Tuesday, May 3, 2016

Assignment 23: Graduation 2016


What would you like your graduation program to look like?

Your assignment:

Design the 2016 Graduation Cover for NDB.

You must include the new logo, the date - June 2, 2016 , the time - 2:30, and the location - 
St. Pius Catholic Church,  1100 Woodside Road, Redwood City, California

Anything else you want to add to make this the important event that it is...

Due date:  May 5th, end of class


Wednesday, March 9, 2016

Assignment #19: The Exploration of Self


Who are you, really?


Since the fifteenth century and the advent of the mirror artists have modeled for themselves in their own works of art.  Whether an in-depth exploration of the artist’s own psyche or simply because as a model, the artist is clearly the cheapest and most available, artists in every medium have attempted this “exploration of self”.  Look at the many different kinds of self-portraits and attempt to understand why people create these works and how both they and the viewer benefit from them.

Will the real Cindy Sherman please stand up?

Start by watching the Cindy Sherman piece (link is to the right...).  Sherman is an American photographer and film director best known for her conceptual portraits.  Through different series of works Sherman has sought to raise challenging and important questions about the role and representation of women in society, the media, and the nature of the creation of art.

For this project, you will need to complete the following.

 Brainstorm (25 pts)
1.     Create two self-portrait concepts: one that will be a portrait showing yourself, and one that invents a new character. Summarize them. Create and write 10 “visual” phrases (descriptive – a phrase we can “see”) for each idea that will help you to create your portraits.
Create one “Contact Sheets” (50 pts)
2.     (An older term in photography referring to 20 images or “out takes” on a single 8.5 x 11” sheet of photographic paper.)  Make a contact sheets with 20 images, 10 images that describe yourself and 10 images that are the “story” of your created character. Be prepared to discuss the character.
Final (500 pts)
3. Select the best image for each - one that is you and one that is the character. Create a layout in Photoshop placing both images are on a single page and save in the appropriate size.  Label your images with your initials, the block and the name of the assignment (ex: MAK5Explorationofself.jpg)



Things to consider when working on your captures:

Quality
Is the image in focus, thoughtfully lit, and finished looking?
Does the work show pride in execution?
Is there an understanding of the camera used (or are these simply “snap shots”)?
Is it treated as an art piece?

Composition
Is the image well composed, balanced, all aspects in the image intended to be there?
Does it invite the viewer to “linger”?
Is it cluttered, bare, and composed with the purpose of the concept in mind??

Accuracy
Did you follow instructions?
Was it turned in on time?
Did you meet the proper expectations of shots?

Due Dates:  Brainstorm due March 11
                    Contact Sheet due March 17
                    Final Images due March 21

Friday, August 14, 2015

The Digital Sketchbook Project!



The Sketchbook

I have been keeping a sketchbook as part of my studio, art process, and all around capturing tool for as long as I can remember.  When I don’t have my sketchbook, I use a napkin, a receipt, a ticket stub...whatever is available to remember my thoughts, sketches, ideas I have in the middle of whatever I am doing.  I often have several at one time and go back to older ones to see where I’ve been and where I need or want to go.  Your digital sketchbook will allow several things to happen:  it creates a safe place in which to create, you will be able to watch your own creative process develop - ideas that work well along with those that could use more, and most importantly I will be able to watch you problem-solve.  You have a list of prompts to work with and "capture" - think of this as a record of REGULAR creative thinking outside the classroom. Sketchbook work is due every OTHER week, uploaded to your blog by the end of day Sundays.  Lightroom and Photoshop may be used and manipulation is encouraged!Sketchbook Assignments:

  •  The list of prompts is posted, lower right.  They are to be done in order.  Due dates are also posted.
  •  Label your photograph with the prompt and your name.
  •  Subject matter is your choice based on each assignment.
  •  Sketchbook work is to be done outside of class.

Sketchbook 1 is due August 30

Thursday, August 13, 2015

Assignment #1: Photography as Art vs. Photography as Snap Shot: What makes a photograph art or not art?

 

I like to take photographs...lots of photographs.  I look around and watch everyone using their cell phones, digital cameras, "old fashioned" film cameras and I have to wonder - what makes an "art" photograph different than a snap shot?

Now you have a chance to think about this and visually show your opinion.  Be prepared to explain your choices.

The Assignment:  Bring in two images - one you believe to be "art" and one you believe is not.

Due date:  August 19

Wednesday, August 12, 2015

How many ways can you change Color to Black and White in Photoshop?



I know, I know...simply click the button on your camera to "discard" the color...but wait!  What if you could have a number of ways to change your images to black and white with complete control over the value and end result you really want  - just like the professionals?  Try the 6 ways here and know that much more!
Desaturate
1)    Image – Desaturate
2)    Image – Mode – Grayscale
a.    Click “Discard”
Hue/Saturation Tool
1)    Layer – New Adjustment Layer – Hue Saturation
a.    Move Saturation slider all the way to the left
Lab Color
1)    Image – Mode – Lab Color
a.    Go to Channels (this is in your layer bar)
b.    Select “Lightness” Channel
c.     Image – Mode – Grayscale
d.    Click “OK”
Gradient Map
1)    Make sure your Foreground/Background are Black and White
a.    Layer – New Adjustment Layer – Gradient Map
b.    Click “OK”
Channel Mixer
1)    Image – Adjustment – Channel Mixer
a.    Check “Monochrome”
b.    Manipulate Red, Green and Blue (but numbers must add to 100%)
                                              i.     If under 100%, image will go dark, if over 100%, image will lighten
•Red – 100% Red
•Yellow – 50% Red, 50% Green
•Orange – 75% Red, 25% Green
•Cyan – 50% Blue, 50% Green
Dual Hue/Saturation
1)    Layer – New Adjustment Layer – Hue/Saturation
a.    Move the Saturation all the way left, click “OK”
b.    Click on the Background
c.     Layer – New Adjustment Layer – Hue/Saturation
d.    Click “OK”
e.    Change Layer Blending Mode to Color
f.      Double-Click on Hue/Saturation, manipulate Hue.

How does adding lens color filters change your black and white image?
Filter – Noise – Despeckle
Image – Adjustments - Curves


Tuesday, May 12, 2015

…and the last one…promise...


What does "kinoptic" mean?  What does "kinoptic art" look like?

Your final CLASS assignment is to research this term and create a kinoptic, photographic piece of art.  You will need to think about two images that are opposites of one another (sun/moon, flower blooming/flower bud) and, using Photoshop, piece them together (this is where you'll have to do the visual research to see how to create the final piece...no examples posted here!).

Due May 18th, end of class.