Crush was an assignment referring to "Crushing the Blacks" in a photo. The meaning of this is to under expose the image leaving no detail in the shadows of the image. I wanted to take a picture of something that would be transformed by the lack of shadow detail.
I looked for objects that had really high contrast. I also had been meaning to take a picture of my On Taking Pictures t-shirt to share on the group. Once the two objectives found each other in my brain, this photo resulted.
I don't mind taking self-portraits, but I don't think I have ever really taken a selfie. To me there needs to be some thoughtfulness behind taking my own picture. I do like experimenting with lights, and since I am a willing participant on my own behalf, I don't ever really have an excuse to not be taking pictures.
I like that the photo is dramatic, and that the contrast between the white and dark blue parts of my shirt were enough to make them seem black. The camera stands out like a painted-on graphic.
I would have liked a bit more catch light in my eyes, but besides that, I was pleased with result.
On Taking Assignments
I frequently listen to the On Taking Pictures (OTP) podcast, which I highly recommend to anyone looking for good conversation about creativity, especially as it related to photography. In January 2014 the hosts, Bill Wadman and Jeffery Saddoris, began a new segment of weekly assignments that they gave to listeners. Results of the assignments are posted on the OTP Google Plus group. I decided that I would commit myself to the assignments for a year without interruption, and that I would complete each one before the next assignment was announced on the show each Tuesday morning. My 'On Taking Assignments' blog posts are the culmination of my year-long focus on these assignments.