Blurring the background
Alexis Ellers
Walker Evans
Environmental Portraits
Alec Soth
Shelby Lee Adams
Dawoud Bey
Paul D’Amato
Solid Background
Dawoud Bey
Richard Avedon
Peter Beste
It may seem silly to limit your aperture or ability to hand hold by keeping your ISO low but for some situations it is a better choice. Check out the drop in quality the higher the iSO.
The Photography Classes at Marwen has a Facebook Fan page to share student work, Like Us!
The comment section on our blogs is great place to let your fellow student know what you think of their work when done right you can help each other grow as artist.
How to Leave Great Comments
No single words
Wow! Great! Awesome! Beautiful!
Although all wonderful things to hear but they aren’t providing a lot of information about what makes the photograph great.
Why
If you can’t explain why you like something the comment will not be very helpful.
Bad Example: I Like the sky.
Better Example: I like the color of the sky.
Best Example: I like the deep blue color of the sky because it contrasts nicely with the yellows and reds in the photo
Be specific
Sure it is nice to hear that all your photos are great, but knowing which photographs stand out is even better.
Bad Example: I love your photographs 
Good Example: Your third photograph of the dog is really great, I like the way you filled the frame with the dog’s face.
Use correct terms
You can avoid unclear statements by using terms we’ve learned in class you can make a more clear statement
Bad Example: I like the two colors in your photograph.
Good Examples: I like the way you used contrasting colors to make the warm colored ball stand out against the cool colored grass.
No Negative Comments
Instead of saying something negative try suggesting something they could do next time to improve their work.
Bad Example: I don’t like your photograph of Becca.
Good Example: When photographing people you could try to use a less distracting background or a shallow depth of field to draw more attention to the subject matter.
Constructive Criticism
There is always room for improvement even on photographs you like, making suggestions is great way to help each other grow as photographers.
Bad Example: I love the photograph of the flower it is perfect. commenter does love the photograph but does not like how the bottom of the flower is cut off.
Good Example: I love the photograph of the flower, next time consider stepping back a little to include the entire subject matter.
How to Receive Comments
You don’t have to agree with every comment, you’re still entitled to your opinion and can disagree with the comment. There are no defiant right or wrongs in art.
Remember the constructive comments when you are photographing or editing. Was it suggested that you get a lower perspective while shooting? give it a try. There is no limit to how many photographs you can take so try some suggestions out. Shoot a photograph the way you normally would then try the way it was suggested.
Apply what you’ve learned from your peers. Why did some photographs get great responses when others didn’t? Use the techniques that were successful again in the future.
Cindy Sherman
Nan Goldin
Jen Davis
Kelly Connell
Francesca Woodman
Andy Warhol
Contrasting Colors
monochromatic
Repetitive Color
Using Depth of Field to draw attention to a specific point (small aperture)
Use the Subject to Fill the Frame
Worm’s Eye View getting low and looking at your subject straight on
Worm’s Eye View getting low and looking up at your subject
Bird’s Eye View going above the subject and looking down.
With the Spring 2012 term starting this week it is time to move fall term’s blogs off of the tabs part of the blog to make room for the spring class. Fall will still be accessible right here:
Allison: elohelers.wordpress.com
Colette: chitownphotogal.wordpress.com
Daniel: dgicool12345.wordpress.com
Emma:stranglyawesomephotos.wordpress.com
Eren: erenphoto.wordpress.com
Ernesto: drubnet.wordpress.com
Jahari: realtalkyep.wordpress.com
Kennedy: kennedyrocks557.wordpress.com
Kiara: kiaratownes1.wordpress.com
Kylie: musicchick1712.wordpress.com
Mario: mariosphotoblog.wordpress.com
Rayven: rayvensphotography.wordpress.com
Ronald: ronald360.wordpress.com
Vito: vito144.wordpress.com
The exhibition pieces looked great, thanks to our TA Becca for the photo.
Marwen Photo Blog 