Collections Assignment
Past Student Examples Click Here
OBJECTIVE:
The subject matter of the Collections Assignment should relate to things that you are interested in personally – whether it be a film type, an abstract expression of an idea, or something more concrete such as a specific subject matter. Give yourself room to expand and experiment within presentation, film, paper, and general growth of your theme. I will be watching for creativity, experimentation, technique (both with the camera or when printing and processing), as well as growth and development of your ideas – take risks, make artistic judgments and take LOTS of photographs.
Getting Started
BRAINSTORMING FOR YOUR COLLECTION
Make yourself a Photographer/Artist’s Journal...
Start with brainstorming… answer the following questions to help give yourself some direction. In its simplest definition a collection can be considered just a grouping of “exhibited works of a single artist [which usually follows some type of theme],” but in the end, for the artists themselves, it will become much more than that; so let it grow, be open to happy accidents and enjoy the visual stories and personal expression of ideas as you create something that will truly be superior.
Collection ASSIGNMENT _ Semester Requirements
EXHIBITION _ 15 Matted/Presented Images of your Collection
Techniques or Ideas to Consider when Defining your Theme
The subject matter of the Collections Assignment should relate to things that you are interested in personally – whether it be a film type, an abstract expression of an idea, or something more concrete such as a specific subject matter. Give yourself room to expand and experiment within presentation, film, paper, and general growth of your theme. I will be watching for creativity, experimentation, technique (both with the camera or when printing and processing), as well as growth and development of your ideas – take risks, make artistic judgments and take LOTS of photographs.
Getting Started
BRAINSTORMING FOR YOUR COLLECTION
Make yourself a Photographer/Artist’s Journal...
Start with brainstorming… answer the following questions to help give yourself some direction. In its simplest definition a collection can be considered just a grouping of “exhibited works of a single artist [which usually follows some type of theme],” but in the end, for the artists themselves, it will become much more than that; so let it grow, be open to happy accidents and enjoy the visual stories and personal expression of ideas as you create something that will truly be superior.
- List three of your strengths as a photographer/artist.
- List three things you feel are a weakness to you as an artist or photographer. You may NOT say: “I am not creative.” Creativity is just observation and the ability to play around with what you know and being willing to make mistakes; we all have that potential.
- What are some topics you are interested in? Consider how you could represent each of those interests visually.
- Are there any types of imagery that you seem to gravitate to as an artist or as a viewer?
- Consider the topics you listed more carefully by asking yourself if you could link any of them to put your own “spin or story” to your imagery?
- When thinking about HOW you shoot, do you notice that you shoot in any particular way compositionally? (This is what I would consider your shooting style.)
- List some ways that you could CHANGE your “shooting style” or format to match your imagery, theme or the concept you want to convey so that the images you create are more dynamic and personalized?
- Think about how you like it work this semester...are you straight forward and “clean”, do you like to work with your hands 3-dimensionally or texturally, are you interested in trying something new/experimenting?
- As an artist it is sometimes hard to keep your ideas “fresh,” list some things you do to rejuvenate yourself creatively...think about it honestly in relation to the topics you have chosen for yourself. Ask yourself, honestly, if it will keep your interest for 16 weeks.
- Is there some physical thing, image, or idea that you have had in the past that you could use in your art? You may not even be fully aware of its potential...your subconscious might be holding that answer; so think about it.
- Experiment or risk-take as much as you can when you begin to choose things that interest you within the first 2 rolls, but try to establish some type of theme for your imagery and a presentation style.
- The first two rolls should be used as establishing rolls for your ideas. However, roll 3 should still be considered for growth, but you should be conscious that your ideas/subjects are starting to come together as a whole set of images.
- I will be paying particular attention to Technique, Print Quality and Presentation as you finish your Collection of Imagery.
- Remember that all your images should include an understanding of: Principles and Elements of Art, Compositional Elements, Technical expertise, Creativity and Conceptual Thought, Artistic Growth
- By rolls 4-10 you should be continually considering both theme and presentation as constants between your images.
- Know where your idea is headed in terms of a full collection of 15 pieces by the second review of work.
Collection ASSIGNMENT _ Semester Requirements
- Minimum 10 rolls-24 exposure or 250 digital shots
- Print 15 collection images in stages through out the semester (5 images-review 1, 6 images - review 2, 4 images -review 3)
- Choose your top 15 images to present as your collection for exhibit in MAY
EXHIBITION _ 15 Matted/Presented Images of your Collection
- Choose an appropriate way to present and display your imagery (some of you might have considered an alternate method for display - please be sure to have spoken with me about your idea early on / no later than review 2 please)
- Hang your work in the gallery / pre-assigned locations TBD
- Title your collection
- Include an artist statement that encompasses your entire collection, its growth and your own personal conclusions about your imagery - your “story” behind what we see as viewers. (see Exhibit Statement)
- Be prepared and actively participate in the class critiques
Techniques or Ideas to Consider when Defining your Theme
- Balance (radial, symmetry, asymmetrical)
- Shape (defining objects by similar shape and size)
- Subject (same subject photographed numerous ways)
- Composition (leading lines, rule of thirds, point of view)
- Themes (narrative story, documentation of events)
- Time (identifying life events with time, time lapse)
- Historical (recognizing family, national or local history)
- Light & Contrast (specific values emphasized – exaggerated value)
- Manipulation/Presentation (developing, negative or printing)
- Portraiture (candid, posed, staged)
- Abstraction (identifying with images that are non-representational)
Peer Critique of Collections
peercritique_collection-growth.pdf |