Assignment 3: in search of meaning

(Student: Craft)

Merely capturing a subject does not automatically convey meaning or content.

For example, a photographer who says "I like to photograph people," is saying very little about what they are really trying to communicate. Yes they may show the presence of someone, but what do they want to say about that person... who they are, what they represent or what they stand for?

Look at the image above. The subject(s) are clear enough... half of a woman's face, a blurry green background. But what else is going on?

• Why are we seeing just half the face...that's kind of mysterious.
• What expressions are being expressed through that single, penetrating, eye?
• Why do I keep looking back and forth between the green eye and the green background?
• Why does this picture make me feel a tad...uneasy, nervous?
• Who is this person anyway? 
• What the heck is going on?
• What is the photographer trying to communicate?

Very quickly, this picture leads to interesting questions. The best art is about interesting questions.

For this assignment, I invite you to ponder questions about the subject you choose. So, if you "like photographing people" please ask yourself the following questions before/during/after you shoot. Be as specific as you can.

• What people?
• Who are these people?
• What are they doing?
• Where are they?
• Why?
• What difference does it make–how are they important?
• What story do they/I have to share about them? 
• What emotion or or idea do I want to express about them?
• How can this be shown/created/expressed?

Assignment:

1. Select a subject that you are commonly drawn to. Person, place, thing. Choose one. No animals or pets, for now. 
2. Apply the above questions, adjusting them to person, place or thing.
3. Answer the questions with pictures, not words
4. Be prepared to discuss your driving questions in class and share the images that resulted

For Monday, 1/26.