By Heather Cass,
Publications Manager, Penn State Behrend
It’s safe to say the last few weeks have been a difficult and challenging time for all of us. But now that we’ve had some time to adjust to studying and working remotely, we are ready to inject a little fun and creativity into your day and the college’s social media pages with a month-long photo challenge.
“It’s one thing to have a memory, which we know can deteriorate over time, but it’s another to document it forever with a photo,” said Rob Frank, owner of R. Frank Media and adjunct lecturer of Photo 100 classes at Behrend.
We asked Frank a few questions to help you up your photo game:
BEHREND BLOG: What would people be surprised to learn about photography?
ROB FRANK: There is a ton of math and science involved in photography, especially understanding light transmittance, and properties of glass/refraction etc.
BB: What is the first step in taking a good photo?
RF: Composition is 95 percent of a great photo. Look at the items in the background and make sure it’s a nice, clutter-free setting. Frame the subject in an interesting or unique way and follow the rule of thirds.
BB: What one thing can everyone do to improve their photos?
RF: Slow down. Everyone is quick to flick open their phone and start snapping. Then they get back to their computer and the image is blurry because they weren’t paying attention or rushed through taking the photo.
So take a break for second. Give yourself a few moments to look up from your computer and capture the world around you. Beautiful, amazing, and incredible things can be found in even the most ordinary and familiar places, if only you look for it.
Find it, photograph it, and share it with us on Facebook (@pennstatebehrend), Instagram (psbehrend), or Twitter (@psbehrend) with the hashtag #behrendathome.
Below is our April photo challenge to you. Feel free to interpret these any way you like. Creativity is, of course, encouraged, but please do be mindful of the audience following the college’s social media pages, which includes children.
April 2: Home office – Show us where you’re working now
April 3: Windows on the world – Show us your favorite view from inside your house
April 4: Blue – Anything Penn State Blue
April 5: Co-workers – Who is now sharing your workspace?
April 6: Nature – Go outside and take a photo of anything that makes you happy
April 7: Home – What is home to you?
April 8: Lunch – What’s for lunch today?
April 9: We ARE… – Show us how you display your Penn State pride at home
April 10: Shadows/light – Capture an imagine with creative lighting or shadows
April 11: Filter fun – Play with the filters on your phone or camera and post your favorite one
April 12: Easter – Rabbits, eggs, baskets…share an Easter image with us.
April 13: Product you can’t live without – Show us something you cannot imagine living without
April 14: Trees – Show us the tree you love most in your yard or neighborhood
April 15: Sunrise or sunset – Share your best sunrise/sunset photo
April 16: Enjoy the little things – What small or little thing makes you happy
April 17: I’m reading this – What are you reading right now?
April 18: Cozy – What place in your house or yard do you find comfort?
April 19: Self-portrait – Let us see you!
April 20: Spring – Share a sign of spring with us!
April 21: Task you hate – What job or chore do you despise doing?
April 22: Love – Who or what do you love?
April 23: Black & white – Share a photo taken in monochrome
April 24: Exercise – How are you staying fit these days?
April 25: Landscape – A landscape-oriented photo or a photo of actual landscape around you
April 26: What’s on your desk? – Send us a photo of the strangest item on your desk right now
April 27: Pattern – Find a pattern, any pattern and take a cool photo
April 28: Clouds and/or sky – Send us a photo of the world above you
April 29: Blessed – What are you grateful for today?
April 30: Friends – Share a photo of you with your PSB Bestie (or besties) that you are missing.
BEHREND BLOG 