Capture your surroundings with your mobile phone

Photo Essentials Toolbox

Define your lighting and composition
As you begin to explore different environments, we want to really challenge you to begin to identify the differences in lighting situations and how it changes the dynamics of the image. Practice going out to the same areas at different points during the day and photographing the same subject. Experiment with the different elements that light contributes and how you can creatively utilize light while composing your photo.

While you're identifying light, we also want you to think through how you frame the subject and the composition of your shot by using the Rule of Thirds. This can really help as you're developing as a photographer to understand how simple placement technique can create a interesting energy to the image visually.
Select your exposure and focus
We want to challenge you to experiment with different exposures for the image and discover how that impacts the details of the photograph. As you're experimenting with the exposure, you'll begin to notice it can either highlight or hide certain elements in your image. Finding the correct exposure for your photograph can take time, but having the correct exposure on your image is essential.

While out shooting, we want you to be intentional about finding your focus. Be sure to lock your focus and adjusting your focus to the most interesting part of the photograph, where you want the viewer to concentrate.

Tips: If you aren't happy with your phone's native camera you can use apps like VSCOcam to adjust exposure and focus separately.
Crop your subject
Now that you've taken your shot, we want to challenge you to explore with a limited cropping technique. We are often cropping images into squares to fit within the traditional instagram format, so experiment with how cropping into a square can impact the dynamics of your image. Remember to consider the Rule of Thirds and where your eyes naturally land on the image.

Share a before and after photo of your cropped subject with the class.

Before:

After:

Photo Exploration Toolbox

Explore the familiar
As you go about your daily routine, we want to challenge you to view and capture your daily routine in a unique and interesting perspective and share it with the class. Explore different angles, interesting reflections, and small details that make that moment unique.

Remember that many times it's a matter of slowing down and taking the time to really take in and appreciate the environment to effectively identify unique perspectives in your daily routine.

Capture some photos from areas with which you are familiar, using a different angle and perspective.
Explore new environments
We also want you to take time to explore different areas of your city that you've never been before. Try to use an alternate path in your daily commute, jump on a bus you've never taken or drive down a road you don't typically drive down.

Remember, that in order to capture photos of something you've never photographed, you must go places that you've never been.

Capture some photos from areas in your region that you've never been before and share them with the class.

Photo Execution and Post Processing Toolbox

Shoot with the final image in mind
As you begin to explore these new environments and utilize some of the essential tips that we talked about, we'd like you to shoot a series of images of the same subject. Experiment with the environment and explore different ways to interact with the subject. Approach it from a different angle or try to capture an entirely different emotion.

When you're shooting, it's always important to be processing through what you'd like the end result of this image to be. Although the dynamics and emotion of the image might begin to take on different characteristics, it's important to identify what makes the moment special and worth capturing.

Share your series with your class.
Process your final image
During this stage, we'd like to challenge you to experiment with a series of post-production techniques with your images. Use a photo-editing app like AfterLight to edit, stylize and refine the dynamics of your images.

Remember to use photo-editing applications in moderation when altering your images. It takes practice to understand how each editing tool impacts your image, and the importance of finding a beautiful balance between the initial image and the final edit.

Additional Resources

Patrick McDonnell

Urbanist . Designer . Coder

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