Final Project

Throughout the semester I have developed assignments and projects specifically to help you learn about different aspects of photography. However, a huge part of being an artist means being self-disciplined and self-motivated. So, for your final project you will be responsible for developing your own project. I have determined general requirements and have set a timeline for the next few weeks, but you are responsible for coming up with the idea/topic of your project. Begin by writing down your thoughts in any form you choose, such as a list of subject matter, conceptual thoughts, narrative plots, places to photograph, questions you have, etc. Choose a subject/topic/idea that you are interested in and investigate it over the next few weeks.

You will write a one-page proposal describing your project and what you hope to investigate further through your photographs. You will present your project to the class with preliminary ideas, sketches, inspiration and work-in-progress. On the week of November 29th, each of you will meet with me individually to look at work-in-progress and discuss the development of your project. For the final critique you will write a short artist statement about your work, which will be presented at the time of your critique and posted on your blog along with your final images. For this project I strongly encourage you to print on paper larger than 8.5x11”. Refer to the requirements below for the number of prints required for each paper size.

Requirements:
Written proposal and presentation to class (due Thursday, November 17th)
Work-in-progress meeting (sign up for a slot on November 29th or December 1st)
Number of final prints:
12-15 prints if you’re printing at 8.5x11”
9-12 prints if you’re printing at 11x14” or 11x17”
7-10 prints if you’re printing at 13x19“
Artist statement
Final images and statement posted to blog before critique

Critique 4- Mystery Bag

Thursday, November 10

1. 4 prints ready to hang and turn in (portfolio)

2. Those 4 images posted on your blog before critique

3. Contact sheet of all photographs taken for this project

We will be hanging four students' work at a time. Please begin hanging your work before class so we can begin promptly at 2:10.

Larger Inkjet Paper

For your final project you have the option of printing your photographs larger than 8.5x11 and I strongly encourage you to do so. It is not only great to learn how to use larger paper with the printers, but it will also allow you to see your photos in a different way. If you would like to do so, here are some things you need to know:

- Put your order in ASAP if you're ordering paper online
- The printers in the digital lab can handle paper up to 17" wide (the short side). This means you can buy paper that measures: 17x22", 13x19", or 11x17" (these are the standards)
- Keep in mind the number of prints required for the final plus test prints, test strips and mess ups.
- As the paper gets larger, the price of purchasing a box increases. But, no fear, there are options that won't break the bank. And it is totally worth it.
- Remember that printing on matte paper is a big adjustment from luster paper. And you cannot frequently be switching back and forth between Matte Black and Photo Black.

Some paper suggestions:

Epson Ultra Premium Luster- good basic luster paper
11.7 x 16.5 - 50 sheets
13 x 19 - 50 sheets

Canon Photo Paper Pro Luster- good basic luster paper
13 x 19 - 50 sheets
17 x 22 - 25 sheets

Ilford Galerie Prestige Smooth Pearl- Similar to Epson Premium Luster, a little nicer
11 x 17 - 25 sheets
13 x 19 - 25 sheets

Canon Photo Paper Pro Premium Matte- good basic matte paper
13 x 19 - 50 sheets

Epson Ultra Premium Paper Matte- good basic matte paper
13 x 19 - 50 sheets

Ilford Galerie Prestige Gold Fiber Silk- Nicer, higher-quality, cotton rag, luster paper
8.5 x 11 - 50 sheets
11 x 17 - 25 sheets
13 x 19 - 25 sheets
13 x 19 - 50 sheets


For each of these brands and types of paper you should search for other sizes and quantities if the link is not the specific amount/size you are looking for

Additional websites:
Adorama
Hunts
Amazon

Inspiration: Abstract + Still Life Photography

For your current project (Mystery Bag) I want you to really experiment with the materials you were given. Use the supplies in any way you would like: break them, cut them, use them to build something else, or use them in their normal state. For some inspiration I wanted to introduce the class to abstract photography and also revisit still life photography. Your images for this project do not have to be abstract or still life specifically, but I want you to be familiar with some alternative ways of approaching photography.

What is abstract photography?

An abstract image is one that has no direct association with the world or the object world. In other words, it is experimental, non-objective or conceptual in nature. Often times in abstraction contextual information is removed or obscured to convey an unreal experience, an idea or a sensation. Abstract photography often focuses on elements of color, texture, shadow and shape. 

 

Aaron Siskind

 

Minor White

 

Wolfgang Tillmans

Ellen Carey

 

Roger Ballen

What is still life photography?

Still life photography depicts inanimate subject matter, most often arranged by the photographer. Unlike abstraction, still life photography directly relates to the object and its context in the world. The photographer has almost all control over the set-up, lighting and composition. As a result of this control, lighting and framing are very important in this genre of photography.

 

Shirana Shabazi

 

 

Jan Groover

 

Sharon Core

 

Brittany Marcoux

 

Hiroshi Sugimoto

(Dioramas Series)

Project 4- Mystery Bag

Photography is all about working with what you’ve got. For this project you will be working with strict limitations that will force you to think quickly and creatively. Inside of the bag I have given you, there are some mystery items that you must incorporate in your photographs. You are to use these materials to create temporary interventions within the landscape. Your images should show your engagement with both the location you have selected and an attentive investigation of the materials supplied for this project. You may work with additional supplies but the materials supplied for this project must play a dominant role in your images. You must go outside into the landscape, you must work alone and people are not to be the focus of your images. You must remove the supplies from the location after the image has been created.

Rules/Requirements:
Incorporate mystery items
Go outside into the landscape
Work alone
People may not be the focus of your images
Remove supplies from location after the image has been taken
4 final prints
         Final images posted on blog before critique
         Contact sheets of all photos taken posted on blog before critique

Critique: Thursday November 10

Tuesday will be a work day