Assignment

UCR School of Business graduation 2014

Seated graduates wait for their names to be called during commencement at UCR's PIerce Lawn
Seated graduates wait for their names to be called during commencement at UCR’s PIerce Lawn

UCR’s Pierce Lawn looks immaculate every year when I arrive to photograph graduations.

The number of chairs the university sets out is staggering each year.

There are at least 5 graduations each June taking place Friday evening, Saturday morning and evening and Sunday morning and evening.

Generally speaking undergraduates earning their 1st degree tend to get very excited compared to those who are post graduates.
Generally speaking undergraduates earning their 1st degree tend to get very excited compared to those who are post graduates.
Waiting for arrival of their loved ones--I believe I will be among these folks eventually straining to capture a milestone image of my own kids. That's pride and joy you see in their faces.
Waiting for arrival of their loved ones–I believe I will be among these folks eventually straining to capture a milestone image of my own kids. That’s pride and joy you see in their faces.
Genuine excitement--one of the most fun aspects of covering a graduation is the pure excitement I see when audiences hear the names of their loved ones called over the PA system.
Genuine excitement–one of the most fun aspects of covering a graduation is the pure excitement I see when audiences hear the names of their loved ones called over the PA system.
Fist bumping--graduates filing by after picking up their diplomas bump fists with each other showing their bond and pride.
Fist bumping–graduates filing by after picking up their diplomas bump fists with each other showing their bond and pride.
Happy friends---Spotting the same decorative mortar boards these 3 graduates look towards the crowds excitedly as they are told to stand and prepare to approach the dais.
Happy friends—Spotting the same decorative mortar boards these 3 graduates look towards the crowds excitedly as they are told to stand and prepare to approach the dais.
Arrival of graduates--Excited undergraduates file into the enclosed area of Pierce Lawn at the start of the ceremony with "Pomp and Circumstance" playing in a continuous loop.
Arrival of graduates–Excited undergraduates file into the enclosed area of Pierce Lawn at the start of the ceremony with “Pomp and Circumstance” playing in a continuous loop.

When UCR calls me about photographing a graduation and if I am given a choice, I  prefer the ceremony  that starts at 6pm.

This time of the year in the northern hemisphere that means at least 90 mins to 120 mins of very nice  directional light.

That is not to say the early morning ceremonies are terrible.

By the time the diplomas are handed out when the graduates are called to the podium, the sun will be  higher.

So there is less I can do to isolate my subjects.

No longer will I be able to move around and choose a viewpoint that will allow me to juxtapose my subjects against a dark background.

The dark background or shadow which I can rely on in early morning or late evening moves from behind my subjects to down on the ground near their feet.

Dan & Elizabeth