MediaArtTutorials
Video Composition of the Mundane – Part 1
Objective
Document the McMaster campus through the lens of the beauty of the mundane, using only medium close-up, close-up, extreme close-up, and macro photography techniques.
Materials Required
- Smartphone or personal camera
- Computer
- Optional: headphones (for tutorials)
Activities
Complete the following in order. Ask your professor or TA for help as needed.
[15 min] Conceptualize Your Project
With your partner, open a document (Word or Google Docs) and answer the following:
Conceptual
- What story, emotion, or theme do we want to convey?
- How can we highlight the uniqueness of the space through the mundane?
- References:
Artistic
- What specific locations on campus will we photograph?
- How will framing, textures, or colours make our images more compelling?
- How does light shape our composition?
Technical
- What devices are we using?
- How will we ensure focus, resolution, and lighting consistency?
- How will we apply medium close-up, close-up, and extreme close-up photography techniques?
Macro photography is optional. Check if your phone or camera supports it before including it in your shoot.
➡️ Export as PDF
📄 Filename: Group-#-Notes.pdf
Include both names + student numbers
[15 min] Set Up Your Equipment
Make sure your camera is set correctly:
- File format: JPEG
- Enable gridlines or rule of thirds
- Clean your lens
- Test focus and exposure
Tutorials (Choose based on your device):
Enable Gridlines
General improvements
[40–60 min] Photograph
Take 40–60 photographs using only the following techniques:
- Medium Close-Up
- Close-Up
- Extreme Close-Up
- Macro (optional)
Goal: capture detailed, overlooked aspects of campus space.
Restrictions
- ❌ No staged objects or interventions
- ✅ Use only observational photography techniques
Recommendations
- Seek interesting textures, lighting, reflections
- Carefully consider focus, exposure, and framing
- Avoid blurring or overexposure
- Try unexpected points of view: look up, lay on the ground, get close to edges or corners—shift your perspective to see familiar spaces in unfamiliar ways
References
Other Helpful Resources
[20 min] Photo Selection
Create Your Photo Grid
- Select 24 best images, 12 per student.
- Arrange in a grid layout (max 4 per page) using:
- PowerPoint, Word, Canva, Pages, or Keynote
- Export as PDF
📄 Filename: Lastname-Name-Photogrid.pdf
📤 Submission
| Type | File Name | Who Submits |
|---|---|---|
| Group | Group-#-Notes.pdf |
One per group |
| Individual | Lastname-Name-Photogrid.pdf |
Each student |
⚠️ Follow the submission protocols carefully. Incorrect submissions may result in lost points.