Have a Merry Christmas!

After you post your pics and response to Andy Goldsworthy, check out http://animoto.com/
It's a fun way to share (show off!) your great pictures in an e-mail video (free for a 30 second video).
Here's a sample with the class' pics:
http://animoto.com/play/0VkTkqbrdFwczziOthkCFw?utm_source=project_complete_email&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=project_complete_email&utm_content=main

During vacation, get into a Goldsworthy frame of mind (3 pics) and don't forget to take pics for your surreal assignment. I cannot wait to see your creativity!
Have a wonderful break!

Andy Goldsworthy - Due Jan 7 (3)

Post one picture by Andy Goldsworthy to your blog and write a paragraph reflecting on his work or summarizing the highlights of the video we watched in class (do this before winter break).

Over break, experiment with pictures that are similar in content to Goldsworthy. Although Goldsworthy manipulated the enviroment, you can choose to manipulate the pictures in PS as long as it looks natural.

*All pictures should be color/value corrected & use light wisely
*Strong composition (organized by the rule of thirds) with high visual interest
*Evidence of manipulation of the environment/illustrating an advanced understanding of the nuances of nature

Block D Student Artist of the Week: Michael

Michael's Pics

Block B Student Artist of the Week: Keely

Keely's Pics

Surrealism (3) -Due Jan 11

The Surrealism movement of the 1920’s based much of their aesthetic premise on the concept of placing familiar things out of context. Painters like Salvador Dali and Rene Magritte often brought totally unexpected subjects together. For this assignment, I would like you to look at the work of Belgium artist, Ben Goossens. He is a contemporary digital surrealist who has emulated Rene Magritte in many of his works.

http://paintalicious.org/2007/08/23/ben-goossens-surrealistic-digital-art/#more-212

*Post two images of Ben Goossens’ work (OR some other surrealist artist) to your blog before winter break. Look for images that you find are intriguing juxtapositions. This will give you a good taste for surrealism. Notice how the entire image is enhanced to create a mood.

*For your project, you will need to develop 3 surreal images. Invent relationships which defy or play with reality. Using your Photoshop skills, you will merge at least three of your own photos. There should be a definite reason for the merge—this is not random and it should not appear like a scrapbook.

TIPS:

-You can include use a PS special effects tutorial for this project (I'd drop the last project for you)
-Consider humor as an important function of art.
-Cannot think of anything? Consider using a metaphor for inspiration (“it’s raining cats and dog”) -Don't forget about being inspired by Rene Magritte or Salvador Dali

GRADED ON:

-Quality of student photos

-Photoshop skills (blending layers, correcting lighting, etc)

-Attention to theme (all parts are related and contribute to theme...not a random scapbook appearance)

-Creativity/Degree of difficulty

-Design of Composition

Down Time? CD cover (formative)

If you find yourself with nothing to do, you can start working on the last project...Using one of the PS special effects tutorials (links on right), you will be creating a CD cover (square format) for your favorite band or one that is fictitious. Since we will not get into typography, words are not required, but you will have to use your own photos. Here's your chance to put yourself on a the front of a CD! This will be due the last day of the semester, so go out with a bang! After this class is over, I hope you will continue to learn and grow in your photo /PS skills, that is why this assignment is totally on your own. You read the tutorial and work on this during every spare moment the next few weeks. All you need is one awesome design! Have fun with this!

Graded on:
-Successful completion of tutorial's special effects
-Composition
-Light and Color use
-Degree of challenge
Also, tell us what tutorial you used!

Wow! Check These Student Artists of the Week!

Block D : Hanna

Block B: Haley

More to come next week!

Abstract Photos-Due Dec 18

Abstract photographer - Ted Van Cleave


The Abstract art movement of the 1930's focused more on the composition of art elements (color, line, form, texture, etc.) than an recognizable object. For your next series of 4 pictures, your challenge is to make 4 strong compositions focusing on the use of color and line/shape/texure. The subject you are photographing does not have to be recognizable, in fact it is probably better if it isn't, but there should be one area that is in focus. Your formative grade will be based on:

-well-focused focal point
-composition (focal point/balance/movement...Remember, abstract places a heavy importance on one or more of the elements)
-use of color & light (PS alterations)
-comments-In your favorite one, tell us why and which element of art is dominant, also any alternations in PS

http://tedvancleave.com/abstractphotography.htm

Macro -4 pics due Wed 12/16

Glenn Scott

Do you appreciate the small things in life? Beauty & visually interesting objects are all around us, but is often overlooked. Capture an interesting composition using your flower icon (macro mode). Go to the link below for some inspiration. Some tips on how to use macro mode are on the right side (Figure out Your Camera).

http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=macro&w=all#page=8

Post 4 pics and comments blog before class 12/15 (formative grade):
*Focus - Focal point must be in focus!
*Composition - Get up close! Use rule of thirds or other fitting layout. Be creative!
*Color & light - use of contrast and

*Comments - Tell us which one is the most successful and WHY...fill us in on any editing you did in PS

Emulated Artist Posts-12/8

Post two images by each of your emulated artists on your blog by the end of class 12/8. These pictures can serve as inspiration for your photos due this Friday or they can be representative of your artist's work.

Issues on Copyright

Here's an interesting article on copyright infringement. Keep in mind this is a professional photography website that offers a different point of view.

http://rising.blackstar.com/innocent-thieves.html

Read and leave a comment on my blog by the end of class on Monday.

Digital Montages for Friday (2 on blog)

These are my expectations for the 2 montages:

20%-Composition: Focal point and visual movement/placement of objects (rule of thirds?)

20%-Unity: subject matter/composition is unified throughout the picture plane through some technique

20%-At least two different images were somehow merged/layered successfully in PS

20%-Intentional use of color and value (all images should be color & value corrected unless an artistic decision is explained)

20%-Overall demonstration of creative thought & complex meaning...Artist explains images in blog.



Your explanation of your 2 pictures will be part of your grade. Explain the 2+ photomontages and defend your work based on the grading criteria AND ask your viewers a question. Your classmates will be reading and responding to your work, so have a good question for the, ask it (for example, "Did I convey my message/mood successfully?/Do you like the background color?")! You will get great feedback!