Photography Assignment

ANSEL On My Mind - B & W Photography

"Black and White Photography does more to evoke an emotion and freeze a moment in time than any other medium. Looking back over the decades at such famous photographers as, Steigletz, Weston, Adams, and others, has helped elevate Black and White Photography to a Fine Art form. The subtle tones of grays, the strong emphasis of the Blacks, and the softness of the Whites makes one look much closer at the subject and composition due to the lack of natural color. Emotions are always much easier to portray with Black and White, because of the stark contrasts and the sharp focus on the subject."     

                                                                                                                                    -Bob Snell

Since the first film was shot and developed, black and white has been a favorite choice among master photographers around the globe. Why is it that this medium preferred by so many fine artists and masters of the trade?

·         It's classic and elegant, even romantic and special.

·         When learning photography, the simplicity of black and white helps you focus on the important stuff.

·         You can often turn a drab color shot into an amazing black and white.

·         If you do your own darkroom work - traditional or digital - it opens up a world of magic and fun.

Ideas for B & W Subjects

¨     People

¨     Landscapes

¨     Animals

¨     Ordinary or Everyday Objects

¨     Almost anything else you can imagine!

Assignment

Shoot six images IN COLOR, then using the techniques discussed in class, change them to black and white. For this assignment, you must submit the following:

1.       Two shots using people or animals as the subject.

2.       Two shots using landscape or some component of landscapes (trees, flowers, leaves, branches, puddles, rocks, etc.)

3.       Two shots using some kind of inanimate object (benches, books, clocks, pens, etc.).

Be creative and do your best work. Images MUST be edited in Photoshop, since you are starting with a color shot. When done, insert into PowerPoint, one B&W shot on each slide (total of seven slides INCLUDING title slide).