Objective: This project will develop your ability to identify, define, and visually communicate a subject in photography, ranging from the concrete to the conceptual. You will explore how lighting, composition, perspective, and other photographic elements can emphasize your chosen subject and convey your intended meaning or emotion to the viewer.
What is a Subject?
In photography, a subject is the main focus of an image—the element that communicates meaning or evokes a feeling. Subjects can be:
Literal: A specific, tangible object or scene (e.g., a shadow, a rusting bicycle).
Conceptual: A more abstract or emotional idea (e.g., resilience, isolation, or energy).
The way a subject is photographed communicates what the photographer wants the viewer to see, feel, and contemplate.
Examples of Subjects
Literal:
-A tree
-A bicycle leaning against a wall
-A person reading a book
-A cat sleeping on a windowsill
Conceptual:
-Solitude
-Joy
-Decay
-Motion
Steps to Start the Process
1 -Observe Your Environment
Incorporate the Surroundings:
Don’t isolate your subject immediately—start by including the surrounding environment. This can provide context and help tell a more complete story about your subject. Think about how the background and setting contribute to the mood or message of the photograph.
Begin by looking around your surroundings. Notice objects, people, or scenes that catch your attention. Ask yourself:
-What stands out to me?
-What do I want others to notice?
-What emotions or ideas do I want to convey?
2 - Define Your Subject
Choose a subject that resonates with you, whether it’s a tangible object or an abstract concept. Write a brief description of why you chose it and what you want to communicate.
3 - Explore Through Sketches and Notes
Before photographing, sketch potential compositions or write notes about how you might approach the subject. Think about lighting, placement, and angles.
4 - Experiment with Techniques
Use your camera to explore how different techniques affect the portrayal of your subject. Experiment with:
Consider the Mood You Want to Convey:
When photographing a subject, the mood is often shaped by the light. Ask yourself: What mood do you want the viewer to feel? The way your subject is illuminated will play a key role in achieving that.
Control the Light:
Highlighting Texture, Reflection, and Dimension:
By thinking carefully about the mood you want to convey and how you can control or adjust the lighting, you can create an image that draws out the best qualities of your subject—whether it's soft and calming, bold and dramatic, or something in between.
Composition: Rule of thirds, symmetry, negative space.
Avoid Centering Your Subject in Every Shot:
Instead of always placing your subject in the center of the frame, experiment by positioning it off-center. Utilize negative space to guide the viewer’s eye toward the subject, creating a more dynamic and engaging composition. Negative space not only provides balance but also adds breathing room for the viewer's gaze to explore the image before settling on the focal point.
Perspective: High angles, low angles, eye level.
Playing with Horizon Placement:
Position the horizon either high or low in the frame, rather than always centering it. This simple shift can dramatically affect how we perceive both the subject and the overall scene:
By experimenting with these compositional techniques, you encourage viewers to engage more thoughtfully with your photographs, adding layers of meaning and visual interest.
Distance: Close-up, mid-range, wide shot.
Fill the Frame:
Once you’ve explored wider compositions, get close. Fill the frame with your subject to eliminate distractions and focus on the details. This approach brings viewers right into the heart of the image, emphasizing form, texture, and intricate features.
Get Inside Your Subject: (If Possible)
When it’s feasible, immerse yourself in your subject. This could be literal—shooting from within a structure or object—or metaphorical, by zooming in on details that are typically overlooked. By getting inside your subject, you can capture perspectives that are rarely seen, making the viewer feel as though they’re experiencing the subject from an intimate or unique viewpoint.
Depth of Field: Shallow for focus, deep for detail.
Motion: Stillness versus blur.
A Few Possibilities:
Spend 20-30 minutes on each exploration, capturing 20-30 images for each subject. Choose three different subjects to explore in depth, allowing yourself time to observe, experiment, and refine your compositions.
Objective:
Spend 20-30 minutes on each subject exploration, creating 20-30 images for each chosen subject, providing a broad range of visual options to select from. This exercise is designed to enhance observational skills and encourage deeper exploration of the subject. By photographing from different angles, lighting conditions, and perspectives, the goal is to uncover unique elements and subtle details that may not be immediately visible. The final aim is to choose the strongest images that effectively define the subject and tell a cohesive story.
Submit:
All images must be shot and conceived for this project. No old images will be accepted.
-All images must be edited.
-All images must be properly exposed and in focus.
-All images must have a strong composition, cropped or straightened if needed.
•Create an album for those 10 edited images and submit the URL through Canvas.
-In Share and Invite, turn on Anyone Can View.
-In the Link Settings, turn on, Show Metadata - Show Location - Allow JPG Downloads.
•Comments:
- Provide a written description in the comments section detailing the 3 subjects you chose to photograph and what drew you to them.
- After the broad subject description, provide specific insights about each set of 3 images. Explain why you selected these particular images and how they work together to represent the subject. Consider how the images convey a sense of place or reveal something new to you and your audience. Be sure to clearly articulate why you chose these images and why viewers might find them compelling.
-Tell me how many images you made for this project.
-Any thought about the work including any questions you might have.
-The album must stay live for one week past the semester’s end. Any deleted album will delete your grade for the project.
Examples: