scav-eng-er hunt: noun — a game, typically played in an extensive outdoor area, in which participants have to collect a number of miscellaneous objects.
I’ve always enjoyed scavenger hunts. Adding the photography angle, it is a fun and refreshing way to see and learn. I have 2 goals with this class. First, of course, is to find specific objects or views within the landscape. Secondly, I think this is a fun way to think about composition and creative photography while taking your picture.
There are undoubtedly certain compositional tricks that you can use to improve your photography: leading lines, shapes, symmetry, complimentary colors, and so forth. Forcing yourself to “look” for certain things helps you to “see” if that makes sense. But how do you actually learn to see these things so that their use becomes more natural in your photography? Yes! A photo scavenger hunt. If you go out and intentionally hunt for curved leading lines, for example, their use will become second nature to you.
Each week we will visit a different location. You will be armed with 2 lists. An “object” list and a “creative photo idea” list. During the 2 hour class, you will need to find listed “objects” and make photographs using listed “creative photo ideas.” The idea is not to finish it as quickly as possible. It’s not a competition. It’s a creative exercise. I encourage you to take your time so that you make the best pictures you can. It certainly will be a fun way to get out to photograph, while learning how to use different creative photography tools to make better photographs.