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Storytelling

These days, taking photographs  is akin to breathing – not much effort involved and is practically automated. Most certainly when considering the ease of use alongside the mass proliferation of smart phone technology. In contrast to the standard rapid fire photography, those around me would probably say that I am quite rigid when it comes to photo spontaneity. I enjoy sunsets, seascapes and the art of adapting ones position to best align with background colour and landscape; and finally, perish the thought of ever taking a photograph cutting off feet, hands or heaven forbid, a head. In summary, I always take my time to get it as right as possible.

Thanks to David duChemin’s tips from his book titled, “Ten Ways to Improve Your Craft”, I included a picture of “lunch a la photog”.

By choosing a black and white plate with only green and yellow ingredients, alongside white feta to offset white on plate, I was attempting to use duChemin’s tip on using colour to contrast. I made some attempts to shoot overhead, but this reduced the sense of depth; therefore, I shot the photograph from an angle of the diner to fill the frame and accentuate depth and range. Additionally, I chose to use window light as a natural accent to make the meal more appealing and healthy. I tried some of the other tips such as shooting overhead (boring/no depth) adding a different background and extreme close-ups, but those attempts reduced the appeal of the photograph. Ultimately, the photograph was good, but the meal was better.

Matt

https://moblivious.com/photography/resources/free-ebooks-20-ways-to-improve-your-photography/

 

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Narrating U

My experience narrating/modifying my personal WordPress site was analogous to piloting a boat with the throttle engaged at full speed, yet struggling to achieve the desirable efficiency up on a plane. Once I achieved a better level of navigational understanding, the bow trimmed up and the boat began planing nicely. As it relates to comprehension, I suppose my only main challenge surrounded bridging the instruction terminology with the intent of the task. As a matter of working through the understanding, I had some difficultly really grasping what I was trying to accomplish. In reflection, once I determined that I was simply building my own electronic presence, such as a website, the sequencing began to naturally fall into place.

I worked through my challenges via trial and error. Essentially I pivoted between the online learning instructions, my own site dashboard, and the menu video instructions. Once I connected one process with another, it became much easier to understand the functionality of the menu and category tools. Once I was up and running, it became enjoyable spending more time tweaking the site to align with my own personal needs and wants.

The next time I encounter similar tasks building, processing and sequencing, I will spend more time drafting out an architecture on paper of what I am expected to accomplish. It was by this means in which I used to assemble my menu, sub-menus and categories. Additionally, depending on the personal network developed over the course of the MA program, I would not hesitate in contacting others in the cohort to help field issues that I may be having.

Matt