Welcome

Hello all!

I'm am looking forward to the new school year and what lies ahead. We have changed the course around a little bit from last semester, so there are sure to be some fun and exciting things for you during the semester. Brace yourselves for the fun ride of Media Arts!

Here's the course outline-
Page 1 https://docs.google.com/open?id=0BybhPZFDUUrzTHZiYTJfeW40bkE
Page 2 https://docs.google.com/open?id=0BybhPZFDUUrzVXY3Yi1Va1FrNVE

Given that this is just the first week of school, we have been talking about the Elements and Principles of Design and how to use them successfully in photography and your artwork. For more information on the Elements and Principles you can refer to these websites:

http://www.projectarticulate.org/principles.php
http://new.4-hcurriculum.org/projects/kidspace/E-P.htm

We have also started to get to know our cameras really well, learning their likes and dislikes, and all the different functions and meanings behind those 'symbols' that show up when you change a setting. For more in depth and complex functions, it's best to refer to your own camera manual as each camera and depth of functions are different. Here's the basic layout of symbols and what's on your screen.
http://www.inspiredart.biz/Digital%20Symbols.htm
http://www.photonhead.com/beginners/cameramodes.php

Hopefully by the end of this you will have superior knowledge of all the Elements and Principles and also become best friends (besties) with your camera!

For your reference if you're ever stuck at home, at a friends, late at night, or on the weekend trying to work on something and you just can't seem to find that piece of paper with the assignment details (because it's lost in the depths of your locker, underneath that old sandwich) or for what to do- please use this blog as your guide. I will post handouts, assignment sheets, checklists, rubrics and pretty much anything you'll need to make sure you can successfully complete each assignment ON TIME!

Elements & Principles

For your Elements & Principles, refer to the many handouts you have gotten for clarification or check out these links.

http://www.projectarticulate.org/principles.php
http://www.slideshare.net/kpikuet/elements-and-principles-of-art-presentation

there are tons of resources on the web if you need them!

For Monday's class please come prepared to start editing your photographs. If you have not done so already, your photos will need to by copied to a USB.

Bring to class
- your camera and memory card
- the camera cable to connect it to the computers AND
- USB


As a reminder- you should have 14 photos in total for the following categories

Elements                                               Principles
- Colour                                                - Balance
- Value                                                 - Proportion
- Line                                                   - Unity
- Texture                                              - Pattern
- Shape                                                - Movement/Rhythm
- Form                                                  - Contrast
- Space                                                 - Emphasis

Masters of Photography

So now we've had a brief overview of the great masters of photography, you are ready to get started on your research assignment. You are to write an essay on a 'Master' photographer of your choice. In your essay you must include:

• A brief biography of your photographer
• Which photograph you've selected to talk about and why
• Your analysis of the photograph including at least 3 Elements and Principles of design (see prior blog entry of more details on the E&Ps of Design)
• Your interpretation of the photograph (What does it mean? Why are they showing you this? What's the story behind it?...)
• Your personal critique (Do you think it's successful? What do you like about it? Dislike? Why?...)

Make sure you attach a copy of your photograph to your essay for reference!

Here is the handout and the guide sheet on how to successfully analyze a photograph.

https://docs.google.com/open?id=0BybhPZFDUUrzV1VjZ0JwbzB0bVk

https://docs.google.com/open?id=0BybhPZFDUUrzZEMxUG5CN3doeFk


In case your pen ran out/pencil broke/lost your notes, here is the list of photographers and some of their images that we looked at.

Alfred Stieglitz- study for insight into early photography as art and capturing the moment

 Ansel Adams- study for the beauty of nature and living in harmony with our environment

Diane Arbus- study about capturing difficult and different subjects and pushing boundries

Phillipe Halsman- study about portraiture and portraying their real selves

David LaChapelle- a current photographer with bright colourful photos of famous people and highlighting social and political issues at the same time

Annie Liebovitz- an excellent example of balance between artistic expression and commercial appeal

Sally Mann- a current photographer on how to keep a consistent style even when working with drastically different subjects (her children, landscapes...)

Cindy Sherman- look at her for manipulated self portraits or portraits revolving around a manipulated story

Jerry Uelsmann- excellent surrealist and superimposed photographer

Triptych

So, for the next assignment you are all working on here is what you need:

1 photograph in moonlight or candlelight

1 photograph in natural light from a window

1 photograph outside facing the sun

1 photograph outside away from the sun

1 photograph indoor evening with the flash on

1 photograph indoor evening with the flash off

1 photograph using only a flashlight

1 photograph under a street light at night

1 photograph using a spot light

You then take the best 3 of all your photographs and hand those in. Remember that the three you hand in should all represent the 3 different 'faces' of your portrait subject. It should be all the same person, just in 3 different 'sides' of your subject.

If you need MORE time make arrangements with me to come in early or stay in a lunch! This is due on Friday.

Here is the handout in case you need it.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/148kki1ypUytDyVbv4QcKrC66ok7DCRQXKbkb84sOko8/edit

and a few examples of a triptych


http://electronicalrattlebag.tumblr.com/post/1168982257



http://www.andrewtift.co.uk/portrait-artist/art/ronald-triptych-wins-peoples-choice-in-wales-portrait-award-2/

Double Exposure

Double exposures used to be an occupational hazard when using film cameras. A dodgy loading system or a careless photographer would often lead to two exposures accidentally being made on the same piece of film. Today this does not happen with the new digital camera, but through Photoshop we can recreate a similar effect. Using a portrait from your Triptych, recreate a double exposure that combines 2 different images into a single image. 

The idea is not to take away from the portrait but to enhance it. Make sure you use an image that compliments it and doesn't detract from the focal point (or the face). You may need to do some editing so that the face does not become busy and distracting. 

Here some examples. 

Surrealism

Surrealism is about recreating a world. A world of the subconscious, a dream like reality. As we discussed, you are to recreate a dream like rendition using a mix of your own photographs and some images from the internet. There needs to be a minimum of 3 original photographs of your incorporated into the collage. 

A written explanation must also be handed in, that discusses how you used the elements and principles and the symbolism behind your 'collage'. (What does it mean? Why did you create it?)

Refer to some of the artists (Dali, Magritte, Uelsmann) and artworks we looked at when exploring surrealism for inspiration. 

Typography

Hello all-

As most of you will find, once you understand the basics of Photoshop and how to work with your brush presets, the rest will fall into place quite quickly. As you prepared for the mad rush of getting your portrait done. Use the step by step tutorial handout available in class if you find yourself getting lost. 


When you are working on them, remember to set several words as brushes before you start filling in your tones and shades (grays & blacks). This will make the process much simpler and easier overall for you. Once you've done that, it's just a matter of "select similar" for your layers and putting in your words. 

NOTE: Keep your white area, WHITE. Do NOT fill it in with words. The contrast will enhance and sharpen your portrait. If you fill it in, it will just add noise and distract from the piece.