Lifestyle Telling The Story - Week 1

Currently, I am a student in a online class, Lifestyle Telling the Story.  One of my favorite photographers, Brooke Snow, is the instructor.  I took Brooke Snow's Photo Basics class at her lovely home last summer.  I loved how she simplified the concepts and how everyone in class cheered each other on in our progress.

I expect nothing less with this class.  I am thrilled to be learning how to tell a story with the images I take.  Just from the class tutorials I watched this last week, I learned a few tips to consider in taking more creative shots.

Week 1 Assignment

Part One: Character/Details

With the concept of a shot list in mind, pick a “character” you would like to document.  Write down what details you could photograph to tell their story, and photograph those details.
*For example, I could pick my son as my character and photograph his favorite books, toys, and his little cowboy boots.  Be creative with your  composition.  You don’t have to actually have your character in these shots if you choose not to.  Please post 3 character “details”.

Part Two: Character/Conflict

I want you to capture your character with the element of conflict.  Think about using the idea of “environmental” photography to help tell who your character is.  In essence, you want to capture your character either doing something, working at something, or in the midst of a visible emotion. Post 1-2 Character/Conflict images.

 The character I chose to photograph is my three year old son.  He is 100% pure boy, right down to his determination in completing random stunts.  I discovered that I must act casual when photographing my son in order to get "the shots."  He follows instructions pretty well, which was nice.  When he randomly started jumping off of the front door stoop, I thought I could get a neat looking "jumping shot."  I think I finally figured it out by the last shot.  I cropped my last two images tighter to try and eliminate any distractions.  Do you think I was successful?  Please comment and let me know.

Part 1 - Character/Details

 

ISO: 400 | 1/800 sec. | f/5.6 | 18-55mm

  * Brooke's Notes:  Good job placing him in the sky, which makes it so there are no distractions in the background.  This looks like a silhouette shot.  If want to expose the photo more for him, you'll need to override your meter reading - your camera is seeing all of the bright light in the sky and you'll want to expose for that rather than for him.  But if you're going for a silhouette, than you definitely have the outline happening her, although I think it would probably be a stronger image if you were to just bring up the exposure a bit so the viewer can see the expression on his face better.

ISO: 400 | 1/12500 sec. | f/5.6 | 18-55mm

  * Brooke's Review:  Try a different perspective/point of view - Incorporate leading lines from bench and brick wall by taking this shot standing in front of the wall and bench and have the subject turn and face the camera.  The use of leading lines helps to draw the viewer's attention more strongly to where it needs to be and overall creates a stronger composition.  Leading lines help to draw our attention to where it needs to be.

ISO: 400 | 1/640 sec. | f/5.6 | 18-55mm

* Brooke's Notes:  It's good to have a simple background, like yours, so the viewer can 

maintain his attention on the cute little feet.

Part 2: Character/Conflict

                                                                                                                           ISO: 400 | 1/640 sec. | f/5.6 | 18-55mm

* Brooke's Review:  Your leading lines pull us into the subject.  It works to have the doorway placed where it is in the frame so the viewer knows what he is jumping out of. 

ISO: 400 | 1/640 sec. | f/5.6 | 18-55mm

* Brooke's Notes:  I like this one even more, probably because the perspective is so much lower that it gives an increased drama to what is happening.  Shooting lower also displays more of the height of his jump.  Perspective is one of my favorite things and anytime we can choose a perspective that is different than the default of standing, we're automatically going to increase the power of our images.