I always tell my students that Light and Shadow is the meat and potatoes of photography. If you can use it well, then people will pay attention to your photographs.
So for this assignment we ask students to make photographs where light and shadow is the signature element of the image. In other words, the shot would be meaningless without it. They are asked to use light and shadow to create a sense of design, to set the mood of the image, or even as a metaphor for a greater meaning. They are asked to consider this "problem" with black and white materials, along with color. Here are some examples:
Rudy Alfaro
Ben Lozano
Erika Marquez
Leif Novak
Deja Richardson
Dolly Rivera
Andrew Vega
Andrew Vega
After this assignment they generally begin to understand that light is available in a wide variety. Natural light changes during the course of the day, and is also influenced by weather and the seasons. As the light changes, so does the design and feel of the picture. Students start to see that they have to wait, find, or create the appropriate light for the types of photographs that they want. They start to exert more control over their photographs, and their unique vision for photography begins to take shape.
Bill Guy
Teaching Artist
AAEP
