I am not sure what this is going to look like overall. I'm just getting started. For this first week of my BoP (Bachelor of Photography), I might touch on what I've done and learned. I may decide later to post about each class individually or might only share some of the work that comes out of this intensive learning process.
My Fears
I spent so much time planning and organizing this project (well, I have 50% of my courses figured out for a total of 20), and I highly enjoyed researching and planning what I'm doing for each course. But, if I'm honest, I often start projects, lose interest, and fail to complete them. This habit of mine might be the bane of my husband's existence. In my heart of hearts, I know doing this project matters. So my word for 2024 is FOLLOWTHROUGH. I'm inviting you all to help keep me accountable on this learning journey. Ask me questions! Share your thoughts.
First Batch of BoP Courses
Here's what I'm starting with:
- Studio Seminar: Methods of Inquiry
- Foundations in Drawing
- Survey of Photography
- Photography Basics
- 2D Design: Elements & Style
I am currently in the middle of completing Unit 1 of Photography Basics and I start 2D Design tomorrow.
Studio Seminar: Methods of Inquiry
I am working off of a syllabus I found online for this one, adapting it as I proceed through. Technically, I started this one in December. If you receive my newsletter, New Moon Missives, you already saw the mind map I created as well as one of the videos that I found fascinating, Everything is a Remix. The mind map is the first step toward a project I will be doing for this class. The video talks about how we learn from those who come before us by copying, then we transform those ideas and finally combine them into great works. You can see those things by visiting my newsletter profile here: New Moon Missives. Be sure to sign up to receive them in your inbox every New Moon!
My assignment for this class:
I am also supposed to answer and discuss the following:
Discussion: What is creativity? What skills are involved? Who uses it most? What circumstances foster creative output? Are we born with it? What are the traits of a “highly creative” person?
My Answer: Creativity is the ability to form and execute ideas. The skills involved are a good understanding of a subject, an ability to recognize or make connections between things and the courage to try. Everyone uses it. People tend to think that only artists are creative but I believe that everyone is creative, it just looks different for different people. Environments that are ok with failure foster more creativity. We will try more things if it is ok to fail. A highly creative person just tries and fails more often than others.
What are your thoughts on this? Comment below!
Fundamentals in Drawing
One thing I've always wished I could do is draw. My husband and both of my daughters have an affinity for it, but it hasn't been a skill I've developed. However, I want to draw dragons! Also, many Fine Arts Degree programs in Universities require you to take at least one, if not two, drawing classes. So here we are. I created the syllabus for this myself based on the book, Drawing On The Right Side of The Brain. To know how you've progressed, you need to know where you're starting from. So I set up a still life and attempted to draw it.
According to my youngest, this isn't so bad. Better than some people. I'm interested to see how much I improve over the next few weeks.
Survey of Photography
This is another course that I designed for myself. I based it on two books, The Short Story of Photography, which provides an overview of the genres, themes, and techniques and presents 50 key images; and, Criticizing Photographs, which teaches how to read a photograph essentially.
My first assignment in this course was to search for photographers and choose an image in 10 of the 32 genres, answer a few questions, and note which of the 32 themes in the book are present in that image. This process was interesting but took a fair amount of time to complete. Here are a couple of examples:
Genre: Monochrome
Artist Name: Tracey Halladay
Country of Origin: Canada
Name of Image: Takkakaw
Year Produced: 2023?
- What are your thoughts on this genre?
I do enjoy Monochrome, especially the more dramatic versions of this work
- Why does this artist’s work appeal to/interest you?
This particular image appeals to me because it is dramatic, high-contrast, and full of texture. The story seems to be about the water.
- What themes as noted in The Short Story do you notice in the artist’s work?
Movement, Nature, Texture
Genre: Advertising
Artist Name: Ransom & Mitchell
Country of Origin: USA
Name of Image: Absinthe
Year Produced: 2023?
- What are your thoughts on this genre?
I am not sure I have thought too much about it previously. However, I suppose that Book Covers, Album Covers, and Portraits for Musicians would all be Advertising photography. I have done some product photography but it was simpler and cleaner than the work of these artists.
- Why does this artist’s work appeal to/interest you?
I love the rich colour, the well-established settings, the vibe, the mood. I especially love the storytelling and drama included in the image.
- What themes as noted in The Short Story do you notice in the artist’s work?
Beauty, The Surreal, Consumerism, Gender, Age, Power, Texture
One of the things that I found lacking in my photography journal thus far is useful criticism. It is my goal to gain a better understanding of how to criticize not only my images but those of others. I would like to contribute to the growth of fellow creatives by offering useful feedback.
Photography Basics
My syllabus for this one is a blend of one I found online and stuff I've added myself. It is based on the books, Light & Lens, and, Adobe Photoshop CC and Lightroom CC for Photographers Second Edition. While it's been quite a bit of reading, here are some gems I discovered:
Why is it important to find an audience for your work?
Part of a photographer's job is to interact and stimulate thinking within the community of artists and the world at large. This involves getting others to pay attention to your concerns. Without an audience to open a dialogue, the images remain incomplete, and the artist remains unsatisfied.
This image, The Two Ways of Life, by Oscar Gustav Rejlander, is a composite of 30 different negatives created in 1857. I had no idea that photographers could even think about compositing multiple images into one with film! How amazing is this? I can't even fathom it.
And I'll leave you with one last quote from this textbook that I find highly accurate and informs much of the work I have done and wish to do:
Photography is a sign language, and symbols are its shorthand.
While I haven't designed those courses yet, I will be delving deeper into symbolism and semiotics in the second half of my BoP. I hope you have enjoyed this glimpse into my learning journey. Please share your thoughts and ask any questions you might have. I'd love to discuss this more!