Learning to See
As we walk through life, we look around us but don’t really see what is beyond the surface—we tend to look straight ahead of us, down at our feet, or our phones. Photography is about seeing what others miss. Seeing the little details, seeing the magic in the mundane. It takes practice, but by putting in the effort to see our subjects and then deciding how to frame them, we are starting d own the road toward good, mindful photography.
At the beginning of this semester, photography students engaged in a Learning to See exercise and corresponding assignment.
Students were initially tasked with reviewing a provided photograph, and as a group, asked to answer questions from a handout. The questions encouraged them to analyze visual elements, design principles, creation methods, and emotions communicated in images taken by others, and ultimately of the world around them. The resulting discussion was meant to help them better understand what is needed to see more clearly, create higher-quality work, and become stronger photographers.
From there, they were given an assignment that was designed to 1) get them out taking photographs, 2) get them to notice subjects they might otherwise miss—learning to see! and 3) apply compositional concepts discussed in class last semester to best frame their chosen subject.
The Alphabet Scavenger Hunt had students trekking all over campus in an effort to see all 26 letters, A-Z, in everyday objects. The only limitations they had were that they were not allowed to use actual letters or make the letters, the letters had to be found in situ. These restrictions were imposed to encourage them to really see and be more creative. Orson Welles famously said, “The enemy of art is the absence of limitations.” Having rules forces you to think (and see!) outside the box for solutions and this is where real art is formed!
Here are a few examples from the Alphabet Scavenger Hunt. Can you see which letter is represented in each image?
Stephenie Koerne is a Graphic Designer, Photographer, and Educator but better known as Jill-of-all-Trades. When not juggling work tasks, Stephenie wiles away the hours working on her photography and other art projects, collecting toys (as showcased in her office!), and reading. She loves dogs, cats, and cupcakes and pink is her signature color.
