30 points
Assigned: Â Tuesday, August 25, 2020
Due: Sunday, August 30, 2020, Â by 10 pm
Through The Viewfinder
Goal: To begin to think like a photographer.
Photographs are defined by what we include and exclude in our images – the frame. It is the most important decision you’ll make as a visual journalist.
In Class, I’ll provide you with a very fancy cardboard viewfinder.
If you’re taking the class remotely follow these simple instructions:
The exact size isn’t important. You can use any cardboard you have available—an old box, matte board, etc.
Cut a rectangle out of a piece of cardboard roughly with these dimensions:
-
- The cardboard should be about 5×7 inches.
- The cutout in the center should be roughly 1.5×2 inches.
Assignment:
- carry the cardboard viewfinder with you over the next few days. Every time you walk into a new room, a new place, look through the viewfinder.
- Pay attention to how the viewfinder changes your view.
- Try to imagine how a photograph would look as you move and compose the frame.
- ‘Compose’ photographs that seem visually interesting to you.
- Write several paragraphs, describing the experience – what it felt like (besides embarrassing) looking through the viewfinder.
- How did it change the experience of looking for you? (if it did at all)?
- Was there anything specific that you were more or less aware of as you looked through the viewfinder?
- What were you thinking about as you looked through the viewfinder?
- How did the view change as you moved the viewfinder closer or farther from your eye?
- Describe in detail at least two photographs you would have taken if you had a real camera in your hands.
- Why would you have taken a photo at that moment?
- What would the photo have looked like?
- What would you have made sure to include or exclude?
Upload your text to Canvas as an attachment.
- If you don’t return the viewfinder you get a zero for a grade.