The Photo Game: High Angle

Andrew Bridges -

Background

I joined Kenneth Wajda and a small group of photographers in a weekly photo game a while ago. Kenneth wrote a prompt each week and tasked us with creating a photograph that met the prompt. Unfortunately, Kenneth's photo game is taking a break.

Since I'm not prepared to give up the game, my wife graciously agreed to provide me with a surprise prompt each week so that I can continue.

The rules are still the same:

  • All submissions must be scans of film, no photos from digital cameras
  • Images must be captured, processed, and submitted by 8 AM each Saturday
  • Miss a week, and you're out

My goal in playing is simple. Get out and shoot film.

This Week

This week's roll of film was special because I shot it using my grandfather's Rolleicord Vb. The focus mechanism didn't work when I got the camera. I disassembled it, put it back together, calibrated it, and now it works. It was broken, and now it's fixed. I love that.

Regarding the photo below, it technically meets the brief, but I don't care for it. It doesn't tell a story. It's not visually interesting. It's nothing special.

However, this week's roll wasn't a total loss. I came away with six photos of my family that I love, all of which feel too personal to share.

That's the beauty of the photo game. It forces you to shoot an entire roll of film every week. I always get a few images that make me happy, even when the prompt photo doesn't.