June Assignment 
​5 UNIQUE PHOTOGRAPHS OF AN EVERYDAY OBJECT
Judge Keith Skelton

It is relatively easy to take photos of things which are beautiful and inherently interesting like sunsets and landscapes. The subjects present themselves to us and we point and shoot. But to photograph every day, ordinary, boring things – and make them look interesting, and aesthetically pleasing to the viewer, is a bit harder.
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How can you make better photos? Not necessarily by going to extraordinary places, and photographing extraordinary people and things. Rather, embracing the ordinary, and making extraordinary photos of ordinary things.
THE GOAL OF THIS ASSIGNMENT IS TO MAKE A BEAUTIFUL AND INTERESTING PHOTOGRAPH OF ANYTHING.
THE WAY TO STAY CREATIVE IN YOUR LIFE IS TO LOOK AT EVERYTHING ORDINARY AND TRANSFORM IT INTO SOMETHING EXTRAORDINARY.
SCENARIO:
YOU HAVE AN ASSIGNMENT FOR NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC TO PHOTOGRAPH AN EVERYDAY OBJECT.
IT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT OBJECT IN THE WORLD AND IS BOUND TO CHANGE THE COURSE OF HISTORY.
THE MAGAZINE WANTS 5 UNIQUE PHOTOGRAPHS.
The photographs need to tell a visual story so that the viewer knows exactly what the object is and what it is used for. The photographs must also be beautiful as a grouping and as a stand alone. Each photo has to be unique and special.
  • WE RECOMMEND THAT YOU PHOTOGRAPH YOUR OBJECT AT LEAST 10 DIFFERENT WAYS SO YOU ARE ABLE TO PICK AND CHOOSE THE 5 BEST. Photographing the object in at least 10 different ways allows you to visually explore your subject.
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  • INCLUDE A STRAIGHT REFERENCE PHOTO OF YOUR OBJECT IN YOUR GROUP OF IMAGES.
          THAT MEANS THAT YOU WILL BE ENTERING A TOTAL OF SIX IMAGES !

EXAMPLE 1

Examine the subject from all angles and explore what it looks like in different light and surroundings. As you begin to photograph it you’ll begin to see and find angles you hadn’t thought of. Learn by doing. You may find the simpler the object the more rewarding.




EXAMPLE 2
Some techniques you might explore include the following :
  • Macro photography
  • Motion.
  • Move camera and/or object.
  • Hard light - soft light to enhance texture.
  • Back/side lighting.
  • Window light, bounce flash.
  • Point of view.
  • Over, under, sideways, down.
  • Shallow depth of field or not.
  • What is the object used for?​
  • Juxtapose that ordinary thing against something that is interesting. (such as a rock on a dinner plate or a glass of water in a mailbox).
  •  Look for details and textures.
  • Try using the same focal length for all the shots.
  • Black and white and tones (though this probably doesn’t make an everyday object unique by itself).
  • Create something incongruous
  • Try a technique you haven’t used before. Experimentation is good, especially if you're bored with your surroundings.
SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

Each member to submit 6 individual images
• Digital images only. No prints !
• 5 images of varied shots + 1 straight reference image
• Each image identified by its sequence number; 1 thru 6
• The straight reference image is number 6
Submission Example
assigned_ your name _1.jpg
assigned_ your name _2.jpg
assigned_ your name _3.jpg
assigned_ your name _4.jpg
​assigned_ your name _5.jpg
​assigned_ your name _6.jpg
This is an exercise in seeing.
If you look hard enough,
you will find inspiration everywhere!
Bottom line?
Have fun!

    Questions?