"Inside movement there is one moment in which the elements are in balance. Photography must seize the importance of this moment and hold immobile the equilibrium of it."
- Henri Cartier-Bresson
Today, we will look at various techniques you can use to incorporate movement – or simply blur, in various forms – into your pictures. The class handout explains this in detail, and here are some web links that also provide visual examples, and some additional tips and tricks:
"15 stunning images using blur to portray movement"
"How to Capture Motion Blur in Photography"
"45 Beautiful Motion Blur Photos"
Separately, we will also continue our study of work by photographers, around the world, viewing slideshows online and discussing them. They include two different sets of pictures from the aftermath of the Bankok Riots, one is from VII and the other Magnum.
-Red Shirts by Agnes Dherbey. "Agnes Dherbey has continued her coverage of the Red Shirts protest in Bangkok since violence flared in Spring 2010. VII The Magazine is pleased to update her earlier dispatch with this graphic account of the recent events and her personal feelings and observations about what has been happening in Thailand," writes VII The Magazine as it publishes Red Shirts online.
-The riots aftermath by Hiroji Kubota. "After a six week standoff between Red Shirt protesters and government forces, opposition leaders surrendered and left their fortified position in central Bangkok. Soon after, retreating protesters set fire to many buildings in the area, including a major shopping center. The Thai military responded with a deadly crackdown which lead to dozens of deaths and the implementation of a strict curfew," explains Magnum next to the online gallery.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Photographing relationships
Piglet sidled up to Pooh from behind. "Pooh!" he whispered. "Yes, Piglet?" "Nothing," said Piglet, taking Pooh's paw. "I just wanted to be sure of you. - A.A. Milne
Today we will look at various photos for inspiration on relationship photography, including a project called Touching Strangers, by photographer Richard Renaldi. "Touching Strangers is an ongoing photographic project stemming from my interest in the dynamics of group portraiture," explains Renaldi in an article about the project in Bite Magazine, which has also published a gallery of Renaldi's images.
"The premise of this work is simple: I meet two or more people on the street who are strangers to each other, and to me. I ask them if they will pose for a photograph together with the stipulation that they must touch each other in some manner. Frequently, I instruct or coach the subjects how to touch. Just as often, I let their tentative physical exploration play out before my camera with no interference," Renaldi said.
We will also view an audio-visual slideshow called "Remember Me" by Preston Gannaway, at The Concord Monitor. It's a story about Carolynne St. Pierre, and her family, as they cope with her illness, prepares to live life without her, and copes with her death after she is gone.
Today we will look at various photos for inspiration on relationship photography, including a project called Touching Strangers, by photographer Richard Renaldi. "Touching Strangers is an ongoing photographic project stemming from my interest in the dynamics of group portraiture," explains Renaldi in an article about the project in Bite Magazine, which has also published a gallery of Renaldi's images.
"The premise of this work is simple: I meet two or more people on the street who are strangers to each other, and to me. I ask them if they will pose for a photograph together with the stipulation that they must touch each other in some manner. Frequently, I instruct or coach the subjects how to touch. Just as often, I let their tentative physical exploration play out before my camera with no interference," Renaldi said.
We will also view an audio-visual slideshow called "Remember Me" by Preston Gannaway, at The Concord Monitor. It's a story about Carolynne St. Pierre, and her family, as they cope with her illness, prepares to live life without her, and copes with her death after she is gone.
Friday, May 21, 2010
Your photos and the internet
Here's a link to a blog post you may want to read in regards to posting photos on the internet... and more. It's about a court case between a Haitian photographer and AFP.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
The reality of combat
"I see the kind of photojournalist who covers war to be somebody who has, number one, an incredible amount of bravery, an ability to put themselves apart from the circumstances they are in," says Maryanne Golon, former Time director of photography, in the new Time inc. web documentary showcasing the work of photographers Ralph Morse, Larry Burrows and James Nachtway.
Time, this year, gave the Briton Hadden Lifetime Achievement to the three photographers. "The Award this year honored war photography and was given to three courageous men whose pictures have brought the reality of combat to the pages of Time Inc. magazine for nearly 70 years," said John Huye, Time editor in chief, in an April memo this his staff about the award.
Here is a link to the documentary, which we viewed in class. You can read more about the three photographers in the class handout, along with the discussion points for our talk about the role of a conflict photographer.
Time, this year, gave the Briton Hadden Lifetime Achievement to the three photographers. "The Award this year honored war photography and was given to three courageous men whose pictures have brought the reality of combat to the pages of Time Inc. magazine for nearly 70 years," said John Huye, Time editor in chief, in an April memo this his staff about the award.
Here is a link to the documentary, which we viewed in class. You can read more about the three photographers in the class handout, along with the discussion points for our talk about the role of a conflict photographer.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Up close and personal
"You don't take a photograph. You ask, quietly, to borrow it."
-Author unknown
Although it's easier said than done, we have talked about the importance of being able to convey emotion - and capture with intimacy the lives of your subjects - when carrying out a documentary project.
Today, we are viewing some work by contemporary photographers who have managed to do that exceptionally well:
-Brenda Ann Kenneally’s photo essay "Upstate Girls." The photo essay "documents the coming of age of five troubled young women in Troy, N.Y," writes the New York Times online about the essay it shows in a web gallery. "It is a decidedly unromantic view of poverty, dysfunction and teen pregnancy."
-Work by the The Washington Post's Carol Guzy. (You'll need to sign up for a free subscription to view).
-Another photographer to have a look at is Ami Vitale. Here is a link to her "Where every pregnancy is a gamble" on her website.
Much, much more to come... A great way to grow as a photographer is, of course, to look at good photography.
Another way to make a big improvement to your photo skills, and one of the most effective ways to create a feel of closeness in your story, is to, literary, take a big step closer to your subject. We'll practice that today...
-Author unknown
Although it's easier said than done, we have talked about the importance of being able to convey emotion - and capture with intimacy the lives of your subjects - when carrying out a documentary project.
Today, we are viewing some work by contemporary photographers who have managed to do that exceptionally well:
-Brenda Ann Kenneally’s photo essay "Upstate Girls." The photo essay "documents the coming of age of five troubled young women in Troy, N.Y," writes the New York Times online about the essay it shows in a web gallery. "It is a decidedly unromantic view of poverty, dysfunction and teen pregnancy."
-Work by the The Washington Post's Carol Guzy. (You'll need to sign up for a free subscription to view).
-Another photographer to have a look at is Ami Vitale. Here is a link to her "Where every pregnancy is a gamble" on her website.
Much, much more to come... A great way to grow as a photographer is, of course, to look at good photography.
Another way to make a big improvement to your photo skills, and one of the most effective ways to create a feel of closeness in your story, is to, literary, take a big step closer to your subject. We'll practice that today...
The moments are up now...
The NYT: Lens A Moment in Time gallery is up now, and I see ours made it in...
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
And then there was light...
Without our friend the light, we would not be able to take a single photograph, no matter how sophisticated our cameras.
So today's lecture will be a reminder to all of us that mastering the art of painting with light - goes way beyond making correct exposures.
Some photographers have mastered this art better than others. We will look at some greatly-lit pictures for inspiration -- in preparation for this week's assignment.
For example, we will view an essay by Russian Dmitry Markov called Akward Age and have a look at Jonas Bendiksen's Magnum portfolio.
We will also look at some of Santu Mofokeng's historical images (in slide- and book form, as I could not find a web gallery to point you toward) -- which will then also lead us into a discussion about the debate on the role of photography.
PS. Here is an example of a silhouette for when we get to the various lighting examples for this week's assignment.
So today's lecture will be a reminder to all of us that mastering the art of painting with light - goes way beyond making correct exposures.
Some photographers have mastered this art better than others. We will look at some greatly-lit pictures for inspiration -- in preparation for this week's assignment.
For example, we will view an essay by Russian Dmitry Markov called Akward Age and have a look at Jonas Bendiksen's Magnum portfolio.
We will also look at some of Santu Mofokeng's historical images (in slide- and book form, as I could not find a web gallery to point you toward) -- which will then also lead us into a discussion about the debate on the role of photography.
PS. Here is an example of a silhouette for when we get to the various lighting examples for this week's assignment.
Monday, May 3, 2010
NYT: A moment in Time
Hi guys - hope you shot something our time Sunday at 5pm for the The New York Time's "A moment in Time." Here are some of the first submissions. Can't wait to see yours... See you on Wednesday!
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Canon Female Photojournalist Award
Canon and the Association des Femmes Journalistes (AFJ) have opened submissions for the tenth competition to find 2010’s Canon Female Photojournalist of the year.
Sponsored by Canon France and granted by AFJ, the winner will receive an €8000 prize and a photojournalistic project.
The competition is open to any female professional photojournalist of any age or nationality.
This year’s applicants will be judged both upon the presentation of their project, the quality of their photographs, relevance of their chosen subject, the inspiration behind their story and any previous work.
The deadline for submissions is 31 May 2010, and a jury will select a winner in June.
You can read the rules and dowload an application package from the Canon Female Photojournalist Award site.
Sponsored by Canon France and granted by AFJ, the winner will receive an €8000 prize and a photojournalistic project.
The competition is open to any female professional photojournalist of any age or nationality.
This year’s applicants will be judged both upon the presentation of their project, the quality of their photographs, relevance of their chosen subject, the inspiration behind their story and any previous work.
The deadline for submissions is 31 May 2010, and a jury will select a winner in June.
You can read the rules and dowload an application package from the Canon Female Photojournalist Award site.
Burn photo grant deadline extended
The deadline for the photo grant issued by Burn magazine has been extended until May 1.
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