A Formal Concern: Design in Presentation

For our third print assignment, we will focus on how the final presentation of a photographic artwork can help communicate an idea. Your final presentation of "A Formal Concern" will need to demonstrate your chosen principle of design, and avoid simply printing two prints and matting them next to one another.

Problem: Create a photographic work that illustrates a principle of design through your choice of subject matter and presentation. Your final work must include imagery from at least two different negatives from "a formal concern" shooting assignment, although you may use more.

We will critique your final presentation (not matted necessarily, but taped together or hung in the style of your choosing) on Thurs. Nov. 6th.

Below I've included a slideshow of photographers who use alternative ways of presenting their work to help communicate an idea or concept. Take a look to help you gather ideas for how you will present yours...

Idea Through Presentation

Photo 3 (1 credit only) Independent Proposal Research

sketchbook by Christine Long

Amanda, visit the Art 21 website to help with brainstorming for your AP concentration and independent study work.

1. VISIT the ART 21 PBS website (by clicking on the link), or the compiled list of topics on our Seminar site Seminar and search through artist exemplars and thematic topic areas (note: there is a great deal of information in there...use it as a jumping off point!). Hint: Search under the drop down episode menu in the top right blue box to find artists examples/video clips and more by theme!

2. Select a thematic area that you are personally interested in...that you would like to investigate for an extended period of time to start the year off with!

3. BRAINSTORMING...
Include research on at least two or more of the artists that work within your chosen thematic area. Begin to collect images, articles, text, material use, experiments, topic references, information, ideas, further stretching ideas, and sketches about the theme and artists.
A complete investigation of multiple facets of the theme, master artists, and your brainstorming for the first SEMINAR artwork (show thorough ideas for your first piece of artwork inspired by the thematic area) see examples above!

"A Formal Concern" Shooting Assignment

Imogen Cunningham

Now that you have looked at how the principles of design can be interpreted both formally (composition) and conceptually (idea), it's time to approach subject matter that you're interested in and put these design principles to use.

Shoot one roll of 24 black and white exposures that clearly explore one of the two principles of design you chose to study in your sketchbook. You must demonstrate ways of illustrating this principle of design both formally and conceptually. Apply the photographic principles of composition, (fill the frame, edges of the frame, rule of thirds, leading lines, etc.) to guide your compositions. Consider technical aspects as well, such as lighting, bracketing (when necessary), and depth of field/shutter speed. Choose a subject that's interesting and unique to you, (portraiture, landscape, interiors, etc.)

One roll of film and contact sheet DUE: Tuesday, 10/21

A Formal Concern: Sketchbook brainstorming

work by: Bernd & Hilla Becher
James Welling
Minor White

For our next shooting assignment, we will redirect our attention to a formal concern, namely, the use of principles of design and composition within photography. We will revisit the principles of design throughout the year, but to start I would like you to choose two of the following design principles to focus on for your next shooting assignment:

Balance
Repetition
Pattern
Emphasis
Contrast
Movement
Unity

After you have chosen two, create a one page homage to each principle of design in your sketchbook. You may use more than one page if you'd like. Each homage must include the following:

1) Definitions-write out at least two ways this design principle could be defined. One definition should pertain to how this principle might appear in the composition of an artwork, and the other definition should be how this principle may be illustrated as a concept, metaphor, or what it means to you personally. Use a dictionary to look up different definitions!

2) 3 Master Photographer examples. Use the links below to do a little research. Find three different master photographs that somehow illustrate both definitions for each design principle. Include the photographer's name, the title of the work, and the date.

Photography NOW
Masters of Photography
ProFotos-Photography Masters
Photokaboom

3) Brainstorm and illustrate at least three different ways you could illustrate this design principle with your own photography, using subject matter and concepts you're interested in. Don't worry about what's possible or impossible at the moment, just come up with different approaches.

SKETCHBOOK DUE: Fri, Oct. 10th.