Potential Photographs

1. A cat silhouetted against the sky, portrayed in sharp detail, yet exposed so that the cat's form is slightly dark and the sky is particularly bright to create an imposing and majestic figure. (Fast shutter speed, possibly wider than suggested aperture)

2. A girl with her face pressed against a glass windowpane where the light from outside is much brighter than the light inside, causing her face to glow; possibly with both hands held in an artistic pose; solemn expression; raindrops on windowpane? (High enough shutter speed to capture detail; close focus on face to blur background)

3. A bird taking flight from a bird feeder, taken from a close hidden position, with wings blurred and the hanging feeder spinning; preferably the angle would be from below, with sky and tree branches or leaves behind. (Slow shutter speed for blurring effect, narrower aperture to compensate)

4. A single flower in bloom at the end of a branch or stem, caught in extremely sharp focus, though the background is significantly less sharp and appears smeared. (Fast shutter speed, wide aperture, close focus on petals)

5. Several tadpoles in a glass jar squiggling randomly in clear water and pondweed, with at least a few in sharp detail and all of them caught frozen in action. (Light source from side, fast shutter speed, wide aperture)

6. A dog leaping into the air (preferably silhouetted against the sky or a light-colored, featureless background) to catch a Frisbee or a ball, mouth open eyes wide, with both dog and object frozen in place just before contact. (Fast shutter speed, wide aperture)

7. Birdseed pouring into a tin can (one of those traditional metal trash cans that are now used more fashionably for storage of things like dog food) at a fast rate, somewhere between sharpness and complete blur. (Background with light colors and straight lines, perhaps wall or door frame; moderate shutter speed and aperture)

8. Ripples and spashes on the surface of a previously still pond caused by a handful of gravel tossed into the water, frozen sharply so that every droplet and crest is clearly visible and appears motionless. (Sunlight shining from somewhere not directly ahead, but somewhere in front to cause sparkling and reflection; fast shutter speed, wide aperture)

9. Sparklers or fountain fireworks at dusk, burning brightly, appearing white against a nearly black background. (Slow shutter speed and narrow aperture to produce a softer look)

10. A girl with long hair standing in strong wind on high ground against a stormy gray sky (with intensely contrasting clouds) with arms outspread, taken slightly blurred to give the hair a wilder look. (Slow shutter speed and narrow aperture)

Labeled Enlarger Parts

Labeled Camera Parts

The Art of Thinking

Learning to think like an artist means:
 looking at things more closely than most people do
finding beauty in everyday things and situations
making new connections between different things and ideas
going beyond ordinary ways of thinking and doing things
looking at objects in different ways in order to generate new perspectives
taking risks and exposing yourself to possible failure
arranging items in new and imaginative ways
working hard and at the edge of your potential
persisting where others may give up
concentrating your effort and attention for long periods of time
dreaming and fantasizing
using old ideas to create new ones
doing something simply because it’s interesting and personally challenging to do
appreciating the creativity of others and yourself
finding music in images and imagery in songs
seeking contrast and trying to stand out
portraying yourself through art