Monday, August 31, 2009

unexpected


words by L, photo by T

The other day T had told me about her first photo assignment and some of her ideas to carry them through. She had a series of 5 images to take. And because it's fun to act like a student again, I brainstormed my own ideas, but felt like my ideas were a pretty conventional and ordinary. I was so anxious to see what she would come up with. She showed me all of them except the one for "landscape" and I knew she was running out of time, even daylight. In my mind I was a little bit frustrated that she waited so late to complete them all. She told me she might go over to the abandoned house. My first thought was "no, that's not what the assignment is" but I kept my thoughts to myself.
here was her assignment:
make 5 color pictures using a digital camera from each of the following topics. you must shoot at least five images per topic, but turn in only one image per topic for critique. you will also have to turn in a digital contact sheet.
1. never again: make a photograph of something fleeting, something temporary. try to photograph an image that can never be photographed again. attention to light and time.
2. monochromatic color: make a photograph containing variations of only one color.
3. landscape: make a photograph that relays the emotional connection you do or do not feel with the environment
4. light and texture: use the ability of light to enhance a subject. make the ordinary extraordinary by allowing us to see something peculiar, obstructed, or intensified.
5. documentary: document a person, a moment, an event, or a place. pay attention to environment and detail. the information recorded should say something about the place, time, or emotional experience of the chosen subject.

When I pulled this image up late that night, I immediately smiled, clapped my hands in excitement, and said to myself, "oh Taylor!". I smiled to think, "why did I doubt her ability, even for a second". I expected her to do well, but it was unexpected just how. I have to say she amazes me – that's a mother talking. But apparently her teacher was astounded as well, and told the other students to take note of how T used light in all 5 of her assigned photos. I also doubt that the teacher expected such conceptual thought.

15 comments:

Char said...

she is very talented - I always look forward to her shots too. she does a lot of stuff that I wish I had the resources to do and I fuss, because I do - I just don't push myself like she stretches.

tNb said...

Wow. Just wow. :-)

tami said...

wonderful shot . . . Wow for me too.

littlepurplecow said...

This image is fabulous. Love it. Thanks for sharing at Shutter Sisters.

peachey said...

she is such a clever and talented gal.

Jewels said...

Awesome! this made me smile too. And I know how you feel about your daughter :)

Unknown said...

conceptual. very conceptual.

Anonymous said...

She is amazing. Wow. Love her shot so very much and especially love reading the pride and love that came through in your writing about her.

ELK said...

that is T ...and a mother thoughts I know so well...this post gave me goose bumps as much for her but more for you my friend...blessings

Gayle said...

Amazing! I like to hear your mother's pride!

Gayle said...

I have an award for you on my site. Stop by when you get a chance to pick it up!

Woman in a Window said...

No, there is no doubt. She has a beautiful mind.

GailO said...

Just stopped by from Lens Us Together and I wanted to let you know that this photo just blew me away!...Your daughter is very talented...and I loved your pic at LUT too...nice to meet you!

georgia b. said...

what an excellent assignment! this is why i want to take photography classes. i would love to see her five photos.

that said, this is one awesome photo as well. i really really love this!

Relyn Lawson said...

What an amazing image. It just pulls you in and makes you dream and wonder. And, what a wonderful assignment.

footnote

The photos on the left are taken by me, Leslye, the mother. The photos on the right are taken by my daughter, Taylor – unless otherwise noted. Comments are always welcome. thanks
If you care to visit, I, Leslye, have another blog - AutumnSun where I ramble around different paths and pleasures of my own.