On Taking Assignments #18 - Reflection

Jason Faucera April 25, 2015

It's fun when a shot reveals something about the physical that is unintended. This reflection was a more interesting subject than I thought it would be due to what was in and out of focus.

I've never played with mirrors as a compositional tool, and after 'reflection' was assigned I used this retractable mirror to create an endless reflection shot. I used the third reflection as my focal point.

In reviewing the photo on the computer I saw just how out of focus the nearest reflection was. What this shot revealed to me was that multiple reflections add distance to a subject from the camera. Here my focal point was four times my distance to the big bathroom mirror, which is why the third reflection is sharp.

It is also interesting to note that the door behind me in the shot is in focus as well, meaning that the distance to the third reflection is about equal to the distance from me to the mirror to the door.

This opens up some possibilities for creative reflections and is something that I will explore in the future.

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.

Ideas and Imagery #65

Jason Faucera April 22, 2015

This is one of my favorite photos from 2014. When I am out shooting on a weekend I will sometimes just drive around until something catches my eye.

What initially caught my eye in this scene was this tall yellow building that was falling apart. I saw it from about a half mile out and made my way toward it. As I got closer and closer it just seemed to increase in complexity with old equipment, abandoned trailers and eventuall this blue car.

I love how the scene gets compressed into a singular composition from discrete layers. Since this shot I have incorporated the process of layering into a new series of work that I am slowly building. This new work will start to emerge as I continue to post this year.

It's an great new direction for me and one that is producing work I am excited about.

On Taking Assignments #17 - Hidden

Jason Faucera April 20, 2015

This assignment was pretty self-explanatory. Luckily, I have a subject that is more than willing to be hidden. This shot came pretty easily, and I enjoy it every time I see it.

On Taking Assignments

On Taking Assignments #16 - Stranger

Jason Faucera April 20, 2015

Sometimes you have ideas and they just aren't as good as you want them to be. Other times the idea is fine but the execution isn't.

I think my submission for the Stranger assignment was a case of the latter. I wanted to be able to shoot a picture of the egg this mama robin was protecting. I ran into a few problems.

I wanted to be sure not to spook the robin too much. She had nested once before in this spot only to abandon the three chicks after they hatched. I didn't want her to do that again on my account. This left few opportunities to shoot the nest when it was vacant.

Once I got my chance I put on my macro lens only to figure out there wasn't room under the patio roof to get an angle on the egg. I didn't have my phone with me so I had to settle for this shot, which isn't bad. It just doesn't convey stranger without a little narrative help.

As I mention in the caption, this shot fell a bit short of my expectations.

On Taking Assignments

Ideas and Imagery #64

Jason Faucera April 17, 2015

This is a building in the downtown area of the town I grew up in. I'm not sure why it caught my eye, but I stopped my car as soon as I saw it. I think it may be the towering chimney that is almost as tall as the building itself. The building is like a tribute to rectangles.

The variety of different windows was also very strange. Many times when you see a building that is so uniform, its features follow in its footsteps. All in all this building is more or less than the sum of its parts. I just can't decide which.

Ideas and Imagery #63

Jason Faucera April 14, 2015

Motion in photography is a great tool for abstraction. This tree was incredibly colorful and is right outside my front door. I loved the color and the light, but taking a straight picture of the leaves wouldn't make it look any different than a thousand other fall foliage photos.

I had an idea that would transform the leaves into something less static and more interesting. I would move the camera to intentionally blur the colors and add some motion. This isn't a new idea. In fact I have done this on many occasions to try and generate something that is pleasing to the eye.

When I began, I wasn't getting results I liked. The patterns were a bit to straight and forced. You could tell that I was intentionally moving the camera. I stopped and went inside for the day with good shots but nothing that stood out.

On my way home the next day the wind was blowing hard and in gusty fits and starts. I changed my idea to incorporate movement that was more random and out of my control. I relied on the wind to randomize the motion and make it less forced. The result was this picture, which I love. You can tell what the image is, but at the same tie it is a colorful mess.

I will no doubt be looking for more opportunities to let nature provide movement to my photos.

On Taking Assignments #15 - Leading Lines

Jason Faucera April 13, 2015

Leading lines can be a very strong compositional element. I had passed this location every work day for over a year, and this old "Clipper" had been out on the street 90% of those days. I struggled to find an interesting way to shoot this car. I always felt there was a shot there. I just couldn't find it.

That was the case until one morning on the week of the Leading Lines assignment. I once again drove past this great car, but for whatever reason, I also looked at it in the rear view mirror. The image above is not far from the scene I saw in the rear-view mirror.

Once I saw it, I pulled my car over and made this photo. It is amazing how hard it seems to get past a block sometimes, and equally amazing how something as simple as an idea can take you past that same block.

On Taking Assignments

Ideas and Imagery #62

Jason Faucera April 13, 2015

This inchworm was hanging from a tree when my daughter grabbed it and placed it on her arm. She is definitely a lover of animals and a friend of critters. This little worm performed feats of contortion and was quickly set free after the cupcakes appeared. The only thing shorter than this worm is a toddler's attention span.

Ideas and Imagery #61

Jason Faucera April 8, 2015

With no traditional subject here, the lines, shapes, and shadows are allowed to shine in this photo. This is the second of two shots at this library, which had a lot of character.

There is an amalgamation of shapes here via the curved roof, vertical notches, square vents, and diagonal lines through the middle.

The blue sky and its contrast with the roof shadow add a graphic quality that fits well with the geometric aspects, and the light in the foreground acts as a visual anchor as a starting place for your eye.

I was really pleased with the final results of this photo.

On Taking Assignments #14 - Speed

Jason Faucera April 8, 2015

I didn't stretch the concept of speed much with this assignment. I think there were a few pan shots of cars racing by in the group alongside mine.

I like the way this turned out though for a couple of reasons. I think this old Chevy pickup made for an atypical subject. The mustard yellow color against the dark background made it really stand out. Lastly the reflection adds interest and a good counter to the scene.

While this wasn't my most original work, I felt it was strong and a good representation of the assignment.