Richland Community College
Daily Class Blog
Students
Syllabi
Spring 2008 Course Schedule
Assignments
Written Responses
Photo Lab Schedule
Resources
David Erlanson Gallery
Current Assignments | Past Assignments
April 8, 2008 --- Art 125 and Art 126
Portraits and Self Portraits
Expose a roll of film dedicated to one person. This film should explore various forms of lighting possibilities and unique portrait compositions. Portraits should include faces and should also portray emotion. Make sure that your lighting and background match the mood you are attempting to show with your model. Consider placement of your model in the frame - what you crop out can be as important as what you leave in the frame. Try to avoid traditional or over done types of poses. These are not high school portraits. Choose a model that will be patient with you and allow time for your experimentations. Remember, you are the director. Don't expect your subjects to do all of the work.Art 126: Create portraits using artificial lighting. Consider using narrative as a justification for your concepts.
Copyright property of Richard Avedon, Irving Penn, and Diane Arbus
For self portraits you can use a number of methods. The most accurate way is to use your self timer (or longer cable release) and a tripod. Find a place holder object, similar to your height, and at the same distance from the camera. Focus on the place holder, then replace it with your body, and shoot. Try to frame yourself interestingly (though you may have to improve your composition in the easel), and again, consider your background, mood, and lighting. A second way to do your self portrait is have a friend assist you. All the friend is allowed to do is release your shutter. You will be responsible for setting up the composition, lighting, etc. You can use your friend as the place holder. What do you want the photograph to say about yourself. These are not snapshots or "myspace" photographs. Small props can be used, if they add to the overall composition, rather than distracting.
Copyright property of Richard Avedon and Cindy Sherman
Contact Sheets due: Monday, April 21
2 prints from each due: Wednesday, April 30
________________________________________________________________
March 19, 2008 --- Art 126
Contemporary Artists
As an addition to the artist's statement, find 3 contemporary artists that you find inspirational. Write a page long response on each artist explaining why their artwork is important to you aesthetically and technically. Be sure to include a link to the artist's work.
Here are some links to check out:
Museum of Contemporary Photography - Columbia College
Hallmark Museum of Contemporary Photography
Irving Sandler Artist File
Due: Monday, March 31
Powerpoint Presentation Due: April 28
________________________________________________________________
March 17, 2008 --- Art 126
Juxtaposition
Juxtaposition is defined as the placing side by side of often dissimilar images or statements intended to produce an emotional or political point or to illustrate some comparison. Think about the Vytorin commercials: www.vytorin.com the banner at the top shows great juxtaposition (in a comedic way). This is a conceptual assignment. What do you want to say by contrasting 2 images?
Presentation is very important, as it can show how you want the images to interact and impact the what your viewer sees in your imagery.
Here are a few examples courtesy of Google image search and Deviant Art.
Contact Sheets due: Monday, March 31
2 Juxtapositions due: Monday, April 14
March 16, 2008 --- Art 125
Street Shoot (Portraits and Urban Landscapes)Expose 2 rolls of film dedicated to better understanding street life. Use this opportunity to be a documentary photographer.
For the street portraits, capture a person in their natural environment. Try to avoid posing. You may want to ask their permission for the photograph (but you run the risk of them looking unnatural). You may decide to not ask their permission (but you run the risk of them seeing you and becoming angered). It's your call. Regardless, your portraits should have the person taking up a good portion of the frame. Backs of heads are generally unacceptable, unless it is absolutely necessary to portray your photograph's mood, but try to allow faces to portray emotion. Keep in mind the importance of environment and background. Depth of field should be wide enough to see your subject and a great deal of their environment.The urban landscapes should document the architecture and other constant features of the urban environment. You should avoid any people in the compositions. Try to explore the abstract shapes and textures prevalent in the city. Look for geometry and symmetry, and keep your depth of field wide.
For both assignments, keep in mind:
- Creative composition
- Good lighting
- Emotional content
- Photograph's ability to tell a story
Helpful hints:
- You can use automatic focus if you have it
- If not, consider using your depth of field preview to pre-focus
- Consider bracketing
- We're using ISO 100, so keep your subjects in bright areas
- Avoid shutter speeds below 60th, in optimal situations try above 250th
- If you have a telephoto lens, you can use it, just avoid too shallow DOF
Interesting Links:
http://photo.net/learn/street/intro
http://photojojo.com/content/photo-projects/how-to-shoot-street-portraits/
http://digital-photography-school.com/blog/urban-landscape-photography-tips/
Samples courtesy of Alida Duff, Cartier-Bresson, and Google Image Search.
Class Photo Shoot Wednesday, March 19 (Weather permitting)
Contact Sheets due Monday, March 31 (Lab will be open the 29th and 30th)
2 portraits and 2 landscapes due Monday, April 7
________________________________________________________________
March 9, 2008 --- Art 126
Artist's Statement
50 points
Write a 2 page, double spaced statement declaring why you create the photography that you create. We will edit it down at a later point. Your statement should be written in first person. The statement should address your personal style, themes, and aesthetic.
Questions to consider:
- What do you look for in your compositions?
- How do you describe your style?
- How did you get to this style?
- Who do you consider influences and why?
- What are your goals or aspirations as an artist?
- What do you see in your artwork, and what do you want others to see?
- Who or what inspires you?
Consider this site as a source for questions.
Download artist, Michael Schwegmann's artist's statement here.
Email your statement to hughmsullivan@yahoo.com before class on Wednesday.
First draft due Wednesday, March 12
Final draft due Wednesday, March 19________________________________________________________________
March 9, 2008 --- Art 125
Research Essay
250 points
Research is necessary to expand your understanding of the historic artists that paved the way for contemporary photographic trends and processes. For the research essay, choose 2 artists from this site (one to research, and one as a backup in case we have duplicate choices). If you have another artist in mind that is not on this website, the artist will need to be approved before continuing.
Write a 3-5 page research essay. Half of paper should be biographical, while the other half should be a critique of one of their photographs.
Biographical information should answer some (or all) of these questions:
- What is the artist's nationality?
- When was the artist born?
- When did the artist begin working photographically?
- Did the artist plan to be a photographer?
- How was the artist trained?
- What format did the artist shoot? (35mm, 120, 4x5, etc.)
- What type of camera was used?
- Did the artist begin any photographic processes or movements?
- What is the artist's typical subject matter?
- What is the artist's printing style?
- What is the artist's compositional style?
- What other biographical information is necessary to understand the artist and their photographic work?
Critique should address:
- Elements and principles of design
- How does the artist visually place elements in photograph?
- Print quality
- What is the artist trying to say?
Important things to remember:
- Proper grammar and spelling are necessary
- Must be in Times New Roman 12 point font, double spaced
- Pages should be numbered
- Should have reliable sources listed in a works cited/bibliography
- Try to find a book on your artist at the RCC library, MU library or Decatur public library
March 31 - Rough drafts due by email (50 points)
April 16 - Final drafts due (by email and hard copy), and presentations begin (200 points)
March 9, 2008 --- Art 125
Photograms
Create a photogram by contact printing objects on a sheet of photographic paper. Bring in several small objects for experimentation in cameraless photography. Try to find objects with varying opacities and amounts of detail.
Here are some examples courtesy of Google Image Search:
Bring in objects on Wednesday
2 photograms due Wednesday, March 19
March 9, 2008 --- Art 126
35mm Holgas
Load your Holga with 35mm film, and shoot a roll of what you would consider personal work. Check out this site for detailed instructions on adapting your Holga for 35mm. It may be best to use ISO 400, unless it's really bright out or you have a flash. If you only have ISO 100, consider setting us some hot lights.
Contact Sheet due Wednesday, March 12
2 prints due Monday, March 17
February 24, 2008 --- Art 125
MIDTERM!!!
200 PointsYour midterm portfolio should be a collection of your best work from the semester. If we discussed making changes to a photo that you previously turned in, said corrections should be made to ensure the highest quality of your portfolio. Here's the break down:
The following should be placed in a 3-ring binder with all items in the clear plastic sleeves and labeled:
- 2 Free Shoot photographs
- 2 Object Study photographs
- 2 Still Life photographs
- 1 Photograph you have not turned in before
- ALL of your contact sheets
- ALL other prints you have made (work prints, extra prints, etc.)
- Grade sheet
Due at the beginning of class WEDNESDAY, March 5, 2008
February 24, 2008 --- Art 126
MIDTERM!!!
200 Points
Your midterm portfolio should be a collection of your best work from the semester. If we discussed making changes to a photo that you previously turned in, said corrections should be made to ensure the highest quality of your portfolio. Here's the break down:The following should be mounted or window matted (your decision):
- 2 Hand Colored Prints
- 2 Shadow Prints
- 2 Holga Prints
- 4 Personal Prints (can include prints for Lincoln Theatre) - ALL of your contact sheets (in plastic sleeves in binder)
- ALL other prints you have made (work prints, extra prints, etc.)
- This grade sheet
Due at the beginning of class WEDNESDAY, March 5, 2008
February 19, 2008 --- Art 125
Still Life
Choose 3 or more objects to photograph as a still life. The objects can have some sort of theme or be completely unrelated. Consider several textures and tonal values to promote a sense of variety. Arrange the objects in a visually appealing manner, and photograph them with close consideration to lighting and composition. Use a gray card to ensure the best exposures.
Class photo shoot: February 25
Contact sheets due: February 27
2 final prints due: March 3
February 19, 2008 --- Art 126
Lincoln Theatre Exhibition
Make 2-3 of your best prints for exhibition at the Lincoln Theater Gallery Walk, March 7, 2008. Prints must be mounted, window matted, and ready for framing. Please label the back of the prints with name, date, process (35mm, medium format, or digital photo), and sale price.Matted prints due: March 3
February 10, 2008 --- Art 126
HOLGAS!
Take 3 rolls of 120 film with your Holga! Here's a guide to help with some questions you may have! Consider your personal portfolio for these rolls!
Contact sheets due: February 13
2 mounted prints due: February 20
February 6, 2008 --- Art 125
Object Study
Expose 1 roll of film dedicated to the documentation of one object. All 36 exposures should explore various vantage points and visual cropping of this single object. Your object should be volumetrically larger than 3' cubed and smaller than an average car. Try to choose an object with a good amount of character (textures, tones, and shapes).
Object chosen and approved: February 11
Contact sheets due: February 13
2 final prints due and class critique: February 18
Examples © Alida Duff, Edward Weston, and Deviant Art
January 30, 2008 --- Art 126
Abstract Shadows
Expose 1-2 rolls of film best describing the idea "abstract shadows." Find a solution that visually addresses the ideas of interesting composition, form, texture, and design. Final prints will be done on 11x14 paper.
Contact sheets due: February 6
Critique: February 11
Examples courtesy of Deviant Art and are subject to copyright:
January 23, 2008 --- Art 125
Free Shoot
Get to know your camera! Take a variety of photos in a variety of environments. Consider your new knowledge of good composition and explore interesting point-of-views. Document your aperture, shutter speed, lighting conditions, and time of day on the provided documentation sheet. As a supplimentary assignment, create a photogram to get aquainted with using photographic chemicals and paper.Finished Roll of Film Due: January 28
Contact Sheet Due: February 4
2 Photograms Due: February 6
2 Work Prints Due and Critique: February 11
Re-worked Prints Due: February 13
Good Links:
Using Aperture and Shutter Speed Visual
Examples courtesy of Deviant Art and are subject to copyright:
January 16, 2008 --- Art 126
Hand Coloring
For this assignment, shoot 1-2 rolls of film, and hand-color two photographs using oils. Photographs should have a consistent theme and have a subject that lends itself to coloring. The image may be fully colored or selectively colored.
Contact Sheets Due: January 23
Critique: January 30
Need some more help? Check out this guide to hand coloring!
