Environmental Portraits Examined and a New Focus on Blurred Photos To Come

Today's photography class reviewed an assignment that required students to make environmental portraits of a person previously unknown to them. The subjects could be anyone, so long as the sitters agreed to be photographed and would be willing to share some of their written thoughts when the photographer returned with a printed photograph. We saw a variety of occupations in these photos, including a coffee barista, a street musician, and an artist. Our budding photographers learned many things from this assignment: The important role that the background plays in helping to shape the story, the need to avoid coinciding elements that blur the distinction between subject and background, and the best moment to make the exposure. Below, Mary shares her assignment for feedback.

Ana reads the written response portion of the assignment to several very interested classmates. A big part of this assignment was to encourage students to meet someone new and learn to overcome the fear of photographing people.

In just a few weeks, we will be seeing some new photographs that make creative use of blur and motion through skillful selection of the appropriate shutter speed control. Stay tuned.