When we look at words we don’t usually think about the use of typeface. We generally focus on the meaning the words are trying to convey. Whether it’s printed on a page, displayed on a screen, or on a sign the meaning of the words typically holds the most value. For visual designers the style of the words is as important as the words themselves. The visual message conveys as much meaning as the literal text. The challenge this week is to shoot examples of typefaces in signs or other public displays. The key to this challenge is public use of typeface, so books, magazines and other materials around the house shouldn’t be used. You’ll need to get out in public to shoot this challenge.
Typeface is a particular design of type – most often we think of this as the font. Many signs use a combination unique fonts. This challenge is similar to the sign challenge we had last year, but this challenge specifically deals with typeface. By using black and white, the shape of the typeface becomes more important since there are no colors to make the words stands out. Words on signs that stand out in color may not stand out is black and white.
You do have to be limited to signs. You can shoot any typeface in public. Graffiti is fine as long as it isn’t handwritten.
Like many of the black and white challenges, shape and contrast will be the key to this challenge. Look for something unique and think about the choices the designer made when creating the sign.
The rules are pretty simple:
- Post one original photograph (Your Image) shot each week per theme posted on this blog to Google+, Facebook, or Flickr (or all three). Tag the photo #photochallenge.org or #photochallenge2016.
- The shot should be a new shot you took for the current weekly theme, not something from your back catalog or someone else’s image.
- The posted image should be an Animated GIF or a Video.
- Don’t leave home without your camera. Participating in the 2016 PhotoChallenge is fun and easy.