Details to Assignment #7- "You have to know the history of your medium..."

Keith Carter says it perfectly here in this video. What will be a key element in your success as a photographer? Knowing the history of your medium. If you're an illustration major, graphic designer, film maker, sculptor, ceramicist, etc... you need to know the history. watch this video:

So, this week's focus is going to be on the history of the medium of photography. We're going to focus on learning all we can about various photographers. In our class today, you have received 2 different photographers. Study them. Search out their work. Become familiar with it. Your assignment is to do the following:
1. Pick the photographer (out of the two given) whose works resonates the strongest with you.

2. Become familiar with their work and subject matter so that you can do the following:

3. Either recreate one of their images or create something in the style of their work.

4. You MUST have these images in class on Tuesday, October 23rd. (I will be coming around to look at your individual assignments and see who you've chosen and how you've executed your photos thus far- plus I will give back feedback and individual direction).

5. The best images from this assignment must be posted to your blog by Thursday, October 25th for the in-class critique.

6. You must also write a 1-page paper on the photographer, discussing their work and life. (You will be presenting this paper and the information gathered in a 5-min presentation. These presentations will be spread out throughout the next couple of weeks. But the paper is due by Thursday, October 25th at the beginning of class. You may submit it on Canvas or bring it to class on Thursday. This will be a separate assignment here in Canvas.)

past student examples:

Assignment- HighKey & LowKey

HIGH-KEY Is a style of lighting for photography that focuses on reducing the lighting ratio present in the scene. High-key images often have white or washed out backgrounds, and often time the images loose detail in the highlights.
One way to achieve this effect is with multiple light sources (mainly from the sides and back of the image). Back-lit images can also be high-key.

Richard Avedon, a hugely influential and successful fashion and portrait photographer, often photographed with white backgrounds. Some of his images could be considered more high-key.

LOW-KEY Is a style of lighting for photography where the overall image is dark and typically the light source is only one key light. Low-key images have dark backgrounds or they are darker overall. Sometimes photographers use a reflector to fill in some of the shadows, if anything is used at all. Please note that you do not need to only use unnatural sources of light to achieve a low-key image. Sally Mann made Low Key images in natural lit situations by finding and using intense areas of shade and by completely controlling the elements of exposure.

images by Sally Mann

Photographing with purpose and meaning

During our first class we had a great discussion on How to Convey Meaning in Your Photos If you're interested here's the link to the article. Reread it, share it. We will be revisiting this topic throughout the semester.

Welcome to Art 1050- Intro to Digital Photography!

I'm looking forward to working with all of you this semester and to helping you succeed in your photographic endeavors. You will all become better photographers this semester and you will see your technical skills improve through your assignments.

We will keep this blog as a forum for your work and assignments.

Here's to a great semester together!

-CB