PHOTOGRAPHY for week of April 20 - 24, 2020
Hello MRMS photography students!
There weren't any new assignments given during the last week of April 13 - 17.
For this week April 20 - 24 I would like for you to take your time going over the revision below of all of the assignments so far.
Check your grades in IC and see what you need to do to catch up.
Don't feel rushed to take a photo of the first object you may see
that fits the basic description. Don't be basic!
There are no new assignments
again for this week
April 20 - 24.
Take time to finish or improve on what we have done so far.
Look at the ways that objects overlap and interact with each other to form interesting patterns or images. A basketball has interesting texture,
but it doesn't make a very exciting photograph all by itself.
Anyone can take a photo of a basketball; what makes the image unique?
The background matters, and some photos need to be cropped so the extra stuff that doesn't add to the quality of the photo should be removed (like a lamp or a chair in the background that has nothing to do with the image you are capturing).
GRADES
Progress grades for the 7 photography assignments given so far have been entered into IC. Some of you may have been confused by the grade entered, and many of you sent emails of concern and worry regarding the M (missing) grade.
I have not ever used the grade of M in art grades previously, so I did not know you were going to be "flagged"
(which I think freaked some of you out!).
What I want you to know about the grades: Nothing is permanent and I am happy to talk to you about questions and concerns you may have. Grades are a way for me to communicate to you about your progress, they are not meant to crush your hopes and dreams. This first time of doing online photography has been challenging for all of us, especially when I can't help you face-to-face with explanations and concerns. Please do not stress about the grades, because your energy and focus should be put into the creation of your art.
When I realized that so many students needed more clarification about the assignments, I sent many students a version of an email (below) to try to break it down to make it easier to understand. Below is a basic version of the explanation to try to help you understand each assignment better. MOST IMPORTANT: I am changing the due-date deadlines for these first 7 Art Elements assignments from Friday to anytime before the last week of school Friday, May 15. 2020.
Thank you to the students who have finished the assignments, but I don't want the rest of the students to stress out about the deadlines. This is repetition but it's a simplified break-down of what we have learned so far in photography.
After you read the explanation below, review the photos you have taken and try to repair or start the assignments that may have not been clear previously. For some of you, as you make a second (or even first ) attempt to try any of these 7 photography assignments, I will change your grades in IC. We are living in stressful times and we don't need more things to worry about in our lives. Do what you can and keep in touch. I'm always excited to see what you create!
Review of all Assignments given before April 15 - Revised Due-date May 15, 2020
List the seven categories and write what I need to know from you about each photo (remember, you are expected to send 3 photos minimum for EACH category, and label them so I don't have to guess which assignment they are for).
Below I will list each of the 7 categories for the assignments and ask you to label each photo with the title of Line, Shape, Space, Texture, Value, Color, and Combinations of any of the 6 with each art element labeled.
1. Title: Line
What I am looking for: Go beyond the straight lines you see in the window blinds and your staircase. Look around indoors and outdoors for interesting lines that create cool patterns or rhythms. Look for interesting different lines you see in your world, some straight, or zig-zag or curly, or whatever combination of lines you see in your world that make a visually interesting image. The straight lines made by your kitchen cabinet do satisfy the requirement of "Lines" but do they make an exciting and unique photo? Learn to see the lines around you, not just prove that you know what a line is. While we are stuck at home and staying safe from the pandemic going on currently in our world, try to be as creative as you can given the limitations of location.
I know that you aren't able to travel and get some of these types of photos, but they are still good examples of using Lines:
List the seven categories and write what I need to know from you about each photo (remember, you are expected to send 3 photos minimum for EACH category, and label them so I don't have to guess which assignment they are for).
Below I will list each of the 7 categories for the assignments and ask you to label each photo with the title of Line, Shape, Space, Texture, Value, Color, and Combinations of any of the 6 with each art element labeled.
1. Title: Line
What I am looking for: Go beyond the straight lines you see in the window blinds and your staircase. Look around indoors and outdoors for interesting lines that create cool patterns or rhythms. Look for interesting different lines you see in your world, some straight, or zig-zag or curly, or whatever combination of lines you see in your world that make a visually interesting image. The straight lines made by your kitchen cabinet do satisfy the requirement of "Lines" but do they make an exciting and unique photo? Learn to see the lines around you, not just prove that you know what a line is. While we are stuck at home and staying safe from the pandemic going on currently in our world, try to be as creative as you can given the limitations of location.
I know that you aren't able to travel and get some of these types of photos, but they are still good examples of using Lines:
2. Title: Shape
There are shapes in nature called organic shapes and shapes in man-made objects called geometric shapes. As with the Lines assignment, look around your world for interesting shapes and the patterns and combinations of shapes that make interesting images. Again, title the minimum of three photos you send with the word "Shape" and for a grade of " 4 " also label the shapes as geometric and/or organic. Be able to tell me why these shapes make a unique photograph. This is ART, it is not just proving that you know what a shape is like in elementary school.
Again, you need to send a minimum of three Shapes photos labeled with the title and make sure it is a unique image.
A tennis ball or an apple by itself is a shape, yes, but does it make an interesting or unique photograph?
You have to take time to really look around you, not just take a photo of your clock because it is a circle. Again, do what you can with what you can find at home.
Examples of photos using interesting geometric and/or organic Shapes:
There are shapes in nature called organic shapes and shapes in man-made objects called geometric shapes. As with the Lines assignment, look around your world for interesting shapes and the patterns and combinations of shapes that make interesting images. Again, title the minimum of three photos you send with the word "Shape" and for a grade of " 4 " also label the shapes as geometric and/or organic. Be able to tell me why these shapes make a unique photograph. This is ART, it is not just proving that you know what a shape is like in elementary school.
Again, you need to send a minimum of three Shapes photos labeled with the title and make sure it is a unique image.
A tennis ball or an apple by itself is a shape, yes, but does it make an interesting or unique photograph?
You have to take time to really look around you, not just take a photo of your clock because it is a circle. Again, do what you can with what you can find at home.
Examples of photos using interesting geometric and/or organic Shapes:
3. Title: Space
In every photograph, there is the space that the object takes up (the positive space), and the space around and in between the object/s is the negative space.
In every photograph, there is the space that the object takes up (the positive space), and the space around and in between the object/s is the negative space.
When you look around for interesting spaces made by an arrangement of objects,
notice the shape that the negative (or the space between the objects) makes.
Label the minimum of three space photos and be able to tell me why they make interesting or unique negative spaces.
4. Title: Texture
Most students understand that texture is the way something feels. The grass in your backyard makes a texture, and so does the paint on the wall, but does that make an interesting or unique photo?
Title a minimum of three photos with the word "Texture" and ask yourself if it is an interesting photo or is it just a rock on the ground. Many students have taken photographs of the bark on a tree, and those do make interesting textures, but I suggest you keep looking after you get the tree bark photo. Look for combinations of objects that have contrasting and different textures next to each other. Maybe there is a stripped pattern of a fluffy bird feather on top of the tree bark?
Try to think outside the tree bark; what could be a texture of an object that you didn't notice before or a different combination of textures next to each other showing interesting contrast? Dare to be different!
Examples of Textures and Contrasting Textures:
Most students understand that texture is the way something feels. The grass in your backyard makes a texture, and so does the paint on the wall, but does that make an interesting or unique photo?
Title a minimum of three photos with the word "Texture" and ask yourself if it is an interesting photo or is it just a rock on the ground. Many students have taken photographs of the bark on a tree, and those do make interesting textures, but I suggest you keep looking after you get the tree bark photo. Look for combinations of objects that have contrasting and different textures next to each other. Maybe there is a stripped pattern of a fluffy bird feather on top of the tree bark?
Try to think outside the tree bark; what could be a texture of an object that you didn't notice before or a different combination of textures next to each other showing interesting contrast? Dare to be different!
Examples of Textures and Contrasting Textures:
5. Title: Value
Look for light and dark tones in black and white photos or shades and tints of one color in your world. Try to take a photo that has as many different lights and darks as you can find. Shadows and silhouettes make interesting values in a photo, but they should be creative. Anyone can take a photo of their own shadow, but what makes a photo showing different lights and darks unique and interesting? Again, title the minimum of three photos with the word "Value" and count as many lights and darks of one color that you can, the more the better. The value scale is like a music scale with "tones" going up from light (white) down to dark (black). There are 8 boxes of tones from light to dark in the value scale below. Count how many different tones you can in your photographs; the more variety the better. The color value scale below is light red (pinK= red + white) to dark red (magenta).
Look for light and dark tones in black and white photos or shades and tints of one color in your world. Try to take a photo that has as many different lights and darks as you can find. Shadows and silhouettes make interesting values in a photo, but they should be creative. Anyone can take a photo of their own shadow, but what makes a photo showing different lights and darks unique and interesting? Again, title the minimum of three photos with the word "Value" and count as many lights and darks of one color that you can, the more the better. The value scale is like a music scale with "tones" going up from light (white) down to dark (black). There are 8 boxes of tones from light to dark in the value scale below. Count how many different tones you can in your photographs; the more variety the better. The color value scale below is light red (pinK= red + white) to dark red (magenta).
6. Title: Color
Some students sent photos of colorful items, but they did not title the minimum of three photos with the word "Color" AND most important: the colors need to be contrasting colors. Each of the three photos you send titled "Color" should have a combination of either red & green, or yellow & purple , or blue & orange. These are the colors that are directly across from each other on the color wheel. They create bold contrast when next to each other and are often paired in photography for interesting effect.
Anyone can take a photo of a colorful pillow or a rainbow, but these need to be photos with the specific color combinations as mentioned above. Title the minimum of three photos you send with the word "Color" as well as which color group it is: red and green, or yellow and purple, or blue and orange.
Some students sent photos of colorful items, but they did not title the minimum of three photos with the word "Color" AND most important: the colors need to be contrasting colors. Each of the three photos you send titled "Color" should have a combination of either red & green, or yellow & purple , or blue & orange. These are the colors that are directly across from each other on the color wheel. They create bold contrast when next to each other and are often paired in photography for interesting effect.
Anyone can take a photo of a colorful pillow or a rainbow, but these need to be photos with the specific color combinations as mentioned above. Title the minimum of three photos you send with the word "Color" as well as which color group it is: red and green, or yellow and purple, or blue and orange.
7. Title: Combination of Art Elements
Send a minimum of three photos you take that include a combination of at least 2 of the listed elements of your choice. They can be any combination of any number of elements. Title the photographs with the word "Combination" and list which combinations you are using, example: Combination of Texture and the Color group of green and red. Or Combination of Geometric Shapes with interesting negative space around and in-between the shapes. They can be photos using any number of art elements. Challenge yourself to find as many of the combinations of the elements Line, Shape, Space, Texture, Value and/or Color as you can.