This year I was not sure what to expect coming into my first photography class. I imagined it as us, the students, going out and taking pictures of whatever we like, then turning them in to be evaluated by the teacher. I was not expecting to receive assigned photoshoots, do hands on activities, or collaborate with my peers. Mrs. Hahn changed my perspective of what photography really is. Some of my favorite photoshoots have included the scanner gram (seen above), noun photoshoot, and the Earth Day photoshoot. In all of these photoshoots we were required to incorporate our voice. It took a lot of help from my peers, friends, and family to accomplish the tasks given by Mrs. Hahn. We were given two weeks to finish a required photoshoot outside of class, with a mid way check point one week in. Then we would bring our photos into class on our memory cards to turn them in. Our class was extremely lucky to be provided with laptops with the necessary programs we needed to edit our pictures. Next, we would upload our pictures to Google Drive and then create a contact sheet on Photoshop. Usually by the next class Mrs. Hahn would select our 'top three images' for us to edit again on Photoshop.
The elements and principals of design are required tools in any art class. In all of our photoshoots we were required to use the compositional strategies, including: rule of thirds, close and far, don't center, get close, avoid distractions, and leading lines. These would make our photos look more sophisticated and professional. Looking back over the year, rule of thirds and get close are definitely my most used rules, as seen in most of the images attached to this blogpost.
This year, second semester specifically, we focused on incorporating and finding our voice in our photoshoots. Since I am moving onto AP Photography next year, it is important for me to find a common theme in my photoshoots. This year I kind of focused on taking pictures that look pretty, rather than my own voice. I am at the point in my life where I am still discovering who I am and who I want to be, so it is hard to pinpoint one specific trait to capture through my photography. However, one common theme I have found in some of my best photoshoots is that I like to find beauty in things that most people would not consider beautiful. For example, in the two pictures above these were both taken at an abandoned building in downtown Noblesville. Last year I would have walked right past both of these spots and not thought nothing of it. But now I find myself driving down the road or walking down the street, stopping to look at odd or quirky things, thinking, "this would make a great photo."
I have realized in mys lifetime that I am not an artistic person. I can't draw, paint, sing, or play an instrument. I have found myself frustrated in past art classes for not meeting the expectations. This year in photography, I have discovered many talents I did not know that I had and a place in the art world where I fit in. I have always been good with computer programs and figuring out technology on my own. I also learn very well from step-by-step instructions and by watching examples. Over the course of the year I have discovered that I am very good at Photoshop. I figured out most of the program on my own and I accomplished the simple tasks given in minutes because I am now so familiar with the program. Above I attached my photo emerge assignment which is one of my images made up of a bunch of tiny images. I loved that I was able to find something I was good at and not feel frustrated with myself. Also, it is a good skill to have for AP and maybe even a future job.
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