New Digital Assignment - Automobile Parts

Car Parts?

The automobile is ubiquitous part of the American society. Cars are everywhere and we rely on them for our livelihood. There is a real attachment to cars in our culture. High School students take the day off to take their "road test", and earning a license is a rite of passage to adulthood.

We love them, but do we really take a close look at them. We know when we see a car we like, but our perception is of the whole, not the many individual parts that make a "car". Look at your car (or family car) closely. Photograph it from different perspectives. Look for unusual detail. What about the engine compartment? The wheel covers? Even the undercarriage! Don't forget to get close with your "macro" capability.

The assignment

Make a series of 5 images that explore your car from many points of view. Write a short paragraph explaining why you picked this car. Tell me how cars and driving are important to your life.

Example

My father was in the automobile leasing industry for years. He always came home with different cars. I grew up thinking of cars as appliances, we called them vehicles. Function was more important than Form. My Scion XB is a reflection of that attitude. It's dumb ugly, but functional. It's an appliance, like a refrigerator.  I select cars for what they can do, not how they look. This car can seat 4 comfortably, get 30 plus miles to the gallon and was inexpensive. PERFECT but UGLY!

Scion XB Engine Compartment

Scion XB Battery



Scion XB Speedo



Scion XB Shocks





Scannergram Self Portrait (Copier Arts)

Copier Arts are a new media that was created with the advent of Xerox machines and printers. Originally an artist would use copy machines to degrade and manipulate original artwork to create different effects. With the advent of scanners and photo manipulation software, copier art can be taken to a high level.

A scanner can take photographs of small three dimensional objects.



Even ugly art teachers.

We will create a Scannergram Self Portrait that incorporates a photo of ourselves, and 4 scanned ojects that reflect our persona. Additional photos and your name may be added. Here is my example. I was having a "bad" day.

Don't run with the scissors!

Post your "Scannergram" to your blog and write a brief description of your concept. Why did you choose particular objects? How do they represent you?

My example:

My self portrait is my attempt at self depreciating humor. You can't imagine the number of times I've warned kids to be careful with a scissor or x-acto knife. My family (my two kids) are the "glue" that keeps me together when I'm having a bad day. The "scissor" glasses represent how I see the world through the creation of art.

See my tutorial Making a Scannergram Self Portrait for further information.

This project should be posted to your blog by 2/22/13.

Project Due Dates

1. Closeups are past due. If I don't have them by Thursday (3/14/13) , its a zero.
2. Film should be developed by 3/14/13 or you will have trouble meeting the deadline on "Water, Ice or Snow" and "Line".
3. Scannergram Self Portrait is due 2/22/13.
4. Your "Money" image should be completed and posted to your blog by 2/19/13.
5. "Water, Ice or Snow" and "Line", two mounted prints due 2/26/13.

I will not accept any excuses. If your are not managing your time effectively, your grades will reflect it.

 

Local Landscape Exhibit

The best way to become a good photographer is to take photos, lots of photos. But another way to improve your work is to view the work of others. I still read my local newspaper, the Pougkeepsie Journal., because it gives me local news. This week's "Our Town and Schools" section had an article highlighting the upcoming show of Robert Rodriguez Jr. Rodriguez is a landscape photographer who lives in Beacon.

His show, "Light and Landscapes", will run from February 9 to March 4 at the RiverWinds Gallery  in Beacon. Even if you can't make the trip, check out his website Robert Rodriguez Jr Photography,Beyond the Lens

He has a free downloadable ebook on Landscape photography that you may want to take a look at.

Close-up Project

Because of the snow storm, the due date for the Close-up project has been extended to Monday 2/11/13.

Next week students should be prepared to develop their film for the Water, Ice and Snow image, and the "Line" image.

There shouldn't be any excuses about finding "Snow"!

Copyright Infringement is a Crime!

Do a Google image search and you'll find hundreds of great images. The first instinct is to think that these photos and graphics are in the public domain and can be used freely. WRONG!! Copyright infringement  is illegal and can bring heavy monetary penalties to those who violate them.

Any image on your blog must be your own work!

 

Roni Loren, a teenage romance writer, learned the hard way what can happen when you violate copyright law.  Read Blogger Beware: You CAN Get Sued For Using Photos You Don't Own on Your Blog. 

I reserve the right to request your original file. If you can't produce it, you will be given a zero for that assignment. Do the right thing, shoot and post your own work.

All the best,

Mr. B

First Photo Blog

Hi Photography 6 and 8,

Today you will start the digital component of your class. Each of you will produce a "Photo" blog where you will post your digital assignments. I will view, comment and grade your work. You may also add comments and criticism to the photos of your classmates as well. (be respectful)

Your first assignment is Money! 

Yes it's an open ended subject, but thats the whole idea. I want you to think about a creative visual solution to this topic. Closeups, money being passed, banks, some serious "bling". You get the idea. Here is my shot. I desaturated it in Photoshop and increased the contrast to give it more impact.

Write a short paragraph about your concept.

"My photograph explores the concept of being "blinded" by wealth and prestige. Some value money above all things....but you can't take it with you. The ancient Greeks buried their dead with coins on their eyes, a toll payed to be carried over the river Styx. Are we paying too high a toll in this world. Do we amass wealth at the expense of things of higher value. There is so much value in the simple act of living.

Your digital camera should have a closeup feature. Explore how close you can get and still get a focused image. Read your camera manual for more information on this feature. Each camera is different.

Read  Macro Shots, What is that Flower Icon? to get some ideas on the use of the "Macro" feature.