mamabear126 Loc: Delaware

My son is a communication arts student at the local school. He must reaudition in January. For the portfolio he is supposed to submit he is supposed to submit 6 photographs with an explanation of what skill he is demonstrating. I'm not sure what is meant by that? What are the skills in photography? :hunf:

I would really appreciate any insight anyone could give me.

jbert Loc: Texas

This could be informative for all concerned and just basic photography. He would do best with an advanced point and shoot Areas he could demonstrate

1. Aperture
2. Shutter Speed
3. Bracketing
4. White Balance
5. Close up or Macro
6. black and white

I just purchased the Sony HV100X and it will do all these and more.


Jbert

Bigdaver

I would say more like being able to creatively use:
-freezing motion with a fast shutter speed (hummingbird wings)
-showing motion blur with a panning shot (clear detail in a speeding car with the background blurred)
-using off camera lights to control shadows (flattering portrait)
-elapsed time photography (use of a tripod and release, knowledge of cumulative exposure)
-capture a split second occurrence (bursting balloon or water drops)
-properly exposed night time or astro picture (calculated exposure)

jeh3 Loc: Ft Collins, CO

Composure, focus, sharpness, lighting. creativity and appeal ... wild guesses, did you ask the school?

Leopold Lysloff

With each photograph he must have his explanation of what he did. That means that he has to make each picture understood to the viewer of what message or vision he is trying to convey. The viewer want to see what the photographers eye sees. (unless it is a technical series. Then he would get into the mechanics of what he did)

EricLPT Loc: Jonesborough TN

I'm with Jack, ask!

Don't mess around, if this decides whether or not he continues in school, get it right the first time!

Eric

"If it can be misunderstood, it will be misunderstood."

mamabear126 Loc: Delaware

The teacher in question is often not very helpful.

mamabear126 Loc: Delaware

I did ask, though. She wants him to explain what effect he was going after and how he accomplished them. She did not give any examples of what the skills were though.

Thank you for taking the time to answer me. I have some ideas now. :thumbup:

DanielB Loc: San Diego, Ca

Photography skills he needs to demonstrate would be things like the "Rule of Thirds", "Depth of Field", "Vignetting", "Bokeh", "Backlight" and the last one I leave to him to research. Good luck!

PitchurMan Loc: Michigan

As an old photography instructor, I would guess the question is deliberately open ended. As a communication arts student he might think about, "what message is the photo to convey?" After having totally explored his subject, "how does his point of view enhance that message?" How did his choice of focal length affect the message? Did he purposely blur part of the image, Why? Does tonality (high-key, low-key) play a part in conveying the message? Did he choose color or B&W, why? What was it about the subject that captured his attention: why did he capture that particular image? Think here in terms of adjectives - large, small, grotesque, magnificent, elegant, depraved, etc.

I see there are lots of other suggestions. My recommendation - select the six, or make up some others, that make the most sense to your son.

Regarding camera technique, there are exactly three fundamental considerations: shutter speed, aperture and focus. Modern digital cameras combine those functions along with white balance in what are known as programs or presets, but they are varying combinations of the three fundamentals. If he sets the camera to "M" manual mode, he gets to make those decisions himself.

Leopold Lysloff

Very good comments Pitchurman,
(old school always works well for me)
Photography is a wonderful way to express one visions (if you can't use a paint brush or artists pencils). It also often leads one to those who have that magic in their seeing things different than others.
When one can master the mechanics of a camera to work exactly as he wants, the real good pictures then flow freely.
While digital is so well engineered to do the figuring and produce excellent pictures, the trained eye (to lighting, aperture, and focus) will create the true picture as it is meant by the photographer, not the camera. We will always need that part of the human element.(for those who choose to)

bobmielke Loc: Portland, OR

1. Advanced techniques would include an HDR(High Dynamic Range) Photo.
2. A good skill to show is a composite photo using 2-3 separate photos combined.
3. An advanced skill would include a panoramic photo of 3-5 frames joined seamlessly together.
4. A cool technique would include an out of frame composite.
5. An advanced technique would show a background replaced with a person.

Out of Frame Technique


Panoramic 3 Frame Shot


HDR Using Three Different Exposures


Composite Photo Using Texture Screen


Portrait Where Background Was Replaced

Leopold Lysloff

Very nice pictures Bobmielke.
One can tell that you enjoy what you do and your photos speak out and have interest.
Thank you for sharing.

user2071 Loc: New England

I don't want to sound like a spoiler, but I have kids and grandkids too ... and they are supposed to know some of this themselves. What the teacher/advisor said is pretty clear really. If your son doesn't understand ... well ... what doesn't he understand exactly?

Phyllis Loc: NE PA

My question exactly, fivedawgs. Let him ask for himself or do his own research. That way he will learn.