Journal+Assignments

Photography is an artistic platform where you communicate what you see or what you want to say as an artist through photographs. Like any other art medium, the elements and principles of design need to be applied to make a visually cohesive piece. However, the photographer also has the power to manipulate the truth and portray their subject matter any way they like. Photographers need to think very carefully about how they may be portraying a person or place…. Are they respecting their subject matter? These assignments will not only help you identify some important “tricks of the trade” but they will also help you think more in-depth about your photographs and what you might be saying to your viewer.

There will be journal assignments throughout the semester. These journal assignments will reinforce what will be discussed in class, what will be assigned in the photo studio, and in the computer lab. You will be asked, in some cases, to write a paragraph about what you have chosen. This is very important because it will show me evidence of thought. You are artists this semester, and artists are visual thinkers, and are also some of the most brilliant and influential people in society today. Show me you are thinking.

You will look through the museum resources listed on the resource page to find multiple examples of each of the listed topics. You will have class time in a rotation cycle to complete this however, I suggest that you always be working on these. For instance, if you see an example of something on a Saturday that you would like to put in your journal, go ahead and post it.

Remember that this is a graded assignment and the quality of presentation and effort counts. Your journal is worth 20 % of your semester grade. You have plenty of time to write your paragraphs, so I expect them to be neat, and grammatically correct. You will lose points if they are not, because it is a sign of laziness. You may ask me to look at them if you need help.


 * Setting up the Journals **

You are to create a wiki and a page for each journal on your wiki. The page should be titled the journal and the number. (For Example, Journal 1) Label your sections and leave room for the places where writing is required. Collect mages from the Internet that illustrate what is asked for in each journal assignment. Use the resources listed on the “Photography Resources” page on the wikispace to find your images. Remember to label your images as indicated below.

For the entries that require writing, you will type neatly under or next to the image. **Please be sincere, think hard, and take pride in your work**.


 * Each Image you find for every journal assignment should be labeled using the format below. **


 * Artist’s name **
 * Photo title **
 * Date taken (if available) **
 * Web address or URL **

For this journal, you are to find 2 images you would consider fine art photographs and 2 images you consider snap shots. Label each image using the proper format and write a paragraph explaining the difference between a photograph and a snap shot; explain why the two photos you chose for photographs are not snap shots and why the snap shots you chose are not photographs. Include in your writing an explanation of why you chose each image. (was there something about the image that you liked or some detail in it that drew you in)
 * Journal 1 – Photograph vs. Snap Shot **

**Journal 2 – Creativity: “It’s not what you shoot, but how you shoot it.”** This will be your mantra for this class this semester. Find three images that you feel illustrate creativity. To begin your search, search images that connect to your interests so you don’t get bored. For example, if you like the beach, look for interesting photographs of the beach that you feel illustrate creativity. Under each photo, write at least 2 sentences explaining why you think the work is creative. Include in your writing an explanation of why you chose each image. (was there something about the image that you liked or some detail in it that drew you in)

Light is one of the most important elements in photography. The next three journals focus on the elements of Light as Subject matter. For this journal, find 3 images that illustrate reflection. Label each image and under each image write a one to two sentence explanation of why the image illustrates reflection. Include in your writing an explanation of why you chose each image. (was there something about the image that you liked or some detail in it that drew you in)
 * Journal 3 – Reflection **

For this journal, find 3 images that illustrate shadow. Label each image and under each image write a one to two sentence explanation of why the image illustrates shadow. Include in your writing an explanation of why you chose each image. (was there something about the image that you liked or some detail in it that drew you in)
 * Journal 4 – Shadow **

For this journal, find 3 images that illustrate light vs. dark. Label each image and under each image write a one to two sentence explanation of why the image illustrates light vs. dark. Include in your writing an explanation of why you chose each image. (was there something about the image that you liked or some detail in it that drew you in)
 * Journal 5 – Light vs. Dark **

Find 3 images that illustrate the use of a high shutter speed. Under each image write a paragraph explaining why the photograph illustrates the use of a high shutter speed and why the photographer chose to use this technique. Write to explain how each images illustrates depth of field and an explanation of why you chose each image. (was there something about the image that you liked or some detail in it that drew you in)
 * Journal 6 – High Shutter Speed Photography **

** Journal 7 – Timing **

Timing is a huge part of successful photography, especially in photojournalism. Photographers have to be in the right place at the right time. These pictures are what catch monumental moments in history and help us preserve memories. Catching a moment where something significant has just happened, about to happen, or happening, makes for a strong subject. Look at the reactions around what is happening, there are often several stories in a scenario such as this. Find 5 photographs that are centered around timing. Label each image. Write a paragraph and explain what happened or is happening. This does not have to be a HUGE EVENT, it could be something as simple as dropping an ice cream cone. Include in your writing an explanation of why you chose each image. (was there something about the image that you liked or some detail in it that drew you in)

Find 3 images that illustrate the use of a slow shutter speed. Under each image write a paragraph explaining why the photograph illustrates the use of a slow shutter speed and why the photographer chose to use this technique. Include in your writing an explanation of why you chose each image. (was there something about the image that you liked or some detail in it that drew you in)
 * Journal 8 – Slow Shutter Speed Photography **

Not all subject matter need be dead center. Think of your frame as a window; when you look out a window and see something beautiful is it always perfectly centered? This is where you start thinking of design and composition. Some images keep their subject matter in the edges of the frame, sometimes to give them context, sometimes to give **design aesthetic**. Find 5 images where the frame has been utilized and the image is not centered. Label each image and write a paragraph and explain which ones you like the best and why. Include in your writing an explanation of why you chose each image. (was there something about the image that you liked or some detail in it that drew you in)
 * Journal 9 – Composition: Rule of Thirds **

A loss of sharpness in the background is what we call background simplified. This is done by lowering what we call “depth of field”. Your picture choices should have a lack of focus or look soft and blurry in the background. We can adjust the depth of field by changing the **“f - stop”** on our camera exposures. Find three images that illustrate low depth of field, label each image and write an explanation of why you think the artist chose to use this technique. Include in your writing an explanation of why you chose each image. (was there something about the image that you liked or some detail in it that drew you in)
 * Journal 10 – Low Depth of Field Photography **

Objects in a composition that draw the viewer INTO the photo and perhaps to the center of interest are called leading lines. Certain compositions can have a line that leads you from corner to corner diagonally, this is called an **implied diagonal** and often makes for a well-balanced composition. Find 5 pictures for your journal that clearly shows this technique. Write an explanation of why you chose each image. (was there something about the image that you liked or some detail in it that drew you in)
 * Journal 11 – Leading Lines & Implied Diagonals **

The art elements of shape and form are very important in photography. Find 3 images that illustrate shape and 3 photographs that illustrate form. Label each and write a paragraph explaining how the photograph is an example of shape or form. Include in your writing an explanation of why you chose each image. (was there something about the image that you liked or some detail in it that drew you in)
 * Journal 12 – Shape and Form **

The art elements of pattern and texture are very important in photography. Find 3 images that illustrate pattern and 3 photographs that illustrate texture. Label each and write a paragraph explaining how the photograph is an example of pattern or texture. Include in your writing an explanation of why you chose each image. (was there something about the image that you liked or some detail in it that drew you in)
 * Journal 13 – Pattern and Texture **

Photographers often edit their work to enhance the mood of their images by adjusting the color balance, tone and hue. Find 4 photographs where the mood has been enhanced through editing the color, tone or hue of a photograph. Label each image and explain why/how the mood has been enhanced through color, tone or hue. Also, include in your writing an explanation of why you chose each image. (was there something about the image that you liked or some detail in it that drew you in)
 * Journal 14 – How Color Effects Mood **

Portraiture is likely the most popular type of photography. This is because naturally, we as human beings are interested in other human beings. It is not to say that we are nosey, but rather that we are intrinsically curious. An expressive portrait is a portrait that depicts an emotion and a truth about your subject matter. **Who is this person**? Why do they look this way? Think of people you know and what emotion you naturally attach to them and their personality. Why? Find 5 expressive portraits of the following; someone who you perceive as being good, someone who you perceive as being bad, Someone who is happy, someone who is unhappy, someone who has a secret. You will write a paragraph for each picture explaining your reasoning for your selection. Tell me why.
 * Journal 15 – Expressive Portrait **