Beyond Normal and Pushing the Boundaries of Grayscale

Overview

6 Minute Read

© Daido Moriyama, from series, K

Daido Moriyama is amongst Japan’s most celebrated photographers, renowned for his radical approach to both medium and subject. Initially trained in graphic design, Moriyama moved to Tokyo in 1961 to pursue a career as a freelance photographer.

Moriyama’s bold, uncompromising images, with their grainy aesthetic and gritty subject matter liberated photography from tradition and interrogating the very nature of the medium with his discordant impressions of city life and chaotic vision of everyday existence.

In this module, we will:

Discuss and examine how photographers have considered and pushed the Boundaries of Image Exposure and Film Processing.
Apply photography's Eight (8) Aesthetic Considerations including, The Thing Itself, Detail, Frame, Vantage Point, Moment of Exposure, Use of Light, Emphasis/Focus and Tone (Grayscale) to make photographs.
Apply the intentional and purposeful use of Light and Dark Contrast, Significant Under- and/or Over-Exposure to make grayscale photographs.
Apply Image Exposure and Film Processing Techniques the Push the Boundaries of the Tonal Values of the grayscale image.

Outcomes and Objectives

Student Learning Outcomes

Demonstrate the ability to analyze photographic images and utilize the application of photographic processes and materials, including image optimization and processing techniques, the use of the dynamic tonal range and photographic printing techniques. (SLO #1)
Demonstrate application of proper laboratory practices necessary for making and presenting photographic prints of optimum technical quality, craft and professional standards. (SLO #2)

Objectives

After completing this module, you will be able to:

Recognize and recall the characteristics of small and medium format cameras, image exposure methods, basic artificial lighting techniques, advanced image optimization and use of the dynamic tonal range with advanced film processing and digital imaging techniques, and photographic printing methods.
Examine photography’s historical/contemporary critical issues and discourse and apply photography’s aesthetic attributes and visual strategies in making photographs of visual engagement and conceptual meaning.
Experiment with various subject matter and conceptual contexts and create photographs that demonstrate the correct advanced use of camera controls, image exposure methods, image optimization processing and printing techniques for photographs of technical craftsmanship, visual clarity and a dynamic tonal range.
Analyze and appraise the aesthetic attributes and compositional design elements of photographs as well as assess and evaluate the conceptual meaning, visual engagement, and technical craft in a critique of photographic efforts.

Activities

Total Module Review Time = 6 Minute Read + Videos

To accomplish this module's learning objectives, we will complete the following activities:

Complete 5.2 | Beyond Normal (Graded Image-Making Assignment)

Vocabulary | Resources

Vocabulary and guiding concepts about the theoretical and aesthetic principles and technical approaches with pushing the boundaries of grayscale:

Detail(s)
Frame
Vantage Point
Moment of Exposure
Lighting Directions
Lighting Circumstances
Emphasis/Focus

Light and Dark Contrast - Compressed tonal range (black & white with minimal range of gray tones in-between)
Significant Over-Exposure / Overall Light in Density - Image is overall very light, but retains detail information in the Highlights (brightest areas of image)
Significant Under-Exposure / Overall Dark in Density - Image is overall very dark, but retains detail information in the Shadows (darkest areas of image)

Difference between Making v. Taking Photographs

Visually Engaging - something you may want to look at beyond a short glance.

Intellectually Stimulating - the photograph provides something for you to consider and think about, including a situation/circumstance, concept/idea and/or an issue.

Emotionally Responsive - the photograph may cause us to feel a particular emotion and/or create a psychological state that we may feel.

Navigating Modules and Assignments on Canvas

TIn order to view and begin working on assignments, including Quizzes and Image-Making Assignments, you will need to do the following:

Complete each Page in Sequential Order
Click on Mark as Done Button before proceeding to the Next Page
After each Assignment or Quiz, proceed to the Module Review Page and Click on Mark as Done
You may only proceed and start the Next Module once you've Clicked on Mark as Done on the Module Review Page

Additional information and assistance for using Canvas can be found by clicking on the Course Syllabus.

Instructions for Navigating Links to Photographers and Videos

As you navigate through each Course Content Page in this Module, a variety of photographers and videos are presented to provide additional information and inspiration as it relates to the material being presented.

You're encouraged to Click on the Name of Each Photographer of Interest (Name of Photographer will be in Blue and Underlined as an Active Link) and Watch the Videos to assist you with understanding the ideas and principles being presented in each Module as well as provide a sense of inspiration and guidance for how you may want to approach each Image-Making Assignment.

Questions

As you're navigating each page in the Module, and may have a question(s) about the material being presented and/or about the upcoming assignment, please email me at your earliest convenience to discuss.

Preferred Contact Method: Please email using Canvas or paul.turounet@gcccd.edu

Contact Turnaround Time: I will follow-up your email within the day, and most often, within a short period from the time I have received it, including weekends and at night.

Generally, if you email me at night after 8:00 pm, I will do my best to respond that night or the following morning.