<p>Well, I have asked this question before but I didn't really got a clear answer.
What is generally considered an arts supplement in photography ?</p>
<p>I take photographs of things which I find interesting, like say may be something related to nature or perhaps some animals in my city zoo, or may be something unusual :p
So these are nothing <em>great</em> but perhaps would receive some decent <em>Likes</em> on facebook.
So will these be considered an arts supplement ?</p>
<p>MIT, like other schools, is interested in attracting all sort of talent: talent in mathematics, science, music, art, athletics, and so on.</p>
<p>Lots of students play sports in high school, but they don’t all submit recommendations from coaches, and they don’t all contact a college athletics department. Why not? Because while average athletic performance is great for your health, it won’t help your application. </p>
<p>Do you consider your photographs to be “art”? Do you believe that they represent a high level of talent, such that you could make a contribution to the MIT community as a photographer? If so, go ahead and submit a supplemental portfolio. An expert at MIT will evaluate your work, and if he or she concludes that you are highly talented and gifted in art, you’ll receive a high score in the evaluation which may – or may not – help your application.</p>
<p>So what is evaluated in the photography supplement ?
My talent with which I took & may be digitally improved the picture
OR
my taste of photographs ?</p>
<p>As a graphic designer before, IMHO, I have to say your photo looks fine but not great to me. However, your technical aspect is spot-on, and the cat was shown beautifully in details (do you digitally improved it?).</p>
<p>Personally I don’t believe MIT and other colleges are expecting very “professional” portfolios. There might be a few out there, but for the rest, if you can show your potential I think it’s good enough to submit. Just my 2 cents.</p>
<p>^ I didn’t digitally improve it.
I do have a lot of random stuff like this, cause whenever I feel the moment is somewhat special I capture it with my camera, so basically I do have a few good shots.
But I’m still kind of confused as to what exactly shall I include in that TEN images which I can only submit. Cause the picture which I posted was random stuff and nothing special.</p>
<p>Is it the taste of pictures that MIT is looking for ?
Or is it the talent / technical aspect of the pictures.
For e.g.
Something really unique in the museum
or
A really tough close-up shot of a bee on a flower</p>
<p>If you’re going to submit an art portfolio, submit the pieces that show the depth and range of your talent and potential. No one can really answer your question, because no one has seen the rubric MIT uses to evaluate photography. Select a collection and then go talk to some artists and photographers and ask for their feedback and input. In my opinion, the resources around you will be more useful in this regard than posts on this board.</p>
<p>OP, yes, CalAlum is right. Here just us CCers’ 2 cents opinions. If you can find a professional photographer for input, that will be the best for you.</p>
<p>Also some good places to find answers are those colleges offering fine arts degrees’. They all required portfolios, hence they all listed helpful guidelines on the website for students’ submitting artworks. If you search up, I think you will get some good ideas.</p>
<p>Should I limit myself to just TEN images or shall I submit say may be 15 or 20 images where I can show the so-called depth and breadth.
Cause honestly I have no idea about photography, whatever I find interesting I just capture it :)</p>
<p>If MIT asks for 10 images, then try not to be over too much. I know CMU’s art portfolio asks for 15, so I would suggest not to have more than 15 of your images. </p>
<p>You should check with MIT if have any doubt.</p>
