This photoblitz was done in the comfort of my girlfriend’s college townhouse which had plenty of eye-catching decor and props set up and ready to be captured at my disposal.
The first prompt was easy. When tasked with capturing something that represented the moon, my eyes darted towards the disco ball hanging up in the corner of the living room. Similar to the moon, this disco ball does not generate its own light but reflects it from other light sources. They’re both associated with the nighttime and producing a dreamy atmospheric glow with their spherical shapes, transforming darkness into something more *dazzling*.
For the crowd picture, I gathered all the little figurines I saw scattered around the house and put them all together on the tv stand. Ft Snoop
For the pattern prompt, I looked around my girlfriend’s bedroom for an eye-catching pattern and picked up her strawberry-printed pillow.
My pay it forward moment was giving my girlfriend a banana around lunchtime so that she would peel less hangry. (Banana pun generated via ChatGPT)
I put my phone in a microwave.
There were some white roses dying in a Brita filter in front of me on the kitchen counter. An accurate representation of death.
A small goat stood atop the coffee maker. I .5x’d it up close and it reminded me something from a horror movie like The Witch.
20 minutes to take 7 photos! Sounds easy right? Trust me, it’s a lot more chaotic than you think, but that’s all part of the fun. Photoblitz is a fun 20 minute activity where you are given 7 prompts and then you have to race to take all the photos in time. I will admit I easily got lost in the creative process and went over the time limit by a few minutes. Oops! But I had lots of fun and my pictures came out great even if my ideas were a little silly.
Prompt #1: A Toy in Action
For this prompt I needed to show toys doing something active so I wanted to make stuffed animals look like they were watching videos together like a human. So I put the gorilla and camel in front of a laptop with them staring at the screen. This was actually my favorite picture I took because the idea was so funny.
Prompt #2: Show Us Some Food
For the second prompt I needed to take a picture of food, and since my sister was already making hot chocolate I just took a picture of her cup. I tried to put it in sunlight so the purple and pink sugar on top of the whipped cream would stand out more.
Prompt #3: Camera at Floor Level
For the third prompt I had to take a picture from floor level, so I took a picture of my dog because I liked the idea of making him look really big from the floor angle. Getting him to stay still was the hardest part because seeing me on the floor automatically makes him assume I am down there to play with him.
Prompt #4: Glasses Bring the World into Focus
For the fourth prompt I was supposed to show how glasses help many people see, so I chose to take the picture through the lens of a pair of glasses. I made the picture focus be on a painting I made because glasses allow people see the beauty of the world.
Prompt 5#: Turn Food into a Face
For prompt I had to turn food into the shape of a face then take a picture. I used the cereal Fruit Loops to make my face on a wooden table. Originally I had another circle around the face, but it looked messy so I went back to keeping a simple design for it.
Prompt #6: Doors Can Have A Lot of Character
For this prompt I was supposed to show how doors can have character based on their style, so I took a picture of the basement door’s doorknob because it is one of the old traditional ones that has a giant keyhole. Personally these types of doorknobs remind me of faces because the two screws are like eyes, the knob is like a nose, and the keyhole is like a mouth so it was the perfect choice to photograph.
Prompt #7: Forced Perspective
For this prompt I needed to take a picture that made something look big, but I decided to do my own funny take on it by taking a picture of a miniature version of a big corgi stuffed animal, so it shows both perspectives of tiny and big side by side.
Times Up!
Took me 24 minutes to take all my picture prompts, so I went over the limit by 4 minutes but I think it was worth it. If you found this idea interesting then I highly recommend rushing over to Photoblitz and seeing if you can beat my record of 24 minutes for your 7 photos.
These were my photoblitz prompts. I took multiple photos but edited it down to one picture per prompt. I also included pictures of the time I started the assignment, and the time it ended.
The first photo, 6:03 pm.
Next, I had to find a manufactured item. This could technically be a lot of things, but I decided to use my flashlight. I was a little confused by the elements portion of the prompt, so I turned the flashlight on and also showed the keychain portion just in case.
Next, I knew exactly what to do for three items, because I have three empty spice jars waiting around. There used to be four, but that one has a peppery seasoning in it now.
The shadow was a little difficult to make, but I make a sort of rectangle shape by holding my coat above my head. I think the shadow would be hard to identify since it seems so boxy.
There aren’t many edges in my room, but I did land on the edge of my table, and I think I managed to make it a bit artistic.
Now for this one, why do you want to see my toes?
This image could’ve also qualified for the three items prompt, but I decided to use it for the plastic object instead.
This is a painting a previous roommate and I made. We followed a Bob Ross tutorial, and I like how it turned out. She used these trees to teach me how to paint them, what brush to use, and how colors can work together.
In the end, it was 6:23 and my photoblitz was over.
I did the 20 minute Photoblitz last night, here were my prompts:
Find a grid pattern somewhere: I struggled to find something interesting, so here are the tiles on the ground of the common area in my dorm.
Make a photograph of a smile, either literal or symbolic: I hoped to get a photo of my cat that looked like she was smiling, but it didn’t work out. Make your reflection on the screen will show you the smile I was looking for?
Make an artistic photo that involves one of your toes: I like to call it “Reflecting on one’s atoenement” It doesn’t really mean anything, but the play on words was too good for me to not use.
Giraffes are brilliant. Show us what it would be like if they lived in human society: I didn’t have a good way to demonstrate this, so I drew it, it was probably the thing that took the most time, maybe 7-8 minutes.
No ocean, surely you can find some water around you to take a photo of: This is my cat’s water filter, she stays well hydrated thanks to it so I am very grateful for it.
How do ants see the world? Change your viewpoint: Cute, right?
Doors can have a lot of character, be it in the hinges, knob, or style: This is a door in my dorm building, it’s been painted over a few times and this building is long overdue for a renovation, but I like it better than my door to my dorm.
I can’t say that this was my favorite activity, but I did really enjoy the creative exercise, I felt like I gained from it!
I was a bit concerned about the Photoblitz challenge at first because while I thought the creative aspect sounded intriguing, the time limit was my worry due to the fact that to find everything I needed for my prompts, I had to walk around campus and move quite a bit. I have some physical disabilities that have been flaring up this week, so I did end up taking longer than 20 minutes because I had to take breaks to regulate my heartrate and stabilize my joints. However, I was very pleased with my prompts and think the final product turned out well.
Something RustedUnique Texture and PatternStone, Water, and CloudsForced PerspectiveConstruction1:1 RatioContrast (Life and Death)
I felt like all of these prompts were a perfect opportunity to highlight some of my favorite natural spots on campus like the amphitheatre and the bridge to Seacobeck. I loved getting to walk around, hang out, and really analyze what was around me. It did take me longer than 20 minutes, but I needed to make sure I was accommodating myself and not stressing my POTS flareup too much. I think this is definitely something I would do again, though!
For something that represents my childhood, I decided to do a coloring book and colored pencils. When I was a kid, I loved to color and draw, which is an activity that I still do to this day.
Your favorite color
I thought I would show my two favorite colors (since it switches every day), pink and green. Practically everything I own is in those two colors, so I decided to take a photo of my green tower and my pink scarf (which is very practical right now as it has been freezing outside recently).
Take a photo that includes objects near and far (deep depth of field)
This prompt was hard to decipher, but I thought it would be cool to show Ball Circle, and how the actual field is so close, yet the buildings surrounding it are so far.
Make a photograph with your camera at floor level
This a a photo from the floor of my dorm room, showing my roommate and I’s closet doors, as well as some of the decoration we have up in our dorm.
A photo with a square aspect ratio
For this prompt, I decided to take a 1:1 ratio photo of my perspective from up in my bed in my dorm room. My roommate and I have tried our best to make our dorm as cozy as possible, and it looks especially cozy throughout the rainy day. m
Represent 3 items
This one I had to think about a little, but then I decided to show my 3 favorite lip products that I use everyday.
What does disappointment look like?
This one doesn’t really need an explanation, but my first thought when it comes to disappointment was “being thrown away” or “trash”. Especially this one which is dirty and wet from the rain.
When looking at the prompts, I immediately noticed a theme of the outdoors, but was really excited about the abstract theme and what I could do with that. It was fun being able to walk around and take all of your surroundings in when you’re looking for something specific. It helped me to see everything and think of nature and where I’m walking in a manner different than I usually would.
I started this journey on a rainy Friday morning at 9:13 AM
The items that I was sent to capture were:
Fences and walls can divide or demarcate. Make a creative photo of a fence or wall.
Make a photograph of a smile, either literal or symbolic
Represent or express something loud
Gauges, meters, and turn signals are all signs of indicators
Make a photograph with your camera at floor level
Create a self portrait, without your face, that represents you
“Music is what feelings sound like” Make a photo of something musical
For “fences and walls can divide or demarcate” my first thought was the construction fence that blocks people from getting too close to Monroe. This fence was perfect because it splits in the middle, one side is painters tape blue while the other is chain link. I walked over to Monroe and snapped the picture at 9:18.
I figured while I was outside I would get the next picture: “make a photograph of a smile, either literal or figurative.” There are a lot of leaves by Virginia Hall so I used them to assemble two eyes and a smile. The rain was unideal weather for this activity, but for this picture it helped to have something weigh the leaves down to keep them from blowing away. The smile only took me a few seconds to assemble, I took the picture at 9:19 and went on my way.
The next picture I decided to get was “gauges, meters, and turn signals are all indicators.” For this prompt, I was completely stumped because I couldn’t think of any indicators on campus. However, on my way back to my dorm I ran into the poll with different arrows pointed at different places. I figured that was as close as I was going to get to an indicator so I got my shot, and by 9:20, I was moving on to the next prompt.
Once I was back at my dorm, I went into the common room to “make a photograph with your camera at floor level.” I took a picture of my shoes because these are the shoes I wear everywhere and these were the shoes that were protecting my feet from the rain on this fine morning so it was only fitting. I’m sorry if there are any sneaker heads reading this, I know they’re creased, I apologize. For this picture, I set it up against the wall and set the timer, t took me about 10 seconds total. The picture was done and taken by 9:23.
For my next picture, I did “create a self-portrait, without your face, that identifies you” I chose to take a picture of my corner of the room. I live in a dorm with a random roommate, so we each have our own sides of the room decorated. I am obsessed with my corner because I think it perfectly represents me. You can see the stuffed animals I sleep with every night, you can see the decorations I chose to adorn my bookshelf, and you can see my friends in the pictures that are on my wall. This picture reminds me of the song “In My Own Little Corner” from Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella. The picture was taken at 9:27,
The next prompt I did was “represent or express something loud” so I turned my computer all the way up and started blasting music. On top of that, I chose a Lady Gaga song because her fashion and some of her music is very loud. I had to take a picture a few times because I wanted the volume level to show in the picture but every time I moved my hand to take the picture, it would go back down. Eventually I learned to shutter the camera to get as many pictures as possible and I figured one of them had to be good. By 9:30 I the picture was taken I moved on to my last prompt.
For the last photo, my prompt was “make a photo of something musical.” By this point, I thought I had gotten all my pictures already so when I saw that there was one more, I scrambled to find something. Thankfully my dorm has two pianos so I chose the closest one. I like this picture because you can see the sheet music says “The Office Theme Song” which is great because if you can play the piano, you should absolutely play The Office theme song! What a great use of free will! My last photo was taken at 9:30.
I finished the activity at 9:31 AM
I had fun with this activity, it felt like a scavenger hunt. I think if the weather was nicer I would have enjoyed it even more because I didn’t start getting into the groove of it until I got back inside. My favorite picture I took is the one with my shoes, I think it’s the artiest of all of them and you can see how much my shoes have been through.
I’m super productive in my work environment, so sometimes I stay after we close to complete my assignments. Luckily for me, the DKC is full of resources…everything I could need! I was impressed and even slightly overwhelmed by the number of options available.
This assignment was pretty cool. Since I take quick photos, I was able to get through a good amount of work. As I kept going, I gained perspective and started getting more creative, trying to find interesting subjects instead of the usual boring ones.
Make a photo that freezes or isolates the motion of an object
Take a photo that includes a manufactured product and at least one of its elements.
Make a photograph of a plastic object.
Take a picture of anger, or something that makes you angry.
Take a picture from the inside of something looking out.
A photo that communicates a abandoned or discarded feeling
Wood has a lot of character and variety. A photo of something wooden.
A perfect line. Make a photo of interesting vertical, horizontal, or diagonal lines.
Two contrasting things, e.g. light & darkness, life & death, cats & dogs.
he edge of a knife, the waters edge, or some other edge.
Find a grid pattern somewhere (brick sidewalk or ceiling tiles).
Make a photo of something upside down that is never seen that way
Here are the photos I took:
Make a photo that freezes or isolates the motion of an object
Take a photo that includes a manufactured product and at least one of its elements.
Make a photograph of a plastic object.
he edge of a knife, the waters edge, or some other edge.
Take a picture of anger, or something that makes you angry.
A photo that communicates a abandoned or discarded feeling
Take a picture from the inside of something looking out.
Make a photo of something upside down that is never seen that way
Two contrasting things, e.g. light & darkness, life & death, cats & dogs.
Wood has a lot of character and variety. A photo of something wooden.
A perfect line. Make a photo of interesting vertical, horizontal, or diagonal lines.
Find a grid pattern somewhere (brick sidewalk or ceiling tiles).
I did not know what to expect going into this and even while I was doing it I felt somewhat stupid. Though I couldn’t get all the prompts done I did multiple for one.
Honestly the prompts were odd for me and since I was at work as you can see the environment doesn’t change much. Image 2 was based on the idea of an urban jungle with the cord being a snake. The 3rd image was the photo of destruction a cord fill mess with no humans in sight. 7 and 8 represent the second prompt. For prompt 4 I did quite a few using a cord as a bow, holding it like a fish and other nonsensical things. For the shadow prompt I only got one and even though you can’t tell that’s my pet rock that I keep at work. The process was mostly tedious as I was a bit lost with the prompts, but I managed to get through it. None of the pictures are pieces of art unfortunately.
