Shooting Exercises

It can be helpful to periodically push yourself outside your comfort zone. I try to do one of these at least once every few weeks to stay limber. It can be surprising how images from these exercises can inform your "real work" and vice versa.

Choose 1 of the following to complete by Wednesday. Shoot at least 36 exposures preferably in RAW mode. If RAW not possible, high quality jpeg. Bring files to class to work with. Be able to upload to computer in class (bring tether, card reader, etc.)

1. Framing exercise: “10x10x10”. Situate yourself in an interesting place, with plenty of descriptive, natural light. Imagine that you are held within an invisible cage 10 feet x 10 feet x 10 feet. Mark the boundaries for a reference. You can’t escape! You might as well make pictures. All pictures must be made from within this “box”. Shoot up, down, sideways, and look, look, look. See what you discover when confined. 36 exp. for a single subject. Radically vary framing, distance, point-of-view, direction of light. Keep yourself from becoming bored!
2. Shoot continuously for 1 Hour. Dramatically vary subject, approaches, point of view, composition, lighting , etc.
3. Take the dog (er) camera for a walk. Photograph what comes to eye or mind and be as daring and adventurous as possible
4. Focal length exercise: (zoom lens or at least 2 different focal length lenses needed). Shoot single subject at a time. Try to keep size of subject relatively constant within the composition (yes, you’ll have to physically move in or out to match this.) What is the effect of focal length on a sense of space and distance?
5. Blindfold yourself for 1 hour. Take the blindfold off and make pictures of the first things that engage your visual interest. Its best to do this outside or in a place with plenty of light (the mall? Bring a friend to help you)