Photo II – Project #7: Remix

PROJECT OVERVIEW:

At this point in Photography, you probably already know what you enjoy photographing most.  There’s a good chance that there was a project this semester that you hated, or  one that you really liked.  This project is your chance to put a new spin on an idea or technique that was introduced earlier in the semester.

To do this, you will reflect on the work you made earlier in Photo I and Photo II by looking through your portfolio, reviewing the inspiration and project assignments on the class blog, and selecting a project that you could do better by taking it in a new direction or learning from your previous experiences.  This project is not a copy of a previous project.  It’s a remix – taking something old and making it new.

You can consider redoing your favorite project and explore what you would do differently with 2 extra weeks or access to different film or equipment.  Perhaps think about a project you did the worst on, reflect on why it didn’t work well, and see if you can improve upon your first attempt at it.  Maybe you really enjoyed the Photo Mentor project and want to continue exploring it with another roll of film.  Maybe you just want to choose another photo mentor.

Either way, be sure to incorporate all that we have learned so far this semester: an awareness of lighting, composition, and focus.  Also, be aware of color, scanning, and PhotoShop editing if you chose to go the digital route – ALL pictures should be edited before printing.  Just because it’s digital doesn’t mean it’s good enough to print straight out of the camera.  All pictures require work regardless of whether or not they were made on a computer or in the darkroom.

Keep in mind, THIS should be the best project that you turn in.

WHAT’S DUE:

  • 1 Contact Sheet
    • For film: 24 shots = 1 contact sheet
    • for digital: 40 shots = 1 contact sheet
  • 4 8″x10″ Prints

AT THE END OF THIS PROJECT, STUDENTS WILL BE ABLE TO:

  • demonstrate an understanding of photographic techniques taught in Photo I and Photo II, especially in composition, lighting, focus, and print quality.
  • create an exhibition-ready body of work that they are proud of.
  • revisit and revise previous work to demonstrate an elevation of standards and quality.

INSPIRATION:

Below are a few ideas of how to approach an old project differently.  I’ll update more as I find things relevant.

Project 3: Still Life or Continuous lighting – try new lighting techniques, objects that communicate a theme or idea, or incorporate a human element in it.  You could even try purposefully blurring parts of your image through a long exposure.

Project 4: Portraits – try new, different lighting scenarios!  Or even do portraits with continuous light to get more control.  Or try double exposures!