Formalist Photography:
The Design, Composition and Lighting are dominant over Subject Matter

The photographer becomes a visual designer whenever a frame is captured.
In camera cropping concentrates on the desired subject while eliminating everything else.

Placement in the frame, point of view, selective focus, lighting and perspective are but a few of the tools and options the photographer has as tools for creating a strong design.

Formalist photography can contain recognizable subject matter and can also become so abstract that the subject matter is a mystery.

.
Mary Ann Vecchio at Kent State shooting of students by National Guard.

In most photography, the actual subject being capured is the dominant attraction for the viewer.
An unusual, dramatic, or historically significant image can capture the viewer's attention even if it is aesthetically (and even technically) unremarkable.
This is sometimes evident in photojournalism where the event or celebrity is the most important element.


 

Effective photojournalistic photographs contain compelling subject matter combined with strong formal qualities.

 

 

 

ASSIGNMENT:

Your first roll of film either confirmed that your camera is functioning correctly or you need to make adjustments.
In this assignment you will shoot your second roll of film and concentrate on the formal qualities of the image.

Pay special attention to the design and lighting of your images.
Subject matter is your choice but have samples of both abstracted and recognizable.

Develop your film BEFORE we meet for class.
We will be making prints from the first two rolls.
We want to have well exposed, clear images to print.

Next week (after we learn how to print) you will turn in two prints for critique.