subject moving or still), camera placement (high, low), subject placement (small or large within frame, centered or off center), background or location, lighting (natural, artificial or both), time of day (or night), weather, cloudy or sunny, etc…

Make at least a photo a day of your subject if possible. Examine it and ask yourself: What can I do to improve this, to give it more impact? What is keeping me from getting the image I really want?

Here’s an example. Perhaps you want to photograph a great blue heron. You find out that they won’t let you get close enough even though you know where one likes to hang out. Perhaps you will have to make a blind and sit for hours! Or find a wildlife refuge or zoo where you could get close enough. (or pick another subject!)

Anyway, hopefully everyone can participate and share their assignment for a few minutes on education night.

My subject is going to be ‘Bell Peppers’

See you all on the 16th,

Jim I.

Photo – Jim Ingraham