[matthew]

Quite often I've selected subjects that, initially, didn't interest me, thus making the assignments more challenging than subjects that I'm naturally attracted to, and also increasing the potential for greater discovery.
- Freeman Patterson, Photographing the World Around You

Smarti's photograph in the Diagonal assignment got me thinking about all of the photographic opportunities that I miss because I've gotten too used to seeing them. There's a lot of truth in the idea that the best place to photograph is the place where you already are, if you can see it with fresh eyes.

For this assignment, pick an object that you see or use every day, and really photograph it. Create a number of unique compositions until you can't think of anything more, and then see what else you can come up with. This is a great opportunity to use multiple lenses, different kinds of lighting, unexpected camera angles -- be creative!

For added challenge, get someone else to tell you what to photograph.
Or send me a PM and I'll pick something out of my hat.

I know that this is the kind of assignment that's just begging for zero participation, but I have faith that someone will give it a shot and find it rewarding. Freeman Patterson has been known to lock his students in their bathrooms until they've shot a full roll of film, so just be glad that it's not him running the show.

[Irma]

With the idea in mind "Anatomy of a chair" I took this pictures few months ago. I liked the project and I thought it would be interesting to do it again few months later to see how much your view of things or your technique had changed.

Unfortunately, thinking that they were not interesting and It was a crazy idea, I deleted them all. I just have the little format for web. Now I see I was not that lost after all..

Anyway, this is my series taken in March this year.

[matthew]

I'd love to see the change in how you photograph the chair these months later. You're off to an interesting start with these.

I picked my house keys for a subject, and have had fun but no great breakthroughs (break-ins? ) with them. I got my partner to give me another subject, just for a little variety. When you see me posting photographs of a sponge, you'll know who to thank.

[Irma]

I find more challenging to take pictures of a subject someone tells you...
A sponge would be fine, but image a lipstick or some makeup things, something you are not at all attached to...

I look forward to seeing your pictures...

[matthew]

Keys:

I tried several photos with various ideas, but haven't been happy with the results.







I tried to get a little fancy with a strobe, with the idea that I'd just photograph the shadow.



Unfortunately the best results I got were from a test shot... :/

[matthew]

Sponge:

I had more fun with the sponge, which wasn't my chosen subject. It's just a normal sponge:



With an interesting surface texture:



And when held in a spring clamp, creates shapes in side lighting: