Assignment #9, Discussion

Posted: Fri Mar 24, 2006 9:44 am

Discussion Only. Do not post until 4/1/06.

Topic: Communicating with your camera

This assignment is different from the earlier ones. It is designed to show how a camera can be used as a tool for communicating.

The communication you choose should be REAL. That is, have a genuine message and and a genuine application.

For example:

If you work in business, you could examine your brochures and find a description (in words or photos) that is inadequate. Shoot to communicate this application more clearly.

If you know of a website whose descriptions are not clear, then shoot to make the descriptions clear with the intention of submitting the photos to the website for consideration (purchase). Example: A while back, there was a question on how one of the "flip" Stroboframes worked. The website illustration shed no light. I found an illustration on the web that clearly showed the use of this bracket. It was an "Ah ha" moment.

If you have a pet project and want to promote it, then shoot to illustrate that and submit it to a newspaper or magazine for consideration for publication. Example: Gracie shot some pictures of birds damaged by contaminated bird baths. This was a clear communication and probably publication worthy.

If you have a hobby, then illustrate the method for a specific task. For example, "Steps to painting a Pakistani Gunnery Sargent Tin soldier".

Illustrate a procedure for work. For example if you are a doctor, you could illustrate the steps for self inoculation.

Or if you are a physicist, you could illustrate the safe handling of a Volterra knife :).

Illustrate for your employer's sales people some of the advantages of the product they sell.

Etc., etc., etc.

Only submit 2 images. If more are needed, include them in a link. Add captions as required.

ALL SUBMISSIONS SHOULD BE FOR REAL. That is, they should have a real application, and once shot, they should be used for the application or submitted for publication for that application.

Joined: 21 Feb 2006 Posts: 41

well i read all the example a couple of times, i think i am not very clear. But here is what i understood.
Example: i love to cut two apples at the same time with one knife, i should show the knife cutting the apples?

Also a few other jobs would require more than one images? like three , so we are suppose to restrict it down to two only? rite?

is it so?

Posted: Fri Mar 24, 2006 12:15 pm

mjp wrote:

well i read all the example a couple of times, i think i am not very clear. But here is what i understood.
Example: i love to cut two apples at the same time with one knife, i should show the knife cutting the apples?

Also a few other jobs would require more than one images? like three , so we are suppose to restrict it down to two only? rite?

is it so?

We are only supposed to post 2 images per post, so if you need more than 2 images it would be preferred that the extra images be available via an external link.

Regarding the cutting of apples. If this is instructional, and there is an audience for this instruction, then by all means go ahead with the apple cutting instructions. However, this assignment is supposed to have real use. So if cutting 2 apples with one knife is strictly for your own amusement, then I would pursue another subject.

Posted: Fri Mar 24, 2006 12:45 pm

packard wrote:

Topic: Communicating with your camera

I talk to my camera all the time Packard. :)

Posted: Fri Mar 24, 2006 1:32 pm

plumkrazy wrote:

packard wrote:

Topic: Communicating with your camera

I talk to my camera all the time Packard. :)

Yes, we know. But now we want your camera to talk back. See what you can do.

Premium Member Joined: 29 Oct 2004 Posts: 5758

[quote="packardFor example if you are a doctor, you could illustrate the steps for self inoculation.[/quote]

Uhh...

I heard a case report a couple years ago of a doctor who gave himself a flu vaccine. He ended up with pyomyositis, which is a destructive staph infection of his muscle. He needed his deltoid debrided and washed out in the operating room.

Posted: Sat Mar 25, 2006 1:41 pm

drpablo74 wrote:

He ended up with pyomyositis, which is a destructive staph infection of his muscle. He needed his deltoid debrided and washed out in the operating room.

I'm just going to pretend I understood that!

I'm not sure my customers at work sould like me taking pictures of them applying for a loan, but if I can think of something applicable, I will be sure to try this one out.

I must say, well done to Packard for thinking of this one!

Posted: Sat Mar 25, 2006 6:13 pm

Well, now we know what Packard does to fall asleep instead of counting sheep- he thinks up devilish assignments like this one!! I'll be he's still grinning ear to ear.

Posted: Sat Mar 25, 2006 9:21 pm

Perhaps a better project would have been self subcutaneous injecting, as in insulin injecting.

Actually I am a Cheshire cat and I always have a grin from ear to ear.

In any case, Paul, I'm certain there are aspects of your profession that would, or could be better explained with the use of photos than words alone.

I am still insisting that the communication be real; that it have a real application and it be produced with the intention of using it or offering it for use. In my previous profession, this would be called a money shot.

Posted: Wed Mar 29, 2006 11:46 pm

drpablo74 wrote:

[quote="packardFor example if you are a doctor, you could illustrate the steps for self inoculation.

Uhh...

I heard a case report a couple years ago of a doctor who gave himself a flu vaccine. He ended up with pyomyositis, which is a destructive staph infection of his muscle. He needed his deltoid debrided and washed out in the operating room.[/quote]

I understood enough of that to have to put my head between my knees for a minute or two! :)

Premium Member Joined: 29 Oct 2004 Posts: 5758

Always glad to tickle the imagination :)

Premium Member Joined: 29 Oct 2004 Posts: 5758

packard wrote:

In any case, Paul, I'm certain there are aspects of your profession that would, or could be better explained with the use of photos than words alone.

Indeed there are, though since I'm in a specialty that only infrequently performs procedures it's a bit more difficult. I was doing a spinal tap the other night, which is something I do every so often, but it's not really an appropriate situation to bring my camera (not to mention I couldn't take a picture and perform the procedure at the same time). Physical exam techniques, of course, could definitely be illustrated. I wouldn't do it, though -- it just wouldn't be appropriate to bring my camera into the clinical situations where I work, with the exception of strict clinical documentation (which requires a signed consent for medical photography).

Posted: Thu Mar 30, 2006 8:49 am

You could illustrate good sanitation for your visits to foreign countries. Sanitation is an important part of medicine, yes? I mean if we got rid of all doctors a bunch of people would get sick; a bunch of sick people would die.

But if we got rid of garbagemen we would have a pandemic to rival the Black Plague.

Which brings up the thought: Why do doctors get paid more than garbagemen?

Premium Member Joined: 29 Oct 2004 Posts: 5758

packard wrote:

Why do doctors get paid more than garbagemen?

I'm still waiting to find out if that's actually true. Postgraduate year 7 and counting.

Posted: Thu Mar 30, 2006 11:53 am

drpablo74 wrote:

packard wrote:

Why do doctors get paid more than garbagemen?

I'm still waiting to find out if that's actually true. Postgraduate year 7 and counting.

None the less, I suspect that if you gave it some thought, you could come up with an idea for this assignment. If not for your work, then for Gretchen's.

This assignment is about communicating clearly. We are not expecting fine art, but thoughtfully composed images that tell our story.

Do it.